(UCS)
Willow is a mother. Of all of them, I can't think of one I would have thought less likely to be irresponsible, but neither can I think of who would be more responsible with a child. Perhaps things work out for the best, after all. At least, that's what I have to tell myself, and keep telling myself, in order to be able to go on, at times.
Except that Willow isn't well, and isn't awake. The doctors aren't terribly hopeful.
I felt rather... awkward... about masquerading as Willow's father to be allowed admittance to hospital &c. I would have felt worse if I didn't know that Ira and Sheila Rosenberg rather closed ranks against their daughter after the fairy-tale incident last year. Thus, I can reassure myself that I am the de facto parental figure in Willow's life, even if there is nothing de jure about it.
Being called 'grandfather' -- either by the ward sisters or various friends of Willow in jocular moods -- is more than a little jarring to me, quite probably because I skipped over the entire intervening state of parenthood entirely. I won't ever be anyone's father. That was something I tried to not ever think about, for a very long time, so I wouldn't have to lie to myself about it by telling myself there was still a chance that might change.
I do wish someone would tell me I look far too young to be anyone's grandfather. (No, not someone. I want Ethan to tell me, but we haven't even talked since the last time I was in the Magic Box.)
I remember Oz asking me about Tara very shortly after Isolde's birth. I'm afraid I wasn't much help. He asked me if Willow loved her. The only thing I could think of to reply was: 'I'm not certain I understand what the word means, any more... I doubt very much I'm the right person to be asking.' Which is all very well and good, as far as it goes, but not really an answer to his question.
When Oz asked me to "lie to him," it was much easier to be glib. 'No, Willow doesn't love Tara, and having a child means that everything will be all right between you...' I think I understood, only too well, how Oz was feeling... not an enviable thing, being replaced, is it? And the less likely one considered the possibility, the more it hurts, I think.
Except that Willow isn't well, and isn't awake. The doctors aren't terribly hopeful.
I felt rather... awkward... about masquerading as Willow's father to be allowed admittance to hospital &c. I would have felt worse if I didn't know that Ira and Sheila Rosenberg rather closed ranks against their daughter after the fairy-tale incident last year. Thus, I can reassure myself that I am the de facto parental figure in Willow's life, even if there is nothing de jure about it.
Being called 'grandfather' -- either by the ward sisters or various friends of Willow in jocular moods -- is more than a little jarring to me, quite probably because I skipped over the entire intervening state of parenthood entirely. I won't ever be anyone's father. That was something I tried to not ever think about, for a very long time, so I wouldn't have to lie to myself about it by telling myself there was still a chance that might change.
I do wish someone would tell me I look far too young to be anyone's grandfather. (No, not someone. I want Ethan to tell me, but we haven't even talked since the last time I was in the Magic Box.)
I remember Oz asking me about Tara very shortly after Isolde's birth. I'm afraid I wasn't much help. He asked me if Willow loved her. The only thing I could think of to reply was: 'I'm not certain I understand what the word means, any more... I doubt very much I'm the right person to be asking.' Which is all very well and good, as far as it goes, but not really an answer to his question.
When Oz asked me to "lie to him," it was much easier to be glib. 'No, Willow doesn't love Tara, and having a child means that everything will be all right between you...' I think I understood, only too well, how Oz was feeling... not an enviable thing, being replaced, is it? And the less likely one considered the possibility, the more it hurts, I think.