(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 and her growing girls are mine! P.S. Any names I use from other Seuss books aren't mine either; they'll always belong to Dr. Seuss.) Sorry for the sad chapter last time everyone! This one shouldn't be too sad, but if you do cry I hope it's from tenderness, not sadness. And Beatrice Den! A cookie for you for learning who Arabella is related to! :) I actually like the name troll! It makes me giggle because it reminds me of Bugs Bunny whose been trolling since 1940! Poll is up on profile until June 13th and you may give two votes. Edited as of 06/09/13.
A special inspiration from Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' song "Your Guardian Angel" that helped for this chapter and for the next chapters to come! And I dare you all to listen to the last two minutes of The Lion King's "To Die For…" towards the tearful parts!
Chapter 31
What It Takes
The Once-ler had slammed his office doors in rage when Marie had stormed out. He brooded at his desk with his feet perched upon it thrumming his fingers at his thigh. Marie's words rang out in his head and he felt irrational about it. He couldn't bear it that she had been so vicious or how some of her words had cut him up.
"Everything alright Oncie?" asked Isabella when she peeked her head in.
"No," The Once-ler growled. "I can't stand her!"
"Oh did you have a fight?" said Isabella pitifully. "My poor baby, how could she talk to you like that? Shame on her, for making you mad! Tsk, tsk, tsk! She's not worth your time if she thinks that way of you! Oh, I knew she was trouble."
Her long nose was wrinkled in disgust at the thought of Marie. The Once-ler huffed with a shrug. Isabella strutted up to his desk and then kissed his cheek. Lipstick smeared over his freckles and he wiped it off just like Natalie would do.
"Forget her Oncie she's not worth your time," cooed Isabella. "It goes to show you, she's not one of us! I was always being nice to her and now…what a pity!"
"Mom," ordered The Once-ler. "I'll deal with her later, just go back to your desk."
Isabella smiled and kissed her son one more time. She smiled to herself as she exited his elegant office. She felt satisfied with knowing Marie was probably gone for good and wouldn't distract her son. Now, she had to figure out how to get the distraction of the twins away from him.
"Don't forget we have a meeting with the PR team tonight at seven," she added. "Don't be late Oncie. It's important. We've got new ideas to discuss. Kisses!" She blew another kiss to her son and vanished.
"Can she ever leave me alone?" the stressed out gentleman thought. Then he scoffed aloud to the thin air. "What does Marie know about a business? Nothing!"
"Funny," his inner thoughts said nonchantly. "Isn't she the one who took notes for you back in her college classes for you to learn from? Isn't she the one who was raised in the industry?"
"She watched from a distance," the dark and greedy side sassed back. "She's done squat to what I've done!"
"But she-"
"But nothing! Mom's right!"
The Once-ler groaned and rubbed his eyes. He didn't want to hear anymore and forget the fight. So he went back to some drawing ideas for the next advertisement and hoped it would distract him from his inner consciences. By the time the sun had disappeared he left early to his house to mentally prepare himself for the meeting.
Feeling exhausted, The Once-ler shed out of his hat and sunglasses and he retreated slowly for Once-ler Hideaway. He slumped down on the sofa and rubbed his eyes as the fight kept flashing back. The pressure of that meeting he had at seven made him ponder why he had scheduled for it then. He just wanted to forget the day. Part of him was ready to sleep, but it looked like he'd have to fix dinner for the three of them. The secret house felt quiet; too quiet. He didn't feel comfortable with the silence and questioned why he felt uneasy. Then it occurred to him he hadn't heard from the girls since he arrived.
"Natalie?" he called out.
Nothing…
"Chloe?" he called out even louder.
Nothing again…
Thinking the girls were playing he got up to find them. As he did he called out for them again. "Girls? Where are you at? Come on!" Then what had started off as exhaustion became panic. The kitchen, playroom, their room, all the rooms were empty! The room that had a pool for them had no occupants. He opened every closet and even ducked under the bed to see if they were playing a game. Had they had wandered out of the house to see him?
The Once-ler dashed all around the factory with his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't care if anyone wondered why he was acting frantic or if they saw the girls now. It didn't matter anyway since they were all leaving for the night and punching out there cards. If they were missing then he'd find them. He went as far as to pulling the delivery trucks open to see if they were among the boxes. There was no sign of them in any work area.
As he had searched it started pouring of rain. Lightning and thunder crashed among the dark skies. Finally he collapsed in his chair. Feeling hot and worried, he started the intercom. He knew nobody was there anymore; all the workers had left while he searched.
"Natalie, Chloe," he said into it. "Get in my office now so I know where you're at!" He paused for at least three minutes and then sounding mad called again. "Natalie Viola! Chloe Eleri! In my office…now!"
Five minutes of waiting and no sound of footsteps sent a shiver through him. Fear took over and even worse than before. On cue, lightning sparked outside and he looked at the windows. Then he felt his heart in his throat. Hastily, he dug in his drawer for a small flashlight he used for fixing the machinery and the flung a glass door open. On the balcony's platform rain drummed and caused a huge puddle. Down the steps of concrete he went and skipped the last two with a jump. The rain was so strong that mud was forming in the bare patches of grass. The Once-ler didn't care as he dodged and ran past each stump in his path. His beam of light only showed his destruction and the drops of water in the wind.
"Natty!" he yelled out. "Chloe! Where are you? Girls!"
The only answer was the harsh wind and darkness. His voice was lost among the natural force. He was freezing from the chill and his clothes plastered against his skin. Still, nothing would stop him from his mission. He had to find them. Then out of the search came a familiar voice.
"Beanpole!" came the sound of The Lorax. "Beanpole! Come quick!"
