I Was a Dancer Before I Could Walk

[Hayden M. Monroe]

There was something about the greenhouses that made Hayden feel a sort of serenity. Add on top of that two of her most favorite people, and she could allow herself to feel happy. As a constant worrier, she did have a few things weighing on her mind; how far Kadence strayed, how clumsy her daughter was, the irritable workers that didn't want a child running amuck while they tried to harvest food for the rest of the community. All things to consider when a four year old girl was part of the threesome in which Hayden found herself. Not to mention, Grayson, her best friend/sister-in-law/Wifey who was equally as worried most of the time about the blonde ball of energy that was twirling around in front of them.

Kadence was full of a liveliness that Hayden envied, she was carefree, happy and ignorant to most things because Hayden felt it was best to keep her child hidden from the rest of the cruelties she was being raised so close to. Ceres was the best place for them, rather calm in comparison to the other groups that surrounded the area nearby. This was where she'd grown up, and although she hadn't made the best decisions, Hayden had grown up doing better than most people she'd seen in the City, save for a few decent people that were surviving where they could.

The little blonde was Hayden's escape. She took refuge in her daughter's innocence.

As Kadence bounded back to the two older girls, Hayden, in all her manly strength (being a caretaker and all) snagged the toddler up into her arms, "Okay, Monkey. Where we going next? Or do we want Aunt Gray to decide?" Hayes glanced at her sister-in-law and smiled. "What kind of mischief can we get into in the Greenhouse?"

[Grayson Monroe]

Grayson was so intent on watching the little blond that she barely heard her sister in law ask her the question. With a glazed look in her eyes, she turned to the older blonde with a wide dreamy smile and shrugged. "Wherever's fine." She spoke, her voice raspy and still quite unusual in it's inflection.

She still wasn't quite used to talking, preferring to write and read and, funnily enough singing whenever she was alone or was with Kadence for her naptime. Even when she was teaching she only used her voice when absolutely necessary. She was just glad Ricky didn't really require much speech whenever they were together.

"I think having a four year old running around is mischief enough." She chuckled.

[Hayden M. Monroe]

Hayden had grown up a rather exuberant child like her daughter, she talked to everyone that would listen and made friends everywhere she went. It was when she became a teenager that she became more reserved. And even more so after getting pregnant. Still, she was probably the more social member of their family outside of Kadence, so she found herself trying to adapt to that still. Mainly with her sister-in-law, who kept talking to a minimum, even around the family.

With a smile, she nodded, "You're not wrong. Especially with a crazy one like this one." Hayes tickled the girl that squirmed in her arms and nuzzled her cheek. "Perhaps we should take a break from the running around. Gotta save some energy for making dinner tonight for Daddy and Uncle Ricky, yeah?" The very reason they were out here was because they'd needed a few things from the market and Kadi always loved watching the workers in the greenhouse. It wasn't quite as dry and bland in the greenhouse, probably the most color they saw from plants around them. Kade was fascinated by it.

Kadence nodded enthusiastically and turned her gaze towards her aunt, "Aunt Gray, can you sing? I like to sing. And dance. And hum and fly. Mommy can I fly?" And the qualities of her mother began to show, a rambling mess of random, yet Hayes found herself smiling at the familiarity of it. It was a familiar trait that had been passed down through her father, quite the social butterfly himself.

"You need wings, Monkey. And monkeys don't have wings," She scrunched her nose and pouted before breaking out into another smile. "And it's not bedtime yet, Kade. Aunt Gray will sing to you then."

[Grayson Monroe]

Chuckling at the mother daughter duo, Grayson's heart both soared and deflated for a reason she had yet to determine. She tried to shake away the feeling as she listened to Kadence's request. She was still not entirely comfortable singing at home, let alone in public, which was why she threw a relieved and grateful look in Hayden's direction when the blonde promised a performance for a later time.

"You can pick your song too." She nodded, reaching over to ruffle the girl's soft hair. Her hand lingered for a moment before she pulled away. She then pointed out to the patch where their collective foods grew and she helped with the packaging. It was a swift deal that ended with the Monroe women exiting the greenhouse with smiles and Kadence's laughter.

Grayson's pale blue eyes darted a little from left to right conspicuously every now and then to check for anything out of the ordinary. The sun was fortunately behind them and wasn't scorching; little blessings.

[Hayden M. Monroe]

"Yayyyy," The toddler sang and giggled. It was amazing to Hayes how music seemed to affect her daughter so much in such a short amount of time. Kadence was obsessed with music, although there were limited amounts of it for them to discover. When Grayson had exposed her singing to them, it was a whole new world to Kadence. Since then, she'd hum, and clap out beats on any surface she found. She wanted to be able to sing just as well as her Aunt Gray. She wanted music to be revived.

After picking up the supplies they would need for a decent dinner that night and a few more things to last them until their next market and greenhouse trip, they made their way back out and in the direction of their house. It was always a little nerve wrecking to walk without the boys. Not that Hayden wasn't capable of handling her own, but her main focus was on making sure Kaden and Gray were safe. Kadence above all, and yet, she would rather Grayson be safe than herself. Isaac would mainly be worried about their daughter, and she knew that the three of them would be able to raise her fine without Hayden. Still, she hoped it wouldn't come to something like that.

With Kadence clinging to her back, arms around her neck as she gave the girl a piggy back ride, Hayden's eyes scanned with Gray's. "Think Ricky will be home tonight for dinner?" She glanced towards her sister-in-law and offered a smile. If anything, talking would relax them, and perhaps keep Kadence from worrying.

[Grayson Monroe]

Grayson couldn't help the soft smile that appeared on her lips as she watched the way Kadence lit up instantly at the mere promise of music. Grayson herself was seventeen when she learned about music. Her father introduced some rather choice selection of music that influenced the way Grayson sang. It had been a weird experience, being able to sing so well despite her obvious speech impediment. Her naturally raspy voice lent a certain charm to her singing that was entirely unique to her.

And to have passed it on to Kadence was an oddly satisfying feeling.

Recognising what her sister in law was doing by engaging her in small talk, the darker haired young woman smiled, though she shook her head. "Just the four of us tonight. Security detail." She answered before pulling the collar of her coat up when wind picked up a rather heavy load of sand their way. Pulling Hayden closer to her, the smaller woman also turned Kadence's head away so she wouldn't be facing the sudden kick of sand.