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Whoa, this one looks like you, Daddy! Look at this one!
Frank feels the tug on his hand, guiding him to the other side of the aisle. Before he can warn Tanner about Toy R Us’ probable no running policy, the kid is already shoving a teddy bear his way. “It’s you! He has blue fur and blue eyes like you, and he frowns all the time ‘cause his name is–”
“Gloomy bear, right?”
“Nah-uh,” his son retorts with too much attitude for someone who can’t reach the top of the kitchen counter yet. “This one is named Grumpy Bear! Ooh, and this one is like Dr. Mel. ”
He pulls another one from the shelf. This one is yellow with a sun on its belly, as opposed to Grumpy’s rain cloud. Some part of him wonders if his kids see him as the bad cop parent, but the Mel of it all eclipses that thought. Nobody outshines Mel. Infectious and eternally lovable Mel, who tints his glasses rose at every turn. She’s Funshine Bear—Tanner corrects him a second time—through and through. But the kid seems to think their similarities start and end with the golden hair and sunny personality.
Tanner also picks up a tiny crown and plastic doctor kit, classic stethoscope and hammer combo, for his favourite new doctor.
“Hey– don’t I get a stethoscope? I'm also a doctor, Tan." Shaking his head, Tanner hits him with an immediate reply, “‘cause Dr. Mel is way better.”
He offers no rebuttal; there is none. Dr. Mel is way better. Frank knows this firsthand. They don’t call it better half for no reason.
Does she like stuffies?
“Uh– Dr. Mel? Yeah, loves ‘em,” Frank zones back in, holding a bear in each hand. They go well together, Mel would say the same upon receiving it at their next weekly dinner. “C’mon, kiddo, your mama’s at checkout.”