Who: Zatanna & John Constantine What: Meeting the fam When: Backdated before Paris, after the private ceremony Where: London Warnings: Family schmoop Status: Complete
Zatanna had never been to London before, but she was excited - both excited and nervous, though the latter may be related to meeting John’s family. He insisted they would love her but she was a bit anxious regardless - she just really wanted them all to get along, since she fully anticipated that they’d be a part of Leo’s life once he made his entrance into the world. One comfort was that she’d talked to Cheryl already, at least, John’s sister - and she knew they were coming for a brief visit before hopping on the convenient methods of travel to finish out their honeymoon in Paris.
For the wedding, it had been simple. Non-denominational, a courthouse event, with one witness each. She’d worn a creamy gold dress, strapless chiffon - no train - with a boned bodice on the inside and a lovely princess seam at the back. A bit of a splurge, really, but she wanted to look nice (and not wear white - clearly she wasn’t a virgin, being six months pregnant at her own wedding ceremony), and she’d hoped so much that her heartburn and other unpleasant pregnancy symptoms would be squelched to a dull roar during this.
But it had been great, short and sweet, now they were on a well-deserved vacation.
Red double-decker buses, black cabs rumbling by, blue-uniformed policemen, and of course those grey clouds - all staples of London. Pedestrians carried umbrellas in their endless battle against the rain; they were surrounded by gas towers and apartment blocks, endless rows of shops and houses, roads, railways, and bridges that were separated only by the bright silvery crack in the landscape that was known as the River Thames. The newlyweds rode in one of those black cabs now, and it was then that the driver pulled up in front of Cheryl’s place.
Zee carefully adjusted the skirt of her pleated maternity dress, something casual. Her raincoat covered her sufficiently, and she buttoned it up as they exited the cab. “Ready?” she asked John with a smile, her vibrant blue eyes practically glowing.
Surprisingly getting married wasn't as harrowing as John thought it would be. He didn't care for the two witnesses but it was needed so he just...pretended they weren't there and just enjoyed how happy it made Zatanna. He hadn't seen her like that before. Whether or not it was John's first choice for a baby much less a marriage, the thought hadn't come to his mind anymore. She was just so radiantly full of life that wasn't possible in any other world that..that's really all he cared about.
He liked London well enough, and it did feel much more homey there. Less foreign than America where he was the oddity. He knew the roads and the lore and the context.
Cheryl was doing well for herself and John didn't mind visiting. When Tony wasn't there. But he wasn't alone this time either. Which was awkward. All this settling down and domestication was still new.
Smirking against the rain, shrugging ever lightly in his coat Constantine merely took her hand. “Are you, Missus?” An empty threat. Zatanna got along well with everyone. Probably even could with Tony too. He led her carefully up the cobblestone entrance to the front door, thankfully with an overhang before knocking.
His knuckles barely hit the wood before Cheryl was already pulling them inside out of the rain, a tall petite blonde, like their mother, her blue eyes were just as bright as zatanna’s, accent lighter and more gentle than John’s, “So glad you've made it safely! And finally, please come in and get dry.” She offered to help Zee with her coat before giving her a gentle and warm hug--fussing John out of his wet coat too because she wasn't about to get damp for his sake before his hug assault. “Well Johnny it took you long enough to come for a visit--hopefully with the new expansion we can expect more?” She asked as she clasped Zee’s hands, pure sunshine and sugar--the exact opposite of John.
Being a missus was definitely new for Zee, marriage in general for the both of them - strange in a good way, something to get used to. They definitely wouldn’t have been able to have this (especially in the most recent adventure involving killing demons and Justice League Dark) otherwise, so Zatanna planned on relishing in everything.
Including being welcomed by family - she was blushing, a bit (or maybe it was still that newlywed-pregnancy glow) and she easily slipped out of her coat to reveal the rather prominent baby bump. Travelling during the second trimester was fine, actually recommended in fact - it meant less sickness and less feeling bloated, and she was about at the end of her second, easing into the third. After thirty-six weeks, travelling wasn’t advised at all so she was glad the honeymoon was now. It was a good time to take one.
