(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 is mine!) New icon for the story was made by badluckcat. Thanks to her we can see the twins! :) I'll try making a link on my profile so you can see it bigger. Not too pleased with this chapter because it feels cramped, but next chapter has enough going on so… Go read fellow readers! I plan to do a flashback of the twins first Christmas later on.
Chapter 18
Chasing Dreams
Marie's mouth and eyes were open at her husband's frustration. She noticed the Thneed was in a knot and tossed a few feet from them. Once-ler must've had a fit. She looked at him again and saw a face completely tired, annoyed and downhearted. She knew it was no good to stay in Greenville. She gave him a soft peck on the cheek.
"Let's go home," said Marie taking his arm. "You don't need to be here right now." She was the only one who made the move to pick up the Thneed or her husband's fedora. Once-ler didn't speak as they headed for home. He was busy contemplating and brooding. The only small smile that was brought out during his brainstorm was when Natalie and Chloe grinned at him.
Late that night, Once-ler was awake and leaning his arms through the metal footboard (still bent from the waterfall incident) writing lists. Lists of why he should quit the Thneed and why he shouldn't. It wasn't really "lists," it was really two drawn boxes with one word under each category. Not quit: Support the girls. Quit: It's miserable. Once-ler was so deep in his thoughts, he didn't notice Marie stirring.
"Why are you up?" she asked.
"I'm thinking," he answered. "I'm trying to think." Poor Once-ler was stressed out after that day and all the others before.
Marie dove under the covers so she was facing the same direction as him. She straddled her legs over his back and balanced on her knees. With a smile Marie started massaging his shoulders.
"That won't, ah, do anything," said Once-ler trying to stay focused. However, Marie was distracting him away from any aggravation, making him settle down.
"I think it helps you a little," said Marie coolly. Once-ler moaned as her fingers kneaded deeper. "If it's the Thneed, know we're both in this Thneed thing together; you endorse and I support you. That's how it's been for a year." She noticed his paper with tired writing. She waited for him to answer, knowing he would.
"I'm wondering if this Thneed is worth my time right now," admitted Once-ler. "It doesn't seem as…important right now. Well, it is, but not like it was before. Maybe I'm worn out from trying. I thought it'd be accepted by now." He groaned as Marie pressed a kink out. "Can you do that a little faster?"
"Important as in?" asked Marie obeying his request. She had a feeling she knew what he'd say, but talking aloud could help cope. Quickly, she snuck her hands under his pajama shirt and massaged him again.
"Important as in it might be the only way to support us." Once-ler ran his hands through his dark hair. "I said I'd do anything for you three and I meant that. I especially can't let Natalie and Chloe down. They look up to me."
"They're babies for now," began Marie.
"And they'll grow up," finished Once-ler. He was thinking ahead of their future.
"They won't be thirteen tomorrow," reassured Marie. "They'll still be babies. They don't need school tuitions or cars right now."
"Don't tell me you haven't worried about that stuff!"
"I have Once. Just not all the time. Only thing I'm concerned about for now is how they'll move onto milk from a cow instead of me."
"That's it? Their eating habits? That's all that worries you?"
"No," sighed Marie. "I have-never mind me. If you're tired of trying to sell the Thneed then let it go."
"If I let it go, then I'm failing," said Once-ler crossing his arms under his chin.
"I don't think you failed. I think the public has failed seeing what's before them."
"I don't know what else to do," sighed Once-ler defeated. "My family was right."
Marie's back straightened at the word "family." What family? The ones who laughed at him? They meant nothing now. Once-ler had his own family with him. That family didn't laugh at him unless he actually did something funny. Really, he could make the babies giggle easily with just talking in a high pitched tone.
"Forget them!" said Marie. She pinched his skin harder in thought of them. "They are not worth our time after how they've been to you!"
"They're still my family Marie," said Once-ler. "They may have hurt my feelings for a long time, but family is family."
"You have your own right now," reminded Marie. "That's all that matters."
"You think the Thneed could work?" asked Once-ler after a long pause. "Honestly Marie. Can it really?"
