(no subject)

[not_that_spike]

They're all keyed -- or whatever the hell it's called -- to the painting and now there's no point in waiting: time to pack. He still can't believe it; things like this don't happen for him. Maybe that shit this summer was the last in a lifetime's run of bad luck and now things are taking a turn for the better. Whatever it is, he's not going to look this gift horse in the mouth. Instead he's got boxes from Bar so they can pack up their things and get moving, and that's what they're in the middle of doing. It's kind of amazing how much crap Beth Junior has already. More than he does; it's kind of amusing.

"I can't believe we haven't even seen the place yet. We should go take a look." He hasn't had a place of his own since... since he was with Julia, still inside the Syndicate: a whole lifetime ago. A whole couple lifetimes ago. All the diapers go into a box; he's not bothering labeling anything because really, what they have is so minimal it won't take long to unpack. A whole lot of unknown lies ahead, but that doesn't frighten him. In fact, it makes things interesting. They'll still have the bar and the lake and the greenhouses and all that shit, but in private -- where it matters -- they'll have more space.

Last year he promised Beth Christmas on Venus. This year, it's Christmas in a new place. The past year's changed his life in so damn many ways, he can't even begin to count them. He's richer by far where it counts -- in his heart and soul -- and though he's never been one to rest on his accomplishments, he thinks this year's seen so much change. Whether or not it was intended, it is what it is and now he just can't imagine life without Beth Junior.

And he didn't think he had room in his heart to love anyone besides Beth. Looks like he was wrong about that one.

Comments

[stbethadettes]

"I think you're sweet." One of her legs hooks possessively over his. "I also think I'll be making some trips while you watch the baby."

Maybe they're both stubborn, but she's not helpless. It's true that since before Junior was born she's craved something a little closer to a normal life, but she'll be damned if she's regulated to stay-with-the-baby-and-take-it-easy status just because she's a mom now.

She's more than capable, and though his stubbornness is one of the things she likes so much about him, his macho streak and her need for independence apparently have to duke it out from time to time over stupid things.

"But I definitely think trying out the bathtub sounds good."

Maybe they should think about getting a baby monitor after all. It would let them take showers together and hear the baby over the running water if she starts crying.

And honestly, she misses the showers.

"You know I can keep a secret."

[not_that_spike]

Yeah, he knows she can. And if she really wants to bring over some boxes, he won't complain: he loves spending quality time with Junior. It's also why he brought the heaviest things over already; the rest of the boxes are fairly light in comparison. And then there are the few clothes hanging in the closet back over the bar he didn't bother to box up, figuring they were just going to go from one closet to the next and why make extra work if they don't have to?

He's lazy by opportunity instead of necessity. One of those little survival habits he's picked up over the years: relax when he can, sleep when he can, be awake when he can.

"You really want to move stuff, Beth, I'm not going to say no. Just... not right this minute. It's kind of peaceful and relaxing." And really, they don't have a lot of those moments these days.

The bed is nice. "Strange having her in another room, isn't it?" Maybe they ought to go check on her, she's being so quiet, and then he hears it: she's in there talking.

Talking.

To herself, and damn if she doesn't sound amused as hell; he has to work hard at not laughing but he doesn't want to disturb her little moment of whatever.

"Think we should go look?" She sounds okay. In fact, she sounds like she's having a hell of a time... and he'd love to see the look that goes along with it.

[stbethadettes]

It's very strange having Junior in another room after all this time, but even with how fiercely protective Beth feels about her, few things can cramp your style like having a baby live in the same room with you 24 hours a day every single day.

This is good for all of them.

Her expression softens more at the sound of that low conversational babble coming from the nursery, and she nods after a moment. "Let's check on her."

It's all new for her, too.

Lifting herself off the bed, she walks quietly to the archway and peeks into the nursery after a silent smile to Spike.

Junior's just hanging out there, on her back, the toy spaceship clutched in one hand, and it occurs to Beth that the crib is really just asking for a mobile over it.

