April 29, 2011
~*~ DC ~*~
"I suppose it's a silly question to ask if you're excited," Denise remarks. She's got the ultrasound machine turned on and can't help smiling that she's been asked to do Cricket's ultrasound as part of her cross-training.
Christian is in Scout's arms as the eldest Dixon daughter watches over her sister-in-law's shoulder. Tara's firmly by her wife's side.
"I'm almost tempted to say we don't want to know gender, but I suspect it'll be hard for me to miss." Cricket's belly is unmistakably rounded now, at least with her clothing adjusted.
"That is a disadvantage of training me with your ultrasound." Denise begins to take measurements one by one, remembering the text she studied as well as the two earlier ultrasounds already done. She's a little sad that they don't have the choice, and it must show.
"If we really wanted a mystery, we would've waited for Carol to be home," Tara soothes.
She flashes the younger woman a smile and looks to Cricket for approval as she prints out the required measurement screens for the medical file. She prints out a few keepsakes too, before hesitating with the wand.
"Anyone want to guess?"
They all laugh when Cricket and Tara say "boy" in unison. Everyone looks to Scout, who smiles.
"Girl. Christian needs a baby sister."
There's a fond look between the sisters. While Denise knows her friend jokes about middle child syndrome with the closeness of her siblings on either side to each other, she thinks Cricket and Scout downplay their actual closeness.
She settles the wand into place, and baby Dixon cooperates easily with determining the gender.
"It seems big sister got this one right," she says, watching as the mothers-to-be embrace, giggling and kissing.
It's a sweet and intimate moment, which makes Denise look away. It's why she notices Scout's wistful expression. She supposes moments like this will always be bittersweet for the other woman.
She's not sure she would have the courage to sit through an ultrasound if their roles were reversed.
There's a glimmer of tears there that Scout blinks away even as she gives Denise a half-smile. She shifts Christian in her arms and places a kiss on the fifteen-month-old's cheek. He returns the gesture sloppily, making his aunt laugh.
"Any names you can share yet?" Denise asks as the mothers' emotions calm down.
"Nope, those are top secret." Cricket smirks at her sister.
"As long as my name isn't on that secret list, you keep mum all you like."
Tara laughs. "Might be time to reclaim the name for the South, you know."
Denise looks between them curiously, wondering if Scout's given name is that bad.
Scout actually has pity on her. "It's Salome."
That makes sense. Not exactly a traditional Southern name, unlike her siblings' names.
"Nothing to say they couldn't use Scout," she suggests.
That sends everyone into unique name ideas while Denise finishes up the ultrasound. It's nice to be part of something so joyful.
~*~ GR ~*~
Glenn's half-tempted to swat Cricket, who can't seem to sit still but hasn't confessed her baby information yet.
"C'mon, you're gonna make the poor guy's head explode. You know Glenn doesn't do patient curiosity well."
"Hey!" Glenn tries to be offended at Maggie's teasing words, but she's not exactly wrong.
"Christian is going to have a little sister."
He sweeps Cricket into a hug. Maggie laughs, but then groans.
"Bladder's too full for waiting much."
It gets Glenn's friend back into doctor mode, and Cricket gets Maggie settled on the hospital bed doubling as the exam table. Beth perches on one side of Maggie's bed, him on the others.
"If it's too full, you may have to try to relieve some pressure."
"Oh, God, don't even begin to ask me that," Maggie groans. She gets her clothing adjusted as Cricket squirts the ultrasound goop onto Maggie's rounded belly.
Fully dressed, Glenn wouldn't know Cricket and Maggie have the same due date. His wife's baby bump is unmistakable already. Cricket doesn't even look like she's gained weight. She's explained it to her competitive athletics background.
He likes the evidence of their baby growing, and Maggie gets that little smile she wears when the baby moves. Maybe it's the shiny gel or just luck of viewing bare belly at the right time, bit he can see a visible thump to the left of his wife's belly button.
"Was that the baby?" he asks. He hasn't felt the movement yet, so he's anxious that he didn't hallucinate seeing that.
Maggie glances down and so does Cricket. Cricket nudges Maggie just a little with the wand and as soon as she moves it, the thump happens again.
"Holy crap, it really was." He puts a hand out, not quite touching. Maggie grabs it and presses it to her belly.
He's getting goop all over his fingers but he doesn't care. Beneath his fingers is the distinct movement of his unborn child.
If he's grinning as big as Maggie, Cricket, and Beth, it might explain why his face almost hurts.
