ArchivedLogs:Early Christmas Presents

Early Christmas Presents
Dramatis Personae Anette and Akihiro
In Absentia	Christmas Eve "Whoever they turn out to be, they'll be strong"
Location <BOM> The Nightfort - Ascension Island
A comfortable three-bedroom cabin, sturdily built if inelegant. The front door opens up into a cozy sitting room, sparsely furnished as yet. A futon, a coffeetable, a bookshelf (largely stacked with programming books). The sitting room is adjoined by an equally simple kitchenette with room for small table. The three bedrooms here -- two off the sitting room, one on the other side of the kitchen -- are not uniform in size nor layout, with the considerably smaller kitchen-adjacent room having its own screened-in porch. The one bathroom off the living room has an extremely large claw-foot tub that takes up much of its space. It's been a long few days for Anette and it shows. Right now, she wears a white bathrobe as she lays on the couch with a blanket tossed over her. Her face is pale, dark circles linger under her eyes, and her hair looks like it hasn't been washed or brushed but it HAS been pulled into a ponytail. She's looked like this before and, unfortunately, it's never a good sign. Laying on her legs but otherwise ignoring her is Vader, curled up with his head on his tail, sleeping peacefully. By contrast, Anette isn't sleeping and could almost be mistaken for mindlessly watching TV. If the TV was on. Akihiro creeps up, shifting his grip on several wrapped boxes so he can knock on the door. "Raccoon City police, open up." he calls out, breath visible. In contrast to Anette, Akihiro has his hair combed, face shaves, and a smart London Fog jacket and jeans. Anette stands up, earning an angry growl from Vader as he's woken and kicked off his spot. She walks to the door and opens it, looking at Akihiro with surprise when she sees him standing there. Apparently, hearing him speak was not enough to convince her he was there. "Ak-you. What are you doing here? It's not Christmas already, is it?" She seems genuinely concerned she has her dates wrong. "Nope, it's a little early." Akihiro offers Anette a warm smile. He squeezes past and plants a quick smooch onto her forehead. "Thought I'd slip a few things under your tree. Except," the larger box is passed over, "this is for tonight." Anette steps aside, still looking less than thrilled at Akihiro's presence. "Oh...ok," is all she can mumble as she closes the door behind him, taking the box handed to her. "More...boxes? Why?" she asks, still standing beside the closed door. "I only got you a couple things. I suppose...while you're here." "Because I didn't buy anybody else Christmas but you. It's not like I don't have cash to blow." Akihiro stashes the other two boxes under the tree, then turns to face Anette again. "You didn't have to get me anything. And it can wait, I just figured I'd go ahead and give you the practical gift." "I guess it's up to you. Yours is the big one, with the blue ribbon. If you want it," Anette says, vaguely motioning towards the tree. And considering Vader has reclaimed the tiny, present-free spot under the tree as his, Akihiro might have fun reaching for his present. "Sorry, it's just...a really bad time right now. I wasn't expecting anyone over," she says, though she does slowly begin peeling at the paper on the present Akihiro gave her. Akihiro considers the spot, then considers Vader. After what feels like a long while, he decides not to test his luck with the cat. "Well, I can head out if you want. Come back tomorrow." He leans against the side of the couch, arms crossing as he watches Anette open the leather jacket he got her. Anette opens up the jacket, letting the paper fall to the floor as she holds the jacket in front of her. "It's...beautiful," she says, staring for some time before she clears her throat and drapes the jacket over her arm. "Thank you," she says, making her way over to Akihiro and planting a quick peck on his cheek. "Well, I...wasn't prepared for this. But since you're here. I have to tell you eventually." She stands beside Akihiro, laying the jacket on the back of the couch as she leans back. She stares at the floor, taking a few deep breaths before she quickly spills out. "I'm pregnant." Akihiro opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out as Anette says she's pregnant. Once his brain catches up he wraps his arms around Anette, pressing his lips to her forehead. "How're you taking the news? Is everything all right?" His hands fall to her waist as he steps back to look her over. "Have you looked at me? Of course everything is not all right," Anette snaps. She quickly looks away, taking another deep breath. "I don't...I don't know. I'll be honest, I thought about not saying anything and just getting it..taken care of." Her eyes brim with...tears? "I've never been so scared in my life." "I could barely tell, you look so beautiful." Akihiro doesn't seem to mind the snapping. "Well, I'm glad you didn't. You don't have to do any of this alone. What kind of best friend would I be if you did?" He steps back in to hug her if she allows it. "I feel like being the father might upgrade you from best friend. I don't know to what though," Anette says, wiping some of the tears from her eyes. She turns away from him to stare out at the living room, though she remains standing beside him and in his arms. "I don't know what I'm going to do. Every option just feels...wrong." "I'd hope not. Don't have to pick between best friend and baby's daddy." Akihiro rests his palms on Anette's stomach. "Guess we know why you weren't feeling well now, huh?" He rests his forehead against the back of her head, just standing there with her for the moment. "How about instead of worrying about it right now, you just let me take care of you for a while? If you need anything, just say the word." "I hate how little you're worried," Anette says quietly, leaning into Akihiro as he holds her. "This is everything I've ever feared." She sighs softly, looking to Akihiro again. "I suppose I have to tell Regan soon. Maybe she'll know what to do." "Well, one of us has to be calm." Akihiro teases. He nods slightly, "I'm sure she will." His hands drift idly over Anette's midsection as they talk, "I know you don't like me saying it, but I love you Anette. I'm gonna make sure you have everything goes as smooth as possible." "Things are bad when you're the calm and rational one," Anette teases back. As Akihiro places his hand on her stomach, she tenses a bit, glancing down like she might remove it. But she doesn't and she remains standing beside him. When he tells her he loves her, she doesn't argue it. "What did I do to deserve you?" she says quietly. "Tolerate my bullshit." Akihiro sighs quietly. "I know I'm a little... much, at times. And I'm sorry. I really do just want the best for you." She doesn't have to remove his hands, because he lowers them back to her hips himself. "You say that like I'm a prize," Anette says. She gently places her own hand on her stomach, as if reminding herself of the more serious subject on hand. "I can't be a mother. I'd be horrible. And what am I going to do, raise a child on an island of criminals and terrorists?" "Just the most wonderful person I know." Akihiro falls silent for a second. "There are worse places to raise a child. We're all family here. We have teachers, scientists, and scholars. Not really your average band of murderous terrorists." "I know, I just..." Anette glances towards the door, collecting her thoughts. "How many times have I been caught in a riot or anti-mutant protest or trouble with the law? I've been shot and stabbed and, hell, I've been attacked by a jaguar. This is my life, this is /our/ life. And now I'm supposed to bring a child into that?" "You have a fair point. But they'd be /our/ child. Whoever they turn out to be, they'll be strong. Who knows, maybe even strong enough to make the difference we haven't." Akihiro presses his lips to Anette's neck. "We'll never know if we don't try." Anette smiles softly as Akihiro kisses her neck. "This is, assuming, I keep it. There are...a few other options," Anette says, her smile falling slightly. "Assuming you keep it." Akihiro dips his head in a slight nod. "Now I'm sure there's something we can do to help you relax a little. You don't ever stay up like this unless something's wrong." Anette shakes her head. "I don't think there's anything anyone can do. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be like this for about nine months." She chuckles a bit. "What's wrong is I'm pregnant, I'm terrified, and I don't know what to do." "Yeah, that was stupid of me." Akihiro chuckles softly. "Well, we'll figure it out. Some day we'll wonder why it was such a big deal, I'm sure."