Who: Velma Kelly and Alyssa Hamilton What: Talking about names Where: Chez Howlett When: 2/17 Rating: PG Status: Complete
Velma was bored and frankly, grumpy. Logan was out with Eli, which was good for both of them, but she hadn’t felt up to going out. She was sitting on the couch, feet up, trying not to think about getting stuck on bed rest. So far it hadn’t been necessary, but she still worried. She’d left a message for Alyssa, though, seeing if she might want to come over. She did have something to tell the girl, and it would probably be less awkward if she did it herself, instead of Logan.
Alyssa teleported to Velma and Logan’s; it was easier, and they were used to her popping round by then. “Hello? Velma?” She was wearing her pajamas, having spent a lazy Sunday around the house and not having the inclination to end that yet.
“In the living room, honey.” Velma called, sitting up a little. She couldn’t help but be amused at the pajamas. “Was this a fuck clothes day?” She’d had her share of those, even when she wasn’t pregnant.
“It’s Sunday, who wears clothes on Sunday?” Alyssa moved to sit by her best friend, leaning her head on her shoulder and wrapping her arms around her. “Mmm, you’re warm. Want me to get you a bevvie?”
Velma smiled, leaning on the girl for a minute. “Sure, I could use some water. The main fridge, not Logan’s, that’s the red one.” There was nothing but beer in there. “You could probably thieve one of his pale ales, though, and he wouldn’t miss it.”
“Logan’s is probably filled with beer and testosterone,” Alyssa quipped. She got them both waters from the main fridge, moving to sit back down. “How’re you two feeling?”
“Far as I know, we’re fine.” Velma shrugged. “Logan’s maybe a little out of sorts. Eli wants to move into her boyfriend’s house. Apparently he - her boyfriend - fixed up a room for her and everything. He’s a good kid, but Logan doesn’t like that she’s leaving the house already.”
“It’s not like she’s moving to Timbuktu,” Alyssa smiled. “He’ll still see a lot of her. I think it’s a good idea, she and Athelstan are a good match. He’s so sweet.” She took a long swig of her water, closing her eyes.
“Oh, do you know him?” Velma had missed that somehow. “He seems really nice, yeah. And you and I know she isn’t moving far, but Logan feels protective. It’s really sort of sweet.” Though she wouldn’t say it at him, lest he growl.
“I do. He’s just ... very gentle, really.” Alyssa smiled, curling up by her friend again. “Logan’s like that for everyone he knows, I think. You included, you know.”
“Trust me, I know. He grumps at me.” Velma smiled a little, too. “But speaking of Logan. He and I came to a decision a few days ago, and I wanted to tell you about it, since it’ll probably involve crying.”
Alyssa blinked. “What? Why are you going to cry? Do I have to hit him? Because I’ll absolutely hit him.”
“No, no. It’s about the baby.” Velma laughed. “We decided on a name.”
That made the redhead almost squeal with delight. “Really? What?”
“Amy.” Velma said. “For Logan’s daughter Amiko. But we wanted her middle name to be Alyssa.”
“That’s a really fitting - “ She’d been about to say more, but then hearing the little girl’s middle name made her pause. “Seriously?” Her eyes filled with tears. “That’s - you’re - “
“You’re one of our best friends.” Velma said simply, smiling through her own tears that suddenly seemed to have formed. “We love you. Me and Logan.”
“I love you too, Vel. You’re - when I was at school, I always wished I had a big sister, and you’re more like that than anything else.” She sniffled, wiping her cheeks because she knew she was crying.
Velma pulled her into a hug. “There have been times,” she said quietly, “that I didn’t trust you, because of Logan’s weird hangup. That he’d get a wild hair and run off to Vegas with you. But you’re ... I don’t know. Such a good person, and somebody I want around when my kid gets born. And I know Logan feels the same way.” She sniffled quietly, closing her eyes.
