This has been done for a while and I'm not quite sure why I didn't post it earlier. Sorry about that. I know it seems like not a lot is happening right now, but there's a reason this is all filler right now. The actual plot starts a while later, so I will start "fast forwarding" if you will. Well anyway, enjoy!


"Babies don't really... do much." Mal observed.

The baby was on a blanket in the middle of the floor on her back, the tiny rattle thing Mal had found for her in one fist. She couldn't really shake it, but she did like to look at it.

"No, not yet." Evie replied, looking up from an old dirty book she had found by the school. "She's still too little." It was hard to determine how old the baby was because of how tiny and weak she had been when they found her, but because she was growing stronger by the day, Evie guessed she was about three or four months old based on her abilities. She still couldn't be sure of course, but it was a reasonable guess.

"When does she start being interesting?"

"What exactly do you mean by interesting?"

"I don't know... talking or... something?"

"A couple more months."

"Months?" Mal didn't even really want her in the first place and she'd have to wait months for her to be entertaining. Great.

"Yup. Months. And if she's going to be around that long, she needs a name." Evie said, putting the book down. She was sick of calling her 'little one'. The poor thing needed a name. This was a perfect opportunity to bring it up.

"We aren't naming it." Mal said, getting up from the couch before Evie could force her cute upon her.

"And why not?"

Mal crossed her arms and looked out the window. It was cloudy, as usual. There was a boy, probably seven or eight, digging through a pile of trash down the street. "Because naming something makes you get attached to it. And like I keep saying, she isn't staying here."

"Mal, I'm not taking her to that dirty, crowded orphanage."

"Then put her back outside." The bite in her voice was unmistakable.

Mal heard Evie's sharp intake of breath and instantly felt bad. But she stood her ground.

Evie got up and stood behind Mal. "...we both know you don't really mean that."

She didn't. She actually liked having the kid around, if only because Evie's smile had become more commonplace. But no one, not even Evie, needed to think she was going soft. She sighed.

The baby cooed from the floor and Evie went to sit with it.

Mal turned from the window. Evie shook the rattle in front of the baby's face and she reached two clumsy hands towards it.

The baby made Evie so happy. She really did. It would be beyond cruel to take her away, or continue to threaten it. Evie was stuck with Mal in a house that could probably fall apart at any moment. She deserved happiness. And if that drooly, screaming baby made her happy, Mal supposed she would have to learn to live with it.

She considered it for a moment before joining Evie on the floor beside the baby. Evie smiled at her and gave the rattle to her.

"You try,"

"Try what?"

"Shake it,"

So Mal shook the rattle and the baby cooed and wiggled and reached for it.

Mal smiled. That was pretty cute.

Evie rested her head on Mal's shoulder. "She still needs a name..."

"You don't have any ideas?"

"No,"

"Hmmm... What about... Ivy?"

"Ivy?"

"Sure," It was short and easy. And it seemed to suit the child.

"Like... poison ivy?"

"Or actual ivy. Take your pick."

Evie thought about it for a few minutes. Naming something- or someone- wasn't to be taken lightly. "I... like it! It's cute and short."

"Like you?" Mal teased.

Evie elbowed her and picked her head up, looking a bit offended. "You're shorter than me!"

"Not by much." There was the tiniest trace of a pout on her lips. She knew she was smaller than Evie, but she didn't really like to be reminded of it.

"Mm, whatever you say, sweetie."

"Hey, I didn't only say you were short, you know."

"Yeah, I know. You also said I was cute." Evie grinned, prepared to tease her girlfriend right back. "No offense or anything, but I don't really find you all that cute anymore."

"Huh?"

It took all Evie had not to laugh. "I mean, compared to her," Evie nodded at Ivy. "You're just kind of... Eh."

Mal's expression flickered.

"You've been out-cuted, Mal. Accept it."

The half-fairy glared at her girlfriend.

Evie rolled her eyes. "I'm kidding. You're still my favorite person."

Mal grinned, pleased. "And don't you forget it."


A/N: So her name is Ivy! Short and sweet, isn't it? She's a cute little munchkin, I promise.

As always, thank you for reading! I would appreciate your feedback!

(Up on my Ao3 account, I posted a new fanfiction. It's kind of like this but not really. It's much darker, which is why I didn't post it here. It's centered around Mal. If anyone wants to read it, I'll be more than happy to give you the information.)

See you guys later!