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

[endsthegame]

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

[momslilassassin]

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

[endsthegame]

"She likes hugs," Ender said, smiling a little. "Definitely your kid."

[momslilassassin]

"You like them too, if they come from the right person," Ben said.

[endsthegame]

Ender chuckled softly. "Fair," he said softly. "My family."

[momslilassassin]

"So we'll see if she's more like you than you think in a while," Ben said. "Not that she'll ever have to hug someone she doesn't want to."

[endsthegame]

"We definitely won't let that happen," Ender said. He smiled down at the baby. "I promise."

[momslilassassin]

"Eh," Val agreed.

Ben beamed at both of them.

[endsthegame]

"Neh," Ender said, headbutting her very, very gently.

[momslilassassin]

Ben just about melted into a puddle of adoring mush. "You two are too much," he said.

[endsthegame]

"Your dah is a sap," Ender told Val. "I need you to remember that."

[momslilassassin]

"Eh," Val agreed, batting at Ender's nose.

"Let's keep walking," Ben said, laughing and wiping sneakily at his eyes.

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled and pulled away from the hug, though his hand found Ben's easily and gave it a little squeeze. "I love you," he said softly.

[momslilassassin]

"I know," Ben murmured in reply, smiling softly.

[endsthegame]

Ender leaned into him lightly as they walked, his eyes scanning across the street. He never lost focus of the warm weight next to him either, though, and soon enough he was pointing out stuff out loud for Val to see.

[momslilassassin]

After a long, rambling walk and some deeply mediocre ice cream, they finally made their way back to the ship. Val was nodding off against Ben's shoulder, sticky and cranky.

"We're almost there, little one," Ben crooned to her.

[endsthegame]

Ender had to detach; he went forward to hit the combination to make the ramp descend. "Home sweet home," he said.

[momslilassassin]

Ben gave him a slightly tired grin. "I like it." He glanced down at Val. "Think I'll just put her down and give her a bath later."

[endsthegame]

"She looks like she just wants to sleep," Ender said. He patted Ben on the shoulder. "Go on, I'll get us some food."

[momslilassassin]

"You're the best," Ben said, heading towards Val's bedroom and then stopping in the 'fresher unit to de-sticky himself a bit.

[endsthegame]

Ender grabbed Ben's bag of groceries and took it into the kitchen, to put the produce in the right cabinets - or the fridge.

Then he snagged a package of steak and mashed potatoes and popped it in the microwave, before starting to dig around for the salad packets.

[momslilassassin]

"Mmm, smells promising," Ben said as he came into the kitchen.

[endsthegame]

"Almost time to start making the next salad again," Ender said wryly. "We're out of DIY packets."

[momslilassassin]

"I'll see what kind of veggies are at the market next week," Ben said, writing himself a note.

[endsthegame]

"Never thought I'd ever hear you say those words," Ender teased.