Thank you TimelessMaiden and sarcasticSadism thanks for the fave and alert. Best of wishes with your Once-ler stories! Thanks everyone for your patience! Baby Chanel, I don't know if you're reading this story, but either way thank you so much for your personal review! Thank your friends whoever they are too for becoming attached to Marie and Once-ler's romance!

(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. Only Marie and the twins are mine!)

Chapter 16

Always

Marie woke up out of a nightmare to a voice. She faced an empty side and listened to Once-ler's soothing tone from the other room. The twins gave small cooing and snuffling noises in addition to his singing. She tugged the covers up closer to be more comfy. She could sleep and be in awe of his voice all night. Marie didn't actually need the baby monitor to hear him. With the door open and his pitch she could hear him. Then a lovely thought hit her before sleep took over again.

"Why just listen?" she thought. She climbed out of bed and quickly stretched. Before she knew it, her feet had carried her to the nursery and she peeked in.

Marie's heart melted at the tender scene of Once-ler slowly pacing with Natalie and Chloe and quietly singing. The girls were sleeping peacefully in his arms even when he perched a kiss on their blonde heads. Natalie was already drooling against the blanket they were swaddled and Chloe's hand gripped hold of Once-ler's collar. They were almost three months old.

Marie came up behind him and slowly traced her hands around his waist. Surprised, Once-ler looked over his shoulder.

"Hey," said Marie softly. She nuzzled her face against his back.

"I've got in under control," said Once-ler proudly. Calming the twins had gotten easier.

"I can tell," said Marie. "It woke me up. I'm glad it did though; nightmares and all."

"Another one?" Once-ler was concerned because Marie had said she had quite a few lately.

"I'm alright Honey," she reassured. "Dreams don't mean anything."

"I know, but I don't like it when you're scared. You flinch and whimper."

"You've seen me have nightmares?"

"Yeah-at least I think you were having one. It was in Misty Hideaway while we napped and-" Once-ler paused with a smile. "And that was the day I realized I wanted to marry you."

Marie said nothing, but pressed closer to him. She had absolutely no regrets about leaving Palmer. They weren't rich, but they had the affection; intimate love for their spouse and familia affection for their little ones. Eros and Storge as they were called in one of the college classes Marie took.

Once-ler gave one more kiss to the babies. Two sets of minuscule fists stretched in full ease. Watching the adorableness reminded Marie of what was coming up in June. Their first wedding anniversary was on the 1st. Marie wrote a love letter for him and both had planned a romantic dinner. Of course, babies' needs could try to interrupt.

"You know what's coming up in another day?" she said twisting around to Once-ler's front.

"Should I?" he said teasingly. Marie went up on her toes with a smug grin.

"Don't tell me you're already in the stage of forgetting important dates in this marriage?" she said slyly. She got close enough so that when he leered his head down to her their noses touched.

"Our first anniversary," he said. "I didn't forget."

"It's on an easy date to remember," said Marie. "I'd be surprised if you did forget it."

"I never would," said Once-ler almost pouting from her comment. "It's one of the best days of my life."

"I know," laughed Marie kissing his cheek. He looked childish when he pouted. "You're adorable."

"I am not adorable," he said. "I'm very manly." He set the girls back in their crib. Marie leaned over to stroke their tiny hands and faces. "Then again, living in a house full of girls, I think I'm thirty percent less manly."

"You admit it," joked Marie. She walked confidently out of the nursery. Then suddenly, after the door had quietly been closed she was spun around and lifted up. Once-ler was grinning smugly at her.

"If I can admit I've softened up a bit," he said. "Then you can admit you're still beautiful after giving birth." Marie had been cautious with eating and taking walks for a month.

"You've always been a softy and masculine," said Marie to satisfy him. "A perfect blend."

"Now you admit you're beautiful," said Once-ler.

"After I lose some of the baby weight," said Marie. She had gained forty-five pounds for the twins and had only lost ten.

She struggled to get out of his arms. Once-ler's grip was tighter and he carried her to the bed. Then he gently pinned her down and brushed his hand over her cheek.

"You really are," he said sweetly.

"I'd just like to get back to my average weight," said Marie. "I'll feel better then."

"Fine, but I'll always find you gorgeous," said Once-ler. "I'll get you to admit it."

He had that grin again like when he was planning something. Marie eyed him suspiciously. Quick as lightning, Once-ler's long fingers raced over her sides sending a ticklish sensation. Marie tensed up and tried to hold back her laughter.

"Quit that!" she gasped. "Once-ler!"

"Admit it! Admit it!" he teased.

"F-fine! I'm beautiful!" said Marie still trying to breathe. Once-ler stopped the tickling and smiled. Pleased to see her acceptance he rolled over to his side, but Marie was not going to let him get away with it.

"Now you admit you're a little bit adorable," she said. "Come on. You have two little girls and you awe over them all the time. How's that not adorable?" Marie inched closer to him. "Don't make me…"

Once-ler looked confused until he noticed her hand sneakily draw to his stomach. "Oh no you-" he started, but Marie attacked. Her hand snuck up his pajama top and over his skin. Once-ler admitted quicker than she did due to the fact he didn't like being tickled.

"Alright! I'm adorable! Now stop it!" he panted. Marie withdrew her hand and pulled the covers over them. Once-ler still smiled. "No fair Marie! You know I don't like that."

"I know, but you have a lovely laugh. As for how you are as a person…" Marie tugged him close to her face. "I wouldn't have you any other way Once-ler." She gave him a kiss before they cuddled down.

