ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇss ᴏғ ᴘʀᴇsᴛɪᴅɪɢɪᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (cigam) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-06-11 09:47:00 |
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It was amazing how much a rabbit shed, despite being such a small creature. Zatanna took care of it though; she liked to pamper her rescue rabbits, a stage magician who quite loved her dutiful ‘assistants.’ Tibbar and Jack were in their playgrounds, a converted hutch that was an old vintage cabinet turned into a three-floored mansion for her babies. In her arms she had the third one, Captain Carrot, the Love Glove on her hand - conveniently, it wasn’t anything dirty even if it sounded that way (nor was it something her grouchy partner should have worn to prevent getting her pregnant, ha). Instead, it was a bristly brush that really did fit like a glove, and Zee used it to groom the lucky bunny. All the while she waited for John to get home, of course. Curled up on the plush sofa, wearing her yoga pants (she had no problem fitting into these, while her regular pants were actually becoming too snug) and a tank top. “He’ll be back soon,” she told the bunny, whose pink nose twitched eagerly. The rabbits just loved Constantine. She could feel the energy in the House of Mystery as well, anxious and eager for the return of Zee’s other half - it hung thickly in the air, almost shimmering with anticipation. Not many people lived in a house that could feel emotion, or even express emotion. She considered herself fortunate. “He’ll be back and then he’ll hold you so I can clip your nails,” she added to Captain Carrot, continuing to brush him carefully. Oh yes, holding a bunny burrito - John would be so pleased. That was one of many odd, new things to get used to. Having someone home waiting for him when he was done teaching at the university--along with his own bloody house. Not that he'd complain. But when there was usually a gathering of sort on the sofa, the energy of the house feeling complete when all its inhabitants were inside. It must have been boring being unoccupied for so long, he didn't know, he tried not to converse with the house personally. Letting all the stupid bloody papers he had to grade down at the front and slipping from his jacket he merely made a face at the company on the couch before letting himself flop onto it. Thank god he’d have that teacher’s aide soon. Blossom would be doing all the grunt work then. Turning to watch a smug Zee with her rabbit he quirked a brow. “What's that look for?” She'd been looking better, overall. Not so sick or achey. More of herself with the extra cargo. Feeling well enough to have that look on her face. “It’s the ‘I need you for the bunny burrito’ look,” Zatanna smirked, giving John the rabbit after she’d swaddled him in a small blanket, carefully placing Captain Carrot in his arms. But he needed to be held still so she could clip his nails - his little foot was poking out, and she leaned in closer to get started with the clippers; she did it gently, with precision, since she didn’t want to draw blood. “This is good practice for you too, don’t you think?” It was...kind of similar to holding a baby. Sort of. “How were classes?” she asked, pausing just a bit to lean even further across and plant a kiss on him. John, not the rabbit. Bollocks, he held the bunny carefully, just waiting for the thing to fidget into a wild spasm, scratching him. But obviously Zee held and cared for her bunnies as though they were her babies, so this one was used to it. Didn't mean John trusted it anymore as he kept Captain Carrot swaddled like the spoiled sod he was. “I..guess? Isn't that what the baby classes’ll be for?” She was going to have to take them, for breathing, changing diapers, emergencies. They both would. The books could only do so much. He relaxed against her kiss, settling more against the back of the couch and staring down at the rabbit less gruffly. “Not that bad, less twats than last semester, and with my new teaching aide it'll be less work.” He blinked up at her for his own assessment. “And you and small thing?” “Those too,” Zatanna grinned since, yes, she’d already looked into classes for them. There was a place in Newport Beach she’d researched, that offered everything from parenting classes, education on childbirth, to even lactation services. Well, she imagined she would need some tips and help with breastfeeding - she’d never done it before, after all. “Less twats than last semester, hm? Well, that’s a good thing. Maybe you’ll even even less with the new fall semester.” John always had such interesting things to say about his students. She was quick about clipping Captain