(no subject)

[not_that_spike]

Beth Junior's propped up in his lap and he's got the book out so she can see it. It's a stupid book, but it's also kind of funny and he figures it can't hurt to read to her, no matter how much or how little she actually understands. At least the colors are bright and the words have an easy cadence to them, so he keeps on while Beth's brushing her teeth.

"A green dog over a tree." That's ridiculous; he points to a green dog flying a yellow helicopter. Dogs don't know how to be pilots... not that he's going to burst Junior's bubble on that one or anything. Somewhere deep inside he still holds onto this stubborn idea of a house on Venus with the three of them, maybe a big dog like he had when he was a kid, working in the yard with his NO DAMN SYNDICATE OWNS ME t-shirt declaring his status proudly.

Yeah, right: as if.

"A yellow dog under a tree. Look, Junior, this one's reading, just like we are."

He covets the dog's hammock.

"Two dogs in a house on a boat in the water." The dogs' house has a diving board: that's practical. "A dog over the water. A dog under the water. A... knock at the door. Hold that thought." Setting aside Go, Dog. Go! for the time being, he scoops up Little Beth and, after a glance at the bathroom to make sure Beth's got all the privacy she needs -- that bathroom door never gets closed quite all the way in here any more -- he moves to the room door. They're not expecting anyone, but people have been known to drop by. It's probably Elaine.

"Yo." He pulls the door open about halfway; Beth Junior turns her wobbly little head with a curious but huge grin that serves as its own damn welcoming committee. She's so precious, so sweet, so innocent. He hopes that never changes. And then it's his turn to smile. "Hey. Great, you found the place." Taking just a moment, he sets the number 8 back up on its bottom, but it's going to fall over onto its side again any second now; he's so used to that. "Come on in."

Comments

[not_that_spike]

The low confidential tone is something he understands intimately; fortunately Ingress is so enchanted with Beth and the baby that she's not paying attention to stupid boring grownup talk. Hell, if he was five or whatever, he wouldn't be listening in either. So for now all he does is absorb the information, tucks it away. It's one of those things he can think about or not -- process or not -- in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep.

When he ought to be asleep.

But hell, not now: the hush-hush part of the conversation is over and the realization is dawning on him that people get back and forth inside the house too by painting and not by doors, and that's... well, shit, it's a hell of a relief. After what happened this summer, he won't miss holding his breath every damn time he reaches for a doorknob or every damn time Beth reaches for a doorknob. The House of Arch is separate from Milliways but tenuously joined, and that alone makes him feel a fuck of a lot better.

And Tom... he's some wizard or something and he does whatever it is that makes the place coexist with Milliways, and that's cool. Shit, he ought to be paying the guy to let them stay there. It's such an opportunity.

"Charms pull you through, huh? That's kind of fun. Hey, Beth." He turns to watch them: his Beth, little Beth, and Ingress who's been through some unspeakable shit but seems normal as anything -- Tom must be doing a good job with her -- and his shoulders relax. If Beth thinks his little magic tricks are good, she's going to fucking love this portrait shit. "You women need anything over there?"

Damn if he doesn't suddenly feel like they're part of this extended family. In all his years here, the only one he's felt that connected to before was Beth. It might be real nice to relax that and let a few more people in.

[stbethadettes]

By this time, Beth's made a point of assuring Ingress that Spike was taught well at the diaper-changing business and that she must be a great official big sister if she could give such good pointers.

And she only had to gently keep Junior from leading Ingress's finger straight into her waiting mouth one time. Only foiled for a moment, the baby sticks her own finger in her mouth instead.

With her attention divided, she's only caught bits and pieces of the conversation about the house itself, but Spike'll probably be able to tell her nearly word-for-word how things work.

"No, but I think there's a diaper change in my near future," she almost smirks, "unless you feel like demonstrating your skill."

And she doubts that, but before anything else, she shifts the baby in her arms and turns to Tom. "What does keying us to the paintings involve? Do we have to do anything?"

To say it's all new to her is a pretty serious understatement.

[young_tmriddle]

"You needn't do a thing but stand before the painting in Milliways. I'll cast a charm that enables the magic in the painting to recognize you by your essential "you"-ness. You won't feel anything."

[smallestopener]

"Some magic tickles, but it's a good tickle," Ingress reassures Spike and Beth.

[not_that_spike]

Ingress... she makes him laugh; the whole being sociable thing has its upside too. "You said tomorrow afternoon, right? We can do that: just let us know the time and we'll be there." For once he doesn't mind promising something for Beth and of course, Junior will be included in that; it wouldn't do to get passageway through without the baby. She's the whole reason they got invited, after all, or at least he's pretty damn sure of that.

Once they know Ingress better, he bets Beth will let her hold Beth Junior. But not right yet, not today.

"You... need anything else from us right now? Passports? Fingerprints? Keys to my spaceship? Just kidding." Really, he's still kind of overwhelmed by everything and he can't wait to talk to Beth about it. It's like someone dropped that golden ticket from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into their laps, and he's not going to overlook that. Not a chance in hell.

[young_tmriddle]

"No, we don't need anything. I know it's rather odd to find yourself in a situation like this. In my experience, there is always an ulterior motive to any action. I assure you both - we have rooms we don't need, and we like being able to help people stuck here enjoy their lives in a comfortable home. Ingress, why don't you say goodbye for now. You can come back later, perhaps, or wait to visit when Beth and Spike have moved in."

[smallestopener]

"Okay," she says, reluctantly leaving the baby. "Spike, maybe you can be one of my teachers once you move in. I like learning fighting stuff. Bye bye!"

She waves, taking Tom's hand as he reaches for the doorknob.

[stbethadettes]

Holding little Beth up so they're cheek-to-cheek, Beth grins and waves bye to Ingress.

Junior smells vaguely like baby powder, and she lets out one of the biggest yawns Beth thinks she's ever seen from her before.

Cradling the baby close, she straightens and takes a step closer to Spike.

"Well--" She has to be honest. "--I almost don't know what to tell you, Tom." But it's one time she feels absolutely certain she can speak for Spike, too. "But we appreciate this a lot."

[not_that_spike]

"Catch you tomorrow. And... you're on, Ingress, so long as it's okay with Door and Tom."

Bang.

Every once in a while something so damn unexpected happens that he's not quite sure what to do about it; this is one of those. Usually it's not a good thing but this time... well, shit, it's great. As the door closes behind Tom and Ingress, he runs a hand through his hair and turns to Beth.

"Shit, Slim. How 'bout that?" Junior's all tuckered out; he reaches for her. "Let me change her and get her settled and... then we can start figuring out the next move." But first things first; taking care of Beth Junior. Until she can take care of herself -- and beyond -- that's going to be top priority for both of them.

As he moves with the baby to the changing table, he gives Beth a wink. This... is going to be great. He's unintentionally made the perfect thing happen for them, and he couldn't be more pleased if he'd done it on purpose.