Thanks to Unicorn13564 for all her help on the last chapter and especially for her way cute ideas on this chapter so everyone now shout together for YOU ROCK! Because she really does, oh and kimbob I've loved talking about it with you too. Yey people on here are so nice!
P.S. JINKY I can not reply to your reviews sorry but yey you rock and I love invisible and all your stories! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Give kids a chance
Ren scrubbed and scrubbed hoping to wash away his worries doubts and fears; yes he has fears although he didn't want to admit it to himself. He didn't think the shower would wash away the troubles but heck if males can get pregnant then why can't water cleanse everything. Having Horo in his arms felt good but also awkward, he expected Horo to ad least feel a little uncomfortable or have a few doubts but no Horo couldn't be normal he had to do the opposite of what you expect. Then again isn't that why Ren loved him? Ren turned off the shower, dried off and then got dressed. He put on one of Horos t-shirts unable to find one of his own that felt comfy. He didn't notice how impractical his clothing could be.
Horo sat on the sofa and put his bandana on. Ren walked out of the bathroom and headed towards the kitchen but as he passed the sofa a pair of hands pulled him down onto a familiar lap.
Ren: Horo what are you doing? (Huffing and sighing)
Horo: What's it look like?
Ren: Hmmm fussing
Horo: Well we haven't finished our conversation from last night
Ren: I don't feel like it (Tried to stand only to have 2 arms tightly lock around him)
Horo: Not so fast (put his head on Rens shoulder)
Ren: I said I don't want to talk Horo
Horo: Sorry but I do, I think…
BRING BRING
Horo: Hold that thought (Picked up the phone) Hello
Pilika: Hey, is Ren back there with you then
Horo: Yeah he is
Pilika: Good what was he thinking? Do you have any idea of what he was doing?
Horo: He was looking to kill this Gypsy Girl
Pilika: Why? What did she do to him?
Horo: (Smiled) got him pregnant
Ren: No that was you, she just helped
Horo: Yeah
Pilika: … She what? Rens…
Horo: Yeah, aint it weird
Pilika: Weird! Its dam impossible Rens a a a guy… aint he
Horo: Yeah he is but the gypsy gave him this wish cookie, remember the one we showed you when we were up there to help with the swamp lands
Pilika: Yeah that little cookie made it so Ren could give birth
Horo: Yep
Pilika: So… does he still have his… ya know
Horo: (Laughed a little) Yeah
Ren: What are you laughing at?
Horo: (Leaned in and whispered what she had asked to Ren)
Ren: (Went pink with embarrassment) its none of her concern
Pilika: Oh you gotta come see us I can't wait to see you both; I'm going to be an aunty
Lyserg: (Picks up the receiver of the upstairs phone) what's going on I can hear you from my study?
Pilika: Ren going to have a baby
Lyserg What?
Horo: Hey Lyserg, yeah I'm going to be a daddy
Lyserg: So you and Ren finally decided to adopt
Horo: NO
Pilika: Rens pregnant
Lyserg: (choked) He's what? How the hell?
Horo: A gypsy! Pilika can fill you in later
Lyserg: I think I'm going to go lay down (puts the receiver down)
Pilika: Sheesh I married a wuss
Horo: Hey I guess me and Ren could come up and see you
Pilika: Oh please do I can't wait to see it, how far along is Ren?
Horo: Dunno wait I'll ask him (turned to Ren) How far along are you
Ren: I'm about three months according to Faust
Horo: Did you hear
Pilika: Yeah wow he'll have his bump won't he? Why didn't we notice it? Did it really take you three months to figure it out?
Horo: Hey who would have thought that Ren Could?
Pilika: True… well there's always a place here for you both. Oh I better be going it's time to feed Vix
Horo: Ok bye see you soon and you better go check on Lyserg he took it worse than Ren did (laughed then got a whack on the side of his head) OW! Ren that hurt
Pilika: You deserved it what ever it was? Bye Horo, Bye Ren
Horo: Bye Pilika (hung up and rubbed his cheek)
Ren stood and went into the kitchen and got a bottle of milk and took a sip. As soon as the milk touched his tongue he spat it up into the sink then grabbed a glass quickly filling it with water and washing away the funky taste the milk left. He turned and went out into the living room still holding the bottle of milk.
