Heaven is a Place on Earth {1/1}
Feb. 13th, 2013 06:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
onlythemediocreTitle: Heaven is a Place on Earth
Part: 1/1
Word Count: 1,962
Part: 1/1
Word Count: 1,962
Summary: In most cases, people would never think that McDonalds would be a good place for bonding time. But considering these two are Adams-Hue girls, it shouldn't be too surprising. Chicken nuggets, talk of instruments, stories and Daddy ensue.
Author's Note: This is my first ever Tally!BabyFic -- I was so excited to write this! (Well, she's not really a baby; she's four in this. But still.) I've always written Tally and Didge as teenagers. I've never really touched on Didge's maternal instincts either. They're there, but this is the first time I've written Didgey as a mother of a kid. I hope I did her justice. All the characters mentioned in this story are mine. Didge and Tally are associated with the percyjacksonroleplay on Tumblr. McDonalds wasn’t as crowded as Bridgette Adams-Hue expected; it seemed that they had missed the lunch hour rush. Although sparse, Didge noticed the empty tables hidden away from the entrance. Thanking the gods for this small good fortune, she headed towards the queue. Not all the tables would be taken by the time she ordered for her and Tally.
Speaking of her young daughter, the little girl was glancing up at the bright menus over the counter, blue eyes sparkling in the fluorescent lights. Like her appearances and a few of her personality traits, Tally had also inherited a love of all types of food from her parents. They tried not to feed her too much junk food, but McDonalds was always some sort of heaven for kids. Although the memories were dim now, even Didge could remember the excitement of getting a happy meal.
“He goes on trips a lot. I miss him.”
“I know you do, sweetie. So do I.” The truth was, Didge had gotten the better end of the whole working-as-a-parent thing. Manuscripts could be revised in the privacy of her own home, with or without her daughter around. She’d gotten used to working around distractions. Selling business deals and signing people wasn’t something you could just take home, however. Personal visits had to be included, and new talent often lived outside of New York. It sucked for everyone, but it’s what they had to do.
“Can we call him later tonight using the one where we see his picture?”
“You mean a video call? Sure. I’ll let him know now, then.” She couldn’t help but smile. She quickly pulled out her phone and let her husband know that he should be expecting a ‘call where we can see his picture’. He quickly sent back that he was looking forward to it. Tally was pleased to hear that.
The duo began to dunk their nuggets and fries in companionable silence; the young girl kicking her legs because they didn’t touch the floor and her mother tapping her fingers on the table.
Although Didge had been picking up Tally most days after she started preschool two weeks ago, they hadn’t really had an afternoon out since then. She stayed at preschool until two o’ clock and got grouchy without her nap, and Didge always had some more work to do. However, she finished work early today, and the preschool had allowed Tally to be picked up with the rest of the kids that only stayed for the morning. Even though it had been half-an-hour since she’d picked her up, she still couldn’t get over the surprise on Tally’s face when she walked in a couple of hours early and said they were going to have a special treat to McDonalds.
“Mommy,” Tally finally said, breaking the silence, “Do you think I’ll be able to learn an in-in—instrument one day?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“What do you think I could learn?”
Didge smiled. “Whatever you want, honey. Although I know your daddy could teach you how to play the guitar – he’s very good.”
“The guitar. Like Daddy.”
“Or anything you want. Maybe the piano, violin – maybe you could play the xylophone or the harp…” She trailed off when she saw Tally’s thinking face. Again, her face was scrunched up in concentration, as if she was thinking it all through.
“Do you think when he gets home, Daddy can teach me how to play the guitar? With his one, the one in your room?”
“If he’s not tired or busy when he gets home,” she replied slowly, watching the hopeful sparkle in her daughter’s eyes. “Plus, we might have to wait until you’re a little bit bigger – your hands mightn’t be able to reach the strings.”
Tally pouted. “But I am big! I’m one of the tallest in the class!”
Of course she is, Didge pondered as she thought of her own incredibly short stature. “And Daddy’s even bigger. But we’ll see when he gets home. Gods know I can’t play the guitar.”
“You can’t?”
“No. I like music, but I’m not very good with it.”
The similarities between Tally’s eyes to her own – which in turn meant she had the same eyes as Didge’s father – made her feel like she was being stared down by a more experienced adult than her four-year-old daughter. “You get that from your daddy,” she tried to justify herself. “You liking books – now that. That comes from me.”
Tally took a quick sip of apple juice while Didge polished off her last nugget. They fell into a small silence as they quickly finished off their meals. Tally even stopped kicking her legs as she struggled to finish all of her food. She offered up half a nugget and about six fries to her mother to finish because she insisted she didn’t want them anymore and didn’t want to take them home.
