Chapter Text
Taking in Kathanny had been one of the biggest decisions he had made since coming back from Snaktooth, and he suspected it wasn’t going to be topped for quite a while.
He was a parent. He was raising her.
He still couldn’t get over that fact, even three months later, and he doubted he’d ever will.
“She really is adorable, ain’t she?” Triffany cooed across from him, holding Kathanny in her arms gently as she slept. Wambus smiled, nodding silently in agreement as he watched.
She was so small compared to her…
“She’s growin’ fine, apparently. Floofty said there was nothing wrong.” He said. “Who knows how big she’ll end up gettin’.” Triffany let out a hum at that, looking at Wambus as she rocked Kathanny gently.
“Well, I’d say you’d better watch out, Wambus. She could be reachin’ for the tallest before ya know it.” She grinned cheekily, eliciting a snort from said farmer.
“She can try.” He said, looking down at her with a small smile. “I’ll be darned if I’ll lose, though.”
They all shared a quiet laugh at that. Triffany looked back at him with a curious expression as they all calmed down, a question on her lips.
“I know it’ll probably be a while yet, dear, but how’re ya plannin’ on teachin’ her?” She asked. “Because of her… circumstance, I imagine you ain’t keen on lettin’ her into the public education system without a bit of reassurance.”
She had a good point.
“Well… I was gonna talk with Filbo about it.” He said, clasping his paws together. “It’s not like I had a great experience back then, so I can only imagine what it’d be like for her, but… She’s gonna need friends. She can’t be locked up all her life. That ain’t right.”
They fell into a bit of silence as they all took what he said in, the quiet gurgles of Kathanny being the only thing filling the air.
“Well I reckon she’ll fit in alright.” Wambus said. “Grumps nowadays are more acceptin’ of new things and it’s showin’. It’ll be surprisin’, but before long things’ll be alright.” He crossed his arms, nodding to himself.
“Well, you’re not wrong , Wamby, but… How are grumps gonna react when they meet her?” She asked. “I mean, nothin’ meant by this, but she ain’t exactly lookin’ like a grumpus. No fur, only… Hair.” She gave Kathanny a gentle pat on the head for emphasis.
Gramble looked down at that, discomfort on his face.
“I mean… I’ll still love her either way.” He said, voice firm. “She’s my kin. And I don’t give up on kin.”
The both of them gained a look of what looked to be respect, smiling at him.
“You’ll be a great parent, dear.” She said, standing up to offer Kathanny back to him. “If you ever need help, don’t be afraid to ask. We’re all friends.”
Wambus kept silent, nodding in agreement as Gramble took Kathanny into his arms.
“Alright… I’ll try my best.” He said, looking back at both of his guests. “She deserves that much.”
“So, how’s raising a kid?” Beffica asked, sitting across from him in the cafe they were in. Naturally, Kathnny wasn’t there at the moment, staying with Triffany and wambus for a few hours while he met up with Beffica.
He didn’t talk to her much before this, so he figured he’d at least meet today and clear any misconceptions he had about her.
“It’s nice. I love her a lot.” He was a bit stiff, admittedly, but there wasn’t much he could say beyond that. He loved her with all his heart, and he could tell she felt the same.
Beffica let out a hum at that, sipping at her drink.
“Nothing difficult about it?” She quirked a brow, tilting her head. “Not that I’m saying you’re a bad parent or anything, I’m just curious.”
He bit his lip a bit. He knew she didn’t mean anything by it, but still…
“N-No, she’s like any other grumpling.” He said, wringing his paws a bit. “A bit difficult durin’ the night, but that’s to be expected. A few hours less of sleep is fine.”
She said nothing, pondering that as she put her drink down.
“I see.” She said. nodding. “How is she, anyway? You said Wambus and Triffany had her?”
He nodded at that, a small bit of relief hitting him.
“Yeah, she’ll be fine with ‘em.” He said, smiling at the sight of them holding her. “I trust ‘em with her.”
She smiled at that.
“Yeah, I can see that.” She twirled a lock of hair absentmindedly. “Triffany always did give me the “western mom” vibe, and Wambus… Well, he’s Wambus.” She snickered into a paw.
“Yeah… Quiet, but well-meaning.” He said, blowing into his hot chocolate. “I’ll be damned if he doesn’t wanna hold her by the time I’m back.”
She let out another laugh at that.
“Grump, since when were you funny?” She asked, leaning her head on a paw. “That’s the first I’ve seen you crack a real joke like that.”
He shook his head.
“Is it really a joke when it’s true?” He said, remembering the look he had when they visited for the first time. “You should meet her some time, if you can. You’d like her.”
“I’m a busy gal, Gramble.” She said, “But… I’ll see when I’m around next time. See what all the fuss is about.”
He smiled at that.
“Now, you gonna tell me about “Mister Mayor” and how he’s doing?” The familiar glint in her eye never left her, it seemed.
“Oh, well, not much to say, really…”
By the time he got back from his little meeting, it was already four o’clock.
An hour over how long he said he’d be, but things would be fine.
Right?
He knocked tentatively on the door as he fidgeted nervously, waiting with bated breath as he listened for activity. Why didn’t he bring his keys?
After a few seconds of waiting, though, there was a sign.
