It's us {Dani and Jamie}

Maternal Instincts

19
- Jamie -

Merry Christmas Eve to all those who celebrate. Here's some Damie fluff as a present :)

Turns out parenting is very hard.

Who knew?

Dani was great, obviously. Throughout the whole beginning parts - the moving, the settling in, the adjusting - she somehow always knew exactly what to say to the kids to make them feel better.

Me, I've always been better at plants than kids. Plants don't cry or make messes or have scary dreams.

But kids did. The dreams, especially.

It was about three weeks in. We had set up a bedroom for Miles and Flora in my spare room. It was nice and cozy and it had all the goodies kids love so much - you know, toys, pillows, stuffed animals all that stuff. We even pulled out my old train set from when I was a little kid to set up in the corner.

But none of it was enough to chase Flora's recurring nightmares.

The sound of crying crept it's way across the hall and into our bedroom. Dani groaned, rolling over, "Can you deal with her tonight?" She murmured, voice thick with sleep.

"Me?" I said, alarmed, "But I won't know what to do."

She absentmindedly fiddled with my hair, eyes still closed, "You'll do fine, love."

I frowned, but there was no way to say no.

The door to the kids room seemed ridiculously large and intimidating. I opened it hesitantly and peered through the darkness.

"What are you little gremlins up to, then?"

Miles sighed, looking at his sister on the twin bed a few feet to his right, "She's had another nightmare."

"Another nightmare, you say?" I approached Flora's bed and sat on the edge, tucking a strand of sweet brown hair behind her ear, "What about?"

"Oh, it was horrible Jamie," She breathed, wiping a tear, "I dreamt that I hated you, just like those times at our old house. Except I was even more confused than those times. At least then I knew who you were, but in this one I was all lost and I could barely-"

"Hey, hey," I whispered, rubbing her temple, "What did we say about those times, huh? You remember?"

She frowned, "It's not our fault."

"That's right, it isn't our fault at all. It's nobody's fault, really. I know it was scary, and it might even be scary for a little while longer, but that's ok, right?" I paused until she nodded. I took a deep breath, not quite knowing where I was going with this, "But you remember that you can always talk to Dani and me, we're just across the hall whenever you need us. And your brother, too, right Miles?"

He nodded.

I turned back to her, rising from the bed, "All the scary is gone now."

She smiled and held tightly to the bear we had given her on moving day. It had been mine growing up, and I was still quite fond of it if I'm telling the truth.

I kissed Flora on the forehead and winked goodnight to Miles.

I closed the door softly, with new confidence. Huh. All the scary was gone from that now, too.

"How did it go?" Dani murmured as I returned to our warm, dark bed.

"Really well, actually," I smiled, "I think she's alright now. For tonight, at least."

She still laid on the pillow, but leaned over to kiss my arm, "That's great."

I burrowed in deeper, still grinning, "Maybe I have some of those maternal instincts people are always talking about. I think they just kicked in."

She laughed, resting her head on my chest, "Good. Maybe now you'll help with bathtime?"

"Oh no, Poppins, that's all you."

"Fantastic."

***

There was another matter to deal with, other than newfound parenthood (as if that wasn't enough!). It was becoming increasingly more of a problem that both Dani and I were out of a job.
   
With Bly empty, there was no need for a gardener, and obviously Dani had made her au pair-ing more of a permanent, unpaid sort of a gig, so there was no money there either.
   
We needed jobs.
   
In the end, it was Owen and Hannah who inspired us. They had opened a restaurant together, and it's quick success was amazing. Within a few months they already had regular customers coming and going and loving everything Owen cooked and Hannah served.
   
We saw their idea and thought, why not?
   
I had always wanted a flower shop.
   
It did well, too. We were all lucky in that regard. Though I suppose the group of us were long overdue for a little luck.
   
The process went rather quickly, too, I barely had time to take it all in.
   
One moment there were bank forms to fill out and leases to sign and shelves to stock, and the next, customers!
   
Real live people coming to buy and fawn over the plants I was selling.
   
I got to tell you, I was loving it. Being a gardener for a great manor was a good job, but it was rather thankless. You pour all your love and hard work into these flowers and there's barely anybody around to enjoy them.
   
Not at the Leafling though. That's what we called the shop. I thought it rather cutesy, but Dani was in love with it, and come on, you can't say no to that girl when she's excited.
   
And so, that was our life. Before I knew it, years had passed.

To be honest with you I never saw myself owning a business or having kids - or even a long term girlfriend for that matter. I was sure I'd grow old and die, alone, face down in a rosebush.
   
But life throws you curveballs, sometimes, and you've got to roll with them I suppose. The biggest one, I'll save for a little while. It happened when Dani came home with a seemingly innocent little plant. Hidden beneath its roots was the loveliest golden curveball of them all.