The first day of June was actually busy. Summer wasn't too hot yet and the new parents took it as a day to enjoy outdoors. Not leaving the perimeters of Truffula Valley they took turns pushing the baby carriage that held their precious cargo. At one point, they took them out and sat near the riverbank (far from the waterfall) to let the babies experience water.

Once-ler stared at where the river flowed out, the route he had drifted off on. Thinking of how he nearly went over edge and certainly would've not survived was twice as horrifying. Once-ler watched his wife with Chloe. Marie had kicked her shoes off and had her feet dipped in. Chloe squealed as her mommy made little splashes with her free hand. Then a disturbing thought came to him.

Marie would've been alone, finding out she was pregnant, giving birth among strangers, and not celebrating their anniversary with him. He held Natalie closer in his arms to help him forget. Leaving Marie and never finding out he had twins…what a mess it would've been.

"Chloe's a water baby!" chortled Marie. "Yes she is!" Chloe kicked her legs and grin. She was the one who loved bath time the most.

"Hey Honeysuckle," said Once-ler. "When the bunnies are big enough they have to learn how to swim."

"They will," said Marie. "Especially Chloe here!"

"In case some idiot sends them downstream," said Once-ler seriously.

Marie looked at him sympathetically. At that moment Natalie started whimpering. Both having had paid attention to their daughters' cries knew that Natalie wanted her pacifier. Once-ler carefully got up to get it out of the baby bag near them. He gently placed it in her mouth. Marie was proud of how Once-ler had matured parentally.

"Once," she said. "I'm sure no idiot will send them downstream. Not every bad thing that's happened to us will happen to them." Once-ler was shocked that Marie was the calm one for once.

"I just don't want my girls in danger." Once-ler sat back down with Marie.

"I know," she agreed. "It's sweet you're protective of Natalie and Chloe."

Once-ler plucked a little flower nearby their spot and slid it over Marie's ear. The little white flower meshed with her hair. After placing it in, Once-ler lightly pinched one of her curls and trailed his fingertips down it. When he let go, it naturally bounced back.

"I meant all three of my girls," said Once-ler smiling. Marie couldn't resist his tenderness and gave him a kiss. She gave a light brush to his freckled face, hoping the girls would inherit them.

The family of four was content at home again and all took a refreshing nap. It was a good thing that Marie and Once-ler had gotten extra sleep. For what had been hoped to be a romantic dinner didn't turn out to be like they planned. Somehow the homemade lasagna didn't turn out like neither expected and both retreated to sandwiches.

"I didn't buy you anything, but I did write something for you," said Marie when they finished eating. By then, the girls had been fed, bathed and were sleeping. "I haven't written you a love letter before."

"Yes you have," said Once-ler. "What about your summers in Thrush Towne when we dated?"

"Once-ler," said Marie sitting next to him on the bed. "Love letters are more specific about emotions." She scooted herself lower on the pillows. The bed served also as a sofa and dining room table for the couple.

Marie handed him a sheet of paper rolled in one of her hair ribbons, blue for his favorite color, and wrote it out in her gorgeous penmanship.

To my Once, every day with you is a blessing as I considered it our first anniversary. You've brought me more bliss than I have expected for my life. Not every woman can say she married her best friend, but I have had the privilege to be yours. I will be forever grateful I have found you. I cannot thank you enough for your love, sweetness and optimism that you give me.

Happy first anniversary and with all my love, Marie.

It would've been a lie if Once-ler had said he wasn't moved. It meant much that Marie had written of how he made her feel.

"That's beautiful," said Once-ler. He hoped Marie didn't notice that he rubbed one of his eyes to prevent a tear falling. "Thank you Roses." He kissed her sweetly. Then with a swift dive at the hand for his notebook he took out a folded paper. "Yours," he grinned while proudly holding it.

Marie slowly unfolded it to see that Once-ler had drawn flowers on the border. What Marie read had such an effect on her that she had to get up and find Kleenex. Once-ler followed her and coiled his arms at her waist as she read.

My dear Roses, how do I even begin to describe how much I've fallen in love with you? Just when I think I can't fall deeper, you pull me in with your sapphire eyes and hands of silk. Your confidence and encouragement in me will always stay within my heart. You have amazed me with your strength and have given me more than I asked for. I only wish that those who've tried tearing you down would see what a brave woman you are. I will never find another person like you.

Forever and always, Once-ler.

"Once," whimpered Marie when she finished. "I-I don't know what to say." She wiped her eyes, but Once-ler twisted her around and brushed a lone tear away. Marie bolted up, tightly hugging him and kissed him.

"I love you," said Once-ler leaning his head against hers. "I can't thank you enough for staying with me and giving me our girls."

"I love you too," whispered Marie. "Thank you for everything, including the babies. You did help with that and I'm glad I stayed."

"I'm still happy you came with me," said Once-ler. "It wouldn't be the same without you."

"Glad your mom never knew about us," said Marie who managed to stop weeping. "She'd try tearing us apart."

"I won't have her tear us apart if she knows," said Once-ler. "I will never leave you." He grinned playfully. "You're not either are you?"

Marie stepped out of his grasp. She didn't feel tearful anymore and she shoved him down to their bed. The moment Once-ler hit the mattress she crawled on him. She stayed on her knees looking down at him with serious eyes and a flirtatious grin.

"Well," said Marie perching herself at his hips. "Newsflash; not going anywhere!" Once-ler smiled at the familiar words he had once said. Marie leaned down and lingered over his lips, eyes locked on his. "End of story and sealed with a kiss." With that she passionately pressed her mouth to his.