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[surprise-rosie.livejournal.com]

locked to casualsin and simon_ordained

My Daddy doesn't know I'm here!

daddy!verse

Comments

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

*slowblink* Well I didn't even know you were here so I'd say that's pretty much par for the course of this little misadventure.

[surprise-rosie.livejournal.com]

*looks up at her with a bright smile* Hello pretty lady!

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

*wriggles her fingers at the little girl before crouching down in front of her, eyes scanning the area around the apartment entrance* Did you wander away from your Daddy, then? Is that it?

[surprise-rosie.livejournal.com]

*stands up strait like they'd practiced, her momma and her* No. My momma said *she's distracted for a moment reaching in the tiny backpack hanging off her shoulder* Momma said to give this to the pretty lady at this house. *hands her an envelope*

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

{tries not to let her panic show but she was definitely feeling it} No? {takes the envelope and makes quick work of opening then reading the hastily folded college rule} Oh...Oh dear.

Well this is certainly unexpected. {grimaces and tucks the letter back into the envelope then regards the little girl} Since I very well can't imagine calling you 'Hey you' or 'Girl', would you tell me your name?

[surprise-rosie.livejournal.com]

*is oblivious to the rising panic, kneeling down to look at the little panda outside the door while Greta read* I'm Rosie! *flashes a bright smile and stands up, speaking slowly, having obviously practiced* Rosaline Sofia Marcelli.

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

{denying the inevitable would be futile so doesn't -- offers the little girl her hand and a warm smile} Well hello there Rosaline Sofia Marcelli, I'm Greta Denise Andrews. I...I'm a friend of your father's.

{Oh and won't Simon just be thrilled.}

[surprise-rosie.livejournal.com]

*takes the hand with a bright giggle* You have a pretty smile. I've never met my Daddy. Do you have juice?

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Rosie. You've a nice smile as well. {curls her fingers over the smaller ones and stands up} I believe I have some apple juice in the fridge and possibly cranberry. {pulls her keys from her pocket and leans over Rosie's head to unlock her door} You'll be meeting your father very soon. But first, let's get inside and get you settled. Alright?

[surprise-rosie.livejournal.com]

*nods emphatically* My favorite is apple juice with animal crackers. I like the lions best. What's your favorite animal?

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

{checks the clock hanging just to the left of the open door} I think my favorite animal is a cat. They're so fluffy and cute, and they purr when you pet them.

{closes the door, the automatic lock engaging, and leads the way into the kitchen where she sits Rosie at the table and goes about pouring out two small glasses of juice before joining her}

Rosie, are you hungry? Have you eaten today?

[surprise-rosie.livejournal.com]

*smiles brightly* I love kitties! I found a black one once, under our porch! He had six wiskers, and four feet and two ears! And little green eyes! *wraps tiny hands around the glass and very carefully takes a sip* I had cereal with marshermellows for bekfast.

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

He sounded very cute. {smiles as she visualizes the little thing, all tail and ears and big, bright eyes}

{notices how precise the girl is being and is curious about that but marks it for later} After your juice, would you like to go see your father? He should be just finishing up by the time we arrive.

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

They'd decided to call one of the local realators and set up an appointment for the Sunday after service. The rest of the evening had been spent in quiet conversation, talking about anything and nothing at all, just being comfortable in each other's company. They'd retired to separate rooms - Simon to his own and Greta to the guest room with Rosie - only a few hours before dawn with smiles in their hearts if not their faces.

The next morning, Rosie woke Greta by jumping on her chest, giggling then, when Greta caught her breath again, suggested to the little girl to go wake her Father the same way. Greta couldn't help but giggle herself when she heard Simon yelping from the next bedroom. They ended up in the kitchen in their pajamas and bowls of honeyed oatmeal, laughing over the sticky mess they were making of their fingers.

Greta, true to her word, bundled Rosie and Simon into her car and headed into town for a bit of shopping. Normally Greta didn't much care for it beyond getting the bare necessities and possibly new shoes that she'd probably wear only a handful of times during the year. However, when she was shopping for someone else? Greta's credit cards were warm to the touch and singing every time she produced it for another purchase.

By the time they'd returned to Simon's place, Rosie had enough clothes, shoes, and little extras to fill the entire trunk with only a few bags between Simon and Greta both. It was overindulgence at its finest and neither adult seemed to mind in the least because the little girl they'd held between them, one sticky hand folded into each of theirs, was smiling and laughing so brightly it lit the entire room.

That night it didn't take long for any of them to fall asleep, earlier than the night before because Simon had services in the morning and Greta needed to find a suitable sitter for the early afternoon so that she and Si could check out the three listings the realator had lined up for them.

[simon-ordained.livejournal.com]

He'd been doing more soul searching in the past few days than he ever recalled doing in his entire life. He'd spent long hours once his girls had gone to bed on the phone with the local dioscese, talking to his cardinal, talking to the bishop, and reading more of the bible than he had since seminary. He'd prayed more in the past weekend than in a good majority of the last year, and he only hoped he was doing the right thing. He thought he was.

Rosie was more than thrilled to dress up in her sunday best, the tiny dress that Greta had picked out for her, pink and frilled with flowers on the hem and he took a moment to appreciate Greta in her own skirt and shirt, looking as beautiful as the first day he'd seen her. And that thought, flicking unbeckoned in his mind only helped assure him he was doing the right thing. How surprised Greta was going to be.

An hour after their breakfast, they'd made their way to church, Rosie perched happily on his hip, where he planned to keep her until he had to give his sermon. At that point he gave the willing girl to Auntie Greta and offered the words he'd had planned, long before his world had been turned completely on its head by a tiny little red-head. But it wasn't until he'd offered his last prayer that he raised his hand, asking for his congregation's attention.

