How Bad Could You Really Be?

The happiest glimpse of our future.

Over the next few weeks Oncie actually worked very hard to make the changes he had promised. They actually needed more workers to replant trees and harvest the tufts. It helped the economy of the town. More jobs, more people moving to town and more income to spend on the thneeds. Overall it worked out for everyone. Oncie also made it a point to spend more time away from work. I would go out and help with the tuft harvesting when I could. Oncie wouldn't let me do a thing if he had it his way. I had just shuffled to the top of the ladder to grab some tufts when he stormed out of the factory.

"Skye!" he shouted, while sprinting to me, "get down right now!"

"I'm fine, Oncie," I laughed.

"What happened the last time you went up the ladder?"

"I believe you came out making a fuss in similar fashion to this."

A few of the nearby workers laughed. This was a daily argument, but he was not mad as much as scared for my well being. His face turned red as he glared at me. I tossed the tufts down and started down the ladder. At the last step I fell backwards knowing he would catch me. He held tightly onto me as I smiled at him. I poked his nose playfully.

"We're fine you big worrywort," I said.

"I can't help worrying."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any stress. I just hate sitting around."

"I know, now come on we have to get going," he beamed, "today's the day!"

"Alright, let's go before you explode with anticipation."

He took my hand in his. He had since stopped wearing that pretentious green suit. Don't get me wrong. I thought it looked good on him, but it represented the bad part of our past. Things had become much better between us. He said he hadn't heard from the Greedler at all since I came back. It was nice to see him return to his normal self. Though I often feared we weren't yet done with that side, I think that was slight paranoia. The car took us into the city. Oncie burst out of the door excitedly when we arrived. The driver looked back a me through the rearview mirror.

"What's got him so excited?" he asked.

"He thinks we're going to find out what this thing is today," I sighed.

"He sure seems a lot happier since you've come here."

"Skyyye," he whined impatiently.

"I'm coming hold on. I never would have pegged him to be excited for this."

The driver laughed, "He put money on it being a girl."

"You all really have a bet going on this?"

"It's been a lot more fun here since you came back. He looks better too. I tell ya, whatever that little miracle ends up being; it's going to be very loved."

I smiled as I shuffled out of the car. Oncie shut the door and dragged me inside. We checked in as he sat down and started reading some parenting magazine. He would occasionally read a part of it to me. Some tip or something we should know. I looked around seeing a few women further in their pregnancies. I looked down at my stomach which had was barely showing anything. The nurse called us back. A few of the women looked surprised that he was so involved in this. But when I looked around I didn't really see many guys there. We went back into a room where we would have to even longer for the doctor to get there. After taking some vital signs and basic info she left. Oncie smiled at me.

"Hard to believe you were such a grump a few weeks ago," I mocked.

"Apparently things are just better with you around."