Visiting Grandma
A/N: This is just a small interlude attached to Niamh's birth story that occurs awhile later, when she's nineteen months. It was a plot stuck in my head that was begging to be written and was inspired by a coworker of mine. And, for the record, at this age, Niamh does know how to talk and has a small vocabulary; she simply doesn't feel like showing it yet. She's just quiet, which, I have been told, is realistic. She didn't become talkative until she was a little over two and had to start speaking to get what she wanted and express feelings.
Timeline: Mid-September 1991
"Do we have to do this?" Valerie whined as she trudged up the steps to her mother-in-law's house with nineteen-month-old Niamh in her arms. Valerie herself had chosen a simple outfit that consisted of a ruffled, white blouse and jeans with black boots, the outfit covered by her usual, black jacket to fight off the September cold. Niamh was placed in a simple, long-sleeved violet dress, black tights and matching black Mary-Jane shoes that she disliked, her dress covered by a lavender jacket.
"You know the answer to that," Stephen replied, briefly adjusting his own black jacket that covered a simple outfit of jeans and a black polo shirt with his usual court shoes. "Besides, we can't deny her the right to see her granddaughter."
"But you know how she is! She's always criticizing my methods and giving me these crazy ideas about how I should raise my daughter."
"Just ignore her and it will be fine," He said, knocking at the door as they stopped.
'You just don't understand, do you?' She thought as the door opened. In its frame stood an older woman, slightly shorter than Valerie with eyes like her son's and dark hair that was graying. Like both Valerie and Stephen, she was dressed simply. Her outfit consisted of only a long, black skirt and a white blouse, and, since she was inside, she wore no shoes, only slippers.
"Stephen," She said, quickly embracing him. "Valerie and…" She said, pretending as if she didn't know the girl at Valerie's hip.
"Niamh!" Niamh said.
"Oh, right. Hello, Sweetheart."
"She's not a Sweetheart she's an Angel," Valerie muttered.
"Valerie," Stephen warned as they were motioned inside.
"So, how are you, Elaine?" Valerie asked, gently setting Niamh on the floor and helping her in slipping off her little coat.
Once on the ground, Niamh sat and proceeded to pull off her shoes and throw them aside, as they were tight and hurt her feet. Her mum had said that she had to wear them because they were a present from Grandma, but she didn't understand. All she knew was that they hurt.
"I'm doing well enough. I'm sorry that Greg isn't here. He's off fishing somewhere because of a prior engagement."
Valerie simply nodded and set a few toys out for Niamh to amuse herself with. "Play with these and be good," She said, only to receive a nod in response. She sighed. Sometimes it was frustrating that Niamh was so quiet. She could talk well enough, but didn't seem to feel like doing so most of the time. At first, she had panicked about her daughter's lack of speaking, but the pediatrician assured her that Niamh was doing fine. She was simply quiet.
"How about a real answer? Don't you want to show Grandma how well you're talking?" Valerie insisted.
Niamh thought for a moment, then she pushed herself up and walked off into the kitchen.
"Where is she going?" Elaine asked.
Stephen shrugged. "I don't know, but she'll be back soon enough."
"You really shouldn't let her wander around like that. She could get hurt."
"She's fine, Mum. This is normal for her. If nothing interests her she'll come back. We only worry if she disappears for more than five minutes."
As soon as he finished speaking, as if on cue, Niamh came back around the other side of the kitchen and settled herself in front of her toys.
"Maybe I should put up a gate or two…just in case…"
"Why don't we just sit down?" Stephen quickly suggested.
"Alright, just let me get you something. I already have things made up." Elaine headed into the kitchen and Stephen and Valerie settled on the sofa, waiting until she returned with some tea and a small platter of biscuits.
"How have things been going for you two?" Elaine asked. "How's life at the Barr, Stephen?"
"Same as always. I'm thinking about working my way up to being a judge," He said, picking up a biscuit as he spoke.