"Mustache?" called out The Once-ler and his light fell upon a soaked forest guardian.
"Come quick!" said The Lorax. "Hurry! Brook's in trouble!"
Hastily they ran through the slick earth. With the short and bouncing steps of The Lorax the long stride of The Once-ler came at his side and outran him. He halted when he saw something black and moving. Then his whole body felt dead frozen.
The river. Black, thick, and ferocious slowly churned from the storm. The Once-ler wasn't sure how far he had gone, but he recognized a landmark. It was the little bridge of rock over the river that he had crossed many times while selling the Thneed. Just several paces away was where his cottage had stood. Then near the bridge in the river was one of the rocks underneath the current and something was holding onto it. Or someone was holding onto it.
The Once-ler felt the worst fear in his life as he saw that the little person was Natalie! His worst nightmare that he had dreaded from when she was infant was actually happening. Not thinking twice that he would get his best suit ruined, he tossed the flashlight down and slid down the bank. He dug his fingers into the mud and thanks to his long arm reached out to Natalie. He grabbed her by the sleeve and pulled with all his might. She broke through the strong waves and was brought to her father's chest. The Lorax watched on in shock to see his foe going to such lengths to save her.
Quickly holding her with his arm The Once-ler crawled and slipped his way to the shore. He panted as he felt the solid ground under him and immediately lay Natalie down. With the flashlight in his muddy glove he checked her over.
"Natty!" he shouted against the wind. "Natalie! Can you hear me?"
"Brook?" called The Lorax and shook her shoulder. "Brook!"
The little girl didn't speak, but she was breathing. From the shoulders down she was coated in gluppity-glup. Her hair was stuck to her back and camouflaged with the reeking gunk. At a peal of thunder The Once-ler clasped her close to his chest like he did when he and Pipsqueak were saved from their river incident.
At that moment Pipsqueak stumbled among the slick ground towards them. With frightful growls he tugged at The Lorax's paw. The Lorax looked down where the river turned and The Once-ler's gaze mimicked. Then he came upon a horrifying realization. Chloe wasn't with her.
"Down there," The Lorax said and started rushing away. "Pip found her!"
The Once-ler felt partially relieved as he was that Natalie was free. He lifted her up and shielded her face from the pounding rain. He went past The Lorax and Pipsqueak. At one point he wasn't sure how far he had gone until he had to halt to see a fork in the road or a fork in the stream. The one direction went off which would be smoother without rain and the other, well he already knew. Out of instinct he ran for the rapids, but was called out.
"No she's not down there!" cried The Lorax. He pointed to the other way where he had intended for the human to go years before.
On the other side of the usually calm bank were most of the animals hurrying down. Melvin, whom The Once-ler had barely seen for a long time, was galloping so madly The Once-ler could've sworn he saw foam at the corners of his mouth. The Lorax looked around desperately for find a way across and made a sharp turn to the little bridge with Pipsqueak. The Once-ler didn't.
Oh no. He took a risky move and crawled into the river. What had been schloppity-schlop up his hips was now at his shoulders. He kept Natalie's head above the surface and plodded his way through the thick floor of the rapids. They weren't too close to them, but yet not too far off either. They were mostly safe unless the waves got over their heads. When on the other side, which hadn't been too far for him to walk, The Once-ler changed positions for his arms by holding Natalie as if she was a baby. Then with the rain becoming more blinding and he could only see the blur of orange as The Lorax was helping with a log. He rolled it slowly down over the ground with hopes it would work to spare Chloe from a tragic fate.
And little Chloe? The area was pushing her against a set of rocks compared to Natalie who had been holding onto it. The impact was too much for a little girl and Chloe wasn't in her comfort zone for swimming. It kept pushing and shoving her with a great force. Then suddenly she went under! The Lorax and the animals dropped the log in despair and then in shock. The Once-ler put Natalie safely down and then made a jump.
"Beanpole no!" The Lorax yelled.
He couldn't stop him. The nasty water surrounded the tall human and he dared to not open his eyes. The river had never been so terrifying in that moment in the darkness, silence and thickness. He knew he wouldn't be able to see. He reached around and kicked frantically until he was sure he felt something. A small shoulder in the curve of his hands! Quickly he pulled the little person he had found forward and then shot up through the surface. The Once-ler coughed and shook his head. He blinked his eyes open and then half walked and half swam to the bank. Poor Chloe was in no better shape as he did. The creatures raced back to the bridge to greet the rescuer and the rescued that he carried.
"Creek!" The Lorax said in joyful relief to see her when he crossed over. "Way to go Beanpole!"
The rain beat against the three figures causing the glop to form streaks of black down their faces. The Once-ler let out a low growl as he passed The Lorax as if it was all his fault. Pipsqueak had tried running up to him, happy to see all three were safe. No. The Once-ler wasn't taking anything from anyone as he stomped his way back to the factory which included bumping his shin into one stump. The truth was The Once-ler wasn't angry at The Lorax. He was angry at himself. A million thoughts raced in his head as he trudged. His main goal for now was to bring Natalie and Chloe back home to get them dry.
Pipsqueak looked at the backside of the human and then back to The Lorax. The Swomee-Swans, Humming-Fish and Bar-ba-loots looked blank aside from the lingering illness and hunger they all had. The Lorax crossed his arms because he was still upset about getting a growl from The Once-ler. Then Melvin's brown eyes looked into green ones with a seriousness a mule could give. The Lorax grunted and sighed.
"Oohhh," he said knowingly. "You're worried about Creek and Brook. Come on. Maybe Beanpole will let us visit."
