Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations the characters find themselves in. Thanks so much for continuing to read and for giving me feedback on my work. It's muchly appreciated and I do read every review you send me!

Important: For the record I grew up loving Shirley Temple and her movies, and as an adult I own the entire collection of her full length features. That being said...yeah, a lot of them are very dated in some ways that mean they haven't aged the best if you're old enough to notice. But I still love them!

Animal Crackers in My Soup

Naturally it didn't even occur to Harry's mother that she might help with the bags and such. No, she just smiled at him expectantly and then glided off in the direction of the room in question, leaving him to deal with them for her. Despite the fact that he had a toddler to carry already. A toddler who was, ironically, much more used to picking up after herself and doing her part than her grandmother was. Which was a thought that both depressed and amused Harry, and of course he wasn't stupid enough to say as much to his mother. It would not end well for him.

Instead of incurring his mother's wrath Harry turned his attention to Daisy, who was peeking out a little now that his mother was no longer in the hallway with them.

"If I put you down will you help me carry some of the bags? I would imagine at least some of them contain things for you."

"Food?"

"No. Well...possibly. We'll have to wait and see, won't we? Will you help?"

"Ogay."

Allowing herself to be put back on her feet Daisy walked over to begin studying the various bags and boxes while Harry attempted to find the lightest bags to entrust her with. They did need to join his mother quickly or she'd come back out to make her displeasure over their tardiness plain.

"Wot's all this?" Eggsy called down from the top of the staircase, the young man hurrying down while his gaze darted around, obviously looking for some other sign of Harry's mother.

Eggsy was now wearing a simple white dress shirt, which Harry approved of as he explained that he'd invited his mother to go and sit down. They were in charge of transporting her baggage into the room for her.

"I'm helping." Daisy explained, lifting up a bag in each hand.

"That's my girl. Let's do this then." Taking a deep breath like he needed it to settle his nerves-and really, who could blame him-Eggsy quickly joined Harry in picking up the rest of the parcels. Then all of them loaded up they headed in search of Harry's mother, who they found on the couch, her attention focused on the television.

"So this is what passes for entertainment these days?"

Harry glanced in the direction of the screen, not recognizing the children's show on it. Though the characters on the screen resembled-wait a minute. He knew that tune. Was that pink creature singing 'Sound of Silence' by Simon and Garfunkel? What sort of show was this?

"Ah, it's the 'Trolls' movie. She loves it."

"Dat's Poppy and Bwanch." Daisy added, apparently feeling safe enough standing between them to speak up.

Watching what was happening on screen Harry couldn't help but wonder if the animators had been dropping acid or on something when they'd come up with the look of this scene. He was a little disturbed, actually. Was the whole movie like this?

"It's very colorful, but-oh, Eggsy, Sweetheart!"

Having apparently just realized that Eggsy was finally in her vicinity Harry's mother bounced to her feet, showing surprising speed and grace considering her age. Eggsy hardly had time to blink before Harry's mother was giving him a hug, followed by smacking cheek kisses before she pulled away, framing Eggsy's face between her hands.

"Even more handsome than your pictures. I'm so happy to finally meet you!"

"Thanks. Lovely to meet you as well, Olivia."

A beaming smile in Eggsy's direction, then her gaze lowered down towards Daisy, who instinctively moved over a little so that she was partially behind Eggsy's leg and just out of grabbing distance. "And I see you're still too shy to come out. But that's all right, My Dear. We'll become good friends in no time. Would you like to see what I brought you? Harry, I'll need that box on the top of your pile, please."

"Yes, Mother."

In short order all the bags and packages were on the table in front of his mother, who had returned to her seat on the couch. Eggsy had turned off the telly for the time being, and Daisy was now perched on his hip instead, arms wrapped around Mr. Fox and her brother's neck. But she was intrigued enough by the potential presents that she wasn't hiding her face, though it was partially obscured by Mr. Fox again, just in case.

The large, square box was opened first...to reveal the fact that Harry's mother had gotten Daisy a child sized wig. A Shirley Temple styled wig.

"She'll look just like Shirley Temple!" Harry's mother enthused, obviously very pleased with herself.

Daisy stared at the wig like she didn't know what to make of it. Perhaps she thought it was an animal of some sort. Eggsy, meanwhile, asked who Shirley Temple was.

"Oh, My Dear..." Harry's mother began, the look on her face making it clear she pitied Eggsy his ignorance.

"She was a famous child actress from the 1930s." Harry explained, thinking to cut off the long-winded rant his mother might launch into about one of her favorite childhood actresses. "You'd probably recognize at least her picture, if you looked it up on your phone."

Harry's mother tacked on the fact that she'd buy them the boxset of Temple's works. She was sure Daisy would just love them!

