Week 4, Day 7
She thought morning sickness was only for the morning.
Bumblebee was scared out of her mind. It's been four days since the nausea started and she's been struggling through it and a small fever. Today was the first time she's actually found herself knelt in front of toilet, hunched over the bowl, spitting up her lunch.
She fell back, hoping no one was around to hear. They'd just gotten back from stopping a robbery, accomplished without their 'sick' leader.
She sat back on her feet, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. The smell was turning her stomach even more than before. The girl swallowed back a second found, shivering in disgust.
"You're killing me, child." She mumbled, head in her hands.
After a while of sulking, she hurriedly cleaned up her mess before they noticed she was in there. When she was done, it was back to it's normal state since she was feeling too weak to actually clean it down. She washed her hands, face, and brushed her teeth.
"Oh, hey honey!" Speedy greeted warmly as she opened the door to leave the bathroom.
She's been mad at him since, only snorting back snot in response.
"C'moooon, still?" He whined after being pushed aside.
Bee nodded, still dragging herself towards the main room. The sight she saw as she stepped in was utterly appalling. Two days of her being locked up in her room and they turn the tower into a garbage dump. Discarded cans and wrappers were everywhere. There were shoes all over, unknown spills in the carpet, dirty dishes in the sink, and the chair was not in its proper position. The pillows were wedged between the large lights!
She could only wonder how did they manage. The leader's olive eyes pierced the back of her second-in-command as he shouted at the twins.
Bee placed her hands on her hips, waiting for him to notice.
"And I did not throw that shoe at you for no reason, Mas! You hit me first! 20 friggin..." He followed their glazes, smiling nervously at Bee. "Um... Feeling better?"
He placed a hand on the back of his head.
"WHAT DID YOU GUYS DO IN HERE?" She shouted, coughing soon after. Her voice was still course from hurling. "Aqualad, you were supposed to to make sure this tower was in order!"
He began babbling along with the twins.
"And... They started it... Speedy... Mas... I'm sorry."
"AQUALAD! El... Muy trabajadores..."
"Menos... El lanza la bola.. ALMOHADA!"
Bee raised a hand, he large sweater rolling back. "I don't care! Y'ALL CLEAN THIS SH-" She was stopped by a sudden sneezing fit.
This pregnancy shit was rough.
Week 5, Day 2
She couldn't take it anymore.
Now that symptoms were affecting her performance as a leader, she had to do something about it.
And completely unsure about anything she went to a free clinic. She had been waiting for a while, even though she had expected Fridays to be more crowded
"Karen Beecher! You're up."
She took a deep breath and stepped up to the counter. She handed the woman the questionnaire about her prior health history.
"Hello." She greeted.
The woman nodded at her. "What are you here for?"
"Pregnancy."
"The test?"
Bee shook her head. "Nah. I am pregnant, I just need to talk to someone."
The woman at the counter looked over her answers. "Okay.. Well, if you just need to talk, go straight ahead, the office at the end of the hall."
She politely thanked her before walking past the doors. Most of the doors were shut, despite this was a pretty warm setting. Cool blue walls, pretty pictures and saying on the wall, and that distinct hospital scent. She felt invited.
Bee knocked on the open door.
"Come in." The soothing woman's voice calmed her down. Sighing, she peeked in.
A middle aged woman sat at a desk, looking over at her.
"Um.. hi I'm Karen." Bumblebee walked in, sitting down.
The woman smiled. "Hi, I'm Ms. Chen. I'm the pregnancy counselor. What do you specifically need to know?"
Bee took a deep breath. "I just needed to talk to someone. No one I know has any idea that I'm knocked up."
The woman nodded. "How old are you? How long have you known? Do you know how far along you are?"
"Seventeen, over two weeks, five weeks and two days." She answered quickly.
The Asian woman looked quite impressed. "Well, you seem to be keeping track of things. Did you plan this pregnancy? Because it sounds as if you did."
"Oh no, no, no." Bee shook her head. "I just know when my boyfriend made a huge mistake."
Ms. Chen nodded. "Well I'm here to give you honest answers about everything."
Bee nodded, sighing. "I'm so confused. I know I can offer an amazing home but I've never really thought of having children."
"Are you willing to accept the responsibility of parenting? Do you feel like you would be there emotionally? Financially?"
Bumblebee sat and thought for a while. Was she ready? Money was not really an issue as long as she continued to get supported for her titan duties. Being the wise girl she was, she takes money out and stores it in a savings account every month for the last two years. She was not expecting to be a hero all her life and needed something to fall back on.
She also knew that was willing to be a parent now that was pregnant... But did she want to?
"Um.. I am sure I can be responsible. I am set financially. But emotionally? I don't know."
The woman nodded, smiling sullenly. "Do you live with your parents?"
