Thomas Corvin ♖ Jest (jesting) wrote in dunhavenic, @ 2019-12-22 20:18:00 |
|
|||
School had been finished for the semester on Thursday, though Thomas had been packed for their holiday vacation for a week prior to that. He'd helped Calliope in the bakery on Friday and Saturday, since those were the last two days for anyone to pick up their own holiday orders, and it was (understandably) busy. But once Sunday came, they were officially both on vacation, and Thomas booked their morning Lyft to Dulles Airport with all the eager anticipation of a giddy schoolkid. Ever since he and Calliope had been together, they'd had an agreement with his parents that they'd switch off in the traveling- one year spent in St Louis, the next in DC (now Dunhaven). It was their turn to go to St Louis, and given that they'd soon be finding out about their grandchild-to-be, Thomas had a feeling that this would also be the last holiday any of them spent in St Louis. The requisite "Boarding!" selfie was sent off to Elisabeth, who replied with thumbs-up emojis and yet another offer to pick them up at the airport, but Thomas gently deflected- if only because he knew neither he nor Calliope would want to spill their news in the middle of the airport, or want to wait the extra twenty minutes in the car with his parents before saying anything. The flight itself was just over two hours, but the weather (and the pilot's steady hands) all worked in their favor, and they arrived without incident. Thomas once again hailed a Lyft, helped the driver get their bags into the trunk, and then held the door open for Calliope to slide inside. Not long now. -- It had been a busy few weeks for Calliope as her brick and mortar location for her business had taken off with great success. All of her orders had been filled, and the last day in the bakery, they’d sold out of all their cupcakes a full two hours before they were even supposed to close, so she’d just closed up shop and only let in those who were there to pick up orders at the last minute while she prepared the shop to be closed down for the Christmas holiday. Thomas had helped, bless him, and she was certain now that she couldn’t have gotten everything done on time without his assistance. Perhaps this wasn’t the perfect time for her to have opened a bakery, but when she’d put the plan into motion, she hadn’t known that she was pregnant. In a way, maybe it was a good thing because it meant the business would be somewhat established by the time their baby was born, and she now could not put off opening it. She could hire more people...teach them her techniques. That would be something she had to do before next spring, because the shop couldn’t close while she took maternity leave. It turned out that pregnancy was exhausting. After the whirlwind of the last few days, Calliope had taken several small naps throughout the day, the longest one being the actual plane trip to St. Louis, where she’d rested her head on Thomas’s shoulder after take-off and had promptly fallen asleep until they had touched down. It was then that she finally seemed to be rested, and well...that had been her hope because she was very excited to see the elder Corvins and tell them their good news. Packed up into the Lyft with Thomas, her seat belt had been carefully strapped across her hips. The gentle swell where she now really and truly had a bump to speak of was obvious even with her oversized sweater from the placement of the safety restraint, but she’d readjust her clothes a little when they arrived at his parent’s house shortly, “If we get through hugs without them knowing, we’re probably lucky, but I’m still excited to give them the gift anyway.” -- Thomas tried to be encouraging of Calliope in whatever way he could, and if that meant not questioning the number of naps she took, so be it. She was making a person, after all. That took up a lot of energy. So when she fell asleep on his shoulder before the plane's wheels had even left the tarmac, he'd just laughed a bit to himself, put in his earplugs, and turned on his Kindle to read. It was an easy and well-practiced way to pass the time. Once on the ground in St Louis, he'd let his parents know they'd be there soon. Undoubtedly his mother would be pacing the floor waiting for the unfamiliar car to turn into their driveway. Reaching for Calliope's hand across the middle of the back seat, Thomas offered her a smile. "Do I need to warn dad off of giving you the usual lifting bear hug?" -- Calliope slipped her hand into his and gave his hand a gentle squeeze, “I mean, it’s generally safe. I love his bear hugs.” She had been so surprised by it the very first time. She could remember his rumbling laugh, and the way that he’d swept her completely off of her feet as he squeezed her close. The introduction of, “Hi, I’m Robert,” had come in the moments after the hug, and her cheeks had been flushed in shock. Her parents had never been so generous in their affection, even when she was little. She grinned over at him, “It’s really more mama that I’m thinking will notice. She might not lift me up, but the woman has a sixth sense.” -- Thomas didn't think that his dad would hurt Calliope, of