(Disclaimer: I do not own OK KO Let's be Heroes, all credit goes to Ian Jones Quartey and Cartoon Network; please support the official release).
Chapter 8: An Early Super Bloomer
It had been four and a half hours since Red Action had given birth; it was now nighttime, specifically 11:30pm. The hospital visiting hours were over so hers and Enid's friends all left and went back home, Enid herself deciding to stay the night since she didn't feel comfortable leaving her girlfriend and her newborn son alone.
Speaking of the two, Red Action was curled up fast asleep in her hospital bed while Enid sat in an armchair near the bed, sleeping with her head resting in the palm of her left hand; their son, Raphael, laid asleep in the small wheeled bed next to Red Action's bed. He was also wearing a pair of footie pajamas and a little hat provided by the hospital.
Just then, Raphael whimpered and squirmed in his little bed before he suddenly started crying. This caused Enid to wake up almost instantly, she leaned over to pick her son up. "Its okay, baby. Mama's here", she said. As she was trying to calm him down, Red Action groggily woke up and turned to look at them.
"What's wrong? Why is Raphael crying?", she asked. "I'm not sure. I'm still new to this whole parenting thing, it can be anything", said Enid. That's when the door to the room opened and Dr. Fieldstone walked inside, "Everything alright in here, ladies?", she asked.
Enid looked over at her, "Doc, we need your help. Raphael started crying and we don't know why", she said. "I think he may be hungry, give him to Red Action", said Dr. Fieldstone. Enid carefully placed Raphael into Red Action's arms, "Okay...can I have something to feed him with? Like a bottle of milk?", she asked.
Dr. Fieldstone giggled, "There's no need for that, dear. Lift up your shirt and hold him close to your chest", she said. Red Action did as she said, lifting her shirt up and holding Raphael close to her chest; suddenly, Red Action let out a startled squeal as she looked down to see that her son had latched himself onto her left breast and started suckling.
"Is...is he doing what I think he's doing?", she asked. "You're surprised? Before you thought you couldn't get pregnant because you're a cyborg yet you did, why wouldn't you be able to produce breastmilk?", said Dr. Fieldstone. Enid chuckled as she shook her head, she should've known that but maybe she had just overlooked the obvious.
After three minutes, Raphael detached his mouth from Red Action's breast, letting out a tiny burp. "Looks like the little guy is full now. Also, I wanted to tell you both that you can go home tomorrow morning", said Dr. Fieldstone as she left the room.
Enid reached over to take Raphael from Red Action's arms so she could lay him back down in his little bed. "There's so much about me I just don't know...", said Red Action. Enid patted her back, "Its okay, babe. There's a lot of things about being a parent we don't know, so we're both confused.
"Your pregnancy was hard enough, but now comes the most difficult part of this whole thing. Its not like there's a manual for being a parent, I mean there are parenting books and guides, but there really is no universal, one-size-fits-all instruction manual for being a parent", she said.
Red Action smiled as she hugged her girlfriend, "Its gonna be okay, babe. We'll figure it out and don't forget, our friends are there to help us out. Also, we know KO's Mom, if anything she can help us out. She's the mother of a little boy too and unlike us, she had to do it all alone. We'll get through this together, just like you said", she said.
Enid smiled as she nodded in agreement, "Alright. Go back to sleep, we leave tomorrow morning", she said. Red Action nodded as she was still very tired and she curled up beneath the blankets, falling back into slumber. Enid sat back down in the armchair as she gazed upon her baby boy.
My boy...my precious boy, she thought.
[Time Skip]
The next morning, Enid and Red Action left the hospital with their son. Since it was a rather sunny day, despite it being the middle of Autumn, they decided to walk back to the new house rather than calling a taxi.
Enid took a deep breath, taking in the beautiful morning as she glanced over at Red Action, who walked beside her, holding Raphael in her arms; the newborn looked up at his surroundings, curiosity etched on his little face as he gazed around at this big, wide world.