Carrot’s nails; the bunny held still like a good boy, and before he knew it he was all finished. Then Zee scooped him back up, relieving John, so she could return him to his happy (or hoppy) home in the hutch. “I feel really great, actually,” she said, opening the hutch door and - plop. Captain Carrot was ready for a nap, maybe a snack, as he nestled in with his hay and delicious oats. “It’s that whole...glowing thing. My hair looks so shiny.” Her nails too, everything was so thick and luxurious. There was a bit of a visible bump that she tugged her tank top over, sitting back on the sofa. “I have an appointment next week for the typical screenings around this time,” she added, hand resting on her abdomen. The baby was the size of a large pear now, or an avocado - though kind of strange to think about (why all the fruit comparisons anyway?). “Blood tests. For any potential neural tube defects or chromosomal abnormalities.” She just assumed John would want to come, since he’d been to all the others thus far. “Though I was also thinking...is there a test - did you want to find out if she’ll have...you know. The same abilities you do?” Of course Zee didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl yet, though she was most often used. Just because. The sex of the baby wouldn’t be discovered for a few more weeks, if the little darling cooperated and let the scan see what was between its legs. Chuckling at how perky she got (the pregnancy emotions were amusing at best so far), watching her sit back on the sofa. “You're definitely very shiny love, only missing the glitter.” Whatever it was, it was better than her morning sickness and sickly feeling where he could only do so much for her. He merely nodded along about the appointments. Thanks to the baby books he read a few times over--and John had the memory for it, several languages, history, and knowledge of the dark arts locked in his skull could also fit a chunk of baby/pregnancy knowledge. And it wasn't even in Latin. It should go without saying he'd be going to those, as he'd be involved in everything and nothing was going to change that. “Just let me know of the time if you would so I can leave or reschedule a class.” John’s face fell a little at the mention of testing whose magic the baby would get. He'd been content with the knowledge of Zatanna’s powerful genes, of true magic. Arguably, this child could be one hell of force to reckon with if it had a bit of both of them, Zatanna’s alone. “It'll be easier when he or she is out of there,” Constantine scooted closer to her on the couch, thinking on what he could do to see. What only he could share or know. Maybe it was more simple than that. Just a matter of mana and energy. He held a hand tentatively above her belly, as if he were afraid to hurt it somehow, possibly curse it with his touch. John glanced up at Zee as if asking permission. “We can check it’s mana.” Still small in size, life energy was life energy. “Thursday at eight in the morning, sorry you have to get up early - blood tests aren’t much fun so I’m glad you’re coming,” Zatanna smiled, taking John’s hand and placing it on her baby bump. Of course she didn’t mind - he was tentative about touching, yet he had permission to anytime. It was when strangers touched her that she’d likely get a little testy. She wasn’t big as a house yet so it was easier to wear flowing sundresses and sort of shield her pregnancy belly from view. Checking its mana though - she’d leave that to him. Obviously he knew what he was looking for. “I felt her move the other day, I think,” Zee frowned a bit in concentration - the brief quickening had been while she was sitting very still, or even lying down. “I’m not sure I’d call it movement, exactly, more like a flutter.” She wished John could feel it too, from the outside, but later on when the miniature scouser was bigger and using Zee’s bladder as a bouncy ball would he be able to feel (and probably see) the kicks. “Anyway, yes. If you’d like to check mana, feel free.” “I’ve got a few morning classes this semester, it’s no matter.” John could go awhile without really getting knackered, leave it to his stubbornness or just not really having the time for much sleep in other worlds. That’s what coffee was for. She should know better than to apologize for him being ‘inconvenienced’ by now for their kid. He hadn’t complained once, and he wouldn’t. He let his hand relax over her tummy when she put it there--not exactly what he was asking permission on, but considered her words and looked back at her. “That’s not uncommon this early. They said in the developments book plenty of women with a smaller frame like you are more susceptible to feeling the smaller things. You are