Bridgeport

A high wail wafted beneath the rafters of the stony Varga home. So close to dawn, the castle should have been silent. But the new arrival didn't get the memo.

Ygritte cried and kicked in her crib, demanding dinner- nevermind that it would be a third portion by now.

Dimitri awoke bleary eyed and wandered out into the hallway in time to meet his father. "Dimitrius. It's past bedtime lad." Andrei said with a yawn.

"Iggy woke me up." He replied, rubbing his eyes. "Doesn't she need to sleep?"

"Yes, but she is a baby. Babies sometimes cry because they are tired, as counter productive as it seems. She just needs someone to comfort her."

The shrill cry came even louder when the door to the little nursery was opened, unleashing baby fury into the hall.

"Is mama still asleep?"

"Yes, lad. She will likely rest some days more. Having a baby is difficult and painful." Andrei scooped up his daughter and gently held her to his shoulder, trying in vain to console her.

"Lad, go fetch me a bottle. Warm it up a bit by running it under hot water." Dimitri scurried off and did as he was told, returning swiftly.

"She eats a lot." He said tiredly.

"Yes. Babies grow quickly. Especially baby vampires. You'd be amazed how much you ate." Andrei took the bottle and sat down. "Do you want to feed her?"

Dimitri stared wide eyed. "Can I do that?"

"Why not? Older siblings often care for younger ones. I will show you how. Hold her head like this."

The youngster tucked eagerly into her bottle. More viciously than eagerly, spilling some of her ration. Dimitri cradled her gently. "I'm glad she doesn't have teeth yet."

Andrei chuckled. "We will have to train her out of it. Good thing she has such a good role model." He ruffled Dimitri's hair playfully.