The small family soon came upon their house as Enid took the keys out of her pocket and unlocked the door, allowing Red Action to step inside as she closed and locked the door behind her. "Welcome home, Raphael. This is our house and you're gonna have so much fun growing up here", Red Action said enthusiastically.
Enid smiled as she laughed, "Yup, that's right. We're gonna do our best to raise you to a spunky little hero. But right now, let's give him his first bath", she said. The two girls walked upstairs to the bathroom as Enid turned on the bathtub faucet and adjusted the water temperature.
"Can you give me a towel, babe?", she asked her girlfriend. Red Action opened the hall closet and pulled out a small towel, "Why do you need that?", she asked. "It will make it more comfortable for him, if I put it on the bottom of the tub, we can lie him down on it", said Enid.
Enid laid the towel at the bottom of the tub, the water level was quite shallow even though the drain wasn't plugged but that was fine since it would be dangerous if the water level rose any higher. After Red Action took his clothes and used diaper off, Enid gently laid Raphael on the towel in the tub.
The baby boy squirmed and whimpered as his first real feeling of water against his skin made him feel uncomfortable, "Its okay, buddy. I've got you", said Enid as she held him slightly. "Its okay, Raphael. Your Mamas are here for you, hun. See? The bath isn't so bad", said Red Action. Enid's gentle touch and Red Action's calming voice had slowly eased Raphael's fears and he stopped whimpering.
In fact, he even started giggling when he felt the gentle touch of his mothers rubbing baby soap onto his little body before rinsing him off and then drying him with another, dry towel. "There, that wasn't so bad now, was it?", asked Red Action. "Let's get him dressed", said Enid.
They slipped Raphael into another diaper and a little purple onesie with a matching hat before sitting down on the living room couch, just then Enid felt her stomach rumble. "I'm gonna go make breakfast, you want any?", she asked. "Yeah, I'd like some pancakes and eggs. That hospital food is just...ugh! I need some real breakfast", said Red Action.
Enid laughed as she walked into the kitchen to make some breakfast while Red Action decided to turn on the tv; she knew that she couldn't put on any adult shows now that there was an infant in the house, so she scrolled through the channels looking for some good kids' shows.
She eventually stopped on one channel playing an episode of a show called "Sunanezumi", an anime about talking gerbils learning lessons about friendship and teamwork. "Well...its cute, I'll give it that. So let's watch. What do you say, Raphie? You wanna watch the cute little gerbils?", she said cooing at her son.
Raphael giggled at his mother before looking at the talking cartoon gerbils and laughed even more, Red Action smiled to herself knowing she made the right choice as she got comfortable on the couch to watch the show with her son while waiting for her girlfriend to finish making breakfast.
In about five minutes, Enid walked into the living room holding two platters of pancakes and eggs along with two forks; she set them down on the coffee table and then walked away to get their cups of orange juice. Then Enid went upstairs and came back down with a cradle to lay Raphael in so she and Red Action could eat.
The two girls quietly ate their breakfast while watching the cartoon, little Raphael having fallen asleep in his cradle. After eating, the two girls just laid on the couch cuddling while watching tv until it was about 11:30am. "Hey let's not just lay around the house all day like freeloaders. I'm off work, so why don't we go out? You know, have a little family day out", suggested Enid.
"Yeah, why not?", said Red Action. The two shut off the tv as they got up from the couch, "Go put on a jacket and grab the stroller. I'll bundle Raphael up", said Enid. Red Action nodded as she walked upstairs to the bedroom, meanwhile Enid pulled out a little baby jacket, booties and a small scarf as she carefully bundled up her son.
Red Action then came downstairs carrying the stroller in one arm and a dark brown jacket in the other. She laid the jacket on the couch while she opened up the stroller and adjusted it, then placed the carrier on top of it; Enid gently laid Raphael in the stroller, strapping the seatbelt around him and then laying a little blanket on top of him.
"I'm gonna go fetch his baby bag, stay here and watch him", said Enid. Red Action sat on the couch to keep an eye on their son while Enid went to get the bag upstairs; she placed a couple of diapers inside, baby wipes, powder and a rattle. That's when Enid realized something, she grabbed an object from one of the drawers and went downstairs.