growing something in there after all.” He chuckled mildly before focusing his attention back to her belly, which thankfully, was not fluttering or else John might have opted to wait and not startle the baby or something. With a sombering sigh he let the mana from his hand glow and envelop her belly, yellow and warm, sinking down into the nestled cocoon inside. Like a magic sensor of a sort, a magnet. Constantine removed his hand to watch for the mana that would rise from behind her tank top, a faint little glow of light that mirrored more of Zatanna’s properties than his. John was more than relieved, leaning back against the couch. “Smart choice, mate. Let’s keep it that way and hope you don’t start seeing things later.” When the baby was large enough John would summon an angel. Just to be sure. It was always funny (and sweet) when John quoted what he’d learned from reading the baby books - he just soaked up information like a sponge, didn’t he? “Mate...is it a boy?” she laughed, shifting closer and leaning against his side. “And I take it that she’s more homo magi than not - that’s a good thing, right? It’s what you were worried about?” But there really wasn’t any way to tell for sure what would be passed down through the bloodline; John had many talents, many tricks up his sleeve, and not all of them were things he’d want his child to have to deal with. Zee knew that. It was why he was so cautious about adventuring into parenthood in the first place. “Could be. Since you’re opting to call it a girl, I’ll settle with the opposite. Y’know, for more confusion to the little bugger.” Letting his arm rest behind her on the couch he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “The mana, yes. Hardly any of mine if at all which is exactly what we want. The less of me, the better. Which only makes sense given your genes--” He tilted his head to the side to look at her. “But we both know much the universe likes to fuck me so I’m sure the poor thing will have something of mine. When it’s actually out I’ll be able to tell more. Summon something only I’d be able t’see.” And if that baby could see it, he was going to be very, very pissed. It would be a good piece of mind to have for now, at least, knowing it wouldn’t hold his capabilities if any. You couldn’t very well be expected to do Constantine’s job if you couldn’t be Constantine. And he had no plans of teaching the child how to be either. “Homo magi can live normally by choice. He, she, it can do whatever they’d like without the weight of seeing things no child deserves to see. The more opportunity they have not to deal with any magic shite, the better.” Zatanna understood her history - the homo magi genes had evolved in such a way that there was always a 100% chance any child would also carry the gene; it was always the dominant gene, though she was clearly no scientist. She simply had studied the origins and how the line of magic-carriers had evolved alongside homo sapiens. Any human could learn to use magic, but it was just that those with the predisposition were more talented at such things. It wasn’t like that in some dreamworlds. In some, you either were born with the gift or you weren’t. Though she didn’t know what John was - his own special self, maybe? She’d be surprised if their child didn’t end up with the potential for a few of his talents. “I would want them to have as normal of a life as possible here,” she said, leaning her hand on her hand as her elbow rested on the back of the sofa. “Given where we’ll be raising him or her, of course that’s damn near impossible - “ Oh, Orange County. You never ceased to thrill and amaze. “But at least they’ll be in good company, among others who are...different. And they’d have you if, as it turns out, they do have more of your abilities than we anticipate.” John was a human in all ways that involved owning all the parts, emotions, struggles and in all other ways not in that he had the ability to walk in and out of hell, space, and time as he chose. But at the core of everything, you couldn't fit all of that into a sperm, could you? “You would?” He was actually surprised at her statement, not really knowing what she'd want, but magic was in her family. Breaking that cycle might have been difficult. “They'll get a normal life, I'll see to that. This place won't be mucking with that--they've got no memories to bother them.” There was that in their favor, and no better two mages to protect a child, never mind the House of Mystery. “I'm not teaching them any of my abilities if they get it, Zee. Once you see demons, they see you too, and there's no going back. They don't have to be different. They can just be.” What John would have given to just have normal problems and not