“Thanks for having us,” she greeted Cheryl with a hug. They had a hotel elsewhere, though they wouldn’t be in London too long - Paris was going to be the chunk of this getaway. “I hope we can come visit more - and of course you’re welcome in Orange County as well, to meet him,” she smoothed her hand over her belly. “It’s coming up so soon.”
“You can come visit whenever you'd like. Just give me notice, yeah? We have to make sure the house is..ready and all that.” John instinctively hovered closer behind Zee and her cargo of their growing within her. He was very cautious and protective the further she got into the pregnancy, ready to throttle any sort of danger or obstacle. Not that he thought his family was going to hurt her--just a natural instinct he'd picked up.
Gemma appeared like the ninja she was, punching John’s arm in greeting before giving him a hug. “At least now he's got no excuse not to show up. Thanks for puttin’ him in line,” the young girl moved to Zee with a bright gleam in her eyes, never expecting her last living uncle to finally move on and now she was getting a cousin! She grinned up at Zee, hovering as if asking permission before placing her hands on her tummy. “You bet we're coming. I gotta come an babysit, show ‘em all the good books and how to adventure. Plus I never been to America before so.”
Constantine rolled his eyes fondly. Gemma was a lot like him when it came to social skills. A young, little rebellious punk (as much as Cheryl would let her so as not to perturb dear Tony), who kept more to herself. At least she could have Leo.
“Alright, how about you back up a little so they can get settled. Please come sit, make yourself at home. I've got snacks going in the kitchen--is there anything that doesn't agree with you, Darling?” Cheryl happily all but stole Zatanna from John, he and Gemma now in tow. “Tony went out for a few things but he should be back soon. Your traveling went well I hope? Don't you worry on asking for anything should you need it.”
“Cheryl, bloody hell, take a breath of air.” His sister shot him a look before smiling apologetically to Zee. More family was a very big deal. John could shush.
Zee didn’t mind Gemma touching her baby bump - she told her as much, a ‘go right ahead’ with a laugh; in fact, Leo was pretty active in there, perhaps wanting in on the family revelry as well. It was possible Gemma would feel a bit of motion, Zatanna certainly did - some days he was quiet, and others he kicked the hell out of her ribs with little respite. “Well, you’ll love the OC if you’ve never been to America,” she said to the teenager. “It’s quite the place. And I’m sure he’d appreciate the tips on books and adventuring.”
Snacks sounded pretty great as well (when did food not sound amazing, to a pregnant lady?), and she went with Cheryl - only having enough time to glance back at John and grin. He was probably itching to run for the door already, but they could survive a little longer. “The flight was smooth, I slept a lot of the time,” she admitted. “We had a layover in New York City. And as far as food goes, I’m good with most things - even meat, which I usually don’t eat but I’ve craved it a lot recently. John was all too eager to get me a cheeseburger instead of what he calls rabbit food,” she teased.
“Of course he does. Remind him you're growing a child in you and Cheryl made sure Zee was comfortable on the couch, just as attentive as John said she'd be, “I'll be back with some tea and snacks. Gemma, you make sure you get her whatever she needs. I'll be right back.” John watched his sister seemingly unamused but it should have been expected.
He didn't like that she kept so many pictures out that probably were best left for an album. How she watched their dead mother and brother every day was beyond him. But this was her house and John instead relaxed beside Zatanna on the couch, sinking back into it and her warm side.
Gemma propped herself up close to Zee, as her uncle was old news at this point. “Mum said you're going to Paris. I never took uncle Johnny for a sap. Maybe Jack. What’d you do to ‘em?” She chuckled deviously, ducking to avoid the pillow John threw in her direction. “Got sick of hearing all your whinin’ about visiting home alone, you sod.”
