July 6th, 1894
It was not easy forcing Elizabeth to go by the new plan they'd created. She was resisted every attempt for Robert to put her to sleep and Rosalind was not sure why. If he was following the schedule, he should have no issues. Perhaps she needed to watch him to see what he did when it was his turn to watch Elizabeth. She had a feeling that he was straying from the plan that they'd agreed upon. It was more likely when she left the 2 of them alone.
Robert liked to sneak her treats when he thought she was not watching. How did he expect her to sleep when he gave her treats so close to bedtime.
"Tonight it's your turn to put her to bed," Rosalind mentioned. It had only been 9 days since they started this new plan but Rosalind was glad for it. Though Robert still struggled, Rosalind found that when it was becoming easier. Elizabeth just needed to stop being so resistant to the changes.
The schedule for the most part was easy to follow. Elizabeth was usually in bed by 7 now and she and Robert both had several hours to themselves. Robert was able to do research with her and she could tell that he didn't feel as useless as he did before.
She knew that things would change as Elizabeth grew older but now she was confident that they could do it together.
Now they were out in town and Rosalind held Elizabeth as the little girl pointed and babbled. Elizabeth had not had her nap yet and she wanted to put her to sleep now. This would not be an easy night for Robert if they didn't let her sleep now.
Elizabeth touched her face and Rosalind looked at her. She was waiting for some sort of response so Rosalind nodded. Rosalind had not heard the question but she was certain she would not have understood anyway. "I can start dinner if I go home now," Robert spoke up finally.
"We haven't been to the garden yet," Rosalind said. They had planned to take a walk to the Memorial Gardens.
"You two don't have to come with me." Robert rolled his eyes, "I can have dinner ready for when you return."
"You're the one who always makes a fuss about me not coming out with you two." Rosalind pointed out, "You're ending this walk a little early." They had barely been out an hour now. They'd stopped by to pick up some things for dinner and Elizabeth had made a scene in the grocery store but that was handled easily enough. Had that soured his mood?
"It's almost 2 now," Robert reminded, "If we both stay, dinner will be really late in the day." Robert picked up the bags, "I can take Elizabeth if you'd like to continue your walk alone, she needs a nap anyway."
Rosalind looked at him and noticed for the first time how weary he seemed. This was not the same weariness that came from staying up all night. They'd both had plenty of sleepless nights before and after Elizabeth came to stay with them, but this was different.
Maybe it was the past week that had done this to him. He always seemed to struggle with Elizabeth when it was his turn to put her to sleep. She had spent her free time studying backup power methods for the reactors and had only stepped in when Robert asked her to. She had heard Elizabeth's constant crying but she had not left the office to help. She had assumed that Robert could handle it. And he could. She knew that he could because she could. He just needed a little more time to figure it out. Perhaps he needed to find his own methods of keeping Elizabeth calm and stop attempting to do things exactly as she did.
But he was still recovering from his travels... It wasn't easy jumping into a new life like this. She knew he still had headaches and he always attempted to hide his nosebleeds from her. It had not been a complete year yet. Perhaps she was not being as accommodating as she could be. It couldn't be easy doing what he had done.
"Rosalind?" Robert cleared his throat.
"I'll keep her here." she said finally, "You can focus on dinner and I'll take a short walk to Magical Melodies. We can go to the gardens some other day."
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.
"I can handle it." she nodded.
"She's different outside." Robert said, "Once you put her down she'll take off." And Elizabeth was fast despite the fact that she had just learned to walk in the recent months. Once she had figured out how to run, she never stopped.
"I won't let her walk then." she said, "I have the pram." she placed Elizabeth into it and gave Robert a small smile, "She'll probably fall asleep since she missed her nap. We'll be back in an hour." She could sense his hesitation. Rosalind had never taken Elizabeth out alone and she had to admit that she did not know how the child would respond. Still, Robert needed a break. She didn't want him as stressed and exhausted as she had been.
"Alright," Robert left them and Rosalind began to push the carriage.
"Rosie?" Elizabeth was getting better at saying her name now. She should have been about 19 months now. Was that normal? Or perhaps she should know more words.
"Yes?"
"I walk?" she asked hopefully. She wanted to run about outside but Emporia was crowded to today. It was a warm July day and Elizabeth could see the other children laughing and running about.
"Not yet," Rosalind said as she watched the mothers chase their children about and apologizing when the kids bumped into people. She did not want to chase Elizabeth like that.
She walked slowly through the market and watched the people move about. "I had to see it myself." she heard a familiar voice and frowned as Jeremiah Fink stepped in front of her. He stopped the stroller with his foot and Elizabeth protested at the sudden stop.
"So," he smiled, "Madame Lutece is a mother now?"
"Lower your voice." she hissed, "This is not my child." She moved around him and continued to walk. She did not want to be bothered by Fink today.