“Even if he’d done that, I’d have kicked him in the nuts and told him to go back,” Alyssa laughed. She was still crying, but she burrowed closer to Velma. “Thank you. You two are more my family than my mum is, and I - I need you both.”
“You’re kinda like the little sister I never had.” Velma smiled. “My family’s kind of shitty, so.” She took a breath, trying to calm down. “Just, we talked about names, Logan and me, and we came up with Mary - for Mariko, his wife - and Amy, for Amiko. I didn’t want two Y names, and I was trying to think of another woman we knew. You’re closest to us. We were thinking maybe about Katherine, but Kitty’s going to be her godmother.”
“She’ll be a brilliant godmother,” Alyssa sniffed. “I just want to be her amazing auntie, you know?’ She wanted to spoil the little girl with cuddles and gifts and sweets and piggyback rides.
“I think you’d be great at that.” Velma laughed. “And just, I don’t know. I’m totally new at this shit. You can help me if you think I’m being too harsh, or not strict enough, or what if she’s born with little tiny claws or something.”
“Knowing Logan, she’ll have something, but god, don’t freak yourself out for the birth.” Alyssa let her hand hover over Velma’s stomach. “May I talk to her?”
“Yeah.” Not many people had tried so far, but Velma always sort of thought it was cute when they did. “You can put your hand down if you want, too. She kicks like a friggin’ soccer player. Football. Whatever.”
Alyssa closed her eyes and focused on her abilities, her unique link to everything good and heavenly. She thought about the stairs that people got to ascend when they passed over, and she gently placed her suddenly glowing hands over Velma’s stomach. “Hi, Amy. I’m your auntie Alyssa. And I love you very much.”
Velma smiled at the sheer warmth in the girl’s voice, but then she blinked at the sudden light. She would have protested, would have questioned - but then the baby stilled. “Is she ... just calm?” Or napping, or something?
“Just calm. It’s sort of... channeling Heaven,” Alyssa blushed. She stroked Velma’s stomach, smiling to herself. “It’s kind of my thing.”
“Wow.” Velma had somehow never seen what Alyssa could do. “Maybe your goodness will rub off on her.” She smiled, trying to tease. “Cause I mean, she’s Logan’s kid; she’ll start off solidly on the hellion side.”
“Maybe this’ll sort of soothe her, yeah? That’s what I figured.” Alyssa rubbed gently, figuring that it probably felt nice on itchy stretchmarks.
It did, frankly. “Mmmph.” Velma made a rumbly happy noise, closing her eyes. “I’m pretty much straight up excited to be a mom, but this kid has made herself at home for just about long enough. The next six weeks will feel long.”
“Be glad you’re not an elephant,” Alyssa grinned. “They usually carry their babies for two years or so.” She continued to hum quietly, focusing on making Amy feel like the most loved creature in the universe.
“Fuck that.” Velma was emphatic, but smiling. “You’re a miracle worker.”
Alyssa chuckled. “I wonder if this would work on Christian when he’s all wound up.”
“If he’s pregnant, you two have stuff to talk about,” Velma kidded. “How’s that going? I hope you’re not horribly pining.” She still sort of thought Alyssa deserved better, but she was a little too nice to say so.
“I think it’s worse than horribly pining, but I’ll never admit that.” Alyssa smiled, only looking a little sad. “He’s ... perfect? I mean, yeah, he’s got flaws, but I find them interesting and so much like mine that I adore them too.”
“You aren’t half as grumpy as you describe him.” Velma replied, eyebrow raised. “But I guess we can’t help who we get stuck on. I’m living proof.” She smiled a little.
“We can’t. I just know not to tell him I’m mad about him, because then he’d get conveniently transferred to India or something.” Alyssa rolled her eyes and continued to rub. “Stupid man.”
“They usually are, if you haven’t figured that out.” Velma’s eyes were closed. “But I’m guessing that we have your permission to use your name, huh.” She smiled a little.
“Of course you do,” Alyssa smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”