Then a little crowd of animals went along the valley to catch up. The Swomee-Swans couldn't even fly with some loss of feathers they had from the smoke. Still on they went to check on Creek and Brook. Then again, maybe not Brooke and just see Creek because they saw her more often. The factory's light shined a golden shade in the windows. They went up the balcony and with some strength of the Bar-ba-loots; they pushed the glass door open which had been barely shut. Into the warm building they headed and found the secret door open. The Lorax slid it shut, thinking Beanpole forgot. Melvin went straight to the kitchen and found a box of chips on the counter to snack on and the hungry creatures took samples of cookies from the jar on the counter.
Nearly sliding on the marble floor the poor man trekked upstairs to the girls' room. The moment he entered he carefully sat them up in their Roman style bathtub, clothes still on them and got the hot water running. He didn't care if their outfits got wet; they needed to be washed anyway. The girls were shaking violently from the cold. When The Once-ler watched the water rise he slid his gloves off. His hands weren't touched by the terrible slime. Immediately, he got their shampoo and scrubbed their hair. He grunted in disgust at the how thick the schlop was as it came off in clumps. The water began to turn from clear to murky.
"Gross," The Once-ler muttered.
"Nasty huh?" came The Lorax from around the corner.
The Once-ler felt too tired in the soul for rebuttal. Chloe slumped farther down and her nose nearly went under. The Once-ler pulled her back up and took a washcloth to wipe both girls' faces. The Lorax stood in the doorway as he watched the slime covered human help his little ones. Pipsqueak peeked on too at his friends.
"Beanpole?" The Lorax said after a long pause. No reply except the water's continuous running spoke back. "Beanpole! You may want to go clean up yourself. You'll get sick if you don't."
"I'm fine," The Once-ler said sourly.
"Trust me you need to get out of that stuff. Look at how the Humming-Fish are!"
The Humming-Fish had schloppity-schlop running and sticking on their scales. They spluttered from their gummed up gills and hugged themselves. The Once-ler pursed his lips and pushed the warning aside. He had bigger concerns than himself. Then the worst had to happen.
"Oncie!" called Isabella from the bottom of the stairs. "The meeting's in ten minutes! Don't be late! You know your old mule is in here too?"
"Seriously?" said The Once-ler in exasperation. "What? It can't be now! It can't be!"
"I can stay here if you want," said The Lorax. "We'll help them get clean."
All of the eyes of the forest creatures brightened a little and The Humming-Fish jumped into the bathtub. The Swomee-chicks did too and splashed their wings. It may have been a little hot for their liking, but it felt better than outside. Pipsqueak crawled to the tub's edge and patted Chloe's head. The Once-ler was ready to protest, but The Lorax held up a hand.
"Go already meathead," said The Lorax. "At least get that schlop off of you!"
"Just don't make a mess," hissed The Once-ler who for once listened to the guardian. He paused to see the sickly animals and heaved a sigh. "You can swim in the pool downstairs," he added.
Quickly, he dodged out of the room and through the little crowds of animals. He hurried with a shower and put on fresh clothes. He wore a spare suit and rushed to the meeting while tugging on some gloves. Isabella stood impatiently with the PR team's head honchos. Jeffrey Tompkins, Eric Findow and Ichabod McPherson, all men with thick mustaches and round rim glasses sat around the round table in the meeting room.
"Oncie you're late," said Isabella when she saw him stumble in.
"No need to fret ma'am," said the enthusiastic Mr. Tompkins. "Let's start rolling. So Mr. Once-ler have we got a great idea for you!"
The Once-ler didn't want to be in the green and beige colored room. He sulked in his chair and stared at the large clock on the wall. The sound of Mr. Tompkins, Mr. McPherson and Mr. Findow was so faint he felt like he was the only one in the room. He kept worrying about Natalie and Chloe. Not even ten minutes into the meeting he could no longer bear it and broke. He had every right to call the meeting off and he didn't give a dime for what Isabella would say.
"So we think by adding a new jingle we may bring a new appeal to Thneeds," said Mr. McPherson with such pizzazz.
"I'm sorry," The Once-ler said.
"Pardon?" asked Mr. Findow and he stroked his blond mustache. "You do not like the idea?"
"Oh, but Mr. Once-ler I know your old jingle is personal to you," said Mr. McPherson. "Trust us though when we say it's good to have change and we-"
"Oncie think of what the jingle could-" interrupted Isabella to push him into more fame.
"It's not about the stupid jingle," shouted The Once-ler and bolted up. "I can't do this meeting right now. I have something else going on!"
"Oh," said Mr. Findow. "Well we can reschedule if you'd like."
"No rescheduling," said Isabella firmly. "Oncie we have to do this meeting! You can't just stop in the middle of it! What can be more important than this for taking your company further?"
The Once-ler yanked her to the side and whispered. The three men didn't know what was said, but it was an awkward moment having to wait. Isabella only rolled her eyes when the whisper ended.
"You want to help?" she said wryly. "Then stay here! Listen to your mama on this. You'll fail if you don't and you don't want to fail do you?"
"Not this time," said The Once-ler slowly, but surely.
"You're staying here Oncie!" Isabella raised her voice. "You run this company! You can't leave this meeting! I forbid it!"
"I'm not a kid," said her son sternly. "I can do whatever I want!"
"If it's really an issue we can-" began Mr. McPherson.
"It is!" yelled The Once-ler. "Something serious has come up! I have to go!"
"I've supported you too much to let you ignore this," hissed Isabella. "Do you want to cause this heartbreak to your mama?" She put her hands over heart as if it'd break.
"Yes," said The Once-ler bluntly.
"How could you do this to me?" cried Isabella. "Oh Oncie! I expect more from you!"
"Just stop it Mom!"
The Once-ler headed for the door, but Isabella grabbed his wrist. She glared at him, but her son shook her off. Isabella dashed in front of him to block him and was eye-level with his furrowed blue orbs.
