(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. Only Marie, her family and friends, Natalie and Chloe are mine!)

Chapter 15

Purely in Love

"Marie?" called Clarisse knocking on the bedroom door. "Come on! It calls for rain today! Let's get going before the road is muddy!" Only yesterday had she pulled Marie away from Once-ler and made him deal with them. There was bitter satisfaction, thinking they had won. That clown could go around in circles on the prairie in his pitiful wagon for all Clarisse and Dashiell could care.

The woman waited and tapped a high-heeled pump against the carpet. She sighed, not wanting to put up with her child's hysterics. She could hear Edwin meowing.

"That darn cat!" she grumbled. Finally, Clarisse opened the door to find Marie wasn't in bed. Edwin jumped up from the middle and stretched out before he waddled out of the room.

"Marie?" Clarisse saw two envelopes on her vanity. One said "Rufus Ponce and Betsy Winston" the other was labeled "Finnegans." Annoyed by the delay she opened it.

Dear Dashiell and Clarisse,

I have made up my mind. I am staying with Once-ler. I've left with him and you won't be able to find us. I am a grown woman and I have loved him steadily for almost four years. I have made my final choice by going with him. You can only accept my decision. Do not bring any harm to Betsy and Rufus!

I have my own family now.

Sincerely, Marie.

And after reading, Clarisse had a scream of rage fly from her throat! One would've thought they heard a banshee. She tore the letter up and stomped on it. Dashiell had raced up the steps and when he found out it was twice the angry screams. Despite the damage and cruel names they gave their daughter blended with swearing, Betsy and Rufus got their note safely. Marie's was perhaps more kindly said.

My dear Rufus and Betsy,

I know that I have upset you for sure when you learn that I have eloped with Once-ler a few weeks earlier and I have left with him. I fell in love with him and he proposed to me six months ago. We never told anyone because we knew how everyone would feel, our parents in particular. Neither of our in-laws likes us. However, since Once-ler and I have loved each other for a long time and are compatible we have become one. I hope someday I can see you both again. Please forgive me for any hurt I have given you two. You have done enough for me and I thank you for the bright spots in my youth. I must go on my own now. Once-ler and I will have a home and thrive. One day we'll meet again and talk, but until then remember me. You are the parents I always wanted.

I love you "Mom" and "Dad."

With affection, Marie.

P.S. Can one of you please take Edwin and give him a big hug for me?

Later that evening when two furious Finnegans had arrived back to Thrush Towne they gave the note with a disapproval in their eyes. There was some sadness from Betsy and comfort from Rufus after reading.

"We'll never see her again?" cried Betsy missing Marie. "I'll never see my Baby Doll again before I die!"

"Easy Betsy," said Rufus. He perked up a little knowing at least Marie wasn't alone. "I miss her too, but at least Once-ler's with her. We've always known he would take care of her. He's proved it by telling us she was planning to runaway that one time. Besides, who knows? Maybe a year or two later, they'll have a little Once-ler of their own. Maybe a little Marie too?"

Betsy smiled through her tear-stained face. If they were the parents to Marie, they could be grandparents to their kids. Maybe Marie would have her seven after all.

In the meantime Clarisse and Dashiell had raced with a great speedy speed to the bank to take out Marie's money. If she didn't stay, then they got back what they gave her. However, they were met with disappointment. They found that Marie had taken out all the money the saved for her. Every last quarter, nickel, dime, penny and dollar bill!

The storm got even worse when they went to Isabella and asked what she knew about it. She knew nothing! She was just as shocked and furious.

"What does it matter anyway?" she said to them. "Oncie will always be a failure and if Mary has decided to do so then that's her fault. Let them suffer their consequences. I bet they're living in that wagon and in misery right now!"

Not likely so, save for some exhaustion from newborns.

