Chapter Text
Caitlyn watched Vi stare intently at the dinosaur encyclopedia, her little fingers tracing the outlines of a particularly sharp-toothed marine creature. They were curled up on Caitlyn’s carpet, and a warm afternoon glow lit the room.
“I like the plesiosaur best. He’s got big flippers.” Vi explained. “How ‘ bout you, Cupcake? Which d’you like best?” She asked.
“Violet, I’ve decided I’m going to marry you.” Caitlyn responded. She had the solemnity about her of a seven year old who meant absolute business.
Vi looked up from the book, blue eyes wide.
“You are?” She eventually asked, tilting her head. Her wild pink hair stuck out in tufts and Caitlyn politely resisted the urge to play with it. This was serious.
“I am.” She said instead. “When we’re grown up.”
Vi stared just a minute longer, before nodding. “M’kay.”
“You’re supposed to say ‘I do’, Vi.” Cait prompted, poking her cheek, right on her freckles. Vi scrunched up her nose.
“That’s silly, Cait.”
“No it’s not. It’s important.” Caitlyn insisted. “It establishes the engagement.”
Vi poked her cheek right back. She hadn’t a clue what ‘establishes’ meant, but it sounded important. “Alright, but you gotta promise you’ll still like dinos when you’re big. I can’t marry you if you don’t.”
“Of course I will, Vi. I’m not insane.” Caitlyn folded her arms. “Now will you say it?”
“I do.” Vi said, smiling toothily. Caitlyn grinned right back.
“Perfect. It settled.” She said contentedly. Violet nodded, and cast her gaze back at the Pleiosaur, tracing his sharp teeth once again.
They sat in peaceful silence for about forty seconds before Vi piped up again. “We’ll have milkshakes at the wedding, right?” She asked.
“What do you take me for, Violet?”
“Just making sure.”
Vander was busy enjoying the brief peace that came when Vi was out of the house. He loved her to death, but she shocked him everyday with the sheer amount of chaos she could cause. He pitied poor Cassandra for whatever she must be dealing with, having Vi and Caitlyn together at once.
The peace came to a sad little end when the bar door slammed open, sending the little doorbell into a frenzy.
There Vi was, all wild pink hair and patched up overalls.
“Dad! I have very ‘portant news.” She announced, kicking off her boots. They landed unceremoniously by the door. He sighed.
“Important?”
“Yeah. ‘Portant. That’s what I said.” She confirmed, clamboring up onto one of the bar stools and staring at him intently. He raised an eyebrow.
“Alrighty, then. Shoot.” Vander said, sipping from his coffee (which was completely, 100% not spiked), and sending a resigned glance at her abandoned boots.
“I’m engaged.” Vi announced, hands resting on her hips.
Vander choked on his coffee.
“Come again?”
“I’m engaged. To Cupcake.” She elaborated proudly.
Vander had to physically bite his knuckle to keep from laughing– she was so serious about it, all hands-on-hips and smug little smile.
“Cupcake– you mean Caitlyn?” He asked. Vi nodded happily.
“Yup.” She said, popping the ‘p’. “She said we’ll get married when we’re big, and that there’ll be milkshakes.”
“Oh, yeah?” Vander asked, chuckling. “That’s a big promise, kiddo.”
“I know. But Cait’s the best, I wanna marry her. She likes dinos.”
“That she does.” Vander laughed. “Well, I suppose I’ll be expected to save some sort of dowry.” He sighed.
“What’s a dowry?” She asked, and he reached out to ruffle her hair. She pawed him away, per usual.
“Somethin’ your old man’s not paying for, that’s what.” He explained, still chuckling to himself. He was caught, once again, wondering what on Earth he was going to do with this kid.
Vi just sighed happily, resting her head on her arms. “Today was good.”
“I’m glad, kiddo. I’m glad.”