2023-05-24: The Two Of Them
- Log: The Two Of Them
- Cast: Eight York, Kamille Bidan, Lavnadim Orlodhari
- Where: Ra Mari II, Medbay
- OOC - IC Date: 0097 05 24
- Summary: At a medical visit with Dr. Bidan, Eight and Lahvi learn some important news. Additionally, they have a nice talk with their friend! (Takes place the morning/day after 2023-05-24: Worry
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Eight York has been in Dr. Bidan's offices many a time now, but today it's time to get a look at what's going on in her belly! She's nervous but also excited about this, and she's not alone; currently up on the table reclining, Eight's in loose clothes that made it easy for the technician to get access to her belly, and there have been plenty of pictures taken and the like, and now she's just waiting for Kamille to tell her all about it.
Lavhi meanwhile is seated in a chair nearby, smiling as he waits. They had a good talk recently, so they're both working on resting more... But this is an mportant day!
So the Captain relaxes in her seat, laid back and waiting for the moment. It's still morning on the ship, as they hover in the area around Orb. She's done with her meetings. And there's nothing else that should be demanding her time for now.
She has made one request, though; she doesn't want to know yet the sex of her child.
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
Kamille's done this plenty of times for patients, even if this is the first time he's done it for, you know, a military superior/bff. He still has to stop himself from slipping 'Captain' in there, first name basis or not. Because it'd be weird!
Because right now he's looking at an ultrasound of her babies. And he has News to deliver.
"Sooo," he says as he displays the images, which really just look like gray...shapes, "things are coming along fine, especially with what we know about Zentraedi hybrid development, but there's something you shooould know. See, the heart's right here, and...well, there's a second heartbeat right here, which means. Uh, it means you're having twins, is the thing."
He rubs at the back of his neck and gives Eight and Lavhi a chance to react to news of More Baby Than Expected. People usually need a moment.
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Eight would forgive Kamille for calling her 'Captain' in this situation, though it would be a little weird for her, too. She's stuck between 'Kamille' and 'Doctor' depending on the moment. And just now, there's definitely some news. She looks over the images fondly, even if at first she can't actually tell what the shapes are. She knows they're her baby, though.
"Oh I--" Pause. "Ah?" Something she should know? Eight braces herself for that, but Kamille doesn't keep her hanging long enough for her to really worry. "Wait, a--"
Twins!
Eight blinks. Lavhi blinks. Then his expression goes from his usual stoic neutrality to obvious delight. "Two!" he says. "We are having two! Twins!"
Eight blink blinks a second time, and a third, opening her mouth and closing it, before she settles hands over her belly. "There's... two in here?" she wonders. "Wow, I--"
"Aaah!" Eight starts. "That's great!" Pause. "It is good, right? I mean--things are fine, right? I just--have more than I expected. I--W-wow, I--"
Briefly she imagines that she's going to have to do everything more than once, and that's certainly daunting, but, "We'll need to pick twice as many names..."
"I'm--" Eight laughs, despite herself, handing the photographs to Lavhi, "I'm a little overwhelmed! Two, really...? I mean, maybe that explains a few things, but--"
She did start showing fairly early, for one.
"..But that's great news, Kamille. Thank you." Eight smiles, brilliantly, and looks down at herself in wonder.
Lavhi, for his part, actually stands up to shake Kamille's hand. "Yes! We are very happy! We are--Ah--"
"Is there anything extra I should do for twins?" he wonders, somewhat lost in this situation.
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
Kamille has always been the sort to just drop news rather than dance around it. Nothing like the direct approach, right?
He holds up his hands to calm her. "Things are fine! Everything's fine. They're both healthy and development is coming along just fine! It does mean we have to make sure you're getting enough calories, um, obviously you want to plan around raising two children at once because they're gonna be a lot of work..." He has a feeling Fa will gladly babysit, given the way they dance around the idea of adoption without ever really committing one way or another for Complicated Reasons, but...well, that's for her to volunteer, not him.
"I mean, we'll have to monitor it a lot, of course. You'll want to make sure you have plenty of places to sit and rest as it progresses. But it's still low risk."
He lets the doctor talk slip a little and allows a grin. "Yeah, two in there." Their reactions are really cute, he has to admit. "I like when I get to deliver good news in this job, you know?"
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Eight appreciates it!!
But Eight is also starting to work herself into not quite a panic but definitely an excitement, before Kamille helps calm her down. "Oh," she says. "Yes... I bet that will be... Will our quarters be big enough?" she wonders, but that's not really a question Kamille can answer, probably. "I have been really hungry lately," she admits. "Really, really hungry."
Lavhi laughs at that one. "You have!! You are eating even more than I do..." And he eats a lot.
"People have been telling me a lot about how I need to rest," Eight sighs. "But... that's really relieving. I've been reading lately about the things that can happen, especially with hybrid pregnancies, and--"
"...And," Lavhi says, gently pre-empting her, "It is best to listen to doctor about these, yes?"
