(The Lorax and The Once-ler or anything from Dr. Seuss books do not belong to me. They're Dr. Seuss' and Illumination Entertainment's. Same goes for his family and songs/sayings shown in the film/book/old cartoon. Only Marie is mine!) Reuploaded as of 12/05/2012. Walt Disney's 111th birthday!
Chapter 4
Rivers, Waterfalls and Rain
Marie went inside to find Once-ler at his desk putting up blueprints of Thneed designs. It was a small cottage, but it felt like home already. She wanted a small home after the lifestyle she had.
"Stupid Meatloaf," she heard Once-ler mutter. "I'll show him."
"It's rude to mutter," said Marie playfully behind him. Once-ler turned and his mood changed seeing her.
"Hey," he said. "I'm starting my Thneed!"
"I know," said Marie. She was drawn quickly by him from his gloved hand like a suave dancer. She chuckled to tease him. "Easy Honey. It's light out, wait until the cover of night."
"I'm just happy," said Once-ler. He lifted her up a little so they were eye level. "You make me happy. We don't have to worry about your family anymore! The Thneed will sell! What could be better?"
Neither could imagine something better happening, but they didn't know their future. Marie coiled her arms around his neck. She hated to bring up the new subject when he was cheerful.
"Just met one of our neighbors," she said. The frown from Once-ler said he knew who she meant. "I saw you two and it looks like you both got off on the wrong foot. He wasn't happy about you chopping a tree."
"I only chopped one," said Once-ler, scooting his desk chair with his foot for him to sit on. Marie placed a leg on both sides of his hips. "I didn't mean any harm by it. Besides, I'm being useful by making a Thneed out of it."
"I know you are," reassured Marie resting her forehead to his. "If he keeps this up-and I'm only saying this to keep the peace, not to go against you-do you think there's another way you could get the tufts? I'm just saying."
"I don't know, but I'm going to stick to chopping," said Once-ler. "I don't want to let you down."
"You won't," said Marie kissing his nose. "I'll always love you no matter what. Anyway, I don't think that Lorax meant the forces of nature thing to be real. I'm sure he said it to try scaring you off."
"Like I said; not going anywhere…and neither are you." Once-ler pushed her forward to seal it with a kiss.
Only minutes later, did Once-ler manage to pry Marie away (against both of their wills) and slipped out to drag the tree behind the house so he could finish his job. He came in by the back door and found Marie fixing a selling sign he had planned to do. She knew marketing thanks to her family's businesses. Once-ler forgot his encounter with The Lorax and enjoyed the rest of his day. He took the gathered tufts and knitted a Thneed. It took most of the day; he only stopped for dinner and for a break of walking with Marie where they spotted the town. They didn't enter yet, just watched from a distance. It was about an hour's walk and great way to exercise! Marie had high hopes of sleeping peacefully on a still bed. She missed having a bed on solid ground after their travels.
By evening, there was a disagreement. It all started after dinner of another set of sandwiches. The cottage was warm with the stove heating. Once-ler and Marie knew how to solve problems, but this was one they couldn't find a good resolution for. Once-ler didn't think it was a big deal, but Marie fussed about.
"What did you expect we would do for bathing?" asked Marie. She couldn't believe Once-ler's idea.
"I thought we'd use the river!" said Once-ler who didn't see what the big deal of jumping in and quickly lathering was. "It's right there!"
"You're fine with animals watching you?" asked Marie crossing her arms. "I'm not! I like privacy!"
Once-ler held his arms behind his back. "I don't mind undressing in front of people, including you."
"I'm different! I'm your wife Once-ler! That's part of a marriage! I don't want anyone else seeing me bathe!" Marie's irrationality started taking off. "What if some human showed up out of the blue? Plus that water will be cold! You love hot water!"
"Yeah, but I can deal with it! We don't need to worry about anyone coming here! That town is far off. Besides, animals don't wear clothes! I'm sure they'll understand."
"It's not that! Nobody can see my body...except you...w-without anything and that's just how it is." Marie felt a little embarrassed saying it. "A woman needs her privacy! I'm not washing up in a river!"
"Then you'll just have to go dirty," said Once-ler crossing his arms.
"I won't go dirty!" said Marie putting her hands on her shapely hips. "I'll find another way!" She turned to her surroundings and bit her lip. "I don't know what I'll use yet, but I'll find something."