"I'd..I'd like to introduce you to someone, and at the same time, confess a sin." he reached out a hand, beckoning for Rosie to join him on the pulpit.

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

The last time Greta had sat through a complete sermon it had been one of Simon's firsts preaching at this church. He'd been so wide-eyed and innocent back then, all big grins and enthusiasm. Actually he was still like that most the time but she could tell he'd grown up a lot since those days. He definitely filled out the robes better.

'And it's thoughts like that, Greta Andrews, that has gotten you into this whole love mess!'

She ignored the voice and listened to the ebb and flow of the good Word, smiling over at Rosie and squeezing the little girl's hand every time she fidgeted on the pew. And surprisingly Rosaline was very attentive. Those eyes so much like Simon's were wide and watching her Father as he preached to the small crowd littering the church venue. It was bitter sweet and simply adorable.

By the time Simon called for Rosie, the little girl was bustling with energy and sprang to her feet quicker than Greta could get a hold of her hand. It didn't matter, not really, because Rosie did as Simon would have wanted and ran straight towards him with a peel of laughter trailing in little feet. Greta held her own laughter in check and carefully made her way down the isle at a much slower pace.

[simon-ordained.livejournal.com]

Simon couldn't help his own bright laugh and grin as Rosie ran to him, kneeling down to scoop her up and settle her against him, arms wrapped protectively against his chest. They'd both be judged now...and he could feel the eyes of the Flock on him. "I'd like to introduce you to Rosaline Sofia Marcelli...my daughter. And the sin I'd like to confess is that of premarital intercourse, and a breaking of my vows before I entered seminary..." he paused and drew a deep breath. This was the moment that would be a shocker to just about everyone - including the woman who was walking slowly up the asile, "Which is why..." he swallowed, trying to speak around the lump in his throat, this was proving harder than he'd thought, no matter how many times he'd thought it in his head, "I'm stepping down as your Preist. I..I don't feel right holding this post after I've so obviously broken the oaths I swore to you all. Nor do I plan to give up this Blessing, as would be required by our Dogma. Father Smith will take over the two sermons a month I gave, until a replacement can be found," He smiled, unaware that he'd shed a few tears until Rosie reached up to pat his face comfortingly. "Thank you."

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

The congregation was silent, still in shock Greta supposed, until the moment after Simon started to back away from the podium then there was an outcry of harsh words, a few bellows of disbelief, and an even great number of men and women calling for Simon to reconsider his decision. It was, quite frankly, astonishing and a little bit frightening to wade through the crowd that was slowly starting to spill out into the pathway, some making their way towards Simon while others kept their seats and sent scandalized looks towards the now denounced and disgraced -- which Greta hated to even think those two words could ever be associated with her Simon -- Priest.

Greta hurried the last few feet and ascended the stairs to add her body mass as a physical barrier between the crowd below and the pair she wrapped her arms around and hugged close. Her fingers trailed along Simon's cheeks and helped Rosie to wipe away the remaining tears.

"Panda?" She whispered. "Panda are you sure that's what you wish to do? Won't the Church give you another posting? Why didn't you tell me?!"

[simon-ordained.livejournal.com]

Simon offered her a watery smile and shook his head, "We should take this to my office...not here..."

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

"Of course!" She said hastily, looking behind her at the crowd that was still complaining even if a majority of them had the good sense to start clearing the church. Greta was sure a few of them would come by Simon's place or corner him before they left, to speak with him, perhaps try to get him to change his mind about leaving...or to condemn him for his transgressions. She wanted to prevent that last one.

With a little deft maneuvering, Greta lead them down the back and towards Simon's office, her hand resting gently in the crook of his arm, brushing lightly against Rosie's back.

[simon-ordained.livejournal.com]

Simon was glad to see as he let Greta lead him that Father Smith had emerged, and warned of the announcement was already pulling aside those who were the most upset, trying to soothe their concerns. He was ever thankful for the woman holding his arm, and used his key to unlock the small, cluttered office, settling Rosie on his lap as he took a heavy seat behind the desk.

"I'm..I'm sure."

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

Ignoring the two small chairs just before his desk, not caring for the distance that put between them, Greta cleared a section of Simon's desk and perched on the corner. Her hands seemed restless in her lap, fingers twitching and twining with one another until she leaned forward to brush, first, Rosie's hair from her forehead then leaned further to run her fingers through the fringe of Simon's.

"Will you return to the Church in some fashion?" She asked because she needed to know. This, the Priesthood, had been everything to Simon and he had just given it up for his daughter. But she knew that God would always be in the man's heart, urging him to share His gospel.

[simon-ordained.livejournal.com]

He smiled at that soft touch, leaning into her hand, the comfort it offered. Greta didn't judge him, or if she did, she somehow always found him worthwhile. "I..I talked to the Diocese and they've connected me with an Episcopalian Bishop whose congregation needs a new Priest. We're going to see how it works," And there's a reason they found the Episcopal church to be the right fit, but that's not one he's going to tell Greta yet...probably not for a couple months more.

[casualsin.livejournal.com]

"Well," The relief was obvious in her voice and carried well with her smile, "I don't quite understand the differences between the Faiths but I'll just say that I'm happy that you've been given the chance to continue your preaching. It suits you well."

[simon-ordained.livejournal.com]

He smiles at her, looking up at those sweet eyes. "Thank you, never really been good at much else. Wouldn't know what to do with myself if I wasn't preaching."