Knowing he must tread softly Harry was as diplomatic as possible. "They are very enjoyable movies, particularly for children...but there are a few that she shouldn't be allowed to watch. You and I will have to screen them beforehand, Eggsy."

"What's wrong with her movies?" Harry's mother demanded to know, eyes firing up for a fight.

"Mother...they're very much a product of their times. Many of her films are rather racist. When was the last time you watched them?"

Frowning, Harry's mother had to admit that it had been a while. But surely not.

"Mother...I distinctly remember one where the black slaves couldn't understand why they should want to be freed from slavery. And didn't want the North to win the American Civil War."

Harry's mother opened and closed her mouth several times, the look on her face making it clear that yes, she was remembering things from the movies that were not at all politically correct. And had never been morally correct.

"Oh. Now that you mention it...damn it all, Harry. You've ruined a beloved piece of your mother's childhood. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Any number of replies occurred to him, but Harry settled for stating that the films could still be enjoyed, they just needed to be viewed and explained correctly. Which he and Eggsy were more than capable of doing once Daisy was old enough to understand.

Clearing his throat and coming to Harry's rescue-which Harry very much appreciated-Eggsy turned his beaming smile in Daisy's direction. "Come now, Flower. Let's see ow you look as Shirley, all right?"

Daisy did not look sure she wanted to do that, so Harry picked up the wig to show Daisy that at least it wasn't alive. Though if she thought it was a dead animal...shit.

"Here."

Handing the wig over to Eggsy, who was giving him 'gimme' hand signals, Harry had to chuckle when Eggsy crouched down to more Daisy's height and then put the wig on his own head. Naturally it just lay there, Eggsy's head too big for it, and he looked absolutely ridiculous. Which Daisy, of course, found wonderfully hilarious.

"Think it's funny, then? Well let's see ow it looks on you, eh?"

Willing now, Daisy allowed Eggsy to rearrange the wig onto her mostly bald head, the wig fitting her surprisingly well. And while she didn't look like Shirley Temple-her face was thinner and she lacked the dimples-she did look cute in the wig. And it looked natural enough on her head, aside from the fact that no child was forced by their mother to wear their hair in whatever Shirley Temple curls were called these days.

Eggsy used his phone to take a picture, then passed it over to Daisy to see while Harry's mother cooed over how adorable Daisy looked.

"I look like a dolly!"

"That ya do."

Patting her head with a delighted look on her face, Daisy announced that she needed her flower dress. Then she'd REALLY look like a doll. And not waiting for their agreement Daisy took off in the direction of the stairs with Eggsy running after her, calling out over his shoulder that they'd be back in a jiff.

)

"Well that was certainly a hit. She'll be singing 'Animal Crackers in My Soup' before you know it." Or trying to, at least, Harry thought as he listened to the sound of little feet pounding up the stairs. Daisy's singing voice was still very much a work in progress, thought hopefully in the future it would become as lovely as Eggsy's singing voice. Apparently their mother had had quite the singing voice to hear Eggsy tell it.

It shouldn't take long for Daisy to change, or at least he didn't think so, but it had been a long day and Harry opted to take a seat beside his mother on the couch, inquiring as to how long she was going to be in London this time as he turned his attention back to her.

"Eager to get rid of me already?" His mother teased, though there was a hint of hurt in her eyes, quickly hidden.

Reaching over Harry set his hand over top of hers, which she'd placed on top of her thigh. He gave it a squeeze for emphasis. "I didn't mean it that way." Mostly. "You know I'm not good at small talk."

"True." Her other hand came over to cover his, sandwiching it between hers. "You get that from your father."

"So you're always telling me." Every 'flaw' in his character was always attributed to his father.

Personally Harry was just fine with the whole taking after his father's side of the family. It made life a great deal less complicated. Toddlers made it complicated enough. Add in dating someone young enough to be his son and-

"And it's always true. I think we can both agree that carrying a conversation is something I excel at."

"Very true."

"And to answer your question, I think I'll stay in the city for a few weeks, at least. You know London really isn't my scene, Darling. The British are so horribly stuffy and rigid. Especially the older they get. Present company excluded, of course." The smile his mother aimed at him was very...motherly. An unusual look for her, to be sure. "I would imagine your little family will keep you young better than any plastic surgeon. They're both smitten with you. And you're the same, aren't you?"

"Hook, line and sinker, yes."

"Good. I want you to be outrageously happy, after all."

"I know. And I want the same for you."

A knowing wink. "So long as I don't break any laws or give you another stepfather."

Honesty was occasionally the best policy. "Preferably, yes."

"Hmmm. And when should I expect a brand-new son in law? I really have hardly any firsts left, so I'm rather excited about this."

It took a moment for Harry's brain to re-engage and process.

"We've only just started dating, Mother. That's jumping the gun more than a little. And don't say that I'm not getting any younger." He added, anticipating her next move. "I'm well aware of my age, thank you very much. And no bringing it up when Eggsy comes back, either. We're progressing slowly, yes, but that just means that what we're building has a foundation. A solid one."