Once-ler smirked to himself. Marie had to cave in sometime. She hated going without a bath. He didn't have to be her husband to know that. She had always been that way! He didn't plan on getting clean because he wanted to focus on knitting. Marie sat on the bed thinking. They had a washtub, but it was too small.
"I could hang a sheet up around and dump water over me," she said to herself. Once-ler overheard her and smiled slyly.
"But where would you hang the sheet?" he asked.
There weren't many nooks or crannies to hang things up high enough. She opened her mouth to give a comeback, but she froze knowing he was right. Marie huffed and flopped backwards on the bed.
Tired of thinking, she turned in early for the night. If she couldn't wash, she could brush her teeth. She used water from one of the jugs packed for her teeth. She also wetted her hairbrush at least get her hair less greasy. She changed into her navy nightdress which Once-ler thought matched her eyes.
"Good night," said Marie. She crawled in bed, flopped on her stomach and then turned over to hug her pillow.
"Night Marie," said Once-ler taking the folded bed cover off a shelf and draping it over her. Both wanted to end the first day on a good note.
Once-ler changed into his rabbit printed pajamas and made himself some tea. At some point, he sat on the bed to be more comfortable. Gently though, he didn't want to stir Marie. He'd steal glances at her just to make sure she was still there. It still amazed him she had come along. He leaned over at one point to kiss her head. She softly moaned in response.
Marie had slept lightly, but she kept waking due to her brain. She could hear the faint sound of Once-ler's needles against the material. She wondered what Edwin, Betsy and Rufus were doing. She ignored the tears prickling her eyes. The sound of Once-ler biting down on the thread to cut it softly hit her ears. He stood causing the bed to creak. With a proud smile he set the finished Thneed on a near chair. Placing his hands behind his back he felt confident.
"Now that's a Thneed. Nothing unmanly about knitting. No sir!"
Marie, who had her eyes open as she faced the wall, smiled hearing him. Suddenly feeling tired Once-ler yawned and sank back down. He swung his legs under the cover and reached up (quite easily with his long arm) to switch off the overhead lamp. The light went out and he closed his eyes instantly like he always did.
Right after he went off to dream land, Marie got up. She felt restless thinking of her loved ones. She struggled to get up with a grunt. It was nothing new to find Once-ler's arm draped over her, almost like to shield her off from danger. She pushed it to his side to get out. It went back down when she was freed. She inched around the bed because sleeping to her left was now common. During their honeymoon, she wasn't against the wall, Once-ler was. She had insisted for Once-ler to sleep near the door in case something tried breaking in. Optimistic, he said no one would come to their neck of the woods, but he did anyway.
Marie didn't hear the sounds of hushing from the front entrance, but got her chiffon bathrobe and went out the backdoor. The cool night air greeted her. The moon was up, completely full and giving light. The dark green grass seemed like silver. Marie hadn't bothered to put on her flats since the cool grass felt sensational under her feet. Grass didn't feel as good in Palmer. She chuckled and went in one direction to walk off her busy mind. The poor girl was unaware of what The Lorax was doing to her lover. She had gone far enough when she sat down to see the stars. So spacious and glittery! It was a sky only dream worthy.
"I'll have to remind Once that we should walk at night some time," thought Marie. She laid back and simply stared. Seeing the beautiful open skies must've had an effect because only minutes later she drifted off to sleep.
If there was anything that Once-ler was capable of, it was being a heavy sleeper. Marie always said he could sleep through anything! He would only awaken from his own senses or if something freezing cold touched him. Needless to say, if Marie had been in bed what would've happened, could've been prevented. The Lorax took a chance to get rid of Beanpole once and for all. The female, he didn't mind too much. At least she had been polite and didn't destroy a tree. If Beanpole left calmly downstream, then she would go after him. All would be good and the valley would be safe.
With some help from the Bar-ba-loots they lifted the bed up and tried getting it out the door. The banging of the headboard against wood didn't awaken Once-ler. He continued on with his pleasant dream; one that involved Marie. After The Lorax complained of how the animals were stealing a bed, they slipped it out the window and downhill. Smoothly, the Humming-Fish lowered the bed down into the river and off drifted the sleeping human. It was almost too easy!
