The morning started out as usual, Glynda woke up and got ready, her usual pencil skirt and blouse with the half cape. But little Jaune got to wear a nice yellow onesie little pants and socks. She couldn't help herself as she pulled out her scroll and took a picture of him; he was simply too cute to not. Pulling on the sling she slid Jaune in, she didn't care for strollers and was more than strong enough to carry her son. Finally she pulled on his diaper bag and grabbed her wallet ready for the day.
Exiting and locking her apartment she made her way to the car Ozpin had sent. He was very kind, having hired a driver for her and Jaune. She had said she could use the bus like normal citizens yet Oz had said it was no trouble, and the bus could sometimes be a little late or early throwing off her entire schedule. Despite further protest the headmaster had insisted and she had thankfully accepted.
Getting into the car the driver, a elderly man with gray hair, a wrinkled face and circular glasses, turned to her and smiled.
"Good morning Miss Goodwitch," he said in a smooth and kind voice, "My name is Eren Blue and I have been hired to be your driver for the foreseeable future. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Glynda smiles
"The pleasure is all mine Mr Blue. this is my son Jaune." she says pulling back the sling letting Jaune see the man.
"A pleasure Mr Goodwitch," he says with a smile, "I'm sure he shall find the car seat next to you most comfortable ma'am."
Looking over Glynda saw the carseat all prepared and she took Jaune out of his sling before settling him in it. He didn't appreciate it and grunted and whined at the restriction.
"Where to ma'am?" Eren asked looking back to the road, she gave him the location of the daycare she had gotten Jaune into. A nice place with stunning reviews called Nursery land. A stupid name if she was honest but that didn't matter as long as her son was receiving the best care Lien could buy.
Soothing Jaune as they drove she had brought his stuffed Tiger and played with him the entire trip. But nothing in her life had prepared her for the sudden and gut wrenching feeling she had when the car stopped in front of the brightly colored and childish looking building.
"Miss Goodwitch?" Eren said, snapping her out of her daze.
"Hmm, yes?"
"Do you have a schedule to keep to?" he says politely.
"Yes of course, forgive me." she says reaching and unbuckling Jaune, "Sorry, I was just lost in thought for a second."
"Of course ma'am" he replies with a kind smile.
Picking up Jaune, Glynda walked to the front door, a few more parents and children entering around her. Stopping for a second in front of the door her heart rate quickens, as if she was stepping into a brightly colored, cartoon and balloon painted walls Grimm nest.
"First time?" a voice suddenly calls out behind her, startled Glynda turns coming face to face with a pretty young tanned brunette.
"... Yes," she says hesitantly, all this felt so wrong to her, a woman who faced down literal monsters struggling to enter a children's daycare. But despite all her training, knowledge, and instinct, her arms wrapped a little tighter around Jaune.
"I get how you feel." She says with a sweet smile, one hand holding onto a most likely five year old, the other reaching to Glynda for a handshake, "My name is Sepia Bruin, this is my daughter Morada"
Taking her hand Glynda gives a nod
"Glynda Goodwitch, this is my Son Jaune."
"Aww how adorable, Mora, look at him!" the woman gushes, Glynda bends down to show the small girl her baby.
"Aww it's a baby!" the little girl excitedly says looking at Jaune's face "he has a tiny head!" she giggles. Glynda smiles, he did have a small head, but a very cute small head.
"How old?" Sepia asks
"A little over two months."
"How precious." she replies with a squeal, "such cute blue eyes aww and pretty blond hair! I would assume he gets that from you no doubt, are the eyes from his father?"
"Adopted… actually." Glynda replies a little awkwardly.
"Oh I see, well I could barely even tell! What a perfect match!"
Glynda thought about it, and nodded, despite his heritage the two look like they were blood related.
"Anyways, shall we go in? I know how it feels, you don't wanna give up your little baby to the hands of basically strangers, but don't worry I've been coming here for years."
Glynda felt a little better, but no amount of screening she could do could ensure all the staff was safe for her baby. Sepia took her hand, she felt like a child but let the younger woman lead her into the main lobby.
The Lobby walls were brightly colored and filled with fun murals of classic children's story characters. Honestly it was a very inviting lobby, and looking around, a few classrooms could be seen for the different age groups. Employees could be seen leading children and talking to parents, they all had the same uniform, blue jeans with a red shirt, a large green apron full of pockets. They looked kind enough and from her research this facility really did have glowing reviews… but it still felt wrong.
