Sorelledolce [let's call it Sunday]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was starting to feel at home on Sorelledolce: he had a routine for getting produce for the week at the same store, where the older man behind the counter insisted on spoiling the baby with strawberries, plums or apples, depending on what he had available when they arrived. He'd then get bread at another shop (and a roll for Val to gnaw on), and then a coffee for himself (and an espresso cup full of whipped cream that Val smeared all over her face, to her great delight) before heading back to the ship.

He kept up his normal one-sided conversation with his daughter as they walked. "That's a puppy, Val," Ben explained. "And that's a chicken! And that's a lady who's glaring at us for no real reason but we're going to walk faster anyway..."

Just another Sunday morning. Ben kind of loved his quiet little life.

[OOC: For calls or the boy!]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

"I'm glad you and Big Val have a thing together still," Ben said sincerely. "It's nice."

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled a little. "It's nice working with her," he said, "She gets absorbed in her work, and I understand that-- but it's been a while since I've had the opportunity to watch her brain work."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm pretty sure she misses you too," Ben said with a tiny smile.

[endsthegame]

"I think so too," Ender said quietly. "I think sometimes she gets lonely."

[momslilassassin]

"I don't suppose she wants to be set up on dates at all," Ben said.

[endsthegame]

"Not by us," Ender said wryly. "I can tell you that much."

[momslilassassin]

"And here I thought I knew what Wiggins liked," Ben said.

[endsthegame]

"We're not all interchangeable, love," Ender said fondly.

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "Well, I'm not about to offer Big Val what Little Val likes."

[endsthegame]

"I don't know," Ender said, grinning. "I believe they have apples in common."

[momslilassassin]

"But I don't think apples cure loneliness," Ben said, smiling back.

[endsthegame]

"She's keeping busy," Ender said. "That is our family's traditional way of coping."

[momslilassassin]

"Maybe the next planet," Ben said. "We can stay a little longer, let her meet people...it seems unfair to keep moving faster than she could make connections."

[endsthegame]

There was a brief flicker in Ender's expression.

"I can't, Ben."

[momslilassassin]

Ben bit his lower lip and nodded. "Because the other one won't understand. Poor Val."

[endsthegame]

"She signed on for this," Ender said quietly, "Just like you did. Either of you can stop any time; I just can't."

[momslilassassin]

Ben reached for Ender with his free hand, pulling him in closer. "I'm not going to stop," he said, eyes focused on Ender's face.

[endsthegame]

"Okay," Ender said softly, looking up at him. "But if it gets to be too much..."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed his forehead. "I'm not leaving you, kreetle," he murmured. "I choose you and everything that was wrapped up in that."

[endsthegame]

Ender opened his mouth to answer, but instead he winced as Val hit him with a blast of question marks.

"Nothing's wrong, sweetheart," he said, pulling away from Ben to look at the baby.

[momslilassassin]

Ben sent a quick pulse of reassurance at both of them. "We're fine, little one. Andrew's just needing a little bit of love right now."

Val reached her arms out immediately toward Ender.

[endsthegame]

"Dah is making it sound worse than it is," Ender told her fondly.

Not that it stopped him from including her in a hug.

[momslilassassin]

Ben hugged them both a little tightly. "We've got you," he murmured in Ender's ear.

[endsthegame]

"The baby needs to breathe," Ender whispered back, and kissed his cheek.

[momslilassassin]

"She's fine," Ben said, smiling. "Look at her grin."