(The Lorax and The Once-ler do not belong to me. They're Dr. Seuss' and Illumination's. Same goes for his family shown in the film. Marie, Natalie and Chloe are mine!) Reuploaded as of 01/01/2013! Happy New Year!

Chapter 14

Surrounded by His Girls

"Once?" said Marie softly. She lightly nudged him to wake. Once-ler muttered garbled words and shifted on her shoulder which had become a pillow. He looked up with blurry eyes. "Once, you're tired. Why don't you go home for now?"

"I'm not leaving you," Once-ler said sitting up at the horrible thought. "I can't leave you and our Bunnies." He smiled affectionately at Natalie and Chloe who were sleeping in Marie's arms.

"Melvin's still outside and I think he'd want to be at home," said Marie.

"I'm still staying here," said Once-ler snuggling against her.

"Once-ler I need you to go home anyway," said Marie. "I need my bag that I packed for here and you need a proper rest. I'll be okay here."

"I'm not going," said Once-ler firmly. "I don't want to miss anything they do."

Only several minutes ago Marie had nursed them for the first time. Once-ler had watched in fascination as she fed them. It only led him to sleeping on her shoulder when she finished. Marie knew the smile he had the whole evening wouldn't fade. He was more happy and proud than when he made the Thneed.

"They're not going to do much," said Marie gently. "They'll only sleep. They won't learn to walk or speak tonight. You can come back in the morning with everything and stay all day."

Once-ler sighed and sadly got up to search for his shoes. He had to roll up his jean cuffs to tug them back on. Marie watched as he shoved each white sock covered foot into the ankle high boots. He fumbled for his fedora and rubbed his eyes. Finally, he leaned back over and kissed the brows of his daughters.

"Don't do anything too cute while I'm gone Baby Girls," whispered Once-ler. He got back up to kiss Marie good-bye. "I love you Roses." He hadn't called her that in a long time. Marie almost choked hearing the childhood nickname. It only reminded her how long they had stayed connected.

"I love you too Knit Wit," answered Marie using his old nickname. Once-ler held back a laugh and kissed her cheek before leaving.

Melvin was still outside and half asleep. Once-ler tossed the bashed cake box in the garbage and headed for home. He didn't notice how dark or late it was. It was almost midnight when he arrived to Greenville's outskirts. The sky was decorated with silver stars and a sweet breeze. He didn't notice any of the forest inhabitants when he came back to the cottage. Melvin wandered off and went to sleep under a nearby Truffula Tree.

"Beanpole what happened?" asked The Lorax. He and Pipsqueak were near the door. "Is Waterfall okay? Beanpole!"

Once-ler walked past them with a grin like one falling in love. He unlocked the door and slammed it before collapsing on the bed. He couldn't sleep now as he thought of the two bundles of joy. He couldn't believe the two babies that Marie held were from him. He thought nothing so beautiful could come from him, but it was evident when he first saw them. The most perfect thing, better than the Thneed, and something that hadn't failed that he created was them. He was in an overwhelming bliss. Eventually, Once-ler slept without nightmares.

He was up very early and left before anyone saw him slip out with Marie's belongings. The sun had just risen as he left. He walked faster to the hospital to make up for any time lost with the twins. Marie was asleep and to him, looked so stunning with her hair splayed out. She looked so dreamily and amazing Once-ler decided to not wake her yet, but he had to do one thing. He placed a vase of roses on her side table and kissed her thin lips. Marie moaned and shifted with a sigh. She still slept and Once-ler would let her savor it. He approached his sleeping twins.

"Morning Girls," he said softly. "I missed you two." Natalie flinched and Chloe clenched her hands. He couldn't take his eyes off them; he just sat there watching them and thought of how wonderful it would be to have a wallet full of their pictures one day.

Marie woke half an hour later. She had been tired after the night before due to the fact the twins had their first diaper change and it had been revolting. The first thing she saw was roses of yellow, pink and orange with baby's breath by her side. Her bag was at the foot of her bed and her loved one was watching over their babies. She sat up and stretched, relieved after resting. The clock read six in the morning and she wasn't too surprised Once-ler had showed up early.

"Good morning," said Marie. Once-ler lit up hearing her voice.

"Good morning to you too," Once-ler said. "How'd you sleep My Beauty?"

"Well enough," she replied. "Be glad you left last night. The girls had their first changing and it was messy."

"I still would've stayed," he said confidently as he got up to see her. Marie smiled smugly. He'd get his fair share one day. "I brought roses for you."

"Yes," said Marie, touched that he had. "I love them. Thank you." Now awake, she gave him a kiss. She felt desperate to get in her pajamas instead of wearing the hospital gown. She started digging her things out after Once-ler perched the bag in her hands. She immediately changed into the black pajamas Once-ler gave her for Christmas. The smooth fabric was a delight contrast from the wrinkled hospital gown. Things like underclothes, toiletries, a notebook, a pen and a baby book were inside.

