The Wheels on The Carriage go Round & Round

[Clara Honeyfield]

Traveling was always something both enjoyable and hard on Clara. On one hand, it was delightful to see the lands outside of the world she had come to call home. And on the other, there was Lina. Deciding what to pack for two, always was hard. Then prepping a child for a long journey, and keeping a bundle of delightful energy contained to a carriage for hours.

While she loved Lina, and loved her job to care for the sweet child--when she feel asleep curled into her father, Clara was grateful. Lina was a wonderful child, and despite her limited friends, a very social one. Besides, it gave her a moment to see her employer as a father. Something she had originally thought to see little of, but had learned quickly it was not so. Upon being hired she had assumed he would be too busy to give time to Lina. There was something in his demeanor that had made her assume. Yet she had been proven very much wrong, and very quickly. He was different with her. For her.

"As much as I adore her, when traveling I am grateful that she sleeps. It is hard on her to stay in one place for so long." Something that age would let her grow out of. Children often had trouble staying so still for so long, with nothing but stories or conversation to keep them entertained.

Reuben Slade & Evelina Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Clara Honeyfield

what doesn't

KILL ME BETTER RUN

There were times when Evelina's energy seemed boundless. She was a seemingly perpetually excited child, with an enthusiasm for life that Slade would always find endearing. But, there were of course those moments where she would crash just as hard as she expressed this excitement . . . and this was one such instance. With her high energy throughout the day, the long journey and slow rocking of the carriage as it moved, had lulled Evelina to sleep. Curled up in her father's lap, Rueben's arms were wrapped around her as she slept soundly, her breathing slow and steady. Rueben gave a small smile when Clara spoke of how much she adored her but was grateful when she slept.

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The smile, an expression that Rueben did not wear often, but where the governess spent the most time out of anyone in his employment -- and even family -- with Evelina, it was an expression that he wore often in her presence, for he was often also in the presence of his daughter. And he would not let Evelina be victim to his stoic, seemingly steel demeanour. "Her energy is unmatched by any other," he said, more as praise rather than any form of insult or regret that she was such a way. Looking up at Clara who sat across from him, he would always be grateful to the woman. Anyone could find a governess, but finding the right governess, the perfect governess, was no easy task. "A challenge you seemed to have mastered in success," he told her. Slade was not one to offer words of praise often but as previously established, Miss Honeyfield was exception to deal with many of his regular tendencies and reservations.

[Clara Honeyfield]

It was easy to hear the pride in the father's voice. It was one of the many reasons she enjoyed her job very much, was in the knowledge that she worked for a good father. And of course, had such a wonderful time with the daughter. Mr. Slade commenting on her energy, followed by a complement toward her abilities; left Clara smiling brightly.

"She is much easier then my many siblings, to be sure. I enjoy her boundless energy. I fear the days would become too predictable without it." Clara loved children, and not for the first time wished that she could have s child of her own someday. Though that dream seemed distant sometimes.

"She was simply glad to be with you on this trip." Clara told him, "Though sometimes I wonder, if it is she who has you wrapped around her fingers, or if it tis the other way." Both father and daughter seemed to always know just how to get the other to do what they wanted. Be is going on a trip, or buying gifts. "She loved you very much."

Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Clara Honeyfield

what doesn't

KILL ME BETTER RUN

The fact that Clara enjoyed Evelina's energy, was one of the many reasons that Slade would forever be confident in the choice to employ her. He had seen something in her that day when they first met, and when she first met Evelina . . . knew that there was something special between them. For he would not hire just anyone to care for his child. Clara was rare type of person, and Slade's interactions among the public, constantly reaffirmed that. "Perhaps because there is only one of her," he said in a bit of a tease, for Clara had many siblings . . . though he knew quite well, that Evelina could equal more than one with how much energy she possessed. "She is very attached to you," he told her, knowing that Clara would assume as such based on Evelina's behavior, but wanted it to be known.