"Now I would go over to that desk," Sepia says pointing to the right with a desk marked 2-12 months. Nodding Glynda once again allows Sepia to lead her. "I know this all feels a bit scary, but I promise you, as a mother who's left my little girl in their care for 4 years it will all be okay." her hand comes comfortingly to rest on Glynda's shoulder and she gives her a caring smile.
"Thanks," she says, returning the smile "It means a lot."
Sepia laughs, and waves her off
"Don't even worry about it, all parents have a hard time dropping their kids off for the first time. I'm gonna go drop off Morada, but I'll be right back to check on you. Say goodbye to Mrs. Goodwitch Mora."
"Bye bye Mrs Goodwitch." the little girl says with a wave
"But i'm not marr-" she starts, but the two girls had already walked away. With a shrug, she walks to the counter. Where a woman whose name tag read Cyan, a rather short and portly, but cheerful and bubbly woman sat typing on a terminal.
"Hello," she said, approaching the woman.
"HHHELLLOOOO!!!!" The woman basically shouted happily, "My name is Cyan, I'm the head of the 2-12 month old nursery here at Nursery Land, how may I assist you!"
"... My name is Glynda Goodwitch, my son was signed up here."
Her billion watt smile not once leaving her face as she quickly turned to her terminal typing and mumbling Glynda's last name.
"AH yes of course! Little Jaune! And where is the little guy?"
Glynda hesitantly pulls him from his sling. Cradling her baby.
"Oh my what a cute little boy! Of course I must ask if you have the appropriate paperwork for him?"
Still holding Jaune, Glynda uses her semblance and retrieves the papers from her bag.
"Oh my! You're a huntress aren't you! Well lucky for you we have some discounts for hunters and huntresses! YAY!"
Unable to resist the woman's energy, Glynda also smiles. Looking over the paperwork Cyan mouths the words as she reads. With another smile she looks back to Glynda
"Looks like everything's in order. Don't worry ma'am you can depend on our staff here to watch over your child."
"I certainly hope so." she replies with a bit more threatening tone than she intended.
"O-of course. Our staff here is made up of only the best in our field of child care. I assure you ma'am it would take the entire Atlas military to even begin to threaten him here." Cyan says a little timidly, "I personally promise you son will be well taken care of and safe here."
"T-thank you." Glynda says, biting her lip. Pulling Jaune up to her face she looks into his happy little eyes and his sharp little smile. She grins and coos at him before planting a firm kiss on his forehead making him giggle. "Mummy loves you." she whispers.
She could feel it in her soul as a staff member gently took Jaune from her arms and took him into the 2-12 month room. After discussing with Cyan the final details of that evening's pick up, she turned her lip still tightly between her teeth as she came face to face with Sepia again. An understanding look came across the young woman's face.
"How did it go?" she asks softly
"O-okay." she replies, mentally kicking herself for the tremble in her voice. She was Glynda Goodwitch the Witch of Vale. Feared huntress across Sanus, yet she felt weak leaving her Son with highly trained professionals.
Sepia wraps her arm around Glynda and gives her a side hug.
"Stay strong Mrs Goodwitch, you're already a lot stronger than me. I was sobbing when I first left my Little Mora here. I know what you're thinking, why am I so uncomfortable leaving my baby here with highly trained professionals? I think it's just something us mothers feel instinctually. We wish we could be there for our little ones all day. And yet work calls and we have to answer."
Glynda felt Sepia voiced how she was feeling rather well. It wasn't that she wanted to leave her job, but at the same time she wanted to be around Jaune as much as possible.
"That is a rather well worded explanation of how I feel." Glynda says with a smile.
"If I could Ask Mrs. Goodwitch…"
"Miss actually, I'm not married." Glynda corrected.
"Oh sorry I didn't mean to assume." she says sheepishly
"Don't worry about it,"
"Thanks," Sepia says with a smile "anyways I was wondering, Miss Goodwitch what time you'll be back here to pick up you boy?"
Glynda hesitated for a moment to tell her, but as a huntress she could read people pretty well and decided to place some trust in this woman.
"I shall be returning around 6pm."
"Wonderful me too!" she says excitedly "Maybe if you aren't too tired you'd be interested in a cup of tea and a trip to the park."
Glynda thought about it for a second, she could list the number of friends she had on a singular hand. Most of them work friends. But here came the odd, not to mention rare chance to make a new friend. A fellow mother at that, perhaps she could get some advice from Sepia about raising children.