"Of course she isn't." Fink began walking beside her, "I'm sure I would have noticed if you were pregnant." And that made him a little smarter than the average citizen. Many had seen her in the months before Elizabeth had arrived and still believed that she had somehow given birth to a child who was already one year old. "She looks a lot like the Lamb," Fink said.
Rosalind fought the urge to cover Elizabeth with her blanket, "She certainly does." she agreed.
"Or rather," Fink looked around and narrowed his eyes, "She looks like the old Lamb. Why do you think they had a closed casket funeral?"
"What mother could look upon her dead child and stay strong? Perhaps she wanted to maintain the illusion of strength." Rosalind had not gone to the funeral but she had read about Lady Comstock's determined speech. She of course knew that the casket was closed because it was filled with stones and not a dead child.
Fink snorted and stopped the stroller again, "Don't start with that lie." he said lowly, "Only a fool would believe it and you are no fool." She was never sure of how much Fink knew about Comstock. If he knew how fake he was, she was certain he didn't care.
"I have no way of knowing how she felt about her child," Rosalind said. There were too many people around for her to speak as freely as he wanted her to. She refused to be the subject of even more rumors.
"Comstock didn't want this kid anymore." Fink let her continue walking, "After all he did to get her." So maybe he did know the truth and wasn't just speculating.
"Lady Comstock told him she was finally pregnant." Rosalind said as the crowds died down, "He's getting what he wants."
"As he always will." Fink said with a shrug, "How did you end up with her?" She wasn't sure why she was still talking to him at all.
"I was only meant to watch her for a week," she said, "And then that story was released in the paper." She suddenly remembered how angry and sad she had been. Knowing that once again, Comstock had taken away any options she had.
"That doesn't mean you have to keep her." Fink said, "I never saw you as the mothering type."
"And what type am I?" she asked. Elizabeth had reached over to touch her hand and Rosalind recoiled at the feeling of saliva. Elizabeth giggled and fell back into the carriage.
"I have no idea." Fink said, "I don't know you outside of work." He always knew when he was overstepping. She had witnessed him purposely moving forward despite that and she was glad he wasn't choosing to do so now. "There are rumors that you turn down every suitor who comes your way, I think we all assumed that you wanted to be alone."
It was true, she had no desire to court or marry anyone. Nor did she ever want to have a child. Robert had mentioned wanting to start a family several times and if he chose to do so, she would not stop him.
She looked down and saw that Elizabeth had managed to remove her shoe and had started to chew on it. "That's disgusting." she pulled the shoe away and Elizabeth reached for it, "Keep it out of your mouth."
"I'll leave you be now." Fink said, "I know parenthood can be hard to adapt to, but you're doing well." he gave her a wink and left. Rosalind turned back to Elizabeth who was now struggling to get her other shoe off.
Rosalind rolled her eyes and entered the shop. It was empty except for Albert Fink and his assistant at the back piano. Albert tapped the keys slowly, "It just... doesn't sound right." he said. the frustration in his voice was obvious.
"I think it sounds wonderful, Mr. Fink." the assistant tried.
"No..." Albert sighed, "Something's missing."
Elizabeth began babbling again and it drew their attention from the piano. "Madame Lutece!" he stood quickly as if he was embarrassed by his process, "What brings you here today?"
"I'm just looking for a record," she said.
"Is there a particular composer in mind?" Albert asked as he stepped closer.
"No." she shook her head, "Just something light and slow," she recalled how music had helped put Elizabeth to sleep when she first moved in with them. Perhaps it would help Robert if they had something special to play for her. "A lullaby."
"For the little one?" the assistant had already moved next to her and was smiling brightly at Elizabeth. The child loved the attention and began to tell the girl a tale about Robert and milk.
"Something to help her sleep." Rosalind said, "She hasn't been adjusting well since her parents passed."
"So it's true..." the assistant stood straight and looked away, "I heard rumors that she was an orphan but... There's just so much death going around."
"Miss Abigail, don't let yourself get so upset." Albert said, "She's in good hands with Madame Lutece." Albert shooed her to the back of the shop. "Forgive her, she's still in training."
"Of course," Rosalind said with a nod, "She'll learn her way with you as her teacher."
"Yes, I'm sure." he smiled and held up the record he had found, "I'll be honest when I say people don't come for lullabies often, I don't have much on hand." He handed it to her.
"Ah Vous dirai-je, Maman. Mozart." she read the cover quietly.
"Our record player is broken but I can play a sample for you with the piano." he admitted, "It's simple enough for a child to like."
"I've heard it before," she said. In fact, she had played it when learning piano herself. Her mother had forced her to learn the song and Rosalind recalled being angry that her mother had made her play such a simple song. Now, she was sure Elizabeth would enjoy it.
"Oh good," Albert said, "You know, it's one of the first songs I learned. The beginning had been so simple that I thought I could play it all."
"How old were you when you started to learn?" she asked.
