A/N: Hi! This is a sequel to Ties, but you don't have to read that to understand this story. However, if you're interested, Ties is a oneshot about Fitzsimmons meeting, talking about Fitz's dad, growing closer, and, of course, ties. I already wrote the next chapter, so comment what name you think they will pick!
- Hayley
Crap.
Fitz hastily pulls up a calendar on his holographic watch. It isn't a holiday, birthday, or anniversary. He glances at the slim, neatly wrapped box on the table in front of him. Surely is a gift, and his name is written in Jemma's handwriting on the tag attached.
Well, he must have forgotten something. Now Jemma will have proof that she's the romantic one. Fitz sticks his head to the side to see into the hallway of the apartment.
"Uh, Jemma?" Fitz asks as he sees his wife passing through. She stops walking and peeks her head out from behind the wall.
"Yes?"
"Am I forgetting anything? A special occasion?" Fitz says only slightly nervous. Jemma perks up at his question and all but runs to the table.
"No, not at all. I was just looking for you. I made pancakes," she says and bring out two plates.
"Then what's-" he begins.
"The gift for?" She finishes. He nods and she simply beams. Something is up. Fitz just doesn't know what. If Jemma is happy, it can't be something bad.
"Open it and see," she says and pushes he box toward him.
Fitz removes the tag and admires her neat yet slightly swirly handwriting. That always came in handy at the Academy. Her notes were always organized and color coded while his more closely resembled chicken scratch on crumpled paper. Simmons suggested typing instead.
The box opens to reveal a tie. That's odd because he doesn't wear ties that terribly often anymore. Jemma knows that.
"Thanks, Je-" he begins as he unfolds the tie and reads the message.
Proud father
"Fa-father? I-I'm gonna- I mean, you're?" Fitz stutters, but this time it isn't an after effect of the hypoxia.
"Yes, Fitz," Jemma says with a smile that seems to have taken permanent residence upon her face, "you're going to be a father."
"Oh, God, Jem, that's magnificent," he exclaims and hugs her tightly but not too tightly.
"We've got something magnificent right here," he says and places his hands over her stomach.
"No curse after all," she laughs.
And it's a hideous tie, but Fitz treasures it all of his life. It's one of his prizes possessions, actually. And he can be seen wearing it in a hospital room a few months later.
"Jemma?"
"Hm?"
"No, Jemma for the name, I mean."
"Flattering, Fitz, but much too confusing."
"So no Jemma? What about Ann? Your middle name?"
"Much too bland, don't you think?"
"Simple, maybe. I don't think anything to do with you can be described as bland."
Jemma looks up from her papers and smiles. Fitz continues tinkering with his uncooperative gadget until he feels her gaze. He looks up.
"What?" He asks and touches the back of his head.
"Nothing. You're just sweet, but no Ann, either. I suppose you don't want to continue the Leopold name tradition, either?" Jemma asks peering into a microscope. The lab is nice and quiet. The two brilliant minds actually have time to catch up on projects that have sat on the back burner for far too long.
"Yeah, I'd rather that not even be my name," Fitz says and stars blankly at his project. Jemma bites her lip and walks silently over to him. He loosens at her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry. It's just, you see, I know this one man named Leopold and he is just astoundingly brilliant and the kindest person I have ever met. I just thought it deserved at least the slightest consideration for the name of my unborn child after belonging to a man like that," Jemma says and Fitz places his hand over hers.
"Yeah, but Leopold isn't me. It's who-" he begins.
"You were programmed to be, yes. I understand completely why we would never name our son that, Fitz. Are you alright? It was a stupid thing to bring up. I'm-" she says.
"Wonderful. You're wonderful," he says and turns around to kiss her. The quiet day without any other scientists in their lab really has its advantages. Fitz pulls away suddenly and looks at her seriously.
"But no Leopold," he says with a glare.
"Got it. Never to be mentioned again," she agrees and pecks him on the cheek as she walks back to her project. They have plenty of time to name their child, but free time for science is very fleeting.
"Ah! Finally!" Fitz exclaims and holds up the prototype to show his partner.
"You found a way to fix the-" she asks curiously.
"Yeah, I just moved the-" he says.
"Of course!" she agrees. Daisy taps on the glass room and stands in the doorway.
"So, I don't think I understood a single thing about that conversation. I mean, I don't have a PhD. I didn't even finish high school, but that sounded like some serious telepathic connection Fitzsimmons-ing," she grins.
"Well, not really," Jemma begins.
"Yeah, she just knows the project well. We began it back-"
"When we were first on the bus."
"She has a good memory."
Daisy just smirks.
"So, is anything new?" She asks.
"New?" Fitz asks, "new how?"
"Yeah, why would you ask?" Jemma says reverting back to her 'what a gorgeous head' level of lying days.
"Okay, guys. What's up?" She laughs.
"Well, alright. Something is up. I shouldn't even tell you, but I'm so excited," Jemma says practically bouncing up and down.
"We're excited," Fitz agrees.
"Yes, all three of us. Daisy, I'm pregnant," she smiles.
"Oh, my God! A Fitzsimmons baby! I'm so happy for you guys!" Daisy exclaims and if someone were to look carefully enough, they would see a tear roll down her face as she gives her favorite scientists a hug.
"Thank you, Daisy. Maybe keep it quiet for a bit? It's too early to tell anyone," Jemma asks.
"Yeah, sure," she agrees.
After two days of Daisy buzzing with excitement and the need to share the news that HER OTP IS PREGNANT, Fitz decides that the base knowing about the pregnancy early is better than Daisy causing an earthquake that would bring the base down.