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The family tree of the Crafts was… strange, to say the least.
Phil was the father of 4 wonderful children, 3 of them being adults and the other being… 9.
In order there was: Techno, Wilbur, Tommy, and finally… Chayanne.
Chayanne was a recent addition to their family. Truthfully, Wilbur felt more like an uncle to Chayanne than a brother.
Wilbur was nearly 26 years old with his own life. He had his own house only a short distance from his father’s. He worked as a musician on tour and now…
He’s adopted a little girl. Her name was Tallulah and she was only 7 years old. Well… 7 and a half if you were to ask her. If you told her she was only 7, she’d puff her cheeks out and correct you.
The age gap between Wilbur and his new brother wasn’t the strangest part of their family tree. No, it was the fact that Tallulah and Chayanne were biological siblings.
They had lost their parents in an accident about two years ago and naturally did not want to be separated.
But Wilbur wasn’t too sure about it at first. He had talked to Phil before about maybe wanting a child, but being terrified of such a large decision. He was on tour. He didn’t have time to take care of a child.
But Phil approached him with this special case.
The man was never one for an empty nest. With Tommy moving out to go to college and Techno going on all the random adventures he does, Phil was rather alone.
So, he offered Wilbur a small compromise.
He would adopt one sibling and Wilbur would adopt the other. While Wilbur was away on tour, the kids could both stay with him. They’d still be able to grow up as siblings like they wanted, and Wilbur would have a chance to raise a child of his own.
After some more discussion, they agreed. Wilbur adopted Tallulah and Phil adopted Chayanne.
Wilbur had a small break from his tours, luckily. So, he spent his time bonding with his favorite little girl. Amazingly, she looked just like him. Brunet curly hair that framed her face perfectly. She had the cutest little gap between her teeth too.
She was just perfect.
Chayanne also looked absurdly like Phil. He had shoulder length blond hair and a protective spirit.
The two children clearly had a wonderful relationship. It was an amazing thing to see.
Wilbur would bring Tallulah over to play with Chayanne, lounging on the lawn chairs with his dad as they watched the little ones.
But, all good things must come to an end. Wilbur’s next tour was starting up and he had to get packed. He also had to get Tallulah packed for her trip to Phil’s.
Tallulah rocked back and forth on her feet as she fiddled with the hem of her sweater. “Papa?”
Wilbur folded another shirt into his suitcase. “Yes, darling?”
“Why can’t you take me with you?”
Wilbur paused, hearing the crack in her voice and turning around.
And oh, seeing her little lip wobbling with those pretty eyes bubbling with tears…
He just wanted to scoop her up and stuff her in his suitcase too. For just a moment, he wanted to take her with him.
He took a deep breath, remembering all the many reasons that wouldn’t be a good idea. She deserved stability and time with her brother.
He bent down to one knee, cupping her face and thumbing away the tears. “Oh, honey... I know you’ll miss me, I’ll miss you so much too. But don’t worry, I’ll send you lots of letters and postcards! And I’ll be back before you know it! And besides, you’ll be with abuelito and Chayanne! You’ll have so much fun over there!”
Tallulah sniffled, wrapping her arms around Wilbur’s neck. “I’m gonna miss you, Papi. You promise you won’t forget me? You’ll be safe?” The gap in her teeth caused a small lisp.
Wilbur cooed sadly. “I promise I’ll be very safe. And I could never forget you, mi niña.”
He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before picking her up. He brought her towards the bedroom, laying her down and tucking her in.
“Would you like to hear a little song?” he asked.
She nodded so fast he was worried about her getting whiplash. He picked up a guitar and strummed it a few times to ensure it was in tune.
Then, he plucked at the strings, his hands soft and delicate as they slid across them. His voice was low in a hum, words so quiet the wind could break them apart.
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star…”
He really needed to learn more lullabies…
By the time he finished the song, Tallulah was fast asleep. He leaned forward, pressing an additional kiss to her forehead before leaving the room.
He’d drop her off in the morning and then head to his tour bus to meet with his band.
He wouldn’t get much sleep tonight…
-/-/-/-/-/-
Chayanne jumped up and down, bouncing on his toes as he watched out the window. Phil smiled at him, laying down a few snacks on the table for later.
“They’ll be here any minute, Chayanne. Just be a little patient.”
Chayanne stilled. “I am!”
Phil chuckled light heartedly, ruffling his hair.
Chayanne quickly fixed it, pressing his face against the glass as he saw a car incoming. Wilbur’s car!
They pulled into the driveway, Wilbur stepping out and opening the door for Tallulah.
Chayanne opened the door, spreading his arms wide. “Lulah!”
Tallulah beamed at him, rushing towards her brother and crashing into his arms. Chayanne spun them around, both giggling happily.
