Poppy (to Mouse): I'm sure she does, honey... How mad was she when you guys got back?
Mouse (to Poppy): Apparently, she read Eep the riot act & demanded a dinner at her place. Luckily, it's not a far walk. :-)
Poppy (to Mouse): Well, that doesn't sound too painful. I'll let Vincent know. I'm sure we can arrange a visit to get her off your backs.
Mouse (to Poppy): Thanks! I'll talk to you later.
Poppy (to Mouse): Bye, honey.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hold on a second there, missy... Are you OK, hun?
Mouse (to Vincent): Huh? Yeah, I'm fine... Why do you ask?
Vincent (to Mouse): Because you haven't looked at me once while you've been here. Are you mad at me? What did I do this time?
Mouse (to Vincent): Heehee, it's not you... It's your son. I was debating whether or not I should mention it to you... I don't want to get him into trouble, because it was an accident.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh good heavens! I'm guessing you mean the more chronologically challenged version of our son, and not the baby. Unless he was especially horrid while you were watching him. (to Victor) What did you do when your auntie was watching you, Little Man? Huh?
Mouse (to Vincent): No, it was older Victor... He & Persephone were crossing over to visit future us and they ended up in the wrong time, he was trying to cheer up Persephone. Baby Victor was just fine… He's a good kid.
Vincent (to Mouse): Heh. He does seem like it, doesn't he? It's good to know we don't screw him up too badly.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, just look at him... Is that the face of a monster child? I don't think so. He was very good while he stayed with us.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Oh, I have no doubt he's going to gray my hair once he gets older, sweet little gob or no. Look at his heritage!
Mouse (to Vincent): You should have seen Eep. He was frighteningly good with the baby.
Vincent (to Mouse): Was he, really? I suppose I shouldn't be too shocked. He didn't panic AT ALL when I handed him Victor after he was born. It was not nearly as much fun as I was hoping. So, did your ovaries go into overdrive when you saw him with a baby? Yes or yes?
Mouse (to Vincent): Hush you... and yes. But, I'm fighting the urge.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Well, don't let Poppy hear you say that. She already wants you and Eep to give Little Man some cousins.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... Well, according to Victor, she gets her wish. He accidentally let it slip. So, she can relax.
Vincent (to Mouse): WHAT? You two are going to be parents? Not right now, of course, but... someday. Hee hee hee! Heh. To tell you the truth, I was a bit worried putting up with me through my teen years put you off the idea of kids.
Mouse (to Vincent): Heh... To be honest, I thought it did too. :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Good gracious! I was quite the handful, wasn't I? Heh. I say that as if that's changed... Can I tell you something, sweetie? Even after seeing how Victor turns out, I still worry sometimes that Poppy and I are nowhere near suitable parents. Isn't that ridiculous? It doesn't stop me from worrying, though.
Mouse (to Vincent): I think that's normal, little brother. Just do the best you can & Victor will sort it out for himself as he grows up. Try not to put too much pressure on yourselves to be perfect parents or have a perfect kid and love each other. And if he tells you one day that he wants to be a dentist & not a pirate, be proud & happy for him. I mean, granted that would be weird, but if it makes him happy. Support him.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Part of me kind of hopes he'll be a dentist, hun. It will be a far more stable life than either of us can provide. In fact, he'll probably start wearing polo shirts and khakis to rebel. Or sensible shoes! (to Victor) You won't do that to your poor old man, will you? (to Mouse) Take a look, hun. This is the future president of a homeowners association.
Mouse (to Vincent): Heehee... I seriously doubt that. So, what's going on with you? Is everything alright? You & Poppy seem a bit off today.
Vincent (to Mouse): Do we? I suppose we probably do. We're... Oh good heavens, where do I start? Achilles Smith, the man who took Persephone... He's a nasty bit of work from Poppy's past. He wanted to ransom Persephone for Poppy. She ran off to face him on her own.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh shit... Sorry. So, it worked out?
Vincent (to Mouse): Yes. In the end. Thank God. I was just livid that Poppy tried to do this on her own, and scared... And I think she's a bit annoyed that I found out as much about her past as I did.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... but you knew where she grew up before. I mean, you told me about the Tombs & how horrible it was. Or was there more to it?
Vincent (to Mouse): There's more to it than that. Let's just say that her upbringing makes mine look happy and idyllic. Poppy's father... He... (to Victor) Hey, little guy. Settle down. It's alright. Daddy's alright. We're alright.
Mouse (to Vincent): What, little brother? It's okay, I'm not going to say anything, but you seem like you need to get it off your chest.
Vincent (to Mouse): Let's just say, her father made some agreements with some less than reputable individuals. He had an odd definition of "providing" for his children.
Mouse (to Vincent): So, he sent them all to workhouses? What? Don't look at me like that? I was prisoner over there for 4 months, I picked up stuff.