course- even unintentionally so- but if it was something that might make her uncomfortable, he'd have found a way around that typical greeting. She wasn't wrong, though, about Mama Corvin. "We're lucky that she hasn't already sussed it out, I suppose." Though he and Calliope hadn't told anyone else about even trying to conceive, not feeling it necessary to share something so private. But, mother's- or now grandmother's- intuition still worked, somehow. -- It was true that they were probably fortunate that they hadn’t already been found out. It wasn’t even really that they were desperate to keep it a secret, of course, but...well, Calliope had wanted them to be the first to know, and she’d wanted to tell them in person. The fact that she had just entered her second trimester not long ago had put them at perfect timing to make sure that everything was as it should be. Her pregnancy was as healthy as it could be, and their baby was perfect as far as scans and blood work were concerned. To be able to tell the Corvin’s that gave her tremendous peace of mind. She shrugged softly and added, “No matter how it is that they ultimately find out, they’re going to know today, and that makes me so happy. I have barely been able to keep from saying it these last few weeks, especially.” -- Though they were fairly consistent in keeping up communication with the elder Corvins, Thomas couldn't begrudge Calliope's desire to share this very important news in person. The timing, at least, had been in their favor. Calliope was just over fourteen weeks now, and they'd been given every reason to be encouraged to share both baby and mama-to-be's excellent health and prospects. "I've definitely had a few moments of near-misses. Admittedly, I've been texting them both more, rather than video chat. The... subterfuge is easier when I can't see their faces." -- "I've definitely texted a little more, too, and just called instead of doing video. I told mama it was because I was running around baking while we were chatting, which wasn't a lie, but…that way I didn't accidentally step into view," she grinned and gave his hand another squeeze, "I know that it's not been lying so much as just…not being forthcoming with all news." They were now turning down familiar streets and Calliope felt filled to the brim with excitement, "It's really kind of nice that we can tell them as much as we know now, rather than just that we're expecting. I'm willing to bet that mama will have begun shopping for her before the day is out." -- Thomas couldn't help his laugh at the image of his mother going out shopping first thing after having learned this news. Calliope probably wasn't wrong, honestly. It still did give his heart a little skip to hear Calliope use the word her in reference to the baby- a particular bit of news they'd only found out a few days before, after a blood test to check for any genetic abnormalities. It was good, though, especially for someone who craved data and surety as much as Thomas did- and he had no issue using the word her, at least until their daughter told them to use something otherwise. But that was a consideration for a much later day. "And I suppose you'll join her for said shopping?" Thomas offered, some mix between curious and playful. "Which will leave my dad and I to, I suppose, smoke cigars in the den and talk about what manly men we are to have fathered children?" -- Calliope laughed aloud at the question as to what he and Robert should do if she and Elisabeth went shopping, "Maybe we can convince her to just do some online shopping. Although nothing says that you and dad couldn't join us for some very adorable onesie perusing." The idea of them both sitting around smoking cigars was an amusing one, but not really something she took seriously, "This little girl is extremely lucky to have you for a father, and she'll have the best grandparents anyone could ask for." -- If they did decide to go out, it likely would be an entire family affair. Not that Thomas minded this idea in the least. Drawing Calliope's hand up, he kissed the back of it, offering her a small smile. "To say nothing of her mother. Truly the luckiest little girl there ever was." And, after the mother-daughter relationship that Calliope had grown up with, this, surely, was going to be the very opposite. Love and acceptance at every step. -- She smiled over to Thomas, giving his fingers a small squeeze of thanks at his own compliment, though she was still a little nervous if she were entirely honest. She knew that she would be a better parent than either of her own, and she would always love their child. She knew that she was ready for this next step, even though it was still sometimes a little scary to think about it all. They had pulled down increasingly familiar streets until the Corvin house came into view, and Calliope felt her heart jump behind her ribs, “There it is.” She grinned over to him, “I’ll see if I can angle for dad first, so mama doesn’t work it out in the next minute.” -- His parents still lived in the same house that he'd grown up in, and even if Thomas hadn't lived here in ten years, the neighborhood was perhaps indelibly imprinted in his mind. Still, he