Wilbur smiled as he pulled out Tallulah’s suitcase, bringing it into the house.
Chayanne pulled Tallulah into his room, already taking out the toys. A toy sword and shield for him and a crown for Tallulah.
The two loved to play knight and queen.
A knock on the door disrupted their play, Wilbur coming in.
“Hey, sweetheart. Just came to say goodbye!”
Chayanne stood in front of Tallulah, sword out. “You stay away from her, foul villain! I am her knight!”
Tallulah giggled, Wilbur putting his hands in the air innocently.
“Oh no! A scary knight! How will I ever get past him?”
Chayanne puffed his chest out, grinning. Tallulah tapped his shoulder.
“It’s okay, I let him through.”
Chayanne bowed, shuffling out of the way. Wilbur quickly walked inside, picking Tallulah up and spinning her around. He pressed a quick kiss to her temple.
“Goodbye, my sweet princess.”
Tallulah gave him a kiss to the cheek before getting set down. “Bye bye, Papa!”
Wilbur ruffled Chayanne’s hair. “You take good care of her, alright?”
Chayanne nodded, smacking Wilbur with his wooden sword. “I will. Now, leave!”
Wilbur limped away, faking an injury with loud groans before slipping out of the room.
Wilbur stepped up to Phil, giving the man a final hug.
“Promise you’ll call if something happens?” Wilbur questioned.
Phil nodded, patting the man’s back before releasing the hug. “I promise.”
The two adults glanced over to the children, watching as Tallulah put the sword around Chayanne’s shoulders and acted like was being knighted.
“Y’know, they’re a lot like you and Techno.”
Wilbur smiled. “Yeah?”
Phil nodded, walking Wilbur to the door. “Don’t you remember? Techno used to be your knight. He was always the one saying he’d protect you. And you were the king. You’d switch it up every now and then and when Tommy came along you started adding him in somehow.”
Wilbur smiled at the memories. “I think I remember that, yeah. Techno was always so protective of me.”
Phil patted the man’s shoulder. “He was. Still is. Now shoo, send us a letter whenever you get there.”
Wilbur nodded, heading into the car with a final wave.
-/-/-/-/-/-
Phil checked the clock, blinking at the time.
Oh, wow. It was already 9 PM. Time to put the children to bed.
Phil walked to the play room, the two settled down with tired eyes and large yawns.
“Alrighty, kids. Time to head to bed.”
They whined in unison, Chayanne speaking up. “But we’re not tired!”
Phil sighed fondly. “And what if I told you a Techno story?”
Chayanne stood up, Tallulah jumping up with him. “Yes please!”
Phil chuckled, scooping the children up and walking to the large recliner. He sat down, setting a child on each leg as they looked at him with intense interest.
Phil took a deep breath. “So… you remember the potato war? How Techno faced off against Squid to farm the most potatoes?”
The two nodded frantically.
Phil leaned forward, whispering like it was a secret. “Well… That wasn’t the whole story…”
The children’s eyes sparkled in amazement, anxiously awaiting the rest of the tale.
Phil smiled. “That was only the first part… You may be asking… Techno? You’ve already taken first place… Why are you still farming potatoes? Well… you see—“
-/-/-/-/-/-
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Phil asked, looking at the hair dye box.
Chayanne nodded, Tallulah looking at them curiously from the couch. Her chin hooked over the edge.
“I want to be just like Techno!”
Phil smiled. “Is that why you want to grow your hair out too?”
Chayanne grinned. “Yes!” He jumped onto the couch, trying to get as high as he could as he puffed his chest out. “I’m going to be big and strong and protect everyone! I’ll go on cool adventures, just like him!”
Phil chuckled, taking Chayanne by the armpits and walking him to the bathroom.
“Alright, pink hair it is.”
-/-/-/-/-/-
“You look so pretty, Chayanne!” Tallulah squealed happily, feet smacking on the ground with glee.
Chayanne ran his fingers through his now pink hair, grinning into the mirror. “I look so cool!”
Phil chuckled. “Would you like to braid it like how Techno used to? It’s not quite as long but—“
“Yes!!!”
Phil flinched at the volume. He forgot how loud kids could be sometimes…
Tallulah pulled on his pants. “Abuelito?”
Phil looked down at her. “Yes?”
“Can you teach me how to braid? Papa braids my hair sometimes but I want to braid Chayanne’s!”
Phil nodded, bringing them over to the couch. “Alright, just sit next to me and watch.”
Tallulah nodded, settling against her grandfather.
Phil took strands of Chayanne’s hair, sectioning them off and beginning to fold them on top of one another. “So, you just put one over the other… Simple! There are more intricate braids but… we’ll start with the basics.”
Tallulah nodded, taking the hair as Phil handed it to her. She stuck her tongue out, placing the strands on top of one another.
