Hi everyone, sorry about the long hiatus. I was on vacation. I am going to address one of the reviews I've read since I've been back. I have no doubt that an angry comeback is exactly what this person wants, therefor I will not oblige them. I will be civil and congenial in my retort:
sophiethedevil, honey, I appreciate your criticism, but it's really not neccessary. Who in the world misinformed you that a fanfiction has to have anything to do with the real world? I am perfectly aware that most teenage fathers would turn tail. However, that wouldn't be very romantic would it? And as you can plainly tell, this is a romance with secondary mild angst. So do me a favor and don't lecture me about reality versus fanfiction. The two aren't at all alike. PS- I'm just kidding ;) I really don't appreciate your criticism. And all that nice language up there is actually glaring sarcasm.
PPS- And what is what meant to mean?
Chapter 7
Raven was sure that they must have made an odd pair to the people in the parking lot. A harried looking girl struggling to unfasten herself from what she considered a spiffy death trap on wheels, and a beautiful, classy looking woman roaring in laughter at the former's attempts. Raven wanted to kill her. Slowly and painfully. "Were you trying to give me a heart attack, or are you just incredibly reckless?" she growled as she finally freed herself. Hope merely shrugged and calmly stepped out of the convertible. While she was still shaking with mirth, she managed to sound appropriately apologetic. "Sorry Rae-Rae, I just get carried away sometimes. You have to admit it was fun, though."
"I'll do no such thing." Raven had the disconcerting feeling that she appeared to be pouting. She composed her features and decided to change the subject. "So what is it exactly that you had in mind to shop for?"
"Oh, this and that. Wouldn't it be fun to look a baby clothes? I absolutely adore babies and everything associated with them! Oh, I'm getting excited just thinking about it. Of course, we can't buy anything since it's too early to determine sex, but it will be so much fun just to look!"
"I'm having a girl,"
"Oh, you don't know that."
"Actually I do. Leave it alone. You don't want to know"
"Okay, a girl it is. So have you and Wonder Boy talked about it at all?"
"I told him of course, after the benefit. But he's been busy lately. And completely overbearing about how much I rest, eat, and my physical activity. He hasn't let me accompany them once, on a mission." Her annoyance bubble up and over as she talked to Hope. She confided all her frustrations and felt immensely better for it. By the time she was finished, they had already reached a charming little boutique called, appropriately, 'Bundles of Joy.' "This much pastel cannot be healthy," Raven commented flatly.
"Come on. This'll be fun," Hope grabbed her arm and dragged the reluctant girl in. She oohed and aahed over every little thing, filling a cart with everything she thought was cute.
"Have you thought of a color scheme for the nursery?"
"No... I haven't really given much thought to what I'm going to do with the baby after she's born. I've been so concerned about what to do until she's born... Pink, I suppose. Isn't that universally girl?"
"Ugh, please don't. Why don't you try, I don't know, yellow?"
"Yellow, hm? Nice and neutral. Soothing in the right shade. I like it. A soft yellow though, nothing too bright."
"There you go! You're finally starting to talk like an expectant mother."
Raven eyed the overflowing cart as Hope continued to pile items onto it. "Uh, Hope, I don't have enough money for all this stuff. We're going to have to put some of it back,"
Knowing Raven would never agree to let her pay for it all, Hope said casually, "We'll split the cost."
"I couldn't let you do that,"
"Don't be silly. Besides, consider it my gift as her future God-mother,"
Raven was quite taken aback and it showed. "Now don't give me that look. I was the first one to know about the little tyke, so naturally I want to be a part of her life." Hope sounded cocky, but there was an underlying hint of apprehension. Raven saw right through the bravado and looked at her new friend consideringly. "That would be... nice. I would like for you to be the God-mother of my daughter, Hope."
Relief was barely discernible as the older woman turned away to study a display of stuffed animals. "Well of course you would," She turned back and smiled brightly. "Although you might not say that in a few years once I've spoiled her rotten."
They payed for their purchases and Hope told the clerk to have the bags delivered to her car.