Things took a turn for the worst when the particular Bar-ba-loot, who had grown fond of the human, had hitched a ride on the bed and went down the river with him. The Humming-Fish tried pulling the bed to a halt, but only succeeded pulling the blanket off. Once-ler shivered from the cold, but didn't open his eyes. He only grabbed hold of the Bar-ba-loot cub and cuddled with it. The Lorax tried making a chain of creatures down a bent tree to grab the baby mammal, only to miss because of the cub's love for Truffula Fruit.
"Bar-ba-loots," mumbled The Lorax.
They couldn't resist a meal! They were as hungry as the mule that had come with the humans. The Lorax had managed to bribe him with the fruit earlier. Melvin could say that he had "tried" to save his owner.
Once-ler was not only a heavy sleeper, but he tossed and turned. His leg dangled over the edge getting his foot in the water. Surprisingly, he only changed positions. Now the Bar-ba-loot was frightened as they took a turn in direction of the rapids. The Humming-Fish were no help as they only hummed a chorus…in a funeral tone.
"Hey Beanpole! Wake up!" called The Lorax as he ran along the bank shouting.
The baby animal raced down the foot of the bed which caused an impact. Once-ler continued to snore as his bed stood right up and flipped! He went under and was back up again, soaked. That got him up! He coughed and spluttered. The Humming-Fish he had caught from his sudden dip wriggled off. With a gasp he saw the cub, who giggled nervously.
"What-what's happening?" said Once-ler looking bewildered. "Where am I?" His mind panicked of where his wife was as much as himself.
"Hey!" The Lorax called, still running despite his weight making him tired. "We've got trouble and its coming up fast!"
Once-ler had craned his neck to look and screamed in horror: "We're in a river!"
Then down he went grasping the side of his damp mattress for dear life as the water crashed, bubbled and gurgled around him. The cub gripped his neck as they both went swirling and bashing about while screaming. The waves were brimmed with white with each collision. Once-ler got on his knees and gripped the headboard. There was a little relief that Marie wasn't there. At least she was safe, wherever she was. There was a sigh and brief laughing from the two souls who thought their problems were over when they passed the rapids. Until they looked ahead…
"Ohh no!" said Once-ler with furrowed eyes.
Right ahead, rushing with a terrible roar was a waterfall. It stretched wide across and ended plummeting down with violence. That was it! No way they could survive that! A chance of surviving was only if the water was as tame as gelatin.
"No!" thought Once-ler. "Not now! Not yet!"
He couldn't drown now! Things had just gotten better for him! For them! He couldn't die now! He had to live! Thoughts of Marie made him think fast. There was no way she was going to be a widow after they had tied the knot almost a month before. Once-ler grabbed his pillow and tried stroking his bed backward. The cub was helping, but he was only rowing in the wrong direction. It only made the bed get closer to their doom.
"Just do something!" cried Once-ler.
"Help is on the way!" The Lorax called back. He saw a ray of hope high above; a boulder. He raced up and used a stick for leverage. "Your mate's fine! She wasn't with you!" he added to reassure the human. Once-ler had heard, but it didn't stop any fear as he whimpered, getting closer to the edge!
"This will either send them flying or get them more wet!" The Lorax thought desperately. He grunted bouncing the stick to release the boulder. He hoped the first would happen. The boulder came loose and went rolling down.
Of course the sight scared Once-ler! Anyone would've screamed. He and the cub climbed over the headboard to move away from the chance of getting crushed. The next thing Once-ler knew he was high up and could hear the crying of the cub. He reached out, grabbed hold of him and brought the little thing to his chest. It was all out of instinct, almost parental. Once-ler slammed his eyes shut, bracing themselves to hit. He didn't care where they landed as long as they lived. With a grunt he landed on his back. The cub looked around and climbed off him as if nothing terrifying had happened.
Stillness. Once-ler thought he saw a light coming near him. "No…please! Please…no!" was all that came to his mind. Then out of nowhere…bzzzap! He sat right up! He wasn't dead! The river, now gentle, was flowing near, the grass was touching him and he was breathing. Two Bar-ba-loots had their fur standing on end from being rubbed together to revive him. Once-ler wouldn't take one day for granted again!
"I was heading into the light and you pulled me right back and here I am!" Once-ler said joyfully. To his own surprise he pulled The Lorax into an embrace. "You saved my life!"