"Red, I just remembered something. Raphael is too young to drink formula or regular milk yet but you really shouldn't breastfeed in public so you're gonna have to fill up two or three bottles with your milk", said Enid as she tossed the object to her girlfriend.
It was a breast pump.
Red Action visibly cringed, "Aw come on, babe! Do you know how uncomfortable it'll be having this thing...squeeze me? I heard it hurts a lot!", she whined. "Well I'm sorry but like I said, it's too soon for Raphael to drink formula or regular milk, so you're gonna have to do it. And no, you can't breastfeed him in public. That kinda thing makes people uncomfortable and give you dirty looks", said Enid.
Red Action sighed as she went upstairs, she sat on the bed and removed her jacket, shirt and bra; then she used the pump to squeeze her milk out into three average sized baby bottles, wincing all the while because of the slightly painful pressure of the pump squeezing her breasts. After five agonizingly long minutes, Red Action sighed in relief.
After putting her clothes back on, she put the pump away and carried the three bottles with her downstairs so she could place them in the baby bag, she then looked over at Enid. "Later on when we come home, I expect a massage!", she grumbled. Enid laughed as she hugged her girlfriend, "Sure! In fact, now I'm looking forward to that, so you better remind me!", she said.
Red Action smirked as the two kissed before heading out the door.
[Time Skip]
The two mothers walked down the street, pushing the stroller together. Soon, they came upon the park where they sat down on one of the benches.
"Hi Enid!"
Enid turned to see KO running up to her and Red Action, his mother watching him from a bench behind him. "Hey there, brush-head. What are you doing here?", she asked. "There was no school today, so Mom decided to take me to the park. Is that Raphael's baby carriage? Can I see him?", he said.
Enid nodded as she let him walk up to the stroller and looked inside, Raphael had just woken up from his nap and looked at KO curiously. "Hi there, little buddy. You having fun today with your Mommies?", KO said. Raphael giggled as he stretched his arms out, as if asking KO to carry him.
KO smiled as he looked towards Enid, "Hey Enid, is it okay if I hold Raphael? Please?", he asked. Enid smiled as she picked up her son and placed her into KO's arms, "Sure, just be careful okay?", she said. KO smiled as he held the tiny baby boy in his arms, "Heh heh, Mommy said I used to be this small too!", he said with a giggle.
Meanwhile, Red Action sat on a bench talking to Carol.
"So, how's motherhood going for you so far, honey?", asked Carol.
"Its fine, Raphie isn't really fussy but I have to say...using that breast pump is a real pain! Did you have to use one of those?", said Red Action.
Carol laughed, "When I had to go out to do errands and my usual babysitter couldn't watch over KO, I would use one to fill up some bottles to take with me. And sometimes when she could watch him, I'd leave some prefilled bottles for her. I'm sorry if it's a little uncomfortable, honey, but it really isn't appropriate to breastfeed your baby in public", she said.
Red Action smirked as she let out an annoyed groan, "I know, Enid told me! I don't get why, though. I get seeing a woman do that in public would be weird, but then again...why would you be looking at her doing that in the first place?", she said. The two mothers shared a laugh.
Back with KO, he and Raphael were sitting on a picnic blanket, the former showing the latter his POW card collection. "Check it out, Raphie! These are all the POW cards I've collected, look! I even have both your mothers' cards", he said as he pointed at Enid and Red Action's POW cards.
Raphael babbled as he tapped his hands against the page that held his mothers' POW cards, that's when something happened. KO suddenly felt himself rising in the air, "Wait...wasn't I just sitting down a minute ago?", he asked. He then looked down and saw that he was at least five feet off the ground, his body surrounded by a reddish orange aura of energy.
KO looked down and saw Raphael laughing while holding his hands up, they were both glowing with the same energy. "Uh...Enid! Help!", KO shouted. Enid looked up and gasped in shock, "What the...? KO, how'd you get up there?", she called out. Her shouting had gotten Carol and Red Action's attention, and they both gasped when they saw KO floating in the air.
