Chapter 36: Tiny Diva

Summary: Elfman loves his daughter dearly but, unfortunately, Neenah did happen to inherit some very unfortunate traits from Evergreen. It also doesn't help that Elfman is a major pushover when it comes to his little girl.

Side note: I saw a fish….that is all. You can go away now.

I do not own Fairy Tail

Elfman was enjoying a rather mild day at home which was very rare. His house was meant to be a place of peace and relaxation when he wasn't brawling at the guild or going on quests. But, this was to be expected when he was living with the harpiest of harpies imaginable. Not that he regretted marrying Evergreen or that he was denying that he loved her, but he had thought about buying some duct tape or tossing her in a cellar for a few hours on more than one occasion. Would he actually act upon his silly, slightly homicidal thoughts? No. Would this make him stop imagining such things? You're joking, right?

After all, they did bring one wonderful gift into the world that not only strengthened their bond as a couple, but also gave them something else to focus on beside each other's faults. Even if Neenah did have a mouth and attitude like her mother, Elfman loved her more than life itself and wouldn't trade her for anything in the universe.

Speaking of the devil, Elfman could hear the telltale sounds of his daughter coming down the stairs from her room, her heels that were borrowed from her mother clacking against the wooden steps.

"Daddy!" She screeched, causing him to jump even though he was more or less expecting it. She stomped into the living room where Elfman was lounging on the sofa, tottering precariously in her shoes. Her silver hair was done up in askew pigtails, overly and messily done makeup smeared across her face, several necklaces hanging down her body and her favorite tea party dress skimming her feet as she walked. This entire ensemble just screamed Dress-Up.

Elfman sighed tiredly, but put on a smile for his daughter. "Yes, princess? What's wrong?"

"We need to go shopping! ASAP!" She announced.

"Why? What do you need?"

"I need new dresses."

At this, Elfman groaned and dragged a heavy hand over his face.

Of course that would be what she wanted. She was Evergreen's child after all. After Neenah was born, Evergreen decided that she didn't want to put her body through all of that mess again, claiming one child was quite enough, and got her tubes tied as soon as she could make her next doctor's appointment. Elfman didn't protest, but, later on, he was secretly relieved that she did so. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to handle three Evergreens in the house if they were to have another daughter.

"Neenah, you have enough dresses to clothe nearly all the children in Earthland." He reasoned. "You don't need any more."

Neenah puffed out her cheeks in agitation. "Yes, I do! All of those dressed are old and I've worn them all already!"

"I know for a fact that you did not wear every single dress that's in your closet. What about the dress Aunt Lisanna just got you for your birthday?"

Neenah scrunched up her nose. "That dress is orange! I don't want an orange dress, I want a green one!"

"You have enough green dresses, too." Elfman laid back on the couch, throwing an arm over his face. "Forget it Neenah. We're not going shopping today."

Neenah huffed angrily. She stomped over to her father and attempted the pull his arm away to get him to look at her. This, of course, proved to be ineffective since her father apparently had tree trunks for arms and were, hence, immobile. She pulled at his shirt, jumped on him, even resorting to biting to get him to look up, but was only left disappointed and frustrated.

She could turn him to stone, but that would defeat the entire purpose.

Neenah sat and thought for a moment before she smiled wickedly. If she couldn't use force, she'd have to resort to a different method.

She climbed up on top of her mountain of a father and spoke in a light voice, "Daddy? Can't you take me shopping for a couple dresses? Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

Elfman peeked out from under his arm to look at his daughter. Neenah batted her green eyes at him, smiling prettily. The picture of innocence.

He was a goner.

Several hours later, Elfman was lugging a plethora of boxes and bags filled with a variety of clothing through the front door as Neenah skipped happily in front of him.

"Where have you two been?" He heard his wife ask from somewhere beyond the hill of boxes in his hands.

"Take a wild guess." He grunted.

"Daddy took me shopping!" Neenah explained enthusiastically. "I got a bunch of new dresses and shoes and makeup and earrings and necklaces and…"

Neenah's voice trailed off as she skipped up the stairs to begin finding new places to stuff her clothes in.

Evergreen smirked as she watched her husband step carefully on the first step, not wanting to trip, drop all of the new clothes, and invoke his daughter's wrath.

"You just couldn't say no, could you?" She smirked at him.

Elfman grunted in response.

"She gave you 'The Eyes', didn't she?"

"Shut up." He growled at her.

Evergreen laughed.

Elfman sent her a glare before beginning his trek up the stairs to assist his daughter with putting her new clothes away.

A short chapter, but it's 2 AM and I am very tired.

Good night, my lovelies! Kisses!