"That's wonderful! And something you're well suited for, I think. You've always had a strong sense of justice. You get that from your father you know. And, what about you, Valerie? Anything…interesting?"
"I'm doing a wedding next week. Cooking and serving dinner for two-hundred people. Weddings are fun, but always a bit of a challenge," Valerie replied.
"And what of Niamh? What's she been up to?"
"Being quiet."
"Maybe you should see a speech therapist of some sort. If you ask me, it's a bit troubling that she still doesn't talk. She's far past that age, isn't she?"
"She knows how to talk, Mum," Stephen said. "She just doesn't like to."
"Nonsense! All toddlers love to talk. Niamh! Come here, Sweetheart!"
Niamh simply looked at her, but stayed in the same place as if to say, 'You are not my parent or Nana. I'm not listening to you.'
"Niamh, I told you to come here," Elaine insisted, only to have Niamh turn her head. "Have you not taught her how to follow orders?"
'Of course we have, she just doesn't like you,' Valerie thought, not daring to say it aloud. "Niamh," She called, motioning her with a wave of her hand. "Come here."
Niamh turned again at the sound of her name and stared at her mum, contemplating her choices for a minute. Then, finally, she got up and toddled over.
"Come on up, Angel," Valerie said, picking her up and setting her in her father's lap. "Grandma wants to speak with you."
"Let's try something easy. Who is this?" Elaine asked, pointing to Stephen.
Niamh looked up at him for a moment, but said nothing.
"If you tell me, I'll give you a treat," Elaine picked up a cookie from the plate, which Niamh pointed at.
"You have to tell me who he is first."
Niamh frowned and continued pointing.
"If you won't speak then I guess you don't want it."
Niamh looked towards Valerie and pointed at Elaine.
"What is it that you want, Angel?" Valerie asked.
She continued pointing, and when no one would give her what she wanted, she pouted and settled into Stephen's arms.
"Are you sure you don't want to see somebody? I could…"
"She's fine!" Valerie snapped.
"Mum yelling," Niamh said, putting her hands over her ears to show her disapproval.
"See? Sorry, Angel. Go ahead and put her down Stephen."
"Must you insist on calling her that? You'll be lucky if she doesn't end up confused about her name," Elaine pointed out.
"She knows what her name is, Mum. She came when Valerie called, didn't she?"
"Yes but…"
"Exactly. Now, did I tell you about the murder trial I was doing?" Stephen said, easily distracting his mother with details of the case. While the adult talked, switching subjects every few moments or so, Niamh amused herself with her dolls, muttering a bit of gibberish here and there as she did so.
After awhile Elaine glanced at the clock and said to Valerie, "Isn't Niamh overdue for a nap? It's past four."
"She took her nap before we came here," Valerie said. "Stop telling me what to do."
"I'm concerned for the child that's all!"
Before Valerie could snap back, she felt a tug at her blouse and turned to Niamh. "Yes, Niamh?"
"I'm thirsty," She said, knowing the only way to get what she want this time was to say it, as, she didn't know where her mother was keeping the snacks.
Without saying a word, Valerie rifled through the bag at her feet and pulled out a box of juice, which, after putting the straw in, she immediately handed to her daughter.
"You can't give her that!" Elaine said with slight shock in her voice. "She'll get it all over the carpet!"
"Relax, Mum. It's just apple juice. If she does spill it, it'll come right out," Stephen said.
Elaine simply crossed her arms and watched Niamh carefully, making sure to lookout for even one little stray drop.
"Anyway…" Stephen said, trying to change the subject. "How do you feel about going out for dinner?"
"I'd have to get changed and…"
"Then go get ready. We're not going anywhere."
"Shouldn't we wait for your father to come home?"
"By the time you're done he'll probably be back. Go."
"Alright, if that's what you want…" Elaine said as she stood.
