So I try finishing off Love love Kiss Kiss. So obviously this chapter gets up first. Logic? Also been reworking this story (along with Here Cease and god knows how many over fandoms) for a while now, right from the start. Would it be easier just to re post the whole story..? Oh and I mean no actual offence to anyone named the names mentioned by the way. All talk not much action. Middles a bit …Well it needs a bit of tweeting. thanks to NCD for the cartoon and music references. Enjoy.
Fast forward back to the hospital now… Pardon the pun ;)
For the next five minutes or so, Amelia barely looked up from the little baby in her arms, happily babbling away in a tongue that Constance (who could easily speak and read many many different modern and dead languages including basic Welsh at a push) was quite unable to understand, although the occasional brief sentence or two could just about be translated into …well human at least.
"Oh aren't you just gorgeous?"
"Defiantly gotten that from you Imogen-"
"So bonnie."
"That Baby smell-!
"Ooh look at those big beautiful eyes. "
"You're going to be a little heartbreaker aren't you, Chucky? Yes you are yes you are!" Surge grinned giving the baby an affectionate tickle. "When you're old enough you'll have to beat the admirers off with a hockey stick."
"Yes but we've been though this twice and I'm not putting Chuck or Chucky on the birth certificate." Imogen said flatly.
"Aw but Chucky's a great name isn't it Chuck chuck. Yes it is yes it is bubba, oohgah buga boo."
Surge had briefly also slipped into silly mode and had kept making silly noises to apparently entertain the baby, a few of which had earned raised eyebrows off Constance and once an elbow from his laughing wife. Having retreated to a safe distance, he was now hovering at Amelia's shoulder playing peek a boo and making the little teddy bear the witches had brought dance about, much too the baby's bemusement while the other two went back to discussing Surges twenty seven page long list of possible names trying to weed out a few that might be suitable for a baby boy.
"I guess Phillip and Tommy are nice I suppose." Imogen shrugged. "Not with Chucky though even if the Rugrats theme sort of fits."
"Hmm. But bear in mind a name's to last a life time not just up to the terrible twos. These ones here seem a bit better. Scott, John, George Alan Jeff- "
"What the-? Seriously, Virgil? Why?"
"Well that one's a little less suitable. Same goes for Brains. And Ringo Star, really… Paul John George-" Constance muttered reading down a column. "You are aware, Surge, that you've put George and John down at least three times already? Five for John actually."
"Forget the fab four-"
"The who?"
"No, the Beatles, but I'm more concerned he's put half the cast of the Simpsons down." Imogen corrected, borrowing the note book and flicking though it's pages till she found the one to illustrate her point. "Homer, Bart, Moe Barney, Apu, Waylon, Jimbo -"
"What sort of name is Jimbo?" Miss Hardbroom frowned.
"Jimbo Jones." Surge shrugged, momentarily looking up from the baby. "Sorry it was on in the waiting room."
Constance looked appalled. "Why on earth would anyone give their son such a ridiculous name?"
"Well with that Jimbo is defiantly in the worst top ten." Imogen grinned.
"What about Waylon Smithers?" her husband countered.
"top five and that's not up for discussion."
"I repeat, why on earth would anyone give their son such a ridiculous name?"
"Probably the same reason boys resort to calling themselves things like Spooky, Beanpole…Chief Ranger Danger-"
Surge pulled a face at his again grinning wifely. "Ha-ha. Very funny, Ms Imp."
Constance glanced between them, pretty certain she didn't want to know, but Imogen elaborated anyway, thankfully with a good reason.
"I helped out with the Rangers over the holidays. Do you remember the boys on camp? Simon, Benji- They seem to have an unwritten rule about using codenames and Imogen some how became Imp."
"It could gave been worse. What about Drill Sergeant?"
"Hey, I know one unit with a Badger Face! And it's far better then Pygmy owl."
"Better then great-Aunt?" Amelia joined in with smile up at Surge. Miss Hardbroom sniffed and Imogen blushed apologetically but having been on the subject of owls, Surge hooted with laughter. Laughter that was infectious.
"It was a ridiculous thing to say." Constance scowling at all three of them in turn (especially Imogen. hard to break a habit of nearly a decade), before picking on Surge. "And I still can't believe you fell for that."
"I didn't-" he protested, and sat down heavily on the protesting mattress behind Imogen which earned him a playful elbow from his wife.
"Liar." Constance jibed folding her arms with what might have been a scowl. "Now you're worse then Imogen and she's an awful fibber at the best of times."
"You turned your broom into a brolly and said you'd left it behind."
"So? You're still a bad liar."
