Chapter Text
The baby is so tiny. So very, very tiny, and as Klara looks down on the little girl in her arms, she almost can’t believe that she created that, that tiny little thing, and it’s kind of a terrifying thought, because the girl is going to be dependent on her for at least the next eighteen or so years, and Klara isn’t sure if she’s really ready for that kind of responsibility in her life.
She knows, however, that whether she’s ready or not doesn’t really matter, because looking at the baby – her daughter – fills her with a love so strong that it almost frightens her, and she knows that she’d rather die herself than let any harm come to this little girl. She’s going to do everything she can to be a good mother for her baby, to give her the childhood that was taken from her.
“Hi Chloe,” she whispers down at the infant who gazes up at her with the same brown eyes she’s seen in the mirror so many times. “I’m your mom.” It feels silly saying it, because she knows the baby can’t understand a word of what she’s saying, not yet, but it still feels good to say it.
“I’m your mom,” she says again, and Chloe’s big eyes are unblinking, as if she’s listening to what her mother is saying. “And I might not always be very good at it, but I promise that I’ll always keep trying. I love you so much, and I’m going to protect you. You’re never going to have to feel scared or lonely like I did.”
Chloe yawns, her little mouth opening to reveal bright pink gums and a tiny tongue, and Klara smiles.
“Your daddy’s really missing out,” she continues, wrapping the soft blanket a little tighter around her baby. “I know he wasn’t here to see you come into the world, but I’m sure he’s looking forward to meeting you when he gets off work tonight. He just has a lot of important stuff to do.”
Somehow, she feels like this will be the first of many excuses she’ll have to make for him through the years.
~
The toddler is walking so fast that Klara almost has to wonder if Frederick snuck her the V in secret after all, because there’s just no way a normal baby is supposed to be this fast. The little girl is shrieking in delight as she’s making her way across the yard towards the plum tree.
“Chloe, wait!” Klara yells as she hurries outside, nearly tripping over her own feet as she attempts to shove them into her wooden shoes while walking at the same time.
“Pums!” Chloe announces, her intent clear as her chubby little hands reach out toward the fallen fruit on the ground. “Mommy pums!”
Images of Chloe choking on a plum pit flash through Klara’s mind as she hurries after her daughter and manages to grab hold of her little waist just as the girl bends down to pick a plum out of the wet morning grass.
A frustrated scream fills the air as Klara lifts her daughter up, the fruit slipping out of Chloe’s grip, and Klara can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
“Mommy’s told you, no eating plums from the ground!” she scolds, but the toddler isn’t listening, a tearful “PUUUUUUUUUUUUUMS” ripping through the air as she struggles to get lose of her mother’s grip.
Klara pulls the baby closer to her, and turns her around so she can hold her up with one arm beneath her butt. Chloe’s still screaming for pums as Klara steps closer to the tree, unaware that her mother is picking one for her until she’s holding one up next to her face.
The crying stops, and a soft “pums” is all that is heard. Klara grins.
“Look, Chloe. It’s a plum. Why don’t we go inside so mommy can peel it for you and take out the pit?”
The toddler nods, the tears on her cheeks forgotten as she reaches out to grab hold of the precious fruit.
~
Klara feels a little sick.
It’s Chloe’s first day of school, and the girl seems fine. Downright excited, even. It’s all she’s been talking about for this last week or so, and while Klara is excited for her baby girl, she can’t help but feel a little anxious too.
It’s selfish, she knows that, but she’s never been away from Chloe for more than a few hours before, and now she’s supposed to be away from her for a full school day five days a week? The thought scares her, and part of her wishes Chloe would just be home schooled instead of going to that fancy private school Frederick picked out for her.
Of course, Frederick thinks this is the perfect opportunity for Klara to take on a more active role with the company. Maybe even create a persona for herself and get out there and fight some crime. And, although he wouldn’t ever say it out loud of course, bring in money for the company.
Klara’s honestly not sure what to think of it, because truth be told, it’s something she hasn’t even considered. These last five years, Chloe has been her life, and honestly, she’s been happy that way. The girl has filled a hole in her that she didn’t even know was there, and it seems a hell of a lot more rewarding than playing crimefighter for Vought.
“Mommy,” Chloe says between bites of her breakfast pancakes. “You’ll pick me up from school, right?”
“Of course I will, baby,” Klara replies, forcing herself to smile. She is excited for her daughter, and she hopes her first day of school will go well. Right now, she just isn’t sure what to do with herself for the hours Chloe will be away.
“Oh good,” the child replies, the smile that forms on her lips now a replica of the one on her mother’s, except with a lot more pancake between the teeth. “I was worried that if it was dad he’d forget me.”