Who: Doc, Kady, and Hannah (future kid) What: Pregnancy scare and a future child. What could possibly go wrong? When: Around the start of the kid plot Where: Doc's apartment Status: Closed; Completed Gdoc Rating: PG-13 at best
Doc had just finished up his orientation at the police station in town. Following a mysterious interview, it looked as if Doc was going to be a detective on the force. It was unexpected, but definitely not upsetting. The mysterious opportunity provided Doc with the chance to help people again and take on a role similar to the one he filled back home, working alongside Wynonna.
The gunslinger had just kicked off his cowboy boots when he heard a frantic knock at the door. A frown formed on his face and Doc hurried to the door, clicking off the lock, and opening it. On the other side was a rather haggard, anxious Kady with a child in her arms. The child had dark hair and large eyes which immediately shifted to Doc once the door opened.
“Kady what-” Before Doc could even get the rest of the words out, Kady handed over the child and made a beeline for Doc’s bathroom, a Walgreen’s bag clutched in her hand. His eyes had been so focused on the child that he hadn’t noticed it before.
“Daddy…” The little girl in his arms looked up at him with those big, innocent eyes and Doc was struck speechless for a moment. What the hell was going on?
Kady had spent almost every moment since the Dome made her think she and Doc had been married and in love in various stages of inebriation or high. Some days were worse than others, and she had to be able to perform at the Den. Otherwise, she made full and deep use of her boss’ supply of drugs, and Eliot’s never-empty flask.
So, one could only imagine her surprise when an adorable little girl with her curls and Doc’s eyes shook her awake that morning. Called her Mommy. Wanted waffles and to go see Daddy. It took what was left of the frozen waffles and a whole pot of coffee before Kady was able to learn that Doc was this kid’s father.
Commence the panic.
With everything Kady had been doing to herself she couldn’t remember if she’d had her period since the married thing. For that matter, she might have skipped it for all the crap she’d been doing to her body. Regardless, there was a stop at Walgreens before she took the kid…Hannah, apparently…to Doc’s place. The passing of the confusion happened as soon as he opened the door, then she ducked into his bathroom to start the pregnancy test process.
Three minutes. They would be the longest fucking three minutes of her life. Kady didn’t want to hover over the stick she just peed on so after she thoroughly washed her hands…twice…she emerged from the bathroom.
“Yeah, so that’s Hannah,” she said when she joined Doc and the kid. As usual, Kady’s hair was an artful mess, and her kid seemed to have inherited the trait. “She’s four. Likes waffles and kittens. Congratulations. You’re a father again.”
By the time Kady emerged from the bathroom, Doc had managed to coax his vocal cords into working again. He’d settled the two of them on the couch with a tin of cookies and two glasses of milk. Currently, ‘Hannah’ was nibbling on an Oreo and Doc was doing his best not to dump a bucket of whiskey into his system. His head was still reeling as he glanced up at Kady, still beautiful despite the nervous air coming off her.
“So I gathered…” Doc trailed off, shifting over on the couch to make room for Kady to join them. The little girl looked over at him with startling blue eyes and cookie crumbs clinging to her lips as she smiled at him. It tugged at Doc’s heart strings and he gently ruffled those wild locks.
“I’d ask if you’re okay, but that race to the bathroom already makes me assume otherwise.” Doc wasn’t entirely sure what it all meant. Pregnancy tests weren’t exactly a thing yet in his time period.
Kady took the invitation and sat down. She’d never hold it against Doc that they got fucked by the Dome. At the very least they were friends. The problem was, Kady had liked it too much. Still did. That was what all the numbing was for…and the dull the Doc sized ache in her chest.
She chuckled with a ghost of a smile on her face. “In three minutes we’ll know if I’m okay or not.” Kady looked past Doc to Hannah and her expression became painfully open. What was sitting there getting more Oreos on the couch than in her mouth was a living breathing reminder of what she could have had. What could have been but never would come to reality.
Maybe. They’d know in three minutes.
“You got some milk in here or just whiskey?”