"It's true; we can read you like a book, Imogen." Amelia smiled at the blondes pout. "Surge, be a dear my arms are going stiff. And don't sulk Constance. It got you the mattress to sleep on didn't it?"
"That's not the point-"
"Yes it was. How else was I going to explain the bonnet?"
"Either way it was daft, Imogen but I love you for it." Surge laughed, giving Imogen a kiss on the cheek as he clambered off the bed again. "Even if I did see right though the whole thing."
"Oh really?" Constance smirked. "So you saw though the 'silent running' as well then?"
"Well no…" he faltered, residing himself, he hadn't wheedled out of it as he'd hoped earlier scooping up the now gurgling bundle from the elder witches arms as asked. "Though be fair, you didn't actually admit it wasn't until Imogen admitted you witches-"
"Well what was I supposed to say?" Imogen huffed. "You'd have thought we were mad-"
"I still do-"
"Behave."
"Mr Dubious, I resent that remark-"
"Or do we represent it?" Miss Cackle pondered stretching out her wrists.
"Amelia-!"
"Don't encourage him."
"I have to put it this you know- but I reckon mummy and friends should to stop ganging up on daddy eh?" Surge cried in mock indignation, backed up by a little parp from little Surgie to which
"Yeah you tell them. Not fair being out numbered- Oopse wiff-arma! 'Scuse me ladies, think someone needs a change!"
"Do you want me to?" Imogen asked as the newborn was loaded into a baby car seat come carrier.
"Im, you relax I've got it. Play nicely while I'm gone." Surge laughed, grabbing the changing bag and headed out with Drill Dubious Jr in tow. "Come here you little monster. How'd you turn nature's nectar into that!"
They were still chatting when he returned. Well sort of. Bickering was a form of chat for women practically those three he observed as he could hear them long before he reached Imogen's bed.
"Tsk cauldron calling kettle black, Imogen."
"Kettle, Constance we're in a non-witch hospital."
"Told you."
"I know where we are thank you very much-"
"Goth."
"Sports nut."
"Ladies we're not in the staff room now-"
"She started it-"
"Didn't-"
"Everything okay?"
Miss Cackle was now some what sunk in to the chair looking rather defiendtiant in her seat. The other two tried to appear serious but took a moment to coo over the freshly sleep suited snoozing Little Surgie (who was now dressed in another slightly to big little blue and white striped ensemble).
"Should I ask what that was about?" he asked sitting on the bed as Imogen took a break to greet both 'her boys' with a kiss, a huggle and a gleeful grin.
"Technically you just did, honey."
"Nothing Surge, they're merely making an older woman feel her age." Amelia smirked and looked over her glasses at her employees. "I think I preferred it when they despised one another, least then they weren't running rings around me."
"Imogen did that already didn't she? Most of her lessons comprise of running round in circles."
"You don't bonus points for combo digs, HB."
"Well I have to give as good as I get. Imogen'd have nothing to do other wise. Oh-which reminds me. The girls somehow got a chance between procrastinating and plotting their end of term high-jinxes to make you this "Constance said, reaching in to the gift bag and retrieving the very large pretty envelope handing it to the blonde who gasped and with a thank you, ripped it open excited to see what her girls had made.
There was a loud BANG and all four adults jumped and jolted in their seats, met with the surprise of a small explosion comprised of magic a cracker and the baby themed confetti that some young witch had seemed to think would be appropriate to conceal in the envelope. After HB's dark mutterings oozing of detention for some certain young witches had been shrugged off and Amelia had soothed the fear of the worried nurses that'd come running with a story of a celebratory balloon bursting, she returned to her seat. Lil Surgie had let out a cry of surprise at the bang but other then that was pretty quiet. It didn't stop sudden panicked pair of parents fussing but once all three of the Drill Dubious clan had settled, it was only then Imogen (now sat cross legged on the bed with the baby car seat within toe tickling, forehead kissing baby spoiling distance in front of her) finally had a chance to take a look at the handmade sequin encrusted card, complete with the somehow-moving image of a stork flying on a broom stick wearing a Cackles school hat with baby bundle in its happy beak.
"Well, that's different. So cute!"
"Every ones signed it." Constance said, flicking away a bit of confetti that might have been either a paper dummy or a very awkwardly shaped gingerbread man from her sleeve, while Imogen's eyes explored the card, "Amelia and myself, all the students-"
"Mrs Cosy, The Hallows," Amelia listed. "The Blossoms, Mr Rowan-Webb, Mrs Tapioca, even the Chief Wizard. Oh and Lavina too of coarse, she'd sorry she couldn't make it and passes on best wishes."