"I think it can," said Marie. "It makes life easier for a busy woman like me. If it makes you feel better I've always thought it'd work. Even long before you had a name for it. Back when it was just a revolutionary product that'd change the world." She remembered the first time he talked about it when they were kids.
"So I shouldn't give up," Once-ler said half to himself. "I should go back and keep selling until someone buys it."
"That's your choice on how you feel about it," said Marie. "I'll back you up no matter what."
"Feel," thought Once-ler. "How I feel? What about her?" Aloud he asked Marie a special question. "How do you feel about me going back Beautiful?"
"I'm fine with it," started Marie. "I want you happy." Once-ler craned his neck to look at her. He knew her too well.
"You think of others too much," he said fondly. Then seriously he asked again. "Marie, are you really okay with me going back to the crowds and flinging vegetables? The truth." Her input was important as his. They had always been a team and that wasn't going to change.
"The truth?" said Marie. She slowly stopped rubbing him. Seeing Once-ler almost stare her down made Marie slip her hands out, very slowly, and out into cool air. He was so wonderfully warm to the touch. She took a breath, but no words followed. Once-ler, thinking she was stalling, prepared himself to flip under to face her when he heard her swallow loudly. Her voice came almost cracking.
"The truth is I hate seeing people treating you that way. You've-you've gone through too much mistreatment in your life and I can't watch you get hurt. I don't want you miserable! I believe it will work out, the Thneed has potential and we'll be financially okay but…it breaks me to see you come home in juice and a frown on your face! I could only imagine it until that one day. That day I stood up under that gazebo to help you out and I was in egg slime. I felt so humiliated and helpless. That was only one day! You? It's been more than one! You've kept going back and I don't know exactly what motivates you! There's been times I wished we were isolated from that town and no one would harm us. I-so-there's the truth!"
Marie slumped down and buried her face against Once-ler's neck. She was unaware of the tears flowing. Once-ler was as they dripped on his neck. He felt even worse. He didn't know Marie was so upset over him getting abused. Then again, that was like her hiding her real feelings and feeling hurt when a loved one was in despair. Once-ler had felt that way seeing her in labor. Of course it would hurt Marie to see him being mistreated.
"You never told me that," said Once-ler softly.
"Well, I wanted to be positive like you," gulped Marie. "I admire you for that. I don't want you to give up just because I'm upset!"
"I didn't say I was quitting because of your upset," said Once-ler. He reached a hand around to stroke a stray golden curl by his face. Marie shifted to nuzzling against his hair. Now tears meshed with his raven locks. "To answer your question, you and the girls motivate me."
"Once-ler," said Marie. "Listen, I will be on your side either way." She never doubted him, it was true, but after a year of seeing him mocked it was hard to see him discouraged.
Once-ler still kept a hand in her hair as he considered everything. Keep on trying with selling his product and possibly succeed. Or give it up and start a clean slate. He had other options for jobs. Work in a store, do buildings, art work… He didn't need to live in a mansion to be content. He was pleased to be in their cottage. The sooner he did a clean slate then the sooner things would improve for them all. Sometimes it was alright to try something else. Once-ler couldn't bear to see Marie miserable as much as she couldn't bear seeing him miserable. After the stupidity her parents treated her, she didn't deserve suffering either.
"You know what?" said Once-ler. "We've both been hurt enough. I say we start over."
"Quit?" asked Marie.
"Not quit," said Once-ler thoughtfully. "Start over. There's a difference."
"Start over?" repeated Marie.
"We start over with a clean slate and not worry over Thneeds," said Once-ler. "With the exception we use them here because I know we will. Then after a year or two we'll try again."
"Right," chuckled Marie. She stopped weeping and fell on Once-ler's side. "We will." Once-ler twisted to her and stroked her damp face and kissed one of her cheeks.
"Now quit crying," he said gently. "I won't sleep peacefully until you stop." They could get money somehow.
"Okay," said Marie smiling back. "We'll be fine. You'll do great with anything." She lowered her voice. There was honesty in her tone. "If anything, you're great with our bunnies." Marie was pleased to see a proud smile stretch on Once-ler's lips. After a goodnight kiss, they both snuggled down to sleep, not even bothering to return their heads to the pillows.