"I… think I would enjoy that." she says slowly. Sepia smiles brightly
"Then I'll see you at six. Have a good day and try not to focus too much on all this. Our kids will be well looked after."
Glynda gives a nod and smiles. The two women go their separate ways and Glynda enters the car again.
"Did it all go well Miss Goodwitch?"
"Yes Mr Blue." she says with a smile.
"To the bullhead field?"
"Yes thank you."
Driving in silence Glynda only stewed in her feelings. She couldn't help but be angry with herself, what a ridiculous feeling. Like she abandoned her baby. Putting her face in her hands she took a deep breath. He heart throbbed, the moment she got him ran through her head, how she swore she would never leave him. It was just daycare damnit! But it felt like a punch to the gut. A few tears leaked from her eyes. She hated feeling weak like this.
Eren, despite hearing the soft sniffles respectfully kept his silence.
After a surprisingly emotional morning Glynda finally walked the halls of Beacon academy again. It felt good if she was honest. Looking at her watch she mentally noted it was about time for Jaune's second meal of the day. Shaking her head she entered the staff room to a surprise.
"SURPRISE!!!" her colleagues cheered. Stunned, she looked at the welcome back balloons and a cake with 'Welcome back Glenda' on it.
"Sorry about the spelling on the cake." Peach said awkwardly "Peter ordered it."
"It's not my fault your name is spelled strangely!" he argues
"Peter, we've worked with her for how many years now?" Bart scolds
"I know how to spell it, but I ordered it over the scroll! I just forgot to tell the baker it's spelled with a Y not an E!"
"Come now, no need to argue. We should be celebrating our dear friend's return." Ozpin steps in, "Glynda, Welcome back." he smiles
"A bit early for cake, no?" she says with a smirk, "thank you headmaster."
The teachers laugh and greet her, despite the early time everyone enjoys some delightful cake. Of course a lot of questions were asked about her new life as a mother which she gladly answered.
"And I hope your mother found you. Her appearance here yesterday was… stressful." Ozpin mentions.
"What do you mean stressful?" she asks wearily
"She thought we were sent to distract her from finding you." Port says, sharing a look with Oobleck, "She trapped is un illusions and I taught the first part of my lesson to the men's room urinals."
"I was lecturing the empty cafeteria tables…" Ooblecks says sheepishly.
Glynda face palms
"I'll talk to her." she mumbles. Soon the time came to teach her first class. A second year combat class. Looking at her watch it was coming up on Jaune's nap time. She hoped they would get him to sleep or he would never sleep tonight.
"Miss Goodwitch!" a student shouts entering the classroom seeing her stand there.
"Hello Miss Verde." She says with a smile as the girl rushes to her, her teammates and other girls who had gifted her toys for Jaune soon joining.
"Pictures!" a girl shouts out, the others agreeing. "Show us some pictures please!"
"Ladies!" Glynda snaps, "Perhaps after class, but for now I would appreciate it if you took your seats."
The girls look disappointed but obey, and Glynda quickly jumps back into the swing of teaching her class. But after, unable to contain herself she allowed her students to gush over pictures of her little boy. Who if the time was correct would be napping.
Unfortunately the rest of her day went much the same way. Teaching, showing pictures, but most of all worrying about her baby boy.
When 3pm rolled around classes were done for the day, but as a professor she had office hours to attend to, till 5:30 she would remain available to her students. But the moment the clock hit 5:30 she was gone. The trip to the daycare felt like an eternity.
She made idol conversation with Eren, but she could feel her eagerness with each block driven.
Finally they arrived.
Glynda wouldn't say she rushed, but she definitely did. Not a full run of course, but she walked faster than strictly necessary. Entering the building only a few parents were around picking up children. Looking over to the 2-12 month counter a man just finished accepting his child from Cyan. walking up and waiting for him to bid the woman goodbye she steps up to the counter.
"Hello hello!" The excitable woman greets happily, "Miss Goodwitch right?"
Glynda nods half surprised the woman could even remember her. Happily the woman accepts the proper identification to assure Jaune was being released to his mother, not some stranger. After the verification went through Cyan calls another employee to the desk carrying Jaune.
Glynda felt her heart sore seeing her little boy again. The other girl handed her Jaune and she bid Cyan goodbye. Exitting nursery land and waiting by a bench outside Glynda looked her son over just in case there were any injuries she hadn't seen. Relieved when she found none she couldn't help but smile and cuddle the little boy to her chest.
