"Da-da-Daddy! Daddy, I look g-ood?"

Wren was buzzing with excitement, stumbling over his words as David held him up by one arm, twirling him over and over.

Today we'd decided to try out that princess kids club plus a little spa time for me and David, and wren was just ecstatic.

Well once we'd gotten over it being a monarch only adventure, that wren would have to go on without the help of Daddy or Papa. There was definitely still some anxiety over it, but much less than the previous nights panic attack (which we got through with our handy dandy breathing exercises, and lots of love).

"You look practically perfect darling"

Wren giggled, he held his tiara to his head as David's twirling made his dress spin out magically. As well as the pacifier clipped to it.

The 'princess dress' as wren called it, was his beloved pink poofy net dress, still colourfully stained with all shades of the rainbow after his makeover from Alex. But I think that just made it more unique.

"A Practically perfect princess?"

"Oh most definitely"

David stopped the twirls and wren stumbled a little before I picked him up. I nuzzled his little nose and we babbled back and forth.

David sneakily took a photo of us two and wren giggled when I complained I wasn't camera ready.

"-oh but you look adorable darling. Such a cute little princess, so so cute"

I wrapped him up in a hug and he happy screeched.

"Come on now, we don't want to be late do we?"

Wren started gently slapping my shoulder as he excitedly asked.

"Bag bag! Peases Papa"

David sniggered.

"Such good manners our little princess has. Course bubba-"

David gave Wren his little backpack, containing stuffie, a bit of lunch, a sippycup of juice and an extra paci. Wren held it close to his chest, and laid his head down on my shoulder.

I slipped his special wren paci between his lips and he giggled, kicking his feet a little.

And so we set off, Wren excitingly babbling to us about princesses as we walked throught the halls, down the lift, even in the lobby, Wren didn't stop and it was so uplifting to hear.

We neared the club room and wren was getting especially giddy, letting out little squeals and squirming around in my hold. David laughed.

"Oh bubba were nearly there~"

He gave Wren a tickle and he squealed again, grabbing onto David's hand and shaking it.

"Papa there's gonna be pincesses l-like me! Little pincesses, like chu says"

"I doubt they'll be as adorable as you bubba, but they're still gonna be great"

Wren giggled and nodded.

We walked into the meeting room and wren was struck in awe. We'd arrived a little early to make sure wren wasn't thrown head first in, but still there were a couple of kids already there. It must've been a popular activity.

There were 3 little girls and 2 boys, poking at eachother with wooden swords and laughing. They looked just a bit older than wren and but 1 just about his age. They were all certainly in royalty attire. Colourful dresses, tunics and bejeweled crowns.

We just watched them run around the room for a second, playing with a castle doll house and various toys on tables that had been layed out. Parents were leaned up, chatting against a wall painted to look like cartoony hills with a Palace and dragons and all sorts populating them.

Wren leaned into my ear and spoke softly, definitely quieter than out in the hall.

"Daddy-Daddy it-its all pincess stuffs!"

"I know baby isn't it magical?"

Wren nodded, smiling happily at his surroundings.

"Hi there! Are you here for the club?"

We jumped as a man appeared out of seemingly nowhere in front of us. He jumped at our jumping and we both laughed.

"Yes, yes we are"

"Oh wonderful, well I'm one of princess perwinkles squires, Saun, this is your first time?"

I nodded, while giving wren a little nuzzle as he began to retreat into his shell.

"Great, I just need to you to fill out a form quickly, it's just a few quick questions"

He got out a clipboard from a box by the door.

"Ok... names? Parents and children"

David answered, pointing to us each as we were named

"Parents are Richard and David Nightshade, and this little princess is Wren"

I fixed the nervous darling on my hip and David added on.

"That's spelt with a W, like the bird"

He chuckled and the squire nodded.

"Ok.. hang on, Wren! Periwinkle mentioned you might be coming here. I love your tiara"

Wren looked up to the man in shock, the princess remembering and telling people about him obviously having an affect. He was stunned.

David gave him a little tickle to break him out of it.

"What do you say bubba?"

"T-tank wu"

Wren said sweetly and the man smiled. He got back to asking questions.

