[Novnarwen]

Hedgar

Hedgar looked at his son, Fippi. He was so relieved he was okay. Even though he felt guilty about Fippi going out at night and ending up in a fire, he told himself that it wasn't exactly his fault. He grinned as he took his hand roughly through his son's hair. Fippi looked up and smiled. He looked at Fippi again, but had difficulties holding his mask. His son had just asked him about what it was that was bothering him. EVERYTHING, Hedgar had wanted to exclaim. He had stopped himself in the very last moment, and said that he was fine, even though he knew so much better.

It was starting to get late, Hedgar had calmed down, but still getting small panic attacks now and then. Fippi had made his way to his room, his mother following, making sure he went to bed; for real this night. She sat on the bed, telling Fippi how much she cared for him and how happy she was that he was okay. Hedgar stood by the door, tripping. He pushed the door fully open and stepped inside. "Ehm, good night, sonny," he said, with a shaking voice. Fippi laughed, and asked him to come over.

"You don't have to be worried, papa," he assured Hedgar. "I'll never do such a thing ever again," he continued.

By these words he felt comforted and at last he managed to bend down and hug his boy. He held firmly about Fippi, hugging him tightly. He almost smashed the boy's head, and Rosie had to come to Fippi's 'rescue', when she saw that this had turned out to be a 'breathing-drama'.

The two of them smiled warmly at Fippi, as he made ready to sleep.

There was a knock on the door. Hedgar looked surprisingly at Rosie and went out of the bedroom,. Fippi, who was just as curious as the father to know who it was, jumped out of his bed, anxiously looking out of the window by the door. Hedgar hushed at him, looking quite nervous, but opened the door reluctantly.

"'Ello there," Hedgar said, being unsure. He couldn't quite see who it was, but as the shadow moved slightly forwards he recognized the man as being on of the mayor's assistants.

"Oh, hi there!" Hedgar said again, a bit more lively now. The man nodded, smiling as he discovered Fippi behind his father's back.

"I'm here on behalf of the mayor," he started. As soon as Hedgar heard this, he begged the man come in, and Fippi to go to bed. Fippi looked at Hedgar, eyes filled with disappointment. Hedgar gave him a fierce look, but regretted it the very moment he had done it. (Fippi hadn’t really deserved it..) He tried to excuse himself, but his son was already on his way towards his room again. The man stood impatiently, looking at the father and the son.

"It's fine," he said after a while. "I just wanted to assure you and your wife were ready to man the bucket brigade along the hedge. You might want to work shifts as you have a little boy," he said with determination.

Hedgar stood silently, watching Rosie as she advanced through the hallway and came over to his side.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 4:11 PM January 26, 2004: Message edited by: Novnarwen ]