“Oh, that’s him, dear!” The voice of Triffany shouted. “Mind lettin’ him in?”
Less than a few seconds later, heavy footsteps thumped closer, before the door opened to the warm face of wambus.
“There ya are.” He greeted, moving aside to let him in. “We were wonderin’ where ya ran off to.”
He let out a little laugh as he stepped inside, wiping his paws on the mat to not track dirt in.
“Sorry, just didn’t realize the time.” He admitted. Who knew gossiping was so interesting? “We got quite distracted.”
He huffed a little, but the smile on his face told him it was fine.
“She’s quite feisty without ya.” Wambus said. “Not awful or anythin’, but she wanted ya.”
His smile fell a little, but he hid that quickly.
“Oh, I didn’t bother ya, did I?” He asked. “I-”
“It’s alright, Gramble.” Wambus cut him off, laying a paw on his shoulder. “It’s normal for a kid to want their parents. Besides, it’s good trainin’ for down the line.” He smiled.
“A-Are ya sure?” He asked, looking almost ashamed. “I-I didn’t wanna burden ya or nothin’.”
Wambus said nothing else, merely shaking his head.
He gulped but nodded in return. Wambus smiled, letting his shoulder go.
“Alright, now come get your kid. She’s missed ya.” He said, nodding.
As he followed him into the next room over, he waved in greeting at Triffany, who was busy playing with Kathanny, holding her above like an airship.
“Aw…” He let out, holding a paw over his chest.
“Heya, Gramble.” She greeted, bringing her down to her arms. “Papa’s here now, dear. You missed him, didn’t ya?”
Kathanny just cooed in response, looking directly at him.
Triffany laughed at that, before offering her to him.
“Well, we’ll be off then.” She said, taking a step back once he took her into his arms. “I’m sure ya've gotta get her fed and ready for bed.”
“Mhm.” He mumbled, nuzzling Kathanny happily. “I’ll see ya out in a second, just gotta…”
“Oh, no, it’s fine dear!” She said, “She comes first. If ya need us again, then just call. She’s a real charmer, ain’t she, Wambus?” She turned to her husband, who nodded in turn.
“Yep. Really grabby when she wants to be.” He said, adjusting his hat a bit.
“Oh, she just wanted to try the hat, ya big oaf.” She joked, putting on her coat. “We’d best be off, then. See ya soon!”
With that, they opened the door, leaving the both of them alone as he got to sorting her out.
“Let’s get ya fed, then.” He said. “Hope they didn’t overfeed ya while I was gone…”
Another month passed.
Things were going well for the pair, his routine never changing while things continued to be sorted out for her education, with the occasional visit from friends. From the looks of it, she’d be enrolled into a kindergarten to test things out first, all arranged ahead of time. That was going to be after whether or not they’d reveal her, of course, so the idea of where exactly she’d go was still up in the air.
That didn’t matter at the moment though. All he was concerned about was raising her. He was feeling the stress from raising a child, sure, but the sense of fulfilment he had trumped that by far.
How could he not feel that, knowing he was responsible for another life?
“Alright, Kathanny, it’s dinner time.” He said, shaking the bottle in his paw. “Hope you’re hungry!” He grinned, holding the bottle in sight of her.
She let out a happy coo at that, making grabbing motions like usual. She giggled as she was picked up from where she was lying, grabbing the bottle as it was brought to her lips.
He couldn’t fight off the constant smile he always had whenever he laid eyes on her. He was surprised his cheeks weren’t hurting from the constant smiling, but he wasn’t complaining. All the horror stories of raising a grumpling he heard as he got older were just that, it seemed. Something to spook adults into thinking it over.
He was happy enough just having her. He likely wouldn’t have grandkids with her, but he didn’t mind. That was far into the future.
As she finished the bottle, he brought her to his shoulder, patting her back rhythmically. After a couple of burps found themselves out of her, he set her down next to her on the couch, making sure to keep her close so she wouldn’t tumble.
He flicked on the TV across from him, keeping one paw on her as the local news played. It seemed things were going fine in New Grump City that night.
He glanced at Kathanny, who was busy tugging at his sweater as he sat there.
“Who could hate you?” He asked himself, tightening his hold slightly as he brought her closer. “You’re too adorable to be hated.”
Seeing as nothing was going on tonight, he elected to channel surf instead, idly flicking through to find something worth watching. Maybe they had a grumpling’s programme on.
“Ah… Ah…” Kathanny was making noises again. Did he feed her too much?
“What’s wrong?” He craned his neck to look down at her, as she stared right back at him. “Did you mess yourself?”
“Ah… Pah… Papa.” She spoke.
She spoke.
She spoke to him.
Oh my grump.
“K-Kathanny?” He stammered, feeling the joy swell up. “Was… Was that your first word?” He was in disbelief.
“Papa… Papa.” She repeated, pulling on his sweater like nothing was happening.
“Oh, grump…” He said, feeling himself tear up a bit. “This is… This is amazin’.” He was trembling a bit. It was almost overwhelming with how much emotion he was feeling.
He might have been a bit dramatic, but he didn’t care. He was going to treasure this moment.
Ignoring the TV for the moment, he picked up Kathanny, wrapping her in a gentle hug as he sobbed a bit.
He wasn’t going to forget this. Not ever in his life.