Dinner Conversations

Vivienne's day had been busy, sweeping, changing Varian, feeding Varian, changing him again, teaching piano, playing ball with Varian, and finally preparing dinner.

She liked baking bread because she got to teach Varian the science behind how yeast made dough rise. He was always a very good listener. Of course, Quirin was a good listener too but he never seemed to completely share her passion for knowledge. Varian in contrast was growing and learning new things every day. Vivienne couldn't wait to tell Quirin all about their darling boy's adventures.

She heard the sound of Quirin knocking snow from his boots. "There's your daddy." Vivienne announced.

"Guh ba." said Varian.

"Hi Vivienne. Hi Varian. Were you a good boy?" Quirin asked him.

"Buh ba." Varian replied.

"He was good as gold. Didn't cry even once during Katie's piano lesson. I think he enjoys the music." Vivienne responded proudly. "And he's so good at recognizing words. Varian sweetie, show daddy your red ball." she instructed.

Varian dutifully crawled towards the ball. "Ba gah!" he announced.

"You're so close to real words. I know you can do it, sweetie." she encouraged.

"I don't expect him to talk before he's a year old." Quirin judged.

Varian rolled the ball to his mother. "Prove him wrong, Varian." she whispered.

"Now what are you two talking about?" Quirin wanted to know.

"Oh, nothing much. Why don't you have a seat and I'll bring dinner out." Vivienne said.

"I can always do that, if you're tired." Quirin offered.

"No, no, it's no trouble. Really, I've had plenty of rest." Vivienne insisted.

"Well, if you're sure..." Quirin trailed off.

"I'm sure." she replied.

Quirin reached down and picked up Varian. "Time for dinner, son. Let's get you into your high chair." he said.

"Dee gah ba." Varian babbled.

"Here we are. Boiled chicken, bread, and wine for the grownups, mashed carrots and apple juice

for Varian." Vivienne announced.

"Looks delicious, hon. Did Varian help you with it?" Quirin asked jokingly.

"Oh, he's very helpful. I had him turn on the stove..." she began. Quirin looked appalled. "I'm kidding. I did show him the levers that allow air into the firebox. A fire can't burn without oxygen. It was very educational for him." she maintained.

"He's a baby! He doesn't need to know all that!" Quirin argued.

Varian frowned. He didn't like it when his parents raised their voices. He reached for something comforting- the bottle of juice in this case- and accidentally knocked it over.

"I'm just trying to give our son a head start in life. There's so much he can learn, and I may only have a short time to teach him." Vivienne explained.

Quirin blanched. "Now, we don't really know it's a short time, the cancer could get better..." Quirin began, only half believing his words.

"Appa." Varian said, pointing at the juice on the floor.

"Varian, I know you dropped your juice but grownups are talking, and you..." Quirin's jaw dropped.

"You're talking!" Vivienne finished, nearly bursting with pride.

"Appa." Varian repeated, pleased that he had his parents' attention.

"I knew it. He's gonna be a great farmer." Quirin said with a smile.

"Or maybe he's interested in gravity. That's what made the juice fall. Can you say 'gravity'?" she pressed.

"Appa." replied Varian.

Vivienne laughed. "Well, that's good enough for one day." she decided. The rest of the meal was a pleasant one, full of smiles and laughter and love and apple juice too.

The End

Of course Varian talks at an early age. He really is a little genius. :) This is my entry for 'Variantology' twenty seventh prompt 'dinner'.