It takes a few minutes, including Beth getting a chance to feel the baby move, but they finally get back to the ultrasound. Cricket applies the ultrasound gel again and first they hear the heartbeat. It's strong and steady, evidence of the baby's continued good health.
Their baby is sucking its thumb on the image and it is the cutest thing he's ever seen.
"Everything is measuring right on track for the due date," Cricket comments. "Beth? You want to give it a try?"
Beth's done ultrasounds on animals on the property under her father's guidance. She jumps at the chance to use her sister as a guinea pig. Despite her earlier protests of a full bladder, Glenn notices Maggie doesn't mention it at all during Beth's lesson.
Cricket even lets Beth make the gender assessment. "Best guess?"
Glenn's torn between anticipation about knowing and amusement at Beth's determined expression as she stares at the screen.
"Boy." The blonde teenager looks to see if Cricket will confirm it and she nods.
"We're having a boy, Glenn."
"Yeah, we are." He kisses his wife, staying close and breathing in the lovely scent of her as they smile like crazy people at each other.
After their guess that the odds were in favor of a girl, it's unexpected.
He'll just have to learn to be an entirely different type of doctor than his father was.
~*~ AF ~*~
"Well, I'm guessing your offspring is either shy or ornery."
Abraham laughs, watching as every attempt Cricket makes to distinguish the baby's gender is thwarted. Even getting the measurements is a tough task, with the baby's activity level.
Michonne arches a brow at him. "I suspect ornery."
Her belly keeps surging with the baby's movements. It's tiny movements now, so he can only imagine what Michonne will look like when the baby's even larger and still this active.
"I've seen you move with that sword, woman. Baby's just taking after Mama."
"Try talking again, Abraham." Cricket is looking at the screen, and he doesn't know what she's up to, but what the hell.
"I'm just saying, that kiddo is getting a double dose of DNA from people who don't sit idle and twiddle their thumbs. 'Course sitting still on someone else's whim ain't part of today's agenda."
Michonne reaches out to take his hand, nodding for him to continue when he pauses.
That's when he spots the reason. When he starts talking again, the baby calms. He snags the chair and drops into it.
"Fine, if you gotta hear Daddy's voice to calm your little ass down for the doctor, Daddy can certainly talk."
The smothered laugh from Michonne makes him glance up. He huffs at her and keeps talking, mostly nonsense, but who cares?
"Got everything. Hopefully that little trick works on a newborn as much as it does now." Cricket's smiling and Michonne's just staring at the screen, where the baby's returned to moving.
"You got a glimpse, didn't you?" He was too fascinated by the phenomenon of the baby already responding to his voice to watch the screen. He and Michonne don't even live together.
"Our daughter is not going to be dressed in frills and pink."
"I'm partial to red," he says softly, just marveling in the baby moving blissfully on the screen.
Another daughter. Christ, Becca and AJ would have loved a baby sister.
~*~ MD ~*~
"How much longer on the outer fence?" Olivia asks as she falls into step by Merle as he returns from inspecting the area the gate will be installed in. "Still about three more days?"
"Yeah. Most of the third day will be connecting to the gate. Footings crew is done as of today if you need supply runners."
"Hershel and Tammy recommended we put in a greenhouse or two. Since the paddocks are done, Jazz says he can do the framing."
"He get you a list of what he needs? He's helped on enough of ours to solo a project like that."
She nods, indicating a piece of paper in the notebook ahe carries. "Enough to do two, and he says Honey can draw up plans for us to follow."
"She should be able to." For something larger or a home, he would insist on assessing them, but it'll be good for both of them to gear the project without him.
They've reached the original Hilltop gates, passing through with greetings to the guards. Gage is working on installing cameras, but he suspects it will take Hilltop a while to give up this final human standpoint.
Carol's headed their way, looking excited. Based on the time, he figures she's just sat in on the evening check-in with Homestead.
"So? What's the news?"
"Two girls, one boy." She steps in for an enthusiastic hug.
"And which is which, darlin'?" Not that it really matters, but he's curious as hell.
"Maggie's having the boy."
Merle laughs, drawing attention. Trust Glenn, with a lifetime of sisters, to be the one with a boy on the way. He doubts it'll baffle the young man as much as having a girl did him.
He also wonders how Abraham is handling the further reality of his fatherhood. As crazy as it made him thinking his kids were lost, he's glad his own new little one still has its brothers and sisters.
Carol smiles. "Oh! The Kingdom radioed in that representatives will be here around the time we get the gate done, just like Solomons Island. That way everyone can get on the same page about Alexandria."
