Play with Magic

Jinx woke Talah up on her birthday, hoping it'd go a lot smoother than it did last year.

Talah awakened happily. She shrieked as she stood in her crib.

Jinx smiled. "Hi, baby!"

Talah waved her hands and her ever present blocks floated in the air to say hi back.

Jinx deflated a bit. Talah was two now and refused to utter a word. Marcy had been right. Talah relied on the blocks too much. The pink eyed witch grabbed her daughter, resolving to talk to Marcy about it later.

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The party was going great but both Jinx and Talah were waiting for Marcy, who hadn't shown up yet.

Bumble Bee wanted to talk to her bestie, too. "She'll be here."

Talah threw herself onto her mother in a silent tantrum.

Jinx understood. "It'll be okay, Tal."

"Aww. What's wrong, dumpling?" Marcy Chang scared all three.

Bumble Bee recovered first. "Where were you?"

"Eh."

Bumble Bee knew that meant that she didn't want to talk about it. "Well it's a good thing you're here."

"Why?"

"She won't talk!" Jinx gave Talah to Marcy.

Marcy frowned as she took the baby. "What?"

"You said she might rely on the blocks too much and put off talking. You were right. She won't say anything."

Marcy stuck her tongue out at Talah, who laughed. Marcy pulled it back in then stuck it out again. "Say ah."

Talah stuck her tongue out.

"Say ah."

"Ah!"

Jinx jerked in surprise. "She said it!"

"It's not a real word." Marcy drawled. "Wanna sing?"

Talah nodded.

"Are you sure?"

Talah nodded.

"You can't use your blocks."

Talah was crestfallen.

"I know." Marcy pouted exaggeratedly.

Talah leaned on Marcy.

Marcy lifted her chin. "Do you still want to sing?"

Talah nodded and pointed to her.

Marcy began singing The Yellow Rose of Texas.

The party stopped.

Talah loved Marcy's voice and swayed happily.

When Marcy finished, she booped Talah's nose gently. "Your turn."

Talah's eyes widened.

Marcy began singing the song again but slowly.

Talah opened her mouth but no sound came out.

Marcy simply sang again.

Talah frowned but opened her mouth and shrieked loudly.

Marcy patiently adjusted Talah's jaw and continued singing.

Talah brightened and said her first word; "Part!".

Marcy smiled deeply. "Keep going."

Talah was invigorated and bounced in Marcy's arms as she "sang" off-key. Every so often, she'd say an actual word.

Marcy just kept singing until she and Talah were technically dueting.

Jinx screamed. "My baby can sing!"

"Mommy!" Talah giggled.

"And she can say my name!"

Kid Flash zipped over and hugged Marcy.

Who raised an eyebrow. "Off."

He pouted but let her go.

Marcy gave him Talah to hug.

He did so.

"How did you do that?" Nightwing was in awe.

Marcy merely shrugged.

Bumble Bee sidled over to her friend. "Can we talk?"

"Sure. I wonder if she wants her present now?"

Bumble Bee cracked up.