Halfway through her hour of pitter-pattering around, Stephen's father, Gregory, walked in clad in full fishing attire.
"Grandpa!" Niamh said, always having favoured him more than Elaine.
"Hello, Niamh," He said, leaning down to pick her up. "You're getting heavy…Uh…What is it that you call her?"
"Angel," Valerie replied.
"Right. You're getting heavy, Angel."
Niamh simply laughed and held her arms out for a hug.
Valerie smiled, she always liked Gregory a bit more than Elaine. While he could be uptight, he was generally a bit more laid back. Of course, his attitude got better once he adjusted to and started to enjoy his granddaughter, rather than wishing she was a boy.
"There you are, Greg!" Elaine said as she came down the stairs. "Put the girl down and get some decent clothes, we're going out to dinner."
''The girl' has a name!' Valerie thought as she stood to take her from Greg. "I'll take her, I need to put her shoes on anyway."
"No!" Niamh protested at the mention of shoes.
"Now, Niamh, You have to wear shoes to the restaurant," Stephen said.
Niamh frowned.
"She does have a point, Stephen. Those shoes are a bit small," Valerie said. "Besides, I don't think it'll be a bother since she's a toddler."
"That's irresponsible, don't you think?" Elaine asked. "What if she needs to get up?"
"She'll be fine. Besides, we have extra shoes if needed," Valerie said through gritted teeth, resisting every urge to slap her mother-in-law.
They settled for a moment as they got their coats on and Greg returned. Ultimately, they decided to take Stephen's car, so they wouldn't have to go through the process of moving Niamh's car seat.
Once Valerie got her settled in, she handed her a stuffed animal to amuse herself with and moved to the front, secretly grateful that Greg took the place right next to her daughter. Along the way, Elaine tried offering her usual, obnoxious parenting suggestions. While Stephen could easily shrug her off, it drove Valerie up the wall, and she decided that she had to do something. Something just to aggravate her and make her shut up. What that was, she didn't know yet, but she was sure she'd figure it out. And she did once they were seated at the restaurant. After looking at the arrangement, Valerie said, "I want Niamh to sit next to me."
"Alright," Stephen shrugged and they all moved around so that Valerie sat at the end of the booth, where Niamh sat in a chair with a booster seat.
Valerie smiled at her and then gave Elaine a sly smile that went unnoticed when the waiter came to take their order.
After glancing at the menu, she decided on roast pork with mash and green beans, which she requested be covered with Italian dressing, and a biscuit, laughing inwardly at Stephen's mother's choice of a salad.
'Typical. This woman cooks alright but does not know how to eat,' Valerie thought, keeping an eye on Niamh, who eagerly watched the people around her. One of the benefits of her quietness was that she was easy to bring to restaurants. She spent her time people watching, as she always did, having had the habit since she was born. It was one of her ways of exploring the world around her.
When the food arrived the conversation cried down and Niamh looked over the table, eventually focusing on her mother's plate. She let out a small whine as she stared and Valerie looked at her.
"What's the matter?" She said, knowing Elaine was watching and that it was time to put her plan into action. "Do you want some, Niamh?"
Elaine's eyes went wide. 'Niamh is not supposed to be eating adult food! She's supposed to still be eating chunky baby food!' She thought.
With a wide smile, Valerie cut off a small piece of pork and handed it to Niamh, who promptly put it in her mouth. "Good girl. You want more, Angel?" She said, handing her another piece.
Niamh took it and pointed at the plate, indicating that she wanted more.
Valerie dug through her bag and got a small fork that she had brought along with the snacks in case Niamh got hungry. And, throughout the meal she kept feeding her bits and pieces of her dinner, while Elaine sat across the way and glared at her, her expression clearly stating, 'I disapprove of this.'
Valerie silently laughed, as did Stephen and even Greg.
Niamh picked up on it and began to laugh with them. Though she was unsure of exactly what was going on, she knew they were happy and that made her happy.