Who: Velma and Magius What: Confirmation of her suspicions When: 9/3 Where: Magius' clinic Rating/Warning: PG Status: Complete
Velma had wanted Logan to be here for this, but he’d had a Serious Meeting, and she could understand when that shit went down. He’d promised to try and come late, if possible, and that was good enough. She’d be sure to bring him to the sonogram and all that stuff when it happened. For now, she’d deal.
She was sitting in the waiting room of the Sunburst Clinic, having been told Dr. Magius was the best in town. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was feeling, to be honest (besides sick); life would be a lot easier - and less full of vomit - if she wasn’t pregnant, and yet, if Logan told her she was, she believed him. And a small part of her was excited. She felt bad it wasn’t more.
Magius was there in time and he smiled as he came in, raising a hand to signal to Velma. “Hello. Come on and come back.” He extended a hand to her and waved a hand toward the hallway to lead her toward his office. He was a tall man with gray hair, who showed his age of more than sixty, and yet also was healthy, whole and full of energy.
Velma got up and nodded a hello. He seemed happy and polite, which was obviously a plus. “Thanks for seeing me.” She slowly made her way down the hall, taking her time in case the dizziness came back. “You come highly recommended.”
“Well, thank you.” He smiled softly at her, eyes doing a visual inspection. As he showed her into his examination room, he showed her first to a comfy chair. “I read the paperwork, but can you tell me in your own words why you’re here?”
“I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant?” Velma said, trying to ignore the frisson of fear that jolted through her. “I’ve been feeling awful, I’ve missed a period, and there’s been that kind of activity in my life. My boyfriend was the one who suggested it, and I wanted to confirm or deny.”
Magius smiled, and peered at her, then nodded. “It is generally a very easy test. For those of the Valarnet, I advise both magical and medical confirmation. Neither will take very long if it is true.” He gently touched her arm.
“Once we know for sure, we can discuss your options.”
Velma nodded. “My boyfriend’s got some gifts.” Vague enough. “He said he could smell it, and I believe him, but I still want a regular doctor to look into it.” She smiled faintly. “I’d be excited, but it probably doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell I’m scared as hell.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being scared. When we find ourselves facing something new and unexpected, we often are scared. Lords know I have been very scared, a number of times.” Magius smiled to her. “So, I can run a standard test, and then if you like, magically confirm it.” He gently smiled to her again. “Just remember, with your partner and now with me, you are not alone, and will face none of this by yourself.”
“Better to be totally sure.” Between Logan’s nose, Eli’s nose, and both tests, there wouldn’t be any room for error. “What do I need to do?”
“THe best way is the good old pee in a cup test. If you are not needing to urinate, just yet, I can supply water.” he pulled out a small kit and broke out the container for the urine.
“I think I can try.” Velma had figured it would be something like that. “Might just take a while. I’m feeling dizzy.” She’d woken up feeling like shit, and it hadn’t left.
“Sit, then, and rest, for a few minutes.” He gently took her wrist and listened to her pulse and beat, and then nodded. “I want to take your blood pressure, just to make sure you aren’t spiking. That isn’t a problem, but it means we need to be careful, so you don’t fall over.”
“Fair. I mean ... I’m just a regular person, but my boyfriend, like I said, isn’t. So for all I know the kid has laser eyes or something.” Oh god. If it did, she might fall over and die.
Magius nodded. “Even so, we will be sure to take care of mother and child quite carefully. My assistant and I, she is currently seeing another patient, but we will make sure your pregnancy is as painless as possible.”: And the birth as well.
“I appreciate it. It’s my first kid.” And maybe her only. Depending what happened. “So I kind of feel like I’m out of my league.”
“You will be fine. I’ll be here to give you advice and instructions, and there are sites and pamphlets I can give you so you can check facts when you feel nervous, or just worried. If you want me as your doctor to the delivery and beyond, you’ll get my cell number, and then if you ever have a need, you can call me.” He nodded. He would help her.
That was unusual. Velma raised an eyebrow. “You have so much time to put into every patient?” Impressive. “I’d ... really appreciate that, actually. I swear I won’t abuse it.” She actually managed a bashful smile as she saw him take the blood pressure cuff out. “I used to be a stupid Socialite” - capital S, clearly - “when I was younger, and it’s only in the last five years or so that I got a brain, settled down. I still never thought I’d have kids.”