Sleep had been sacred before with high school, jobs and college, but now it was more seized with every opportunity. It became a common sight to find in the afternoon two tired beings on a small bed within their cottage. One was a female with blonde, a lovely golden blonde shade of curls whipped around her face, usually nestled against the other person. The other would have an arm draped over her with messy black hair. The wife and husband would be in a deep sleep for the next three hours, catching up on any rest that had been forgotten. It wasn't something they planned to do, napping while the girls napped, but it occured to Once-ler and Marie that there was no harm in catching some rest.

Once-ler and Marie were rarely seen with taking care of Natalie and Chloe. Along with being called Bunnies, Baby Girls, and Precious Ones, Natalie and Chloe had many titles. The caring was usually welcomed with kissing and cuddling the babies, but it wasn't always pleasant. Night liked coming with a vengeance when Once-ler and Marie wanted to sleep.

Marie's blue eyes weakly opened to the sound of the baby monitor. Apparently, the twins were both crying and nearly screaming. Another fit! Marie, who was a new mother and couldn't bear hearing her babies cry, had gotten up earlier to attend to them. So since she and Once-ler had agreed to take turns with caring at night, he was supposed to get up. Of course, he wasn't due to how passed out he was.

"Once-ler," grunted Marie nudging her knee into his backside. He flinched and blinked with a groan. He turned over almost looking mad.

"Mmmf-whaaat?" he fumbled with his words.

"It's your turn." Marie sat up and peeled the covers off of him.

"Marie they'll stop," said Once-ler and yanked the covers back on. Marie took them off, but he pulled them back. "Seriously, babies cry. They can't cry forever."

"Fine," said Marie sourly then she snuggled into his neck and smiled mischievously with an idea. She spoke lightly and twisted a lock of his hair by his sensitive ear. "Let them cry though they want to see their daddy. They probably had a bad dream and want you to comfort them. No, they need to grow up strong so let them cry the night away. Cry and cry hoping Daddy will come for them."

Once-ler went rigid and bit his lip. He thought the girls would stop at some point, but with the thoughts of them having nightmares or being scared shook him. Sighing, he stumbled out of bed and went for their nursery. He turned around and gave Marie two fingers, signaling he'd be watching her sneakiness. Marie giggled and turned over to sleep. Her guilt trip on him had worked.

Marie didn't really go back to sleep because the girls didn't settle. Once-ler couldn't find anything wrong with his one month old daughters. They had been nursed an hour before, they had clean diapers and were swaddled comfortably. He grew anxious with their escalating wails and doubt hit him. Marie finally became sympathetic and climbed out of bed. As she headed for the other room she glanced at her open planner reminding her that another event was coming up on April 12th three days away.

She came into the dim nursery to help relieve her mate. The only light was the flower patterned lamp Once-ler made. The worn out father was in the rocking chair cuddling the twins in his arms. Marie took Chloe and held her close. The bawling only became higher and Marie's face scrunched up in the emotion of hearing one of her babies in despair.

"Oh Chloe," she said softly. "What's wrong?" Chloe continued her pattern of short bursts of cries. Marie looked at Once-ler with an expression that predicted their long night. Neither would be sleeping soon.

Once-ler slumped, but nearly jumped at the long and high scream from Natalie. The firstborn had a set of lungs! She smacked a fist against his chest. He sighed and lightly bounced Natalie gently. It didn't calm her.

Over an hour later, Natalie and Chloe pressed on with their tears. Once-ler and Marie switched places and tried to keep their sanity. Once-ler held Natalie still and flipped with a free hand in the baby book. Everything seemed clear with the reasons of why they could cry. They couldn't find one of the reasons for the sobs and both parents seemed to have the biggest worries. Paranoid first time parents.

"Roses," said Once-ler facing her with concern. "What if they're…sick?" This wasn't the issue since they were healthy.

"I don't know," said Marie. "They don't seem ill." She kissed Chloe's cool head for what seemed the thousandth time. Then she remembered something from the book. "Wait. What if there's something bothering them, like something small."

