The Parenthood Drabbles

Synonyms II

I've gotten so many reads and comments today I decided to give y'all a double update. Enjoy!

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Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

Synonyms II

In the style of Frederic and Annabeth Chase

He'd been trying to wrap up an email ever since he'd picked Annabeth up from school. It was one of those nights where work was piling up everywhere and it was all due yesterday. He felt sorry about the little attention he'd been able to give Annabeth, but he had to keep a roof above her head too, and sometimes the awkward middle part was hard to get. They'd stop for an ice cream cone after school tomorrow to make up for it; his workload would be kinder.

He'd thought that now his daughter was demanding attention, fair enough, but she'd had another nightmare and was clutching her stuffed penguin as if it might run away from her arms. The irony of the bird not being an owl although there'd been one on display at the store where they'd gotten it made him smile a bit every time he saw Annabeth's beloved 'Glitter'.

She climbed up in his arms and told him about the evil scientist again. He delivered his reassurances and comforted her by smoothing down her hair and swiveling his chair on wheels to fascinate her. He'd have to figure out something better to do though, those evil scientist dreams were getting to her way too much.

"Daddy?"

"Yes Annabeth?"

"Can I ask a question even if I'm supposed to be in bed?"

"You can always ask questions." Frederic said.

"What's another word for dangerous?" She asked.

Ah, the synonym game.

"Parlous," he answered.

"And immortal?"

"Sempiternal."

"God?"

"Deity."

"Prophecy?"

"Omen. Annabeth, what are you dreaming about?" He asked, suddenly super uncomfortable. She backed away from his chest, petting Glitter's head.

"Evil scientists in a lab hurting me," she said casually. It was only because of extensive experience that the twinkle in her eyes gave her away, and that he knew that he was being played. That smart little girl...

He carried her back to her room. She wiggled out of his arms at the door and threw her bath towel over something before he walked in, to hide it from him. It was a harmless K-nex structure in progress. He'd taken the precaution of checking what it was a few nights ago, just in case.

"Are you going to be okay now? How about I leave the door open a little so there's a tiny bit of light and you can fall asleep faster?"

Annabeth nodded and curled up in a ball, waiting for him to pull her blanket over her. He did, and on in way out he stopped her.

"Daddy. I know another word for night."

"Do you now?"

"Nyx," she said proudly.

The Greek goddess of night...

He swallowed. Something was going on, things were stirring in her mind. The gears were turning.

"Yes, that's one." Frederic said. "Now tell your brain to stop being so clever for now and to fall asleep."