RP:Up On The Downside
Summary: Callum and Meri try and discuss their future child.
The Greenhouse, Sage Forest
Meri had gone off to get things confirmed on whether or not she was actually pregnant. Cal was not so easily convinced--or rather, he was just in denial. That happens to all significant others that aren’t actually carrying the kid, right? Right?! Okay. Well, maybe not everyone. Some people actually plan for this sort of frakkin’ craziness. Not Cal though. At least not yet, anyway. Regardless, Cal’s being a nice fiancé. When it felt like it might be about that time for Meri to return, Cal would start setting things up in the house. Herbs would be gathered from the garden and brought to that huge quartz tub they acquired after moving into their current home. Tossed in they’d go and hot water added on top, to let the herbs get all nice and fragrant. Then, Cal would continue on, setting up candles here and there, but not lighting them just yet. And finally, a tray with truffles from Meri’s sister’s bakery and a glass of red wine would be set on the side of the tub--Cal managed to find out that pregnant people can indeed have a bit of red wine. Not to mention the fact that it probably wouldn’t affect Meri all that much anyway because werewolf. Whenever she did show up, Cal would light those candles, give her a kiss, and send her off to take a bath. It’s not because she smells; it’s because sometimes finding out your pregnant makes things stressful. She’d be told to go do the thing and he’d make dinner. How nice of him.
The last time that Meri returned home from Khitti’s place with any books in tow, she was not coming home with the best of news. Not that Cal was not great with how he dealt with the ‘hi, I am a werewolf’ situation, but it was still probably not ‘great’ news in his eyes. However, Meri does not dive straight into that pile of books she brought home. She is greeted with a kiss and ushered off to a bathroom that is looking awfully romantic. Meri is surprised, in a good sort of way. She was not entirely sure what to expect upon coming home, but she has zero complaints about this hello. Cal would of course have to explain to Meri his input on the wine and how just a wee bit during would be fine. Meri would readily accept this explanation, it was coming from a most trusted source. The woman would enjoy her soak in the tub for at least half an hour, giving Cal a decent amount of time to start dinner. Plus once she did get out, there were those few moments spent having to make herself look presentable. When she did return to the Catalian for dinner she would be dressed in a long t-shirt and a fuzzy robe that was cinched closed. What exactly what happening in the kitchen was invesitagated with much curiosity if Cal would let her. “I am feeling awfully spoiled right now,” Meri admits. “I didn’t forget something important did I? It is not our anniversary, is it?” Meri is joking, she knows full well they are no where near their anniversary. “Joking. This is very sweet though...”
Callum smirked at Meri as she made herself known once again, after that bath he’d prepared for her. “Well, you -did- go through that entire month or so of me healing and you having to wait on me hand and foot for awhile.” He shrugged, then continued about with dinner. Fish was on the menu tonight, the smell of salmon and roasted veggies wafting up from the oven, while on the stovetop, rice and vegetable broth flavored with garlic and various other herbs from the garden boiled away, the rice soaking up all the liquid and aromatics as it cooked. The pot was stirred occasionally, and the salmon and veggies flipped and lemon slices added to the top of it all, allowing Meri to do as she pleased as he finished up their meal.
It pleased Meri to stay in the kitchen. She did not want to get into Cal's way while was cooking, it seemed like he had things under control...but she would take the initiative to at least help him by setting the table. Yes, she caught on to the fact that he was trying to be sweet, and she was just trying to show her appreciation. His smirk is met with a smile. "I don't know," Meri begins as she pulls two plates and one glass out of the cupboard. One because she has not fully finished her glass of wine, but she did forget it and leave it in the bathroom. "I thought it was what I was supposed to do. Girlfriend. Fiance. Royal pain in your ass she-devil that somehow can't stand the thought of getting rid of." Meri is the one smirking now. The plates are set upon the table. "Just what I am supposed to do...I will be back in a second. I forgot my glass." As promised, Meri would not be gone long and when she returned her glass would also find its way to the table, in Meri's usual spot. Obviously there was news to be told. Meri suspected Cal already knew, and while she probably did not need to wait for him to be done cooking and seated (I mean he did faint last time), she attempts to contain herself long enough for Cal to settle himself at the table. "So...Are you ready to know?"