gave a shuddering exhale when the car pulled into the driveway. Thanking the driver, who then moved to get their bags from the trunk, Thomas got out of the car and all but jogged over to Calliope's door. She'd already opened it, but he reached a hand down to her all the same. (Not because she needed the help, as yet, but… because that's who he was.) "I'll thank you to unhand my daughter," called a low yet genial voice from the house's doorway, growing closer as Robert Corvin stepped out. "I am long overdue a hug." -- She put her hand almost expectantly into Thomas’s, knowing that he’d be there, even if she didn’t really need assistance. Before she even exited the car, she could hear Robert’s voice and her smile brightened. It still sometimes made her chest feel too tight to contain her own heart when she was reminded of how graciously his parents had accepted her into their lives and their family. Robert was tall and thin like his son, and Calliope had given her husband’s hand a squeeze before she stepped around to meet his father. The bags were something she had been told not to concern herself over. Not that she couldn’t lift the lighter items, or roll a bag along its wheels, but they were being...perhaps a little overly cautious. “Hi, dad!” she went in for that hug without hesitation, unsurprised when he gave a chuckle as he squeezed his arms around her, lifting her clean off her feet, “Oh, we’ve missed you.” -- Thomas had given a little wave to the driver as they'd left, standing by the luggage there to let Robert at Calliope for the requested embrace. When Calliope's feet hit the ground once more, Robert just grinned between the two of them. "I think you two just get more good looking each time we see you." Leaning in to Calliope again, he added in a stage whisper, "If you're lucky, he'll be just as handsome as me when he's my age." Clapping his hands once, he stepped past and took the handle of one of the suitcases. "Right! Inside we go. Can't keep the missus waiting too long. You know how she frets." -- Her cheeks flushed just slightly at the teasing compliments, but she smiled fondly at Thomas, “I would say if we get progressively better looking each time, logically the trend will continue and we will be both be stunningly attractive and wizened when we reach a certain age.” She did thank him for his assistance with their baggage, but she somehow ended up at the very front of their group as they went back up the walk towards the house. It was probably some miracle that Elisabeth Corvin had not also joined them in the driveway, but as soon as she had crossed over the threshold, she heard a squeal of delight, “Oh, there are my sweethearts!” Just a few heartbeats later she had been swept up in yet another tightly-squeezed hug, but this time her feet stayed on the ground as she leaned into the embrace, “It’s good to see you face to face, mama.” -- In truth, Elisabeth had sent her husband out to greet Thomas and Calliope so that she could do one last mad-dash through the house to ensure that everything was ready for their guests' arrival. Yes, Thomas had grown up here and had seen the house in every possible state, but it was different now. But then all was done and everyone was back inside, and Elisabeth hadn't hesitated a moment more before pulling Calliope into a warm, sure embrace. As Robert had said, it was long overdue, and yet… Something was different. No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than was Elisabeth all but certain of its truth. "Oh, Calliope, my darling…" An extra squeeze, then hands on Calliope's shoulders even as tears brimmed in her own eyes. "Oh…" A sniffle, a glance back to Thomas with a knowing little smile, and then she'd just pulled Calliope in tight once more. -- It seemed to take all of a few seconds for Elisabeth to catch on that something had changed since they’d last visited in person. As Elisabeth held to her shoulders, Calliope reacted all but immediately to seeing her tears and followed suit, even while she smiled. The tears brimmed there in her eyes, and then spilled over her cheeks as Elisabeth tucked her into another hug, “We wanted to wait until we were here,” Calliope murmured to her. Robert, blissfully oblivious and grinning, looked between all of them and asked, “Wait for what?” -- They'd been prepared for Elisabeth's sixth sense, at least. Leaning down, Thomas retrieved an unwrapped picture frame from the front pocket of their luggage and handed it over to Robert. In it was a 14 week ultrasound photo, with the frame noting, Grandparents ~ Established June 2020. "Due to…" he grinned a bit, glancing back to the still embracing Elisabeth and Calliope, then to Robert again, "...production time, your Christmas present will be about six months late. But we didn't think you'd mind." -- Robert had taken what was offered to him, but didn't immediately look down at it, so when Thomas continued speaking, he paid attention. He smiled a little, not quite getting it, "Oh, we don't need presents and things. That's…" He finally looked down at what he'd been given, and the ultrasound picture inside that held the very definitive image of a baby's silhouette. Grandparents. June 