Ren: I think there's something wrong with the milk. It tastes like tar
Horo: I don't think it's gone off I only just got that yesterday (took the bottle from Ren and sipped it) It tastes fine to me
Ren: (Smelled it then took another tiny sip before gagging again) Like hell, I'm throwing it out
Horo: Sure if you think something is wrong with it. You know the saying 'when in doubt, throw it out'
Ren poured the milk down the sink not wanting to look at another bottle of milk again. That milk tasted way too funky to him. Horo phoned the airport and arranged a flight out to see Pilika but the only free first class flight there was in 2 days, they would have to sit tight at home till then. Horo decided to break Ren into this new lifestyle so who better to do that than someone who has been pregnant. This would be a different kind of training to anything Ren has ever done. How was Horo going to pull this off?
2 Days Later-
They had just arrived at Pilikas and were invited to spend 3 weeks there. Ren didn't realise he was there to be trained by Pilika but he soon would figure it out. Pilika greeted them and gave Ren a big hug while bouncing up and down then waving at his stomach making him feel really uncomfortable and slightly agitated by the fuss. Horo wouldn't stop smiling and Lyserg starred so much that he hardly noticed at first when Ren threw a book at his head to try make him stop gaping at him. Ren and Horo were given the spare room next to the nursery were Vixen was. Pilika and Lyserg were way down the hall in the very end room by the stairs. It was a really big house with two levels and a loft that had been converted into yet another spare room but was used mostly for storage. They all sat down to dinner while Pilika started slowly breaking it to Ren that she was to show him the ropes. When it dawned on him why he was there he was less than thrilled you might say.
Ren: You're going to show me what? (Shouted at her shocked at the suggestion)
Pilika: I'm only going to show you the tape of Vixens birth so you know what to expect
Ren: I am not watching that
Pilika: OF course you are you got to learn somehow
Ren: I know what happens
Lyserg: You have no idea. It's shocking I'll tell you now. She broke my wrist when I held her hand. I had to wear a cast around my hand for a month.
Pilika: I said I was sorry
Lyserg: I know but I didn't think you were that strong
Pilika: You wouldn't believe how painful it is going through labour. By watching you might get an idea
Horo: You broke his wrist (a pain ridden expression crossed his face) if you can do that to him imagine what Ren is going to do to me (gulped)
Ren: If I have to suffer then so do you (Looked at Horo with an evil glint in his eyes)
Pilika: Trust the fathers suffer in other ways. They take care of everything while you focus on the task of pregnancy.
Lyserg: The hormones are no joke either. She nearly killed me because I forgot to take out to trash
Pilika: Oh but you were so insensitive about it
Lyserg: All I said was I'd take it out later
Pilika: It was stinking up the house
Lyserg: You didn't have to throw a knife at me
Pilika: I just threw the nearest object at you
Ren: That object so happened to be a knife
Pilika: Yeah, see Ren gets it
Horo: That's it I'm hiding all sharp objects when we get back… Especially your kwan-doa!
Ren: You're not touching my kwan-doa
Horo: But…
Ren: No buts!
Lyserg: My heart bleeds for you
Horo: Not as much as I will bleed
Pilika: Stop being such sissy's
After an hour of debating Ren was forced to watch the birth tape. First it wasn't so bad but then while giving birth he saw things that he never wanted to see. The images were too graphic and his face went as white as freshly cleaned sheets. His eye twitched and his colour was completely erased from his face. His eyes were as wide as large mixing bowls and his pupils went a small as dots made with a fine liner pen. Pilika sat there giving commentary to go with the gruesome birth and every now and then pausing the tape to show the more gruesome parts more carefully. After the tape Pilika let Lyserg and Horo back into the room with Ren still sat there looking like he had just witnessed hell unleash.
Horo: Ren you ok (waved his hand in front Rens face getting no response) Pilika what did you do to him?
Pilika: Nothing I swear, guess the tape hasn't sunk in yet
Lyserg: He looks ill
Pilika: He'll get over it. I did and I was the one giving birth
Horo: Ren?