"Something small?"

"Like a hair or string around their fingers. Something we can't really see."

Thinking it was a possibility; two pairs of hands freed the swaddled Thneeds against their bundles and checked their limbs. Nothing. There was nothing coiled around their tiny bodies that could make them whine. They switched babies, not even bothering to wrap them up again. Chloe clung a hand to Once-ler's pajama collar. Whatever had distressed them was still an issue. Sometimes babies cried for no reason, but the key thing to remember is that they'd stop. At some point they would quiet down.

The shushing, cooing, rocking and walking brought no success. Now doubt came to Marie's mind like Once-ler's.

"What kind of mother am I?" she said. "I can't even calm my babies." She sat back in the chair. She felt like crying now. She tried giving Natalie a pacifier the only baby who liked them, but she didn't want one.

Once-ler sighed and cautiously dipped a fingertip to Chloe's tiny mouth, seeing if she was hungry again. She turned her head already showing that she hated to suck on things.

"Give Chloe to me," sighed Marie. "At least one of us should sleep."

"I'll stay up," said Once-ler stifling back a yawn.

"No just let me have her," said Marie shaking her head.

Once-ler gave in and let the youngest go. He didn't leave; instead he sat on the floor next to her. He ran his hands over his face. He didn't want to know what time it was or he'd feel more tired. Marie started humming, her tone deaf voice wasn't so noticeable and the babies most certainly would calm to her voice. She hummed for about ten minutes to no avail.

"Once?" she said weakly after her attempt. "Can you?"

Having a feeling of what she was asking for, Once-ler struggled up. He nodded and wandered out of the room stumbling and fumbling for his guitar which he had stored away. Marie squirmed at the sound of it crashing. She didn't want him to play his guitar, just sing! Once-ler's grip went loose from his sleepiness. He mumbled something incoherent and dragged it by the neck. He didn't bother slinging the strap around.

"Okay," he breathed. "Please work." He strummed a chord.

"Do you need that thing?" asked Marie near the end of her rope. She was losing patience.

"Yes," growled Once-ler.

"You'll only keep them up more!"

"Maybe it will make them sleep! I know it will work for me!" He struggled trying to find the notes for lullabies, but he hadn't figured them all out. He had tried a couple of times before, if he learned any he couldn't remember. He played a sour note by mistake and then it went quiet. It was quiet! Two heads dropped in astonishment to see the twins dozing off.

Once-ler and Marie could've questioned what made them drift back to dreamland, but both didn't care. Marie put them back to their crib and Once-ler put his guitar back. Slowly, the door was closed and both plodded to bed.

Once-ler fell face first down and didn't bother with covering. Marie followed, but she didn't fall to her side. Instead, she fell on top of Once-ler. Already asleep, he only gave a muffled grunt to her impact. Marie curled around him and was sleeping easily.

When sunlight broke out, neither had moved from their sleeping positions. Once-ler was still on his stomach and Marie still on him. The only difference was that her hair was over their faces. Once-ler managed to wake up from a dream. It was a nice dream, Marie was in it. He grinned to himself remembering what had happened. It was personal. He saw a curtain before him and inhaled its scent.

"Yep, Marie's hair," he thought fondly. Once-ler propped himself up by the elbows and yawned. Then he twisted under her. Marie grunted and shifted.

"Not now," groaned Marie.

She was expecting Once-ler to get her up like usual. Once-ler was a night owl and an early bird whether he still felt tired or not. Marie on the other hand, was not a morning person. Instead of urging her up, he coiled his arms around her. It was a good moment to get up close with her.

"Marie?" Once-ler asked softly. "What do you want for your birthday?"

"A nightie," said Marie sarcastically, not opening her eyes.

Marie did wonder how her birthday would go. She sort of wanted to just sleep in and let Once-ler cuddle with her. As happy as she was to be a mother, she needed time for her. She didn't want anything, but at least she answered his question. Once-ler looked thoughtful, thinking that she was serious.