“He has his moments,” Zatanna laughed too, reaching over and around, scritching her fingers through John’s hair. She was really eager to meet Leo and see who he most resembled - maybe he’d be a mix of both his parents, but she wouldn’t complain if he was a mini-replica of his father (though he’d likely be born with a scowl, as was the grumpy Brit way). “Paris was my idea, he went along with it - mostly because I gave up on the idea of throwing a party after our wedding ceremony, I think. So he acquiesced to a honeymoon.”
And to the family visit, but it was good for him to reconnect with loved ones he hadn’t seen in awhile - family was important, and she knew that John realized it also, deep down. Even if he wouldn’t readily admit that.
“I confess that one of the main reasons I also suggested London was because I wanted embarrassing photos and stories about him.” Oh yes, bring those on - lots of them.
John merely grumbled, giving right into his stereotype, but relaxed at Zatanna’s touch, letting his arm rest on the couch behind her. “Yes, that is exactly why. But I would have said yes anyways just to get out of town for a bit. A win-win situation, really.” Constantine liked traveling. In fact, staying in one place was difficult for him. He couldn’t really place why, he just liked to be moving.
At least their house could take them anywhere at any time. Having that in the back of his mind had helped.
Gemma was already reaching for one of many albums on the shelf, her converse squeaking against the floor, before scooting into Zee’s side of the couch, flipping it open. “We’ve got plenty o’ those. Here’s the first time Uncle Johnny got into a pub fight and Uncle Jack had to talk the constables into thinking it was the other guy--even though John started it. Look at his face! I’m just glad my mum took pictures. Grandma wasn’t happy I don’t think.”
“Why is that in a picture album?” John leaned over to flip the page hastily, “Show some bloody baby nonsense instead--” Cheryl cut him off, coming in with nice hot tea, Chamomile for everyone, biscuits, and fruit, setting it on the coffee table and of course tending to Zee first. “Oh lighten up John, those are your favorite pictures anyways. I’m sure Zatanna isn’t out of the know. She knows who she married.” The older sibling replied, matter of factly before sitting on the other side of the table with her tea in hand.
John’s face was nothing short of frigid. They were his favorite pictures. When certain family members were still alive. But surprisingly, John didn’t back talk his older sister, he kept quiet, rolled his eyes and put tea and food down his throat so nothing else would come out…
“Anyways”, Gemma cleared her throat after reaching for a biscuit. “Here’s some of their boring kiddy pictures. Guess which one is Johnny.” She teased gently, running her smaller fingers over the picture of a younger Cheryl cradling her twin brothers. There was only one who was displeased enough to pull her hair. Big leap there.
So as not to be rude, Zee didn’t grab the biscuits and shove them all into her face like the cookie monster - she actually managed to restrain herself, taking a biscuit (just one for now!) and some strawberry pieces, along with a cup of tea. She loved tea, gods and goddesses, she’d be right at home here in England.
“Aw!” The giggle-snort came out when she saw John post-pub brawl, it was unable to be helped, and she clapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m not surprised he started it. Do you even remember what it was about?” she teased her husband (still odd, still apt to make her grin goofily), nudging his side. “You were a really cute kid, too.”
Of course he was. Scowling and frowny, as she readily expected. “I’m going to guess you’re the one being a little devil,” she hummed, like it was difficult to put two and two together. Not so much but it was nice to know that there was photographic evidence around of John being a shit - he’d never grown out of that.
John couldn't really be mad when his pregnant half was giggle-snorting, even at his expense. Eyes attempting not to roll from his head as he pretended to be preoccupied with his tea. “‘Course I don't remember, I was pissed outta my mind. Coulda looked at me wrong for all I know.” He was young, dumb, and a punk.
He could have been worse if it hadn't been for Jack. The only thing that kept John from feeling so awkward about no longer having his twin was living in a city full of realities where Jack had been the “Golden Boy” and never existed.