Ren: Hell no, I am not doing that
Pilika: You don't have a choice Ren
Ren: There is no way I can do that
Pilika: If I can do it you can do it (smiled at him)
Ren: (Eye twitched again) If you ever show me that again you will not see your daughter grow up
Pilika: (Muttered under her breathe) Wuss
Ren very slowly regained his colour but still felt sick after witnessing that. He was sat in the front room on his own when Pilika walked in with Vixen. She was holding Vixens head over her shoulder and gently patting her back and making small circles gently with her fingers. Lyserg shouted of Pilika so she decided to give Ren first hand training with a real life baby.
Pilika: Coming Lyserg! Ren can you do me a big favour
Ren looked up at her
Pilika: Hold on to Vixen till I get back K
Ren: But I don't…
Pilika: All you need to do is hold her it's not hard
She handed the baby to Ren who held her awkwardly out in front of him staring while Pilika left the room to see what her husband wanted. Ren looked at the baby girl who gurgled slightly Ren held the baby closer wondering why the baby was fussing like it was then with out much warning it threw up all over him making him jump to his feet and scowl at the baby who stopped fussing and just looked at Ren giving a little giggle.
Ren: So you think it's funny you demon child
Vixen giggled more
Ren: Your lucky your part of Horos family or I would throw you down a well.
Pilika: Hey has she been ok
Ren: Oh she's been fine except she threw up all over me (slightly annoyed and sarcastic tone)
Pilika: Oh did my Vixy spit up. (Wiped up Vixens mouth and handed the cloth to Ren) Thanks Ren I've been trying to wind her for 5 minutes. There's hope for you yet
Ren wiped himself up and went to bed with Horo who was sound asleep in no time. Ren fell asleep eventually but it was not long before he was woken by shrieks and screams from the baby he thought of as the spawn of the devil Vixen. He tried to cover his ears with a pillow but it didn't work, he tried ignoring her but again didn't work and all he could do was lay there and wait for Lyserg or Pilika to quieten the baby.
Eventually Lyserg had got Vixen to sleep again so Ren finally drifted off again. When he woke up the next morning he was tired. He sat at the kitchen table leaning against it trying to keep his eyes fully open so as not to nod off. Vixen had woke him up twice during the night and then she woke him up and hour earlier than he was intending to wake up. He dammed that baby and now dreaded the arrival of his own. The annoying crying throwing up and overall mess of having a child was looking worse and worse. He sat there trying to forget the word baby when Pilika brought hers in. She looked at Ren and saw how tired he was.
Pilika: Tired Ren
Ren: (jumped and turned not realising he wasn't alone in the room) Yes you could say that I didn't get much sleep last might (glared at the baby in her arms)
Pilika: Yeah, Vixen can be a hand full, just like her mother
Ren: Too much like her mother
Pilika: Hey! (Stopped and looked at Ren with a fierce smile that meant trouble) You know what Ren I think I'll let you feed Vixen today as training for your own
Ren: No thanks
Pilika: I wasn't requesting. Here hold (put Vixen in Rens hands)
Ren: Why do you want me to feed her for anyway?
Pilika: As I said you need to learn, plus its pay back for your big mouthed comment (checked the temperature of the milk then handed it to Ren) Hold it slightly tilted but not to much
Ren did as instructed but Vixen at first wouldn't take it.
Ren: Looks like she's not hungry
Pilika: Your not being gentle enough you have to coach here into drinking it
Ren tried again this time focusing on getting Vixen to drink. Vixen started to drink it slowly with Pilika observing closely and instructing everything to Ren who rolled his eyes thinking of how stupid he felt. The baby finished and he tried to hand Vixen back to Pilika but she decided Ren should wind the baby to. It took nearly 15 minutes till both Pilika and Ren gave up. Pilika burped the baby then put her in her cot. Horo came down stairs looking for Ren. He saw Ren holding his head leaning back in the sofa looking very edgy.
Horo: Hey when did you get up?
Ren: About 2 hours ago
Horo: You look shattered
Ren: I was kept awake by that niece of yours. You would think she would get tired of crying but no
Horo: Really I didn't hear her
Ren: I knew you wouldn't wake. An earth quake couldn't stir you!