be what he was. Here there was a break in that but it mattered little when it came to the kid. “It’s inevitable something will crop up - they don’t have to be different, but they will be. Just based on who we are. Based on where we live. All I want is for the child to know its history, John. I want them to make their own choices. But I don’t want to be training any sort of demon hunter or soldier to fight evil with magic,” Zatanna replied. If eventually their son or daughter made the decision they wanted to learn, say, tarot - or tasseomancy, or even stage tricks? Then of course Zee would share that with them. There were simply some boxes you didn’t open, however. Anything involving demons was one of them. She didn’t disagree with that. Justice League Dark, well, she hadn’t really had much of a choice about getting into that - neither of them did. But the last thing Zee wished for their child was the burden of saving the world. “Oh hush,” John pressed his fingers to Zee’s lips in possibly the best form of ‘shut it’ he could manage, leaning down to talk to her stomach. And the bloody fuckin’ universe, because it was listening and it liked to give you what you asked for in ways you didn't ask. Call him paranoid. “Don't listen to her, mate. Nothing has to pop up. You can go on and sell ice cream or make sausage in a factory. History is boring, I teach it all day, there are stories in the kids section of the bookstore that are way better.” Knowing not to push his limits, Constantine moved his hand and gave her a quick kiss (so she wouldn't kill him). Settling a little against her without leaning in his weight, she was so warm and easy to cuddle into, head resting on her shoulder with a sigh. “I understand knowing your history but really, Zee? Your mum is from an amazing line of original magic users and capable of just about anything, she uses her magic to entertain people and Justice and shite. Your father kills people for the greater good so everyone else can live and can talk to bloody demons. Isn't that just dandy?” Who wanted a dad like that? Or history like that. He already was a shite dad and the kid hadn't even breathed a puff of air. “Well, we don’t have to put it quite like that,” Zatanna chuckled. Her fingers petted John’s hair, nails scritching gently. “But I think we can put it in such a way so that, as they grow and mature, they’ll understand why we want to protect them from certain things. For their own safety. It’s a little bit of parental instinct too, just kind of knowing what to do and say - you don’t have terrible ones, my darling, you’ll see.” They would figure it out. That she was certain of. She also tried not to be too overwhelmed by cuteness, which was Constantine telling her baby bump to sell ice cream. Really, she’d be taking a snapshot of that for her memory. She continued her soothing strokes, fingers twisting through John’s hair. “Like I said, the worst thing they’ll get from you will be your nose.” At least they had a little bit of assurance, with the life energy, that she was somewhat correct (and really, she loved Constantine’s nose - but she loved teasing him too). “Have you thought of any names you like?” Constantine grumbled even though he did enjoy her affections, leaning more into her touch and placing a kiss to her collarbone, arm wrapping around her shoulder in a side embrace--not that they could get any closer. “As if you'd settle for bottom of the barrel, love.” Even though in a manner of speaking she had. But neither one of them were awful looking. The kid had that going for ‘em. He was quiet at her question, thinking on it momentarily. “Not at all, really, I guess I was just thinking on all the other things and making sure you have all you need.” John glanced up at her. “Have you? Maybe something simple. Very simple.” And normal. Come to think of it, she hadn’t really gone over names much either. Zatanna would start considering it more in the next few weeks, after they went to the scan that was supposed to tell them the baby’s sex. “Simple, like John Junior?” she quipped. “Simple is good. Simple but...unique? A name that means something.” Zee would have suggested Giovanni, which was her father’s name - but it was essentially the Italian version of John anyway. She could just see Constantine rolling his eyes at that. For girl names, she was really at a loss. Family names might not work. Her sister was Katerina, however, she didn’t feel right about naming a potential daughter after her deceased aunt. Megara, maybe. Or a version thereof. Megan? Perhaps a middle name. This was hard. “I’ve got a few name books we can go through later though,” she added, playfully tweaking that scouser nose of his. Not too hard. “Maybe something will