"I don't care how old you are or if you are in charge," she said. "You're still responsible! If you walk out of here then-"
"Dad?"
A meek voice spoke. All five sets of eyes widened and found the direction of where it came from. Then standing in the wide doorway, shivering and wet, was Natalie. Her hair was clean, but sticking to her back and she only had her dress slip on. Her left arm was tucked behind her and her right hand clenched.
"The water got too hot," she said in a shivery reply. "Chloe threw up on her dress and then she…threw up on me. And then I threw up."
McPherson, Tompkins and Findow looked stupefied at the little girl. By the color of her eyes and hair it left them in deep amazement of who she possibly was. Isabella looked terrified for a split second, but she recovered and grabbed Natalie's free arm.
"Did I tell you that Oncie's taken in some orphans for a couple of weeks?" she said. She squeezed and released Natalie roughly. "You know for the summer? We meant to bring it up."
"Natalie," whispered The Once-ler sympathetically. While his mother tried to cover up his child's identity he stooped down and draped his expensive green coat over her. His gloves stayed on his arms and he lifted her up with a sad sigh. "Poor baby."
"Sir?" asked Mr. Tompkins in shock.
"If you give word out of this you'll all be fired," said The Once-ler who flashed his eyes threateningly at them. "Now if you'll excuse me, she's sick and needs me."
"Oncie!" yelled Isabella in anger. "Ignore her! She's just acting spoiled! On-Oncie!"
Her son didn't listen this time. He just hugged his cold and frightened child. Natalie kept her right hand clinging to his shirt. She blocked out the image of Isabella from holding her and tried to not worry about being in trouble. She knew she was to never, ever, ever to interrupt her father when he was at work, but she felt helpless with Chloe.
Natalie had awoken around the time The Once-ler headed off to the meeting. The moment her eyes opened, Chloe had accidentally vomited on her blouse and skirt. Natalie had felt queasy after being used as a puke bucket and threw up on herself in disgust. The Lorax and Humming-Fish had just been as disgusted. So Natalie got out and shed out of her messy clothes save for the dress slip. Pipsqueak had followed her out to the stairs where she stood wondering what to do. She had felt extra small and afraid after the day.
"Dad," she thought tearfully. "I want Dad."
Then making a brave choice and a smart one none the less, she went out and slowly made her way to the meeting room where she heard the voices. She felt weak and sore all over, like she had just been flung into a brick wall like characters in Chloe's favorite show. She didn't feel so afraid anymore as she was in her father's arms. She was glad he had come with her and so was he.
The Once-ler went back home and put Natalie on her bed. He kissed her damp, but clean head and then found poor Chloe slumped far in the tub with the Humming-Fish out after her vomiting incident. The Lorax had a washcloth and was wiping around her mouth.
"She's must've had somethin' bad for her tummy," he said seeing Beanpole. "I sent the rest downstairs in case you didn't notice."
"Chloe," the child's father whispered sadly. "Oh this is a bad day."
He checked to see she was scrubbed over from the schlop and then he pulled her out. Grey water spilled from her dress and puddled into her socks. Her father tried getting her to stand, but she only sunk to her knees. The Once-ler took a Thneed towel and wrapped her up in it. Chloe's eyes didn't open. Not even when she was changed into pajamas and tucked in her bed.
"Is she sick?" asked Natalie.
"She's just tired Sweetie," said The Once-ler who didn't want her scared. "You both need to rest."
"It's not bedtime yet," thought Natalie. She still shivered and tugged at the coat of emerald around her.
"Natty I'll be right back," said The Once-ler. "I'll get dinner for us."
"Not hungry," murmured Natalie. She rubbed her left arm and it wasn't unnoticed.
"Did you hurt your arm in the river?" asked The Once-ler.
"No," she lied. "It's nothing. Actually I'm hungry, can we eat?"
The Once-ler didn't totally believe her, but went off to get something for them. He put some canned soup on the stove and hesitated with place settings. He wasn't sure if he should grab four or three bowls. Then he looked out the window. Marie wasn't home and he felt doubt in him. After what happened that day, he was having second thoughts of what she would do. What if she didn't come home?
"It wouldn't hurt to put a bowl out for her," he thought. "Heh, you never know."
He did leave one out after all and also put a few plates of mixed vegetables out for his guests. Melvin ate five ripe apples left for him and felt a little soft when his master gave him a pat on the muzzle. Carrying a tray, The Once-ler came back to find Natalie in her pajamas and on her stepstool. She was watching her reflection and looked worried. With her was a washcloth, a clean one on her arm, and she was rubbing it.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Nothing," gasped Natalie. She hid it behind her back.
"What's wrong with your arm?"
"Nothing Dad!" Natalie sidestepped out of the bathroom and jumped into her bed. "I bet Chloe's hungry!"
It wasn't true. Chloe, who always seemed to be hungry, didn't want to eat. She lay in her cot and pulled the downy covers over her head. Natalie ate her bowl full with her free hand and balanced it in her lap. The Once-ler forgot about eating as he sat on the floor next to Chloe. He felt concerned in that she didn't want to eat. He was distracted when he noticed Natalie nearly dropped the bowl when she should've used two hands to put it away.
"Natalie," he said. When she looked at him innocently he pointed to her limb. "Let me see your arm."
"No," she said and dove into the sheets. "Nothing's wrong! You can't make me!"
"Natalie." The covers were flung off of her and she was exposed from her position.
The tone and eyes said enough to make Natalie obey. She sat up and pulled out her arm. Her creamy colored limb had a bruise of red. The Once-ler knelt down and gently held it in dismay. He was baffled at how Natalie could get such a mark.