Horo: I'm naturally a deep sleeper
Ren: Lucky you (grumbling)
Horo: Sat down next to Ren wrapping his arms around his husband and pulling him close) you got to learn how to relax, stress isn't good for the baby
Ren: Shut up Horo I'm too tired
Horo: Ok
Horo let Ren lean into him and fall asleep. Ren stayed there asleep with Horo for ad least 2 hours before Pilika made a late breakfast for them all. Ren didn't realise that this was only the beginning of his lessons. After breakfast he was given a book titled 'child care for dummies' which he read after Horo gave him the most sappy puppy eyes he could muster up. The next day was worse with Pilika trying to get Ren to do breathing exercises which didn't go well. After Ren had finally gave in and done them Horo made the mistake of laughing… lets just say it took Pilika Lyserg and Horo to get the kwan-doa off Ren which was then hidden for Horos safety not that Ren couldn't hurt him in other ways but this just meant the injuries were less fatal. Ren was made to feed the baby and burp it but Horo was also tortured with a few lessons from Lyserg.
Lyserg: Pilika told me to show you how to change the baby
Horo: Lucky me
Lyserg: Here's a fresh nappy now all you need to do is remove the old one and use the wipes.
Horo: Ok.
Horo cautiously took off the sticky strips at the side and pulling down the nappy only to be completely grossed out by the greenish tint to the baby's excrements. After being pushed back into the room by Lyserg he carried on with a peg on his nose and then slowly wiped the baby's bottom and slipping the clean dipper underneath the baby then sprinkling talking powder onto the skin. He then attempted to fasten the nappy up but had to try again and again before finally Lyserg did it. The baby was laughing all the way through as if it was amused by Horos failed attempts. Horo picked the baby up sighing with relief that the task was finally done. In his head he hoped Ren was struggling as much as he was but little did he realise he was doing way worse.
Pilika: Ren just do it like I told you
Ren: I'm not doing it!
Pilika: Just try it
Ren: This is ridiculous!
Pilika: Trust me when you are a little further along this will help you immensely
Ren: How will this help
Pilika: It helped me with my back problems, its humiliating but effective now get down on your hand and knees
Ren: There is no way…
Pilika: DO IT! (Had a stare down with Ren)
Ren: (stared at her viciously but her stare was far more stern) Fine!
Pilika: Now on all fours like this (she got down on her hands and knees with Ren following hesitantly) Good now lift your right arm up so its about the same level as your shoulders (did what she instructed then Ren followed feeling stupid) Great now left leg up as close as the same level as your back as possible, make sure your back is straight at all times and hold for about 1-2 seconds (did it then put her arms and legs back down Ren also followed exactly what she did) Not bad but now you got to do the left arm right leg then right arm left leg carrying on till you've done the process 10 to 15 times. (She started to do the exercises over with Ren following her lead going pink at the stupid positions he was doing) There done now was that so bad
Ren: Yes
Pilika: When you get back pain trust me you will do them no matter how stupid you look
Ren: There is nothing painful enough to ever get me to do that again!
Pilika: How stubborn, well want to go see if Horos having any luck
Ren: I don't care
Pilika: Come on ad least your not suffering alone
Ren: True
They both left and looked for Horo and Lyserg who were sat talking while Lyserg rocked Vixen to sleep. A few days passed and Ren got the hang of feeding and burping Horo became an expert nappy changer and learnt of ways to disarm Ren when ever his raging temper kicked in. He was up and down like a yoyo, chilled one minute and then near to committing murder the next. Pilika could relate so didn't hold anything against Ren just smiled thinking it was very cute. The first week went by quite quickly
1 Week into the Stay-
The day had gone by slow with Ren getting annoyed at Pilika who was still chanting orders out trying to get Ren to embrace his motherly instincts. She was having no luck but Horo was taking his role as father-to-be very well with all his little ways of supporting comforting and manipulating Ren while Pilika tapped on Rens last nerves. The day was long and nothing was accomplished. Pilika was tired and Lyserg was getting the blunt end off the stick with Pilikas rants and plotting.
A long day lead to an even longer night but it held a few surprises. Pilika and Lyserg had fallen into quite a deep sleep so it took them about 5 minutes to realise the baby was crying and wake up but neither wanted to go
Pilika: It's your turn to go
Lyserg: No it is your turn I went last time
Pilika: Oh can't you go
Lyserg: No you got to go
Pilika: Please I want to go to sleep
Lyserg: Nope sorry your turn
Pilika: Wait listen (Both stopped and listened hearing nothing) the baby has stopped crying!