2020. "Oh. Oh!" Tears welled in Robert's eyes then, and he wrapped up his son in an enthusiastic hug even while Calliope was still in the clasp of Elisabeth's arms. -- Telling felt… so, so good. He and Calliope had known for some time now, and it had been a closely guarded truth, something new and fragile and cherished. The decision to wait until they were here, with their parents, hadn't been a difficult one to make- and now that it had come to pass, Thomas knew it had been the right one. He stepped into his father's embrace, glad for it, even if it was- perhaps- less effusive than the one Elisabeth was (still) giving Calliope. When Robert stepped back, he retrieved a kerchief from his pocket to wipe his eyes, then turned to Elisabeth and Calliope, nudging the former's arms away from the latter. "My turn," he insisted, tugging Calliope close. Elisabeth was still weeping happily, but she caught sight of Thomas and gave a gasp and then rushed him, pulling him into her arms the same way she'd done Calliope. "Oh, my sweet boy! Oh, oh, this is the very best news!" -- This was exactly why Calliope had wanted to wait. She had wanted to be able to share in this joyous news with hugs and surrounded by love rather than being miles away. She wouldn't have traded that moment for anything, even if it had been difficult to keep the secret. She had given a watery sort of laugh when Robert nudged Elisabeth away from her so that she could receive another of his hugs, though this time her feet stayed firmly on the ground. She grinned as she saw Elisabeth wrap Thomas up in the same kind of hug that she'd already gotten. For a moment or two, she was quiet, and then she admitted, "We wanted to tell you here, in person." Robert gave her another little squeeze, now more of a side hug than a true embrace, "We're at fourteen weeks." -- Once the hugs had finally seemed to be… at least mostly done, the four of them stood in a little circle- either with hands held or arms wrapped over shoulders or mid-backs. Thomas couldn't help but be amused that they'd barely gotten ten feet into the house itself- the luggage still standing nearby, both he and Calliope still in their thick outdoor sweaters. "And," a glance to Calliope, "we'd just gotten the blood test back, a few days ago. She," a gasp from Elisabeth, "is perfectly healthy. We've named her Georgiana." They'd made a list of potential names as soon as Calliope had found out- Thomas was a planner, always- and, even if nothing would truly be official until after the baby was born, he had no issue using what would be her name, now. -- Her grin had just grown brighter as they stood in that small circle, her heart warming as Thomas continued with their announcement. She had needed to choose that name, and have something to call the baby other than just baby. If they found out later they'd been mistaken, well, they would adjust course. Until such time, Georgiana seemed to fit. "Everything checked out perfectly normal and healthy for both of us. I'm in the second trimester now, so the sickness has let up a little," she felt just a small tightness of a squeeze from Elisabeth's arm around her, "We've done a lot of reading, and we're trying to get as much as we can prepared early. June will be here before we know it." -- "I can recommend more books," Elisabeth offered- a sentence she'd probably spoken more times in her life than could possibly be counted. "I'll be sure to send some home with you, and- oh!" Another gasp, this time as she covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, Calliope, I have so much to shop for!" She pulled back from the circle, bustling, her fingers twisting together as she thought aloud. "Robert, dear, dinner is ready to go into the oven- 375° for forty-five minutes, please- so if Calliope and I head out now, we can-" -- Calliope almost hated to interrupt such excitement, but...well, they had just arrived, “Actually, mama, do you think we could shop later? Maybe after dinner? Tomorrow at the latest, I promise. We could make it a whole family affair. I’d love to see those first edition books you were telling me about the other day, and you’ve been raving so much about your new reading chair, I think I have to try it out.” She had shrugged out of her sweater, leaving her in a blouse that hugged closer to what curves she had, a small but still definite baby bump obvious, “It will take at least as long as dinner will cook for us to see all of the Christmas decorations, too.” -- Though Elisabeth seemed surprised at the interruption, she nodded as soon as the alternative suggestion was offered, seemingly nonplussed by the idea of doing... well, whatever it was that Calliope deemed best. "Oh! Of course, of course, my darling," she reached for Calliope's hand, giving it a little squeeze, and looking rather like she might start crying again when Calliope's little baby bump was properly revealed without the sweater in the way. "You look positively radiant, my dear," she added, the emotion caught in her voice. "Motherhood will suit you well. I can sense it." To the side, Robert gestured to Thomas, and they each took one of the suitcases- they'd be rolled off to Thomas' bedroom (now the guest bedroom- no such sentimentality of leaving things exactly how they'd once been, and thank goodness for that). Thomas gave Calliope a kiss on the temple as they wheeled past, adding, "She's right, you know." -- Calliope didn't want to use the pregnancy just to get things her way, but she did think that giving them at least a little time to get settled was a good idea, especially after all their travel. She was decently rested from her nap on the plane, but she wasn't exactly ready to enter back into the bustle of society just yet. Besides that, this would also be the first time she would be able to venture out into public without carefully planning and concealing the truth of her pregnancy. She flushed a little at those compliments, though she didn't deny them. If she were honest, she'd been looking for that bump to appear since she found out she was expecting, and she'd been a little worried at first of how her brain may be conditioned to react given her mother's insidious whispers in her ear for so many years. Yet, when she looked in the mirror, it was only happiness and joyful expectation for the future that she felt. "Thank you," she said both to Thomas and Elisabeth, watching as her the suitcases were wheeled away, "I'm both excited and a little terrified. I think that's probably normal. I just…really want to be a good mama to her." -- Elisabeth squeezed Calliope's hand again, then led her from where they'd all stopped near the doorway (that entered into the living room) and on into the kitchen- which, even with her earlier tidying, was very much still in that state of holiday-time… not mess, but, well, flurry. "Those are both very good things to be feeling," Elisabeth offered, finally releasing Calliope's hand, but only to- moments later- press a mug of warm holiday spiced tea into said hands. "She's going to challenge you both, but you're already so full of love for her- anyone can see it. And that's the most important part." -- She was relieved, actually, to be able to talk to Elisabeth about this now. She had a few other people to discuss such things with who had been through it before, whether recently or a long time ago, but Calliope hadn't been able to ask questions of any of those people with the decision to keep the pregnancy a secret until this point. She squeezed the mug a little between her hands, letting the warmth sink into them, "When we decided we were ready for this, that was one of the first things we said; that we had plenty of love, and that's undoubtedly true. The rest can all be learned as we go along, and we're preparing as best as we can. I think I'm a little more relaxed on that front than Thomas, but…I love that he wants to do everything possible to ensure that he's the best possible father." -- "He doesn't like the unknown," Elisabeth replied, shaking her head a bit even as she poured herself a mug of the same tea. "Well, perhaps that's… not entirely true. He has that same analytical mind that my Robert does, so the unknown is just this… thing that has to be explored and then answered, as thoroughly as possible. And babies aren't going to let you have that kind of clarity." Which was part of their charm, so far as Elisabeth was concerned, but she knew that not everyone saw things that way. -- Calliope sipped her tea, grateful for it even if she hadn't realized she wanted any until it was in her hands, "Babies can be quite mysterious." This was said with a small grin, but she added, "They've got little in the way of communication, and though their needs are often simple, it's going to be trial and error figuring it all out. I know we're up for the challenge. I'm really happy that the timing is going to work out so Thomas will have the summer off with us." Calliope was due close to the beginning of his break, so they would at least have a short period of time to really get anything last minute completed before Georgiana was to arrive. "If you have any advice for us, I'll gladly take it," Calliope promised, though she felt like the thousands of questions she'd had somehow vanished in Elisabeth's calming presence. They'd reappear eventually. -- "Hopefully they'll still allow his paternal leave, once school starts back up again?" Elisabeth quirked an eyebrow as she sipped her tea. "Not that the summer break won't be a nice bonus, of course, but surely he ought to have the earned break that they'd have given him if you were due any other time of year." She didn't want to overwhelm Calliope with advice, of course- both she and Thomas would find their own way in this new adventure of theirs. But if there were questions, well, Elisabeth and Robert both would be ready to offer their thoughts. "I do know," she mused aloud, "that the baby sign language classes at the library have been quite popular. Babies have such malleable minds, and they're undoubtedly capable of learning such communication even before their verbal skills develop." -- "I think so," she replied with a nod, "The school district has really kind policies. It should give an extra few weeks, anyway." They had rather purposefully tried to get pregnant during the window when she would be due during the summer as