Clean slate meant starting anew. So for the time being the Thneed was no longer a concern. The next day Once-ler went back to Greenville and looked at what were three empty shops. He didn't know if they were still owned, but he had plans. Marie was capable of sewing as much as he. They made dresses for their babies, so why not do more? Sell baby dresses. No expecting mother would be able to resist something like that! Not just yet though. He and Marie had another idea and it involved Marie getting her hands messy.
Marie took out her paints and started doing landscapes. She was fortunate enough to sell five paintings at an art show later that were auctioned. With the cash saved up from his in-laws and earnings from Marie Once-ler used it for making offers. So while Once-ler made offers on taking the properties, whose landlords didn't care for his baby shop idea, Marie was able to give support. No longer worried about Thneeds, Once-ler and Marie had a less stressful year. A small, yet perfect Thanksgiving followed after another art show. Clarisse and Dashiell, who hated Marie's talent of painting, would've had egg on their faces seeing how people liked Marie's art of Truffula Trees and the hills. Marie kept on selling and earning a safe amount, an amount that could get them by. It was amazing how much some people would pay!
It was around Christmas Eve when Marie was waiting for Once-ler to come home from last minute offering that something big happened. Marie had the twins outside playing in the snow. Natalie didn't seem to like it. Chloe, who had already showed an interest in nature, seemed happy outside. Marie sat on the patio chair and held Natalie while holding Chloe's hand. Chloe tried struggling away from her mother's protection. The valley was still until Marie heard the sound of snow crunching from rapid footsteps. Followed by it was the galloping of hooves. Marie turned behind her to see Once-ler running with something in his hand.
"Marie!" she heard Once-ler yell joyfully. "Marie they gave me an offer! They've let me take it!" He dashed over with his face red from the frosty air. He had his fedora clutched in one hand and in the other was a paper.
"Take what?" asked Marie. She knelt down to lift Chloe up. Melvin came up behind Once-ler making snow flying and dropped down in exhaustion.
"A shop!" panted Once-ler. "We have a-a shop for our idea. One of them accepted our offer easily." He halted in front of her grinning excitedly. So suddenly Once-ler pulled Marie in for a hug. The babies squealed up the gentle impact.
Marie glanced at the paper since her hands were full. Natalie reached a hand out to grab the little sheet. Written on it was a personal note of a landlord who accepted Once-ler's store idea. Marie couldn't believe what she read. It looked like someone in Greenville had a heart after all.
"Someone liked your idea," said Marie smiling.
"No more garbage throwing or crowds," said Once-ler confidently. "I should've done this sooner. I have you to thank."
"You decided this," said Marie warmly. "I just support you."
"I'm still kissing you either way for that," said Once-ler sweetly. Brushing a cold hand over her jaw he deeply kissed her. Marie would've hugged him if she could. Natalie let out a demanding coo which broke them apart. "I didn't forget you," said Once-ler kissing her head. "Or you." He kissed Chloe's head and took her in his grasp.
"So when does the business start for us?" asked Marie as they went inside. "Is there a deadline or something?"
"We'll have to fix the store up," said Once-ler. "It has a nice back room so Natty and Chloe can stay there. I mean, if you come with them. I still want you there with me like we always planned."
"They say to not go into business with friends," said Marie teasingly.
"They say nothing about best friends," said Once-ler. "You're the one exception My Beauty." Once-ler kissed Marie's nose before closing the door.
"I thought you'd say that," chuckled Marie. "I will. It's a family business after all." It was a lovely Christmas with the babies and knowing that someone had liked their new business idea. It looked like their plans were working out for good.
Marie spent the next few months sewing dresses while watching the girls. Once-ler put the small store back in order. It wasn't big, but it was moderate with a counter space, a large window and wooden floors. In the back was the spare room where the twins could be with their playpen and toys. It would take a long while to build it since Once-ler wanted to do the repairs himself. It felt more relaxing to be fixing things than facing crowds. By the time it was March things were halfway the way he wanted it, but he put it all aside on one special day.
Marie knew it was a special day the moment the faint light broke through the stained glass. She rolled over to the sleeping figure next to her.
