Not A Baby, A Sugar & Spies Tale

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

“Papa!  Do you like my new costume?”

Illya looked up from his book to see his four year old daughter Leona Nicole standing in his bedroom doorway wearing a princess costume.  The little girl’s long – sleeved dress was made of tulle and satiny looking material in various shades of purple and pink. She also wore a short purple cape, a tiara and a pair of pink patent leather Mary Jane shoes.  His eyes immediately filled with tears.  “You…you look beautiful, Daughter,” he choked out as he stared.  He couldn’t help it; a tear rolled down his cheek.

“Oh, no!” Leona cried as she turned and ran down the hallway.  “Daddy! Daddy!  Papa’s crying!”

Moments later, Napoleon came into the room and closed the door when he saw Illya wiping tears from his face.  “What’s wrong, Partner? I had to take a minute to tell Leona that I was sure everything is okay, but what’s happening?”  He was surprised to see the Russian’s pale skin grow rosy with embarrassment.

“I am sorry I upset her.  It was just…when she came to show me her outfit, she…” Illya’s eyes welled up again.

Napoleon came to sit on the bed next to the smaller man and put his hand on the Russian’s shoulder.  “She…” he urged.

“She did not look like a baby anymore!  She is a young girl now and realizing that made me very sad and very proud and very mindful of how fast time is moving.  Sometimes, it seems like we just adopted her yesterday.   We are gone so often.  I feel like I will look at her fifteen minutes from now and she will be eighteen!”  He patted Napoleon’s hand that still sat on his shoulder and said, “I am being silly, I know.  I know she is growing older, it is just hard to watch.”

“Not as silly as you might think, Tovarisch.  I remember my sister and brother – in – law voicing the same complaint when their kids became toddlers.”

“I have not seen you moping around and being ridiculous.”

“Only because Leona hasn’t caught me teary – eyed and yes, I have been.  It’s natural to feel that way. She’s our child!”

“I am glad she will be in Queens with Rosie and Lamont so she can be taken Trick or Treating with Paige.  I have asked Lamont to take pictures.”

“Good, because I know you don’t believe it now, Illya, but one day you’re going to look at those photographs and think, ‘Was she ever that young?’”  He stood. “Come on.  We’ve left Leona alone long enough and I want her to see that you’re fine.”  When Illya stood, Napoleon pulled him into a quick hug.  “Better?”

“Yes, but I think eating something will make me feel more myself.  Is dinner ready?”

Napoleon clapped him on the shoulder and then turned to open the door.  “Yes,” he laughed, “let’s eat.”

Comments

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Should the day come when Illya watches his child get married, he's going to be in one heck of a state. This is such a sweet story of parenthood.

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

I now watch my grandson and think the same. I remember crying when my son came into church the first time in 8th grade and sat in the seating that had nothing behind him--This was his last move making him one of the oldest--watching them grow up is hard at times.

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

My godchildren make me feel this way. I remember when you weren't even here and now, you are adults! Amazing. It is hard at times to see them grow.

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It can be a shock to realize the baby you adore is turning into a sentient human being who will one day, not need you. Illya is not handling this well, I think.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing this convincing and well thought moment. Nice ending, too.

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

The center of his heart... so sweet.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Just saying what a great icon that is for Halloween - or any other time.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

He's right, though, they do grow up so fast. I've seen that with our own. One day they are babies, then kids and suddenly all grown up.

*sigh*

Good job!

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I like to show the emotional sides of the guys in my S&S series, but I try not to make it too sappy so I'm glad you liked the ending.

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

And he will only show that side of him to Leona and Napoleon. Thanks for commenting!

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

I used to think the adults around me were nuts when they would comment on "how big/old/grown" I was, but now, I know exactly what they meant.

I got the idea for this one shot remembering one of my friends crying because her child was no longer a baby. She was heartbroken because the babyhood went by "too fast."

Thanks!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Such a touching story! Yep, they grow up too fast and that realization is a shock to any parent I'm sure, but it seems more so with Illya.

Another well done Sugar and Spies tale my friend!

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I don't know; I looked at all the prompts for this week, including mine, and drew a blank. I finally got some words on paper for the episode challenge and I'm hoping it doesn't stink too much.

I remembered one of my friends getting upset that her baby no longer looked like a baby and I decided that would hit Illya very hard and that little one shot flowed from there. But that's the only thing that has come easily this week. Sigh.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I know exactly how you feel. I was drawing a complete blank until late Sunday night, that's when I started the short affair and the story ended up concluding in today's PicFic. I didn't come up with something for my own challenge until last night. Yikes.

Usually Halloween I'm raring to go, but not this year. I fizzled out pretty quick.

Thank goodness I wrote the stories for the Scrapbook Halloween as soon as the prompts went up...when my muse was being cooperative. oy.

[pactnmmt.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, they do grow up so quickly. I use to sing to my son at night when I put him to bed. One day he looked up at me and said he thought he was too old to sing to anymore. I kissed him goodnight and went into my room and cried.

I like how you use the Sugar and Spies stories to bring out the emotions of our spies, especially IK.

[alynwa.livejournal.com]

My oldest godchild cried the first time she dropped her daughter at pre-school because she said goodbye, got out of the car and didn't look back. She said she felt like her child had abandoned her!

In my head, IK and NS are two well trained, dangerous men who do a hard job well. They only completely trust each other and are completely honest with each other. In my S&S series, all the love they possess and can't give to another adult other than each other goes into that child.

Thanks for commenting!