"What did I tell you?" a familiar voice said beside her.
"Miss Bruin." Glynda greets
"Sepia I insist." she says smiling, Morada standing next to her waving at the older woman.
"Very well Sepia, then I insist you call me Glynda. and hello Morada." Glynda says smiling to the little girl, Morada beams and chirps a happy "Hi" of her own.
"Alright then Glynda, now I believe I said something about the park and some tea!"
"THE PARK! THE PARK!" Mora cheers excitedly.
Sitting on the bench Jaune in her arms, Glynda watched as Morada played and ran around the park.
"Enjoy this while you can." Sepia says leaning back stretching her back letting it pop a few times, "one day all they do is cry until you hold them, the next they cry the moment you pick them up. After all, running around causing mischief is far more important than mommy's cuddles."
Looking at his sleeping face Glynda couldn't even think about that. Jaune was a little clingy right now, sure it had its moments where that was a bit tiresome, but she felt it would break her heart the day he didn't even want so much as a hug.
"Well then, I can only hope he never grows tired of my hugs." she replies.
"Speaking of hugs, I can tell today was rough for you." Sepia says with a knowing look. Glynda felt a little called out. Sepia laughs "don't feel embarrassed I was a wreck the first day Mora was in daycare. I must have called the daycare at least 10 times asking how she was!"
"Goodness," Glynda says with a chuckle. "I never called them… but I'll admit I was tempted to."
"And to think I'll have to go through a whole new feeling next week!" she says exasperatedly, "Mora starts kindergarten next week." she explains.
"It can't be much different from daycare can it?" Glynda asks
"You would think so, but the whole new staff has to worry about, not to mention school ends before I finish my shift so her grandma will have to pick her up and care for her for a few hours."
Glynda mentally slapped herself, perhaps it would be good if her own mother was looking for a place in Vale to help when Jaune started school.
"I'm currently a factory supervisor so my schedule isn't nearly as flexible as I would like." Sepia explains "what do you do that keeps you so late if I can ask?"
"I'm a teacher at Beacon academy." Glynda explains "technically classes end at 3, but I have office hours I have to be available for."
"Wow you're a huntress, explain why you look so good." she says with a wink
"Thank you." Glynda says with a chuckle
"You huntresses always look so good! I'm still trying to burn off some of these pounds I gained when I was pregnant with Mora!" She says, grabbing her stomach with a giggle, "My Helio, that sweet man, always told me no huntress had anything on me though. He was a hunter too, you know."
"Really? Retired?" Glynda asks, it wasn't terribly uncommon that Hunters with young children would retire for a few years and take more safe jobs till their children were older.
A pained look came over Sepia's face
"He's actually no longer with us, he passed away a few weeks after Mora was born. Gimm."
Glynda felt her heart sink,
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to dig up painful memories."
"No no, you couldn't have known. Besides they aren't painful Memories, I loved the time I had with my Helio. That must be why I brought him up so much. For a hunter he was such a kind and gentle man and I'm glad to have been married to him. We used to live in Mistral. But after the funeral I moved back to live with my parents. Maybe that's why I had such a hard time sending Mora to daycare since I see so much of Helio in her."
"It sounds like he was a wonderful husband."
"He was," Sepia says wistfully, "but enough dwelling on such bad thoughts, tell me about yourself."
For a nice while Sepia and Glynda sat on the bench sipping tea and simply talking. It was a delightful way to spend time. And Glynda left feeling more at ease inside. The reassuring words from her new friend made her feel like tomorrow would be easier than today.
Having arrived at home and thanking Eren she went to her apartment and sat in her chair for a while just watching as her son started to drift off to the land of sleep. Kissing his forehead she held him close and hummed a lullaby her mother and father would humm to her.
She was sure she wouldn't ever quite stop worrying. Yet perhaps it was simply the duty of a mother to always worry… just a little, to make sure her baby was always safe even when he wasn't in her arms.
A/N: What did you think? Don't forget to review!!!! I love those things!!! Makes me write more! Anyways this will mark the first time skip, just because I don't really wanna write a lot of chapters about Jaune as an infant. I get a lot of issues that can still arise for Glynda in his baby days, but I'm writing this for fun and the older he gets the more interesting the problems can be and the more humor I can write for them. Anyways… If you're keeping track I'm gonna try to write a chapter for Beacon's model student next, so look out for that should be fun. Bye bye my dear readers!!!!!! AQUA OUT! *drops metaphorical mic*
