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Verity (jokeshopgirl) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-04-12 18:53:00

Who: Alice Ayres and Verity
When: Friday, 4/12
Where: The Tea Shop
What: Verity has a confession and needs advice
Rating: Low, though reference to morning sickness
Status: Complete



Verity had been feeling all kinds of crappy. Not only had she been nauseous all the time, not eating well, not drinking well, not sleeping well... but she hadn’t seen Oliver in a very, very long time. They’d been texting and talking on the phone, but she felt terrible about keeping this from him. It felt like lying, felt like cheating--though she didn’t cheat. This was some miraculous thing, some gift from heaven or hell or some dream-induced craziness.

In any case, she knew that she needed some advice on the Oliver front. She headed to the tea shop where she knew Alice worked, and took a seat at a table in her section.

Alice had dropped off some tea to a client and went to greet the person who’d sat down in her section. It was a face she recognized. “Verity! Hey, how’re you?” She sat down across her friend for a moment, beaming.

Verity probably looked fairly gray around the face, with dark circles under her eyes. The stress and the pregnancy were affecting her sleep, on top of everything else. But she put on a smile when Alice sat down, and tried her best to brighten up. “Hi.” She said, picking at her fingernails. “I’m all right. Are you busy?”

Alice bit her lower lip. “Of course I am, but not too busy for you. What kind of tea do you want? I’ll get us a cup.” She reached out to put a hand over her friend’s hand, squeezing gently.

“Something herbal?” Verity asked. “Lemon, maybe? Ginger?” She didn’t know the kinds of teas the shop had. “Something that’ll go easy on my stomach.” Ooh, maybe saltines if they had them.

“Ginger pu’erh tea, coming right up. It’s good for tummy problems.” Alice smiled, hopping up to get her friend a good tea kettle and some nibbles. She came back with a tray, smiling. “I hope you’re sleeping okay.”

Verity gave Alice a nod and a smile, then settled back in her chair. This place was nice. It wasn’t too bright, and there weren’t any strong smells to make her feel sick. “I’m not really,” Verity confessed. “I... I’ve been pretty stressed. I need to ask you something,” she added, finally finding the courage. “And I need it to stay between us.”

“Of course. I’m good at keeping secrets.” Alice took her hand, hoping it was a soothing gesture. “Anything I can do to help.”

Verity gave a little nod. She let out a gush of terrified air, hoping that would calm her down. It did, but only just. “I’m pregnant.”

It took Alice a few moments to process the information, if only because she knew that Verity and Oliver hadn’t shagged yet. “Oh my gosh, Verity.” She squeezed her friends’ hands tighter. “You haven’t told Oli yet.”

“No.” Verity shook her head. She was absolutely terrified to tell him. Scared that this would be the end. Though, with the baby on the way, the end was in sight. “But... Alice, I’ve been celibate for months. I’m ten weeks pregnant, and I haven’t had sex since November.”

That made Alice’s jaw drop. “Oh, Ver, no wonder you look so scared.” She moved to sit down next to her friend, wrapping her arms around her. “Honestly, you know what I think? It’s this place. It’s ... so mad here, and Thor can fly and magical clothes and singing and snow and wishes coming true - pregnancy out of nowhere seems almost logical.” She lightly rubbed Verity’s back. She’d known a bunch of women who were pregnant without expecting it from her previous profession. Occupational hazzard.

Verity was comforted by the arms around her, and she leaned her head against Alice’s shoulder. Funny how not too long ago she was really uncomfortable around the woman, and now she felt... well, a little better. They were becoming friends. It was good.

“The only thing I can think of is the first night I spent with Oliver in his bed. That first night he was home from the hospital. I had this really insane, intense dream with him in it. We were married, and trying to make a baby. And we used magic in the dream.” That was the only thing she could think of. “Though, for weeks I’ve been dreaming about sex. Nothing but sex.” Ever since she and Oliver made their pact not to climax unless it was together... and they hadn’t done that at all. So Verity had gone for weeks without release. Insanely hard to do with her hormones all out of control.