"I'd argue...but I have too many failed marriages and engagements for you to throw in my face. You know far too much about my dirty laundry."

"And whose fault is that?"

A rueful nod of acknowledgement. "Life is meant to be lived."

"I have a toddler. Life is never dull."

"You have a toddler." She repeated, shaking her head in amusement. "I still can't wrap my mind around it, honestly. Neither of us saw this coming."

"Very true. Thankfully Eggsy's an excellent teacher."

"You always were a teacher's pet."

Harry groaned as he said 'Mother.' in his most pained tone of voice.

"Oh please. Really, Harry. Would you rather I asked you how the weather's been, or how your last doctor's visit went instead?" A downright evil look came into her eyes. "I mean I could ask when you last got your prostrate examined by someone other than Eggsy, seeing as you are getting-"

"MOTHER!"

Laughing with unholy glee, Harry's mother choked out that he just made it too easy.

"I need a drink."

"Get me one too, Darling. You've always made excellent martinis."

Rising to his feet Harry took a deep, calming breath, prayed for strength, and then started walking in the direction of the dining room, calling over his shoulder that he didn't keep liquor in this room anymore. He'd return momentarily.

Harry had almost reached the doorway when his mother said his name so softly he almost didn't hear her. Twisting his upper body around so that he could look in her direction, Harry waited to see what she was changing her order to drink wise.

Instead his mother gazed at her hands for a good minute or so before she finally raised her head, her smile more than a touch wobbly. "I really am, you know. Glad that you've made a family of your own. It's so horrible, to be alone. Or at least it's always been for me. You've never seemed to mind it-but you never seemed very happy, either. You're happy now...which makes me very happy too."

Emotions rising, which as a British man Harry was not entirely comfortable with feeling, much less expressing, Harry had to clear his throat before he could get a response out.

"I'm glad our family has grown too."

In the awkward silence that followed that statement Harry beat a hasty retreat, leaving his mother to organize the gifts she'd brought or check her make up. Her eyes had looked a touch...shiny to him.

)

There were no tears or emotional moments during the rest of the visit, which Harry certainly appreciated and gave silent thanks for. He could no more handle his mother crying real tears than he could Daisy's. He was liable to go to pieces when he eventually saw Eggsy crying, God forbid. Though at least he always kept a handkerchief on his person. There was that, at least. But more importantly, the rest of the visit went surprisingly well. His mother's turn as a very early Father slash Mother Christmas went over well, Daisy quite excited over the new clothes and stuffed koala bear she'd been gifted. The stuffie had been christened Buster Moon after a character in a movie Daisy loved, and apparently he would require a bowtie from Kingsman ASAP.

Harry assured her that that could be arranged.

Eggsy politely thanked Harry's mother for the expensive watch and two shirts she gifted him with, his sweet smile turning to slack jawed shock before breaking out into one of his super nova smiles over his final gift. The brown leather jacket looked amazing on Eggsy, who immediately slid it on and then handed over his phone to Harry to take a piccie so that he could see for himself. The jacket fit the younger man's frame nearly perfectly, and a quick trip to Kingsman could make it perfect.

Though given how appealing Eggsy looked in it already, perhaps he shouldn't offer to have it tailored.

Bad enough he had to hear his own mother tell his lover how sexy he looked in it.

Naturally Eggsy was too giddy and Eggsy to be at all mortified. Instead Harry watched his lover haul Harry's mother into a big bear hug that literally lifted her off her feet. Her expression was such that Harry took advantage of still having Eggsy's phone to take a picture.

Which his mother immediately demanded he delete.

Assuring her that he understood, without actually deleting the picture in question, Harry turned his attention to his own presents, which were clothes-as per usual-a book on butterflies, which he genuinely appreciated, and a purple copper butterfly specimen.

Daisy thought it was quite pretty, and Harry offered to hang it up in her room if she liked.

After a minute or two to think that over Daisy asked if Mr. Pickle could move into her room instead.

"Oh, no, Harry. You still have that dog?"

"Until the day I die, Mother."

"Do you know how disturbing it is to be a mother whose son is into taxidermy? It's so Norman Bates."

Harry couldn't keep his lips from twitching as he reminded her that he would never fit into her clothes and he'd leave the wig to Daisy. And he didn't stuff things himself, he reminded her.

"You still fill your house with dead things."

Eggsy did a fair bit of snickering over that, having made similar comments when he'd first come to live with Harry.

Harry, for his part, was very much used to it and just toasted his mother with his martini glass.

Oh, and any guilt Harry might have told himself he should feel over not deleting the picture died and could go stuff itself.

He was going to make that picture his wallpaper as soon as he could get Eggsy to show him how to do that again.