Who: Sharon Carter and Merlin When: May 7 Where: Playgroup What: Random Encounter Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Merlin had heard about the playgroup from another employee at Stark and while their daycare was amazing he wanted Ben to be able to socialise a lot so on a Saturday morning he decided to stop by the group and see what Ben thought. He needn’t have been worried though, he was soon off and enjoying himself with all the other children. Being careful of the younger ones who weren’t as steady on their feet as he was.
He smiled as he watched him, it was strange to think it wasn’t so long ago that he’d been helping Ben to learn to walk. Time went fast and he would almost be two by the time his baby brother or sister arrived.
Sharon didn’t have a whole lot of time. She worked full time, parented full time, and had aspirations to date. To have friends. At the same time, she wanted to provide Viv with every opportunity she could--one of those was a play group that met fairly frequently. Actually, Sharon loved her time with the group. Phones off, full attention to Viv, very little conversation aside from talking with the other parents. It was mostly play and music and fun times.
Viv was sitting with an upside down pilon and some colorful, bean bags. She lifted the bags one by one and put them into the pilon, and then Sharon reached forward to dump them out again. Viv was very focused on this activity.
Merlin noticed the little girl and smiled, “Looks like she absolutely has the hang of that” he commented in his usual friendly way, “Clever little one aren’t you” he said to the child, “My Ben is like that, he takes after his mother too” he winked at Sharon.
Sharon turned to the man when he spoke and broke into a smile. It was nice seeing dads at these sorts of things. It didn’t happen all that often, really, and it was refreshing. She’d seen Merlin around, and knew that he was on Valarnet. She was pretty sure he was married to the woman who owned Baxter Bakery, but that’s about all she knew of the guy. He seemed like a really nice fellow. She nodded. “Viv’s a pretty fast learner. And look at Ben! He’s racing circles around the other kids.”
It did seem to be that Merlin was outnumbered wherever he took Ben but he wanted to be a big part of everything in Ben’s life. Merlin vaguely recognised Sharon but knew nothing about her other than that she had a daughter. “Luckily he still uses his powers for good, I’m hoping he continues to do so” Merlin grinned as he watched Ben stop and help a younger child out.
Sharon gave a laugh. “I love it! What a little gentleman.” She watched as Ben made sure the younger child was all right before turning to chase after something else. “I bet he gets that from his daddy, hmm?” She smiled.
“I’d like to think so” Merlin grinned, “My wife would probably agree but he has pretty good influences in his life. Our friends are all good people and they help out a lot when we need them to” he admitted.
“That’s great! I’ve got some really fantastic folk in my life, too. I work with my best friend, and she and her boyfriend take Viv quite a bit to help when I need a sitter.” She reached over to take one of the little bean bags out of Viv’s mouth. “In the cone, hun. In the cone.”
Viv gave a squeal of laughter and threw the bean bag onto the floor, then started clapping.
“That’s good. It’s so much easier when you have people to rely on and help out” Merlin said, “I’m the first to admit when I need a break, my wife is a little more awkward” he grinned.
“Yay” he said to the little girl clapping his own hands and giving her a smile.
“I know how that feels. As a mom, I totally understand not wanting to ask for help when I need it. It’s good she’s got you, though, to remind her to take a break.” Sharon said, smiling warmly at the guy. He was one of the good ones. She wished she could find one of those.
Viv squealed and grabbed at Merlin’s fingers with her pudgy little hands.
“It must be a mum thing, my mum was the same” Though she had been a single mother so it had been a necessity that she was so stubborn and determined. “I hope you have people who do the same for you”
Merlin smiled and let the little girl grab his hands, wiggling his fingers to make her laugh.
“I do. For the most part. It never hurts to grow our support structures.” Sharon watched Merlin wiggling his fingers for Viv and grinned warmly. “You’re really good with her. I guess you’ve got lots of experience with babies, considering you’ve got a toddler.”
“Thanks. I’ve always loved kids and having Ben just increased my confidence” he had to admit, “I wouldn’t trade being a dad for anything in the world now”
“I didn’t spend much time with kids before Viv was born,” Sharon confessed. “It’s certainly an eye opener.” She gave him a bright smile. “That’s so sweet! I know Viv’s dads feel the same way.”
“I've been around them a bit at home. But your own are always more interesting” he told her, “I'm glad to hear it, they should be”
“I really like my own baby, and I have to admit: as cute as all the other babies are? They’re not mine. Mine is obviously the best. No offense,” Sharon said, only partially kidding. It was true--she didn’t (couldn’t?) care for any other kid as much as she loved her own. When her baby spat-up it was adorable. When others did? Disgusting.
Merlin laughed, “No offense taken, that’s how all parents feel I think” It was true with him and Audrey, they often commented to each other about how much cuter Ben was compared to other children.
“Oh, it’s good I’m not alone then!” Sharon said, giving a little laugh. She took the bean bag out of Viv’s mouth again. “That’s one of the benefits of being in a play group like this. I get reinforcement that I’m not insane!”
“Not at all” Merlin said with a chuckle, “That’s why I like coming here too, you find out that random thing you thought the other day that you believed might make you a weirdo is actually something others have thought too. It’s just a shame there aren’t more men here”
“I wish I could help you on that front. If I had a man, I’d bring him along to make friends with you,” Sharon teased. Things were still pretty early on in her relationship with Bucky. She wasn’t going to bring him along to play group… at least, not yet. Not for a while. “Maybe some day, though.”
“Thank you, if you ever do then I look forward to meeting him but until then I think I can probably handle being around so many women, just about” he added with a wink.
Sharon gave a little laugh. “Yes, you fill our handsome adult man quota rather nicely.” She teased. “Until some of these little boys grow up.” Glancing once around the room, Sharon saw Ben playing with another kid, Viv putting more bean bags into her mouth, and a handful of babies crying. It was probably time to start winding all this down.
Merlin chuckled at that, “Well thank you very much for that compliment. I think I might take that and run since I’m fairly sure Ben will be thinking about food soon and I promised Audrey we’d eat lunch with her today” he said with a smile, “I hope to see you again though”
“I’m sure you will.” Sharon said, giving Merlin a smile. “And tell Audrey I said hello.” She waved, then she lifted Viv’s hand to make the baby wave. Viv thought this was an invitation to start clapping, so she did.