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foster_jane (foster_jane) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2015-01-29 20:15:00

Who: Jane/Merlin/Audrey
What: Bebe pressies
When: Mid December - post Christmas Day baby arrival
Where: Merlin and Audrey’s
Rating: Low
Status: Complete


Jane tucked her hair back behind her ears as another cold gust of wind rushed past her. Keeping her head down, she hurried to Merlin and Audrey’s front door to get out of the snow as quickly as possible. Presents under her jacket to try and protect them, she knocked on the door and hoped they’d answer quickly.

Opening the door Merlin smiled as he saw Jane on the other side, “Come in, come in” he ushered her in out of the cold and shut the door. “How are you? Surviving the cold weather?”

Audrey wasn’t planning on being one of those new moms who dressed in pajamas all day, or wore robes or mumus. She wanted to be a hip, cool mom. So she was in jeans. Pregnancy jeans, sure, since she hadn’t shrunk down to her normal size yet, but jeans nonetheless. And a nursing top. A hip one. Really. Cough.

She was bundled up on the sofa with Ben in her lap, talking to the baby. Though, he was still in the newborn phase of eat, sleep, poop, repeat. There wasn’t a whole lot to do besides nurse, change diapers and nap with the baby.

“Hi, only just,” Jane joked, stepping into the house and giving Merlin a hug in greeting. Pulling back, she pulled a box of chocolates out of her bag and handed them over. “I figured a bottle of wine wasn’t appropriate, hope it’s ok,” she asked cautiously, taking her gloves off, stuffing them into her bag and rubbing her hands together to warm them up.

“Well come and warm up” Merlin encouraged her, “These are great” he said taking the chocolates she gave him, “Thank you Jane. Audrey’s in the living room, pop on through and I’ll get some drinks. Tea, coffee or hot chocolate?” he asked.

Audrey perked up just a little bit when she heard Jane come in. A warm smile stretched across her face. “Hi, Jane!” She called out, now incredibly glad that she was in jeans and not just wearing her pajamas. “Come on in and meet Benny.” They hadn’t really settled on a nickname for the baby yet, so Audrey was trying out all of them. Ben, Benny, Dick, Benedict… she wasn’t sure what was going to stick.

“I’d love a hot chocolate, thanks,” Jane smiled at him before moving into the front room. Coming around the couch, she spied little Benny snuggled up in his mom’s arms. Her face broke into a grin as she saw his tiny face and tiny hand sticking out of the blankets. “Well hi there, Ben!” she said in quiet excitement as she came to sit next to Audrey. She took her bag off of her shoulder and placed it on the couch beside her, gift still safely stowed inside. “Oh, he is scrumptious, congratulations,” she grinned up at Audrey. “How are you doing?”

Merlin set about making drinks in the kitchen letting the girls catch up and Jane to get acquainted with Ben.

Audrey sat up a bit and held up the baby so that Jane could meet him. Ben wasn’t doing much. He couldn’t hold his head up, could barely keep his eyes open. He wasn’t smiling yet. He could only see for a few inches in front of his face. But he was probably the most adorable baby in the whole world.

“Thank you!” Audrey said, smiling brightly. “I’m all right. Recovering well, I think. Merlin’s been taking really good care of me.”

“I have no doubt about that,” Jane grinned at her. “He’s devoted to you. Well, both of you now,” she grinned up at Audrey. She looked down at Ben again and waved her fingers at him even though she knew it would probably all be a blur to him at the moment. “So is he a Benjamin? Benedict? Does he have a middle name?” she asked.

“Benedict Matthew” Merlin answered as he entered the room with drinks and biscuits on a tray, “We’re still working on the nickname. So far I think it’s Ben or Benny” he grinned as he set the things down on the table before taking a seat next to Audrey.

“Yes! Didn’t I say?” Audrey gave a little sigh and shook her head. “I’ve been so distracted. Out of it. You know. I’m not really sleeping.” There was a lot of nursing that had to be done at night. And diaper changes. And simply standing there and watching the baby sleep. That was crucial.

Audrey turned a little and leaned back against Merlin, forcing his arm up and around her shoulders. “I’ve been using Ben a lot.”

“That’s ok, I understand,” Jane told her with a smile. “How’s he been then? Have you guys settled in ok with the little plus one?” she asked, watching the little new family all snuggled up together.

“Pretty well I think. I’m lucky that I’ve got a good amount of time off from work” Merlin said, holding his wife close, “I’m sure lack of sleep will catch up with us eventually but for now we’re not doing too badly”

“I’m sure the lack of sleep is gonna catch up.” Audrey turned into a bit of a bear when she was low on sleep. “But I’ve got some really great people running the bakery, and I’m only missing it like I’ve lost a limb, not like I’ve lost a torso.” ...did that sentence make sense? It sort of ran away from her.