"Where did you get this?" he asked. Natalie didn't answer. "How did you get this?"
"I don't know," whispered Natalie. The usually brave and sometimes bossy child looked timid.
"Natalie, tell me how you got this," said her father firmly.
"Nobody gave it to me," she said. It gave enough of a hint.
"Nobody?" The Once-ler felt an anger boil deep in his soul. "Who gave you this?"
Natalie trembled and shook her head. She mumbled something with a hand over her mouth.
"Natalie Viola!" commanded her father.
"Grizelda did!" shouted Natalie in frustration. "She did it! Isabella got mad at me and Grizelda took hold of me!"
The Once-ler had a look his mother never had. A look of fright and fury split on his face. Then as The Once-ler thought of his great-aunt grabbing hold of Natalie with one of her strong hands, the fright increased to more fury until that was all he had.
"I didn't do anything wrong!" cried Natalie and her face turned red. "It wasn't my fault!"
"That old battleax," The Once-ler muttered and suddenly took her up. "She thinks she can get away with this?!"
"It's not my fault," shouted Natalie desperately. "Dad! It's hers! Not mine!"
In the kitchen where the phone was hooked into the wall Natalie watched her dad dial rapidly. He balanced the ear piece into his neck and hitched her up in his grip when she started to slip. It occurred to him that she wasn't as small as she used to be. She heard the ringing once, twice…then finally came a voice.
"Hello?" came a gravelly voice.
"What were you thinking on hurting Natalie?" demanded The Once-ler.
"She got fresh and Isabella told me to discipline her," said Grizelda. "She ran away after I did."
"You do that again I'll fire you!" said The Once-ler with his voice building up to a fiery crescendo. "You don't ever lay a hand on either of the girls! Never!"
Natalie felt fearful hearing his angry voice. She noted that his fist clenched harder over the phone, his nostrils flared, and his eyes got so big she thought he would be able to see through walls. Then he slammed the phone down and went outside to the hallway.
"Mom!" he yelled. "Mom!"
She was gone. McPherson, Findow and Tompkins were gone too. With a terrible frown he took Natalie back inside and put her down on the counter. He fixed up an icepack and by then he settled down. Gently he put it over her bruise and carried her back up. Natalie was placed back on her bed and The Once-ler propped his wadded coat under her arm.
"Am I in trouble?" she asked.
"You're not in trouble," said The Once-ler. "If you tell me what you were doing outside in a rain storm?"
"Running away," said Natalie who didn't want to get on her dad's bad side like Isabella and Grizelda already were.
"Why?" he asked.
"I got mad and didn't want to stay."
"Do you know why Chloe was in the river?"
"She's always playing outside. Sometimes she walks by the it, but she doesn't swim. Then she comes inside with shoes all dirty and muddy." Natalie added the last part with some bitterness. "I didn't mean to fall in. Stupid bridge was too slippery."
"You're-you're safe now," said The Once-ler. "That's all that matters. Keep that icepack on a little longer." He kissed her forehead and picked up all the towels and wet clothes from the girls to put in the hamper.
"When's Mom coming home?" asked Natalie hesitantly.
"I don't know," said The Once-ler meekly. "Just stay in your bed." He noticed Chloe's cheeks were brightening and put a hand over her face. He could feel the heat seep in his gloves. "Where does Marie keep the thermometer?"
"In the kitchen, first drawer on the left," said Natalie stiffly. She wasn't going to say were the icky, yucky medicine was though!
She watched him leave and waited impatiently. She looked at the windows of stained glass and heard the rain clink against them. She heard footsteps again and The Once-ler came back with the thermometer and cups of water balanced between his arm and stomach. He put the thermometer in Chloe's mouth and sat on the rocking chair.
"Where's the fluff ball?" Natalie asked.
"You mean Mustache?" asked The Once-ler. He resisted a laugh at his offspring's nickname for The Lorax.
"Yeah," said Natalie bluntly. "Him."
"They're downstairs," he said. "They won't come up and bother you."
"Dumb animals," thought Natalie.
Chloe's temperature was at ninety-nine, so The Once-ler dismissed it that she was still warm from the bathwater. Natalie took the icepack off and turned over to sleep. Her father turned the lights off and sat back in the rocking chair. Then to his surprise, Natalie got up and went to a corner where she switched the nightlight he made long ago for their nursery in the cottage. Flowers danced on the walls from the illuminating light.
"Chloe doesn't like the dark," said Natalie and clambered back in her daybed. She tossed his coat out to him before turning over.
The Once-ler slipped it back on despite it being wrinkly. Then sitting back he felt his mind swim in waters so deep of horrors and possible nightmares he'd have if he shut his eyes. Images of Natalie and Chloe drowning kept coming back and he felt terrible guilt knowing that the horrible river, so polluted was his fault.
Chloe whimpered and he got up. She felt hotter. Not knowing what to do, he put the thermometer back in her lips. The second time it had three numbers that made him nervous; one, zero, one. The Once-ler got her little Thneed, the one he made for her before she was born, out of their little cabinet and soaked it with cold water. Carefully he patted her face and draped it over her head. He was puzzled at how her temperature had gotten high so fast and not to mention she hadn't eaten or drank.
"If she gets any worse…" he thought. "I'll hate myself."
The Once-ler felt so tired and overworked. Stress from the fight, nearly fatal incident and his mother whirled around and back. He looked up at the ceiling and thought of the huge factory he had put his mind to and how he compared it to an animal trying to survive. All his social events, meetings and work nights returned like shadows. He gazed at the dim figures of his daughters. He had been working more often than simply speaking to them. All the richness he had earned, success and fame seemed…evil when he thought it over. A near panic attack came to his heart and he trembled.