Doc loved Wynonna even if the stubborn woman would never let herself feel the same way about him. Yet that didn’t take away from the fact that he’d enjoyed the time he’d spent with Kady. It’d been nice to love and be loved in return. The Dome had been a beast to trick them, but Doc would never regret a single moment of it even if afterwards it all hurt like hell.
“Why do I feel this will be the longest three minutes of my life?” He joked weakly. He now had a bit of a better understanding of what had happened in that bathroom. And even if he hadn’t? Well, the expression on Kady’s face told the whole story. Hannah’s existence was a reminder of what the two of them could have had. As wonderful as the moment was, it was also painful. Traumatic. Doc wanted to take Kady’s hand, but he refrained.
Her question earned her a chuckle and Doc shook his head. “No whiskey, darlin’. Just milk. Though don’ think I ain’t tempted to pour myself a bucket full right now.” He reached out and gently brushed away a few cookie crumbs from Hannah’s mouth.
Kady was glad he caught on because she so didn’t want to explain in front of Hannah. She chuckled as she gave Doc a bit of a panicked smile. “Yeah. In three minutes we’ll either be having the longest talk ever or…” Her eyes went back to Hannah.
Kady was all about having choices. She’d had hers taken away by Marina, then by the stupid quest. But looking at Hannah now, looking at how fucking adorable she was, she was pretty sure she knew what her choice would be. If it came to that.
“How about coffee?” As if she needed more, but it would be good to get the remnants of last night’s high out of her system.
Kady ruffled her hair as she took her eyes from Hannah to Doc. “That’s my mom’s name. Hannah.” There was bad blood between her and her mom, but Kady had still loved her. Enough that she named her daughter after her, apparently.
Their lives would get a hell of a lot more complicated. Doc had no idea how he’d explained to Wynonna about being a father to Hannah. While he didn’t think Wynonna would be upset, he knew it would make things more confusing for them and for Alice. Still, looking at the little girl munching on Oreos, Doc knew what his choice would be instantly. There was never really a question in his mind.
Coffee would be far easier to slip in some whiskey. Not that Doc was truly considering it. He never drank around Alice and he didn’t particularly want to do it around Hannah either. The shock of the entire situation was starting to wear off anyway. Doc nodded. “Coffee would be great.”
Doc stood and was about to make his way to the kitchen when Kady’s words stopped him. Hannah was named after her mom. Just like Alice was named after his mother. Doc’s mother had meant everything to him; her death had left a hole that nothing had been able to completely fill.
“It’s a pretty name,” he replied, gaze softening as it shifted back to Hannah. “She looks a lot like her mama.” His gaze flickered back to Kady’s face and he offered her a small smile. Then he was off to the kitchen to brew that coffee.
Kady wouldn’t hold it against him if he put some whiskey in his coffee. She was here to help with this whole parenting thing. Believe it or not, Kady took being responsible for someone else very seriously. It was her own life that wasn’t worth much in her opinion.
However…she also knew how Doc’s coffee could get. “Don’t make trail coffee! I’d like to be able to actually taste things today.” The memory of his coffee might being something planted in her mind, but she’d been around him often enough to know for a fact it could be strong as a mule with just as hard a kick.
“Yeah, Daddy. Don’t make batt’ry acid.”
Kady couldn’t help but snort in amusement. “Oh yeah she’s mine.” Hannah got a poke to the nose which made her giggle.
More of a smile came to Kady’s face as she looked over the couch toward Doc. “Couldn’t help but notice she’s got your eyes, though.” Good thing she was only four or this could be really awkward knowing some of the people in this town.
Doc thought much the same. He didn’t consider his own life worth much, but when it came to protecting the lives of those he cared for? It was a completely different story.
At Kady’s words, Doc’s chuckle could be heard from the kitchen. Oh, the gunslinger knew his coffee was strong. It was something that had carried over from his time period. Coffee back then tended to taste little better than sludge, but as long as it gave you some pep, no one tended to care how terrible it tasted. Doc made his particularly potent in order to stay awake during hunts.
“I make no promises ladies,” he teased. But Doc did lighten the amount of coffee he added to the filter and made sure there was plenty of water before switching on the coffee pot. With Hannah’s comment, there was really no doubt she was Kady’s daughter. That woman never hesitated to call Doc out on his shit, including his bad coffee.
