𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒎

“I don’t really have any one that would be willing to take Anya off of my hands for the day while I hide away in a cold house. Especially not at the expense of their comfort because she’s going to want to be out doing things. I’ll manage for a few more days and then it’ll be time to trade custody for her dad’s week, and I’ll spend that time pulling my melted off skin back onto my bones where it rightfully belongs. Sorry to hear that you can’t go on that vacation though. My deepest sympathies. Give the new baby a squeeze for me, though!”

“A promise of lego-land makes sense. I respect that one, certainly. However, what did you have to do that cost you both your pride and your dignity? What could you have possibly had to do for that little six-year-old?” Stephanie wondered with a gentle laugh. 

Stephanie made a bemused face at the man, “while Alaska seems like the least viable option, I do appreciate the recommendation for Washington. It’s lovely all times of year. So is Rhode Island, I’ve heard. If her father weren’t as overbearing as I know he certainly would be about this situation, I would quickly leave with her. Somewhere much colder, and much more tolerable. Only three solid months of this misery though, thankfully, and then it’ll become nice again. Right?”

“The summer being here and the heat being absolutely oppressive has made it increasingly difficult for me to want to do anything. Let alone hang out outside. Yet, for some insane reason, my fall-born daughter wants to be in the heat all the Goddamned time. I understand wanting to go swimming, and I can hang with that idea. But just - existing outside is not for me. And she’s cool with doing that all day. What the hell does one do when a child doesn’t want to swim any more for the day, but wants to be in the armpit of the devil, aka the sun?” Stephanie lamented, rubbing her forehead with exhaustion. “She’s far too young to be without me out there, and she’s far too tiny to understand when she’s getting too hot. I wish she were like me and would like to just - stay cold and bundled up. I blame her father.” 

Sometimes children are an absolute marvel. They’re so small and have such a small understanding of the world and things. I sometimes think that they don’t know things are supposed to hurt until we react to them. Like with his little incident while playing with chalk. Maybe it didn’t occur to him that he was supposed to be in bad pain because of that, and he didn’t want it to inconvenience his play time. If you didn’t give him a clue that it was scary to you or anything, probably didn’t truly phase him. Kids are wild. 

“I don’t think that any genes are strong enough to cancel out the ones belonging to the King’s. Unfortunately, my dearest, it seems you’re going to have a baby that is entirely like her brother. It just may be happening later since she’s a sweet little baby girl right now.” Steph gave a shrug, “as long as you don’t get puppies you’ll be good. Puppies are a pain in the ass.” 

“They’re so fun and sweet and squishy at the age that Eleanor is at. I can completely feel for you with her growing up. You’ve just got to really cherish her and enjoy her at this tiny stage before she really does get six months and then a full year. Then it’ll be all over cause she’ll be talking and you’ll be shit-outta-luck. Sounds like once this one gets big you gotta have another baby to maintain those endless baby snuggles, though, my dear.”

@stephcrain: you also have a car. you can simply go out. adulthood is fun, isn't it?

“Personally not that big on drunken Halloween parties. Last time I got good and drunk I got my kid, so I’m tryna avoid nights like those anymore. But the candy, spooky movies and warm blankets don’t sound anything short of heavenly right now.”

“I never really noticed how much of a home body I had become since I had my daughter, until I left for these past three months to film. I went to bed every night in my hotel room thinking about how badly I wanted to be home and in my own room. It was almost sickening how much I missed my kid, too. Her dad was really good about keeping in contact with me, but FaceTime only does so much. Y’know? How do people have regular nine-to-five jobs every day where they don’t see their kid for eight hours like, five days a week? Also, did I mention it was good to be back? Because, Goddamn is it good to be home.” // @hhhqstarters​

“I’m sure it’s only going to be a matter of days before the little one is over the moon about her little sister. Kids are smart and goofy and weird, but the fact that she’s gone from screaming to just kind of... glaring, must be a good sign! I will hold out hope that you four can find peace and happiness with each other and that y’all’ll mesh perfectly soon!”

“Is there truly anything better than little tiny baby Halloween costumes? Though, I fully understand and relate. I too cannot wait for it to be Halloween. My house will finally be appropriately decorated for the season, and Anya can stop being let down because we can’t go to a pumpkin patch. Summer is dreadful and I am already way over it.”

“First and foremost, this is why you bring your best friend who knows a thing or two about cars to the mechanics with you. That way whenever you’re getting asked questions about things you don’t understand, you can look tome and I can be like ‘we’re good thanks’.” Steph shook her head with a little embarrassment for her friend. “For the record though, they change the oil from underneath the car. That’s why the guy was down there. You don’t need to be too upset... Just... Be thankful that your oil is changed for now, and when you need to get it done again send me a text and I’ll do it for you.”