Author's Note: RadioactiveRoar…I couldn't help myself with the doctor's name! I figured that'd be a nice tribute to one of the amazing actors in the movie. Seriously, I hope Ed Helms gets some sort of reward for his singing and voice changing for The Once-ler! I'm getting worn out from reading pregnancy websites, but I'm learning stuff I put in is accurate. A special thanks to OS because some of the baby names mentioned here were suggestions by her.

(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 and other oc's are mine.)

Chapter 7

Everything Comes in Two's

There was something magical between late summer and early autumn. The sun and chilled breeze were in harmony. The weather called for light cardigans and brighter Truffula Trees. It was after Thneed selling, which was still unsuccessful, that the young couple retreated outside. They'd rest under trees by their windows. Marie would feel the cool grass against her back with her belly growing. By then, Once-ler would forget the bad sales pitch and be cheerful as he told Marie his ideas.

During a nice sunset, they were laying down and she was savoring her husband's company because she felt lonesome. Once-ler stroked her belly tenderly and kissed Marie's head.

"What are you thinking about?" Marie asked lazily.

"Everything," said Once-ler half dreamily.

"How about you tell me one thing?" Marie laced his stroking hand into hers.

"How she's going to look like you," he said sweetly.

"What if they look like you?"

"Blonde hair is more beautiful."

"You're being too modest," chuckled Marie.

It was quiet until the trees' shadows grew long. The sky turned reddish gold. Once-ler sat up and stretched out his spine. Marie heaved herself up.

"You need help?" Once-ler questioned.

"That would be nice," she replied.

Once-ler stood and offered his hand. Marie struggled up from the tug. With a sigh, she put her hands over her front and her husband coiled his arm around her shoulder as they walked for home. Waiting for them was a knitting project. When she wasn't resting, Marie tried making things. It wasn't unusual for mothers to sew something for their babies. Though she struggled with knitting, Marie wanted to make something homemade for their twins. Once-ler suggested knitting a blanket. Marie tried making one out of pink Truffula tufts, but she couldn't get her fingers to work the needles.

"I should stick with making clothes," Marie mumbled later that evening. She was cross-legged on the bed and still felt lonesome for Once-ler even though he hadn't left her side. "I sew better than I knit."

"You only need practice," said Once-ler. He closed the stovepipe's door as the cottage became warm from its heat. "It took me a while to learn."

"You have a better knack for it," said Marie. She huffed seeing a new knot. "See?"

Once-ler crawled behind her and stretched his legs out at her sides. He took the piece Marie was working on and untangled it. Not minding to fix her mistakes, his fingers went over hers to guide through the steps. Marie leaned back into his chest and felt his heartbeat. The feeling of his calloused fingertips over hers felt good. His legs stretched against hers. The cottage was warm with scents of ginger and cinnamon.

The moment stirred something in Marie. The sensation made her want more. It was another part of being pregnant; wanting that intimacy. Of course, Once-ler had missed the first appointment and didn't know it. Dazed, Marie let go of the knitting needles and twisted around. Not thinking twice, she kissed her lover. It wasn't a sweet one; it was on the borderline of heat. Once-ler froze at the contact.

"M-Marie," he muttered as she continued showing of affection. One of her delicate hands went to his vest, loosening it. "Hey! What are you-What are you doing? Marie?" The way Marie was acting was not a way he'd expect a pregnant woman to behave.

"I love you," whispered Marie. "I love you Once." Her kissed his jaw. "I need you for the rest of my life."

"I love you too," said Once-ler taking in a gulp of air.

"Well at least you can kiss me back," she said. "Hmm...my wonderful gentleman."

Marie nipped at the most sensitive part of Once-ler's neck. After a moment he gave up trying to resist. Once-ler flung the knitting down on the floor and gripped her close to him. He kissed her passionately, allowing the deep love he had for her soar.

Nearly every day there was a visit to Greenville. Marie would go buying baby products while Once-ler tried selling the Thneed. Shockingly enough, nobody knew they were together. Greenville wasn't the brightest town and could be easily misled or highly opinionated. Marie and Once-ler weren't always together though when in Greenville since they went separate ways. Only Dr. Helms, her family and her office knew they were together. Though they weren't interested in buying one, they did have encouragement.

Marie had gotten Once-ler's guitar fixed for their two-month wedding anniversary. Two months was a long time in some respects. Once-ler had taped it back together, but Marie felt terrible seeing it in such shape. Dr. Helms' husband worked in the music store and he had it fixed for her. He was amazed at how well it had been taken care of except for the broken neck. No longer having to go accapella or talk about the Thneed, Once-ler was glad to have it back in good shape.

The public still threw tomatoes at him. Melvin still managed to catch a few to eat. Marie was upset to leave the baby store with a baby book, ten bibs and twelve bottles to find Once-ler splattered from the garbage.

"Still no takers," said Once-ler glumly. "Let's go home." He guided Melvin away as they turned around a stone wall.

"No," said Marie. She gently took the Thneed off his neck. "We're going to try something different."

