Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters end up in. Everything else belongs to someone else and that's the way of it.
Pinky Promises
All things considered, Harry was fairly optimistic about his small family after nearly a week together. Not that things were perfect, or even really good, but Daisy appeared to be adapting to her new home, and Eggsy was doing an excellent job taking care of her and keeping her out of his way when he was working at home. And the food alone was worth putting up with having to stay up a little later at night than he once had in order to be home for dinner nearly every night. He'd only missed one night so far thanks to Merlin, who was determined to get him out of the building on time so that in turn Eggsy would be happy with him and continue to send him a bagged lunch along with Harry in the morning. The glutton.
But the point was things were going fair well right up until the day that Daisy was due to visit her daycare for the first time.
There were small changes to their schedule of course that morning, but Daisy was too young to realize that they were starting breakfast a little earlier. The fact that Harry wasn't immediately going to work after breakfast had Daisy shooting him considering looks, but Eggsy whisked her away to get changed right after so she didn't have long to question why he was still around. When they came back downstairs and he was still there Daisy looked even more confused, but she was easily distracted as Eggsy helped her into her sandals, coat, and then showed Daisy her new blue knapsack with white daisies all over.
Once the had everything they needed Eggsy carried her bag for her while Daisy carried Mr. Fox outside, the little girl clutching her stuffie against her chest while alternating glances in both their directions all the way to the car. But the girl liked car rides, and didn't object to being strapped into her seat where she remained quiet for the whole car ride as Eggsy drove them to the daycare.
As soon as they'd pulled into a parking spot Daisy started looking around, Harry wondering if her nerves were infectious as he was starting to worry that this was not a good idea either. But Eggsy seemed unruffled as he got out of the car and freed Daisy from her chair as well, setting her on his hip while he asked Harry to grab her knapsack, which he was happy to do. It gave him something to do and concentrate on other than observing Daisy and her growing trepidation as they walked around to the front of the building.
It looked cheerful and welcoming with its flowerboxes and the outdoor gym equipment situated close to the building, but Daisy didn't seem to notice any of that. She was too busy looking at the other children who were also being escorted into the building by their parents, older siblings, or hired help. They all looked, for the most part, like they were looking forward to their day, which Harry took as a good sign.
Inside the building Harry motioned towards the desk set up a short distance from the entrance where children were signed in. And getting in line they didn't have to wait long as the kindly looking woman behind the desk obviously knew the majority of the children by sight and waved them through with smiles and well wishes. She knew them by name too, Harry noted and approved of. Good.
The woman, who Harry estimated to be perhaps a few years older than himself, beamed at them when it was their turn. "Well hello there, Dears. I haven't seen you here before, which makes me think that this must be our new Miss. Daisy, starting today in Mrs. Markle's class. Is that correct?"
"That's correct. I'm her uncle, Harry Hart, and this is her brother, Eggsy Unwin. He'll be the one dropping her off and picking her up primarily."
"Lovely to meet you all. I'm Carrie. Welcome to Bag End Daycare."
At Harry's side Eggsy snickered a little.
"I know. But the founder of the place was a serious Tolkien fan, and he said that it was only as children that mankind seemed able to demonstrate a hobbit's purity of heart." The twinkle in her eyes made it clear Carrie was used to people commenting or being amused by the name. "And on the A side there are some very beautiful murals throughout the building depicting scenes from 'The Hobbit' that are quite enjoyable to look at."
Another smile and then Carrie's gaze dropped down to the sheets of paper in front of her. "I was told you were coming, and all her paperwork is in order, which we very much appreciate. Do you need directions to her room?"
"No, I remember the way. But thank you."
"Well I hope you have an excellent first day, Daisy. I look forward to seeing you in the future."
Daisy, for her part, was looking very suspicious and didn't say anything.
"Sorry bout that. She's nervous. Thanks for your help, Carrie." Eggsy's lips curved into a charming grin that had Carrie, not surprisingly, pinking up a little. Who could blame her?
"This way, Eggsy."
Both of them nodding to Carrie before starting to walk again, Harry leading the way and noting the fact that Eggsy was looking around with interest at everything, no doubt memorizing the way to get here so that he wouldn't get lost when he came to pick her up later. Not that the floor plan was in any way difficult to sort out, and there were certainly enough adults milling around to give directions if need be.
Arriving at the right door without any wrong turns taken, Harry walked past it to go over to where hooks had been placed at a small child's level for easy access, telling Eggsy to keep an eye out for Daisy's name.
Thankfully it wasn't that popular a name, and they found her hook all ready for her knapsack as promised. Hanging up her bag for her Harry took her coat from Eggsy when he handed it over, nodding when Eggsy asked him to grab her indoor shoes and socks from her bag.