"What have I done?" he thought. "Oh, what have I done? I've ruined them!"
He couldn't see the trees in the dark, but he knew, he had always known they were decreasing! There were so few left, perhaps only a dozen standing forlorn in the valley. The Lorax had been right about so many things. He wasn't the man he used to be. What had he done to himself? If he looked at his reflection right there he still would've wondered. He was far gone from the happy and optimistic person he was when he first showed up. No wonder Marie wanted it to end. She had to live with him as did the girls and all the valley's inhabitants. Those girls could've, yes, could've died not just from the river, but from the condition of it. If they still had bacteria lurking deep in their bodies after their ordeal, then they'd get sick and be in the same state as The Humming-Fish.
Then Marie jumped back to his thoughts. He had been treating fame as if it was his true love, but it wasn't. Marie was his true love. Natalie and Chloe were more important than all those press conferences, meetings and social events. All that talk of working harder to give them the best wasn't what they needed. They needed him to be there. That's all they had needed and wanted. He had deprived himself from them. All the things he did; the charity stunt, buying things to replace him, the inventions to destroy trees and listening to his mother! As soon as dawn broke he would make her leave. She didn't belong with his side.
He wouldn't take it anymore. No more. No more of it! He didn't want to be what he was anymore. His own factory's design had nearly taken what he already had! That had to change. It would start with turning down his mother and changing Thneeds Inc. for good! His family couldn't live the way they were anymore. He'd give up his career if he had to. He could always find something else if he had to or find a better way to make Thneeds. He wasn't his mother's puppet. He lived for only three people again.
The Once-ler was gone…
He breathed deeply and stared back out of the stained glass. He was too out of touch of his senses as he remembered the horrifying thoughts of Chloe and Natalie's previous state. He was so far from reality that he didn't hear a bed creak or little footsteps patter. Then he was yanked back when he found Natalie crawling up into his lap and burying her head into his chest. She rested as if she was a baby in his arms and Once-ler brushed the strands of her thin waves out of her face. Once-ler held Natalie close as the night slowly progressed. Her face was pale and cool. Her snores rumbled in her throat reminding him of Edwin's purring. Holding her that way reminded him of when she was a baby. Back when things were much more simple and uplifting.
He never thought he'd miss the cottage. He suddenly wished he was there; there when the grass was green, water so pure and skies so blue. It seemed more warm and inviting than the factory. Even the small and rickety bed that creaked and was bent sounded better than the California king-sized mattress in his room. It would be even better if Marie was there with them. Then a disquieting thought broke.
What if Marie did leave him? She might've had enough and hit the road. Once-ler hoped with all his heart that she wouldn't. He would never find anyone like her in his life as a friend or better half. No woman with an exact pear-shape, thick thighs, and long legged figure could be as beautiful as her or have as deep of blue eyes. Nobody could have such a kindness, encouragement, loyalty or patience to a friend like she had for years with him. Then when he thought it over, he felt some reassurance. Marie wouldn't leave. She's come back; she always did. Eventually it'd be like that dance when he found her hiding in the janitor's closet after a close encounter with danger and she tackled him with a hug.
Hopefully… As of now, much to his unawareness, she was off in Thneedville Plaza with Betsy.
Darkness faded and grew brighter. A ray of sunshine awoke him and his sight was blurry after a long night. Once-ler felt his back pop at straightening out thanks to the position of sleeping in a rocking chair. He stretched his arms out with a grunt from holding Natalie. The little girl still slept and twisted around so that her hair made a waterfall over the armrest. Once-ler put her back in her bed and stumbled to Chloe. She was flushed and still hot so he pulled her covers down a bit. Out of the attending, he heard footsteps.
"Marie?" he called with some happiness.
Instead it was Edwin. The tuxedo cat wrapped his way around the doorframe and then around Once-ler's long ankles. He sighed in disappointment.
"You're not Marie," he said.
Edwin meowed and then flopped against the floor to stretch. Once-ler shook his head and mentally prepared himself for the day. It'd be the start of a new beginning. All the animals, including The Lorax were stretched out in the living room. Once-ler shrugged off the fact that there was fur, schlop and feathers stuck in the carpet. He made himself busy with pancakes, something he hadn't made in a long time.
"As soon as Chloe gets up she'll come running for breakfast and Natalie will take two helpings like usual," he thought.
He overheard someone coming down and into the kitchen. To his shock Natalie had rushed in and was hugging his legs. She buried her face into his apron.
"Morning," said Once-ler to his eldest. "Is Chloe coming too?"
Natalie shook her head and kept a watchful eye out for Grizelda or Isabella. She felt afraid after what had happened. Yesterday had been a huge realization to her; she couldn't handle everything. She had needed her dad's rescuing when she was in trouble and for so long she thought she could do anything. She wasn't as grown-up as she thought she was.
"You still like plain pancakes right?" asked Once-ler. He felt unsure of what changes had happened with him always gone early and being late.
"Yeah," said Natalie softly. "Is Isabella here?"
"No Cutie. She's not here. Nobody's here yet, it's too early. In fact-could you get some paper please?"
"Why?"
"You'll see."
Moments later, Natalie came back with some blank sheets from the playroom. Once-ler found a black marker in the junk drawer and scribbled out a note with his signature. After turning the heat down on the stove he went outside. He had written a notice that the factory was closed for the day and there'd be something else happening later on. Natalie sat at the table and practiced her writing, hoping it would be as lovely as her dad's. When he came back she clung to him again.
"Natalie can you sit until breakfast is ready?" he asked. It was hard to work against a stove with a child in front of it.
"I don't want to," she pouted.
