Day 180:
"Alright guys, here's the plan!" Mabel said as she desenceded down the stairs to Wendy's portion of the house, Pepper in her hands, Waddles at her heels. The whole gang was already gathered in Wendy's living room as Mabel had called a meeting. "Dipper and Pacifica have recently annoucned that they are combing their housewarming party and baby shower into one event. And, yeah, I know they said we don't have to bring anything big for them but we can do btter than that! So here's the deal! We are going to give them joint gifts."
"Joint gifts?" Grenda asked. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm glad you asked…"
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"Is everything ready?" Pacifica asked as she waddled down the stairs, a hand on her belly. Persia was dancing tonight. Their little girl obviously knew something exciting was going on and was kicking the life out of her mother.
"I think so…" Dipper answered as he lit the last of the candles on their new coffee table. "Now, all we have to do is wait." He walked to the stairs to meet her, wrapping his arms around her quickly dissapearing waist and gently picked her up, giving her a quick peck before setting her back down.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Okay," Pacifica answered. It was a lie. She had a horrible headache pulsing at her temples, but she was determined to suck it up. They had been working hard to get their new home ready and she wanted to show it off.
It wasn't long before there was a knock at the door. Dipper opened it.
"Hey, Soos," he called as the former handyman in question, Abuelita and Melody walked inside. The door slammed behind them and Pacifica winced, but smiled and hugged them. Soos was carrying two tiered trays with him, each had rolls of diapers on them in the shape of a cake on them. Melody had a set of towels rolled up and tied to look like teddy bears. The "ribbons" around their necks were actually baby carrying wraps. Abuelita had picture frames that were currently framing...burp rags? Obviously Mabel had come up with a plan to do joint gifts. Some, like Soos and Melody, had good ideas on haw to do that. Abuelita...well, it was the thought that counted.
Ford and Stan came next. Ford brought a basic Tool kit with a baby grooming kit hidden inside it. Stan brough some decorative crates with bottles inside. Wine bottle for mom. Beer bottles for dad. Baby bottles with packets of dry formula already inside them.
"That's great," Pacifica smiled awkwardly. "But...um...I was kinda planning on breastfeeding…"
"But you might need a break every now and then," Stan pointed out. "Or you make Dipper get out of bed for a late night feeding every now and then. Either way you don't have to use them, I just though they'd be good to have on hand just in case."
"Oh, sure. Thank you!" Pacifica assured him through her throbbing headache.
Candy arrived next with a decorative vase that had a bouquet of flowers made out of baby socks. Marius, Grenda, and Thompson were soon after. Marius brough a welcome made with a set of baby mattress protectors. Thompson had a set of coasters, to which he'd taped a jar of baby food on top of each coaster. Grenda brought a laundry basket stuffed with baby jumpers, onsies, hats, nightgowns, socks, mittens, bibs, and burp rags.
Wendy and Logan came in next.
"I decided to go easy and practical," she announced upon her arrival. "So here," she handed them a certificate for a week's worth of home delivery meals from Lazy Susan's diner. "You can use them now, or once Persia gets here. As someone who has already been through the whole newborn thing, SAVE IT FOR THAT FIRST WEEK WITH BABY!"
Everyone laughed at Wendy's insistance. "Trust me, you will be so tired and frazzled you won't know whether to wind your butt, or scratch your watch."
McGuckett was second to last and he had the simplest yet most interesting gift of all.
Jars.
"Jars?" Pacifica looked at them. They were just normal old mason jars, though they were rather big. Maybe old pickle jars. And stuffed to the brim.
"Never know when you'll need a good jar!" the old hillbilly insisted. "But since Mabel insisted on doing joint gifts, so here ye go!" he handed each of them cards. Pacifica read hers.
"Red = Mom's Survial Kit.
Fuzzy socks
Silk Robe
Hair Ties
Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash
Ibuprofen
Protien Bar
Chocolate Kisses
Gatorade
Phone Charger
Nail Polish
Tinted Lip Balm
Pen and Paper
Kleenex
Brush
Hand Sanitizer
Facial Wipes
Trash Bags
Water Flavor Drops
"Are You My Mom?"
Blue = Dad's Survival Kit.