Lyserg: Good now we can both sleep
Pilika: What if something is wrong
Pilika panicked and got out of bed to go check on the baby. She rushed down the hall and opened the door only to see about the cutest thing she ever could hope to see. Ren was sat in the chair with a slumbering Vixen in his arms and he too had fallen asleep with the baby clutched tightly to him and a bottle that must have dropped to the floor. Pilika stood there cooing and awing but then had to go get Horo to witness this miracle. She ran through and shook Horo until he woke up. She dragged him from the bed and pulled him into the nursery before he could even ask what it was. He saw Ren sat there with Vixen asleep and he smiled. They walked over to Ren and Pilika took the baby from Rens arms and put her in the cot, Horo looked at Ren who was still sat there asleep. Pilika left the room to give them some privacy and went back to her own room so that she could tell Lyserg while Horo lifted Ren from the seat not stirring him and placing him back into bed before he too climbed into the bed and pressed up to his husband looking at him one last time with glistening eyes full of amazement and fanciful ideas.
Morning-
Ren woke up and sat up wondering where he was. He noticed he was in bed but he didn't remember coming back after going into the nursery. He looked down at Horo who was laid back with his arms around his waist and his mouth wide open. He wiped his eyes and stretched, after his stretch he felt something give in the bottom of his stomach making him dash to the bathroom to wretch up the contents of his stomach. Pilika came up to wake Horo and Ren because she was starting breakfast soon. She saw Ren had been sick so went down stairs got some crackers and brought them back up. When Ren left the bathroom she handed them to him.
Ren: What do I want crackers for?
Pilika: Duh it's a remedy for nausea
Ren: (Gave her a funny look) How do crackers help with nausea?
Pilika: Something about being really absorbent or something. Anyway they helped me especially through morning sickness; if you don't want them you can put them back in the cupboard. Breakfast is in 30 minutes tell Horo for me
Pilika went back down stairs and started breakfast while Ren feeling it was worth a shot ate some dry crackers and went to get Horo. Horo was now sat up yawning and looking rather dazed. He saw Ren enter the room and saw the crackers
Horo: What are the crackers for?
Ren: Pilikas idea. She said it helped her with nausea and morning sickness.
Horo: What weird things people try
Ren: It's worth a try if it means I won't be throwing up my breakfast
Horo: Sure
Pilika: (Shouted from down stairs) REN HORO HURRY UP I WANT TO TELL YOU BOTH SOMETHING
Horo: ONE MINUTE (shouted down to Pilika)
Horo and Ren got dressed with Ren borrowing one of Horo old shirts. The bump on his stomach was getting bigger each an every day. They went down stairs and sat at the table across from where Lyserg was feeding Vixen. Lyserg was having trouble getting Vixen to take the bottle and Ren at first held back the urge to comment but then had to out of pure frustration
Ren: Lyserg try putting sugar on the teat
Lyserg and Horo stared at Ren looking astonished at his comment
Ren: What? It was in that book Pilika gave me!
Horo: Wow if I didn't know any better I'd say you finally found your motherly instincts
SWOOSH BANG
Ren: (After throwing a plate at Horo gave him a lethal look) YOU WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER COMMENT!
Horo: (Sounding and looking scarred witless at the realisation of his comment) N-o Sorr-rr-rry
Ren: You will be!
Pilika: (Gasped at the sight of her broken plate) my good plate, Ren why did you have to use that plate to throw at him. That plate was part of my favourite set now it's ruined… You know your paying for that
Ren: Good seems so I'm paying for a new set anyway then give me the rest to fling at your imbecile brother
Horo: I said I'm sorry, it just slipped out
Lyserg: Looks like Ren learnt a lot more from Pilika than we thought. She was emotional too
Ren and Pilika: What was that! (Ren picked up another plate and flung it at Lyserg almost hitting him)
Ren: If ANYONE makes another comment they will regret it… GOT IT!