Soon enough Doc was padded back into the room with two steaming mugs of coffee. He held one out to Kady and then took a seat beside her on the couch again. Despite the temptation, Doc didn’t add in the whiskey.
Kady’s comment sobered Doc up and he nodded. He’d noticed the striking blue of Hannah’s eyes when the little girl was cradled in his arms. A small smile tugged at his lips. “They look better on her though.”
A lopsided smile pulled at Kady’s lips as she looked at Doc and accepted the coffee. “I’d say she came by them pretty honestly.” He got a wink by way of thanks.
She took a drink of her coffee regardless of how hot it was, needing the stimulant. “So, what are we gonna do with our hellion here?”
Hannah gasped dramatically then whispered to her father as her eyes got big. “Mommy said a bad word.” That made Kady cough on her coffee. How could any child of theirs not have heard more than one bad word an hour?
With Kady’s words, Doc’s mustache twitched and that grin grew a little on his face. He nodded and took a sip from his own steaming mug. That wink might have been the best thanks he could ever ask for. Sexy and sweet all at the same time. The perfect combination.
Doc pondered the question as he swallowed another sip of coffee. Before he could respond, there was a dramatic gasp from Hannah before she leaned in and whispered to Doc that Mommy said a bad word. Honestly? It took everything Doc had not to chuckle and end up coughing in his coffee too. Much like Kady, he had the same thought. How could any child of theirs not experience a constant stream of bad language?
The gunslinger quickly set down his mug and pulled Hannah onto his lap. “She did indeed darlin’, but she was just kiddin’. I promise,” Doc reassured the girl, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “But don’ you go repeating it either. Mommy’s goin’ get punished for it later.” The last part was said with a playful wink at Kady. Obviously, there would be no punishment, but Doc couldn’t resist teasing Kady.
Kady watched the whole interaction and felt her heart melt into pieces. Doc was good with any kid of his. She knew he was great with Alice. She’d seen it before even when they hadn’t been Dome Wed. But this was different somehow.
Of course then he said THAT and Kady had to bite her lip and look away to keep from laughing more. The punishment her mind went to would be far from unpleasant.
When she finally had her expression under control she glanced around then found the TV remote. “Why don’t we find you something to watch. Daddy and I need to talk.”
Honestly? Doc never pictured himself as a father. Having Alice was the surprise of his life and, at the time, he’d been as terrified as he was excited. When he found out he’d have the chance to raise Alice? It was more terror. Yet, when he was around the little girl, being a dad just came natural. He knew it had everything to do with how much he loved her. It was the same with Hannah; though he’d only just met the little girl, he felt an immediate connection with her.
When Kady looked away, Doc figured it was her attempt to stifle a laugh. The gunslinger had meant it as a joke though, yes, the punishment would be far from unpleasant. Though Hannah quickly pleaded her mother’s case which earned her a gentle smile and reassurance that the punishment wouldn’t be bad. Scout’s honor.
“Yes, how about some television, darlin’.” Doc gestured for Kady to stop on one of the kiddie shows on Netflix that he put on for Alice. “You’ll enjoy this. Momma and I have to talk, but we’ll be right back, alright?”
“Ok!” Hannah beamed a smile to her father then sat cross legged on the floor about three feet from the tv. Kady once again felt her insides go squish as she got up from the couch. She took her coffee to the kitchen for a refill, figuring they could talk there. Once Doc joined her, she stepped closer. To keep their voices down. Yep. That was the reason.
“She’s cute as shit,” Kady began as she refilled her cup. “Way too calm.”
She was stalling and she knew it. Kady sighed as she shoved her hair back from her face. “You know it’s a real possibility that uh…we…I mean me.”
Doc retrieved his own coffee mug from the table and moved to follow Kady into the kitchen, but not before pausing long enough to ruffle Hannah’s hair. She was adorable and Doc could just tell she was resilient as hell too. No doubt another trait she got from her mama.
