disclaimer: All recognizable characters are owned by Marvel, except Jenny who is MINE! (though I have been known to share if you ask nicely.) I expect to make no money off this fic. Dammit.
Human and the Demon
by Dizi
Chapter 17
"Two more for our friends at the back." Jenny ordered.
"Thought there were three of 'em tonight." Harry commented as he pulled the drafts.
"Cutting off the English guy. He was on whiskey, anyway, not beer."
Harry glanced over at the back table with Logan, Remy, and Pete Wisdom. "He don't look happy."
"Well, he shoulda paced himself then, huh?"
Placing the glasses on her tray, he humpfed and nodded approval. Jenny knew her job and didn't let anyone get by. If the English snot had a problem with that... well, that was his job and he was good at his job too. Most of the time. He tried not to think about the night he'd failed and Jenny was taken.
Handing Logan and Remy their beer, Jenny ignored Pete's glare. He didn't scare her, she'd been dealing with Logan too long for that.
She set down a fresh ashtray and reached to pick up the full one when her pocket started paying "Fur Elise". In her rush to get to the cell phone she knocked the ashtray over, scattering cigarette buttes and ashes across the table. Pete snicked and was given a swift elbow jab by Remy.
"Hello?" Jenny's eyes widened after only a few seconds. "Now? Already?" The fingers gripping the phone turned white. "She's okay?" She listened intently. "No, no, don't worry about it. The guys are here, so I'll be there soon."
She stood holding the phone to her ear after the call disconnected, staring at the table but making no move to clean up the mess.
"Darlin'?" Logan was completely amused by her reaction. Since he'd been able to hear both sides of the conversation clearly, he was already getting out his keys and preparing to leave.
"We're having a baby." she whispered, then raised her voice in excitement. "C'mon, we gotta go! Lacy's having the baby!"
She ran to get her bag from the office, calling as she went, "Harry! I've gotta go! We're having a baby!"
Like Logan, Harry was also amused, but he only muttered, "Guess she ain't getting her nails done on her day off this time."
For the first time Jenny didn't jump once during the drive to the mansion. Usually she would clutch the door and flinch periodically when Logan drove. This time she kept telling him to drive faster. Obligingly he did, making Remy mutter words in French she'd rather not know the meaning of and Pete grumble phrases she hoped she didn't understand.
When they pulled up in front of the mansion, Jenny was out of the jeep before Logan had turned off the motor. Running to the med-lab as fast as she could, she skidded to a stop in front of Kurt who was waiting for her, toying with the white velvet ring box.
"How's she doing? Did I miss anything? How far apart are the contractions? Is Lacy doing her breathing exercises? How long does Hank think it'll take? What-?"
Kurt laughed, interrupting the rapid barrage of questions. "Calm down, liebchen. Ve haf much time before Zelig comes. I called vhen her vater broke. Ve arrived but minutes ago."
"I don't want to miss anything," she slowed her speech, "and I promised Lacy I'd be here for her."
"You vill miss nozhing," he promised. "Hank vill be out soon and vill let you see her."
"Oookaaay." Her expression was sheepish. "I'm just so excited."
Sauntering in leisurely, Logan shook his head at her. "Takes a long time fer most babies. Ain't gonna be anytime soon."
"Well, how would I know?" she demanded. "It's not like I had any reason to look into it before now."
Quickly hiding his expression at the pain her words caused, Kurt turned away not wanting to give Jenny the wrong impression. It wasn't for himself that he grieved but the knowledge that Jenny would have enjoyed the entire process of motherhood and would never have the opportunity to experience it except through others.
It was fifteen minutes later Hank opened the door. Being familiar with Jenny, he held up a hand to stop her from speaking when she took a deep breath and opened her mouth. "I have determined a c-section would be advantageous, and will be executed forthwith. Therefore, your presence will not be permissible during the procedure but you may progress inside directly for a brief visitation."
Rushing in, Jenny didn't pause to take in all his words. Hank softly closed the door to give them privacy and checked his watch. He didn't want to wait more than ten minutes.
"When're ya gonna tell her?" Logan was leaning again the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. "Doncha think she's got a right ta know?"
"Your knowledge of the situation does not surprise me in the least." Hank's expression at his words was stoic and he sat down heavily in a chair. "I have not been provided an ethical alternative than to remain silent. As a physician, I must accede to the wishes of my patient. She has chosen not to disclose her condition."
"She's gonna find out. Is there nothin' ya can do? More'n one person ain't gonna be happy about it."
"If I had been given sufficient time there are procedures that may have been effective. However, due to being made aware of the problematic diagnosis so belatedly and its rapid progress, there is nothing at this point that can make a significant difference than has already been done. Now... now, we can only give her the time she has requested in the manner she has chosen."
"It ain't right." Logan said stubbornly.
"My agreement with your assessment is complete." Hank looked at the door to the med-lab sadly. "However it is a choice only she can make. Neither of us have the right to take it away from her and must abide by her decision."