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouth Wash
Protein Bar
Chocolate Kisses
Gatorade
Phone Charager
Pen and Paper
Kleenes
Comb
Hand Sanitzer
Facial Wipes
Puzzle Book
Trash Bags
Water Flavor Drops
"Hop on Pop""
"Wow, thanks," Dipper said as he shook the older man's hand. "These will definately come in handy."
"Yes, thanks," Pacifica agreed with a smile.
"Yer welcome! Now where is that crazy sister of yours?"
"Hey-oh!" Mabel announced as she kicked the door open and raced in. "Ready to be blown away by an amazing gift!" she announced, causing Pacifica's head to all but do her in. Mabel eagerly shoved an envelope into Pacifica's hands. Pacifica opened it. There were three certificates inside for photo sessions: A maternity photoshoot, a birth photoshoot, and a family photoshoot.
"Oh, wow," Pacifica gasped. She had thought about getting maternity pictures, and hiring a photographer to be there for the birth, but in all the chaos that had happened she never stopped to talk to Dipper about it.
"Wait, what happened to joint gifts?" Stan asked.
"I couldn't risk having one of you guys outdoing me!"
"Ah, you little rapscallion!"
The rest of the party went well, or as well as Pacifica could tell through her throbbing head. It was a shame. She was really looking forward to this, and all of these gifts were amazing, but she couldn't really enjoy it through the pain. Within two hours everyone had left, it had been meant to be a small affair after all. The minute the last of them were gone, Dipper turned to her.
"Are you sure you're alright? You're acting weird."
"My head is killing me," Pacifica admitted.
"Where?"
Pacifica pointed. A ring around her skull at eye level and down her neck.
"Stress," Dipper muttered as he sat next to her on the couch. "I'm sorry, Princess, we probably should have waited a few more days before having this party."
"No, no, it's fine," Pacifica insisted.
"No it's not. You've been working hard to get the house ready. You're pregnant. And all the drama with your parents that happened before this, you haven't really had a chance to relax."
Pacifica shrugged. "Eh, that's life sometimes."
"Hm," Dipper murmured as he took her hands and helped her off the couch. "C'mon."
"Where are we going?" Pacifica asked.
"Bed."
"It's not even seven."
"I don't care. You need rest."
"You worry too much, babe."
"Probably," Dipper opened their bedroom door for her and then closed it behind them. He helped her out of her clothes and into a night gown. As she settled on the side of the bed, he knealt in the floor and helped her take off her shoes. Her ankles were pitifully swollen to the point they looked like sausages. He set one of her feet in his lap and massaged it. Pacifica's eyelids fluttered closed and she let out a relaxed sigh. She leaned back against on of her hands, and set her other hand on her belly. Persia stirred slightly, and her mouth curled into a smile. She wasn't sure how long she sat there letting Dipper rub her feet, but she didn't care. Once he finished Dipper stood up and kissed her forehead.
"Where else hurts?" he asked softly.
"Back and head," Pacifica answered.
"Yeah?"
"Mm-hm."
Dipper reached over and began positioning the pillows. "Lie down," he told her. She did so, on of the pillows supporting her belly to take pressure off her. Dipper lied down behind her. He massaged circles onto her lower back, slowly working his way up. He made sure to spend extra time on the knots in her neck before moving onto her head. He rubbed gently against her one temple that was not placed against the pillow, and began running his other hand through her hair.
Pacifica sighed, the small hint of a moan escaping her as she relaxed against him. She snuggled closer to him, as he kissed her forehead.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
"Mm-hm," Pacifica opened her eyes, straing deep into his loving frown eyes.
"Good," he kissed her neck, elicitting a soft moan from her. "Now sleep."
"What if I don't want to go to sleep yet?" she asked.
"Why not?"
"What if I want you to keep doing that for a little while longer."
Dipper chuckled a bit. "I think I can make that happen."
"Good," Pacifica closed her eyes again as he began massaging her lower back once more, occasionally kissing her neck, cheek, ear, or shoulder as he worked his way up. She was finding it very difficult to stay awake once her reached her neck, massaging his way up it to run his fingers through her hair.
"Princess, sleep," Dipper told her again.
Pacifica nodded slowly.
"I'll be right here when you wake up," he promised her.