Darling

[intheheart]

Title: Darling
Rating: PG.
Summary: Nathan meets Ivy.
Date: Early Fall 1990
Notes: Proof that Ivy always had Opinions.



Gail arrived for their date breathless and worried, with a beautiful little girl cradled on her hip.

"I'm so sorry," she said, raking her free hand through her hair, the same brilliant red as the child she carried. "My sitter canceled at the last minute, and I..."

"It's okay," Nathan interrupted, smiling at the little girl. She stared back at him with deep blue eyes, thumb in her mouth, as if she wasn't quite sure what to think. "I take it this is Ivy?"

Gail smiled, and jogged her daughter gently. "Yes. Ivy, honey, this is Nathan. Remember I told you about him?"

She stared at him for another moment, then popped her thumb out of her mouth and announced, "Hi."

"Hi," Nathan said, and offered his hand.

Ivy grabbed his forefinger, pulled his hand towards her, and studied it intently for a moment before dropping it. "Nay-than," she said, as if testing the name, and scowled. "No."

"Ivy," Gail said, her voice laden with disapproving mother harmonics. "Manners."

"No!" she insisted, and flailed out for his hand again. He reached up and let her take it. "No Nay-than. Nate."

"Ivy," Gail said again, but Nathan was laughing.

"No," he said. "No, no, it's okay, she can call me Nate."

Ivy nodded with great satisfaction. "Nate," she said again, then dropped his hand and popped her thumb back in her mouth.

"She's opinionated," Gail said. The words sounded apologetic, but her tone sounded proud.

"She's darling," Nathan said, and knew he wanted them both.