Nova's Universe

Chapter 8 (2000)

Charlie

"Okay, DeeDee, remember, we have to triple the ingredients today because a lot of people are coming," my brother George warned my firstborn.

"I know, Uncle Georgie," Aoede replied with a playful glare.

"Alright, can I trust you with measuring everything out while I chat with your dad for a sec?"

"Of course! I'm practically an expert cookie-maker now," Aoede declared, turning to grab the flour as soon as George headed towards me.

"Remember when I was just 'Uncle Geogie' to her?" George sighed wistfully. "She's growing up way too fast!"

"And developing quite the sass too," I chuckled.

"Oh, come on," George said with a shrug, glancing back at Aoede. "She's just taking her cookie-making duties very seriously."

"I know, I know. You miss the 'Geogie' days, don't you?" I teased him, remembering how Tiger's name morphed from "Tigew" to the much more emphatic "Tigerrrr" once she learned her Rs.

"Yeah, well, Luna Dora said her first word a few days ago, so maybe I have a shot at being 'Geogie' again," George said with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"Don't even get me started," I groaned. "And with Luna already doling out nicknames, I'm sure you'll get yours soon enough."

"Still grumpy about her first word, are we?" George burst out laughing.

"Nope!" I denied it unconvincingly.

"Oh, Charlie, you are grumpy! Luna Dora's first word, and you can't help but be a little bummed it wasn't something else." George continued to chuckle, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

I was luckier with Luna Dora than with Aoede. I didn't miss any of her firsts. I was changing her diaper when she smiled for the first time, and I was there when Nova put her down on the sofa and she sat by herself. Nova missed the first crawl this time, but we both got to see Luna Dora rollover. She's already walking if someone holds both her hands, and I'm determined to be there for her first independent steps too. That was one of the few firsts I got to experience with Aoede, and I promised myself I wouldn't miss anything else.

I still remember vividly when Aoede said her first word. We were having breakfast, and Nova was feeding her applesauce. Every time we started talking, Aoede would erupt in laughter, and we couldn't help but join in. Nova momentarily forgot to feed her, and Aoede reminded her with a clear "ma-ma."

As overjoyed as I was that she spoke her first word, a tiny pang of disappointment hit me that it wasn't "dada." Of course, it was reasonable - Nova was home with her while I worked, and "mama" is usually the first word anyway. I didn't dwell on it for long. Nova reassured me that with two more kids planned, I had two more chances to be called "dada" first. That cheered me up a bit.

Aoede was about a year and three months old when she started speaking, so it came as a surprise to both of us when Luna Dora began showing signs of talking - mumbling a few weeks ago - which is exciting because her first birthday is today! Since I was around the house more, I couldn't help but get my hopes up.

I had to fight the urge not to nudge Luna Dora towards saying "dad" or "dada." Nova and I had a pact before Aoede was even born: we would never pressure our kids to do anything. So, we waited patiently for her to speak on her own terms.

Luna Dora's first surprise was her blue hair at birth. Then came the display of her magic with the baby powder and Aoede's toys flying around during diaper changes. Somehow, though, we still haven't learned that she's full of surprises. As we were watching TV, she started blowing bubbles. None of us expected her to speak her first word, let alone for it to be her sister's name.