Phil smiled, helping her tie off the end. It was messy and loose, but it functioned. Chayanne turned around, feeling his braid with a smile.
“Your turn, Lulah!”
Tallulah turned, letting Chayanne grab hold of her hair. Phil smiled fondly, taking out his camera and snapping a quick picture. He stood up, leaving the children to it and walking to the kitchen. On the table sat an open envelope, a piece of paper sticking out. Phil peeled the photo from his Polaroid, stuffing it in the envelope.
He’d have to tell Wilbur about this, of course.
-/-/-/-/-/-
Wilbur smiled as he sat down, mail in hand. He should be receiving something from Phil today.
The brunet shuffled through all the letters, finding one marked from Phil with his typical handwriting.
He ripped it open, taking the paper out and smiling.
“Dear Wilbur,
The children learned to braid today. I left a photo of them in the envelope. They remind me so much of you and Tech. Tallulah has also been practicing with her instrument! I’m not supposed to tell you but… She went through your box of old songs and plans on playing one for you. I won’t spoil which song it was, but I’ll tell you it was one of your favorites. Can’t wait to see you again, mate! She misses you lots and asked me to tell you she loves you and has watched a few videos with me. She’s happy to have such a rockstar dad.
Hope that gives you the confidence to rock your next show! See you soon.
Love,
Dad”
Wilbur smiled as he pulled the photo from his letter, eyes like mini crescent moons. Small tears settled on the edge of his eyelids.
Phil was right, they were just like Techno and him. Chayanne even dyed his hair and seeing Tallulah’s little braid made him coo.
He hung up the photo next to many others next to his tour bus bed before pulling out a sheet of paper.
He needed to write back immediately.
“Hello, my sweet! Papa just got your letter and he misses you so much! How is school, honey? Have your teachers been good? How abou—“
-/-/-/-/-/-
Chayanne stood up tall, sword in front of him. Phil had a blanket tied around his neck, opening it like wings to look bigger.
“Back, you foul beast!” Chayanne shouted, hitting Phil with the sword.
Phil groaned loudly, taking a step back before jumping forward. Chayanne jumped out of the way, keeping Tallulah behind him. “Chayanne! Step aside!” Tallulah shouted.
Chayanne moved, revealing Tallulah with a Nerf bow and arrow. She pulled it back, releasing it.
The arrow struck Phil on the forehead, the sticky part clinging to the skin.
The man complained loudly, doing a small spin before falling to the floor with an over exaggerated ‘blegh.’
The children cheered, Chayanne jumping onto Phil’s stomach. The man let out an ‘oof’ with a pained groan.
Chayanne just smacked him with the sword again.
“Victory!!! The dragon has been slain!”
Tallulah clapped happily, smiling. “What’s our treasure?”
Chayanne jumped off the man. “I think Phil said we’d get cupcakes tonight if we defeated him.”
Phil slowly got up, ruffling the kids’ hair. “Yep. We’ll make them after Wilbur gets back. Speaking of… He should be here any min—“
A knock on the door.
Tallulah gasped in excitement, running over to the door. She pulled it open, jumping happily.
“Papa!!!”
Wilbur reached down, scooping the girl into his arms. “Lulah! I missed you so much, sweet pea.” The brunet man pressed a million kisses to her cheeks, the girl giggling.
Phil smiled at the man. “Great to have you back.”
Wilbur set the girl down. “Wonderful to be back.”
Phil looked to the kids, gesturing to the play room. “Don’t you have something to show your dad, Lulah?”
The girl nodded with excitement, rushing with Chayanne to the play room and grabbing her flute.
“I’m gonna play a song for you, Papa! I hope you recognize it!”
Wilbur grinned, settling down on the couch. “Oh? I’m so excited to hear.”
The girl stood in the middle of the living room, bringing her flute to her mouth. Chayanne stood next to her, a few props in hand including a sword, a quill and book, and a crown. They seemed… familiar. Where had he seen those before?
As soon as she began, Wilbur recognized it.
Soldier, Poet, King.
Wilbur softened, watching as Chayanne sung the lyrics and acted them out with his different props. No wonder they were familiar.
These were the same ones Techno used to use to act out the song when Wilbur sung it.
The man felt his heart melt, tears forming in his eyes.
It was like watching a video of him and his brother when they were younger. He understands why Phil wanted to record it all, now.
It was just too precious to miss.
Tallulah finished up her song, grinning at the man. “Did you like it, Papa?”
Wilbur clapped. “I loved it, baby.”
Chayanne punched his shoulder. “Clap louder.”
Wilbur chuckled, putting more effort into his cheers.
The Craft family tree was a strange one. Their branches twisted and turned in odd ways that somehow fit. They certainly didn’t fall into anything… typical.
But hey! Where’s the fun in that?