Charlie Burghard (charlieburghard) wrote in tiberiusswann, @ 2009-10-26 10:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | ava, charlie, katie |
Sunday: Feb/4/08
Who: Charlie, Ava, Maggie (and eventually Katie)
When: Sunday evening, 6:00 when Maggie arrives, 7:00 for Katie
Where: their apartment
What: Maggie returns to school for awkward fun with Ava, and then meets Katie (the babysitter) at dinner
"UNCLE CHARLIE!" Maggie squealed as she dropped her bag and sprinted across the lawn, away from car as her mother climbed out, and toward her godfather's outstretched arms. She jumped up and was caught mid air. One day, when Maggie was bigger, she'd end up knocking Charlie over, but for now, she was still a tiny thing that he could twirl around. Her legs swung in a circle as he spun and received lots of kisses. "Missed ya, Magpie," he said between smooches placed all over his face. Maggie was truly the sunshine in Charlie's life.
Alicia walked over, picking up Maggie's bag as she did so. She slipped it over Charlie's arm as he reached out to give her a half hug while still holding Maggie. "Don't let her stay up too late, Charlie," she said in a half serious voice. Charlie put on a fake serious look and muttered a, "Yes, Ma'am," before winking at Maggie in a conspiratorial way. Maggie was delighted, Alicia just rolled her eyes as she tried to restrain a grin. She was nervous about Maggie returning to the school, considering all that had happened lately, but Alicia knew that Charlie always had Maggie's best interests in mind. Besides, Maggie needed to be here. She had a lot to learn about her abilities, and while Alicia was the one who passed on the genes, she herself couldn't transform and therefore couldn't teach Maggie.
Alicia gave Charlie and Maggie both kisses on the cheeks and then ran her hands through Maggie's hair before reluctantly walking away. "You guys call me if you need me," she called out as she climbed back into her car and left. Charlie and Maggie both waved before the little girl was tossed up onto her uncle's shoulders and carried back to his apartment.
She asked questions along the way. "So did you really forget all about me?" Charlie frowned in reaction to this one. "Yes, but it was bad magic. Nothing else could ever make me forget about you. You mean more to me than anyone else in the world." Maggie wrapped her arms under his chin and propped her own atop his head. "But you got married. Mommy says that when she got married, it was because she loved daddy more than anyone else in the world. Do you love Ava like that?" Another hard question. Charlie was careful about his response, because he didn't want to lie. "Love is different for everyone, Mags. Grandpa loved grandma in a different way than your mom and dad love each other. And the way I love Ava is different too. And being married don't change the fact that I love you more than anything else. You know you'll always be number one for me." He gave her ankles a little squeeze. Maggie thought in silence for a moment. "Does Ava love me too?" Charlie was dying here. What was it about kids and hard questions? "Love doesn't always happen overnight. I think you and Ava need to get to know each other. You're going to be spending more time with her... like tonight. And we're having Katie over for dinner. She's going to look after you some nights when I have to work. She's really nice. She and Ava both are. I think you'll like playing with them."
And then came the hardest question of all, though one that Charlie was glad came up now, rather than when Ava was around. "Does Davia still love me?" she asked. Charlie's heart sank, and his footsteps slowed. "Yes. Davia still loves you, and she always will. She's just upset with me right now, and maybe she always will be. I hurt her feelings..." Maggie interrupted Charlie, "Did you say you're sorry?" Charlie continued, "I don't think now is a good time to apologize. Sometimes when we get mad at people, we need time to ourselves. Anyway, she loves you. And I think after some time has passed, she'll want to see you, but maybe not right now, okay?" Maggie seemed to deflate a little and feel heavier on his shoulders. She muttered a sad little, "Okay."
Charlie pulled her down from his shoulders and set her down on the ground. He got on his knees in front of her, putting them at equal eye level. "I'm sorry that me being stupid has made it hard for you and Davia to be friends right now. I love you so much, and nothing hurts more than knowing I hurt you." Maggie pouted but let Charlie pull her in for a hug. "I love you, Magpie." Maggie hugged him back, "I love you too, Uncle Charlie."
After a few moments silence, Charlie picked her up again, hoisting her onto his shoulders as before. "Now let's go finish making lasagna!" Maggie seemed to perk up a little bit at that news. "You're making lasagna?" she asked, tugging playfully at his ears. "Yep. And I made a lot, so I hope you and Katie are both hungry." Charlie would eat a little too, only because it created a more 'normal' atmosphere for Maggie.
They soon arrived back at the apartment, to warm, delicious aromas. Charlie set Maggie down and gave her a little pat on the butt. "Go put your stuff in your room and then come back to the kitchen to help me with the salad." She ran along, and Charlie sought out Ava.
When he found her, he wrapped his arms around her and sighed. "So many questions!" he said in an exasperated voice as he gave her a quick smooch on the lips. "We'll talk more about them later. You didn't screw up my lasagna did you?" he asked with a wink.