"Yeah, well your mate's safe, you're safe. It was no big deal." The Lorax felt guilty of what almost happened.
"It is a big deal! Look I almost went over that waterfall…in my bed." Once-ler realized something. "How'd my bed get in the river?"
After trying to revive the still human, The Lorax spoke the truth and his problem. He truly didn't mean any harm! He never meant to kill Once-ler, he just wanted him to float away out of the valley. The Lorax didn't like the human, but he would never, ever kill anyone! It wasn't in his nature!
"Look everyone here needs the trees and you're chopping them down!" he said when the aggravated human had begun to storm off. Once-ler wasn't happy to be pulled back in from the light and find out his bed had been put in the river by the furry meatloaf! "So we've got a big problem." The Lorax seemed genuine this time.
Once-ler might've said something until he looked down to see the cub he had nearly died with tug at his pant leg. How could he say "no" to that?
"Alright look," said Once-ler. He lifted the cub up. "I hereby swear I will never chop down another tree." Then like he did when Marie had asked for him to not tell about her plan of running away when they were teenagers, he placed his hands over his heart and up. "I promise."
Marie had awoken suddenly feeling cold. It had gotten chillier since she left the cottage. Realizing what had happened to her, she sat up and then rushed to stand. Marie shook her robe free from grass bits and hurried home. The warmth of her bed and Once-ler's body heat felt relaxing.
"How long have I been out here?" she thought. If Once-ler had miraculously woken up he would be looking for her. She slipped through the backdoor, only to find the bed gone. She double blinked and gasped.
"Please be a dream," thought Marie with fear shooting in her. "Please be a dream!" Her pleads were answered that she was in reality when she heard a grunt from the front door and it opened. Once-ler came in half-wet and dragging the foldable bed frame in. The headboard was bent out of shape.
"What happened to you?" cried Marie. She raced to him for a hug. She jumped back from how cold he was. "Why are you wet?"
"Don't ask," said Once-ler miserably. He went back out with Marie at his heels.
"No! I will ask!" she cried. "Once-ler, I go out for a walk because I can't sleep and I come back finding you like this!"
"Mustache tried floating me away," said Once-ler. "He didn't want me cutting down his trees!"
"Who-" Marie paused and suddenly frowned. "The Lorax!" Now she was mad! She kept it hidden, but she was purely mad! She couldn't believe the little forest creature would stoop so low!
"I nearly went over a waterfall," added Once-ler.
Marie said nothing which meant she was seething inside. He knew her well enough. She still kept up with him when he led them past the waterfall, down the hill it poured from and to the river bank. His mattress and other half of the bed frame were sitting there, pulled up and drying.
Marie couldn't stop staring at the waterfall. To think that Once-ler nearly went over it was petrifying. Images of him, drowned and not breathing haunted her. First the freak storm that brought The Lorax and Once-ler nearly drowning. So much for a first day!
Once-ler heaved their bed back with Marie's help. She waded into the riverbed where she found their bed cover. She twisted it out causing water droplets to fall. She was going to have a long talk with that orange fluff ball the next morning.
Once-ler placed the mattress against the stove for it to get as dry as possible. He had a big day ahead of him and he needed to sleep. At least he was almost dry again after fetching his things. More importantly, Marie hadn't nearly died. He started to feel better.
Marie couldn't say the same. She came back in and sat on Once-ler's desk chair. She leaned over his drawing easel. She couldn't stop thinking of the waterfall. She bit her lips hard and squeezed her eyes shut. She could feel her body shake and something hit one of her cheeks. Marie felt rain on her face. It took her a moment to realize it was tears.
"I promised I wouldn't chop down any more trees so I bet he'll leave us alone," said Once-ler cheerfully. "How about that Marie?"
"Why would this happen?" said Marie getting choked up. Once-ler faced her. He didn't expect her to cry. "I-I almost lost you!"
"Marie, I'm okay," said Once-ler gently. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "I didn't drown."
"You might have!" Marie struggled to say. She got up and yanked him in her arms. "I almost lost you twice; that stupid argument and because of my parents! I can't ever lose you again!"
"You won't," answered Once-ler softly. Marie felt Once-ler kiss her head. The tenderness of his arms around her was all she needed. She quietly cried as he held her.