Laughing softly to himself, Kurt watched the two women talk animatedly. It amazed him how quickly Lacy had come to be such a part of their lives, and there would be another very soon.
"Did Hank say how long it would be before you can come home?" Jenny smoothed the blanket around Lacy.
"Just a couple days." Lacy said offhandedly.
"And you'll be able to see your toes again." Jenny laughed.
"Hope they're all still there." Lacy wiggled one foot. "It's been so long since I've seen them."
"We'll take the time to count Zelig's too." Jenny promised and they both laughed.
"Six is a good number," Kurt teased.
Coming in the door, Hank hinted, "If you will leave me with my patient, you will soon know the number of the child's digits."
An hour later, Jean came out smiling. "Ladies and gentlemen, we now have a six pound four ounce baby boy in the mansion."
"How's Lacy?" Jenny demanded.
"She's just fine, asleep right now. Hank says to give her a couple hours, but you can see the baby in a few minutes. Zelig Daniel, right?"
Kurt confirmed. "Zat is vhat she vants to name him."
"He's an angel, so quiet. He didn't even cry, just looked inconvenienced by the whole thing."
"Well, of course," Jenny beamed. "Look at how sweet his mama is."
"Oy!" Pete teased. "She sounds like a proud papa. She gonna pass out cigars?"
"That was wonderful." Jenny cuddled closer against Kurt's side as they walked in Ororo's garden. "He's so beautiful."
He was again toying with the ringbox with his free hand. It was an unconscious action, something to do with his hands, because like Jenny he was filled with joy having just left the med-lab after seeing Zelig for the first time. "Ja, gut. Wunderbar."
Very aware of his actions, Jenny suddenly reached out and took the ring box from him. Kurt looked at her in surprise but didn't protest. It was the first time she'd ever touched it, never really looking at it since the night of his failed proposal.
She let it sit on the palm of her hand for several minutes. She opened the box slowly, a longing look on her face. Kurt was temped, so tempted, to say something, to repeat his desire to make her officially and legally his. Holding himself back took phenomenal effort, but he managed not to speak.
Jenny took the ring out of the box, studied it, ran a finger over the diamonds shining in the moonlight at her. As slowly as she had taken it out, she put the ring back in the box and laid her head on his shoulder. They continued to simply look at it while the wonder of of the birth started to fade.
Finally, she shut the box with a snap, put it back in his hand and curled his fingers around it. "I can't marry you." She said, but without her usual vehemence.
Kurt smiled. Progress.
Upon opening her eyes, the first thing Lacy saw was Jenny sitting in the chair beside the bed. Her voice an unintentional whisper, she said, "Hi."
"Hey, sleepyhead." Jenny emulated her tone. "How do you feel?"
"Tired." The sheet rustled as Lacy slowly started to move around a bit.
"The lethargy is caused by the anestesia dissipating in your system. Do you feel any nausea or lightheadedness?" Hank asked professionally, checking her pupils.
"No." She moved again and winced.
"Don't attempt to sit up, just lay still." he ordered.
"We have someone you've been waiting a long time to see." Jenny gestured to the small bed Kurt was rolling over.
"Oh." Hesitantly, Lacy reached out a hand, barely touching the soft cheek and little nose. "He's so beautiful. He looks like Danny." She sighed contentedly. "Thank God."
"All ten fingers and toes, I checked. But we can count again together." Jenny laughed softly. "Though he does look a little red to me."
"What?" Panicked, Lacy attempted to sit up.
"Hey, hey, calm down. I was only teasing. Hank says all babies look like that."
Trying to lighten the mood, Kurt teased, "Not I."
Lacy didn't look away from Zelig. "I just don't want him to go through what I did. It's a hard life and I want him to be happy."
Reassuringly, Jenny took Lacy's hand. "He will be happy. He'll have you and he'll be loved."
"Yes, he'll be loved." Hank carefully kept his face blank as Lacy replied, before she turned to him. "Can I hold him? I don't want to wake him up."
"Little Zelig will not be disturbed by his mother's touch, quite the contrary. He will find it comforting and help him adjust to his new environment. He will in any case soon demand his first victuals. I took the liberty of having Ororo procure formula." Lacy's eyes filled with tears, and Hank shot Jenny and Kurt a significant look. "It would be advisable to give mother and son some time alone."
By the time the door closed behind them, Hank had assisted her in holding her child for the first time. While she held him close and looked at him in wonder, silent tears rolled down her red cheeks.
Hank pulled a tissue from the box, offering it to her.
"How long will I have with him?" she asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the baby.
He sighed having known the question would come sooner or later. "Perhaps two months. More likely a month to six weeks, depending on the rate of progress."
She ran a finger across his forehead, down his nose, lifted a hand and verified the number of fingers. You never knew. "So little time. He'll never know me. I keep hoping Jenny and Kurt..."
