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“But do you think she’ll like it?” Madeline’s brows furrow with worry. It wasn’t often she was so self conscious about her work.
“Mad.” Helen places a hand on her shoulder, “Of course she will!”
“I just really want her to enjoy it...” Madeline’s eyes dart around the kitchen to the living room landing on their daughter.
Helen moves her hand off Madeline’s shoulder to take her hand, “She’s 6 years old. She loves dogs, space, and most importantly you.”
Madeline smiles softly, but her worry is still evident. Helen squeezes her hand and says, “We don’t have to show her Dogstraunaut now if you aren’t ready.”
“No no.” Madeline shakes her head trying to fling her nerves away. “I already made popcorn and put out the astronaut ice cream sandwiches.” She fiddles with the popcorn bowl nervously as she continues, “It’s okay if she doesn’t like it. She can be a tough critic.” Madeline slightly moves her arms pointing to their daughter. “Do you remember how she reacted to Finding Nemo?” Madeline’s eyes glaze over, “Oh my God and that’s a Pixar film! Helen, if she isn’t entertained by Disney, why do I think Dogstronaut will even stand a chance!?”
Before she can truly begin to spiral, Violet pads into the kitchen grabbing Helen’s hand beginning to pull her towards the living room, “Come on, Mama!” she says excitedly pointing at Madeline as she says, “I wanna watch mommy’s movie!” This soothes a bit of Madeline’s worry, and Helen can see her face relax.
Helen lets herself be led to their couch. Violet snuggles into her side as Madeline places the popcorn down on the table in front of them while saying, “Vi-Vi, if you don’t like the movie, you just tell me anytime and we can change it okay? I won’t mind a bit!” Her words trail up at the end, and Helen knows for a fact it will break Madeline’s heart if Violet asks her to turn off the movie.
As Violet nods, Helen hopes to calm Madeline down by saying, “V, I can’t wait for you to see one of Mommy’s outfits she wears! It’s pink and sparkly and it looks like your princess gown!” Violet’s eyes widened with anticipation. She claps as she looks at Madeline and squeals, “Eee! Let’s watch!”
Madeline nods her head and grabs the remote as she settles into the couch on the other side of Violet. She presses play. Normally, she can’t keep her eyes away from her own films. But this time, her eyes are glued to Violet.
Madeline’s stomach churns when she knows her first scene is coming up. Violet has never seen her mother on screen before, and Madeline worries it will confuse her. When Violet sees Madeline on the screen she giggles and looks at Helen, “There’s mommy!!!” Helen smiles warmly at Madeline and says, “There she is! Isn’t she doing a wonderful job?” Violet nods her head and she glances at Madeline before her eyes quickly dart back to the screen. When Madeline’s character says a joke, Violet looks at her mothers, nose scrunched, and laughs. This lightens Madeline’s mood instantly, and Helen reaches for her hand behind Violet’s back.
Madeline takes her eyes off of Violet for a moment to look at Helen tenderly. She squeezes her hand three times before continuing to observe Violet.
From that point on, Violet is hooked. She laughs when Apollo plays fetch. She wrings her hands nervously when it seems all hope may be lost. And she sighs with relief when Apollo finds the missing power module.
At the end of Dogstronaut, Violet shimmies herself out of Helen’s lap to fling her arms around Madeline’s neck. “Mommy! You did an excellent job! You learned your lines so well and saved the world!” Madeline throws her head back and laughs fully. This sends Violet into a giggle fit, which then makes Helen chuckle too.
“I’m so glad you liked it, baby!” Madeline beams. Violet takes her little hands from around Madeline’s neck and places them gently on Madeline’s face, “Mama and I are very proud of you.” she says sincerely and sweetly.
Madeline’s eyes well with tears. She gently turns her head to look at Helen, so proud of the life they created. Both Helen and Madeline’s childhoods had left much to be desired. There wasn’t much love in either of their homes, so to see their daughter so full of love and hope, it makes both of their hearts swell. Their daughter is free to feel and laugh, knowing she is safe.
“Thank you, Violet. That means so much to me. I always want you and Mama to be proud of me.” She pauses so Violet knows she is serious when she says, “I’m so proud of you! You are smart and silly. You give the best hugs! And most importantly, you are kind.” Violet blushes at the compliments and puts her head in the crook of Madeline’s neck.
Helen rubs Madeline’s arm lightly. They feel like one loving unit. A true family.
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As Helen and Madeline tuck Violet in for the night, they perform their nightly ritual of sharing their favorite parts of the day.
Helen goes first tonight, “I loved hearing Violet laugh at Mommy’s movie. I also had fun playing pirates earlier today at the park” she moves her arms to mimic a swashbuckling sword, and Violet giggles.
Madeline chuckles and says genuinely, “Violet, it meant the world to me that you said you were proud of me.” Violet grins happily at her mother, “I also enjoyed the book we started tonight before bed. Who knew Stanley could get quite that flat!?” Helen lightly laughs and Violet giggles once again.
Violet kicked her feet happily as she said,“I liked seeing Mommy in the movie and the pancakes Mama made for breakfast. Oooo and I liked it when we were walking home and I got hot chocolate.” Helen and Madeline beam as their daughter continues to chat about her day, as if both women hadn’t been present. They let her excitedly chat until she begins to wind down.
Helen and Madeline kiss both sides of Violet’s face as they say their goodnights. “We love you” they both say in unison as they begin to head out the door.
“Mommy!” Violet says in the dark. A bit worried, Madeline turns back on the light, “What is it Vi-Vi?”
“Is there a Dogstronaut 2?” Violet says earnestly. At that Helen scoffs and pokes Madeline’s waist. Madeline looks back at her with a vicious eye roll.
As Madeline turns her gaze back to their daughter, she ruffles Violet’s hair and says, “No, baby. And let’s hope it stays that way! Apollo wasn’t the best co-star a girl could ask for.” Violet shakes her head, content with the answer, as she shuts her eyes. Madeline places one more kiss on her head.
As she closes the door behind them, Madeline points a finger at Helen and says, “Not a word about Dogstronaut 2.” Helen bites her lip to stop her smile as Madeline continues, “She truly is your daughter. Nobody else in the world has ever wanted another Dogstronaut.”