When the food was finally eaten and all that was left in Didge’s paper cup was melting ice, the pair settled back into their chairs, Tally rubbing her small belly as she did so. “I’m full,” Tally announced. Didge nodded her agreement.
The little girl walked over to her, waddling slightly, and she quickly scooped her up so she was sitting on her lap. It was an uncomfortable position while sitting on a chair at McDonalds, but at that moment, she was just glad to be sitting with her daughter, her stomach full with chicken nuggets and with an afternoon off.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“… Can we get ice-cream?”
“Tally, you said you were full.”
“I changed my mind,” she said dismissively. “Also you always sayin’ you’re never too full for ice-cream. Please?”
Didge sighed. It wasn’t because she was going to willingly give in because her daughter had proposed a very good argument (because she was right – you are never too full for ice-cream), but also because she agreed with her. Ice-cream would sound pretty good.
“Do you want to get a cone here, or go out for gelato?”
“What do you want today, Talls?” Didge asked, looking up at the menu as she tried to make up her own mind on what do order. “A burger or nuggets?”
Tally’s little face scrunched up in concentration as if it was a big decision. After a period of deliberation, she finally chirped out, “Chicken nuggets happy meal – please.” She turned to look at Didge. “What are you getting, Mommy?”
Didge exhaled sharply, gazing quickly over the pictures on the menu. Time and age hadn’t made it easier to read brightly coloured menus due to her dyslexia, and she wasn’t wearing her glasses at the moment. “I’ll probably get chicken nuggets too,” she finally said. “Do you think that’s a good choice?”
“Of course, Mommy – chicken’s the best!”
Didge couldn’t help but ruffle her daughter’s hair as they approached the counter. The single braid that Didge had done that morning was coming apart. Instead of having her mother’s frizzy hair, Tally had gotten her father’s fine, straight hair, and the strands fell like a halo around her face. Every once in a while, she brought up her little hand to brush the strands away, which stubbornly moved back into place.
Finally, their orders were placed, and Didge noticed the little girl was getting a little bit more jumpy; clearly, the girl was getting excited for this after-school treat. After asking her to get some serviettes and straws, the food was finally given to them, and the woman thought her daughter was going to cheer in triumph. (It wouldn’t surprise her if she did.)
“So how’s school been, honey?” Didge asked, finally seated and sorting out their respective meals.
Tally’s eyes didn’t wander from the small box that contained her food for a second. The toy only held her attention as she was taking it out of the box, but was disregarded completely when she reached for the nuggets and the requested sweet and sour sauce. “It’s good,” she replied. Picking up the sauce, she asked, “Can you open this please?”
Didge managed to get the packet opened quickly, Tally bouncing in her seat with excitement. “That’s good.” Within three seconds of being placed on the table, a chicken nugget was dunked into the sauce. “Have you made any friends?”
“Yush. And shank you for ope –”
“Tally, sweetie, I know you’re hungry and excited to eat McDonalds, but swallow before you talk.”
Both mother and daughter took the short silence as an opportunity to get a few bites of their meal in, before Tally’s mouth was clear again and she was able to answer her mother’s question properly. “I made a friend yesterday,” Tally said, looking back down at her nuggets. “Her name’s Annalise and she likes music. She’s asking her mommy if she can learn how to play a – a – ins-tru-ment.” She seemed very pleased to remember what the word was.
Didge nodded with understanding as she helped herself with another chip. She appreciated music, definitely, but she’d never had any talent concerning it. She couldn’t sing, dance or play a musical instrument to save her life. That was her husband’s talent; she was hoping (and it was very probable) that he’d passed it to their daughter. “That’s awesome,” she said. “Any other friends?”
Tally shrugged. “People are nice, but I only eat lunch with Annalise.”
That wasn’t too much of a problem. Didge had been the same way as a kid. As she got older, she preferred to sit with her brother, Lachlan – and he hadn’t minded at all. Her two high school experiences had varied greatly, but she had only had a handful of close friends that she sat with for lunch. She had found it hard to make friends in the mortal world, as opposed to her time at Camp Half-Blood.
“And you like school?”
“Yes. We sing and read stories and play in the sandpit and have naptime. But the stories aren’t good as yours, Mommy.” Tally’s eyes flickered to her mother’s ever-present tote bag, carrying her tablet and a couple of hard-copy manuscripts. “Have you got a good one in there?”
“I do.” She’d picked a children’s manuscript out of the pile she’d been given. She hadn’t looked over it properly, but she did know it was something Tally would enjoy. When she first started in the editing business, she often read young adult manuscripts and then branched out. These days, those manuscripts were accompanied by children’s stories and brand new picture books which had been suggested to her. Tally was four and was already an exceptional book reviewer. Didge’s da would be proud. “It’s about a girl who makes friends with a music pixie. We can start it after we finish The Fisherman’s Boat – maybe tomorrow!”