The puffy haired teen shook her head. "I live with some friends. Not in touch with my parents in any way."
Ms. Chen nodded. "So you must work?"
The girl thought for a bit. Technically, protecting a city was work.
"Yes, I do."
The woman nodded. "These friends- would they offer a strong support system? What about your other friends? Your boyfriend?"
Ms. Chen was fast-paced and she liked that. Bee knew she couldn't waste too much time here, or they'll get suspicious.
"That's my biggest doubt. That no one will support my decision to keep this child. And I keep telling myself it doesn't matter... But it still scares me." She slides down a bit in her chair, waving her hand. "Can't even tell my boyfriend because he's a douche sometimes."
The woman took out a notepad. "You don't know if you don't try. If they really care about you, they'll respect that."
Bee nodded. "I know, but I'm not sure when or how. And I've already started experiencing sickness. I've done so much research but when it's happening it's scary. I think they actually notice the changes. My boobs are up almost a cup size!"
"It's your first child, of course it's scary. But it pays off in the end. I'm not going to sugarcoat anything." The counselor chuckled. "This is the beginning of it. Don't worry, you'll have good days too."
A weary Bee puffed. "I know I need prenatal care but how does that work?"
She waved her notepad. "Are you under any insurance?"
Bumblebee nodded, prepared with their card. The healthcare provider for superheros had way different policies than the average provider. It covered most medical expenses, but since heroes usually went to each other and labs for whatever they needed... It was usually used for dependent, closely related family members they had on their plan.
"Well, what's going to happen is that you'll go to whoever is at the front desk now and give them the name of your provider and she'll give you referrals."
Bee nodded, leaning over the table. "Thanks for all your help, Ms Chen."
The woman smiled. "Happy to help. Best of luck, Karen."
"Thanks." She smiled, turning to walk out.
Week 5, Day 3
It was evening and the others were enjoying life. The twins were running around as usual, and the other two were in the main room playing video games.
She walked in, aiming to get a bottle of water.
"-and I don't feel wrong." Speedy finished off his subject. She moved back out, standing by the door.
"Dude, you ruined a good day."
Speedy threw his arms behind his head. "Whatever... She's still giving me the cold shoulder. I don't think she's going to talk to me."
Bee watched as Aqualad punched the boy in the arm.
"You're an idiot."
Speedy hit him back. "Oh well! She's gonna have to talk to me sooner or later."
"Just say sorry, bro."
"So that she can think she has an effect on me? I don't need to talk to her. She needs me!"
With that, Bumblebee stomped in loud enough for them to look.
The archer facepalmed, Aqualad just shaking his head.
"Beeeeeeee!" Speedy called after her.
She angrily swung the fridge open, grabbed her water, slammed it shut, and stomped back to the door with her middle finger raised.
Week 5, Day 4
"It's really unfortunate you collapsed today."
Aqualad was horrible at comforting people.
Bumblebee looked up at him as he stood in front of her, blocking the tv. "So you make feel bad about passing out?"
They had been running Sunday errands. What usually happens is that the split up into two groups: Speedy and the twins picked up thing for their household needs while Bee and Aqualad get fresh groceries.
Bee had woken up light headed but thought nothing of it as they headed out to a local farmers market, one of three places they buy food from.
As much as her body kept telling her to slow down, she picked up the pace, hoping to get the day over with. That didn't work too well, since she fell into some bushes, out for a couple seconds as Aqualad carried her home.
So Speedy and the twins were left to continue.
"No, of course not. You've just been a wreck for a while." The Atlantean defended, scanning her.
She opened her bottle of water. "I've been drained out."
"I pay the most attention around here, you know."
Unfazed, she shrugged. "And?"
He sat on the table, regardless of much she hated when they did that. "So what is it? It happened before you stopped speaking to Speedy. You can always tell me."
Bee stared at him, sitting upright. "It's nothing. Really."
Aqualad shook his head. "I know when you're not tell me something." He raised an eyebrow. "I think I know what it is, just tell me."
She was still unmoved, knowing it was a bluff. "Leave me alone, boy."
"Karen. Tell me. If you don't I'm calling Cy or Raven because your health is becoming a concern amongst all of us."
She rolled her eyes, getting up. "I'll be in my room."
Aqualad shook his head disappointedly. "Whatever." He crossed his arms. "Hope you aren't too sick for the party next week Friday."
Bee looked at him. "Party? What time?"
"Seven."
Shit. She has an appointment with the OB/GYN.
"I'll think about it."
He scoffed, not really convinced. "Okay, Couch Potatoe."
Bee flipped him the finger, walking away. "Idiot."
I was wondering if they had some kinda special insurance. Or do they pay for everything?
How is it? Next chap I plan on the reveal.