Hi guys! Sorry for the delay, I am still alive! My life has been a mess of baby scans, baby appointments, baby shopping, babies babies babies! at the moment, writing kind of went out the window for a few weeks. But, here is your next chapter, I shall also post my new short PPG story shortly too, so keep an eye out ;)
Buttercup
"Urghhhhhh!" I groaned loudly, as I lay out on the sofa at the Jojo's place.
Ruby was perched next to me, stroking my stomach softly, a concerned look on her tiny features. It was the second week of March, and I had been due five days ago. It was no surprise to me that my own baby was fashionably late.
I'd been staying here with Blossom and the others for what felt like forever, and surprisingly, it had gone quite quickly. Ruby, now four, had barely left my side, enjoying being able to hang around here with me, Butch and Boomer rather then with the Professor and Sandra like she normally would. Though, when she'd asked me to read her encyclopedia with her, I had to question just how normal she actually was.
Considering she was half rowdyruff, she was a good kid. Just as caring, clever and proud as my sister, but with a cheeky, stubborn, naughty streak, that I assume she acquired from her father. Nonetheless, a great little girl. I'd enjoyed hanging around with her; it had made me even more excited for when my own little junior finally decided to make an appearance. Just as stubborn as me it seems.
"What you griping about this time?" Butch asked as he came into the room, and stood looking over me.
"Shut up Butch." I moaned in reply. "I'm not in the mood."
He raised his chin in response, still giving me a hard look. He grabbed my ankles as gently as I could ever imagine Butch ever touching anyone, and pushed my legs upwards so he could sit down on the end of the chair. I writhed uncomfortably on the couch, then he put my legs on his lap. I gave him a skeptical look, but I was too uncomfortable to bother biting his head off over it.
"Just get out already!" I yelled.
"Excuse me, but I live here? You get out." He answered.
"Not you, kicker in here. Won't stop wriggling about. You can go too if you want though." I shifted in my seat again, trying not to kick Butch toomuch as I did so.
I had to admit, not aloud, but, living with these guys hadn't been too bad. I had imagined it to be about a thousand times worse when Blossom had forced me to move in. Boomer was pretty quiet. When he was here, he'd got a job as a laborer, he was happy to go get anything I needed from the shop, or escort me to anywhere I wanted to go. He wasn't exactly horrible company, just slightly shy, which I'd always found an annoying trait in people. He had that same quality that Bubbles did, in that when I was a bit nasty or vicious, he pulled a face or reacted just like she would, like a fucking wounded puppy dog; I'd automatically feel bad. When he would slightly come out of his shell, he was funny, and kinda sweet I 'spose. When you forget who he is, that is.
Brick worked five days a week, same as Blossom, so I only ever saw him weekends and evenings. And on weekends and evenings, Butch and Boomer would clear off out of the apartment and it would just be me and the little red family. I had to admit they were good together. I'd probably never speak these thoughts aloud, but they most definitely worked. Brick brought out a more chilled out, serene side to Blossom that I'd barely ever met myself, she was more carefree, and just happy, I guess. Whereas Blossom brought out a responsible, together side of Brick. He was still Brick, arrogant, cocksure and hotheaded, but he was more stable then I'd ever known him.
And Brick was so sweet on Ruby. They had most definitely clicked, Ruby got so excited when they got home from work, she'd spend the majority of the evening on Brick's lap. Brick was great with her, and I could see how happy Blossom and him were together. None of this meant I liked him though, I still knew he was an asshole through and through.
And as for Butch? I guess the only thing I can say is, I've gotten used to him. Used to his attitude, used to his flirting, used to his anger, used to his moods. Used to him. Now HE, is an asshole. Stubborn, chauvinistic, narrow minded, self loving, and just plain dumb. And to be honest, when I think about it too much I just want to go home now. But, Blossom had been right to send me here. It had been nice having people around me, namely Ruby and Blossom, Butch had escorted me to and picked me up from Bubbles' a couple of times too so I have seen her a few times. Like I said, he could have been a lot worse through all this. It surprised me just how much Boomer and Butch wanted to keep Blossom happy. But then, an unhappy Blossom equals an unhappy Brick; that could be there real reason behind it.
I sat upward with a sigh. It was just Ruby, Butch and I in at the moment. Boomer, Brick and Blossom were at work. It hadn't surprised me that Butch was the only one to not have a job.
"Think it could be today?" Butch asked, looking over at my bulging bump.