"Um...ask Raphael!", KO called out. The three women looked over at the little baby, seeing his glowing hands and realizing that same energy was surrounding KO's body. Enid walked over and up her son, his limited concentration was broken and he released his hold on KO, causing him to fall out of the sky before Carol caught him.
"You okay, Peanut?", asked Carol.
"I'm alright, Mom. That was really weird, though. What happened?", said KO.
Enid sighed, "I think it's pretty obvious what happened, brush-head. It seems that little Raphael here, despite being only one day old, has developed his first superpower. Looks like its telekinesis", she said.
"Tele-what what?", asked KO.
"Telekinesis, also called psychokinesis, is the ability to move things with your mind. I can't believe our son has this power, and that he developed it so early too! What other powers do you think he'll have?", said Red Action.
"Only time will tell. Also, babies developing their powers at such an early age isn't too uncommon. While it doesn't happen all that often, there have been documented cases of children developing their powers before they've even learn to walk. My grandmother developed her super strength at three months but didn't start walking until she was nine months", said Carol.
Enid and Red Action looked down at Raphael as he laid in the former's arms while sucking his thumb, "Should we be concerned? You know, will this pose a problem?", asked Red Action.
Carol sighed, "In terms of his health, then no. Raphael seems like a pretty healthy baby, and him developing his powers so early is just a small sign of how strong he is. In terms of his safety, you girls will need to keep a better eye on him. Telekinesis is already a difficult power to control, no matter what your age is.
"And this is only the start of it. Some kids only develop one superpower for their whole life, but others tend to get two or even three powers. Hopefully, if Raphael does develop more powers, they'll be when he's KO's age and you'll have an easier time teaching him to control them.
"But I have another concern: Enid, you have both vampire and werewolf genetics, right? Well, superpowers are one thing but supernatural abilities that monsters possess are a whole other story.
"I'll give you as much help and advice as I can when it comes to your son's superpowers but for his vampire/werewolf abilities...I'm afraid I can't help you there. You'll have to talk to an actual vampire or werewolf about that", she said.
Enid pondered for a moment before gasping, then she turned away with a look of displeasure on her face. "I know a vampire and a werewolf we could talk to but...", she trailed off as she couldn't finish the statement.
Red Action realized what she was thinking about and frowned as she placed a hand on her shoulder, "Wait, babe. Maybe...maybe we could just ask Sibella and Winnie about it. They could help out, right? They're a vampire and werewolf too", she suggested.
Enid sighed, "Yeah but they're young too. They're almost the same age as us, they won't know what to do either. I have no other choice, Red: I am gonna have to ask my parents", she said. Carol looked off to the side before walking over to Enid, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Well, I can't tell you what you should do but as the only adult around right now, I feel I should give you some helpful advice. Even though your parents made a terrible mistake turning their backs on you when you really needed them most, they're still your family. I know they still love you and I know you still love them too.
"You need to see them again, not just to ask them about what to do when your son starts exhibiting supernatural abilities but also...so they could meet their grandson. Raphael shouldn't live his life not knowing who his grandparents are and your parents, despite their failings, deserve to know their grandson.
"But again, it's your choice. You are Raphael's second mother and only you can make that decision, after all, Bernard and Wilhelmina are your parents", she said.
Enid sighed heavily, knowing everything Carol said was true but also knowing that she wasn't entirely sure what to do. Red Action leaned against her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be there with you, babe. I'm Raphael's mother too, the one who carried him for nine months, I should be there to know what to do too. And I'll help you", she said.
Enid smiled but then looked down at her sleeping son in her arms, she knew that despite her still being bitter towards her parents for abandoning her, she had to do what was best for her child.
"I know what I need to do...but I'm not gonna like it", she said.
[End of Chapter 8]
(Sorry for the impromptu hiatus, everyone. I have this issue where whenever I'm writing, I just want to stop even though I want to finish. I don't know what it is but this happens to me quite a lot. I hope you understand).