When the bed was put back together, Once-ler and Marie went back to sleep. She clung to Once-ler as if he would vanish. Both had strange dreams of water, but it had to be the least of their worries. Once-ler would sell his Thneed and Marie would stay in the valley with company.
When morning hit, Marie blinked to look up at the ceiling. Her eyes went wide when she saw lying on top of the lamp was a Bar-ba-loot. Screaming wouldn't do any good. Carefully, she sat up. She clamped her hands over her mouth! Animals! Everywhere! In their house! Swomee-Swans roosted or hung upside down. Bar-ba-loots scattered in piles. Humming-Fish in cups of water! Her eyes moved to see The Lorax snoring in their bed. Shock became fury.
"Now what?" Marie thought. "This better not become a normal thing!"
She unclasped Once-ler's arms from her waist. The moment she did Once-ler blinked his eyes. Still groggy, he smiled at her. Marie smiled back and pointed for him to look behind him. Confused, he looked over his shoulder. The sight of anything else besides Marie in his bed made him scream. It only woke The Lorax who was just as surprised. He punched a small hand to Once-ler's button nose. Marie gasped seeing him wounded.
"Ow!" cried Once-ler covering the sore spot. "Okay, what are you-" he saw the rest of the invaders and frowned. "Question. What are they doing here? And follow up if I may…what are you doing here?!"
Marie frowned expecting an explanation as well while she made Once-ler turn to her to make sure he wasn't bruised. He was fine.
"Well," chuckled The Lorax. "After the incident last night we found one of Beanpole's socks and came here to return it, but when we got here you were both asleep."
During the talk Once-ler realized the Bar-ba-loot overhead was starting to drool. Marie shuddered and climbed out of bed to get a towel for him, but gasped seeing a Humming-Fish causing suds on his fins. He had a happy look, but Marie cringed in disgust. She'd bleach those cups if she had to!
"Eewww," groaned Once-ler wiping his nose from the drool. Never mind the towel. "Exactly and sleeping is the body's way of telling other people to go away!"
"I know, but you and your mate looked so cozy." The Lorax grinned. "And it was cold outside. So we just fell asleep. No harm done."
"No harm done? No harm done! Oookay!" Once-ler left the bed in frustration. The Lorax climbed out and found something interesting on the nearby table.
Marie and Once-ler had to be careful of their steps with the animals everywhere. They locked eyes of frustration and disbelief at each other. Once-ler complained about the cups. "Okay, I put my lips on-well I used to anyway." One Swomee-Swan laid an egg in a bowl that Once-ler had made in second grade. Marie leaned against the back door taking in the sight. She felt sweaty with all the bodies inside. Poor Once-ler sunk down in horror of having his home invaded. The house had tracks of mud, feathers and fur. Marie knew she'd be cleaning while Once-ler went off to town, if he did. The Lorax added a revolt. Marie shrieked seeing Once-ler's toothbrush being used as a comb for The Lorax's thick mustache.
"Heh! Why do you have one of these?" asked The Lorax. "You don't even have a mustache!"
He dropped it on the floor where it landed right in Once-ler's palm. Lifting it up with two fingers Once-ler whimpered and shuddered loudly seeing hairs sticking to the bristles.
"Okay! That's it!" said Once-ler, feeling very annoyed.
"What?" said The Lorax as if nothing was wrong. "I thought we made a deal last night."
"Yes we did," said Once-ler bending over him to be eye-level. "And I said I wouldn't chop down any more trees!"
"And I said I was gonna keep an eye on you," said The Lorax. "I'm starvin! What's for breakfast?" He turned to the fridge, only to have Marie stand in front of him.
"I have a bone to pick with you," said Marie firmly. Her toes gripped the wooden floor. "May I speak with you about something privately?"
"Easy girlie," said The Lorax calmly and trying to push her aside at her legs. "We can talk after breakfast." He reached to open the door a crack. Marie would've closed it if she hadn't seen what was inside. She jumped back. Once-ler stood there in bewilderment again to see more Bar-ba-loots, one who was especially very, very fat and called Lou, eating sticks of butter.
"Breakfast is overrated," chuckled The Lorax seeing the awkward situation. He slammed the fridge shut.
"You were all cold," said Marie. "Yet there's some in the fridge?" The Lorax shrugged. Once-ler whined and ran his hands down his face.
"You know what?" he said knowing he could just bother the intruders by doing what he wanted. "I've got work to do."
