“Neither did any of us, I’m sure. He’s got a sweet little lady... Reese, was it? And Graham, that’s his son, there. You’ll..... be able to tell who’s who, I’m nearly positive.” One’s bubblegum pink, one’s baby pink, and one’s lilac, there’s... there’s a color scheme, certainly. “And William still has Red, so don’t be too flustered about that- he’s grown, but not by much. The babies are Talford and Tallulah, I think, based on what Milford’s said.
Oh, the old man could go on all day about babies, he’s sure. There’ll always be a part of him deep down that enjoys children, especially after watching these scamps grow up. Some of them he even got the pleasure of seeing grow old. They all deserve a happy ending, don’t they.
“I’d prefer neither, personally, but I’ve never been one for formalities.” Last time he wore a proper suit it was on the boat ride to America, so he could pop straight off and look for work. Half of it was peeled off by the time he’d walked to the Barnum estate, it was so hot, but they let him rest and have something cool to drink, and after chatting with Mr. Barnum for a good three hours got a job landscaping. There’s something foggy in his eye, thinking about that... those were good times, when life was as simple as that.
“Everyone’s going to be nice to him, unless you want a nice kick in the seat,” he’s grumbling to himself, using Blu as leverage to get up the steps smoothly. “ Oh, god bless them, they’re near rolling in their graves. I-...” Oh. Oh, that was sweet of him to say, and it’s giving him pause. “.... Well, it... It’s not been by choice, lad, but thank you. Now go on in, get comfortable. We’ve got time to talk, if you want to find Milford first.”