Much to Marie's disappointment of wanting more sleep, she heard the girls cry for breakfast. Morning person or not, she crawled off of Once-ler. The day started again though it felt like the day before never ended after the long night. The job of a mother was never done.

Two things were taken advantage of when possible; sleeping and intimacy. Usually both were too tired for romance. The only thing that perhaps counted was when they slept afternoon and night. Once-ler had other thoughts buzzing in his mind to distract him from resting and passion. Marie's birthday was coming up and he knew what to get the new mother. Twenty-one meant a time of being old enough to have alcohol, but with Marie nursing there was no point in having any.

When Marie woke up on her birthday she felt refreshed! She had a good night's sleep and it hit her that she didn't hear the babies that night. Not only that, when she rolled over she felt an empty space in the bed.

"Once?"

Nothing and Marie rubbed her eyes. She glanced at the clock, surprised to see she slept in an hour later than usual. She had been very sleepy the night before.

"Happy birthday to me," thought Marie. "I'm twenty-one."

She heard one of the babies coo, Natalie for sure. Parents can tell differences in their babies. Once-ler, already dressed, came out of the nursery holding the twins. Just in time, another few minutes and they would've cried to eat.

"Happy birthday Mommy," he said smiling. He had Natalie and Chloe in white dresses for the special day.

"Hi," chuckled Marie. "You're up early."

"I had some things to do," said Once-ler placing the twins in her arms. "I took the night shift over so you could have some beauty sleep. Not that you would need it, you look beautiful all the time." He smacked a kiss to her lips.

"You took the night shift?" asked Marie in surprise. "I better take it over this time."

"No you're not," said Once-ler taking a frying pan out. "I'm doing that too. It's your birthday and after what you did on mine you deserve a good day." He started making her breakfast. Seeing Marie in labor had made him want the best for her. It had been hard to watch her in a pain that he couldn't cure.

Marie had a long moment looking at her babies. She was amazed to see them on her day. She hadn't expected to be a mother so soon, but she was thrilled. Her very own babies, those long nine months had been worth it just like the eight hour labor. The twins curled up against her after she fed them and slept again. Pretty much all they did was sleep.

"So what exactly did you have to do today?" asked Marie.

"Something for you," said Once-ler putting pancakes on a plate for her. "The Bunnies helped."

"They did?"

"You'll see." Once-ler had a ridiculously happy smile as if he had been planning for her gifts for months.

After Marie had eaten she was given a box. Once-ler took the twins for the long while.

"What did you get?" said Marie in anticipation. She hadn't honestly asked for anything.

"Natalie and Chloe said you needed it," said Once-ler.

Not entirely true since babies are not aware of presents at only a month old. Marie pulled out a knee length nightdress. It was prettier than her old blue one! It was of grey silk with a sparkly fabric, she guessed lace, at the chest in a curvy pattern.

"It's lovely," said Marie crawling forward to kiss Once-ler. "Thank you. Though, I was kidding when I said I needed a nightie."

"Oh," said Once-ler understanding. He bit his lip and blushed. "You still like it right?" His eyes glistened in hope of approval.

"Yes it's gorgeous!" said Marie and she meant it. Though she hadn't meant to have one, she was pleased Once-ler had gotten her something.

It had been sunny for the most part, but by the time it was sunset it had gotten twice as cloudy. It was grey and the breeze became cooler. Marie had spent the whole day in leisure until she had gotten bored and begged for Once-ler to let her take on chores. Work wasn't so bad with her family. The afternoon had been perfect for a long walk, though they avoided the town.

"It looks like rain," said Marie that evening after dinner. "I always liked rain."

"So now it's an extra special birthday," said Once-ler. "I had nothing to do with rain of course."