Vincent (to Mouse): Heh. Do not underestimate my sister. Duly noted. Yes, he sold her brothers off to workhouses. Some of them were lucky. Others... not so much. Poppy was too little to be sent off, so she stayed with him until she was 10, but not because he wanted her there.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... The poor little moppet.
Vincent (to Mouse): I can't even imagine. He sold her off to some horrible woman, before he died. She ended up on the streets when she ran away.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, that certainly explains a lot... And, she's been hiding out since you guys got back?
Vincent (to Mouse): More or less. Both of us are very pointedly not bringing it up. I'm not sure if she wants to talk about it or not.
Mouse (to Vincent): How about I take the little man for a stroll in the park for a bit & you go talk to your wife, little brother? Sound good?
Vincent (to Mouse): That sounds more than slightly terrifying, honestly... But you're right. Here's Victor. Let me go get his diaper bag.
Mouse (to Vincent): You both can't avoid the subject forever. It'll be okay.
Vincent (to Mouse): I know. Here you go, hun. I'll see you later. Wish me luck!
Mouse (to Vincent): I'll be back with Victor in two hours. Text me if you need more time. Good luck!
Thirty minutes later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Hey, hun. Mouse has borrowed our son for a little bit.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh? Is she trying to soften up Eep for babies?
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee hee. Apparently, she doesn't need to. He was quite adept with the little man while they were watching him.
Poppy (to Vincent): For some reason that doesn't surprise me as much as it should... Eep is a big softie underneath all that grump. I've just got a few short lines to finish writing in this letter, honey and then you can tell me whatever else you wanted to tell me.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm that obvious, am I?
Poppy (to Vincent): Only because I know you so well, honey... I'm done with the letter. So... what's on your mind?
Vincent (to Poppy): I wanted to talk to you. We've been studiously avoiding each other since we returned.
Poppy (to Vincent): I wouldn't call it avoiding, honey, I was just trying to give you some space. You were very upset with me... and I didn't know what else to do.
Vincent (to Poppy): I was scared, hun. Really, really scared. I thought you were avoiding me, because of the, uh, whole situation with Achilles.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... I don't know what you mean.
Vincent (to Poppy): Do you want me to take me boot off, or can you pull my leg just fine with it on?
Poppy (to Vincent): Hmmm, I must be losing my touch... I really don't want to talk about it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Alright. Fair enough. I know neither of us is going to win any awards about how open we are about our pasts... But, I wish you would talk to me.
Poppy (to Vincent): What do you want me to say, honey? That I feel embarrassed about you finding out just how truly terrible my family was? Or that I was so angry about Achilles kidnapping not only my niece but several other children for his own selfish needs that I almost killed him and I'm a bit sorry that you & Percy stopped me?
Vincent (to Poppy): Well that would be a start, hun. You know I don't care. About any of it, don't you?
Poppy (to Vincent): That's sweet, honey, but I care. I don't want Victor growing up with a mom who will behave like that... I'm ashamed of myself. I acted like a crazy half-cocked monster. I just couldn't believe that Achilles would separate those kids from their families & I started thinking that if he wasn't stopped, Victor could be next... those kids were innocent, they didn't deserve that. No one deserves that.
Vincent (to Poppy): Honestly, sweetie, I can't say I wouldn't have done the same if I was alone, and I found him first. It's not as though I've reacted in all that level-headed a manner when someone has come after my family. If he hadn't dislocated my shoulder before I could hurt him, I would have killed Smythe for what he did to my sister.
Poppy (to Vincent): I know, honey... I guess there's one nice thing Hiiri did for us, taking care of that maniac.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'd really like to say that not even Smythe deserved what Hiiri did to him, but not all of me believes that...
Poppy (to Vincent): And, I'm glad you didn't kill him, honey... I wouldn't want you to live with that kind of guilt. You have a good heart. Doing that kind of stuff changes you... not always for the better, even if you're doing it for a good reason.
Vincent (to Poppy): Anyway, I've got you now to keep me in line, and you've got me. Heh, and we both have Victor.
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, our little family... I'm sorry I've been acting like an idiot, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): You haven't been an idiot, hun. Come here.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee... So, how much time do we have before your sister comes back with Victor, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): We've got about 30 minutes, I think. However will we pass the time?
Poppy (to Vincent): Race you to the bedroom, honey. ;-)
A short time later:
Mouse (to Vincent & Poppy): Hey! It was going to rain, so we came back a little early... Hello? Anyone home? (to Victor) Uh oh... Well, little man, it looks like, we may have to just keep ourselves entertained for a little while.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh! Uh, hey, hun. We were just... Oh hell. Clearly, we weren't expecting you back just yet.
Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, so I figured when I saw your shirt on the floor... You got some lipstick on your neck, little brother. :-P
Poppy (to Mouse): Heehee, that was totally my fault, honey.
Mouse (to Poppy & Vincent): I'm really sorry to interrupt. It was starting to rain and I thought it would be bad to get soaking wet.