The little girl nodded her approval. Of course, the term ‘music’ had sold her. “Do you think Daddy will be home to hear the start of it?”
“I don’t think he’s going to be home for another week, sweetie. He’s got business somewhere else, remember? He’s gone on a little trip.”
Tally’s little face scrunched up in concentration as if it was a big decision. After a period of deliberation, she finally chirped out, “Chicken nuggets happy meal – please.” She turned to look at Didge. “What are you getting, Mommy?”
Didge exhaled sharply, gazing quickly over the pictures on the menu. Time and age hadn’t made it easier to read brightly coloured menus due to her dyslexia, and she wasn’t wearing her glasses at the moment. “I’ll probably get chicken nuggets too,” she finally said. “Do you think that’s a good choice?”
“Of course, Mommy – chicken’s the best!”
Didge couldn’t help but ruffle her daughter’s hair as they approached the counter. The single braid that Didge had done that morning was coming apart. Instead of having her mother’s frizzy hair, Tally had gotten her father’s fine, straight hair, and the strands fell like a halo around her face. Every once in a while, she brought up her little hand to brush the strands away, which stubbornly moved back into place.
Finally, their orders were placed, and Didge noticed the little girl was getting a little bit more jumpy; clearly, the girl was getting excited for this after-school treat. After asking her to get some serviettes and straws, the food was finally given to them, and the woman thought her daughter was going to cheer in triumph. (It wouldn’t surprise her if she did.)
“So how’s school been, honey?” Didge asked, finally seated and sorting out their respective meals.
Tally’s eyes didn’t wander from the small box that contained her food for a second. The toy only held her attention as she was taking it out of the box, but was disregarded completely when she reached for the nuggets and the requested sweet and sour sauce. “It’s good,” she replied. Picking up the sauce, she asked, “Can you open this please?”
Didge managed to get the packet opened quickly, Tally bouncing in her seat with excitement. “That’s good.” Within three seconds of being placed on the table, a chicken nugget was dunked into the sauce. “Have you made any friends?”
“Yush. And shank you for ope –”
“Tally, sweetie, I know you’re hungry and excited to eat McDonalds, but swallow before you talk.”
Both mother and daughter took the short silence as an opportunity to get a few bites of their meal in, before Tally’s mouth was clear again and she was able to answer her mother’s question properly. “I made a friend yesterday,” Tally said, looking back down at her nuggets. “Her name’s Annalise and she likes music. She’s asking her mommy if she can learn how to play a – a – ins-tru-ment.” She seemed very pleased to remember what the word was.
Didge nodded with understanding as she helped herself with another chip. She appreciated music, definitely, but she’d never had any talent concerning it. She couldn’t sing, dance or play a musical instrument to save her life. That was her husband’s talent; she was hoping (and it was very probable) that he’d passed it to their daughter. “That’s awesome,” she said. “Any other friends?”
Tally shrugged. “People are nice, but I only eat lunch with Annalise.”
That wasn’t too much of a problem. Didge had been the same way as a kid. As she got older, she preferred to sit with her brother, Lachlan – and he hadn’t minded at all. Her two high school experiences had varied greatly, but she had only had a handful of close friends that she sat with for lunch. She had found it hard to make friends in the mortal world, as opposed to her time at Camp Half-Blood.
“And you like school?”
“Yes. We sing and read stories and play in the sandpit and have naptime. But the stories aren’t good as yours, Mommy.” Tally’s eyes flickered to her mother’s ever-present tote bag, carrying her tablet and a couple of hard-copy manuscripts. “Have you got a good one in there?”
“I do.” She’d picked a children’s manuscript out of the pile she’d been given. She hadn’t looked over it properly, but she did know it was something Tally would enjoy. When she first started in the editing business, she often read young adult manuscripts and then branched out. These days, those manuscripts were accompanied by children’s stories and brand new picture books which had been suggested to her. Tally was four and was already an exceptional book reviewer. Didge’s da would be proud. “It’s about a girl who makes friends with a music pixie. We can start it after we finish The Fisherman’s Boat – maybe tomorrow!”
The little girl nodded her approval. Of course, the term ‘music’ had sold her. “Do you think Daddy will be home to hear the start of it?”
“I don’t think he’s going to be home for another week, sweetie. He’s got business somewhere else, remember? He’s gone on a little trip.”
“He goes on trips a lot. I miss him.”
“I know you do, sweetie. So do I.” The truth was, Didge had gotten the better end of the whole working-as-a-parent thing. Manuscripts could be revised in the privacy of her own home, with or without her daughter around. She’d gotten used to working around distractions. Selling business deals and signing people wasn’t something you could just take home, however. Personal visits had to be included, and new talent often lived outside of New York. It sucked for everyone, but it’s what they had to do.