"I hope so." I replied, planting my feet on the ground and attempting to get up, feeling uncomfortable with the attempt at conversation. I had my pair of holey jogging bottoms on, and a strappy top that didn't fit all the way over my bump on. When Blossom was pregnant, she had nice maternity wear clothing, I just lived in comfy sport wear all the time now.
"Me too." Butch said as he got up and took my wrists, planting me on my feet steadily, fed up of watching me struggle.
"Thanks." I mumbled, stretching.
"Where you going preggo?" Butch asked, standing beside me with his hands deep in his pockets. I looked up at him and sighed. Tall, dark haired, emerald eyed. The school stud, bedded the majority of females at high school. And now here he was, 'babysitting' me.
"I don't know! I don't know what to do with myself, this kid needs to get the hell out, sharpish." I complained, slowly wandering about the living room.
"You been like this for the past week. The sooner that kid comes out the better." Butch complained too, sitting on the armchair and beginning to watch me pace.
I froze suddenly as I felt a strange pushing feeling down below.
"Buttercup?" Butch asked. "What is it?"
"I dunno," I said, beginning to pace again. "Just, cramp I guess." I said. Then I felt a trickling sensation, wet down my jogging bottoms. "Oh shit." I cried.
I turned to Butch, who looked shocked, but almost amused. "Did you just, piss yourself?" he cried, incredulous.
"No you asshole! My waters just broke, take me to the hospital, it's baby time!" I cried happily. Finally! My baby was coming!
"What? Are you serious? What is all that, water on the floor?"
"Just get me to the hospital please Butch!"
"Call Mummy call Mummy!" Ruby cried, hovering by Butch's face frantically.
"Okay, okay, okay!" Butch yelped, panicking and grabbing at the landline. I couldn't help but crack a smile. I'd pictured this part, the waters breaking, the dash to the hospital, I'd imagined it on my own, jumping into a taxi and calling everyone on the way. But it obviously wasn't going to work like that. Butch would take me. Even though I was going with a complete asshole, it would be nice not having to make my way to the hospital on my own.
Blossom
I leant over Brick's desk and groaned quietly. "I'm so fed up of this heartburn. I didn't get it this bad with Ruby."
He stroked the side of my face tenderly, then did the same to my stomach. I was 19 weeks pregnant, nearing 20. I had a little pert bump, about the size of a small watermelon. Brick was so affectionate; he was in complete awe with my being pregnant with our second child, more than likely due to the fact that he'd not seen any of this when I was pregnant with Ruby. He'd missed all the hard bits.
"I'll get you some antacids on our break." He said, still stroking my tummy.
"That's a good idea." I smiled.
"I can't believe we're having another baby. I just, can't believe it." He smiled in wonderment.
"Yeah, me too. It's gunna be great. Especially having you here with me every step of the way this time too." I smiled, excited to have him by my side again. It had been over a year since we had been reunited now, and I just couldn't believe my luck. I mean yes, I was still trying to sort the divorce out, the final hearing wasn't far off, and I hated knowing I was still technically Blossom Olsen, but by the time I have this baby, I'll be Blossom Utonium, and Ruby and my baby, can be Jojo's.
"You don't know how glad I am to be here each step of the way." Brick smiled, kissing me quick. He then glanced over to my desk. "Your phones ringing, Ms. Blossom." He said with a cheeky smile.
"Oh, is it?" I said, hopping up and walking back to my desk. "Hello, First Edits Publishing, Blossom speaking how can I-"
"Blossom! It's me. Buttercup's gone into water! What do I do?" Butch cried from the other end of the phone.
"Butch, calm down! Gone into water? What the hell are you talking about?" I asked, confused.
"She's, she's gone into labour, her waters have broken, what do I do?" He gabbled.
"Oooh. Oh! Really? Okay, well get her to the hospital! Get her bag and take her to the hospital. We'll meet you down there okay? Get her there ASAP. Take Ruby with you."
"Okay, okay, don't be long!" Butch cried, hanging up.
I placed the phone down gently, butterflies swirling in my stomach. "That was a very panicked Butch, Buttercup's having her baby!" I squealed. "Think we can both get out to be there?"
"You're the supervisor, you decide." Brick replied with a grin.
Five minutes later we were entering the maternity department of Townsville General Hospital. A strained looking Butch sat in the first waiting area.