it was, but Elisabeth was right. It really would only be fair for him to get his paternal leave after the break was supposed to come to a close. The suggestion of teaching sign language wasn't one that Calliope had considered, but she immediately latched into the idea, "Oh, we'll certainly have to look into that. I didn't realize that was a thing being done, but it sounds very helpful. It certainly won't hurt her to have more options for communicating." -- "It's quite simplified from the proper use of sign language, I believe, but for such little minds I've heard nothing but glowing reviews." And, like Calliope said, it wouldn't hurt to give Georgiana the option. If she didn't take to it, well, at least they'd have tried. Elisabeth took another sip of her tea, seeming to consider something else for a moment, then finally offered, "I suppose you and Thomas have already discussed the… idea that your father and I will want to move closer, with this news." -- "Thomas and I can definitely do more research into it," she promised, making a note to see if he'd heard anything of it from coworkers. Being in education, he would maybe have some insights if they pulled the right strings, "It will nice to be able to learn it right along with her. Even if it is a simplified version." She nodded a little, a small smile on her lips, "We knew it would be…a likelihood. Of course, I understand if you don't wish to uproot, but we're more than willing to help you scout out properties in the area if that's what you and dad decide to do." They had only been to Dunhaven the one time, last Christmas, just before Calliope and Thomas had moved into their house. She didn't know how much of it Elisabeth remembered, but it was a very charming town. -- Of course, she and Robert hadn't discussed anything yet- they'd known for less than an hour, after all- but Elisabeth wouldn't have been surprised if her husband had come to a similar conclusion already. "I just can't imagine that either he or I- or you and Thomas, for that matter- would really be… satisfied with the idea that we only saw little Georgiana once or twice a year." It was different, perhaps, with the four of them all being adults. They were able to communicate in different ways. "So much happens so very quickly, with children. You'll want to freeze time." -- She took no offense that it had taken the advent of a grandchild to spur them East. Calliope wondered if they had spoken about it before, in hypotheticals, but maybe the idea was all new, "No, you're right. The travel would probably be expensive and frequent, and…well, we could probably use the help along with the company, honestly." With little other family in the area aside from Calliope's cousin who had a newborn herself, they would be left trying to find a small hoard of willing sitters to count on when they could not, for whatever reason bring their daughter along. "Even this part has been going by so quickly," Calliope agreed, sipping her tea carefully. It would be June before they really knew it, "We would love having you both closer." -- "I'm sure we'll be happy to help however you and Thomas see fit- though I trust you to also tell us if we have overstepped our boundaries, as well. The last thing any new mother wants, I expect, is someone else swooping in and telling them how to do everything. A bit of trial and error is... a necessary part of the process." -- Calliope nodded along, as it seemed an incredibly reasonable thing for Elisabeth to suggest, "Absolutely, mama. I know that we'll have to stumble along a little to figure out what works best for us, but…it's a relief to know that when we want to rely on advice and experience, we have you and dad to go to for help." She couldn't imagine that they would ever intentionally overstep those bounds, but Calliope wasn't stubborn enough to think that they could do it all on their own or that they'd always know best right off, "My doctor has been really receptive to all my questions, and I know we'll have professionals to ask for the really serious stuff. But…I'm really relieved that you know now. I'm sure I'll have questions before she even gets here." -- "You can call me any time, night or day." Of course, that had always been the case, and Elisabeth didn't think Calliope had forgotten. But perhaps it bore repeating, since this would be an entirely new reason to call. "The questions don't stop, I'm afraid. And you'll have more of them than you'll ever know answers. But even for that… disparity, it's still a grand, rewarding, and thoroughly unforgettable adventure." -- "I'm certain to take you up on that," Calliope promised, especially given that there would probably be a lot of late nights that she was up with Georgiana once she had actually arrived. Maybe it did give her pause sometimes, at the thought of waking Elisabeth for anything that might wait until later, but she didn't think that would be the case when it came to this. Though that might have sounded intimidating, Calliope really expected nothing less than what Elisabeth was telling her, "I'm looking forward to every moment of it, no matter what that brings...the wonderful and the difficult and everything in between." |