“What Cheryl isn't telling you is that she was poking at us before that picture. I was merely retaliating.” His sister rolled her eyes fondly, taking some tea before focusing back on Zatanna, her new sister in law that she hardly knew at all. “What about you, Zatanna? What brought you to California, and my grumpy brother? Not that I'm complaining about getting the sister I've always wanted.”
“Well, I grew up in a traveling circus - we never really settled anywhere for very long,” she started, taking a few more fruit pieces to nibble on - apples and banana and such, Zee would gladly put those away. Feeding the pregnant lady every few hours was advised. “After my parents and sister passed away, the circus folk were all the family I had left. I decided to make it on my own for awhile as a stage magician, putting to use what I was taught, and then I ended up in Orange County to do my act at a casino - from there, it sort of snowballed.”
She’d been there a couple of years now, and there had definitely been low points - but there had been high points too. Zatanna had loved and lost, fell in love again, got knocked up, started a Magic Guild, helped others - all not in that order, but everything was equally important to defining who she was.
“I met John over a year ago. I was interested in the Occult History class he taught,” she grinned, though it was also that she knew him, literally, as the man from her dreams.
Another poor soul who'd endured loss, it was like a Disney movie requirement these days wasn't it? Or maybe Cheryl was just paying too much attention to children's movie formulas because she'd had to watch so many.
All the same, she was just happy Zatanna had come into their lives, into John’s life. She was good for him. She could already tell by John's demeanor. He was himself but...he wasn't soaked in grief or putting up walls, eye rolling, but he had life. Almost like he did before their mother and brother had died.
“Of course, not exactly the type of subject anyone would pick but at least he stuck it out. And found you. Turns out your want to move West was exactly what you needed, eh John?” Before Constantine could give her some smart ass remark, beloved Tony strolled in, dumping his cargo into the kitchen before joining them in the living room. “Perfect timing, Darling, John and Zatanna have just arrived.”
Tony greeted his wife with a kiss before moving to see his new in-law. “So glad to finally meet you, Cheryl has been in borderline hysterics, I'm Tony, and you must be the lovely Zatanna.” He reached for a warm handshake, not daring make her stand on his account. “Johnny, so good to finally see you at home again, what took you so long to show us your lovely new bride?”
John made absolutely no move to greet Tony but his eyes watched him like a hawk, sitting upright against Zee’s side. “Oh just busy being a professor. Enjoying life away from here. The usual.”
Zatanna, with a pretty smile, shook Tony’s hand. She knew that John didn’t care for him, but there was no reason why she couldn’t be friendly on her end. “That would be me - though I feel more ‘huge’ as opposed to ‘lovely.’ But it’s so nice to meet you too,” she said; she’d do her best to quell any snark from Constantine, though no doubt his family was already quite used to it by now.
“He’s a great professor, I should add, his students seem to like him. He even has a TA,” the Mistress of Magic shared. “For doing a lot of the boring tasks, I imagine.”
Life in the OC was anything but boring, but leaving out details of all the shenanigans seemed to be best. Not to mention it was difficult to believe anyway, and would make them sound completely nuts.
“Well he worked really hard to get his degree so I should hope he is.” Cheryl gave a loving wink to her brother before settling in on the loveseat with her husband. Gemma moved to sit on the armrest next to John, still flipping through the album and looking for more collateral her aunt should be aware of.
“What about you Tony?” Constantine was ever so happy to interject, flipping the conversation away from him, where it should be. Even if he couldn't give half a shit.
Tony took his own cup of tea and helped himself to a biscuit, “Oh same old, everything at the church is doing great, still having a hard time getting Gemma to come and play her part but such is the way with kids. What do you predict for Leo there, Johnny? Another troublemaker like the rest of the family?”
He'd expressed in such a way that was obviously joking, but, John knew it was passive, pinching the bridge of his nose and motioning to Zee’s belly. “I think he'll be a healthy baby and sense Zee’s family genes are incredibly strong, we won't have to worry on that.”
