Tyrion watched as his sister laughed at his suggestion. She reeked of wine and Tyrion knew she was getting steadily more drunk. He didn't need a drunk Cersei to deal with. The infant in his arms was sleeping contently against him, and Tyrion could not risk letting Cersei hurt him. He had to get through to her somehow.
"I wasn't joking" said Tyrion, cheeks flushing as she continued to laugh
"You with a baby? Gods, you can barely hold him properly" she said between laughs
"What would you do with him?" he asked, dreading the answer
At that Cersei stopped laughing and stared straight at him.
"I don't know" she said eventually
"I wish Jamie was here" said Tyrion "he would know what to do"
At that Cersei huffed "I don't. The shame of having to present that thing to him as his son"
"Jamie wouldn't be ashamed" Tyrion said quietly "he would want to protect the child"
Tyrion continued to hold his nephew, gazing at the boy's face. He looked like Jamie. When the baby had smiled earlier, it had reminded Tyrion of his big brothers confident smirk. He wanted to protect his little nephew, but Tyrion knew first-hand how cruel the world could be to someone like him - even his own family. As happy and smiling as the baby was now, it would surely not last long when he grew up. If he was given the chance to grow up that is.
"I'm not going to do anything to that thing yet" Cersei said eventually, twirling her cup of wine in her fingers
Tyrion glanced at her with distrust "I can take him to my rooms if you'd prefer not to see him"
"Oh no. He's not leaving this room" Cersei said, eyes locked onto Tyrion's eyes
Tyrion knew there was no arguing with Cersei. He could argue but it was likely to get him barred from visiting again, and Cersei was right - he had no idea how to look after a baby.
"Who knows about him?" asked Tyrion
"My two hand maids, the wet nurse, the Maester and now you" Cersei said "All sworn to secrecy"
His sisters' gaze bore into him as she said the last part.
"Of course, I won't tell anyone" he promised
"I believe you" Cersei said after a pause "it's not like you have friends to tell anyway"
Tyrion bit down the retort he could feel building. As if Cersei could talk about friends?
"What about the children? I promised Tommen and Myrcella I would visit you and then join them for dinner" Tyrion asked. His arms were beginning to ache holding the sleeping baby, but he wasn't quite ready to let go either
At that Cersei snorted and her unfocused eyes found his again "Typical. I leave them alone for a few days and you move in. You're probably telling them poisonous lies about me. Turning them against their own mother"
Cersei slammed her cup of wine on the table with a thud causing the infant to stir in Tyrion's arms, but thankfully not enough to wake him. Tyrion tried to ignore the hurt he felt at her words. His sister truly did think nothing of him. She was the one who had raised Joffrey to hate him and persecute him for being a dwarf. The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Joffrey. How would he handle the news his new brother was a dwarf? One problem at a time, however.
"Cersei, they love you. They're scared of being on their own with only septas and guards for company. We both know Joffrey has no time for them" he said, pleading for her to understand
At that the queen regent softened "I do miss them"
"Can they meet their brother?" Tyrion asked tentatively. He hoped if Tommen and Myrcella bonded with the baby, Cersei would be more willing to accept him if only to appease them.
An awkward silence stretched between them. Tyrion refused to back down and held his sisters eyes, until she looked back into her wine cup, finally putting it to rest on the table.
"Fine" she said with a sigh "bring Tommen and Myrcella here after dinner. Not Joffrey, though "
"Excellent. They'll be thrilled, I'm sure" he said with a smile, turning on his heel towards her door
"Tyrion" she called, halting him "give the baby back"