inspire us.” There would be no renaming of his own or Italian versions of his name. The look he gave Zatanna was enough to say that he didn't need to speak any words in response to the ‘ha ha so fucking funny’ thing that was not funny. “Well what else sounds good with Zatara? We could just keep the line going with z’s. Zachary, Zahara--that would rhyme. Zelda, Zeno, I could go on, we don't need your bloody books.” John rolled his eyes turning to supposedly talk to the baby again. Best get in as much conversation as possible in attempt to the thing recognizing him when it came out. “Your mum wants to find your name in a bloody book.” Sitting up he stretched back against the couch, turning to face her. “Simple as in Sam. Or Sara. They're stuck with this forever. We could be lazy like everyone else and just steal our middle names or that of relatives still living.” “Oh, I suppose that brings up surname - I was thinking she’d have your last name. Or do you want her to have mine?” Zatanna asked, brow furrowing in thought. “...wait, did you just. Zahara?” She started laughing - it probably jostled Constantine a little, and she clapped her hand over her mouth to keep any more snorts from escaping. Zahara Zatara was downright cruel, and she didn’t even think she could say that without twisting her tongue. Though really, Zee didn’t have a lot of relatives still living. That was the thing. “Well - “ Since John had moved, she took the opportunity to stretch. And kick her feet up into his lap, leaning against the armrest of the sofa. “Megara’s my favorite cousin. Meg-something’s nice. What about your sister? Cheryl? Have you told her about all this, by the way?” Zatanna clearly would not be surprised if John conveniently didn’t mention he was going to be a father, to his kin, until it actually happened. Shamelessly, John smirked, chuckling along with her. Yes, it would be a cruel joke but wasn't that supposed to be what parents were? Embarrassing, annoying at best, that sort of nonsense. His smile faded a little as he contemplated the last name, shrugging lightly but it didn't seem all that convincing. It wasn't a matter of what John wanted, there were a few things in the balance there. “I dunno, probably best your father’s name lives on instead.” There was a high regard for the name Zatara, not Constantine, and that wasn't something John wanted to give their kid right from the start. Even if he felt differently… “Uh? No, I haven't, because she'll bloody fly over here and start muming me and won't stop prattling on about the fact that we aren't married. And probably do a really good job about helping you...she's a good mother.” John sighed and in the habit of doing something with his hands (unable to drink or smoke at the moment) he began to rub Zee’s feet, how nice, as he stared off into nothing. “I'll tell her.” “I like your surname. I think she should have it,” Zatanna decided, and there were a few reasons for that - one being, this child was something they’d never be able to have elsewhere, in another time or place. Being a Constantine didn’t carry the same burdens as it may have in parallel lives - in fact, it was something to be proud of. That was how Zee saw it, anyway. And the baby was his - it should have a part of him too. Besides his nose. She wasn’t going to complain about foot rubs, letting out a pleased purrr and effectively melting into the couch cushions. Her blue eyes were sloshy, and she cracked one open to watch John. With a lazily amused expression on her face. “I’d love to meet Cheryl anyway. Hopefully she’ll think I’m good enough for her darling brother?” John glanced at her from the corner of his eye before smiling sheepishly, eyes falling to her feet that he continued to massage because she seemed content with that. Surprisingly, he didn't argue about his surname. He left it at that. “I keep forgetting you haven’t met her here yet,” he watched her in her little cozy spot against the cushions, huffing at the prospect of Zatanna being good enough for him. “Are you daft? She'll be going on about how she thought I'd die in a ditch alone and ecstatic for more family. She'll smother you. My niece will love you too, all your pets, and magic. You're a difficult person not to, Zee. Don't worry about her husband, he's an ass, I just pretend he doesn't exist.” There was probably some full circle irony here about how this was going to bring him closer to his still living family and all that buggery would grow blah blah. But maybe, that wasn't such a bad thing. In small doses. “Do you think we should get married?” He asked aloud as he was thinking about it, turning his head to face her. “Y’know, for the baby an all.” Other than Zee, everything at the forefront of