Wren was looking around the room till a book shelf shaped like a tree caught his eye and he stared at it longingly. I took notice.

"Sorry just- David do you wanna take wren to look over there"

"Yeah ok, bubba you wanna see the tree?"

Wren hummed and I passed him over to David, who took our little princess out of earshot.

"I'm assuming you don't leave wren in the care of others often"

He joked, smiling reassuringly while ticking off some boxes.

"How'd you know?"

"Been a squire a good while, I can tell."

I chuckled.

"Yeah we had a really horrible day care experience and I think all of our confidence just got shot"

"Ah I'm sorry, its great that you're doing this though. Its a really nice environment and we have alot of experience with anxious kids like Wren"

"Really?"

"Oh yeah, we've had all sorts of little monarchs in here. Blind, Deaf, Autistic, Amputees. Everyone likes princesses"

I chuckled again, and took a look over to wren and David. They were looking through books and wren just looked so, at ease.

"Well, thats certainly reassuring"

I filled out the rest of the form and as Saun went to put it away he turned back to me, and added on.

"Note of advice, keep goodbyes quick. The kids tend to get more upset if it's drawn out. It sounds harsh but I've watched many a tantrums over this kind of thing. You're allowed a good hug, just don't make a massive song and dance out of it"

"I think that'll be our biggest challenge today, we tend to be a bit codling of him, but we're working on the anxiety"

The tone of the conversation drifted to him gifting more serious wisdom.

"Some kids need that bit of coddling, don't beat yourself up"

"You seem to have the experience, do you have kids?"

"No... but I'd love to one day"

He smiled to himself and noticed some more people arriving and went off to attend to them.

I headed over to my boys and wren got me up to date with all the new books they'd found.

"Ooooo The Prince and the Knight, very cool baby bear"

Wren had presented his favourite and David subtle showed me that he'd already found it online, it'd certainly be a good, good behaviour reward.

"So David, wren... what are we thinking? First impressions?"

Wren looked to his Papa to talk first.

"Well uh, I think this is all very wren-coded, and the kids appear nice. So i think this'll be great fun and maybe we could even make some new friends"

David threw out to see how wren would react. He whined a tiny bit and shifted.

"Wha chu tink daddy?"

"I think this place is perfect. A club fitting for my perfect baby boy"

I kissed his cheek and wren giggled.

"Am escited, buh am nervous too. I'm like pinkie pie, am nervouscited"

David and I laughed and wren went on.

"Like how it looks, better than d-daycare, lots better. Th-the swi-ur like my tiawa"

Wren pointed to the plastic accessory with pride.

"As he should bubba"

We played around with some of the toys as more and more kids began arriving. Everyone was dressed to the nines and wren looked right at home. He was still nervous though, and gave his precious backpack to David.

"Gotsta keep safe"

He insisted, having learned from the amusement park. David slung the tiny bag over his shoulder.

I made conversation with some parents while David provided his legs for wren to hide behind. He tried to coax wren out and to engage with the other kids, as some were becoming curious, but wren was not feeling it.

He just shook his head, throwing his hands up to papa. David picked him up and I got a little worried he wouldn't fit into the social group.

However I quickly noticed many parents holding nervous little ones or kids only interacting with their parents. We were gonna be just fine.

A couple of parents called wren a girl in passing, not looking past the dress. We quickly corrected them and there were plenty of awkward apologies.

One little girl in a Disney Princess and the Frog dress pulled at her mum's sleeve and pointed to wren. I instinctively got a bit tense as they crossed the playroom to us. The mum smiled at us and began asking.

"Hi, sorry my daughter just loves that dress, did you do the colouring yourself?"

I was pleasantly surprised.

"Oh it's quite a story actually, David please"

I held out my arms, asking for my baby. Wren was passed to me and I gently kissed his head and turned him to face out. He whimpered a little and held onto his pacifier for support.

"Let's just say him and his cousin had a bit of a run in with a make up kit"

She laughed

"Oh my god, well it turned out well in the end, it's gorgeous"

"It certainly did, huh baby bear, do you like your dress?"

Wren nodded eagerly and I nuzzled his cheek.

The woman introduced herself and her daughter, as Janet and Grace. Grace waved shyly to wren and he took a moment before waving back.

