happy thanksgiving

[notsocommon]

Thanksgiving was not a holiday that Helen really celebrated outside of food and drink with close friends and this year, she'd been with just Will when the labor pains had started up in earnest. She'd ignored them for a while, considering it was common enough this late in pregnancy to have some false labor but when the pain seemed to get sharp and real and the contractions worryingly close, she and Will made the trek to the clinic and luckily found Dr. McCoy, who was happy enough to deliver a baby (for a given description of happy, anyway).

It was only after the hard part was done (and they'd both slept a handful of hours, to boot) that she felt comfortable enough sending Will out to tell everyone the baby had come and felt up to entertaining company.

[[OOC: This is timed anywhere from morning to afternoon on November 23rd in the clinic.]]

Comments

[notsocommon]

"Will you have any someday? I know it's an excessively rude question and one I've been asked over and over but I assure you, there's no expectation attached to it, merely curiosity."

Phedre was a clever woman and caring. Helen felt that, if she chose, she would be an excellent mother.

[submitwithwill]

"No. There's... well there's only one man I'd even consider it with and I've asked him to break too many of his vows as it is. I'll not ask him this." I pressed a kiss to baby Gregory's forehead. So sweet and innocent of the cruelties of the world, and yet with the wonders of it ahead of him as well.

"Besides, I'd rather not pass along my more... unique attributes. It's never been an inherited condition, but I'd not take that chance if I might avoid it. Besides, I have a lifetime of raising Imriel ahead of me back home, if I make it back home. I think that will be motherhood enough."

[notsocommon]

"I worried about that too. Will is perfectly normal but I wasn't, before coming here, and I wonder what I might have passed on to Gregory. My daughter had latent abilities, if you will. Still, I can't worry about the what ifs."

It had been a while since she'd worried about anything to any great extent and that was one of the good things about the island.

[submitwithwill]

"Perhaps you are a braver woman than I to risk such things." I would not mention it, but the... impermanence of this place gave me concern as well. I was caught between two conflicting desires, the need to return to my beloved home, to Imriel, Joscelin and Hyacinthe's freedom and yet... I had friends here. Greg, Nick, Esca, Marie, and me dearest Imriel.

[notsocommon]

"Perhaps I am. You know, when I was coming up in my own era, I wanted nothing to do with love or romance or having babies. It was only when I met John that those things seemed possible and then my heart got broken and I was hardened again. I've changed so much," Helen said, shaking her head at the incredulity of it.

"And now the island's let me start over entirely."

[submitwithwill]

"I pray Elua continues to shine such blessings on you and your husband." I would find no such solace in this place. I was not sure I even wanted it for any such affection, any love, would feel like a betrayal to my beloved back home. I loved and would love my odd Casseline until the death of my days, what could I possibly find to compete with that?

"Is there anything the two of you lack? Child's clothing, food for your home? I could arrange to have some food sent over so you did not have to make so many trips back."

[notsocommon]

"Food would be wonderful, thank you. You've already done enough, Phedre, I couldn't put you out any more."

She had really been a wonderful friend and a kind, gentle presence during labor. Helen couldn't be more grateful.

[submitwithwill]

"I'll see some meals are sent over. Things that will keep well enough. As I said, you and your husband have well enough to deal with." I was glad to do anything I could for the couple. For Helen who was so patient with me as I was learning medicine and helping as much as she could with Greg. I had been happy to be there to assist during her birth.