Once in the kitchen, Kady stepped closer, refilling her coffee cup. This close he could smell her perfume and shampoo. He could feel the heat radiating from her body. The gunslinger forced himself to focus on the situation and not what the shortened distance between the two of them was doing for his sex drive.
“Absolutely, but I’m not surprised about either,” Doc admitted, setting his own mug on the counter. He could smell a stall tactic a mile away; Wynonna tended to do the same thing when she didn’t know how to exactly approach a tough subject. He didn’t mind. He understood why. The idea of them being parents was a lot to handle no matter how cute Hannah was.
Eventually, Kady spit it out and Doc’s blue eyes locked on hers. He reached out to place a reassuring hand on her arm. “Kady, I know. It’s okay. I mean it’s not okay. Not really. It’s a lot for both of us, but regardless of all of that, it doesn’t make a difference to me. If you’re pregnant right now, I’ll be a happy man because we both actually have the chance to be parents to that beautiful girl out there. That’s an honor.”
Normally, Kady would know what she was doing to a guy…but especially Doc…when she stood this close. He’d become one of her best clients at the Den, and they enjoyed messing up the sheets together. There was a reason why they’d worked well as a married couple, but not just for the great sex.
Take what he just said, for example. That hit Kady right in the feels. It hit her so hard it brought tears to her eyes. Uncomfortable tears since she didn’t want to get all mushy about this, but Doc made it so fucking hard!
She rolled her eyes in an effort to keep those tears where they belonged, but there was a smile on her face. Once she knew she had herself under control, she grumbled as she wrapped her arms around him. “You always know exactly what to say.”
Sure, he was one of Kady’s best clients and they did have a good time together in the bedroom, but Doc genuinely cared for the young woman. They could hold conversations together and after the Dome’s weirdness, he knew more about her than he ever dreamed possible. If anything, the experience had helped Doc understand her better and he was forever grateful for that opportunity.
Just like he was grateful for this one even if it was stressful and difficult for both of them. They had an opportunity to meet their child. Whether she came to exist in this world or not, Doc was happy he had the chance to know Hannah all the same. It was bittersweet and sad, but Doc wouldn’t trade the opportunity for the world.
Doc frowned at the tears shining in Kady’s eyes. “Kady…” he trailed off, watching as she rolled her eyes in an effort to stifle those emotions. Yet, there was a smile on that beautiful face too and when she wrapped her arms around him, Doc returned the hug tightly.
Her words had him chuckling. “Not always, darlin’. Definitely not always,” he replied softly, his face briefly buried in her wild dark hair. But he was sure as hell grateful he had said the right thing now.
She lingered in the hug first because Doc gave great hugs and she could really use one right now. It became about feeling him against her soon enough. Then Kady realized it was just another stall tactic. She put her forehead against his shoulder as she let out with a long sigh then lifted her head enough to look at him.
“It’s probably been three minutes…”
Doc was familiar with stall tactics. He was guilty of using them too. It was impossible not to, especially in a rather high stakes situation like this. As she lifted her head to look at him, Doc met her gaze and nodded.
“Tis the moment of truth, darlin’,” he replied. He stepped back, but kept a hold of her hand. They would see the results together. Kady didn’t have to do this alone.
Kady gave a manic grimace as she gripped Doc’s hand then led the way toward the bathroom where she’d left the test. As they passed by the living room, she peered in at Hannah who seemed content in front of the tv. A fond smile ghosted across her lips then she gathered her courage to press on.
As soon as they reached the bathroom, Kady hauled Doc in then shut the door. “The instructions say that if there’s one pink line I’m not pregnant. If there’s two…” She looked at him as she bit her lip then picked up the test.
She turned it over so they could see the display. “....huh.”
Doc allowed Kady to lead them to the bathroom. They passed the living room and Doc noticed how Kady peered inside. It was impossible not to smile at the sight of Hannah watching television. She seemed happy, content, and Doc hoped the sight would give them both the courage they needed to press on.
Once inside the bathroom, Kady shut the door and explained the test to him. “We know what two means…” Doc trailed off and squeezed her hand. He was just as nervous as she was, but doing his best to keep his emotions in check.
She plucked the test from the sink and turned it over so the display was visible. Doc swallowed. “Now that is something…”