Daisy didn't resist or cooperate as her sandals were removed and replaced with socks and shoes, her eyes wide and searching as she continued to clutch Mr. Fox to her like he was her life preserver in a storm at sea.
Again Eggsy picked her up and together they all headed back to the door, which was open and invited them in.
As Harry remembered the room was painted in bright, primary colors, various areas set up through the room for a variety of activities children of Daisy's age would enjoy. There was a book area with big, oversized pillows, and another area set up like a kitchen for playing house. A puppet house was in another corner, as well as a long table where the children would use the art supplies on display in nearby shelves. There was another room that housed an indoor gym for when the weather kept the children indoors, as well as another where Daisy would have her midday meal, but this would be the room she'd be spending the majority of her time in.
"Nice."
"I received nothing but positive feedback from those I contacted about it." Harry assured Eggsy. And reminded himself since suddenly the idea of leaving his fragile, defenseless ward in the company of complete strangers wasn't sitting so well with him. He'd had Merlin run background checks on every adult Daisy was likely to come into contact here, and they'd all passed, but there was still the other children to contend with. What if she was bullied? The groups were divided by age, so Daisy would have limited contact with the older children in the building, but meetings were bound to happen. Most of these children were solid middle class or higher, and while Daisy dressed like them there was no denying that her accent made it clear where she'd grown up. Though were three year olds old enough to understand such things? Surely not. Right? Of course their parents and guardians were more than old enough to be biased and their children would behave accordingly, wouldn't they?
Movement from Eggsy's direction had Harry's attention switching back over to him, just in time to watch Eggsy set Daisy on her feet.
And that was it.
Bursting into tears Daisy dropped Mr. Fox to the floor and threw herself at Eggsy's legs, wrapping her arms around one while blubbering out the words 'Eggsy' and 'No' over and over again like a mantra.
"Oh shit."
Dropping down on one knee, since she had his other leg in a choke hold, Eggsy petted and stroked while telling her that everything was okay. That this wasn't a bad place. She wasn't staying here, neither, Eggsy assured her, she was just going to be here for a few hours to play with the kids and draw him pictures. And didn't that sound like fun?
Her increase in crying volume made it clear that no, it did not.
Objectively Harry knew that sending her to daycare was the best thing for her. It was important for her social development to spend time around her peers, and Eggsy was only human and needed breaks to recharge once in a while or he'd wear himself out and that would be bad for all of them. Plus daycare would give her a chance to learn new things, make friends, and prepare her for actual school when she was old enough to attend.
He knew all that, but damned if any of that mattered in the face of Daisy's sobbing and shattered eyes.
"Eggsy, I don't think she's-"
"Excuse me. Mr. Hart?"
Looking up and over Harry nodded in the direction of Daisy's teacher, who'd he met during one of his previous visits. "Mrs. Markle. Hello. I'm sorry but it appears that Daisy isn't quite ready for this."
"No child, or parent for that matter, ever is." The knowing look she gave him made Harry actually want to shuffle his feet in embarrassment.
Walking over with a child holding each of her hands, Mrs. Markle smiled reassuringly and then crouched down to Daisy's level, her voice warm but firm.
"Daisy, I'm Mrs. Markle. I'm a teacher here, and I'm going to be teaching you about colors and letters, and all sorts of fun and interesting things. I know that you think this is like the place you lived in before you came to live with your uncle. The other place had a lot of children too, only you had to stay there and Eggsy wasn't there, so it was horrible, wasn't it?"
Before she'd made the parallel Harry hadn't thought that Daisy might think this was another foster home, but now that she had he was terribly grateful he'd been upfront about Daisy's recent upheavals, family situation, and how that might play into her behavior.
He also now hated the idea of leaving her here even more.
Daisy, however, was crying a little quieter now. And she was paying attention to Mrs. Markle even if she did still have a tight grip on Eggsy.
"This isn't a foster home, Daisy. No one lives here. See these kids with me? They're just like you. They're here to play with you and the other kids while their families are at work. But after work their families come and get them and they go home. Isn't that right, Daniel?"
"Uh huh." The little boy with her replied on cue. "No one lives here, Daisy."
Looking up at her brother Daisy asked in a loud whisper how the boy knew her name.
"Mrs. Markle told me. Do you wanna come play with Amanda and me?"
Daisy shook her head, though it was at least somewhat reluctantly.