"They brought me a late dinner shortly after you left," said Marie. "I don't like hospital food! It's disgusting. I can't believe they'd serve something like it. Just pudding, a roll, corn and potatoes to eat. Just what I need, carbohydrates when I have weight to lose."

"What about breakfast?" asked Once-ler.

"I don't want to know," admitted Marie. "I'm sure it frozen waffles. I'd rather have an omelet at this point. Or your pancakes. Yes, you're cooking instead. That sounds better."

"I did add some crackers in your bag. Just in case you were extra hungry."

"Good and thanks. I need those." Marie took out the package and ate five of the saltines. "I'm not having another cup of pudding while I'm here if I can help it."

Natalie whimpered and suddenly bawled. Once-ler lifted her up, not sure what was wrong. Maybe she was hungry too. Marie took her for nursing.

"Funny," said Once-ler. "You'd think Chloe would have cried with her." Marie chuckled as Natalie suckled her meal. Then suddenly, a piercing shriek hit their ears. Chloe decided that she wanted to eat as well. With Marie glued to the bed with Natalie Once-ler retrieved Chloe.

"You had to mention how she hadn't cried," said Marie. She was only teasing. Once-ler watched with pride at his family. A family mainly of females. He was surrounded by girls; his girls. The two new lives were more than he could find words to describe. He felt like a father. Minutes later, he held them both in a safe hold so Marie could shower. He forgot about the Thneed, The Lorax and Greenville's rudeness as he kept them close. He awed over the world's new inhabitants. He'd do anything for them, even if it meant himself getting hurt.

"So this is what it's like to be a father," he thought. It wasn't so hard after all. What had Once-ler been so worried about when he first found out about Marie's pregnancy? He was still amazed to see how Chloe looked a bit like him. He had pictured the twins looking so identical Marie he hadn't thought of how they'd look like him.

"I love this side of you," said Marie behind him. He hadn't noticed the time that had passed since her bathing. She ran a brush in her curls as she sat on the bed. It was fine for her to walk again. "It's very heartwarming and appealing."

"Appealing?"

"Yes, it is. There's something you should know about women Once. Let me put it this way; a handsome man taking care of a baby (or two) is very attractive to us."

"Don't make this sound dirty," said Once-ler desperately. He looked horrified as if Marie had just sworn in front of the girls.

"It's not dirty," protested Marie. "I mean an innocent kind of attractive. Goodness! You have a dirty mind, Once-ler."

"So do you," he smirked playfully.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Marie in a serious tone, but she was holding back laughter. She didn't want to stir the twins.

"They say when a couple's been together for a long time," said Once-ler. "They start acting like each other."

"Nine months isn't very long. It's short compared to a full year."

"It's long considering how long you've known me. Twelve years is a really long time and I wouldn't change any of it."

Marie had been sitting on the bed during the conversation, but now she rose and grasped Once-ler's face. She pulled him in to crash their lips. She was extra emotional with the affect of having babies.

The typical following days had Marie and the twins in the hospital. Once-ler was there early and left late. Both learned to take care of the babies while there and Once-ler already planned for a birthday present for Marie since hers was coming up in April. The Lorax rarely saw Once-ler as that the human was up at dawn and home by midnight.

Usually a new baby meant relatives pouring in to visit, but with both sides far away and not having friends it was just Once-ler and Marie. She was glad to have Once-ler by her side and knew without a doubt she would've been alone had life gone a different route.

Almost too soon, it was March 5th. It was the original due date of the girls when Marie got up and opened the window blinds. She looked out and found herself daydreaming. She was daydreaming of the idyllic life she hoped to have. To live in the cottage, later build a small house, but still live in Truffula Valley. The girls would slowly grow and be happy. They would have secret worlds and hideouts among the trees. She and Once-ler would have a small Thneed shop and live modestly. They would visit Palmer just for Betsy and Rufus. Edwin would live back with them and the girls would have a pet.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?" asked an attractive voice. The owner leaned against the doorway watching her adjust the windows.

"I can walk," said Marie coyly and went to the sweet, but edgy tone.

Marie knew it was Once-ler and without hesitation rose up on her toes to kiss him. He gave a small moan as she pressed against him. "I missed doing this," she replied when she went back down. Somehow having a family had brought them closer. It was like falling in love again. Marie allowed him to grace his hands to her waist as they embraced. She breathed his scent like when she was in labor. She felt like crying, not out of sadness, but from the wonderful feeling she felt. She would not take one day for granted again.

"You'll get to go home tomorrow right?" asked Once-ler as they still stayed locked together. One of his lips prodtruded as if pleading for Marie's return.