Once-ler sighed and shuffled around the stove with the flipping of the batter. When done he sat with Natalie and ate slowly. He had at least two major things to do for the day and it would take no small amount of courage. It would take much! It would've been nice to hear Marie's encouragement for the upcoming moment, but Once-ler knew he was alone in it.
Natalie said nothing and ate her portions. All that bothered her was that Chloe wasn't with her. She rubbed her eyes when done and took her plate to the sink. She scrubbed it and her fork then put it in the emptied dishwasher.
"So if Mom's not here," she said with her hands on her hips. "Who's going to look after us? If its Brett and Chet I'll stay in my room. I don't want to try playing airplane or be called Sprinkles again."
"You're staying with me," said Once-ler and put a fresh stack of pancakes on for Chloe. "I've got only two things to do today. Now be my little helper and take this to your sister."
Natalie marched up to give her sister breakfast. Chloe though was deep in sleep. She was like a bump on a log with her sheets twisted around her from her constant tossing. Natalie put the plate on the little table that had her tea set.
"You better get up," she said. "Dad actually made us breakfast! Pancakes; my favorite."
When Chloe didn't listen, her eldest sibling rolled her eyes. With a shrug Natalie came into the master bedroom where Once-ler was putting on a pressed tie. She sat on the loveseat and watched. His usual routine followed of checking his face for any facial hair and if any found, he buzzed it off. Seeing nothing, he sprayed some cologne on his wrists and neck.
"So what are you doing for today?" asked Natalie.
"I'm still thinking about it," said Once-ler as he brushed his hair.
When he was done he got a fresh coat, which he had many for his signature look, and motioned for Natalie to stay close. She eagerly followed. The factory hadn't opened yet, in fact it was not around the time the twins would awaken.
Knowing he also had a sign plastered to the entrance; Once-ler wasn't worried about anyone seeing Natalie come with him. The girl kept up with his pace and then laced her hand in his gloved one. It had become a habit to wear the elbow length accessory. Playfully he lifted her up with a grunt so she swung from his grip. She smiled and went to clasping his wrist for the next time.
"So why am I coming with you?" she asked before he swung one of the red doors ajar.
"It's take your firstborn to work day," said Once-ler.
He sat at his desk and pushed aside the maps of Truffula Valley. He took a spare sheet of paper and a fountain pen when he began writing. Natalie looked out the window at the dying valley. When that bored her she peeked over Once-ler's elbow to see what he was writing. She couldn't tell what he was saying. For one, his penmanship was too sophisticated for her though she admired it. Secondly, he was using words she didn't comprehend.
"What's that for?" she asked.
"It's a speech," replied Once-ler.
"What are you going to tell them?" questioned Natalie as she scratched her head. "Are you making special Thneeds again?"
"No," sighed Once-ler. "I don't know what's going to happen with Thneeds really."
Natalie twirled her hair at his sigh. It sounded off for Once-ler to not know the future of Thneeds. It almost made Natalie feel twice as afraid. She had been petrified enough from the previous night, now she had to worry about losing their house?
"Are we going to lose our house?" she asked. She pinched his sleeve nervously.
"We're not losing our house," said Once-ler reassuringly. He smacked the paper's end against the wood when finished. "I'm taking this company to a whole new direction."
"Ooh!" Natalie jumped and gasped. "Are you going to make Thneeds that are green?"
"Maybe," chuckled Once-ler.
"Are you going to make us more rich if you do?"
"We'll see how it goes Hummingbird."
Down the hall back to home they went, hearing nothing except the clunk of boots of an adult and pitter of a child's bare feet. After checking Chloe again, Once-ler sat in the living room and thought over what he wrote. Natalie was in her playroom and gathered a bag of marbles and Tiddlywinks. Then she checked on Chloe again who moved around while she held her stomach.
"Chloe," said Natalie. "Guess what? Dad's not working today. You want to play Marbles? I'll let you go first if you get up!" Then came a zero response save for a twitch at Chloe's eyelid. "Tiddlywinks? I won't get mad if you win. I'll play whatever you want, but you have to get out of bed!"
"Natty!" called Once-ler. "Can you come down here please?"
"Morning," said The Lorax after he called. "How are Brook and Creek?"
"Broo-Natalie is fine," said Once-ler. "Chloe must've had a hard night. She didn't get up yet."
"You sure she's not sick?" asked The Lorax. "I know what a hard night is. I had one! That floor feels awful!"
"Dad can you get C up please?" asked Natalie when she headed down. "She's acting like Melvin and she keeps holding her stomach."
"Alright I'll go check on her again," said Once-ler. "Can you take a huge bowl and fill it with marshmallows for me please?"
"You'll get sick," said Natalie.
"They're for our guests," said Once-ler.
Natalie griped, but obeyed. The Lorax seemed happy to see her in a good condition at least.
"You look great Brook," he said. "We were worried you wouldn't make it."
"We?" she asked as she dumped the bag of marshmallows in the mixing bowl.
"Sure. Pipsqueak, Melvin-"
"Here's your breakfast," sighed a frustrated Natalie. "Don't bother me today or Dad okay?"
"What?" The Lorax was surprised by her order.
"Don't talk to Dad and tell him about trees. I'm talking to him today! He's my Dad!"
"Alright, alright," breathed The Lorax and dragged the bowl back to the pool room where some were swimming at the moment. "No need to get huffy about it!"
"Augh!"
Two heads locked to the voice. Natalie came back up and found Once-ler pulling Chloe out of her cot. Her eyes were half open and her mouth agape. Natalie was repulsed to see Chloe had vomited again all over her sheet and jammies.
"Natalie, get some pajamas for her," said Once-ler and he dragged Chloe to the bathroom to clean her.