John’s mind was figuring out how to make life as easy and pain free as possible. Would they be given a hard time about their parents being out of wedlock? John, personally, did not give a shit. He didn't need a paper and ceremony to know he wasn't going to be with anyone else. But again, he was thinking for the kid. Alright then. That was a something to ask indeed. Admittedly, the marriage idea had been on Zatanna’s mind too - but she wasn’t sure how to bring it up, or if she should, considering she knew John’s feelings on the matter (he didn’t think it was necessary, etc). Therefore, she was content to let it be pushed to the backburner for the time being while they handled things as they came during her pregnancy. So was she expecting him to bring it up? Not really. It surprised her, though certainly not in a bad way. She just blinked owlishly for a moment. “I - well, I would like to get married,” she started. “I mean, we’re living together and having a baby, I don’t want to be with anyone else - it does seem like a logical step. I just thought you didn’t want to, so I was fine with not having the official piece of paper or whatever. But - “ She grinned at him, unable to help it - because there was a tiny part of her that got excited about the thought of her own wedding, something nice for them. Something small and intimate, probably - she couldn’t picture John going for a lavish affair, and it wasn’t a requirement either. “Do you want to?” “It's not as much as I don't want to,” he confessed, running a hand through his messy hair, still fidgeting with her feet because fuck if he didn't want a cigarette right now. Like eight. “It just, hasn’t been a thought of mine or--thought much of the whole ordeal when you and I already know what we want and who we want.” As she had thought, necessary. Not to mention a very private matter in front of people. John wasn't exactly all show and tell. “I don't like the whole..” he waggled his fingers in the air as if they would explain. “I don't like the crowd. I don't like the unnecessary mess of that. The sentiment? I understand, I want that.” Whew. It took a minute to get to full fledged honesty. In a way hopefully she'd understand. “And I don't want our kid to think we don't have that. Or you. I don't need a ceremony or a congregation of people or a piece of paper to prove what I already know. But..I know the real significance is important.” “We can just do something simple, it doesn’t have to be a big crowd - it’s just...it is important, and - “ Zatanna was uncharacteristically tripping over her words but she was happy, don’t get her wrong. “Aw, you love me.” She shifted to she could fling herself at him, a possible hug of death or perishing by ‘suffocating via breasts.’ Hers were getting bigger, you know (and it’s not like they’d been small to begin with). “I just want Meg there, she’s my cousin and I don’t have much family left. We’ll need a couple witnesses anyway.” As for timing, she wasn’t too concerned with waiting until the little mate was born and shedding the baby weight. They could do it this weekend, or in two weeks, whatever. Maybe just before she got too huge though. “Oh shut it, you already knew that.” He was mildly concerned when she flung herself, making sure to get a grip on her that wouldn't hurt the little one, bloody hell this kid was going to give him an ulcer and it wasn't here yet. But he squeezed her tightly, pulling her fully into his lap and letting his head rest against hers. The idea was still so shaky. He was going to be a dad and he was going to get bloody married. But everything was fine. There was nothing that he hadn't been able to handle here thus far. Zatanna was right, so… “Whatever you want love, just..simple, please? Maybe no more than two people? And who do we even use to ordain? We're not religious.” He was not about to make a promise before God on something like this. He could kiss his ass. “We’d just find an officiant - there are a few secular options,” Zee replied, snuggling close so she could breathe in the scent of him. Sigh. “At the courthouse, maybe even here - in our own backyard. With the rabbits and the doves, and Layla.” Of course. Zatanna loved that little noodle. “Do they count as guests, or did we mean two actual people?” She was teasing, but not about the fact that she’d want the animals there for their wee tiny marriage ceremony. Later she’d also ask about a party or something - they could host one at the House, which would be fun? But at the moment, she didn’t want to overwhelm John with the idea of some kind of social gathering. Maybe she’d sway him with the idea of presents, as in, a registry. They needed things for the baby anyway. Christ, his heart was palpitating. It