"You know what's next, don't you Rae?" Raven looked at her friend suspiciously, and probed her mind a little. "No!" she sputtered, eyes widening at the unholy gleam in Hope's eyes and the idea in her head.
"Maternity clothes!"
Raven cursed the entire time she was being carted off to the maternity section of a high class department store.
They arrived at Titan Tower around eight o'clock that night. After she'd gotten over her embarrassment, trying on maternity clothes had actually been quite fun. As Hope had pointed out, she couldn't wear her leotards for the entire duration of her pregnancy. So she'd picked out several outfits and a few dresses. Luckily, the sales lady had been very nice and hadn't recognized her. When Raven moved to get out of the car, Hope surprised her by handing her a piece of paper. "What's this?"
"My phone number. If you ever need to talk, feel free to call me. If you can't reach me at home, my cell number is also there. These next few months will be hard. It would help to have a buddy, since Starfire is... indisposed."
"You mean she hates my everloving guts. Yeah, but how did you know?"
Hope gave her a look that had Raven feeling sheepish. Of course she would have surmised as much since it had been obvious that Star was madly in love with Robin.
Using her powers, Raven levitated the bags from the car. "I'll see you around kid. And remember my offer. And don't forget to tell me when you're decorating the nursery." With that parting sentence, she hit the gas and took off.
As soon as she reached the living area, Raven was bombarded by three angry male Titans.
"Where have you been?"
"Why didn't you call?"
"Who were you with?"
All three questions were flung at her at the same time. Raising an eyebrow dispassionately, she dumped her cargo on their heads.
"At the Mall, I didn't have a phone, and Hope Sinclair."
"What'd you get at the Mall?" Robin asked, pulling a frilly lavender dress from his head and staring at it blankly. Once he registered it for what it was, he released an understanding, "Oh"
"Hope decided I needed to get out of the house for a while, with everything going on here." she searched about for the absent Starfire.
"She's in the training room,"
"Oh. Things were made a lot clearer for me today, and I've been doing some thinking. Robin you need to make time for you and I to discuss what we're going to do while we're expecting this child, and when she gets here. Beastboy and Cyborg... stop treating me like I'm going to set you on fire. I am perfectly calm about this entire thing. I don't expect you to 'take my side' as opposed to Star's, but I would like for you to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. It already has, and there's nothing to be worried about." Her tone brooked no argument. She picked up the merchandise and headed off to her room.
"Wait, Raven," Robin called as he caught up to her. When she turned around to face him, he kissed her hard. Then just as suddenly, he pulled back, leaving her dazed and befuddled. "I'm sorry I've been neglecting you. It's just... you know how I get when it comes to Slade."
"Yes, I do. Richard, I want you to stop treating me like an invalid. As I have demonstrated on numerous occasions, I am perfectly capable of handling myself."
"I know you are. But can you garauntee that you wont be injured in a battle? Can you say with absolute certainty that something won't happen to the baby?"
"I-I honestly hadn't thought about that. I was just so angry that you seemed to think I couldn't take care of myself,"
"I'm asking you, not telling you, to take a nine month hiatus from battle. Other than the threat of physical injury from battle, there's also the chance that Slade could find out and hurt you to further his vendetta against me."
Raven knew that he was making valid arguments, but it didn't make her feel any better. "I feel so useless,"
"You're not useless. You could be a big help to us right here." He kissed her forehead and embraced her tighter, then let her go. "We'll meet in your room later tonight to talk about the baby." though his eyes promised a lot more than just talking. Raven's breath caught and she almost dropped her cargo. Instead she turned quickly and walked the rest of the way to her room. Once safely obscured within, she allowed her knees to buckle as she slid down the heavy lead door. After a moment, she composed herself and pulled one of the bags to her. Carefully, and with infinite tenderness, she began to sort through the myriad of baby clothes, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, bottles, pacifiers, and every other thing her and Hope had purchased.
Neither she nor Robin was aware that a third party had been privy to their private conversation, and while her heart ripped in two, the rage and bitterness she didn't know how to handle were stoked to a blazing inferno.
In her own room, Raven felt a prickling of unease, but didn't pay much attention. She was too elated to really give it any thought, since it was so brief.