Natalie brightened and got out one of her pajamas which were too frilly to her twin's taste. Once-ler laid Chloe down on the bathmat and tore the bedclothes off for the laundry. In his closet he got a new bedspread just in case she did it again and only put the new comforter down with the cuddle blanket as a mattress cover. When Chloe was cleaned and redressed she was put back in.
Natalie witnessed a new progression of her father as he ran around looking for medicine, a bucket, and cups of water. Chloe's fever hadn't faded and she whimpered every few minutes. Natalie wasn't as worried. She just felt lonesome without her sister at her side. Chloe had been sick before and so had she. She'd be better and then she'd stuff her face like always.
"Chloe come on," encouraged Once-ler as he pushed a spoon to her mouth. "You have to take it." The sticky purple syrup slipped between her lips and down her chin.
Chloe groaned, but swallowed. Then she slumped forward and Natalie pushed her up.
"You don't want to get a bump like a camel," she instructed.
Once-ler was anxious with his youngest being out of shape. Marie hadn't come home, Chloe was knee-deep in sickness, his plan seemed foiled for the day and his conscience was still spinning. At least Natalie was helping. She was becoming his source of courage.
"What's the second thing you were going to do?" asked Natalie.
"I'll do it later," said Once-ler. "Let's make sure Chloe's okay first."
The Lorax poked his head in during the attempts of curing. By then it was noon and Marie was taking Betsy up to their temporary room so she could rest. In the mean time, the poor little girl was limp and aching. Once-ler grew worried. She was trembling a little like The Humming-Fish did from the river and she looked as queasy as The Bar-ba-loots. He hoped she was stronger than the animals were and she'd overcome if she had anything.
"You want any help?" The Lorax asked.
"No thanks," said Once-ler who felt ashamed of not listening to him before.
"I'll stay with her all day," offered The Lorax. "I can take care of a Bar-ba-loot cub, how's she any different?"
"She's a person," snapped Once-ler. "She's a person! No matter how small she is, she's a person and she doesn't need help!"
"What about your other thing?" asked Natalie who had begun to brush Chloe's hair.
"Just…" Once-ler rubbed his faced down. He sighed a long sigh. "Alright, Mustache if you want to help, just sit here and hold the bucket for her."
The Lorax sat in the rocking chair that was pulled up to Chloe's side. He held the bucket in his arms and Natalie wondered if he knew what he was doing. He had to hold it if Chloe erupted again and that was not a pleasant job. She was relieved from duty and went away only to push around Chloe's little skateboard, a new toy and future hit for kids.
Once-ler sat on the floor feeling helpless with Chloe. The Lorax felt awkward with the stillness and even more when the animals, a few by few, peeked in. Pipsqueak came in and rubbed his paws seeing her.
"So…Creek's a brave kid," said The Lorax after a few minutes.
Once-ler ran his hand over his hair and shakily exhaled. The Lorax gave a small smile and continued.
"She took Melvin yesterday and started ridin' him. She was doin' great. She said she'd give Pip a ride, but uh…" He noticed Once-ler's eyes burn into him in anticipation. "Uh, she got off him and led him over the bridge. That's when the storm broke out and she got spooked. Melvin got spooked too and Creek didn't know what to do. I was on the other side and called for her to not panic. Funny thing though; she panicked. She started sobbin' sayin' she wanted Waterfall and you. Then I heard Brook scream and I found her at that rock. Poor kid. I know she hates nature like you."
"Anyway Pip saw Creek try to swim across, but as you know that river's dangerous. I guess it was too dark for her to try walking back and she went for the next thing. Good thing I found you. I knew a boulder couldn't save them. That was brave of you to jump after them Beanpole. You've done good."
"Good?" swallowed Once-ler. "I'm not good."
"Maybe not to the trees, but you are for Creek and Brook."
"It's my fault," said Once-ler and The Lorax was amazed to see his eyes water. "I ruined the river and it's worse. It was worse than before. They could've been killed." Pipsqueak caressed Once-ler's leg to comfort him. "All I wanted was to protect them; instead they nearly drowned in my mess. I-I-I failed them and I never wanted to do that. Never! And now, I may have lost Marie forever."
"Ahhh come on," comforted The Lorax. "Waterfall likes you too much. And listen to me Beanpole; you didn't fail Brook and Creek. You saved them. That's not failin'. That's doin' the right thing. Failin' would've been leavin' them there!"
"You were right," said Once-ler quietly. "You were right about everything. The trees, the smog, the river, everything! I should've seen it sooner and all of this could've been prevented." He looked sincerely to The Lorax. "I'm sorry."
"I can tell, but there may be some hope yet if you feel that way."
"How Mustache? There's barely any trees out there."
"If they give seeds then…" The Lorax waited for him to catch on.
Once-ler turned away in despair for he had no optimism as he sat there wallowing in sorrow. It'd have to take a miracle to save the destructed valley. Pipsqueak cuddled up to him and Once-ler stroked his head. In a way it was an apology for using him that one time, but Pipsqueak didn't seem to be grudging about it. Then something caught his blurred sight.
"Beanpole?" The Lorax leaned in his seat to see Once-ler go down and crawl army style to Natalie's bed.
He reached a long arm and felt something like glass. He pulled, or more like rolled as it was round, and it was a huge jar. An old jellybean jar with a screw on lid and instead of colored candy it was a shock. Three pairs of eyes, green, brown, and blue widened.
Seeds! A jar full of seeds! There must've been hundreds! All brown with a swirl design on the side!
"You've got to be kiddin' me?" gasped The Lorax and he dropped the bucket. A long pause of uncertainty followed. Then out of nowhere…
"Natalie!" laughed Once-ler and he joyfully dashed out with the jar. "Sweetie! Come here!"