"Hey man. Thanks for taking her down here." Brick thanked Butch. "You okay tiger?" Brick asked Ruby as I approached the reception and asked to be directed to Buttercup's room.
Ruby nodded, flying up to Brick's face. "Aunty Buttercup's having a baby!"
"She is." He grinned. "You'll get to meet your cousin soon."
"Brick, urr. Are, are you guys gunna stay with her?" Butch asked. He looked shook up. "It's just, she's all on her own up there…"
Brick rose his brow skeptically. "Blossom and Bubbles will be with her. I'm sure the Prof'll be here soon too. What do you care anyway?"
"Nothing, I don't, just this place is fucking creepy. All these, angry, in pain women, she didn't look right in there on her own."
"Don't worry Butch, me and Brick will go see her now." I said, touching his arm lightly. "Thank you so much for bringing her here."
"You not sticking around then? To watch the 'birth of the devil child' as you've been putting it?" Brick asked, grinning, as I scooped Ruby up into my arms and held her close, careful not to balance her on my bump too much.
"Nah, no, I'll go. I can take Ruby back with me if you want?" He offered, rubbing the back of his neck as he stood.
"Wanna go home Rubes? We could be here for awhile." I asked her. She twiddled her hair thoughtfully, then nodded, reaching out for Butch, who collected her from my arms.
"Well, let me know how it goes." He said, lifting off the ground.
"Will do man. See you soon." Brick answered. Once they had gone, Brick glanced about the waiting area tentatively. "Spose I better get accustomed to this place huh?" He joked, hooking his fingers through mine as we began to walk to Buttercup's room.
"I guess so. You'll be here next week with me at my ultrasound won't you?" I asked, looking for room 101.
"Yeah, yeah. Looking forward to it. Boy or girl, pink or, red." He smiled.
It will be Brick's first ultrasound experience, he wasn't able to come with me to my first one, due to work stuff, but Buttercup was with me. It was nice not going to one on my own. I was looking forward to Brick's reaction.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" I asked as we rounded the corner of room 101, where Buttercup was leaning against the rail of the bed, breathing through a contraction.
"Where…were you?" She asked, her breath hitched.
"Sorry sweetie, just had to try get out of work, we're here now though, here to stay, right Brick?" I said, taking her hand. He sat down on the chair in the corner.
"As long as I'm wanted." He said with a sarcastic smile.
"Where's Butch and Ruby?" She questioned, taking a long breath.
"Butch has gone home, with Ruby. It was nice of him to get you here." I smiled, helping her sit back down on the bed.
"Yeah, it was. He panicked like a little girl." She snickered.
"It's always a rare moment to see Butch squirm, isn't it." Brick smirked from the corner of the room. Buttercup agreed with him.
"So, how far along are you? Do you need anything? Any ice chips?" I asked, still clutching her hand.
"I'm fine I'm fine. And, 6cm dilated, they last said. So, not long to go till I can start pushing." She eyed Brick in the corner, closing her legs together gently.
"Yo Brick, you wanna err, go see if the Prof and Bubbles are here yet?" She asked him.
"Sure." He said, getting up and stroking along my stomach as he passed me.
"Not comfortable with Brick in the room, and no panties on?" I said with a bold smile.
Her cheeks tinted red. "It was bad enough Butch seeing my waters break. He'll be the one clearing it up when he gets in too." She chuckled. "Plus, we all know how potent that guy is."
I rolled my eyes just as the door swung open.
"Buttercup! Buttercup! How are you doing! Did I miss anything?" Bubbles cried, bursting into the room, throwing her arms around her.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. You guys finally made it over." She half complained.
"Sorry! We're all here now. All of us! Zac, Sandra, Professor. And, Brick." Bubbles smiled.
I let Buttercup update Bubbles and stepped outside, to see Brick having a conversation with the Professor, an awkward look on his face. I was happy to see the Professor talking to him though. It was an improvement.
"How is she doing?" Sandra asked, rushing up to me.
"6cm dilated, so almost there really." I answered, glancing over at Brick again.
"Wow, that was quick! I'm so excited for her. She deserves some happiness, she's had such a hard time of it." She sympathized. I nodded in agreement.
"Hi Zac." I said, smiling and nodding in his direction. He raised his head and smiled half heartedly at me. Huh. He was usually so nice.
"Professor. Hi!" I said, sitting down next to Brick, who naturally placed a protective hand on my bump.
"Hey there Blossom. How is she doing?"