"Sybil and her friends made the card then got every one to sign it at graduation. Mildred did the illustration weeks ago with a little help from Miss Lamplighter-"
"Hey you hear that Imogen?" Surge laughed. "That's the collage fund sorted then."
"And your DOBS girls also brought you the chocolates." Constance concluded gesturing to the bag again, Amelia glad she'd decided not mention the argument that had erupted between the Dangerous old book society and the Cauldron-ites when the first box the gang had brought had mysteriously vanished. As I said, Imogen, you have indeed been missed."
"And I've missed everyone." Imogen all but murmured before looking up with a small smile. "I hear they still threw quite a party."
"If all that squealing down that phone was anything to go by." Surge grinned.
"We hadn't got to the party when you called, we were still in assembly." Constance sniffed. "But you're right, it was deafening. And that was on top of the school choir I might add."
"Not the third year's music choice then," Surge grinned.
"You call that rubbish music? I'm surprised you weren't deadened by that noise, Imogen, the number of times you allowed to play it in their den- Imogen?"
But Imogen again had become quiet and tense, tracing her finger over the colourful signatures and well wishes of the card in her lap including one stating 'Congratulations, it's a baby', blue ink that underlined it beginning to bleed and smudge with the tear that landed on it.
"Immy? Hey honey, what's wrong?"
"Oh dear, whatever's the matter?" Amelia asked.
"I didn't mean to upset you." Constance agreed feebly.
"no it's not that- I'm fine- it's nothing really." she hiccupped, swiping at rest of the tears threatening to fall.
"A funny looking nothing." Constance quickly passed her a (black) lace handkerchief as Surge wrapped an arm around Imogen's shoulders in a reassuring hug.
"Thanks. Oh bother look everyone made us a wonderful card and here's me crying all over it like a right idiot. Sorry, I just can't believe I missed the graduation that's all. Bad enough I practically missed their final year but I'd promised Mildred to help her with the head girl speech and I didn't get to see them off. I wish I could have been there. If it was anything like the designs-"
"Not quite as elaborate," Constance cut in.
"Besides you couldn't leave this little one waiting. Don't worry, we made sure they'll keep in touch and they took plenty of photos for you. Ruby is as handy as Surge with a camera, remember? " Amelia reassured her, giving her hand a squeeze.
Imogen nodded and dried her eyes giving them all a grateful look, mumbling an embarrassed thank you as she set the card on the bedside table.
"Has Davina written to you recently?" Miss Cackle asked changing the subject. Despite living in the back of beyond, the ex-chanting teacher had determinedly kept in touch since Imogen had told them she'd been expecting.
"Oh lots. She sends letters and postcards all the time." Imogen brightened before her smile became somewhat of a grimace. "Along with baby clothes..."
Coincidently or just at the mere mention of three legged romper suits and giant bobble hats,
Little Surgie began to whimper and gristle in the baby carrier, little arms and legs kicking up a fuss.
"Oh there there sweetheart," Surge grinned and Imogen lifted the little one up and wrapped the baby back up in the blanket, her husband helping and stoking their child's hair. Little Surgie wriggled even more before Surge took to walking about the bed with the baby.
"There there who's making silly noises over knitted mutant cuddly toys the then?"
Little Surgie answered with a wail making them all jump (again). Amelia and Constance discreetly exchanged glances hoping 'Father knows best' come into play. Surge gently attempted bobbing and rocking technie. This didn't make any difference. If anything it grew loader and Surge winched, accepting defeat.
"Alright, alright shall I hand you back to mommy?" he sniggered taking a seat back on the bed and passing the child into the blondes outstretched arms. "Little blighters certainly got your lungs."
"Cheek. And watch your language." Imogen scoffed cuddling her child close to her chest, right above her heart. "Shh, it's okay sunshine. Whose mummy and daddy's special little star then? There there My little maple leaf it's okay…. "
Almost instantly the bawling stopped, turning into content mews but just to make sure the young mother to began to softy hum a little bit of the tune, pressing a kiss to calming little Surgie who snuggled into the embrace, perfectly comfortable in mummy's arms, thank you very much all the same daddy. It seemed like it was now Surge's turn to start tearing up as he again dug around for his camera. He looked as though he was about start crying. Or just melt into a puddle but he laughed it off snapping some pictures of his wife and newborn.
Little one quiet and sweet. Soul mate safe and positively glowing. Amelia too in the back ground, dabbed at her eyes under her glasses, cooing over the like a surrogate Granma.
It was a beautiful moment…Constance tried very hard not to cringe.