“Can we call him later tonight using the one where we see his picture?”
“You mean a video call? Sure. I’ll let him know now, then.” She couldn’t help but smile. She quickly pulled out her phone and let her husband know that he should be expecting a ‘call where we can see his picture’. He quickly sent back that he was looking forward to it. Tally was pleased to hear that.
The duo began to dunk their nuggets and fries in companionable silence; the young girl kicking her legs because they didn’t touch the floor and her mother tapping her fingers on the table.
Although Didge had been picking up Tally most days after she started preschool two weeks ago, they hadn’t really had an afternoon out since then. She stayed at preschool until two o’ clock and got grouchy without her nap, and Didge always had some more work to do. However, she finished work early today, and the preschool had allowed Tally to be picked up with the rest of the kids that only stayed for the morning. Even though it had been half-an-hour since she’d picked her up, she still couldn’t get over the surprise on Tally’s face when she walked in a couple of hours early and said they were going to have a special treat to McDonalds.
“Mommy,” Tally finally said, breaking the silence, “Do you think I’ll be able to learn an in-in—instrument one day?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“What do you think I could learn?”
Didge smiled. “Whatever you want, honey. Although I know your daddy could teach you how to play the guitar – he’s very good.”
“The guitar. Like Daddy.”
“Or anything you want. Maybe the piano, violin – maybe you could play the xylophone or the harp…” She trailed off when she saw Tally’s thinking face. Again, her face was scrunched up in concentration, as if she was thinking it all through.
“Do you think when he gets home, Daddy can teach me how to play the guitar? With his one, the one in your room?”
“If he’s not tired or busy when he gets home,” she replied slowly, watching the hopeful sparkle in her daughter’s eyes. “Plus, we might have to wait until you’re a little bit bigger – your hands mightn’t be able to reach the strings.”
Tally pouted. “But I am big! I’m one of the tallest in the class!”
Of course she is, Didge pondered as she thought of her own incredibly short stature. “And Daddy’s even bigger. But we’ll see when he gets home. Gods know I can’t play the guitar.”
“You can’t?”
“No. I like music, but I’m not very good with it.”
The similarities between Tally’s eyes to her own – which in turn meant she had the same eyes as Didge’s father – made her feel like she was being stared down by a more experienced adult than her four-year-old daughter. “You get that from your daddy,” she tried to justify herself. “You liking books – now that. That comes from me.”
Tally took a quick sip of apple juice while Didge polished off her last nugget. They fell into a small silence as they quickly finished off their meals. Tally even stopped kicking her legs as she struggled to finish all of her food. She offered up half a nugget and about six fries to her mother to finish because she insisted she didn’t want them anymore and didn’t want to take them home.
When the food was finally eaten and all that was left in Didge’s paper cup was melting ice, the pair settled back into their chairs, Tally rubbing her small belly as she did so. “I’m full,” Tally announced. Didge nodded her agreement.
The little girl walked over to her, waddling slightly, and she quickly scooped her up so she was sitting on her lap. It was an uncomfortable position while sitting on a chair at McDonalds, but at that moment, she was just glad to be sitting with her daughter, her stomach full with chicken nuggets and with an afternoon off.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“… Can we get ice-cream?”
“Tally, you said you were full.”
“I changed my mind,” she said dismissively. “Also you always sayin’ you’re never too full for ice-cream. Please?”
Didge sighed. It wasn’t because she was going to willingly give in because her daughter had proposed a very good argument (because she was right – you are never too full for ice-cream), but also because she agreed with her. Ice-cream would sound pretty good.
“Do you want to get a cone here, or go out for gelato?”
“… Cone here. I wanna go home soon, Mommy. Sleepy.”
Didge kissed Tally’s forehead. “I’m so lucky to have you,” she murmured. Not everyone could say they had such a low-maintenance kid, who was so easy to please. It saved a lot of money in the long run. Combined with all of Tally’s other traits and her physical cuteness, Didge was often overwhelmed by how perfect her kid was. “Sure, kiddo. Let’s go.”
Carrying a four-year-old was quite a difficult feat, but Tally was happy having her head buried in her mommy’s neck and Didge was happy to have her there. “Love you,” Tally muttered.
“Love you too, sweetie.”
Didge kissed Tally’s forehead. “I’m so lucky to have you,” she murmured. Not everyone could say they had such a low-maintenance kid, who was so easy to please. It saved a lot of money in the long run. Combined with all of Tally’s other traits and her physical cuteness, Didge was often overwhelmed by how perfect her kid was. “Sure, kiddo. Let’s go.”
Carrying a four-year-old was quite a difficult feat, but Tally was happy having her head buried in her mommy’s neck and Didge was happy to have her there. “Love you,” Tally muttered.
“Love you too, sweetie.”