“As mad as that sounds, I don’t think you’re wrong.” Alice stroked Verity’s hair for a moment before pouring them each a cup of tea. “Here. This’ll help your stomach.” Alice did not envy telling Oliver about the baby. Alice and Oliver were still as close as ever, at least in spirit, even if Alice felt a certain sadness around her best friend.

“He’s never going to believe me.” Verity said, watching Alice pour the tea. She was thankful for that, and for the cup to sip. Once it was poured, even though it was still quite hot, Verity reached forward and wrapped both hands around the cup. “I’m not sure if I even believe me half the time.”

“DNA test should take care of that. And Verity, I love Oliver too - not in the same way, mind - but you have to know something about him. He’s kind of an asshole.” Alice wrapped her arm around her friend, curling her legs underneath her like she had in grade school. “If he doesn’t stand by you during all of this, I’m going to punch him in the face.”

“They have something called the SNP Microarray. It’s a blood test where they can find the baby’s DNA in my bloodstream.” Verity had been doing some research. She discussed it with the nurse at her OB/GYN’s clinic, and didn’t like the risks involved with amniocentisis. This Microarray thing held no risks, though it was more expensive. “...I haven’t done it yet, but they can do a whole DNA Make-up. If they have Oliver’s DNA they can compare it, and test for paternity.”

“See?” Alice had known that there’d never be a question about Verity keeping the baby. Verity wasn’t the sort to do something like that. Alice felt a weird, momentary pang of jealousy. She wanted to be pregnant.

“Oliver is ... I really don’t think he’ll abandon you.” Alice smiled a little softly. “And if he does, I’ll have to look after you more.” She felt a weird sisterly affection toward her.

Verity wouldn’t say no to that. She could definitely use the support. Her brother and sister-in-law were here, and her mother and father not so far away that they couldn’t come and visit a lot, but without Oliver... Verity felt like she couldn’t stay here on her own. If this really was the end of her relationship with Oliver, Verity would probably move back home with her parents to have the baby. Her mother was probably going to be thrilled.

“I just have to... tell him.” She said. Much easier said than done. Though, keeping it from him had been very, very difficult, too. She felt like she was lying to him whenever they spoke.

“Do you want me to help? For moral support? I can sit with you.” Alice smiled sheepishly. “Then again, he’ll think you’ve left him for me or something, the nutter.”

“Oh, no.” Ver said, shaking her head a little. “I think I have to tell him on my own. But maybe you can be around afterward for... I dunno. I have a feeling he’s going to need someone to talk to or drink with over the whole thing. And that person either can’t or shouldn’t be me.” She swallowed. “...I could use your help, though. After I’ve told him, and he’s freaked out, can you help to convince him to take a DNA test? Just to be sure?”

“Of course.” Alice nodded gravely, still hugging her friend. If worst came to worst, Alice would pull the hair from his head on her own. Running from his problems wasn’t helping him now, and it certainly wouldn’t help him in the future with a child.

" I wouldn't blame him if he didn't believe me. I mean, it's really ridiculous thing isn't it? Sometimes I don't even believe it myself, but I've got the ultrasound to prove it." She reached into her purse and pulled out small black and white picture of what looked like a tiny ghost on a staticy television screen and held it out to Alice.

Alice smiled, leaning against her friend and hugging her. “He’ll have to believe it, won’t he? He’s been in this place long enough. If he doesn’t, we can smack him.”

“I like the smacking him idea,” Verity said, smirking softly as she leaned back against her friend. “...I have no idea how long I can keep this up. I feel like I’m constantly lying to him. I’ve been avoiding him, as much as I hate myself for it.”

“You should probably tell him sooner, rather than later. That way you won’t feel so bad.” She kissed Verity’s forehead.

“I will. I’ll tell him.” Alice wasn’t a large woman, but Verity wasn’t, either. It was kinda easy for the blonde to curl up against the other’s shoulder. And it was comforting, too. But then she felt a wave of nausea come on, and her mouth started to water.

“Excuse me.” She said, pulling away quickly. She glanced around, found the sign for the bathroom, and bolted in that direction.

Alice looked after her friend sadly, wishing that at least her pregnancy could be easier. She bit her lower lip as she watched her run.