"Right," said Marie feeling excited. "I can't wait to be at home. I miss our bed. The hospital one isn't as comfy." She lowered her voice. "And you're not in it. I miss your snoring and talking."

"I don't snore," said Once-ler indignantly.

"Either way I miss sharing a bed with you," concluded Marie. She let him go to see the girls while she prepared for breakfast.

She was pleased to see how well Once-ler had handled the girls. He hadn't cringed yet at any diapers or panicked when they cried which was promising. If he did well taking care of them in the hospital he'd do well at home. Already he had planned for things he would teach the girls like knitting and guitar playing. Marie had yet to hear of a girl who knew how to play one.

"I've given Mustache a long talk," said Once-ler. "I don't want him or the animals too close to the babies. They're not to be played with." Once-ler was already in protective father mode.

"For now," added Marie. "They can when their bigger." She was right; for the first few months all newborns had to be handled delicately, but when they were capable of walking they could play.

Once-ler stayed overnight, he fell into a deep sleep in the chair and Marie decided there was no harm in him staying for the last night. It was early the next morning that both left, a baby in each arm and headed for home. Once-ler wondered if the strange sight he had seen the morning before was still happening. He had told Marie about it.

The strange sight had taken place in Truffula Valley with every animal (except The Lorax and Melvin) behaving differently. For some reason the animals had seemed loveable with each other. The Bar-ba-loots especially with all the females up the tree tufts and the males singing. The females would jump down after each song. It was spring and spring meant new love. It was true, but for Once-ler and Marie it meant new love for their children.

It turned out there was no singing or loving when they showed up. All were curious to see the valley's new dwellers. They kept their distance. Melvin, who was pleased to have a long break from walking to Greenville for the past couple of days didn't seem thrilled, because two things from Once-ler meant more irritating owners. Pipsqueak was wide-eyed at the twins. He was the smallest and one of the youngest out of the animals. Seeing another tiny human, two at the same time, was a new discovery. All watched in awe at the new parents who carried them. Humans and animals handle their young differently and it was rare to see humans with offspring in their area. The Lorax watched anxiously at the two things. However he seemed to soften when Natalie cooed.

"Little saplings," said The Lorax. He seemed tender seeing the innocent beings. He smiled kindly at Marie."They're lovely Waterfall." Then he eyed Once-ler and cocked an eyebrow warningly. "As long as they don't act like you Beanpole."

Once-ler frowned and rolled his eyes. Then a mischievous grin formed thinking of how he could bug The Lorax if the girls were like him. If they had good singing voices like him…oh, there would be enough nonsensical singing to drive anyone mad! Marie went inside and took her babies indoors. Once-ler stood firmly before the animals.

"Now I'm warning you again," said Once-ler with his hands on his hips. "No rough housing, no feeding them food of any kind, no poking, no sniffing and no biting! Keep your distance away from our babies until I say you can!"

"So when can they have those-eh, marshmallows," asked The Lorax.

"They can't have marshmallows!" said Once-ler. "They're not to be fed marshmallows, pancakes or any other food! They're not to be played with either! Just stay far from them until they can walk."

"No marshmallows," mumbled The Lorax. The rest nodded quickly.

"They'll choke on them," said Once-ler. Marshmallows could be dangerous; stuff too many in the mouth and down the throat and they were a choking hazard.

"Choke? I knew they were too be highly offended by." The Lorax crossed his arms.

"If I see any of you being rough with them…" Once-ler gave his final word. He pointed his fingers to his eyes and to the creatures again. He backed away into the house carefully closing the door.

Once-ler and Marie weren't bothered by anybody for a long time, partly because they barely left the cottage. Every day they were busy with the girls and up half of the night with their cries. It was within the first couple of weeks that Once-ler and Marie decided that there was no harm in them resting while Natalie and Chloe napped. So the in afternoons both slept as well. With both a little naïve at being new parents, Marie and Once-ler realized how difficult it would be; late night crying, diapers, baths, and nursing. Both had an awful lack of sleep. The afternoons usually had the twins asleep in their playpen and the parents collapsing in exhaustion. They wouldn't bother pulling the covers up or kicking off their shoes. Once-ler and Marie would be a heap of tired limbs and instantly slept. Two babies drained their energy every day. It was the start of a tiring, but fantastic life.

Author's Note: Oh my goodness! IgnitingFireworks! Thanks for the favorite on my old story on ! Can't believe it was five years ago I did it! Something about roses meanings; yellow means friendship, pink means appreciation (or love in a gentler way than a red rose) and orange means enthusiasm or "I'm proud of you." Good message Once-ler! Sorry if the chapter isn't that great, but I did mention "Serenade." I have a great idea for "Wagon-Ho." Sorry for the late update, but hopefully the cuteness will be good for you!