Mischievously, he stripped out of his pajamas. Animals wanted to invade him? Fine! He'd go on like nothing was any different. The animals perked up in surprise and The Lorax jumped back. Marie was the only one who didn't seem disturbed. She grinned as Once-ler changed into his usual outfit. He had kept in folded up on a shelf.
"Yep. I have to go into town and sell my Thneed," said Once-ler taking the pink knitted object off the chair he had rested it on.
"That's why he needed the tree tuft," said Marie to The Lorax. "Nothing more, nothing less."
"You chopped down one of my trees to make that piece of garbage?!" cried The Lorax. "Look at it-"
"Garbage?" said Once-ler slowly. Marie knew what was coming next; the Thneed speech. He held the Thneed to his chest. "Oh no. Oh no! You do not get it! This is a revolutionary product that will change the world as we know it!" Once-ler grabbed hold of Marie's hand and made her stay in center of the cottage. He gave her a wink before beaming as he held it up for The Lorax to see.
"It has a million uses!" said Once-ler enthusiastically.
The Lorax didn't seem amused. Marie watched Once-ler take it apart and suddenly wrap it around her waist. He pulled it down so it hit right above her knees. "Look at that! It's an apron for the lovely lady! Oh! And if she has to dress up for a special occasion…" He untied it and slipped it over her head. Marie felt him knot the back together behind her neck so she lifted her hair up for him. She looked down to see it was a halter dress. "It's a dress!" He gave a quick twirl to her to show it off. He slipped it off her and carried on. Marie sat back on the bed and watched him demonstrate how it came in handy for cleaning floors and its super absorbency with its all natural micro fibers.
"It also works as a hat!" said Once-ler as sat the Thneed on The Lorax's head. It was still wet and coiled up. "Course you probably wanna wring it out first."
"I'm sure it will sell," said Marie.
"Knock yourself out Beanpole!" said The Lorax throwing the damp Thneed at him. Once-ler growled and wrung it out. "Go on! Nobody's going to buy that thing!"
"Good to know," smirked Once-ler who now wore it as a scarf. "Marie, could you tell the weirdo that he's not the target market?"
"I think he already gets it," said Marie. Once-ler took his guitar and strummed a few chords.
"You're bringing a guitar?" asked The Lorax.
"Oh, I've got a little jingle that will blow some minds!" said Once-ler. His optimism seemed at its brightest. "Gonna sell some Thneeds! Yeah!"
"I'll walk you out," said Marie. She wanted a quick moment alone with Once-ler. She shut the door behind him. "I didn't want there to be an audience." She gave him a hug, guitar pressing into her lower belly. "You'll do great!"
"Thank you My Beauty," said Once-ler giving her a deep kiss. "I bet if I did that they would've cleared out."
"Or stared intently," said Marie nuzzling her nose against his. "Don't worry about the house being dirty from them. I'll clean it."
"You don't have to," said Once-ler. He put the Thneed selling sign over Melvin. "Thanks for being my model this morning."
"You won't catch me in an ad," said Marie randomly pulling her hair up. "I'm don't meet models' qualifications."
"Really?" said Once-ler teasingly leaning in before he left. Marie let her hair fall. "I always thought they didn't meet yours."
Marie blushed as she watched him leave. She missed him all day, but to keep herself occupied and because she said she would, she cleaned the cottage. She swept and dusted every corner she could find. Then she spoke to The Lorax. It was merely asking him of what was he thinking of sending Once-ler downstream. The tiny Bar-ba-loot stayed near him.
"You could've killed him!" retorted Marie as their discussion continued.
"Honestly," said The Lorax. "I didn't mean any harm! I wasn't trying to kill him! It's not a big deal now. Everything's fine again."
"I could've lost the man I loved," said Marie after a long pause. "You may not like him, but I love him with all my heart! I don't know what I'd do without him. He's been in my life forever."
"Forever's a long time," said The Lorax wisely. He gave an apologetic smile. "Alright, I'm sorry I nearly broke you heart, but I'd still keep an eye on him…and Pip."
"Pip?"
"Yeah Pipsqueak. Poor little guy is too scared to go near the river now. He almost had the same fate." The Lorax patted the little one's head.
"Oh," said Marie sympathetically. She gently stooped down and lifted him up. "You don't like water? Water's good for you." The cub shook his head. Marie smiled and walked to the river bed. She slipped off her flats and waded in.