Jane laughed at that and nodded. “I think I know what you mean, don’t worry. I’m kind of like that when they tell me I have to take holiday and leave the lab,” she smiled at them. “How long have you two got off work then?”

“Pepper has said as long as I need but I don’t want to take the piss or anything so I’ll just make sure Audrey and Ben are okay and then go back. Maybe not full time to start with but I’ll increase it steadily”

“I’m thinking six weeks from his birthday.” Audrey said. She’d been thinking about it a lot lately, actually. “I figure I can bring him with me to the bakery to start. Hire some part-time care, set up some space there for him? I don’t want to jump into eight hours a day care for him, but I don’t want to stay at home, either. I want something in between. We’re gonna have to work on it.”

“Well I can help out if you need,” Jane suggested with a shrug. “I mean, obviously I’d have to know ahead of time so I can plan time off work, but I don’t mind looking after him every now and then if that’s what you need,” she offered with a smile.

“Thanks Jane that’s really kind of you. We still need to work out some of the details, right now we’re still kind of in an awed state” he grinned, which they had every right to be as new parents.

Audrey nodded. She was humbled by Jane’s offer, and felt incredibly loved. The smile on her face was evidence enough of that. “Thanks, Jane,” she said, repeating Merlin’s sentiment. “I’ll definitely let you know. I’m sure we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

“Well the offer’s there for when you’re ready,” Jane told them. “Oo, which reminds me,” she started digging around in her bag until she found the thing she was looking for. “While you’re in the...awed state,” she referred to Merlin’s earlier statement with a little smile and pulled out an envelope to hand over to them. “I got you guys a little something.”

Merlin took the envelope Jane handed them and opened it, “Oh Jane, that’s so thoughtful” he said before showing Audrey. He was very touched that Jane had gone to such an effort, because it really was a lovely gift.

Audrey gave an audible ‘aww’ at the sight of the gift. “Oh, Jane… you really didn’t need to.” But she was already leaning forward to give Jane a hug, baby or no in her lap.

Jane gave a little laugh at that as she accepted Audrey’s hug. “That’s ok, I’ve been saving up since I knew you guys were expecting so I could get you something special,” she told them, sitting back from the hug. “I was working on making something, but apparently my knitting skills have taken a downhill turn,” she joked.

“It’s incredibly sweet of you” Merlin said before he laughed, “I never took you for the knitting sort” he teased her, “Good for you though, it’s a dying art. My mum used to knit a lot”

“I don’t know the first thing about knitting.” Audrey admitted. “Just baking. And origami, for whatever reason.” She beamed. “I can fold paper cranes like no one’s business. But I’d love to see some of your knitting,” she added kindly. “I’m sure it’s beautiful whatever you were working on.”

“No, people never expect that of me,” Jane grinned, tucking some hair behind her ear. “But I grew up on a farm with my aunt and uncle and they taught me. Then I found that it helped me while I was studying. It was that kind of mindless activity that just let me mull things over, y’know? Helped me get through college,” she smiled with a little shrug. “I’ll see if I can pull something together that’s worthy of showing off,” she told Audrey. “I never could get the hang of paper folding. You’ll have to teach me when you’ve got some spare time,” she grinned and nodded at the baby.

“I can definitely understand that” Merlin said, “My mum used to knit when we watched telly in the evenings hardly ever had to look at her hands. She tried to teach me once or twice but I was never very good at it” he smiled at the memory.

Audrey gave a little laugh. “I’ll definitely teach you. When we’ve all got free time.” She gave Jane a wink, then leaned her head against Merlin’s shoulder.

Ben started to stir in her arms. Probably needed a nurse or a diaper change or something. She bounced him a little, and he settled back to sleep. She just bought herself a couple more minutes, but she’d have to get to that eventually.

“Oh sorry, am I in the way?” Jane asked as the little family settled in together a bit more. “I know you guys must be busy settling into a routine and getting used to things so if you want I can head off,” she indicated with her thumb over her shoulder. It felt wrong to leave without wrapping her hands around the hot chocolate mug, but she’d do whatever they needed.

“Not at all” Merlin said, “As long as you don’t mind us looking after little Ben, besides you haven’t had your drink yet” he pointed out noticing the same thing Jane had. He didn’t want her to feel pushed away especially after the nice gift she’d given them. “Why don’t you bring it with you while I show you Ben’s room?” he suggested, looking at Audrey to make sure she’d be okay.

Audrey would definitely be okay. It was hard for her not to want to be a proper hostess all the time. “I’ll just change and nurse him out here while you give her the tour.” She said with a smile, then stole a quick kiss from her husband before letting him go.

“Sure, I’d like that,” Jane smiled at her friends, picking up her hot chocolate to follow Merlin into the rest of the house.