"As we arranged, I have a lawyer drawing up the papers you requested. I have followed your wishes precisely and allowed no one knowledge of your condition. However, I do again urge you to confide in Jenny."
Shaking her head, Lacy disagreed. "No, I want our time to be happy, not clouded with this. She wouldn't be able to keep from grieving the whole time."
"As you wish." He had expect that response. The same one she'd given all the other times he had suggested speaking to someone else about it. "When the pain becomes unbearable I will increase the dosage of the medication. Until then, you should be able to function somewhat normally, though you will remain lethargic. I expect to be informed of any additional symptoms, if the pain increases, or you experience anything out of the ordinary. I must stress this strenuously, Lacy, my immediate knowledge could significantly increase your time."
"I promise." A calmness had come over her as she looked at her child, trying to lock the moment indelibly into her memory, wishing he could as well. Holding him in her arms, seeing him, made her feel justified in her decision, "He's worth it, Hank. Isn't he wonderful?"
"Yes, he is." Seeing the love shining from her, he said the only thing he could through the tightness in his throat. "Quite wonderful."
Previously, Lacy had kept Jenny focussed on Zelig's arrival rather than the actual birth. Though it may not have been on purpose because that was what she herself was focussed on at the time. But now it was on purpose, and it was easy to keep Jenny's attention on an actual baby rather than her recovery.
Having not paid attention to normal procedures in the past, Jenny didn't find it odd that Lacy didn't breastfeed, simply accepting the explanation that she was on medication from the c-section and couldn't. She accepted that Lacy's sleeping so much was a side effect, which it was.
Similarly, she had no knowledge of the expected recovery time, so didn't pay attention to how long it seemed to be taking Lacy to get back on her feet. She took it for granted that carrying a baby for nine months had taken it's toll. She also had complete faith in Hank to take care of her friend.
While she was awake, Lacy spent every moment with Zelig, most times taking him to bed with her. The majority of his needs, however, were taken care of by Jenny. Kurt and whichever X-Man might be visiting that day helped, but mainly it was Jenny.
She was so busy with Zelig, work, and taking care of Lacy she didn't realize Lacy wasn't sleeping less but more.
But Jenny was ecstatic at the amount of time Hank spent at her house instead of in the lab, not taking into consideration the work he would be getting behind in. He was careful not to let her see the sad look in his eyes whenever she might speak of Lacy and Zelig's future. The outings Lacy would never take, the first steps she would never see.
The only one of them all that didn't come around was Logan, which she did comment on but chalked up to Lacy being uncomfortable around him. In truth, he didn't trust himself to remain silent this time on secrets that weren't his to tell. Jenny kept him updated as to Zelig's progress and when he did see the infant he found it even harder to keep silent.
Kurt did notice Lacy's condition. Even though he was concerned, he assumed whatever the problem might be Hank was taking care of her. His primary concern was elsewhere.
As usual, his mind was filled with Jenny. He was still waiting, determined not to pressure her for what he wanted. His patience seemed eternal but the ring box was getting worn from his endless toying with it. His silent reminder of his intentions.
Most would have thought he would have given up hope, but the longing look in her eyes every so often kept him steadfast. Deep inside he had faith that the time would come when she would be completely his. But a month passed from Zelig's birth and despite outward appearances he was growing impatient.
He promised himself if opportunity arose he would take it. Until then, he could only continue to wait.
to be continued
note:
CaptainTish- Actually, Jenny started with Claude before anyone else. She liked what he did and the ladies like it too. He wold have simply loved the compliments and not cared if they were mutants or not.
GothikStrawberry- Here he is! I know everyone is going to just love him. You'll see more of him in "Demon's Kind" than here though.
NodNarb- Please stay with it and give it a chance. Large groups of people can frequently get coarse in their humor and I try to show that while also showing how it can hurt. I actually try to play to all types of humor because I really believe the potential for it with these characters is limitless.
B Oots- It was funny, huh? Couldn't help it, had to be done. As yo can see Jenny seems to be softening but she's not there yet.
Jinxeh- Um... uh... I don't know what your idea is but... I'M NOT TELLING! I'm not really trying to hide it, but not admitting anything either. (Of course, I really just did, didn't I?)
Shorty McGee- I'm not sure either, so consider it forgotten. You also have to remember she does keep saying no. He's just not accepting her answer.
afreddiefan- Well, Jenny isn't that extreme, but it's one thing she didn't really deal with before. Mainly because she wasn't interested in men or looking at those possibilities. Probably denial. Kurt's talking about children didn't help, but he couldn't have known.
I know I'm kinda leaving you guys hanging, but it will be a full week until I can post the next chapter. I'm going to visit my sister who just had a baby girl. Sorry, but I really want to meet my new niece. So it will be next Tuesday night or Wednesday when I post chapter 18. Getting close, I guess I really need to concentrate on finishing chapter 20.
Next chapter! More on Lacy.
Thanks for reading and the support,
Dizi