Austin was already downstairs when Abby came down.
"There's my big sister," he said. Abby hugged her brother happily. It had been a few months since she had seen him last. He was over 6'2 and looked like a smaller, slightly thinner version of The Hulk. It was the reason why he went to college on a full scholarship for football down South. But he had also gotten a degree in chemical engineering, which had delighted their mother.
"Austin," she said. "Good to see you."
"I see New York is still treating you well," he grinned.
"Better than the ghosts," said Abby. Holtzmann laughed from in front of the TV.
"I hope she is too," said Austin, running a hand through his brown hair and pointing to her wife.
"I do my best," said Holtzmann with a wink to Abby.
"Too good," muttered Abby. "She's been way too overprotective."
"I think that's a spouse prerogative," said Austin. "But she can't protect you from the tickle monster!"
"Austin, Austin no!" said Abby. But her brother dug his hands into her sides, making her laugh. Holtzmann was cackling at her wife getting tickled by her younger brother even though they were in their 30's and 40's. But then, they all tickled Erin when they got a chance. She had a cute squirm and curled up into a little ball to keep from being tickled, even though they all knew she enjoyed it by the sound of her giggles.
"Okay, Austin stop!" demanded Abby, her voice cracking and squeaking. He laughed and obliged. He started to swat at her torso like they did to each other when they were kids. Abby grabbed his arm tightly before he did, stopping his movement.
"Ow, geez Abby," he winced. Abby looked up and saw Holtz's concerned face coming up next to them.
"Sorry. No roughhousing it today," said Abby, taking a deep breath and holding a hand over her abdomen and rubbing it. "I'm pregnant Austin."
"Whoa," he said, his eyes widening. "That explains Holtzmann's marathon leap off the couch. Damn. Sorry, Abby."
"You didn't know?" said Abby. "I'm surprised Mom hadn't told you."
"Not a word," he said. "But hey, congrats! A family. You'll love it." He hugged Abby and Holtz both.
"We definitely will," said Holtzmann, wrapping her arms around Abby protectively. Austin laughed at the sight.
"And where are my nieces and nephews?" asked Abby. "I wanted to see them."
"At their other grandmother's house," said Austin. "Ariel's dropping them off. She should be here in a few minutes." He paused, thinking.
"Well, that explains Ariel's plans for the day."
"What plans?" asked Abby.
Holtzmann started singing Material Girl, still hanging onto her wife and giving her an evil grin.
Holtz was texting Patty when Abby found out from her mother that she and her sister in law were taking them out shopping for the little one. Ariel, whose red hair lived up to the animated movie counterpart, was absolutely cackling beside Holtz at Abby struggling not to say anything. The blonde had to admit, she liked her sister in law even if she got along fabulously with Abby's mom. But then, Ariel had given her son Austin five kids. They had grandchildren for days.
The nuclear engineer couldn't even imagine the glee Abby's mom was secretly having that her daughter was giving her another grandchild. Although she knew Abby was not exactly the most thrilled with this predicament (Abby would have been perfectly happy with adoption), the engineer could see the pleased feeling in Abby's face at her parents' joy. It made Holtz miss her mom, but happy that she could see Abby's mom's joy and knew her own mom would have been the same. Just families being all normal and happy.
Well, as normal as anything came with Abby. Her lover was sitting there after breakfast and rubbing her face in utter dread. Austin and Doug were discussing an upcoming football game in the living room, and Holtzmann had been speaking with Ariel before turning back to her wife. Abby's mom had gone upstairs to change clothes before they went out.
"We need things," she said, kissing the tip of Abby's right ear. Abby turned and looked right into her eyes, her own narrowing.
"Your mom's excited," she said softly. "You're her only daughter and you're having a baby."
Abby's eyes softened a little, and Holtzmann knew that was all that she needed. While Abby at times butted heads with her mother, she still had her heart. And the hormones didn't help much either. It was easier to pull the soft and mushy card when there was a lot more estrogen running through her veins.
"You'll get through this," said Holtz. "Give her one afternoon to be a doting grandmother. The next time she might see her grandchild is after he or she is born."
"You're going to enjoy the hell out of this, aren't you?" sighed Abby.
The wink that came from Holtzmann was the only answer she needed. She moved away quickly and pushed Ariel over to Abby just to keep her from making a cynical remark.
We need *details* Holtzy. - Patty
Holtz grinned at the text before she stopped and watched Abby standing with her mother in the middle of a store. The two were arguing quietly about something she couldn't hear. Her wife had a hand on the back of her neck and rubbing it.
Holtzmann started to answer her friend back, but noticed Ariel was standing beside her.
"Wanna blow this popsicle stand and make our own fun?" she said, pretending to flirt.
"You have no idea," Ariel said, smiling a little. "I need for you to take me to all the LGBT clubs in New York and let me just get hit on again. I miss those college days of dating without a care. I want to get all the free drinks and help baby lesbians get their wings."
Holtzmann couldn't help but think of Abby and Erin at Higgins for a brief second with mental amusement before responding.
"I'm sure that can be arranged if you come visit," she said with a smirk.
"Can I offer you a piece of advice?" asked Ariel, looking serious.
"Shoot," said Holtz as she felt her phone vibrate in her hand. She stuck it in her pocket to avoid looking at it.
"Go hold your wife's hand." Holtzmann stopped and turned to look at Ariel questioningly.
