Trust // Hannibal Lecter (1)

Mommy dearest

'What did mommy dearest want?' esme asked, Hannibal thought it was strange that they both called the mother mommy dearest he would have to ask about that.

'Oh well,' she turned to hannibal. 'Doctor lector mommy dearest is confident in your abilities to fix her daughter from the trauma that is bound to ensure...'

'I havent even written a single report yet-'

'She doesnt care. She wants esme to see you twice weekly for the foreseeable future.'

'I really dont think-'

'In told her you were a busy man and it was unlikely that you would have another opening this week so be expecting a call from her demanding a spot.' Kitty said matter of factly.

'I honestly dont think esme needs therapy she seems like a very-'

'Thank you, i take great pride in her.' Kitty kissed her cheek. 'But mommy dearest is the boss, at least she likes to think so and what she says goes.'

'Unless shes not around then what we say goes.' Esme added

'Exactly but right now shes in town and wants esme to have twice weekly meeting with you. You can pretend to put her down and charge the card she gave you too i wont tell.' Kitty said with an innocent smile.

'That wont be necessary i can...' his phone went off

'Ending in 6968?' Kitty questioned and he nodded

'Mommy dearest,' the girls said in unison.

'Might as well answer it or else she will keep calling then if you dont answer she will aggressively yell at me. Best answer please.'

'Doctor lector' he said still watching the girls.

'Doctor lector this is mrs De Luca i just spoke to nanny.' Hannibal looked at kitty she said her name was katrina. This woman was more than the nanny. 'She said that you wouldnt be able to get Esmeralda in because you are soo busy but i can pay top dollar to make sure she has the best. I hear you are the best, are you not doctor lector?' He would very much like to see kitty again and soon

'I will make room for esme.'

'Esmeralda please. Nanny calls her that stupid nickname. Esmeralda hates it.'

'Of course.' Hannibal said taking note of how to talk to this difficult woman.

'Give nanny the date and time and she will make it work. Great. Talk soon.' She hung up a moment later she called kitty. The cackle of a witch went off.

'Mommy dearest' both girls said.

'Hello mrs-'

'I got an appointment for Esmeralda this week you pompous-' kitty pulled the phone away from her ear not wanting to go death as mommy dearest continued to yell. 'How could you be so-' again she pulled the phone away sending hannibal a small smile before squeezing esmes knee. She covered up the speaker.

'Best finish this... conversation in the hall.' At that she walked out leaving the two to talk.

'What would you prefer i call you?' Hannibal asked kindly

'Esme please. Mommy dearest hates it but i hate Esmeralda.'

'Of course my dear. Now back to what you were saying about losing kitty...' who is harvey is what he really wanted to ask but knew he had to circle back to that.

'Maybe it would be best if i knew more about your relationship. When did kitty come to be your nanny?'

'Before I was born. Kitty was in an orphanage and mommy dearest thought she was pretty but not so pretty that daddy would want to kiss her.' Hannibal had to choke down his emotions, he wasn't sure how this girl knew this but she said it with such clarity as if she was there is hear it herself.

'Do you know how old she was at the time?'

'16.' Hannibal did the math. Esme was 10 so kitty would be 26 or 27.

'And what did she do before you were born?'

'Apparently she set up my nursery and picked out clothes took mommy dearest to appointments and 7 months later she was handed me.'

'Was she adopted by your mother?'

"HA! No. youre funny. Mommy dearest made a deal with the orphanage for Kitty. She gets paid and lives in the penthouse with me but she is very much a Simmons and I am very much a De Luca... although if even given the choice i would rather be Kitty's baby that a De Luca.'

'She helped your mother for 7 months before you were born?' Esme nodded

'Kitty was bounced around from group home to group home for her whole life she only had her brother harvey. But he aged out of the program and couldnt take her with him. He got job as a lawyer. Hes really good. He makes alot of money now. He even lives in our apartment building one floor above us to be close to us.'

'That seems like a very nice brother.' Hannibal relaxed at this information. He looked out the door to see kitty pacing phone outstretched as mommy dearest continued to tell her of her incompetence to make a simple appointment.

'Mommy dearest went on a much needed spa retreat after I was born for 6 months. Kitty was 16 and raising a baby. Harvey wasnt a big wig yet. He was just finishing his degree when I was born but he came and helped kitty whenever he could.'

'Your mother took a 6 month vacation? Right after you were born?'

'Said she had bonded with me enough in the womb and we needed some space. At least thats what kitty told me when i asked why mommy dearest wasnt in any of the pictures kitty took when I was younger.

'Your mother does that often?'

'She is probably gonna go on another after yelling at kitty. Say something along the lines of look waht you made me do now im all stressed and cant possibly do anything for the rest of the season!' Esme said with a laugh

'You dont seem to distraught about her lack of presence in your life.'

'Pah- lease!' Esme moved closed to hannibal. 'When shes gone, Its the best. When shes around i have to be the perfect little angel.'

"I think today was very productive, don't you Esme?' Hannibal asked as he escorted them out.

"Very' Esme said nodding along.

'Oh yes, my phone is almost dead because I was yelled at for an hour, very productive...' kitty shoved her phone back into her bag. 'I'm glad you two seem to be getting along. You like doctor lector? Should we come back?'

"Definitely!'

'Good,' Kitty kissed her head handing Esme her jacket. 'So what day did mommy dearest con you into giving us this week?' Kitty smirked as she pulled out her calendar book. Old fashioned, Hannibal thought as she dug out a pen as well and flipped to this week.

'Fridays, five o'clock?'

"Fridays at 5 and Tuesdays at 4. Got it. Great.' She closed her calendar and smiled up at him. 'thank you, for being so understanding.'

'See ya Friday doctor lector!' Esme called over her shoulder.

'Bye,' litty waved goodbye as they made their way into the hall. 'Okay' kitty said zipping up esmes jacket. 'French fries and ice cream for dinner?' Hannibal lingered by the door listening

'The freeze!' Esme said happily

'I will call harvey see if he wants to meet us there yeah?'

'Yes yes yes' she cheered as she ran down the stairs

'Looks like im eating out tonight,' hannibal said waiting a moment before pulling on his coat and following them out.