"Happy birthday Sleepyhead," she whispered and softly kissed Once-ler's hair. Once-ler blinked at her touch, eyelashes fluttering.
"Is it 8:37 yet?" asked Once-ler.
"No," said Marie grinning. "You're not twenty-two just yet. The girls aren't officially one yet until later. It's still your special day."
"And yours," said Once-ler almost to himself.
"Not mine," said Marie. "Mine's a month away." She yanked Once-ler closer until he was half away on top of her. She gave him a quick kiss. "Why would you say it's mine?"
"Just-" began Once-ler. He sighed and shifted on Marie.
"What?" asked Marie gently.
"What you did," said Once-ler as he gazed at her lovingly. "That whole…labor thing. You amazed me."
"That's sweet," chuckled Marie feeling color in her face. "But I told you any woman can do it. It happens every day."
"Yeah, but you still amazed me." Once-ler slowly ran a finger over Marie's jaw. "I love you for that. It was hard to see you in pain." He added softly.
Marie smiled tenderly at him and she pressed her lips to his. It touched her to see Once-ler feeling that way about her. What she said was true; any woman could give birth. However, Once-ler feeling emotional about what she did a year before on that day made her melt. Maybe it was her day in a way. She had officially become a mother on her husband's birthday.
Once-ler brushed his hands over Marie remembering how she had pushed, panted, whimpered, sweated and cried giving birth. She gave him two precious things. Once-ler would always admire her for that. For now, he wanted to treat her special for what she did. He kissed her neck lightly, and compressed her to him. Once-ler sent more feathery kisses down to her shoulder. Marie didn't seem to object his affections as she moaned from his embrace. She blushed madly feeling a long hand smoothly run over her thigh. With hearts full of fervor the young couple continued with their intimacy for the morning.
About an hour later, the twins were awake and already desperate to be fed. While Marie nursed them, Once-ler looked at the first family photo they had. Marie's obstetrician, Dr. Helms had suggested getting a free photo shoot to her patients, past and present. Her oldest son was a photographer and knew how to handle babies. Natalie and Chloe, who didn't react to his methods for smiling, stayed themselves. He had dealt with stubborn babies before and didn't fret over it. All four of them happy, well Once-ler and Marie looked happy. Chloe looked camera shy and Natalie showed a temper. Once-ler and Marie didn't care of their babies not smiling because at least they hadn't cried.
Once-ler grinned and felt misty eyed looking at the babies. To Once-ler it seemed forever ago when they were born. That long birthday of his in the hospital was still a cherished memory of his. The day his life changed for good. The ache of seeing and hearing Marie had been terrible, but two wonderful blessings soothed the aching.
"And here are the birthday babies!" said Marie coming out of the nursery.
Once-ler turned to see Marie had dressed them in the dresses they had worn in the photo; red for Chloe and blue for Natalie. He put the picture back down and was eager to hold them.
"Good morning Bunnies," said Once-ler enthusiastically. "Happy birthday!" Even while holding them it was hard to believe only a year before they had been so small. He gazed into their eyes and they stared back to his. Pairs of sapphire looked into aquamarine and Natalie reached a tiny hand to her father's face. Chloe fiddled with the button his vest.
Natalie and Chloe were walking and what had started as golden hair on their heads had changed. They had beautiful black hair. Natalie's was less curly compared to Chloe's. Marie had cheerfully expected it, but it stunned Once-ler. For so long he had imagined the girls to look identical to Marie, now they looked like him! It was overwhelming to see more of him in the genetics of his daughters. He felt that he didn't deserve to have such gorgeous offspring. However, it touched Once-ler's heart deeply and it became an ordinary thing to see black instead of blonde or the light brown it had temporarily been.
"Are you going to keep staring at them?" asked Marie. "We have cake to eat." She closed the fridge door and set a cake of vanilla down on the counter. Chloe squealed very loudly seeing the pastry and within minutes she had half of it on her face. The day followed with countless hugs and smooches to the girls.