"Well, she's at 6cm, so not too long to go. You know Buttercup though, she's a fighter, she'll be fine."
We heard a husky yowl coming from her room seconds after I spoke. Then Bubbles crying "Just a contraction!"
The Professor chuckled. "I was just talking to Brick about my whole, PPG RRB conceiving theory I had."
"Oh? I had been thinking about that too, surely that theory doesn't work, now Buttercup's a room away in labour?" I questioned. I had kind of hoped it was a true theory, because, even though it would have meant making fathers of Butch and Boomer, which lets face it, does not sound ideal in any situation, it also could have meant making my sisters into mothers, which would in turn make them happy. But Buttercup's managed it without a ruff.
"Well, exactly. This was what I was saying to Brick. I wanted to do some more in depth research. I want to take a, ahem, sample, from Brick, to test. Just to see if it's any stronger then a sample I have of Zac's. If it is, then it could simply be the person, but if not, well it could be the chemical x. I just can't understand that you and Brick conceive so easily, but Bubbles is struggling so much. And Buttercup miscarries, but then has a so far successful pregnancy with a donor. I want to get to the bottom of it." He said, scratching his chin.
"Well, I'd be err, happy to oblige." Brick said, an uncomfortable smile on his face.
The Professor nodded his thanks. "I'd better go see how Buttercup is doing." He said, departing towards her room.
"What an awkward conversation!" Brick exclaimed in hushed tones as the Professor entered Buttercup's room.
I laughed. "I'm glad you're doing it though. For Bubbles. It will be interesting to know, too."
"I guess so. I don't see exactly how it's going to help. Bubbles is still married." Brick said, leaning back on his chair. "And Buttercup has a sprog coming, which won't be a full chemical x child, like Ruby."
"This is true, but I guess if the pair of them were happy with it, Butch or Boomer would just be like, donor's. Like what Buttercup's done. I don't think it's a true theory, as Buttercup's managed a pretty much full term pregnancy without Butch or Boomer's help." I pointed out.
"I spose. I don't know how eager Butch or Boomer would feel about being parents. Especially to a Puff. They're only just used to you being around." Brick said, his expression turning a little sour.
"Oh I dunno, they love Ruby. And they're both fine with me. They even got on, well, okay, with Buttercup. Hey what's wrong?" I asked, his sudden change of mood showing.
"What the fuck is that guy staring at? Or more, glaring at." He growled under his breath.
I turned to look at Zac, who was shooting Brick daggers. He looked away when I looked his way. "I don't know. I don't know what his problem is, he's normally a pretty nice guy."
"Was he a big fan of Tim?" Brick asked, spitting venom at the mention of my husbands' name.
"Ahh. Yes, I suppose he was." I mumbled. "Sorry Brick, just ignore him."
"It's increasingly hard to be nice to your family when they act so, insolent." He muttered, aggravated. "Especially when I can't reciprocate in my usual manner."
I opened my mouth to tell him to rise above it when Zac cleared his throat and spoke first.
"Tim is all right, by the way. He got out of hospital about a month ago, in case you were wondering." He said, his voice laced with baneful sarcasm.
I didn't reply, there was nothing I could say, and Brick clenched his hands so tight in anger I squealed, I think he forgot he was holding them. And that I'm powerless.
"Sorry, sorry." He said gently, kissing one. Zac got up and left.
"How far along is she now? This is getting ridiculous, it's been hours." Brick cried.
"It's been four hours Brick, that's nothing. I was in here almost double that with Ruby, plus some women's labour goes on for days."
"Days?"
"Days." I said with a laugh. "You can go if you really want to. Go check on Ruby. I just gave a call; Butch said she was fine. He's even fed her."
"Fed her? What, McDonalds?" Brick said scraping a hand through his red hair and loosening his work tie.
"KFC actually. Ruby was over the moon with that."
"I can imagine. No, I'll stay. Might make your wonderful family warm to me more." His voice dripped with sarcasm.
I looked over at Zac, who was talking intently with Bubbles across the room. "Don't worry about him." I realized Buttercup was alone then, everyone else was sat in here. I got up slowly, touching my bump lovingly. "I'm going to go see how Buttercup's doing." I stood in front of him and kissed the scruffy top of his head.
He stroked my bump and kissed it.
When I walked in, Buttercup was lying down on her bed, taking sharp intakes of breath and gritting her teeth. "Blossom…they're really close together now. I think…I think this might be it."
