ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇss ᴏғ ᴘʀᴇsᴛɪᴅɪɢɪᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (cigam) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-05-20 07:12:00 |
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Now that she’d passed the twelve-week mark in terms of her pregnancy, Zatanna felt a lot safer when it came to letting people know about this pretty big change in her life. She could turn the cards as much as she wanted (and she did, just to have that extra cushion, more of a peace of mind) but there wasn’t a solid guarantee that things would go according to plan. Hearing the baby’s heartbeat at the eight-week ultrasounded helped quite a bit at calming her nerves, and then before she knew it she was officially finished with her first trimester. She wanted to tell her friends, especially those with motherhood experience - she wanted advice and shared tales, because truth be told, she was nervous about this. Very much so. After seeing Elphaba at the Guild and meeting Mae for the first time, Zee was just bursting to talk - and now she could, which made her breathe a sigh of relief. Of course she’d texted first to make sure it was fine she come over, and with her she brought one of her favorite Turkish desserts - stuffed apricots, with rosewater and pistachio. They were sort of candied, almost, and very creamy. Many Turkish desserts involved decadent syrup, and this was no exception. But since she’d sort of gotten her appetite back, she wanted to begin appropriately eating for two. She also brought a gift for Mae, one of the books in the Guild’s library. Of course the baby was too young to read - but this was for later. A book inscribed on tree bark, detailing extensive information on herbs, medicines, as well as magic - including fortune telling. It was from Zee’s personal collection, and she wanted a (potential) spellcaster to have it for themselves. Arriving at Elphaba’s place, carrying her packages, she rang the bell and waited on the front stoop for her friend to come to the door. Elphaba had been sat with Mae, singing and clapping with some kids programme on the tv when she heard the knock on the door. She was looking forward to seeing Zatanna again. She had a feeling that there was something that had been bothering her friend the last time they met but hadn’t been able to pin down what it might be. Kissing Mae on the head and getting to her feet, Elphaba headed to the door and opened it. “Hi” Come on in!” she smiled, waving her into her home. “Mae and I were just watching some tv, she’s in a good mood this afternoon,” she told her friend, closing the door behind her. “Oh wow, what have you brought with you?” she chuckled, referring to the things in Zee’s arms. “Just a snack - really, the dessert of my people. It’s Turkish,” Zatanna grinned, showing off the plate covered with cellophane. Apricots were pretty revered in Turkey, as much as a fruit could be. They were said to store the energy of the sun during the months of summer, and during the winter they were a reminder of warmer days. She loved the texture of this dessert too - fruity, nutty, and creamy all rolled into a perfect package. Under her arm she carried the book, and she’d wrapped it in paper to keep it from exposure to the elements on her way over. “Then this is for Mae. I wanted to give her something special from the Guild, since both her parents are members and magic is important to the whole family.” Elphaba gaped up at her for a few seconds before shaking her head. “Zatanna, you...you didn’t have to do that, thank you,” she said with wonder. “Oh my, how about we take some of these to the kitchen and I’ll put some tea on for us both,” she offered to take the cellophane covered plate from her friend. Turning, she cast her gaze over Mae who had turned to look at them both from her spot on the floor. Mae gazed at Zatanna, as if she was trying to place where she had seen her before. It must have been a bit difficult at the distance away they were, probably a bit blurred, and she crawled a bit closer to them before grinning up at the newcomer. The baby sat back on the floor and giggled, holding her arms up for some attention from Zee. Zee handed the plate over to Elphaba, pleased that she seemed happy with the offerings. Though it was no trouble - she loved to cook, and bake, and whipping up something tasty to bring to a close friend’s house was also just good manners, right? Zatanna would have hated to arrive empty-handed. “Tea would be wonderful, thank you,” she said gratefully. Oh, and look who we have here - Mae was just too adorable and naturally she’d get plenty of attention and nuzzles from Auntie Zatanna. “Mae, I’ve missed you!” Placing the book on the coffee table, she was there in a second, bending to pick the tiny human up and cuddle her close. Aw, little ones and their fresh and clean special baby smell - it really was delightful. “Well,” Zee sucked in a breath. “Hard to believe I’ll have one of my own...in a few months. November, to be exact.” That was one way to announce a pregnancy. Elphaba fumbled the kettle and dropped it into the sink as she was filling it up. Turning the tap off, she turned to gape at Elphaba. “Are you serious?!” she beamed at her friend. “You’re pregnant?” she asked in an excited stage whisper as she came closer. “Oh my Gods! Congratulations!” Elphaba grinned and stepped in to hug Zatanna tightly as she held Mae. The baby giggled and clapped as Elphaba stepped back, obviously picking up on the elation in the room around her. “Come sit down and tell me all about it while I make the tea,” she gestured for Zatanna to follow and sit at the kitchen island on a barstool. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you were seeing someone,” she said, returning to the abandoned kettle in the sink, filling it and putting it on to boil. Zee attempted to return the hug as best she could, laughing, balancing Mae on her hip while she slid one arm around Elphaba. “Completely serious, completely pregnant,” she snickered. She wasn’t quite at that glowing stage yet, but she was feeling much better than before, hey, she could keep food down mostly, so that was something to celebrate? “And I should be saying sorry - because the man I’ve been seeing is somewhat...hm. Let’s call it anti-social,” a fondly exasperated smile flickered on her face as she settled at the kitchen table, with Mae in her lap. “John Constantine. He’s a professor of Occult History at UCI, and sometimes he pops up around the Guild since he has matching occult powers to boot. I’ll definitely introduce you soon though.” Bouncing the baby on her knee a little, she glanced back up at Elphaba with a twinkle in her bright blue eyes while tea was being made. “I’ll also take any advice on getting through pregnancy that you have to give.” “That’s fantastic, I’m so happy for you,” Elphaba couldn’t stop grinning as she bustled around the kitchen making them some decaf tea. “I’d love to meet him, how long have you known each other? Did you meet at the Guild?” she asked curiously. “I’ll be happy to give you advice. My first is, listen to your body and rest when it needs to rest. And I know that it’s the hardest thing but try not to worry. I...had a difficult birth and Mae was premature because I was stressing about being a good mom and everything,” she looked over at Mae sitting happily on Zatanna’s lap with a wistful smile. “It’s complicated because I dreamed of him first,” Zatanna explained, bouncing the baby a little on her knee. “Then he showed up here about a year ago. It’s one of those things where I guess technically we’re completely wrong for each other - but somehow, it works, and now in this life it just feels right. We wouldn’t be able to have a life together, a baby, in any other sort of universe.” Not with Gotham literally being built on the back of pure evil - it seeped into the ground, it was all around them. They were all cursed, in a way, their happiness never long-lasting. But those were the perils the ones in the Justice League faced. She glanced at Mae, who was such a sweet and calm baby. Everything had turned out well for Elphaba, and Zee was glad. “Rest is good advice,” she nodded. “I’ve been so tired lately too. Maybe because I cut out a lot of my caffeinated beverages.” Elphaba listened intently, smiling as she described her partner. “Sometimes those are the best sorts of relationships. Where you think you’re complete opposites but it just...works,” she shrugged, pouring the hot water into the teapot. “I felt like that with Luthien at first. She was so...elegant and poised. Regal almost and I was...so very not, but we just...clicked. You said you wouldn’t have been able to be together in the Dreams, why’s that if you don’t mind my asking?” she asked as she returned to the kitchen island with the teapot and cups. Zatanna didn’t mind explaining, though she knew she and John had been through a roller coaster ride - less in this universe, but they still had their ups and downs. There was even a hot minute there where she was preparing to raise the baby herself if John just couldn’t accept that this was happening - but he, surprisingly, had come around. Little by little. And she was glad for it, because she did love him and wanted this family. “We’ve broken up a few times, in the dreams, because of his abilities,” she started. “They’re very...hard on him. He serves as kind of a go-between angels and demons, and it can get dangerous. He has to make a lot of tough calls, and he’s lost a lot of people he cares for since as you can imagine, dealing with demons is not a simple thing. Here though, he doesn’t have to do that as much.” There were instances where he cleansed a church, or someone’s house, or sent a demon back to Hell - but it wasn’t like their other life. Not even close. “Yeah, that sounds pretty intense. Probably not the best situation to cultivate a relationship I imagine, but it sounds like you've got more time for each other and less pressure on you here,” Elphaba nodded, sitting on the stool to Zatanna’s right. “You're happy here though, and that's the most important thing,” she smiled and poured the tea, passing a cup over to Zatanna. “So how are you feeling? Do you know when you’re due? Have you had your first scans?” she asked, wanting to know all about Zatanna and the baby. “Very happy,” Zatanna nodded, taking her cup of