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The days that Clara was not with her, she missed her. The moment anything good happened, Evelina always expressed her excitement to tell Clara. Slade knew full well, the two had a special bond. That small smile reformed on Rueben's lips, glancing down at his daughter as he brushed away a lock of her chair from her cheek. "It is she," he confirmed, knowing that Evelina could ask him for the moon and he would be determined to find a way to give it to her. And he had no qualms with admitting this. It may not bode well, or it would present challenges as she grew older . . . but Slade could not deny her anything. Hearing Clara say that she loved her very much, left Slade silent at the sentiment of the words. Would that he be able to give her the one thing she did not have: a mother. "It has become, easier," be began to say, not feeling the need to further explain what he meant by easier. Surely, Clara would understand. "Since you became a part of her life." Evelina was happy, and having someone there with her, for her when Slade could not be . . . had truly enriched her life.

[Clara Honeyfield]

He always spoke very highly of her in terms of his daughter, and it always made her feel a sense of pride. She had come to learn that Mr. Slade did not accept what he saw as less than perfect in his employees. It made them want to work harder to prove themselves, and she was no different--only her job was something she imagined was more enjoyable then some of his others.

"You flatter me," She told him, her smile showing her dimples. "She is an easy child to love and care for. Anyone would have been lucky to have been in my position. Despite your attempts of spoiling her, she has is still a darling." She was teasing him, and on this topic she did so many times. It was why she did not worry about offending him. He would know she did not think him really spoiling her.

Looking at them both for a moment, "You are different with her." An observation she had thought but not expressed before. It was a compliment in a way. One meant to express that she knew the effort he made, and he . . . liked it . . . or approved of it. Or maybe just that she saw it, and he was seen.

Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Clara Honeyfield

what doesn't

KILL ME BETTER RUN

Clara said that he flattered and, Slade knew that it was not something he did with just anyone. He offered words of praise where they were due, and it was often reserved for those he worked closely with. After all, he did it not without the utmost truth, for such words that prompted a feeling of flattery . . . were well earned. "It is well deserved," he told her with continued truth in his words. And even still, words would forever remain inadequate to express his true appreciation for the woman.

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Hearing her own words about Evelina cause that small smile to reappear upon his lips. It was not the need to be guarded that made the expression keep from touching his entire face, for he knew he could be comfortable around Clara's presence. It was . . . merely the years of his past that had caused the expression to be so strained. Perhaps, time would eventually change that. Evelina's presence in his life certainly made him come a long way from the way he used to be. But then, it was the assumption -- one that Slade now believed in through his experience -- that parenthood truly changed a person. "And yet, not just anyone would be entrusted with this responsibility." Further words of praise, for he wanted her to know that he saw something within her, specifically. He trusted his instincts and his reading of people and Clara . . . was the absolute perfect fit for his daughter.

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"Perhaps I should make better attempt then," he said . . . the slightest bit of humour in his voice. There were few he reserved this tone for, this demeanour for. A woman who saw him in the presence of his daughter, was high on the list. Slade could not remain his stoic, serious self when with Evelina. This behavior was starting to seep out when with Clara as well. At least in these rare moments. "You are different with her." It was indeed true, but being acknowledged for it was not . . . common. As previously established perhaps it did indeed have to do with the fact that Clara saw both sides of him, and saw him in the company of others. "I must be," he said in a low voice, looking down at his Evelina and the lengths he would go to in order to protect her. His words seemingly simple and yet, held a great deal to them as well.

[Clara Honeyfield]

He told her it was well deserved, and Clara looked down for a moment, smiling at the praise; enjoying hearing it. It was just as she looked up that she noticed he smiled slightly too at the following idea. "That was not a challenge, Mr. Slade!" She softly, and pretendedly, chastised him for pretending to try harder to spoil his daughter. Though the laugh in her tone made it clear she understood hew as not serious.

Then the conversation shifted to something a little different. "You want to be." She corrected, when he said he must be. If it was as simple as must, then the world would have better fathers all around. While many were amazing fathers, there were also many whom were not. "If it was as simple as must be, then we would see more fathers doing so." Maybe that was what made the three of them work so well. They all wanted to be here, rather than had to be here. It was a nice thought.

Reuben Slade