"Different?" sighed Once-ler.

"You just need a different approach," said Marie shaking juice off material.

"I'll try again tomorrow," said Once-ler. He took the bag of baby supplies Marie had set down. "They're not listening right now."

"Stay here," said Marie firmly. "I'll get them to listen. They won't be throwing tomatoes at you again!" She marched up the gazebo with the Thneed. There was more than one way to sell something. She cleared her throat before speaking. She hated being onstage, but she'd do it for Once-ler.

"Attention everyone," cried Marie as she held the Thneed up. "What you don't seem to understand it that what you have before you is a product for all households. The Thneed is a useful tool for all you busy mothers, hard working men and playful children. It has uses for all of you." She shaped it into a sportcoat, a purse, an umbrella and a jump rope to demonstrate.

"Also for you lovely women who may be expecting a little one, The Thneed is a great source of comfort and support for your stomach." Marie tied it around so it covered her baby bump. "It'll keep you warm if you get chills, yet it breathes easily. It also makes a great blanket to wrap that little bundle of joy. Why it's a must for all expecting mothers!" Marie took it off and held it up in the air. "So what do you say? Anyone want a Thneed now?"

There was a pause. Once-ler waited with hope as he craned his neck around the corner to watch. Melvin's ears twitched. Marie felt a blush prickle her face. Then suddenly…

WHS-CRACK!

Marie felt something hit her chest and it wasn't a tomato. It was cold and slimy. She looked down in shock to see the cracked shell of an egg on the ground with the white and yolk slipping down her dress. The woman who had a baby with her, had reached into her shopping bag, pulled one out and had thrown it.

"Don't you tell us about how to take care of ourselves!" she yelled at Marie.

Another egg hit Marie on the arm. Then sneers followed. Others reached into the woman's shopping bag to help. Marie placed a hand over her belly to protect it as more eggs hit her. Marie jumped down from the gazebo and left before any tomatoes could hit her. Safe around the corner she found Once-ler looking mad.

"Who flings eggs at a pregnant woman?" he grumbled all the way home.

They walked slowly because of their misery. Marie knew Once-ler wasn't mad at her. She only felt humiliated with how she had been treated. The yolk began to stiffen on her skin and hair.

"How do you keep going when they treat you like that?" she asked. Once-ler wrapped an arm around her.

"I have you with me," he said. "That helps a lot." On they kept walking, one in tomato juice and the other in drying egg slime. There'd be a shower for both that night.

The next day went along better. They went back to find out the gender of the twins. After arguing over how Marie wanted to wait until Christmas to find out, she gave in to Once-ler. He was so bouncy about it that it drove Marie nuts and she ordered him to control himself. She was sixteen weeks along and the weather felt cooler than before. It seemed like ages since they had eloped on the first day of June. By that point, Marie never worried about updates with the twins and always studied the ultrasounds.

"They're still healthy," said Dr. Helms the moment images appeared. She watched the screen. "By eighteen weeks you'll feel them kick. It may feel like a goldfish swimming inside you. That's how I felt with my four babies."

"Is it going to hurt Marie?" asked Once-ler. He leaned behind the bed Marie laid and stroked her hair.

"No," said Dr. Helms gently. She shook her head making her ponytail sway. "It won't hurt her. Now for the moment you've been waiting for…" she stared harder at the screen. "Okay. Twin A from what I'm seeing…is a girl!"

Marie gasped and began to cry happily. Once-ler's face lit up so brightly it could've made Greenville have a blackout. A girl! He was getting one after all! A mini Marie! He squeezed Marie's hand and kissed it. Marie thought of a little version of her with Once-ler's smile and freckles.

"I can't find Twin B yet," said Dr. Helms as she moved the probe. The second twin always seemed to try hiding when the ultrasound searched. "Oh, there she is!"

"Sh-she?" stuttered Once-ler. "A-another girl?"

"Congratulations on two healthy girls," laughed Dr. Helms. "We'll see if there identical or not at birth."

Marie cried again and looked at the bump on her lower half. Once-ler would've fainted again if Marie hadn't held his hand. He started choking up. Knowing one was a girl had made him happy enough. Now he had two and he wanted to yell it on the rooftops. He didn't notice the joyful tears that started until Marie had twisted around and caught one with a finger. She had them too. The awful day before meant nothing after hearing the most wonderful news of their lives.

It was bedtime when Once-ler jotted down more baby names and it was longer than the boy names list! Now that he had two girls on the way, he wanted to have twice as many options. Marie snuggled up against him and slowly closed her eyes. She barely noticed the long list Once-ler had in the notebook:

Baby Names For Our Girl: Claire, Christie, Emily, Lauren, Gabby, Maggie, Olivia, Jeanette, Bridget, Rose, Lila, Hannah, Stephanie, Ellie, Paisley, April, Floriane, Imogene, Chloe, Julia.

"I'm glad we found out early instead," said Marie softly. "Thanks for making me change my mind."