That casual disregard was the worst mistake she'd made since becoming a Titan.
sophiethedevil, honey, I appreciate your criticism, but it's really not neccessary. Who in the world misinformed you that a fanfiction has to have anything to do with the real world? I am perfectly aware that most teenage fathers would turn tail. However, that wouldn't be very romantic would it? And as you can plainly tell, this is a romance with secondary mild angst. So do me a favor and don't lecture me about reality versus fanfiction. The two aren't at all alike. PS- I'm just kidding ;) I really don't appreciate your criticism. And all that nice language up there is actually glaring sarcasm.
PPS- And what is what meant to mean?
Chapter 7
Raven was sure that they must have made an odd pair to the people in the parking lot. A harried looking girl struggling to unfasten herself from what she considered a spiffy death trap on wheels, and a beautiful, classy looking woman roaring in laughter at the former's attempts. Raven wanted to kill her. Slowly and painfully. "Were you trying to give me a heart attack, or are you just incredibly reckless?" she growled as she finally freed herself. Hope merely shrugged and calmly stepped out of the convertible. While she was still shaking with mirth, she managed to sound appropriately apologetic. "Sorry Rae-Rae, I just get carried away sometimes. You have to admit it was fun, though."
"I'll do no such thing." Raven had the disconcerting feeling that she appeared to be pouting. She composed her features and decided to change the subject. "So what is it exactly that you had in mind to shop for?"
"Oh, this and that. Wouldn't it be fun to look a baby clothes? I absolutely adore babies and everything associated with them! Oh, I'm getting excited just thinking about it. Of course, we can't buy anything since it's too early to determine sex, but it will be so much fun just to look!"
"I'm having a girl,"
"Oh, you don't know that."
"Actually I do. Leave it alone. You don't want to know"
"Okay, a girl it is. So have you and Wonder Boy talked about it at all?"
"I told him of course, after the benefit. But he's been busy lately. And completely overbearing about how much I rest, eat, and my physical activity. He hasn't let me accompany them once, on a mission." Her annoyance bubble up and over as she talked to Hope. She confided all her frustrations and felt immensely better for it. By the time she was finished, they had already reached a charming little boutique called, appropriately, 'Bundles of Joy.' "This much pastel cannot be healthy," Raven commented flatly.
"Come on. This'll be fun," Hope grabbed her arm and dragged the reluctant girl in. She oohed and aahed over every little thing, filling a cart with everything she thought was cute.
"Have you thought of a color scheme for the nursery?"
"No... I haven't really given much thought to what I'm going to do with the baby after she's born. I've been so concerned about what to do until she's born... Pink, I suppose. Isn't that universally girl?"
"Ugh, please don't. Why don't you try, I don't know, yellow?"
"Yellow, hm? Nice and neutral. Soothing in the right shade. I like it. A soft yellow though, nothing too bright."
"There you go! You're finally starting to talk like an expectant mother."
Raven eyed the overflowing cart as Hope continued to pile items onto it. "Uh, Hope, I don't have enough money for all this stuff. We're going to have to put some of it back,"
Knowing Raven would never agree to let her pay for it all, Hope said casually, "We'll split the cost."
"I couldn't let you do that,"
"Don't be silly. Besides, consider it my gift as her future God-mother,"
Raven was quite taken aback and it showed. "Now don't give me that look. I was the first one to know about the little tyke, so naturally I want to be a part of her life." Hope sounded cocky, but there was an underlying hint of apprehension. Raven saw right through the bravado and looked at her new friend consideringly. "That would be... nice. I would like for you to be the God-mother of my daughter, Hope."
Relief was barely discernible as the older woman turned away to study a display of stuffed animals. "Well of course you would," She turned back and smiled brightly. "Although you might not say that in a few years once I've spoiled her rotten."
They payed for their purchases and Hope told the clerk to have the bags delivered to her car.
"You know what's next, don't you Rae?" Raven looked at her friend suspiciously, and probed her mind a little. "No!" she sputtered, eyes widening at the unholy gleam in Hope's eyes and the idea in her head.