Poppy (to Mouse): It's alright, honey. I've resigned myself to never having alone time with Vincent again. (to Victor) Hey, my little man, did you miss Mommy? (to Vincent & Mouse) Ewww, it looks like he needs a change & he's probably hungry... I'll take care of him, you guys chat.
Vincent (to Poppy): Thanks, hun. (to Mouse) How was the walk?
Mouse (to Vincent): It was fine. We sat under a tree & I read out loud to him for a little while... I really am sorry for interrupting you guys. So, I take it your talk went well? :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. You could say that.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I'm glad... I should be heading home. Oh, I couldn't get Victor to take a nap while we were out, so you may be able to sneak in some alone time with Poppy, if you want. :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Ha ha ha! Well, now. I may do just that. Thank you, sweetie. Give me a hug!
Mouse (to Vincent): You're welcome! I'll see you all later.
Vincent (to Mouse): See you later, sweet sister o' mine. Thank you again. We needed to talk.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Did we miss Mouse leaving? That's too bad. I wanted to say goodbye before I put down Victor for his nap.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. She felt bad for interrupting, so I think she wanted to give us some alone time. So... shall we pick up where we left off?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh my... that would be nice. Heehee, I think we should go put Victor down first, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmm? Oh, yes. (to Victor) Come on, Little Man. Let's get you to bed.
Poppy (to Vincent): Have I ever told you how handsome you look holding your son, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. No, but feel free to start. Hee hee. But, quietly. He's down and out for the count.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heh... I think you're handsome when you're holding our son, honey. And, I'd like to show you just how much I love you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, I'd like you to show me how much you love me. Come on, hun. I'd like to show you exactly how much I love you as well.
Poppy (to Vincent): Ooh, that sounds lovely, honey... C'mere you.
An hour or so later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey. You hungry? I'm making, uh... Let's just call it, um, stir fry. Sure. Why the fuck not?
Mouse (to Eep): Heh... Sounds good. How was your day, sexy man?
Eep (to Mouse): Not too bad. It was quiet at the bookstore. Probably cause it was a thousand degrees outside. How was your day?
Mouse (to Eep): It was a good, normal day. I went & babysat Victor while Vincent & Poppy talked about a few things... And, I slept well & didn't have any nightmares last night.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh yeah? That's good news! I mean, the nightmare part. I was, uh, kinda worried that because of what I asked last night...
Mouse (to Eep): I think it did me a lot of good to talk about it. I hope it didn't freak you out too much.
Eep (to Mouse): No! Um, no. It wasn't. I'm just... I'm glad you're talking about it. I... I'm, um, I'm worried about you.
Mouse (to Eep): I promise I'll keep talking to you about it. I don't want you to worry.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Good. I, um, I worry more when you don't talk to me. Um, whatever the fuck I'm making for dinner is ready.
Mouse (to Eep): So... Um, since we're talking... I uh, want to talk a little more about uh, something.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh? Yeah. Sure. What's up? Is everything OK?
Mouse (to Eep): Oh yeah, nothing's wrong. It's probably just from hanging out with the Victor today... But I'd like to try to have a baby.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh! Um, right now?
Mouse (to Eep): Not right this second… maybe, after dinner? Heehee. I'm just kidding, but sometime soon if you're interested, that is.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh, uh... Wow. Um, yeah. I mean, I thought about it. I, um, I thought you said you wanted to wait. What changed your mind?
Mouse (to Eep): It was actually you that changed my mind, watching you with Victor... It just looked right to me.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh... I...uh, I what? Are you sure? I mean, like, now? You don't wanna wait to see if you don't, um... I mean, are you sure?
Mouse (to Eep): I'm sure, but if you want to wait, I'm fine with that, too. I just wanted you to know that I'd like to have children with you.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Wow. I... Heh. Guess, I'm always half expecting you to have second thoughts about, um, us. I know. Dumb.
Mouse (to Eep): Nope, sorry to disappoint you, but you're stuck with me, for good.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Well, yeah. You need a court order to get rid of me now. You already know I wanna have kids with you. Maybe not right this second, but, um, soon. Soonish. If you don't mind waiting a little bit, I mean.
Mouse (to Eep): I don't mind waiting. We should probably just enjoy being a couple for a little bit.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Yeah. Call me selfish, but I wouldn't mind having you all to myself for a while.
Mouse (to Eep): And, you think you're not good with this sort of stuff. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): I'm not. You just have a really low threshold.
Mouse (to Eep): That's probably true. :-P And, here I was going to suggest we could um, practice.
Eep (to Mouse): Practice for what? Oh. OH! You mean, practice for, um... That kinda practice. ... That is what you meant, isn't it?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, that's what I meant. Unless, you had other plans for the evening. ;-)
Eep (to Mouse): I think I could be persuaded to ignore the dishes.
Mouse (to Eep): Good... Come with me.