"Right," Eight answers, and then smiles anyway. "That's a huge relief. But wow... I can't believe it," she admits. "I mean--Yeah!! That's great!"
Lavhi sits back down, and says, "I imagine that you do!!" Then he stands up again, more or less immediately, and walks over to gently give Eight a side-hug where she's seated. "Two!"
"...That does make me think," Eight says. "Everybody's been telling me I need to get more rest, but... Do you think so? I know I need to take leave eventually, but..."
Lavhi looks to Kamille with some concern, but doesn't openly try to influence his answer.
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
"Well! First of all, listen to your body. If you're hungry, eat. You have to feed two people and yourself." Kamille figures he can explain the finer details of nutrition et. al later. That's what booklets are for! "And Lavhi's right. A lot of that is kind of-you know, a few cases being blown out of proportion. If something...If you need to be concerned about something," he rewords quickly, "we'll know right away."
He sits down on a chair near the happy couple, folding his hands into his lap.
"Taking leave is another case where you need to listen to your body. If you're exhausting yourself, it's not good for you or your kids. Or your crew, for that matter. But I know how..." He glances away.
"There's still so much to do. I get it."
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Listen to her body. Lavhi nods along with this, thinking it sounds very wise, and he's certainly going to be listening to Eight's body! ...They both do read the pamphlets and deeper explanations he gives in detail, of course. But unfortunately she's been reading the Internet, too...
"If I need to be concerned.. we'll know quick," she says. "Okay. I'll try to think of it that way." She remembers there's another doctor to look after her soon, too; between them and Kamille...
Kamille sits down for now, and Lavhi stands near Eight, continuing to hold her hand for the moment. "And I will be there if anything happens, also. To care for you."
Eight leans on him a little, and then looks back to Kamille. Herself, her kids, or her crew...
"There is!" Eight agrees. "But... If you're saying I need to listen to myself," she says, and then looks down, and despite how happy she was a moment ago she looks exhausted, all of a sudden.
"I'm so tired," Eight admits. "All the time lately. I've been trying not to think of things so I've been overworking..." She looks up at Lavhi, "Not that I'm the only one." Then, back to Kamille. "Maybe I should move up my timetable..."
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
Kamille's quiet for a second.
"Someone I knew and-and cared about a lot, she was always working, always putting herself in dangerous situations, and I never really got why. She was looking for some kind of care she wasn't able to give herself, and I think she tried to find it in people who couldn't offer it. I tried, but I was a kid and..."
He realizes he's tugging at the edge of his doctor coat, and lets go.
"I get it. War's constant and it can devour your life. It devoured hers, and mine for a while, when I was too young to know it. You're doing this because you want to have a life and a family outside of war, right? So...listen to your body, and your mind and heart, and what you need. Both of you. I promise we'll be okay. We want to look after you too."
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Knew. That tells Eight, with the rest of the story, that it's something that didn't end well. "Kamille," she starts, but she takes his point, too. Lavhi likewise understands. But he takes a slightly different lesson, too. But war and the way it devours lives...
"I understand," Eight says. "I'll do that, then. You're right. That's what I wanted... and that's what I need. I'll... just have to let people look after us," she sighs, accepting an idea that she's been circling around for a while. "To believe in the rest of you, too. Which I know you'll do great."
Lavhi is quiet for a moment before, "Yes... I suppose it is true for me, as well. I have put all of it on worrying for Eight, but I cannot help her if I do not listen to my own needs."
"I am sorry," he says, "For your friend. I worry the same happening to Eight. The wars that continue to rage here... It gives me trouble. My people were able in part to set it aside, but..."
"I think humans can, one day. And I intend to help bring that day to pass."
Eight squeezes Lavhi's hand. "Right. ...Well, Kamille," she says, "I guess you've got me there. I'll... start arranging the paperwork."
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
Kamille doesn't talk much about his time on the Argama, not even to close friends. He doesn't name the ghosts.
He turns to Lavhi, expression softening. "Thanks. It was a long time ago. I always thought the way things resolved with the Zentraedi was a good sign of hope. That it doesn't have to be this way, you know? And yeah, you don't need to let it devour you either. You're going to be a father to two infants! You have enough work cut out for you," he promises with a little smile.
"And you're on a ship with people who care about you and support you both. We'll help out with the family." He might even be persuaded to babysit, sometimes. "Do you have an idea of what timetable you're looking at now? Twins are usually born a little earlier, around 37 weeks."
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Eight won't push. She has the same sort of feeling as Lavhi in her expression, though, as regards this particular ghost.
"Yes," Lavhi answers Kamille in the meantime. "That is what I feel as well. It need not always be this way." He considers though. A father to two... He puffs up a little at that, straightening his shoulders. "Yes! I will do my best!" He smiles back, proudly, and strokes Eight's shoulder.
