A Day With Maeve SOLO

She had been dressed in her usual (but not always) pink, visited Mommy and Clara at the bakery and had breakfast, took a quick stop to greet Daddy, and now was off for a day of play with Simon. Their destination? The park!

Maeve Elisabeth Prescott was a bright blue eyed blonde haired eight month old with a big smile. She was curious and bright and laughed hard and often. She babbled, attempting words and she often mimicked those around her. She was so ready to join in the world of the people that she loved so much - her favorite being her older cousin Simon.

And Simon loved her.

It was early when the two arrived at the park and it was most unoccupied. There were two kids laughing over under one of the play structures and a creak of a swing, but otherwise it was a nice calming morning at the playground.

The slide was their first activity and Simon knew Maeve wasn't ready yet to do this on her own. "Alright Baby Maevey, we're going to conquer the yellow slide!" He carried her carefully as he climbed up the steps and she watched the world around her now with a more aerial view. He then sat at the top of the slide and put her on her lap and she giggled at the swinging sensation. She then took her tiny hands and clung to his shirt tightly, filled with both excitement and trust. Simon pushed off, and the rush of the slide sent them both laughing, that belly laugh of hers sparking it all. When they reached the bottom, she wiggled a little bit as if telling him she was eager to go again.

And they did. Time and time again; as you would with any activity an eight-month old liked to do - and Simon enjoyed every moment.

After countless times, Simon decided on a new venture for the two, heading over to the swings. There was a certain sort of swing on the end that had a bucket seat for a little one and a more traditional swing in front of it for someone older. It hung invitingly over the sturdy frame and Simon helped Maeve into it and then got onto the seat opposite her. She kicked her legsg as they dangled out and then reached out, not as in wanting to get out, but just because she reached for Simon so often. He reached out, taking her hands into his.

He began to push them, the swing swaying back and forth, and she squealed with delight at the motion. Simon loved how happy she was. Simon was happy how happy she was. She came from a loving family and had not a care in the world. She didn't have the burdens he carried - of heavy examinations at school, fires and tragedies that only seemed to happen at Hogwarts, friends to save, worries about not being good enough to achieve his future career goals, a soulmate that one might be parted from, the stress of an upcoming wedding to stop, and a vampiric father who wanted to control every single aspect of life.

But Simon wouldn't place any of that burden on the little girl. No, he would be on a page in her story and enter into her carefree world for that morning. She was enjoying this day so much and he would too, because soon he'd be back to Hogwarts and his days with Maeve would be limited. Simon smiled as they swayed to his backwards, her forwards, and began making some silly faces from time to time, lift his arms, wave to her, give a surprised gasp - all of which she tried to mimic.

When he did slow the swing down to a stop and pick her up, she pressed her little body into his, not out of exhaustion, but from love. It was as if she wanted to be as close to him as she possibly could be. "I love you, too, Maeve," he whispered and kissed the top of her head.

The two swayed there for a moment as he cherished the closeness and then he found a nice shady spot under a tree where he brought out a blanket and placed down so that they could have snack time. She enjoyed some peeled, already cut, apple slices and some baby puffs with some water in a sippy cut. Simon took in his daily ration that was needed for dhampirs, had a little jerky, and then hydrated with some water.

With the playground now fully occupied, he wanted to get in just a little more time with his cousin before they headed back home but would have to be creative as he didn't want to overstimulate her when he knew she was getting tired. All those kids with all their energy just might do that so he needed an activity that could happen in the less crowded areas of the park.

The wind blew, bringing the rhythmic sound of the trees that sounded like waves at the sea and he smiled. "Good afternoon, nature explorer! I hearby call this meeting to order," Simon said as he began to pick up their make-shift picnic and pack everything away. Maeve watched him. "Let us begin by comfirming the presence of our courage adventurers!"

"I am Captain Dovekeeper Simon, present - of course," he stopped because, duh, that was obvious; he was the one talking. "Meadow Maeve of the Cottontail?" he asked, giving her a rabbit-related name since that seemed to be her coined animal, as dove was his. "Bunny Scout Maeve, are you present?" She lifted up her sippy cup for him to take and he nodded, as if that was the official signal he was waiting for her indicate her present.

"Thank you, brave explorer, for your prompt attendance. As guardians of the forest and protectors of all living things, we gather today with respect and excitement for the wonders of nature. Before we proceed, I ask all explorers place their right hand over their heart and repeat after me...." and he sat down now that all things were placed away in his bag and brought Maeve to his lap, helping her put her right hand over her heart. "I promise to listen closely, explore safetly, and honor the creatures and plants we meet today."

Nothing.

Simon repeated, Once again, repeat after me," he said playfully, knowing she wasn't going to, "I promise to listen closely, explore safetly and honor the creatures and plants we meet today." Maeve reached out, taking a fallen leaf from the ground and waved it in the air. "That's a perfect explorer promise!" Simon laughed.

"With this pledge, I officially declare the Branch and Burrow Patrol of the Nature Explorer's Nature Explorers meeting in session. Let our adventure begin! Today, we will be looking for treasures!"

Simon slipped his bag over his shoulder then scooped up Maeve where she instantly raised her hand and grasped onto the tree above them, having enough strength to pull off one of its already nearly falling off branches. Simon was glad it didn't hit her head or scratch her face. "Why, you've made a discovery already! Here we have Twiggius Wigglus, Stick of the Wobble Wand," and he pulled it away just as she was about to try and place it into her mouth. "Not for licking."

Other items found were Glimmer Rocks, The Soggy Scroll of Knowledge (someone's lost grocery list), and The Feather of Whispering Winds.

They ended the afternoon with a hydration break and a closing ceremony and then Simon carried Maeve home as she rested her head on his shoulder, tired from the afternoon's excursion but full of happiness.

Porter wagged his tail and greeted them as they got through the door and Simon used his free hand to pet the dog. "Hey, boy," he whispered, not wanting to startle the groggy one in his arms. "It's someone's nap time. I'll be down soon and will say a more proper hello," Simon said to the dog and carried Maeve up to her room.

"There we go, little explorer. You rest," he said as he gently got her into her crib. She laid down instantly and didn't even protest. "I had a great day today, BunnyMae. Thank you," and it was nice to be a part of her carefree story after he felt the weight of the world on him in his. "Don't forget, hop, hop, hooray! I love you every day!" he said and leaned in to kiss the top of her head. That had been his little catchphrase ever since they had discovered her love of bunnies, as well as the one of many nicknames.

She was Baby Maevey, Maeves, BunnyMae, Mavelyn, Mavie, Mini Mae, Mavester, Mavelicious, Maveloo, Meadow Maeve of the Cottontail, Bunny Scout Maeve - and she was so loved.