There's a break in the babble, and she can see those little legs kick.

[not_that_spike]

She's... so fucking cute, that baby, lying there amusing the hell out of herself. It's a new experience for her, being in a crib. He sure as hell wasn't expecting all these furnishings or whatever, but... here it all is, and here they are, and it's a new home to get used to.

It's sweet in a bittersweet kind of way; if he could have it all, he'd be back out there among the stars and planets with the both of them. But he can't have it all and he's made his choice, knows exactly what's important to him now. It's not the gun and it's not the bounties and it's not the thrill of the chase. It's not piloting through the darkness or kicking some guy's ass or any of that shit. What's important is right here... and they're both named Beth

He's glad about that. For a while Junior was going to be named David, until Beth found out she was a girl. Either way would have been fine with him but it was never up to him. All he knows is if she'd been a boy, Beth might not have come back this summer. There would have been this sense of obligation, somehow, to help repopulate her Earth and... well... he doesn't like to think about where he'd be now if that had happened.

In the crib, Junior's legs start to pump faster. She gives a little grunt and he knows what that means: time to get the diapers and changing supplies unpacked. "I'll take care of that one, unless you have a real strong desire to do the first diaper change in the new place: I'm easy." One hand moves up and down Beth's back in this I don't ever want to be not touching you, ma'am kind of way. This place is so private, so perfect.

[stbethadettes]

"Knock yourself out, bounty hunter."

This time she won't argue with him.

"I'll help you get out what you need, and then I'll go bring the last few boxes over. Deal?"

It's still light enough wherever exactly the outside of their windows is that they don't even need to turn on a light to see well enough to rummage through things, and when they get in Junior's line of sight, she gurgles excitedly.

"Hey, little girl."

The baby still doesn't look anywhere near sleepy. It's like she knew they'd be back soon if she just amused herself long enough.

Once an extra blanket, baby wipes and baby powder and baby lotion, the tube of Desitin, an already opened package of diapers and Junior's cloth frog are out and waiting to be put to use or at least placed somewhere in easy reach, she stops to kiss the side of Spike's face on her way out to room 8.

"What do you say to that bath once she does finally go to sleep?"

[not_that_spike]

"I say it sounds perfect." If little Beth doesn't want to fall asleep in her crib, hell, they can bring her into the bathroom in her basket just as easily. Still, it'd be nice if she would sleep. "Don't carry too much, ma'am." It isn't a warning he has to give but he gives it anyway; their first night in the new place should be something they celebrate, not something from which they have to recuperate.

While Beth's gone he does the diaper thing. He's getting good and efficient at it now, even knows exactly how to wrap up the old ones so they don't stink and everything. There are plenty of logistics to figure out about this place, but they will. People live here; it's a working place. All he has to do is ask Tom when he has questions... like what do they do with the trash? Above the bar, it was always taken care of.

Or he could ask Ingress. Once the baby's diaper's changed he takes her over to the window: it's pretty. Still a courtyard and garden and even at this time of year it's really nice. No flowers now, of course, but it's still pretty and he bets in the spring it's going to be something else.

"Take you out there, princess. Take you out there any time you want. And we have this room and your room and the living room and the kitchen which is real good, because when you're old enough to have some hand-eye coordination, I'm going to teach you two things. The first is to use chopsticks because any eating utensil that you can use as a weapon too is a really good thing. And the second is magic. I'm going to teach you to pull things out from behind your mom's ear, just so you can see her whole face light up. But that's just between you and me. We'll keep it a secret until it happens. Promise. Swear on it."

Almost as if she understands, Junior lets out a little squeal of glee. Together they stand in front of the window; he rocks her back and forth in front of the window. With the fresh diaper on it only takes a few minutes for her to get sleepy: if she's napping by the time Beth gets back -- which should be any minute -- they can take advantage and explore that tub. And if she isn't, he'll just tell her more stories.

Seems perfectly fair to him.