And then, she entered.

"Hello everyone!"

A cheery voice came from the door and everyone around to see the legendary Princess Periwinkle standing there.

All of the children surged forward at her, it could've been a horrifying scene in a different context, but right now if was adorably sweet.

Wren squirmed, quietly but excitedly saying to me while flapping his hands

"Down down dada"

I obliged, happy wren was comfortable enough to want to join the other children.

However, as soon as wren was down he grabbed my hand and dragged me into the fray. I looked back to David for help as I tried not to trample the small children but he just laughed.

The Princess also laughed at me being among the crowd and beamed once she spotted wren.

She stepped forward, parting the sea of children. She put her hands up to her ears.

"Everyone, listening ears can we use our listening ears?"

The children all stopped the discordant shouting and cupped their hands around their ears, still giggling and talking a little.

Wren looked around confused, then raised his fists to his ear, one still holding my hand. He didn't really get what was going on, but didn't want to be left out.

Some of the adults even did it, David looked at me and we both shrugged. David cupped his ears and I cupped one. My other still securely held by wren.

Once the princess had everyones attention she began speaking

"Great listening everyone! Now we'll still wait a little longer, just to make sure there's no straglers, but until we begin there's plenty of toys and colouring pages for everyone"

She pointed over to one of the squires that held colouring pages, wren tugged on my hand and pointed at them excitedly. I grabbed David's attention and pointed him to the squire, where he took 3 pages for wren. All adorned with cartoon versions of Princess Periwinkle doing princess things.

The Princess was talking to parents and children, ones that had come immediately up to her. Wren was just bouncing in place, very much wanting to talk to the Princess too. But the children ahead of him were making him nervous. He whimpered and hugged in close to my leg.

I rubbed his back.

"You're ok darling"

I repeated to him as we steadily moved up to the princess. She waved off a squire as she spotted him, putting her hand over her heart.

"Oh my golly gumdrops is that princess wren I see there"

Wren quietly squealed, and moved ahead of me a little. He bounced on his toes and the princess bent down to him.

"In your princess dress and all!"

Wren giggled and swished his dress to and fro for the princess. I laughed as he spun in a circle, putting on a whole show.

"I must say Wren, I have never seen a princess dress quite like yours before. It's beautiful"

Wren took out his pacifier.

"Tank chu! I um... weally like ur books and toys an da whole woom. It's nice"

He rambled a little, gesturing around the room. The princess listened intently and awed.

"Why thank you sweetie I'm so glad you like it, and I'm so happy you came. Are you excited for our adventure today?"

"Mhm hmm! Buh am bit scawed about going alone"

I gave his hand a little squeeze as the princess reassured him.

"Well it's ok to be a bit scared but remember you're not alone. All of the other monarchs and I are here to help, and everyone's teddy's. They're usually the best help"

Wren gasped.

"Is it gonna be a s-s-tuffie tea party?"

"I'm afraid not today, but we've got a different secret quest that's just as fun planned. Do you still have your stuffie? They are always welcome"

"Ya! He's in my bag wif my papa"

Wren showed David standing against the wall. He laughed and gave a polite wave

"Oh you have both of your dad's here today?"

Wren nodded

"Uh huh, theys gonna stay right here till I gets back"

"Oh really?"

The princess looked up to me and smirked. She could see into my soul, she knew David i were in fact going to the spa. She knew all.

I extended my hand to her

"Hello~ it's lovely to see you again"

She rose to curtsey and shake it.

"As it is to you"

"You've got quite the club here, branded colouring pages and everything.

"Ah yes-"

She laughed

"When you get this famous in the princess world, colouring pages are a must have"

Once the princess had rose wren was eager to get back on eye level, so began scaling up my leg. I quickly took him up the rest of the way.

The princess was very amused by the cute little trance wren seemed to be, staring in awe and babbling at Periwinkle as we chatted.

Soon enough the squire from before snuck back into the room and gave a thumbs up to Princess Periwinkle. She smiled and nodded.

"It was so nice talking to you both. I'll be sure to keep a special eye on you wren. We're going to have such fun"

She twiddled her fingers at wren and he got all giggly trying to grab them.

