Disclaimer: If I owned any part of this, I'd be rich and living in Ireland. But guess what? Not rich and not in Ireland so I must not own any of this. I suppose I own Willow, but she's not worth anything, is she?
Author's Note: I'm so, so sorry! Between writer's block and a busy schedule, this update has taken forever. First I didn't know what to write. Then I knew what I wanted, and I didn't know how to write it. Again, I'm very sorry. The next chapter will come sooner and it'll be longer. I promise!
Replies:
Radioactive Bubblegum—Thanks. Forgive me for not updating this in so long?
Ash Vault Rose Garden—Thanks
Grub Kelp—Thanks! I really like the idea of the short story. I swear I'll write it when I get time (or when inspiration hits, whichever comes first). Artemis is going to have a cameo in this. I could make the next story Artemis if I can think of what to write for him.
Holly Rox—Thanks
HYPERdingdong39—Thanks
Maiden Genisis—Thanks. Sorry this update took so long. *grin* Ah, Root is merely my poor tool (I don't think he'd purposely want to torture Holly), I just love torturing Holly! I'm not sure why it's so much fun. :-)
CaptainRoseShort—I've often wondered what my life would be like as an only child. My brother is okay though. He's a nice guy.
Kelsey—I'm afraid there isn't much romance in this one. Artemis's cameo should have some romance in it, I think. It's more humor than action and the humor will come in a bit. A few chapters or maybe next chapter depending on how I write this. Sorry again about the lack of update for so long.
Hex21—Thanks
Sweetdeath04—Hi! Thanks for reviewing. I hope I didn't say anything offensive to only-childness. Wow, that's not even a phrase. I just know that some of my friends that have several brothers or sisters don't get nearly as much 1 on 1 time with their parents, so I thought about what it would be like to have a 2 to 1 ratio. Don't know if I'm making any sense. How many kids? Well there's Trouble's brother, Aquarius from my other story, Frank's great-nephew, and so far that's everybody. There might be one or two more thrown in later, but I don't think so.
Slime Frog— Thanks
Mad Sam—Thanks! Wow! You read all 5 of them? Thanks!
ON (finally) WITH THE STORY!
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Chapter 5: Trouble's Lullaby
Trouble rocked Willow gently in his arms as he sat on the sofa. She was so darling with her delicate nose, blue eyes, and auburn hair. Almost Holly's hair, but longer. He did wish Holly would grow her hair a little longer, but it was Holly's choice and he respected that. It'd become something of a game with them. Her saying she would cut it, him begging her not to, then her threatening to shave herself bald and just going and getting her hair cut anyway. Trouble cooed to Willow softly, half-hoping that her parents and family would never come and reclaim her.
He sat her on his lap (though he had to support her with one hand as she couldn't quite sit up on her own yet) and took part of the blanket.
"Peek-a-boo!" He disappeared behind the blanket. "Where am I? Here I am!"
He was vaguely aware of a door opening. Holly said something. It sounded like she was going somewhere, he didn't quite catch where. "That's fine. Have a good time," he said, tickling Willow.
He heard the door slam shut and turned to wave goodbye, but Holly was already gone.
Willow started to fuss in his arms.
"Hush," he said. He started to sing softly to her.
I'll be here, don't you cry
Don't you know that I
Will always hug you tight
And guard you through the night?
Your dreams are safe
And when you wake
I'll be here
Have no fear
In my arms,
You'll always be,
Far from harm
And safe near me
He continued to sing for a while with many fa-la-las and tura-luras mixed in where words lacked.
Someone had been knocking at the door five minutes before he realized they were knocking. Carefully and still holding Willow, Trouble went to the door and opened it.
"Foaly? I thought you were working today."
"I'm taking my lunch break. Is Holly here? I need to talk to her. Let me see the baby." Foaly stretched out his arms and gently took the child and rocked her, cooing softly.
"Holly?" Trouble scratched his head and bit his lip. "She…she went out. Something about a haircut maybe. Or a store? I think it was the haircut, but I'm not really sure." He frowned. "Don't drop her."
"I won't."
Willow giggled in Foaly's arms.
"Something about a haircut?" prompted Foaly.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure."
"Alright." If Holly was going to see Frank, then she really needed somebody to talk to. "I'll go see if I can catch her there."
"Good to see you, Foaly." He took the child back in his arms and started to close the door.
Foaly stuck his hand out to keep it from shutting the rest of the way and stuck his head in. "You will be at work tomorrow, won't you, Troubs?"
"Yeah. Of course," he said distractedly.
Foaly just nodded and went off down the street toward the barbershop Holly always went to. It wasn't the nearest one to her house, but it was the nearest one to the house she'd grown up in; it was the one her father had always gone to for his haircuts.
He knew Holly needed a friend right now. Her husband was engrossed in new-daddy syndrome a.k.a. overly doting father disorder. Old Frank was a good friend and Holly would talk to him, but a girl needed more than one friend, even a tough girl like Holly Short Kelp.
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Hope you liked it! Sorry again for the delay. If you forgive me, review.