"If you did then I'd be a little horrified," said Marie. She opened the door a crack. At that moment a raindrop splashed. It was a bad time since the windows were all open letting in the delicious air. "Get the windows closed!"

Once-ler and Marie tied up each one and to their relief Natalie and Chloe barely stirred from their sleep. Pretty much all they did was sleep. Seeing that they were fine and the rain actually soothed the twins the couple went back to do dishes. However, there was a distraction.

Marie felt like the raindrops were calling her to join them. They enticed her as she listened to the soft pattering. There was no storm, just a shower. Marie smiled and suddenly went out. Once-ler watched her exit and stand still. Then she spread out her arms and spun. For someone who said they had two left feet, she could dance on her own.

"The way she moves…" Once-ler thought admiringly. He leaned against the doorframe to watch his wife, his beautiful Marie.

Once-ler had always thought that from the waist up (and it was perhaps she had long hair) Marie looked like a sea nymph or mermaid. Something in her eyes that were so dark and deep mesmerized him. He had remembered in Literature of senior year fiction of sea creatures. He remembered staring at one color picture in the text book of a mermaid, fish tail of turquoise, eyes blue and blonde hair covering her chest in modesty. It made him think of Marie.

Then a few pages later there was another drawing of a sea nymph. Mermaids were half human and half fish, sea nymphs were in Greek mythology as deities of water. They looked like women completely. Something in the figure (which was covered by thin dresses in what he saw) and shape of face reminded him of Marie. The sea nymphs were never skinny, but thick with graceful arms like her.

Now she danced outside in the rain, plastering her hair and dress to her skin. It was like she was among silver droplets. Beads rolled off her with each turn and every time her hair was whipped. Like a gorgeous dream she continued to sway. Finally, Once-ler could no longer watch and found himself stepping out feeling the weather pound on him. Instantly he was soaked, clothes sticking to his lanky body. Marie grinned seeing him and continued to "try" dancing.

Once-ler took hold of her wrists so she stopped. He slid a hand to her waist and guided her in a slow dance. Marie was determined to not stand on his feet for movement. She felt a little bad about it sometimes. She stumbled at least twice, but she and Once-ler barely noticed. It was difficult to find time alone and they both found it.

"You know how much I love you?" said Marie. She didn't wait for his answer. "I love you too much."

"I love you too," said Once-ler. He didn't want the pleasant moment to end.

He could smell the wonderful scent of her hair. He twirled her around so Marie was backwards and she laced her hand back in his. She pressed her head into his chest and sighed blissfully. Once-ler rested his chin over her wet hair. It didn't last for long because Marie twisted back to face him and kissed him passionately. Two sets of breathing escalated as they pressed in. Goosebumps came alive with the nature's chill. The only warmth was their breaths blending together with each kiss. Little bursts of heat seethed from the friction.

"Happy birthday Marie," said Once-ler. He let his hands run down her sides knowing the good day would end.

"It's not over yet," said Marie and kissed him again raking her fingers through his hair.

Marie ignored the soreness in her chest as she stayed close to her beloved. Nothing was going to stop her from the wonderful scene they shared; alone, among natural beauty, intimate and in love. It was just the two of them in a true ardor...forever.

Author's Note: *sigh* I'm back and this didn't come out like I wanted. At least it's an update so no complaints if you don't like it! Raine44354 thanks for the follow! I don't know if I thanked you yet for having me in your favorite author's list, but thanks IgnitingFireworks and RadioactiveRoar! Xxxjetgirlxxx thanks you for the fave and alert for both stories! (Love the icon too!)I would like to apologize to Oncler Joy community. I do appreciate that you asked me to be a part of your staff, but I have a lot to do. I'm sorry to decline, but thank you for your consideration. Life kept pulling me away from this update and it's not stopping any time soon! I listened to So Close from Enchanted by the time I wrote the last part and choked up! Well, it helped a little to relieve stress too. Anyone on the East Coast, I hope you are all alright. Especially you OS!