"I started late," he said, "I was 14. But it's never too early to teach a child about music." he looked to Elizabeth, "Perhaps she'll be a musician! Or perhaps she'll follow in your footsteps."
Elizabeth as a physicist? Rosalind could pave the way if that was what the child wanted. But Rosalind was certain that it wasn't, "She's not yet two, I suppose we'll see when she gets older." Rosalind said, "Right now she enjoys chewing on things."
"In the back of her mouth, hmm?" Albert said thoughtfully, "I know a cousin who did the same, he was growing the last of his teeth."
"Still?" she had assumed Elizabeth had all of her teeth. She didn't seem to be in any pain.
"Every kid is different, but most aren't done until they are two years old." Albert seemed proud that he was able to impart this knowledge to her. It wasn't often that people knew something that she didn't. "Shall we?" he asked as he took the record back.
"Yes." she nodded and followed him to the register.
"I can find more if this works for you." Albert said, "Perhaps I could even compose something to help her get to bed."
"Thank you, I'll see how well this works first." she bid them goodbye and pushed Elizabeth out of the store. The sun had already begun to set as she made her way back to her home. The sunset a lot faster in Columbia. Perhaps because of their position in the sky. She wasn't sure what it was, but the days seemed shorter.
Rosalind made it home just before the sun completely disappeared and sighed in relief as she smelled the dinner Robert was cooking. Since they started cooking every day, she found that Robert was the better cook despite the fact he claimed to have never cooked before coming to Columbia. Perhaps it was the presence of her memories that gave him the skill.
"Out!" Elizabeth bounced happily and held up her arms. Rosalind removed her other shoe before letting her loose in the living room. "Robbie!" she yelled as she rushed towards the kitchen.
Rosalind locked the door and parked the pram in the lobby before following her into the kitchen. Robert had placed her in her highchair and he sat beside her, nodding intently at the story she was telling. Elizabeth knew 26 words now but she still was not able to string them into complete sentences. At least that's what Robert claimed.
Rosalind could still barely understand Elizabeth but Robert seemed to be keeping track of her language development.
"I'm assuming you had a good time?" Robert asked her as she finally stopped to breathe.
"She chewed on her shoes the entire time." Rosalind sat down on the empty stool next to him and noticed he didn't look any better. "Are you having a spell?" she asked quietly.
"No." he shook his head quickly, "Nothing of the sort."
Perhaps he needed to rest. Now that they were splitting the work evenly, it seemed that it was beginning to be too much for him. "Hungry?" Elizabeth asked.
"Dinner isn't ready yet," he said.
"I'll finish dinner." Rosalind decided, "Why don't you take a nap?"
"No." Elizabeth shook her head.
"Not you." Robert smiled as he stood, "Do wake me when it's done." He gave Elizabeth a pat on the head as he walked by her. Rosalind was once again left alone with Elizabeth. She wasn't sure how to interact with her now. Even the young girl waited for her to make some sort of decision.
Rosalind stood and peaked into the oven at the roast. She wasn't sure why he had chosen such a lengthy meal to prepare, "I think it'll be done by 4." she said.
"4," Elizabeth repeated.
Robert would have most likely kept Elizabeth occupied but Rosalind wasn't sure how. She was growing weary herself but Elizabeth seemed wide awake despite not having a nap.
On the table was one of Elizabeth's small bowls. Robert had placed mashed potato inside and Rosalind gave them to Elizabeth. "I believe he's sick." Rosalind said absently, "Perhaps a cold." As she thought more about it, the signs became clear. Even early that morning he had been sniffling and coughing. His weariness was most likely from pushing himself all day.
"Robbie sick." Elizabeth nodded. She ignored the spoon and reached into the bowl with her hands. She ate directly from her hands and licked what remained off of her fingers. She then wiped her hands on her dress before reaching back into the bowl.
"Perhaps you made him sick." Rosalind wrinkled her nose. Elizabeth was very messy when she ate. As far as children went, Rosalind would never know how Elizabeth lined up. Was her behavior normal? Or was she just bad at teaching? What she did know was that Elizabeth apparently needed to taste everything. She nibbled on the couch cushions, the tables, her shoes, Robert's pocket watch, pens, pencils, paintbrushes, and even Rosalind's hairbrush. Nothing was safe from her curious taste buds. It was a wonder she herself wasn't sick.
"No." Elizabeth shook her head and dropped a handful of potato onto the floor. The rest ended up smeared all over the chair. Was it possible for her to eat what she was given? Was she supposed to feed her forever?
"Let's get you clean." she lifted Elizabeth from the highchair. She could clean her up and they would stay in the study until it was time for dinner.
Note: I'm posting twice today to make up for the fact that I haven't posted anything in a while. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It was pretty long so I had to split it into 2 parts. Part 2 will be posted next week!
Also, A friend of mine is going to start posting pictures of each chapter on her Tumblr. :) I'll post the link in my Bio.