"And send their own representative in the re-contact." Olivia looks pleased with the idea, and Merle's glad the woman's not shy about travel. Having her along when they tackle the errant neighbor will be the sort of insight they need, and it keeps the Alexandria recruiters from being the only source.
"I told Homestead we would need at least another week up here, after the wall is finished."
He agrees there. Right now, Solomons Island doesn't need a veterinary visit, but The Kingdom does and perhaps Alexandria.
"Is Gregory behaving?" Olivia asks.
Carol just smiles that sly smile he loves so much. "He is no longer opposing Bertie's request to raid the school nearby and set up a classroom. Something about not wanting the children to grow up as uneducated heathens."
He suspects the wording is Carol's, actually. She can pull off distressed PTA lady with an ease that makes him think they should add live plays to Homestead's entertainment.
"Do I want to know how much you fluttered your eyelashes at him?"
Gregory hasn't attempted to pursue Carol like he did Andrea, but seems to cringe like a naughty schoolboy whenever she's around. Merle's starting to think she reminds the former leader of his mother, or something similar.
All it seems to take is a disappointed look or a distressed sigh, and the man's usually agreeing to whatever Carol's finagling. He thinks the Hilltop Council will miss her when they go home.
~*~ DD ~*~
"You're looking awful thoughtful out here."
Daryl grins a little when Rick startles. He and Rosita joined them for a game night after supper. After Rick stepped out to talk to Shane as his best friend and Scout headed to their cabin with the kids, Daryl realized he didn't come back in.
"Needed to talk to Shane about something. They waiting on me?"
"Nah. Ladies are still giggling about new babies." Carl's not home yet, up at Audrey's, who has Christopher and Tim filling in as her guardians with Bryce in Virginia.
"The girls are both calling me Uncle Rick now." Rick shifts against the porch rail, staring out into the moonlit lane between then planned cabin rows.
"That a problem?" He knows Anaya designating Rick as an uncle is logical, but when Abby picked up the habit this week, it seemed to suit.
"No. Just wasn't sure if that's what you'd want for Abby."
Daryl shrugs. "You consider her family?"
"She's Carl's sister, just like Judith, so yeah. She's a good kid. Hell, I think she likes me better than Carl does, some days."
"Difference between eleven and thirteen." Daryl smirks at Rick, who gives him a sheepish grin. "Carl's favorite person is gonna be Audrey, followed by his sisters, by our good luck, then parents."
"Sounds like you remember that age better than I do."
"If it were only my memory, maybe I wouldn't. But I've seen the pattern with all of Merle's girls." Daryl doesn't clarify that it's only the girls he learned that from. Whether it was the head injury or natural inclination, puberty never hit him the way it seemed to do to his peers.
"I do seem to remember being half-abandoned when Shane first started turning the girls' heads. I guess it's easy to just think Carl's got other preferences in a father figure now."
That makes Daryl step forward and bump his shoulder into Rick's. He's closer to Shane, by virtue of a determination to learn all he can about Scout's husband. But Rick's his friend too.
"That's not the kinda comparison you should be making on yourself."
"Wasn't around enough when he was younger."
"And now you're around as much as he needs. It's not like the old world, where parents ended up as islands struggling with job and family."
Rick looks like he's thinking it over, at least, so Daryl continues. "I haven't gone overboard in spending time with him, have I? Just don't want him to feel like he's not a part of everything."
"God no. I can't object to any of the time you've spent with him. All of this change should have ended in a pissed off teenager and instead he's the happiest I've ever seen him."
"Gotta remember you're a part of that too. Maybe quit staring at that lot we reserved for you and build a place. He might like a refuge that's not full of girls from time to time."
Rick laughs. "And take your only ally among the females at home?"
"Grimes, it doesn't feel like home if I'm not outnumbered three to one." Daryl studies the orange flagged markers on Rick's future building site. "We still have some kits available, you know."
"Not sure Rosita is ready for that kind of commitment to me."
"Gonna tell you the same thing I was told when I was dithering about Lori. She's just waiting on you to catch up to the idea it's for the long haul."
"You think so?"
"I know it's hard to see when you're the center of someone's world when it's not your kid, but yeah. She eyes you so intently I'm surprised she hasn't just tugged you in front of the community for vows yet."
"She's going to want a baby, and that might not be possible."
"You already know blood doesn't make family, not as close as you are to Shane. If it's not possible, find a donor. I'm sure Cricket will be happy to go into excruciating detail on that process."