A best friend as a wife, two daughters, living in a serene landscape; Once-ler couldn't ask for more on his big day. He painted an idyllic scene in his mind of working in his new shop with Marie and raising their twins happily. No harsh people, always on good terms with The Lorax (if that was possible,) no nasty food tossed and no in-laws to intrude on them… Then Once-ler thought of something he hadn't done since he arrived to Truffula Valley.
"Mom?" Once-ler tapped his fingers against the radiophone nervously. "It's Oncie." He looked out the opened window, seeing the valley at night while the stars and moon glowed.
Marie listened from the nursery as she dressed the girls for nighty-night. She felt a fear in the pit of her stomach thinking of the person on the other line. It was perhaps stereotyped for in-laws to be considered "evil," but Isabella seemed to prove that myth true. Once-ler continued, but Marie couldn't hear the woman speaking.
"I know I haven't called in forever, but I just wanted to tell you-oh. I'm sorry; I didn't know you were busy right now. Wait, Mom listen. I've got something to tell you. Three things." Once-ler sounded happy regardless of his mother's anger over the line. "First off, you have a daughter-in-law. Oh really?" He sounded surprised and Marie peeked her head around the doorframe. "They told you?" he added nervously.
"Oh no," thought Marie. "Mother and Father raged about it to her."
"Mom!" cried Once-ler. "Don't say that about her! That's not fair!" Marie bit her lip and continued with her babies. "Okay, two things then. Don't freak out, but congratulations! You're a grandma."
Silence. Then the silence was followed by the screaming heard over the phone. Marie cringed and Once-ler held the radiophone away from his ear.
"Mom! Mom! Calm down! We found out like two days after we got here. No! We didn't know when we left!" Once-ler sighed and rubbed his eyes. "No! It wasn't out of wedlock!"
"Mercy," said Marie to herself. She took Natalie and Chloe in both arms. "She's a fine one to accuse us of that. She was expecting Brett and Chet when she married." Once-ler had found that out from Uncle Ubb. Marie went out and sat on the bed. Once-ler kept pacing up and down the tent.
"She had twins," said Once-ler quickly. Then he beamed as he started bragging. "Yeah! Isn't that great? Two girls! They're so cute Mom! You should see them! They have Marie's blue eyes and her…I'm not rambling! I can take care of them! They're a year old today! I'm setting up a store to sell baby clothes to support them and Marie's helping me."
Marie smiled encouragingly at Once-ler. She wondered if Isabella had remembered to wish her son a happy birthday.
"I didn't quit the Thneed," sighed a frustrated Once-ler. "I decided to try something else. It's still a great product and I can always-Mom?" Marie heard the faint sound of the dial tone. "Mom! Hello?" Once-ler hung up and flopped next to his woman.
"Did she at least wish you a happy birthday?" asked Marie.
"No," said Once-ler shaking his head. "Don't even ask about what she said about you." Chloe wiggled out of Marie's arms and crawled over Once-ler's stomach.
"I won't ask," said Marie. She lay down next to him and decided to change the subject. "You know what? Someday we should take the girls on a vacation, like around the valley."
"After the shop is done," promised Once-ler. He sat Chloe up and steadied her with a hand to her back. "Mom's missing out on the two best babies."
"That's her problem if she is," chuckled Marie. "If it makes you feel better I love you three a lot." She rested on her side with Natalie tugging on her hair. Once-ler copied Marie so their twins were in a safe barricade of their parents.
"I love you three too," said Once-ler. They reached across for a quick kiss and cuddled down for a while before putting the twins back in their crib. Neither feared of things going downhill…
BrainyChola! I have a beautiful brain? Why thank you for your review! Yeah, the waterfall scene is pretty serious, especially when here Once-ler has a wife and two babies on the way. It'd be terrible if he and Pipsqueak didn't make it! xxxjetgirlxxx thank you so much for adding me to your fave author's list! J2S, shippolove844 and Devony V thanks for the follow and alert. I see you've been on for about a couple of months so welcome! Whitwhit1893 thank you for the alert too and I sincerely apologize if you think I've gone far from the original story, but I ask you to please remember this is an alternate reality from my first piece. It should be different in a way. :) If any of you are also following From Romance and Friendship, know that there are only two more chapters left!