Was he? Was he ready to know? Probably not, but still he said, “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Which was to say, not at all. He’d settle himself at the table across from her, plating her rice first, then veggies on top, followed by the fish. Ocean-blue eyes shifted from their dinner to Meri, the Catalian preparing himself for the worst--well, worst in his eyes anyway; who knows how long that’ll last--and definitely trying not to faint this time around. He’d likely go face first into his hardwork of a meal if he did. He’d not wait long though to eat, whether she said it right away or not, because he worked up quite a bit of an appetite, between his worrying and the things he’d done today.
Meri had been feeling fairly good about this confirmation, up until this exact moment. Why was she so suddenly nervous about breaking the news to Cal? He had already seemed to resign himself to diaper duty, even expressed that they are definitely going to have to get married now. Those were both positive comments to make, despite the fact that he himself was not ready to have a child. It's going to take a moment for Meri to get excited about dinner, as delicious it smells. She'd have to rip the bandaid first and give Cal his chance to react before her nerves would have a chance to settle enough for food, "Well, that crib you bought is definitely going to be getting some more use...."
Cal certainly wouldn’t let Meri do the laundry. He’d been doing it for the most part up until now and he was rather paranoid that he’d end up with one of his nice (expensive) shirts so random not-so-great color like pink. Ew. “I mean, I sort figured when you came home with a million and one books from your sister. She usually only piles them onto you when something major has happened--like when you got bit.” Pause. “And, also, you were very sure that it wasn’t the sweets, so.” He took a bite, then eyed his fork, raven-colored brows furrowing somewhat, “This -is- going to take some getting used to… For me, that is. I know we’ve talked about it before, but it’s still a foreign concept to me. Having kids was never on my list of wants, obviously. But--” He put down his fork, ocean-blue eyes shifting to Meri finally, “--that’s not to say I want this to not be a thing. And, I guess if that fire-loving ship-kisser, “ Cal means Brand, ”can manage to do this thing, I’m going to assume anyone can, even if it hadn’t been in their plans.”
Meri’s blue eyes are on Cal while he speaks. This was a complicated and sensitive subject they were delving into, so it’s probably no surprise that Meri’s expression is pensive. Her brows are furrowed, and Meri sits in silence as she really considers what Cal is saying to her. When she finally does speak, it is in an even toned. “I understand that this is something that is not in your plans. It’s something we talked about...at least, we talked about how it was something I wanted...and we have been considering for many months if starting our own family was a good idea or not. In my perfect world scenario we would have come to the agreement that we did want a family before this actually happened...So I can understand that this is going to be a major adjustment for you. I am not really sure what else to say other than we can take it one day at a time. Obviously I am excited to be having a family, but I also want you to be happy. So if as we go along...You decide that you are just really not adjusting to this whole dad thing....I mean...” Meri frowns. “Like I said I want you to be happy.”
As it always seemed to when things of this level of importance were talked about, it just didn’t seem to go as well as Cal had planned it in his head. He wasn’t going to press things, or try to restate them, and possibly make things worse. He’d nod to Meri, took a bite, then finally said at length, “I’m sure we’ll make things work.” He added a smile of reassurance to accompany his statement. The reassurance was not just for Meri, though. Sure, he can go all out and say ‘Yeah! I’ll take care of the laundry and cleaning and whatnot’, but… that’s not the only part to having a kid. That’s all the easy stuff, because, well, elemental magic user. When Cal had made that whole plan of ‘Where do I see myself in five years?’ when he first got to Lithrydel, this was not at all a part of it. There wouldn’t be total silence as they ate, however. He’d ask her about the things she brought home, what had happened on the Tranquility. And then they’d do whatever Meri wanted to that night--she was the pregnant one after all.