Family Time

[notjustalittlegirl]

Eileen was already beginning to master toddling around on shaky but determined legs, but speech was a little slower in coming. After consulting a multitude of books and the midwife, Evie had satisfied herself that there was nothing wrong with her darling - not that she would care if there was - and was trying to encourage her while letting speech come at its own pace.

She didn't even care what Eileen's first words were, as long as they came.

It seemed, though, that this opinion was not shared by the Once-ler. Oh, no. Come hell or high water, Eileen's first word would be some form of "Daddy".

At first, this had unsettled her more than a little; all she could think of was Mommy's constant litany that they all loved Daddy more than her, that it was wrong of them, that Daddy shouldn't love them and they shouldn't love Daddy and he was starting to love all of them more than her.

It was a two-fold fear - the terror of becoming like Mommy and, even more than that, the fear that she might be right.

Away from City Hall, though, it was easy enough to see that the way Once-ler loved Eileen was nothing like the way he loved her. They could be a family without any of those worries.

So she relaxed and watched them with a smile and allowed him to try to coax "Daddy" out of her.

Comments

[thneedy]

It was with a heavy sigh that the Once-ler turned away from his daughter and to look to his wife. He wasn't sure, really, why he wanted so badly for Eileen's first word to be "Daddy" -- he didn't recognize the deep need he had for any new family members to just like him; to him the word "Daddy" would be proof that he was liked by his daughter. But it wasn't happening, and it made him worried -- And he could pinpoint the reason for that.

"She hates me."

[notjustalittlegirl]

Sometimes, when he said things like that, little murmurs of concern would raise their heads again.

Mostly, though, she was able to sweep them away and focus on comforting her husband. Evie wrapped her arms around her husband and tugged him down for a kiss.

"She does not hate you, love," she told him in her best no-nonsense voice. "She loves you. She loves both of us. Talking just isn't something she's quite ready for."

[thneedy]

...Well, that helped. The Once-ler hugged Evie; held her close. She was always so amazing... So wise, far beyond her years. Still... He worried, glancing at Eileen who was settled in her high-chair.

"Are you sure?"

[notjustalittlegirl]

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Evie took his face in her hands as she assured him, "I'm sure. Look, she hasn't said Mommy yet, either. Does that mean she hates me?"

As she spoke, Evie glanced over at her daughter, smiling to see the toddler beaming and gurgling, banging her spoon on the tray of her high chair and looking worlds away from hating anybody.

[thneedy]

"...Okay, that's a good point," he conceded, with a smile -- This time, one that stayed put. "But how could anyone not love you, Evie?" A kiss to her nose.

"Now... I know she's been fed, but I'm starving."

[notjustalittlegirl]

"I make lots of good points," she agreed, beaming back. It was a wonderful thing, being able to say that - even more so to believe it. She blushed at that question, ducking her head even as her smile widened. "You sweet-talker."

Then back onto ground she knew how to deal with; it was strange that she could give herself compliments easier than she could accept them from others.

"Well, I was just about to start dinner. How does soup sound?"

[thneedy]

"You sure do," he agreed... And then his smile faltered a bit. He wasn't entirely sure why Evie resisted compliments, but it always made him wonder if he was doing something wrong. But now, he supposed, wasn't the time.

"Soup sounds great! Do you want some help? We can bring Eileen's chair into the kitchen to keep an eye on her."

[notjustalittlegirl]

"That sounds great. I guess I'm not the only one with good points," she replied, giving her husband one last squeeze before pulling back.

It was only as she went over to Eileen to help him bring the chair through to the kitchen that she added, as if as an afterthought: "You're the one who everyone should love, you know."

[thneedy]

"...I am? Thanks, Evie," the Once-ler said, blushing a bit. Once Eileen was in her mother's arms, he picked up the highchair and made for the kitchen. "That really means a lot to me... But it's still true about you."

[notjustalittlegirl]

"You are," she assured him, looking over the top of her daughter's head as she held Eileen close. Just holding her daughter filled her with such joy... How could Mommy have ever hated any of them?

"...Thanks." A pause. She so badly wanted to ask... And, really, where was the harm. "Why... Do you think that, anyway?"

[thneedy]

"Why do I think what?" the Once-ler asked. The confusion was only so visible on his face but very strong in his mind. What was she talking about? He briefly wondered if she meant why she was loveable, but... No. That was silly. She had to know, didn't she?

[notjustalittlegirl]

"That... You know. Everyone would love me," she replied, mumbling the end as though just saying the words aloud made her selfish. Rather than look at him, she fussed with Eileen; petting her hair and kissing her.

[thneedy]

"Well... How could they not? You're really kind and you just... You have the best way of looking at things. You think really well. And you're caring." A goofy smile graced his face. "You look after everything and everyone... You're fun and amazing."

[notjustalittlegirl]

Evie flushed scarlet at the onslaught of compliments, not knowing where to look or what to say.

The Once-ler was listing all the things she hoped to be and tried to be, but... She was never sure if she was succeeding.

Even when he assured her she was, what if he was just trying to make her feel better, or just thought she was those things because he loved her?

It was so hard to know what was truth and what was lies.

"Thank you," she mumbled eventually, smiling and still flushed. "I do try."