The princess then announced to the whole room.

"I think we are ready to begin! So if every little princess or prince could please help form a circle."

The kids all started sitting in a big circle, starting and ending where Periwinkle sat. I went to put wren down but he grabbed onto my shirt collar and tugged a bit, whining.

I sighed and sat down on the floor in the midst of all the children, crossed my legs, and sat wren down on my lap. He backed right up against my chest and I started rubbing his tummy.

He was basically using me a throne which David would happily point out to me later.

"I'm seeing alot of familiar faces today and it's wonderful to have you all back, but there's also alot of new princes and princesses today-"

She looked around and laughed again at me and wren.

"-So why don't we go around and say everyone's name. My name is Princess Periwinkle. What's yours lovey?"

She asked the little girl sitting next to her, who stared at the princess in awe. She looked properly around wrens age.

"M-m- my name is... s-s-ami"

'Well hello there sami"

The Princess greeted each child as they went around in the circle saying their names. I could feel wren getting tenser as his turn grew closer.

So I whispered in his ear.

"You can do this little brave. Daddy's brave little bat"

Wren relaxed a tiny a bit and watched the kids saying their names. The boy next to us went.

"My name's Henry!"

"Hi Henry, it's good to have you back"

The group turned to look at wren and he squeaked, starting to squirm in my lap.

Wren seemed on the verge of something when he caught Davids eye off to the side. David grinned at him and gave him 2 thumbs up, igniting confidence in the small princess.

"M-my names Wren"

The group moved on quickly but I gave wren a very embarrassing celebratory hug and nuzzle. He didn't seem too bothered, powered by his magic princess confidence.

Once everyone was introduced, periwinkle got right into what was going to happen.

"Ok everyone, so today we're going on a very special adventure-"

Wren listened intently, and squeezed my knee in excitement.

"There are magic wands hidden out in the secret castle garden. Enough for everyone here! We need to go find them before they fall into the wrong hands. Are we up for it my little monarchs?!"

Everyone in the circle shouted "yeah!" Wren was a little late and blushed when a few people looked to him.

"Well ok then, let's get going!"

She stood and the kids that must've been here before sprung to their feet, running behind the princess and forming a straight line.

She laughed.

"Some of you already know where I'm going don't you-"

The kids jumped up and down in place behind her, chatting and yelling goodbyes to their parents.

'For everyone else, can we make a line behind me! Remember only princes and princesses allowed. No grown ups!"

A couple of kids cheered, prompting laughter from the parents

David came over to us as the circle of monarchs disbanded, some going straight to the princess, others running to their parents.

There already seemed to be a bit of upset going on with a few other kids so I hoped that wouldn't affect wren.

He stared off around the room, still squirming a bit. David began.

"Bubba it's time for your princess quest"

He said while keeping his voice very positive, trying to influence wren, whose magic confidence appeared to be wavering.

"It's time to say bye bye"

"Chu no leaves"

"No babyz were gonna be right here waiting for you when you get back"

Wren whined and pulled at his skirt.

"I knows. Am still scared tho... am sowwy"

Wren rubbed at his eyes and took some defined breaths. I tried to take the squires advice and be as concise as I could, despite the overwhelming urge to scoop wren up and craddle him till the earth goes into the sun.

"It's ok to be scared baby bear. I'm a little bit too, but we're being brave"

I gave wren a hug which David completed on the other side. David kissed the top of his head while I did his cheek. We separated, wren still holding tightly onto my hand but seeming more at ease.

"Am- bein- brave"

Wren made clear, taking a breath in between each word as tried to use some of our little breathing exercises.

"You're doing a very good job Princess"

David said and wren kept his steady breaths before letting go of my hand and crawling out of my lap.

I praised him as I quickly moved to the same position as David, crouched down as wren stood nervously in front of us.

"Papa can I has bag peas"

The bag was handed over and wren held it protectively to his chest. He looked at us both and I could see little tears in the corners on his eyes, but he blinked them away. He proclaimed to us again.

"Am gonna keep bag safe, am bein bwave. Bwave P'incess"

Despite wrens determination he was still shaken by the prospects of this new experience and thankfully Periwinkle noticed our predicament.