Lyserg and Horo: (Sat with bowed heads) Yes Ren, sorry Ren, won't happen again Ren
Pilika: Anyway I have something to tell you both. I have arranged for Faust to fly here today and give you an ultrasound scan later today
Ren: What? (Eye twitched) You are making me get an ultrasound scan
Horo: Actually it's a good idea (Gave a characteristic bold and cute smile)
Ren: Dam it Horo
Horo: Aw it will be awesome to see the little tyke for the first time (Widened his unrestrained smile)
Ren: (sighed and languished to Horos smile) Why must you smile like that?
Horo: Because I know you can't resist it (chuckled)
Horo, Ren, Lyserg and Pilika sat down to dinner while Vixen napped in her carrier. After breakfast Ren was sent upstairs to nap while Horo and Lyserg were made to do the dishes and mop the kitchen, Pilika went to the airport to see Faust who was going to set up his equipment in a clinic he had opened there about 2 years before hand. It took about 4 hours for Pilika to return and Ren had been reading a book while Horo napped with his head in Rens lap. Lyserg was rocking Vixen to try stop her fussing. Pilika got everyone packed up and ready to go to the clinic. She decided everyone could walk but Lyserg was to stay home and take care of the baby. Pilika in a rather odd baby voice said bye to Vixen and gave Lyserg a good-bye kiss before heading out with Ren and Horo to the clinic.
On arrival to the clinic they were sent straight into the room where Faust was waiting and chatting to Eliza, Ren walked in and stood quietly next to Horo wishing he could crawl under a rock until this was over but he wasn't that lucky. He was summand to the table where he took of his coat and laid back and lifted his shirt so that Faust could begin. He got a picture up on the screen with Horo looking at the screen trying to see where it was, Pilika had left to go get a cup of coffee from the waiting room vending machine.
Horo: Is that it there (pointed at the screen)
Faust: Yes that's it… hmm that's odd
Ren: What's odd?
Faust: Hmmm
Ren: (grabbed Faust's coat dragging him down to his level) I SAID what's odd!
Faust: I'm not sure you pulled me away before I could determine my findings to be correct
Ren: Hurry up! (Let go off Faust)
Faust printed off the ultrasound picture and left the room for 10-15 minutes then came back in smiling in his usual freaky way and carried on with the ultrasound scan and pointing out his findings
Faust: What I found odd was this here. That is your baby there but here we see another shape. I have just determined it is another one
Ren: (Paled and his jaw dropped) wh-what?
Horo: Another (Looking equally shocked)
Faust: You have twins
Horo: You're joking (Not believing the words coming out of Faust's mouth)
Faust: I've already been through this with Ren I don't joke (again serious look he commonly used when dealing with patients)
Horo: Twins (Slowly the information registered in his head)
Ren: I am having… (Pilika chose that time to walk in with her coffee) TWINS!
Pilika: (Dropped her coffee at the volume of Rens words and what his words actually were) what?
Horo: (Turned and hugged Pilika) we're having twins can you believe it
Pilika: I'm an aunty twice. YEY! (Jumped up and down with Horo)
Ren: (Sank back into the table staring at the ceiling) someone's trying to kill me. They must be to do this, if I ever find that Gypsy Girl I'll kill her if it's the last thing I do (sounding very limp yet serious in his threat. Too shocked to muster up the strength to throw anything)
Horo: (Hugged Ren tightly) we have twins! Can you believe it?
Ren: (Said weakly) No
Faust: I'll print off an image for you then that's all for today
Horo: Thanks I can't wait to tell Lyserg
Ren was helped off the table because he was still too shocked for words at the magnitude of the news that Faust delivered. He thought things were distressing before but now he had double, literally! Horo bounced home and Ren stumbled finding use of his legs when they were jelly hard, Pilika lead the way wanting to be the first to break the news to her husband.
Once they arrived back at Pilikas Pilika ran in shouting for Lyserg then jumped him when he appeared. She was jumping up and down screaming twins while waving the picture of them in the air. Lyserg was equally shocked and was chatting with Horo about it in no time. Ren on the other hand went straight up stairs flopped on the bed and didn't move, unable to do so even if he wanted to. The only thing that ran through his head was the word twins. This was going to make things twice as alarming and difficult. Handling Vixen wasn't exactly easy but now he'd have two equally difficult children…
How would Ren survive this?