Anonymous requested: "Could you do a drabble for the first time she said Love you daddy or love you mommy? Whichever you prefer, I really love your writing by the way."
It had begun just like any other night. Effie found herself promptly at a quarter past seven in the old rocking chair that now was situated in Olive's nursery. She swayed slowly back and forth, her two year old daughter nestled in her lap as she read from the large storybook Peeta and Katniss had given to her on her first birthday. Olive's eyes studied the colors, wonder and fascination moving through her expression through each flip of the page.
"And so," Effie said softly. "When the knight had taken back the treasure from the dragon's cave, he went to the princess, holding it out to her with a bow. She smiled at him, the most beautiful smile he had seen throughout the land."
Olive reach forward and touched the illustration with her hand. Her own smile formed on her mouth as she ran her tiny fingers across the letters and down the gleaming drawing of the treasure. Effie pressed her lips to the mass of curls that sprung upward from her daughter's head before turning her attention back to the book.
"Oh fair princess," she read on. "Here is your treasure. Has happiness found you once more?' And the princess stepped down from her throne, extending her hand towards the knight. 'Not yet, heroic knight, for happiness does not come from gold. Nor silver. Nor jewels. It comes from deep inside. The heart. Give me your love and I will give you mine and on the morrow we shall be wed.' So the knight took the hand of the princess and kissed it. Their love everlasting as they lived happily ever after," she closed the book. "The end."
"'Nother story, mama!" Olive smiled, looking up towards Effie. "Nother story!"
"Now if we read everything in one night," Effie chuckled as she set down the book before lifting Olive up. "There'd be nothing left to read. And that in itself would be a tragedy."
A long yawn escaped from the toddler and Effie smiled. Carefully she stood up, Olive tucked into her arms as she made her way over to the small bed in the corner. Gently, she laid her down before covering her with the thick woolen blanket. She stooped down and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight, my princess," she whispered. "I love you very much. I'll see you in the morning."
As she turned to leave, something slipped from Olive's mouth that made her stop cold in her tracks.
"Love you too, mama."
Effie whipped around, unsure if she had heard her daughter right. "What…what was that, love?"
"Love you…" Olive said slowly, sleep beginning to pull her under. "I love…mama…"
A hand flew to Effie's mouth as tears began to fill her eyes. Olive had many ways of displaying her affection towards her parents, but never had she said she loved them without being prompted to do so. She swallowed, a sense of joy welling up in her heart as she watched her now sleeping daughter.
"I love you too, Olive," she whispered. "So very much."