"Maternity clothes!"
Raven cursed the entire time she was being carted off to the maternity section of a high class department store.
They arrived at Titan Tower around eight o'clock that night. After she'd gotten over her embarrassment, trying on maternity clothes had actually been quite fun. As Hope had pointed out, she couldn't wear her leotards for the entire duration of her pregnancy. So she'd picked out several outfits and a few dresses. Luckily, the sales lady had been very nice and hadn't recognized her. When Raven moved to get out of the car, Hope surprised her by handing her a piece of paper. "What's this?"
"My phone number. If you ever need to talk, feel free to call me. If you can't reach me at home, my cell number is also there. These next few months will be hard. It would help to have a buddy, since Starfire is... indisposed."
"You mean she hates my everloving guts. Yeah, but how did you know?"
Hope gave her a look that had Raven feeling sheepish. Of course she would have surmised as much since it had been obvious that Star was madly in love with Robin.
Using her powers, Raven levitated the bags from the car. "I'll see you around kid. And remember my offer. And don't forget to tell me when you're decorating the nursery." With that parting sentence, she hit the gas and took off.
As soon as she reached the living area, Raven was bombarded by three angry male Titans.
"Where have you been?"
"Why didn't you call?"
"Who were you with?"
All three questions were flung at her at the same time. Raising an eyebrow dispassionately, she dumped her cargo on their heads.
"At the Mall, I didn't have a phone, and Hope Sinclair."
"What'd you get at the Mall?" Robin asked, pulling a frilly lavender dress from his head and staring at it blankly. Once he registered it for what it was, he released an understanding, "Oh"
"Hope decided I needed to get out of the house for a while, with everything going on here." she searched about for the absent Starfire.
"She's in the training room,"
"Oh. Things were made a lot clearer for me today, and I've been doing some thinking. Robin you need to make time for you and I to discuss what we're going to do while we're expecting this child, and when she gets here. Beastboy and Cyborg... stop treating me like I'm going to set you on fire. I am perfectly calm about this entire thing. I don't expect you to 'take my side' as opposed to Star's, but I would like for you to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. It already has, and there's nothing to be worried about." Her tone brooked no argument. She picked up the merchandise and headed off to her room.
"Wait, Raven," Robin called as he caught up to her. When she turned around to face him, he kissed her hard. Then just as suddenly, he pulled back, leaving her dazed and befuddled. "I'm sorry I've been neglecting you. It's just... you know how I get when it comes to Slade."
"Yes, I do. Richard, I want you to stop treating me like an invalid. As I have demonstrated on numerous occasions, I am perfectly capable of handling myself."
"I know you are. But can you garauntee that you wont be injured in a battle? Can you say with absolute certainty that something won't happen to the baby?"
"I-I honestly hadn't thought about that. I was just so angry that you seemed to think I couldn't take care of myself,"
"I'm asking you, not telling you, to take a nine month hiatus from battle. Other than the threat of physical injury from battle, there's also the chance that Slade could find out and hurt you to further his vendetta against me."
Raven knew that he was making valid arguments, but it didn't make her feel any better. "I feel so useless,"
"You're not useless. You could be a big help to us right here." He kissed her forehead and embraced her tighter, then let her go. "We'll meet in your room later tonight to talk about the baby." though his eyes promised a lot more than just talking. Raven's breath caught and she almost dropped her cargo. Instead she turned quickly and walked the rest of the way to her room. Once safely obscured within, she allowed her knees to buckle as she slid down the heavy lead door. After a moment, she composed herself and pulled one of the bags to her. Carefully, and with infinite tenderness, she began to sort through the myriad of baby clothes, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, bottles, pacifiers, and every other thing her and Hope had purchased.
Neither she nor Robin was aware that a third party had been privy to their private conversation, and while her heart ripped in two, the rage and bitterness she didn't know how to handle were stoked to a blazing inferno.
In her own room, Raven felt a prickling of unease, but didn't pay much attention. She was too elated to really give it any thought, since it was so brief.
That casual disregard was the worst mistake she'd made since becoming a Titan.