Sixteen

"Momma? I gotta go potty."

"Do you need help?" Haven asked, looking up from her book.

"No."

"Okay, go ahead." Haven stifled a laugh, wondering why Clementine had the need to tell her she was going to the bathroom. Just go!

When Clementine came back into the living room, she climbed up on Haven's lap and leaned her head down on her shoulder.

Haven grinned, snaking her arms around Clementine and giving her a hug. She loved how snuggly she was. "Are you hungry?"

Clementine nodded. She pulled her shirt up and patted her stomach. "My tummy's empty."

"Mine too." Haven stood up, arching her back in a stretch. She got dressed, letting Clementine pick out her own clothes, before the two of them made their way down to the restaurant. Sarah was catching up on some things in her office, so it was just them for breakfast.

"Playing guest this morning?" One of the waitresses, Jill, asked as she approached Haven's table.

Haven flushed, nodding. "Still feels weird, but yes."

Jill grinned, nodding to the menu. "What do you want?"

"Pancakes!" Clementine grinned. "Please," she added with a glance at Haven.

"You got it."

"I'll do pancakes too," Haven added, handing the menu's back to Jill.

"And, um, can you put chocolate chips in them?" Clementine asked.

Jill glanced at Haven, who nodded. "Sure thing."

Clementine excitedly grinned. Glancing down at the table, she lightly frowned. "Can I go get my coloring book?"

Haven nodded, starting to stand up.

"I wanna go by myself."

"Try that again."

Clementine blinked, thinking. "Can I please go by myself?"

Haven hesitated. She glanced towards the stairs. She could see them from here, and there was no reason for her to go with Clementine. "Okay, you go by yourself. But hurry; breakfast is on the way."

"Okay!" Clementine took off up the stairs.

Haven watched, unable to completely look away. When Clementine disappeared up the stairs, Haven sank back in her seat and rolled her shoulders. She cast a glance around the place, enjoying the low murmur of people talking. Saturdays and Sundays were always the busiest, so the dinning room was filled to capacity. Which made her feel a little awkward taking up space when there were paying guests, especially on the weekends when there was no buffet. Though at the moment she didn't see anyone waiting for a table, so she relaxed.

"I got it," Clementine panted, running back up to the table scarcely two minutes later.

"Oh good, cause here comes breakfast," Haven smiled as Jill walked up and handed each of them their breakfast plates.

As much as Haven tried to coax Clementine to eat first and then talk, Clementine simply had too much to say and her ratio of eating to talking ended up being about four to one. Haven loved listening to her; her high-pitched voice, her slight lisp when she said anything with an "s," the way she clasped her hands together when she was especially excited about something.

"Alright, Momma's gotta run some errands so let's go talk to Sarah," Haven said once they were finished. She gathered both of their dishes and dropped them off in the sink, saving Jill the need to clear the table.

"No—can I come with you, Mommy?" Clementine asked as she trotted after Haven towards Sarah's office.

Haven shook her head. She didn't like taking Clementine out without Sarah there to help her. "No, not today. Sarah can I leave her with you?"

"Yeah, of course. Want to help me stamp?" Sarah asked.

Clementine shook her head, moving slightly behind Haven and holding her leg. "I want to—I mean, can I please come?"

"No you stay here and help Sarah. I'll just be a few minutes," Haven replied, stooping to kiss Clementine's head.

Clementine started crying, resisting when Haven started to pry her arms free.

"Clementine." Haven sank down so she could look at Clementine, dread settling in her stomach at the realization that Clementine might very well have another tantrum. "Stop crying," she said gently. "You don't need to cry."

"I want to go with you," Clementine sobbed, her lower lip thrusting out in an effort to stop.

"I know, but I need you to stay here with Sarah and help her. I'll just be a few minutes. It won't even be fun."

Clementine's chin quivered, but she didn't try to argue again. She managed a nod, rubbing her eye with her hand before giving Haven a hug.

Haven kissed the side of her head, standing up. She shot Sarah a thankful smile before starting out into the hallway. She could hear Sarah talking, and Clementine saying something back.

Reaching for her coat and bag, Haven hesitated. Chewed her lip. Should she take Clementine with her? She wasn't nearly as big of a handful as she used to be, and maybe this would be a good chance to push herself to grow stronger in her ability to handle Clementine on her own.