"Thanks," Eight says again. "I'm sure you will. I couldn't stop everyone if I tried," she says with a weak laugh. SHe's still tired, and still a little... whelmed, by everything. Twins, and moving up her timeline, and... "I was thinking I'd take leave at about 20 weeks," she says, "But I'm at 18 and I'm already so tired. I think I should go ahead and do it."
"After that," Eight says, "Since that moves the birth up to early October or late September... maybe we should move up the wedding, too. We were thinking," she says, and Lavhi finishes, "September! For our anniversary. September 9th."
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
"Bear in mind you'll be pretty exhausted by that point and probably not up for standing around long, so better plan the festivities around that." Kamille relaxes a bit at the talk of weddings, which are not in his medical expertise but are also a lot more fun sounding.
(Well, usually.)
"What were you thinking for it? Something small or large? We uh, I..."
He clears his throat, a little awkwardly.
"This is embarassing but even though Fa and I haven't worked out what we're doing long term, I sometimes think about what I'd want for a wedding. Thought about it ever since I realized I was going to survive to adulthood, and I loved Fa, and I was going to do this adulthood thing better than my parents. Which is petty, I know. They had a big expensive ceremony if the old photos I saw were any indication."
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
"Hmmm, yeah," Eight thinks, considering the matter. "Maybe we should move it up a lot sooner," she reflects. "Maybe more like July..." June is too soon. But July might be doable, if a little tight.
She hopes her wedding will be fun, anyway!
"We were still deciding that," Eight admits, "But I think it would be nice if we could at least have a bigger reception, for the crew. They'll want to be involved." Lavhi says, "Perhaps a smaller ceremony so as not to overwhelm you or our guests. But I do think the crew will wish to participate in some capacity."
But Kamille mentions it, and, "Oh?" Eight wonders. "I don't think that's embarrassing," she says. "I want to hear!" She thinks about that though. She can't really relate to 'better than her parents', for obvious reasons, but Lavhi grins. "I also wish to surpass my parents in this matter! ...Though perhaps it is a more pleasant way than yours," he considers. "Still, I am likewise curious!"
"I think any ceremony we do will be at least a little expensive," Eight admits, "Since we've got so many people and we're doing it in space. But I don't plan to have a huge elaborate ceremony or anything..."
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
"I always thought, if we-uh, did marry formally, it would be nice to do something in one of the colonies with nature preserves. There was this really nice resort colony, and..." Well, Kamille has very, very mixed memories and emotions about it, but it was nice and peaceful. "Something small, but you'd be invited. Don't tell Fa about that though, we just...we're sort of dancing around it still. Both of us."
He doesn't elaborate from there.
"Anyway, you do what you want to do, both of you. Don't worry about overwhelming me. I've been a Newtype for a long time now, and I'm mostly okay with crowds and strong emotions. I promise everyone there will just be happy for you whatever you end up doing."
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Eight smiles at the idea of Kamille and Fa marrying. It's a sweet thought, anyway. "The nature preserves... That sounds lovely," she says. A resort colony! "Yurika was telling me about some of those, telling me I should get away for a while." Then she smiles. "I appreciate that. And my lips are sealed! I'd definitely go if you ever did, though."
"I, also, have the sealed lips!" Lavhi is helpful.
Eight understands to a degree, anyway. "Hmmm, OK," Eight answers. "I'm a little worried about overwhelming me," she admits, "But... I do want to include people. And it's true that I like it when people are happy..."
Lavhi nods firmly. "Yes! If nothing else we will be including my family, though, I think they will be willing to be micronized so as to mingle with the other guests. We have not finished discussing."
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
Kamille grins at Lavhi. He gets the idea!
"You should probably try your best to convince them to micronize," he adds quickly. The food budget alone otherwise would be a lot. "Anyway, thanks for letting me share like that. Maybe you should look into some fresh air for a little while. You know, give yourselves time to plan in a peaceful environment."
Because they're not going to have very much peace and quiet when the babies are born.
"So hey, if you have any more concerns, doctor-like or otherwise, you know I'm here. I know I said this already, but I'm really happy for you two. Four now, I guess?"
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
"Yes," Eight agrees emphatically with Kamille. Lavhi meanwhile, "Yes I think it will be possible. Especially given our options of venue..." Which are more than just 'the ship' and 'the Colony Fleets', after all.
"You're welcome," Eight says of sharing. "I'm happy to hear from you. You're our friend. ...Our friend who has a lot of expertise and gave me a lot less to worry about than I had when I came here... Even if technically I have twice as much?"
She smiles, lopsided.
They really won't.
"I'll remember," Eight says. "I'm still... I still can't believe it! Twins..."
Lavhi beams. "Yes. Four. We are very happy as well. ...Thank you, Kamille."
<Pose Tracker> Kamille Bidan has posed.
"I'll get some more info together for you, alright?"
Kamille will try to make sure it's not...too overwhleming, anyway. For a hybrid multiple pregnancy and all.