"It's what I do," said Once-ler giving her a kiss. He closed his notebook and inched down to kiss her baby bump. "I love you three very much." He gave it a second kiss. Since finding out they had twins, he would kiss Marie's stomach twice.

"I love you three too," said Marie smiling at his tenderness.

They gave each other a kiss before they curled up to sleep. Marie was in his arms like usual. With the excitement, mood swings and morning sickness she went to sleep dreaming of her babies. Once-ler had trouble staying asleep because he was excited. He knew what they were having and he couldn't have been happier! His want for a little girl had been doubled! He didn't mind not having a boy anymore. The image of two smaller Marie's made his heart flutter. If only March would come faster! Once-ler couldn't wait to hold them.

The next day Once-ler stayed glued to his drawing easel where he sketched (and crumpled up) designs to add to the cottage. He and Marie had decided to stay in their cottage and he could build an extra space to it. They had the back door and it could instead lead to a nursery. Once-ler said he'd make two cribs, but Marie said the twins could share since they were very small. If they had a soft playpen for sleeping that would work.

Marie liked seeing the new side of Once-ler. He had always been excited about new projects, but this was more personal. She had never seen him so upbeat or determined with anything before! Seeing him sew onesies touched her heart and he would kiss her growing belly whenever he could. Then when it was dark, she had such sweet dreams with him.

In fact, it was one night something happened. Two weeks later Marie awoke abruptly. Her eyes blinked open and she was facing the ceiling. She didn't like waking out of nice dreams, but something alerted her. She sat right up and looked at her baby bump. She felt something inside and it did feel like a swimming goldfish.

"Once-ler!" Marie squeaked shaking him. "Once!"

He snored in response. His wife reached for the glass of water on the nightstand, dipped her fingers and sprinkled his face! He awoke with a start!

"Mmff-What?"

"The girls are moving!" laughing Marie. She had her hands over her tummy. "I can feel them!"

Once-ler's tired expression became of awe as he placed a hand over her lower half. He couldn't feel anything at first, but a tiny pulse bounced his palm as quick as a hummingbird's wings. His eyes widened and he felt again. She kept going.

"Wow," sighed Once-ler. Marie chuckled and rested her head back.

"Amazing isn't it?" she said.

"It's midnight," said Once-ler jokingly. "They shouldn't be up this late."

"They're practicing on keeping us awake when they're born," said Marie. Needless to say, neither went to sleep for a long time after feeling the miracle.

As the couple of months passed, Marie kept on growing. Soon she was wearing maternity dresses and slept in Once-ler's shirts because her nightgown was tight. The cottage was full of baby things. Once-ler had a blueprint of a playpen for the twins. He just had to find lumber for it. He had promised he wouldn't cut down another tree, so the ax would not be pulled out. He would keep his promise.

With twins, they bought twice the amount of things. Before either of them could blink they had fourteens baby bowls and spoons. Not to mention a grand total of ten sippy cups, twenty homemade burp cloths, four pacifiers, two bouncy seats and two brushes to clean the bottles with. Two teething rings and plenty of baby toys like rattles, balls and toy keys. Both agreed to skip the high chairs and let the bouncy seats be the place to feed the girls. Once-ler made little dresses and knit countless booties. He had tired fingers at the end of each day.

Once-ler and Marie got a terrific chance when they found a pile of free wood in Greenville and used it for building. Once-ler worked for days on making a big playpen for the babies to share. Marie bought padding and bedding to fit. She was grateful that she had packed her stuffed animals too. Now her babies could use them. They were both as white as snow and in good shape. Marie had always loved her plush rabbit and cat and refused to depart with them when she ran away. She had named them Cotton and Kitten. Once-ler teased of how Kitten was such a unique name for a toy cat.

The poor young man kept trying with the Thneed, but he didn't try selling every day. He wanted to spend time with Marie instead. When she felt weak or lonely he stayed with her. She was starting to get headaches and weird dreams. She wouldn't tell him about them and she dismissed them as nothing since it was common to have strange dreams while pregnant.

There was one that terrified Marie so much she had gotten up in the middle of night. She had switched places in the bed with Once-ler so she had easier access out with her growing size. She turned to see him the same as always. She sat on his desk chair and stared at the ground. She couldn't remember having such a horrifying dream. The soft sound of the bed creaking broke her out of her thoughts.

"Couldn't sleep?" asked Once-ler crawling to the footboard near her. Marie inched the chair closer.

"Just a nightmare," said Marie. "You were-you changed into something-" Once-ler folded his arms under his chin like he did when she told him about the secret on her sixteenth birthday. He nodded to say he wanted to hear. Marie sighed and told him.

"It started out nice; the valley was gorgeous and we were slow dancing. I kissed you and then-you changed. You literally melted in my arms and suddenly reemerged. You had claws, sharp teeth and were drooling. The whole valley grew dark…you started snarling."

"It's only a nightmare," said Once-ler as he stroked her arm and kissed her hand. "It doesn't mean it will come true." His reassuring words eased Marie and she was asleep again in her Once-ler's arms. She was certain he would never change his sweet personality.