"I know what you're doing," said the redhead. "And I think it's great that you're trying to let Abby and her mom have a bonding moment, however frustrated I know she is feeling. But I think- no, I know- that she could use you. Not only is Cynthia still scary at 68, but the whole pregnancy thing is daunting." Ariel paused. "I know you know that. I can't even imagine what you two go through on a regular basis. You do and see things that would scare most people shitless."
"It should have been me," said Holtzmann softly, grimacing slightly. "Abby was hesitant about the whole thing and I pushed her into trying. I wanted to do this. I-"
"Seriously Holtzmann, do you really think you could force Abby into doing something she doesn't want to do?"
"No, I know that. But-"
"Abby is four months pregnant because she wants to be for you both," said Ariel. "And you'll never be able to tell me any different." She smirked.
"So go hold your wife's hand and help her get through this Holtzmann."
Holtz appraised Ariel for a moment, sending the other woman into giggles. She pushed on Holtz's shoulder. The engineer was not that great interacting with people, but she was grateful that Ariel had been so easy going every time they met up. So she saddled up beside Abby, taking her left hand into her right. Abby's surprised, but warm smile was exactly what she had needed and wanted always. Holtzmann had been so happy that she had found her partner in life while doing the work she loved, even if things had turned so crazy with CERN and then Higgins.
"Hi," she said, leaning against her partner. "I'm surprised your mother doesn't have Ariel loaded down with bags yet."
"I'm sure that's coming," said Abby. "It's Mom." They both looked over at the woman in question speaking to a sales assistant.
"I gathered that's why she brought her along."
"And you," Abby said. "I warned you."
"I think I can hold a few baby things," said Holtzmann. "We're going to be this kid's parents. I want to be here."
"Just save me later," said Abby. "Please Jills. Mom wants to take me to this maternity boutique downtown. I'm not ready for the mom wear."
Holtzmann chuckled, wrapping her arm around Abby's shoulders.
"Unfortunately Abby," she said, scrunching up her nose. "It's been four months since that little bean took over your body. Everything you wear is mom wear."
Abby sighed, giving Holtzmann a small pout. "I want to go back to New York."
"As soon as we get through here and go see my dad."
"You're a mom now too, you know," said Abby. "And you will be pregnant in the future, so you could go shopping for some cute maternity things."
"Yes, but I will never wear mom wear," scoffed Holtz. Abby rolled her eyes at her wife. She then turned and looked around the space at all the baby clothes. It did tug at her heart that they would soon be dressing a child in similar things soon enough.
"We really do need to start buying what we need," Abby said. Holtzmann nodded.
"About six more months till Egbert will be here."
"Egbert needs a better name."
"Erin Abigail Jillian Patricia, Jr.?"
"After all of us? Sorry, I love Erin and Patty, but I'm not naming my child after them, best friends or not."
"Jillian Abigail would be a beautiful name then."
"You would Holtzmann, you would." Holtz grinned at her wife's small smile.
"Shall we go rescue the poor sales lady before she gets too flustered?"
"If we must," muttered Abby. Holtz smirked at Abby's tone, but was happy to see her wife looking at the clothes and things in earnest. She would trade working on her babies any day for the quick glance she caught Abby making at a little white newborn dress covered in soft embroidered red roses. She snagged it quietly and handed it to Ariel behind her.
Abby's bedroom in high school had never been that big, but now it felt even smaller. There were shopping bags all over the bedroom.
And boxes. There were lots of boxes.
"How are we going to get this back home?" Abby said to Ariel, who was helping bring in the last few bags.
"Breathe Abby," said Ariel, rubbing her shoulder. "Austin and I can ship it all to New York. It won't be a problem." She sat down the bags. "I hate that I've already given everything away from the kids or donated what we didn't want to keep."
"We can buy things," said Abby, shrugging. "But a car seat? It's New York and we don't have a personal car."
"You have to have one to bring the baby home," said Ariel. "It's the law, even in New York. Believe me, your mom's been doing her research."
"Of course," said Abby. Ariel frowned when she noticed Abby looked overwhelmed.
"Mood swing?"
"I don't know. It's just...there are days when I don't think Holtz and I are cut out for this," said Abby. "We're the worst when it comes to self-care. We'd work for hours on end if it wasn't for Patty and Erin, although most of the time it's Patty keeping watch. Holtz is the worst at remembering appointments if she doesn't put them on her phone. We've both worked through colds and the flu. How are we supposed to take care of a kid? We're science people. We make the things that make other people's lives easier so they can raise kids. Holtz has nineteen patents alone on things she's created."
"Well, then she should be better at putting together a crib than Austin was," stated Ariel. When Abby didn't say anything, she continued. "You two will put the same effort into the baby that you do with your work. And they're going to turn out pretty awesome, mostly because they'll have the best Aunt Ariel in the world."
"I just don't know," said Abby. She sighed and sat down on the bed. "Some days are worse instead of better, you know?"
"I've had five of them, I'm aware."
"I don't see how you and Austin do it," said Abby.
"Well, the kids help," said Ariel. "They look out for each other."
"One of these days, our kid will have to look after Holtz," said Abby, shaking her head.
"I feel like that sometimes with Austin," said Ariel with a snort under her breath. "They come tell me things he doesn't want me to find out."
"I don't know how I'm going to do this," said Abby. "We're not even remotely prepared."
"Okay, the downswing is strong in this one," said Ariel. "Come on, up." She gestured to Abby.
"What, why?"
"Because you and I are going for nacho fries," said Ariel, pushing her red hair back over her shoulders. "We need junk food and I think you need to be away from baby things for a while."