“I do what I can, especially for those who are of the Valarnet. We are subject to some stressors that others are not.” And Magious would go to war, for his patients.
Magius nodded to her. “I believe you. And it happens to all of us. Give yourself time, and you will find yourself somewhat more obsessed with this child. It happens to all parents.” He grinned at her as he checked her bp, and her eyes sight, and listened to her breathing. “Looks like everything checks out. You’re pregnant, so the body goes a little wild sometimes. Never fear to ask questions or voice concerns. In time, you will learn what is a false and what is a true, alarm.”
Hearing the doctor say officially that she was in fact pregnant brought tears to Velma’s eyes. She wiped them away quickly, but the nervous smile stayed. “I hope you’re right,” she said. “I mean, I’d do my best with a kid no matter what, but I’m not ... excited. More terrified.”
“It’s okay. That will change in time. Give yourself the time you need, and it’ll be okay.” He gently clasped her hands. “You won't be alone, and you won't have to face these fears alone. Your body will help you, as well.” Then he paused. “I should ask, before we go any further, if you want this child.”
“Oh, yes.” It was a fair question to ask, given what she’d been saying, but there was no doubt in Velma’s mind. “I shouldn’t have sounded so doom and gloom.” Well, now she felt like an ass. “I’m gonna have good support. I have a man who loves me. We can give him or her a good life. I just ... I don’t know, I thought I’d immediately be all excited and happy, and I’m more scared than anything.”
“I did not think you did. I merely ask all those who come. There are options and everyone deserved to know they are not stuck to one fate.” Magius smiled to her. “I am glad to hear that you will have a good home and support. And it is normal to be scared, and even a little dismayed, at this point. Your body and mind have experienced a shock. It will take some time for them to recover.”
He wagged a finger at her. “You must be careful and take good care of yourself.” He took out a few pamphlets. “You’ll need to read these and take note of what they say.”
“I know the basics.” Velma nodded. “No alcohol, not too much sugar, that kind of stuff. I already quit drinking.” It wouldn’t be easy, but she could manage. She couldn’t restrain a laugh as she imagined Logan giving up beer for nine months. “My boyfriend loves his beer, but I can go without.”
“Good. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate. I want to see you at least once a month to start, and when it gets closer, we can see if more appointments are needed then.”
Velma nodded. “So this time, just sort of take measurements, and then go from there?” She could do that. And Dr. Magius hadn’t given her any grief about not being married, or indicated that he’d ever heard of her. It was a load off her mind.
“Exactly. I would like you to attend a birthing preparation class, if you are willing. The one I know is not obnoxious and the woman involved has been helping other women give birth with less pain and anxiety for years. I think it might help some of your fear, even.”
He nodded.
Velma’s first inclination was to decline, but he hadn’t said it to be an ass. “Is it for just women, or family members, too?” It didn’t really matter to her, but the idea of Logan at one of those classes was hilarious.
“For anyone interested in attending. I’m one of the speakers, and I see men, women, and children at the classes.” He had a lot of knowledge and experience to give over, and he did so when he could.
Velma nodded. “Well, I’ll come along, and I’ll see if the boyfriend will come along.” She could probably get Logan to go with her, but she didn’t want to speak for him. She managed a smile. “I really appreciate it. Even just having somebody who knows what’s going on a little better than I do helps.”
“You’re welcome. Worry not. You are not alone, and I will do my best to help.” He was a doctor and he always tried his best.
“Do you have any kids yourself?” Call her curious. She kinda hoped so, in truth. He was patient and seemed like he’d be good with them.
Magius shook his head. “Once… almost, but no. And now, unlikely.” He chuckled. At 65, he was far too old for such nonsense.
“I don’t mean to be rude, if I was,” Velma explained. “I just was thinking you seem like you’d be good with them.” She hoped he had family someplace. He was about her father’s age, and most men that age tended to dry up with sheer bitterness. “I’m sorry, though, I’m probably rambling.” This kid had her thinking of everything and nothing. “I’m guessing we need to get my height, weight, all that, before I get going?”
"Not at all. I just was not meant to be a father. " He smiled and nodded. "All the usual tests, yes." Magius made some notes. "We'll get that started." He stuck out his hand to her. "Congratulations."
“Thanks.” It was the first step toward becoming comfortable with all this. Maybe that was Dr. Magius’ true strength - making people feel a little less alone.