Don't Pester The Ski Patrol • L.S.

4

When I wake up Saturday morning, I very quickly drink a mug of coffee, call my mother like I'm forced to, and then bundle up to head over to Harry's.

I wouldn't say I'm bad with kids; it's the exact opposite, really. I'm the oldest child, so I've dealt with many infants and toddlers in my life. It's just that I've never spent much time with them, if I'm being honest. My siblings and I were all taken care of by separate caretakers which I guess is just something you do when you're stupidly rich and want to ensure that none of your children are ever unsupervised around a house of priceless objects.

I want Prairie to like me, because I don't see a future where I can still talk to Harry if his daughter hates me. I know I don't exactly lack charisma, but trying to woo a toddler is a completely different practice than I'm used to. I just have to be careful and kind. I can do that.

I climb up the steps of the lodge and knock on the wooden door timidly, but the pressure of my knuckles ends up pushing the unlocked door. As soon as I step inside, a little girl comes running up to me in full-force, tottling along like it's hard to even stand on her little feet.

Oh God, she's so fucking cute.

She's the splitting image of Harry, really; her big, green eyes take up most of the space on her head, and her cheeks are round and red. She has quite a lot of curly brown hair for a toddler, and some of it is tied on top of her head with a little rubber band, I'm guessing to keep it out of her face. If it were possible, I'd assume Harry had conceived this child by himself with how much she looks like him. I resist the urge to pick her up and squeeze her adorable little face.

She's also holding the fairy dog I made her. My heart is swollen and she hasn't even spoken yet.

"Hi, I'm Pear!" She greets, voice little and sweet. I'm guessing she's trying to say Prairie and can't quite grasp the consonants yet.

I bend down so I'm at face level with her. "Hi Pear, I'm Louis."

"I know! Mommy says you're on the TV, but I cannot see the show because it's not for little girls." She says the last part sadly.

"Your mommy is quite right about that, I'm afraid. It's not a great show, anyways."

"If you no like it, why are you on the TV?" She cocks her head, ringlets of hair flouncing all over.

I laugh dryly. "That's a very good question."

"Pup, who are you -" Harry comes out of the kitchenette wearing his normal people clothes and holding a mug, an apple, and a knife. When he realises it's me, he stops. "Oh, Louis! I didn't expect you so early."

"We didn't settle on a time, so I decided it was better to be safe than sorry." I say as I stand up to human size. I move to remove my coat, hat, and gloves, opting to make myself comfortable. It's a bit of a process thanks to my injured wrist, but I get the job done.

"Mommy, it's Louis!" Prairie exclaims, running over to Harry. As she gets farther, I realise she's wearing a little pair of brown corduroy overalls. They've got a tag on the backside, but it looks old. I doubt he went and got this at the Baby Gap in White Plains.

"That he is," Harry agrees, bending down to Prairie size. "Now excuse me, Miss. Prairie. What have I said about answering the door to someone you don't know?"

"Sorry! I wanted meet Louis! He's on the TV!" She squeals.

"Did you thank Louis for your present yet?"

"Oh no!" She gasps, turning to me immediately. " Thank you so, so much for Berry. She my best friend. I name her Berry because I love berries so, so much. I wanted name her Kalamata Olive but mommy said is too long."