Pipsqueak trembled and whimpered as he buried his face in her curls. Marie held him close while she waded out until the water touched the hem of her dress. The Lorax watched intently at what the girl was doing.
"It's alright," said Marie softly. She cupped her hand to carry some of the cool water. Pipsqueak looked at it. "See? It's not going to hurt you here. It's safe." She swirled her finger around making a quick whirlpool.
The Lorax watched, feeling disappointed Pipsqueak was warming up to her, but glad to see he wasn't so afraid. Pipsqueak slowly, very slowly, let Marie wade in deeper. By the time it was at her thighs, he tugged at her hair. Taking it as a signal, she lowered her arms down, still holding him.
He cooed as it touched his paws and he kicked them making splashes. He giggled. Marie tired sinking down lower, but he nearly bawled.
"Oh, alright," said Marie. "I'm sorry. I won't go any lower. I've got you."
She sat Pipsqueak on the bank and sunk under. Oh, how good it felt to be in the water after almost a whole week of not showering. She kept rubbing her face and shaking her hair. Pipsqueak liked watching her; he would clap when her long hair flung about her face with beads of water. Marie came up with a solution for bathing; if she stayed in her slip and brassiere she could bathe in the creek, but still have some privacy. Maybe she could try Once-ler's way.
Marie spent most of the day in the water with Pipsqueak. Soon the sky was dark again. By then she was warm, dry and waiting for Once-ler. She had nibbled on a dinner of sandwiches and thought of better recipes.
"I hope you aren't lost Once," she said finishing the dishes. "I don't know my way around too well."
The door creaked open and Once-ler came in with a complete contrast of attitude from the morning. He had red splotches on his face and clothes. He threw the Thneed on the floor and sighed.
"There you are," said Marie cheerfully before turning around. "Did you go the long way?"
"Nobody needs a Thneed," mumbled Once-ler.
I made you some-what?" asked Marie. Now she saw the stains and recognized the scent of tomatoes.
"Who's the idiot who came up with that name?" Once-ler's mumbling continued. "Oh, right. Me. I came up with the stupid thing no one will need."
"No sales," said Marie knowing what was wrong. Sometimes things didn't take off so fast. "I'm sorry."
"Forget about it Marie," said Once-ler taking his fedora off. "I got nothing but tomatoes thrown at me today."
Marie took the Thneed to wipe his face clean. The Thneed wasn't stupid, it just needed time.
"It's only your first day selling it Once," she said comfortingly. "People will accept it after a while. I still think you'll do great. Why don't you try tomorrow?"
"Not if their throwing vegetables at me," said Once-ler. "Tomato juice doesn't feel good."
"I know you've never liked tomatoes, but that doesn't need to keep you down." Marie dropped the Thneed and embraced him. "Come on, you've got the strongest optimism of anyone I know. No rude customers or icky food can stop you." Marie never liked tomatoes either. Now her optimism was getting to him.
"Tch. I guess one more day of trying wouldn't hurt," said Once-ler beginning to smile.
"Good," said Marie kissing his cheek. "I'm here for you because you've always been there for me."
Once-ler seized her lips. After the hard day of people flinging tomatoes, mocking and frustration it felt relieving to find Marie waiting for him. She was right; he had always been there for her and she would do the same for him.
"Is there anything you need right now to make you feel better?" asked Marie when they broke apart. She traced his bangs with her fingertips.
"I don't think so," said Once-ler shaking his head.
Marie's hand slid down his jaw, to his neck and then down to the collar of his shirt. One finger dipped down the opening and pulled it down a little showing his smooth chest. Two pairs of blue eyes, aquamarine and sapphire locked. Marie formed a teasingly smile with a serious tone.
"Are you sure?" She kissed his cheek again with fluttering eyelashes.
Author's Note: I didn't think it was entirely necessary to quite everything word for word here. We know what happens! I feel so loved by you all when I see your reviews and fan art! BadLuckCat; is it possible that I can give you a big hug right now? Thanks for drawing Marie. It warms my heart so much! (Pic is on my icon! From the head up at least. I'll try making a link so you can see it in full.) Thank you Littledrummergirl44278 for the fave! Thanks NexIncendius and Baby Chanel for the alert! 10 reviews!