paradisa | Chapter Ten- Suddenly a Baby

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Chapter Ten- Suddenly a Baby

[Geoff turns over in his bed, cuddling against the person next to him. …The person next to him?! His eyes snap open to find his arm draped around Bucky.

Oh. This wasn’t so bad. But how did they end up like this?

That question is immediately replaced with another burning question as soon as Chaucer hears a shrill cry. He nudges Bucky.]

Bucky. Bucky, wake up. When were you going to tell me you had a child?

[ooc: Yep. Open over the journals.]

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I only have to answer one question--that was the deal.

Yes, but it's not really fair if you answered dishonestly...

[He sighs.]

You need not tell me, if you do not wish to.

[He'll just be sitting over here, wondering and feeling guilty.]

[It's a long while before Phoenix says anything else, and his voice is tense when he does.]

's not the only reason.

...You want to talk about it?

...I've said way more than enough already.

Phoenix, I'm here for you. Anything- anything -you want to talk about, I'm here.

[For once, Geoff's not going to push it.]

Thanks--you're a good friend, but I don't have anything else to say right now.

[And he forces a smile on the other end of that journal.]

Besides...! I think we should be celebrating your new relationship. And we should definitely have a playdate for all the kids--and for me to meet Bucky too of course.

[He's going to give him some space on this subject, but he's going to broach it again eventually.]

Ah... yes, definitely. About how old are your girls?

They seem about three years old. They're kind of... untamed?

[He laughs at that.] Well, you'll have to ask them to be careful with Rose. She only looks to be about one.

Oh, geez. I don't think they need that playdate after all--these two have already managed to destroy the curtains in Larry's room. No telling what they'd do to a baby!

Perhaps if we watch them carefully...

I'm sure they'll play nice if you ask them to.

Maybe. They don't seem to be very inclined to listen to me or Larry either one, though. Is your baby good? Quiet and all?

Mm, yes. Very quiet. She's the most adorable little thing. She has my eyes, you know.

[Yes, he is a very proud papa.]

[Phoenix grins--that pride is catching.]

One of my twins--Olive--looks a lot like me. It's kind of... awesome, huh?

Awesome. Yes, I would say that. Also, terrifying.

Terrifying! Why?

[He may not know much about it but he's pretty sure kids are supposed to look like their parents??]

Well... the fact that she has my eyes... means she belongs to me. She's my responsibility. I've never been responsible.

Oh.

[He's silent a moment, at that.]

...but having a child is kind of wonderful, huh? Even if it means being responsible for a life all of a sudden.

It is. You're right, I just...

[He has weird problems with commitment.]

You're right.

[He picks up on the unsure quality of Geoff's voice.]

...everybody has their weak points.

...I seem to have a few too many.

[So dramatic, Geoff.]

I'm beginning to feel the same way about myself. But... we're our own worst critics, after all, right?

[He laughs.] I don't know. There are some pretty harsh critics out there.

But in all seriousness, yes, of course. ...What's got you down, my fiery friend?

I haven't had nearly enough to drink today to get into that.