tea with a thanks. “A little nervous too - “ Alright, a lot nervous, but she imagined that was just part of the whole pregnancy experience. Especially since this was her first one (and would she want to go through this again? Probably not). “I’ve had a couple doctor’s appointments - we heard the baby’s heartbeat at the eight-week ultrasound. I’ll have a few more tests and screenings in a couple weeks.” Hearing the heartbeat was pretty amazing though. Made the whole thing that much more real. “And I’m due in November,” she added as she reached for one of the desserts she’d brought - they went fantastically with tea, must be the cream in the middle. “Right now the next task will be figuring out how we want to do up the nursery.” No one liked her ‘vintage circus’ theme idea. Naysayers. “Just a little nervous?” Elphaba asked knowingly as she watched Zee reach for a treat. “You're doing better than me then, I was terrified. Once I found out, my mind started racing and I couldn't stop thinking about everything,” she recalled, gazing at the plate where Zatanna’s hand had been. Shaking herself out of her brief reverie, Elphaba smiled at Zee and then Mae before reaching for her own treat. “I always found that doctor’s appointments were very reassuring though and hearing her heart beating for the first time was just…” she shook her head in awe, unable to find the words to adequately explain it. “What are you thinking for the nursery then?” she asked, popping the sweet treat into her mouth. “Well, I’m kind of terrified,” Zatanna laughed anxiously, blushing a little as she sipped her tea. “But it’s nice to have the reassurance, I mean, knowing that I’m not the only one who feels these things.” Her doctor visits were helpful too - everything was confirmed as on schedule, and the baby was developing normally, so she attempted to soothe herself with that. But really, what kind of a parent would she even be? Hopefully a good one. She would do the best she could for her and John’s child. “I’m not sure for the nursery though, I thought a vintage circus theme would be cute but John thinks it’d be creepy.” That made her chuckle. Sure, maybe if she put clowns and puppets in there - but it wouldn’t be like that. “What do you think, Mae?” she asked the baby on her lap. “...yeah, I better come up with other ideas.” “I can assure you that practically everything you are feeling is what practically everyone else who is pregnant is feeling or has felt,” Elphaba smiled at her. “I mean, not that you’re the same as anyone or anything they experienced, but...you know what I mean?” she winced slightly as she stumbled over her words. “Ooo, a vintage circus theme...that’s unusual, but if it weren’t that then what were you thinking?” she grinned, clasping her tea cup between her hands as she watched her friend interact with her daughter. “I can take her if you want, let you have both hands free for tea and treats,” she offered, not wanting to impose babysitting duties on her. Mae was so sweet and calm, but yes, Zatanna was ever so eager to stuff her face. She grinned at Elphaba, handing her the baby - though this visit would not be complete without more snuggles from Aunt Zee, that was a promise. “I know what you mean,” she assured with a chuckle. “No two pregnancies are exactly alike, but there’s definitely some universality in the emotions that come along with it. And as for the nursery, I’m not sure - something breezy and fun, definitely a homage to magic and the stage?” That's who Zee was, after all. “I’ll do some brainstorming with John - I want him to like it too, even though I’m sure it’ll be like pulling teeth.” But he was very protective over the bun in this oven, so surely he’d want his child to have a really great nursery. Elphaba put her tea down and took the baby back from Zatanna, smiling down at Mae to distract from taking her from her newest favourite person. “That reminds me of a book I recently picked up,” she said, heading over to the bookcase and returning with The Night Circus and handing it to Zatanna. “It’s a bit of a darker theme, but it just made me think of you,” she shrugged, settling Mae back on her lap. “The thing to remember about painting nurseries is to not get too stressed over decorating them, as they can always be changed if you feel like it - and with magic, it’s a damn sight easier to do than without,” she winked. Not that she’d gone through several incarnations of Mae’s nursery before she’d arrived or anything. “Oh, this is wonderful!” Zatanna took the book, studying the back cover. She hadn’t read this one before, but it looked very interesting so she couldn’t wait to dig in. “Reading for pleasure is something I need to do more often as well,” she smiled. “Thank you.” And Elphaba brought up a good point too - having magic did come in handy; once Zee entered the whole ‘nesting’ phase of pregnancy she was sure she’d be changing things in the nursery right and left. So a couple spells ought to do the trick, at trying out themes. “I’m glad I have friends like you to keep me sane,” she laughed, sipping on her tea. Yes, she was very grateful. Things were coming along nicely, and it would be an interesting journey from here on out. |