Almost smiling to herself in embarrassment, Haven started back towards Sarah's office. Clementine was standing next to her chair, her face still red, but a stamp in her hand that she was pounding on paper.

"Clementine?"

Clementine looked up.

"You wanna come?"

Clementine's face brightened into a grin and she dropped the stamp. "Yes!"

"Put that away first."

Clementine eagerly nodded, quickly putting the stamp back in its case at the same time Sarah looked at Haven and mouthed the words "you sure?"

Haven nodded.

Sarah smiled. "If you need anything, just give me a call."

"Thanks." Haven took Clementine's hand and they started outside. The sky was clear, the sun shinning brightly.

"Can I run?" Clementine asked.

"Sure, but when you get to the gate come back," Haven said.

Clementine took off down the end of the drive and paused by the iron gate. "Hurry, Mommy!"

Haven, grinning, broke into a trot to catch up. Though as soon as they entered the main part of town she insisted Clementine hold her hand.

"Are we going to the dress store?" Clementine asked, pointing to the same retail store Sarah had first taken Haven to.

Haven nodded. She walked inside, picking up a few things she had been running low on—basic toiletries for herself, and some new shoes and socks for Clementine.

Clementine grew quiet as she looked at the various array of clothing; a smile lighting up her precious little face. The way she looked at everything with such reverent awe made Haven's chest tighten. When Clementine first started noticing things, Haven was quick to buy her whatever she wanted. Sarah warned her to be careful, telling her that though her heart was in the right place it wasn't always the best thing for someone to get whatever they wanted.

Especially a little girl.

So Haven had backed off and set herself a budget, secretly both relieved and awed that Clementine rarely asked for anything.

Now, however, Haven calculated how much she had spent this month. As usual, she was far under her allotment and decided now was one of the occasions she would let Clementine something she wanted.

"Do you like that one?" Haven asked, walking beside her.

Clementine nodded, grinning. "It's soft!"

"It is very soft. Hey, tell you what, why don't you pick out your favorite dress here and we'll take it home."

Clementine's eyes popped open. "Really?"

Haven nodded. "Any dress, you get to pick it out."

Clementine excitedly squealed, turning back around to glance at the array of dresses once again. She walked through the racks of clothes, before finally pointing to a grey tulle dress with a matching pullover sweater.

"That one?" Haven asked, a little surprised. Clementine usually went for the pastel colors.

Clementine nodded eagerly, reaching for it. "Look it has sparkles."

"Ah, I see. Okay, come on let's finish up and then we'll go home."

"Wait Mommy, I wanna buy you a present."

"Okay."

Clementine glanced around the store, her eyebrows coming together in a thoughtful frown. "What do you want?"

"I don't know. How about..." Haven scanned the near-by isles.

"Oh I know!"

"What?"

"It's a surprise. C'mon—but you can't look!" Clementine took Haven's hand and started past the children's clothes.

Haven clothes her eyes to slits, mainly so she could see where she was walking and not trip. As soon as Clementine paused, she closed her eyes all the way.

"Okay, I got it," she said.

"Do you know how to tell how much it is?"

"Um... no."

"Can I look so I can help?"

"Well, okay."

Haven blinked her eyes open. Clementine had a box of raspberry truffles in her hands. Haven grinned. "Good choice!"

Clementine grinned right back.

Haven knelt down so she could look at the prices lined up on the shelves and showed Clementine how to tell, and then how to count out the right amount of change.

Clementine insisted on holding both her dress and the box of chocolates, stuffing the money Haven gave her into one of her pockets as they continued throughout the store.

"Can I carry my dress?" Clementine asked as soon as they finished and stepped outside.

"Yep." Haven handed her the small bag with her dress inside. Clementine took it, slinging it over her shoulder and taking Haven's hand with her free one.

Across the street in the park, a little girl, probably about Clementine's age, burst out in a fit of giggles.

"No, daddy, no!" The little girl shrieked as her father threw her up in the air, caught her, and started tickling her. Beside them, presumable the girl's mother, was grinning from ear to ear.

Clementine glanced their way. "Momma how come I don't have a daddy?"