Chapter Text
4th of November, 1999
“She’s beautiful.”
“She is, I can’t believe even after Stella that I was still scared for you… was it your god that saved you, then?”
“Stop bringing it up like that! You’re the outsider here, stop pushing that stuff on me.”
“You’re the one who married me.”
“I wish I hadn’t!”
“Wowww,” Simon drawled, “even after giving birth you hate me!”
“I-“ Darling’s -now Sr’s- breath caught in her throat, “I don’t hate you!”
“Yeah, sure, but you hate that I’m not one of you monotheists.”
“No, no, Simon, dear, I do love you. Stop talking to me like I don’t.”
“Darling… I’m sorry I keep bringing it up I just thought- I just thought that it would be maybe payback? For how you brought it up after Stella.”
“It’s fine just shut it while the nurse is here.”
24th of April, 2002
The Hart Family stands around Darling Sr’s bed. Stella, named via Catholic tradition, stands at her mother’s side. The six-year-old leans up to her mother, asking: “What are you naming him?”
“It’s your father’s choice, this time, my star”
Being devout to her mother (and not much else), Stella adores her name. She finds herself learning to sew in her free time, as her mother teaches her all women should. Stella desperately wants to be a woman, not one of those “feminists”, no, a proper housewife; it’s what her mother says is best for her.
Darling Jr- or Darla, as they’ve taken to calling her- tugs on her father’s sleeve. Simon instead addresses Darling.
“Can we have a naming ceremony this time, love?”
“You are well aware that those things are blasphemous. Stop bringing up that… heresy in front of the kids!”
“I’m sorry, Darling. I just thought it’d be nice to-“ He’s cut off by the raging Darling.
“NO! No! I am not having our family be part of that nonsense, we’ll have a proper baptism with a proper name. You fanatics are so pushy, Lord almighty.”
May 11th 2002, new moon
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
“I can’t believe you’re wearing a red skirt!”
“What the fuck are you talking about? Your ‘rules’ are ridiculous.”
“Shush, the girls are right there,” He takes a breath, “ive told you about death gowns before, I’m going to be buried in one for the gods’ sake!”
“I’m not burying you in a dress.”
“And why not? What’s so bad about that?”
“It’s unnatural!”
“So is your god! I mean-“
“Are you ready for the naming..?”
Simon and Darling turn to find the entire room gawking, the family friends- Mr and Mrs G along with their daughter, Helen- averting Stella’s attention while Darla stares.
“Yes. Yes we are, I was thinking Gecko?-“
Darling interjects, “No we’re calling him Mark.”
“I’m sorry,” the priest coughs, “Mark doesn’t really hold significance here.”
“Doesn’t hold- doesn't hold significance?! You heretic! You utter loon! You cannot be serious, Mar-“
Daisy Scribe pipes up, “Darling, maybe it’d be best if you step out.”