I was at her side holding her hand tightly. "How close together? Have you managed to count them?" I pressed on the buzzer.
"About, 40 seconds or so I think…I don't…I can't be sure…Blossom it hurts! Does it get worse?" She panted heavily clutching me.
I stroked the sweaty strands from her face and kissed her forehead. "Sweetie, I'm not gunna lie-" Saved by the bell, Bubbles and her gyno burst through the doors.
"Honey are you okay? Is it time?"
"It's time to start pushing! If you girls are staying, scrub up!" Her doctor instructed. We did so, Bubbles having to pass me my scrubs and help me get them on quick, as Buttercup was still clinging to me tightly, panting heavily. "Okay Buttercup honey, you should be feeling the urge to push right?"
"Uh huh." Buttercup replied.
"Go with it hon', push okay. Focus all your energy on pushing your child into the world." Her doctor cried, as she crouched down at the foot of the bed with a nurse.
Bubbles and I were beside her, holding onto her tightly. She let out a loud grunt and began pushing. "That's it Buttercup, you're doing it! You're doing it. They're nearly here! Your babies nearly here!" I cried encouragingly.
She exhaled loudly and whimpered. "Is he okay?" She cried.
"He's fine honey he's fine, count to five, and began to push again okay?" Her gynecologist instructed.
"He?" Me and Bubbles cried.
"He." Buttercup confirmed, smiling, then began to push again.
What felt like seconds later, a loud roar filled the sound of the room. And when I say loud, I actually mean deafening. I heard the Professor and Sandra scurry to the door, peering into the window.
Her baby wailed whole heartedly, as Bubbles cut the cord, and he was passed to the nurse, who quickly cleaned him up and wrapped him in a soft blanket.
"Blossom? Where is he?" Buttercup asked sleepily, her voice sounding full of motherly emotion, looking around frantically.
"Here he is sweetheart. Well done, Buttercup, you did so well." I told her, squeezing her hand proudly.
"Congratulations, Buttercup, it's a boy." Her doctor said, passing him over into her arms. "A healthy, happy baby boy."
She held him tenderly, looking down at his shot of jet black hair. He had his eyes squeezed shut tight, hands balled into fists, looking quite bewildered. He opened his eyes wide, and looked at his mother in awe, and she looked back up at him with the same wonder.
His eyes, they were a dark forest green. He looked just like a little baby Ruby, but with shorter black hair and dark green eyes. His eyes. They looked like… It couldn't have been. It couldn't have been.
"He's, adorable." Bubbles sighed happily.
"I, I know, right." Buttercup replied, carefully stroking his rosy cheeks. He was still looking at her in awe.
The nurse wheeled a cot into the room. "You can pop him in here when you're ready. You and him are going to need some rest." She said with a wink. "I'll leave you all for a bit to get acquainted."
"Oh Buttercup, congratulations darling." The Professor gasped as he, Sandra and Zac came in, Brick trailing behind. He slinked his arm round my waist and kissed the top of my head.
"Little green boy huh." He smiled, looking down at him.
"Can I hold him, Buttercup?" Bubbles squeaked, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Of course. Be careful, he's tiny." She gushed as she passed him over gently.
"So you knew it was a boy all along?" I asked as Buttercup shifted in bed uncomfortably.
"Yeahh. I just wanted it to be a surprise. I gotta name for him too."
"Ohhh what?" Bubbles cried, holding him closely.
"Well, I'd like everyone to meet, Sage Utonium."
There was a chorus of oo's and aww's in response.
"What a lovely name." Sandra sighed, as he was passed to her.
"So was it that bad, Buttercup? Childbirth?" I asked, grinning.
She laughed. "Piece of cake."
I laughed in reply, then realized the Professor was passing Sage into my arms. I held him delicately against my chest, looking at him, as he stared up at me. My first nephew. But, his eyes. I knew I'd see them before.
"Isn't he just so handsome." I cooed, gently stroking his mop of black hair. "Hey Sage, I'm your Aunty Blossom. And, this is Uncle Brick." I gestured over. Brick looked down at him and smiled, but then his eyes opened wide suddenly.
"What's wrong?" I asked quietly, passing Sage back to his over the moon mother.
"Nothin', nothin'. He's just, err, cute."
"Doesn't he take after his mother?" The Professor commented.
I looked at Brick meaningfully, trying to read his eyes. I wasn't so sure about the Professors comment…
r&r (:
