Nova's Universe

Chapter 4 (1999)

Nova

"Alright let's see where this piece goes..."

Charlie knelt on the floor with Aoede, their heads bent in concentration as they tackled a jigsaw puzzle together. It was a gift from Arthur for Aoede's third birthday, but it hadn't captured her interest until this morning when she unearthed it from her room. The moment she presented it to us, Charlie had promised they'd complete it after lunch.

The scene of the puzzle depicted a mother dinosaur and her freshly hatched baby. I found the image humorous - not entirely surprising, considering Arthur's fascination with Muggle things, which Aoede, for some reason, had inexplicably inherited. Charlie, on the other hand, wasn't thrilled that Aoede seemed more excited about giant, flightless birds that were extinct than about actual dragons. However, once they'd assembled the frame, he found himself surprisingly into it.

"Daddy, missing piece hewe!" Aoede declared, pointing a tiny finger at a gap in the puzzle. They both dove into the sizeable pile of pieces they'd sorted earlier, searching for the missing element.

From my half-reclining position on the sofa, I sipped my tea, captivated by their father-daughter bonding session. It was a sight far more entertaining than any Tom and Jerry episode. Whenever they were engaged in an activity together, I couldn't help but steal moments to simply watch and admire them.

Aoede might be a mini-me in many ways, but she also possessed hidden traits that mirrored Charlie. It filled me with joy to discover them and later point them out to him. Knowing she'd inherited some of his characteristics, besides the red hair, meant the world to him.

One of the first I noticed was their anger. It flared up suddenly and intensely - both of them threw themselves wholeheartedly into their tantrums. Charlie, I'd grown accustomed to. With Aoede, for now, it was adorable.

It's also how she frowns, pressing her lips together when mad. Charlie makes the same expression, and since Aoede copies so many things from me, I initially thought she learned it from me. But then it dawned on me - she probably picked it up from Charlie, maybe when he comes home frustrated after dealing with a disobedient dragon or a helpless intern.

Their similarities are most evident when they cook together. The way they both focus intently while measuring ingredients or stirring the pot is uncanny. Aoede bends over when searching for something in the fridge, just like Charlie does. And her tendency to lower her voice while baking? I hadn't noticed Charlie doing that until last week when he had a sudden craving for banana bread.

Being more than eight months pregnant, my mobility is limited. Unlike the morning sickness I had with Aoede, this pregnancy leaves me constantly tired. So I mostly rest, taking every nap opportunity I can.

At first, it bothered me. I felt useless watching Charlie juggle cleaning, cooking, working, and playing with Aoede. It seemed like I wasn't contributing enough. The moment I voiced my concerns, Charlie was quick to reassure me. He reminded me that carrying our child and fulfilling his wish for another baby, was a huge contribution.

I tried to protest for a few days. I cooked a few meals and even bathed Aoede a few times - despite that being one of Charlie's favourite activities, considering the epic water battles that always flooded the bathroom. Initially, Charlie just watched me, knowing I was stubborn enough to try my best. But when he saw it draining me, leading to even more sleep, he gently put a stop to it. Finally, I gave in.

Now, I cherish my quiet time on the sofa. It usually comes with the bonus of watching Charlie play with Aoede, a heartwarming testament to their bond. It's the most beautiful sight - the pure joy on Aoede's face as she basks in her daddy's undivided attention.