helped a little when Zee snuggled in with her warmth, burying his face against hers and closing his eyes. Ugh. “Backyard, yes. Animals? Like a bloody Snow White outing…” But as opposed to people? “Yes, fine the animals instead of the people, Layla can put her paw print on the document, she's good for it.” The little pup was asleep by the fireplace, her new favorite spot, aside from the end of the bed on John’s side. Occasionally cheating to curl up with Zee, who was more of a snuggler. Thankfully she hadn't yet suggested a party in the House of Mystery and John would be laughing to tears. A kid? Okay, marriage, he was depreciating, but a bunch of people in the sanctity of the greatest artifact and holder of such things? Not a bloody chance in hell. One thing at a time. Marriage first--he did just say he didn't like the people thing right? There was something else. Sitting up a little so he could cast a summon into his hand, yellow mana glowing bright like fire until he opened his palm to reveal a ring. It wasn't anything lavishing but it was special, and John stared at it like he'd been reliving something. “This was my mum’s. One of few things that outlasted the fire. She'd have probably said something sentimental about wanting you to have it. If anyone asks how it magically disappeared from the storage, you've no idea, yeah?” After all, his family had no idea of other lives or that containing magic. “John - “ Zee sat up too, taking in a breath that was something of a quiet gasp. It was probably the hormones (alright, no ‘probably’ about that - she felt like an entirely different person the more her pregnancy progressed; it was amazing what those hormones could even do) but she got all misty-eyed. Those blue velvet eyes glowed nearly indigo, so much emotion to be found there. She took the ring, carefully sliding it onto the third finger of her left hand. “It’s beautiful, thank you.” It really was, even it didn’t happen to be a bauble that could rival the Heart of the Ocean, sinking with the Titanic. Zatanna liked the simplicity anyway - that was just a part of them, nothing flashy, not with this. For all of her stage tricks, those were just for show - when it mattered, she was content with the quiet and more subdued; she had enough glitz and glamour in her life. The ring meant a lot to her, it was beautiful in its sentimentality. Leaning in, she placed a hand on his scruffy cheek and kissed him soundly. “And I’m rather excited about marrying you.” This seemed very surreal to him although it was his idea in the first place. John just went along with it because he really wasn't sure what else to do. He just knew it felt like the right thing, making Zatanna happy, and securing a good sound establishment for their baby. Or his family, rather. Bloody hell. “It’s not flashy or anything but, I'm glad you approve,” he never really thought much on trinkets or anything of the sort but it was one of few things of his mother he still had, and John was happy to use it for just such a reason. Constantine returned the kiss tenderly, mostly in a relief. He was doing something right. And her being happy, well, as overly sugary sweet as it sounded, it made him happy too. “And I still can't imagine why,” he smirked sheepishly against her lips--why there were nerves about something so trivial as marriage, he didn't know. “Not that I'm complaining on getting the better end of the deal. But. Did you..want to before or after the ankle biter comes?” This was all a lot, even for Zatanna - she had to assume that John was internally flipping his shit, as the kids say. She’d give him some time to let it all sink in - he usually needed time for that, for changes - before hedging for other things. Like a potential small, quiet, intimate celebration at the House... Well, anyway. “Before is good - I think after we’d have to wait months, just because I’d want to lose the baby weight and we’d be so preoccupied with a newborn.” That took a lot of time and energy, from what she’d heard. “I only need some time to find you a ring and something for me to wear,” she grinned. She’d have fun picking out her wedding dress - might need to go a size or two up than her usual, but whatever. “Probably for the best, right.” Thankfully he had plenty of vacation time set aside so he could help Zee with the newborn at least for the first week or two. He didn't want to leave her alone with it at all, but, someone had to buy the pampers. “I don't need anything, love. But you just tell me when you're ready and we’ll get everything sorted.” At least she was now excited about making something else hers, another thing she might have not had in another life. John was pleased to do that for her. Something right, for a change. |