"I'd ask if wouldn't that be weird, but that's a stupid question to pose to you."
"The only important thing is how much I love all three of them without a damn bit of biology involved. Can't see it being any more intense just because of shared genetics."
"I'm glad Lori has you." He's smiling that bright smile usually reserved for Shane or Carl now.
"As complicated as it is, I can't change a thing." He feels the now familiar surge of gratitude at his good luck. "Think they've noticed us missing now."
Through the windows, he can see they have an audience.
"C'mon. Better get back inside before they decide we're playing charades next."
Laughing, Daryl follows him inside. He just hopes Rick discards those final doubts. Rosita's good for him, and they all want to see Rick happy.
~*~ Jesus ~*~
It's become a habit for Jazz to hide out in Jesus's trailer after his shower. The teenager brought his sleeping bag and gear after the first night he stayed over. Figuring Jazz didn't want to be the third wheel in his family tent, Jesus just motioned to the corner and let him stash his things.
He did swing by to talk to Carol. Jazz doesn't make a point of the crush she indicates he has, showing no evidence Jesus would see as complicating their friendship while the six-year age difference is still an issue. All that happened there was a motherly hug.
Tonight, Jazz is reading when he returns to put Logan to bed. He looks up amd smiles, but returns to the book. Jesus recognizes it as one of his own.
While Logan showers, he busies himself woth a few household chores. It's going to be echoingly empty when they leave.
Aftee the ritual of Jazz choosing a song for Logan to listen to, the boy's off to bed and he's considering it himself.
"Paul?"
That gets his attention and he notices Jazz has put a bookmark in the borrowed novel. "Yeah?"
"Can I go on the supply run tomorrow for the greenhouse?"
"If it's good with your parents, sure." He's got zero problem having the teenager at his back. He's as self-sufficient and competent as his sisters. "But you don't have to."
"I know, but I want to." He's running at the cover of the book, looking uncomfortable.
"Is someone here making you feel unwelcome?" It would be a shock, since Jazz seems as popular among Hilltop's population as back home.
"It's not her fault."
"Jazz?" He doesn't like the sound of that.
"Enid likes me."
Ah. He supposes a crush from the younger girl was probably inevitable with the time spent together. "Is she doing anything she shouldn't?"
Jazz shakes his head. "Not like that. Some girls think they can get away with pushing things, but that's not Enid. I just think maybe some time apart is good."
"Probably. I can have a talk with her, if you like."
"Not yet. It would embarrass her."
Jesus nods and starts down the hall before remembering something he's been meaning to ask. "Why do you always call me Paul?"
He honestly rarely even thinks of himself as Paul anymore, so he's curious.
It might be the first time he's seen mischief in Jazz's expression. "Do you know what Paul means?"
He honestly doesn't know, so he shakes his head. He's never been particularly attached to a name given to him by people who couldn't or didn't care for him.
"One meaning is humble, but the other is small."
That explains the mischief. "We can't all be giants, you know. And anyone looks small next to you."
"I didn't say it was a bad thing." He's quiet for a minute. "I would rather be your height. It makes me conspicuous."
Jesus can't imagine being overly tall is any more convenient than being under average height, so he understands. Staying in close quarters as long as they have, at Homestead and here, he's seen how Jazz carefully crafts himself to appear younger in the same way Jesus opts for older.
He doesn't think he could ever return to the careful morning shaving Jazz does. But even scruff changes the mental image of his age.
"Jazz? No one's ever crossed the wrong lines with you, have they?"
The fact that he doesn't answer quickly brings Jesus all the way back to the couch. At his alarmed expression, Jazz actually reaches out and pats his arm.
"Not like you're thinking. Just that girls think guys won't turn down a kiss."
"And unlike a girl, you can't punch someone for it."
The fact that Jazz laughs is a relief. Jesus doesn't like the idea that someone with Jazz's touch issues was forced into an uninvited kiss, but he seems to be taking it in stride.
"Honey did punch her."
He can picture that, big sister coming in like an avenging fury. "Good."
The teenager's side eye to his sleeping bag reminds Jesus they have an early morning coming, so he risks dropping a hand to Jazz's shoulder and squeezing just a little.
It gets him a bright smile. "Good night, Paul."
"Good night, Jasper."
As he makes his way to bed, he decides to at least talk to Olivia about Enid's crush. Their relationship is more like sisters than anything else, but that could be to advantage.
It doesn't stop him from looking forward to tomorrow's run though.