Gemma playing her part at the church? Yeesh. That must get annoying, having a Jesus freak for a father - Zatanna knew how John felt about that, and also how he felt about the big guy upstairs. Meaning, not very favorably. So she wouldn’t exactly call attention to that, or get into a theological debate right now. It wasn’t the best time for it.
Instead, she remained friendly and polite - alienating any member of John’s family certainly wasn’t on her agenda either. Besides, Cheryl must see something in Tony the Bible Thumper or else she wouldn’t have married him. “Healthy is what we’re going for,” she agreed, resting her hand on her expanding stomach, arm draped over the bump. “Everything looks good though, according to the doctor. I’m on track to deliver the beginning of November. I’ve a feeling he’ll probably will have John’s nose though.”
That was said with sweet teasing, as she held her beloved’s chin in her hand and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
John softened at her open display of affection and ongoing joke about his nose, which would have otherwise made him self conscious, but aside from the scars on his face he wasn’t displeased with his bone structure. “At least we’re both not awful looking,” He countered and took her hand so he could hold it, breathing a small sigh of ease because he couldn’t give a fuck about Tony and let his energy go south when Leo was doing so well, and so was Zatanna.
It wasn’t that he enjoyed fighting. He was just very good at being blunt with his opinions.
Gemma chuckled and moved away from John’s side to come to Zee, looking kind of sheepish but fearlessly asking. “Aunt Zee, ya think I can..y’know, listen/feel Leo? I’ve never felt or seen a baby in a belly before. And I heard that they will remember you if you talk to them.” Clearly, she wanted this relationship to bud early. Gemma didn’t have many friends and fewer family. She was excited for her new cousin to come around.
Cheryl seemed nothing less than pleased as pudding, she’d probably start crying if it got any more familial in the general area, out of happiness of course, but even John smiled at his niece. “Be careful. He kicks. Hard.”
“He does kick hard - my ribs certainly feel it some days,” Zee chuckled, though she took Gemma’s hand and placed it on her belly - sort of near the front, moving it around a bit to get the best spot. “I’m about at the point where the doctor said to start counting kicks. Oh, wait - “
Yep, there it was - kind of a baby Olympic tumble or flip going on there. For Zatanna, the sensation was very alien, literally, as in it felt like an alien wiggling around within her. Something that had definitely increased from ‘popping popcorn’ sensations to more of a ow. Occasionally, he’d even kick her hard enough to wake her up - though she took it all as a good sign.
“Feel that?” she asked, her hand over Gemma’s. “I’m certain he’ll remember you, when he meets you again.”
Gemma was more than delighted, her eyes twinkling up and patting gently at her cousin from the other side of Zee’s tummy, even pressing her ear there in case she could hear anything. “You gonna be a futbol player, Leo? Your mum is sweet, don't do backflips. I'll teach you somersaults when you come out ok?”
Instinctively John's first move would have been to try and move Leo a little, using the warm magic in his hand or the telekinesis to safely rearrange his son out from under Zatanna’s ribs. But that wasn't an option right now.
Instead he rubbed her side gently, trying not to keep composure over how disgustingly adorable his niece was, happy to know Leo would have her and she him.
Gemma really was adorable, and Zee couldn’t help but feel all the squish because of it. She was a sweet kid - she’d also love Orange County, no doubt, and all the oddness that came along with even being there for a visit. If the family came for the holidays, it might even be snowing again. Food for thought.
“Seems like he’s destined for a career as a futbol player,” she laughed - oh, right, soccer. Not like sports were her thing. But soon, Leo would be kicking her bladder and other organs - bouncing on the first, no doubt, causing Zatanna to have to pee like every other minute.
But that was a small price to pay. She loved the rib-kicker, she loved her snarky husband, and his family was pretty great too. Pretty much made the bad of what she’d experienced more than worth it in the end.