"Daisy, have I ever lied ta ya before?" Eggsy asked her quietly, cupping her red face between his hands. "Harry and I are only gonna be gone a little while, then we're all gonna go home, I promise. And Mr. Fox will be here with ya the whole time ta take care of ye. Promise. We ain't leavin ya here, Flower. It's just for a little bit. Swear down."
"P...promise?"
"Pinky swear."
Daisy studied the pinky being offered her and then slowly let go of Eggsy's leg to study him for a moment before reaching out to crook her own finger around his to complete the ritual.
"See that clock there, Daisy? When the little hand is pointing at the three and the big hand at the six, I'll be coming here ta get ya. Triple promise."
They all held their breath as they waited to see what she'd say next, no one more surprised than Harry when she turned to look at him, lifting a hand to point in his direction.
"You'll come get me too?"
"To pick you up, you mean?"
Daisy nodded.
Flabbergasted, he had not expected this at all, Harry frantically worked his way through his schedule in his head, wincing a little at the timing while wondering if it would be possible to squeeze it in given that he had a briefing with Miss. Morton that he really could not miss. But surely she would understand, and she was known for staying on point and keeping their conversations on point.
Either way Daisy was looking at him expectantly, and if they wanted this to work he was going to have to make this work too.
So Harry crouched down and offered his ward his pinky in turn. "I promise that I will do everything in my power to be here later too."
The solemn way she watched him as the pinky swore had sweat breaking out on Harry's forehead.
It would not be a good thing for him not to show up later.
)
Blessings on Mrs. Markle, the woman took over then by asking Daisy about Mr. Fox, the little girl immediately turning her attention to finding the stuffie, which Eggsy picked up and handed to her. From there Mrs. Markle offered to show her a book they had on foxes in the story area, and with reluctance Daisy willingly took the woman's hand and let herself be led away from them after Harry and Eggsy said goodbye to her and she returned the sentiment sadly. And she looked back at them numerous times with lingering anxiety in her eyes.
"We better run while we can."
Trusting Eggsy's instincts on the matter, Harry quickly followed the younger man out of the room and down the hallway they'd come through earlier.
"Ya all right?"
Harry was man enough to answer honestly. "That was horrid."
"Yeah." Eggsy agreed with a nod. "It gets easier though. And at least we're leavin her somewhere good, not like that home she was in. She bought ripped my heart out me chest every time I visited and then had ta leave her there stead of takin her with me."
"Was it that bad?"
"Nah. Or at least I've heard of loads worse. The people she was with were mostly in it for the money from what I could tell, but they were decent enough people. Kept the kids fed, clean, and didn't abuse em none, which is more than I can say about some of the places mates of mine ended up in when they were sprogs." Eggsy's expression was dark for a moment before the boy made an obvious effort to smile instead. "And this daycare, it looks bloody amazing from what I've seen so far. Daisy will be beggin ta come here soon enough, you'll see."
"I look forward to that day."
Eggsy laughed. "Parenting ain't for the faint of heart, that's for sure."
"Quite." Harry sighed. "And I will do my best to be here to help you pick her up."
"Thanks. Seriously. Though it's a good sign that she wants ya to come and pick her up even if she is still pretty shy around ya."
"True."
On that note they slipped into companionable silence for the rest of their walk through and then out of the building, Eggsy walking Harry to the car.
"And what do you have planned until three if I might ask?"
"I figured on hanging out in the general area just in case somethin goes wrong and the daycare needs me ta come and get her. I ain't never really explored this part of the city before, and I figure I should get acquainted with it seeing as I'm gonna be hanging round here in the future."
"I can suggest some shops worth checking out if you'd like." Just the thought of improving Eggsy's wardrobe made Harry feel a little better.
"Nah, but thanks. I ain't really dressed for the sort of shops you go to. Places around here, they'd have one of their people on me soon as I was through the door ta shadow me. It's fucking annoying when they do that. Not that it wasn't a good idea a time or two." Eggsy good-naturedly shrugged off his past acts of thievery. "I'll dress up a little more next time, then check them out."
"Well perhaps one day after we pick up Daisy we could go to the shops together. Get dinner afterwards."
"Yeah?" Eggsy grinned in obvious pleasure.
"I think that could be arranged, yes."
"Cheers. Well I'll let ya go. No doubt Merlin is wondering what's keeping you. And his lunch."
Laughing, Harry agreed that that was most likely the case.
"See ya later, then."
"Have a good day off, Eggsy."
The wink and cocky salute Eggsy gave him had Harry smiling in turn as he slid behind the wheel of the car, just sitting there for a moment as he watched the boy saunter off with all the attitude of youth.
He really was so very grateful that he'd decided to offer Eggsy the position of Daisy's nanny. He did not want to think about how all this would be going without the boy.
