Seamus stood in the Reinhardt kitchen and inhaled. Yup … that was lasagna. And it smelled incredible. It wouldn’t last half an hour, but it would be good to eat before … talking. He grinned to himself as he began to set the table. Both of his parents had a day off, which was the good news. Get it all over at one time. With extra care, he placed the plates, silverware and napkins. He considered waking his parents but guessed that they were probably already awake. Probably doing things Seamus didn’t want to think about. The smell of the lasagna was bound to drive them out of bed and downstairs.
Logan walked into the kitchen and inhaled. He wasn’t exactly tense, but he was ready to back up his brother. After all, he’d known Slaine longer than Owen had. He looks at Seamus, who set the table and nods at him. It was no one’s birthday .. nor any high holy holiday … and one of Vincent’s lasagna’s was in the house. No .. that wasn’t suspicious. Not a bit.
Colleen was basking in the afterglow in John’s arms. It was past noon, and they’d been awake for more than an hour, whispering, touching, kissing and making love like it was the first time. Except quieter because the kids were in the house. Granted, the kids were all grown, but still … why risk unnecessary psychiatric bills? She lay back feeling the warmth of their closeness … when she realized she was smelling something. The smell was instantly recognisable … Vincent’s lasagna. She blinked and sat up. “Do you smell that, John?” she demanded. “Did we miss a birthday or something?”
John was in bliss. He was basking in their shared love and pleasure. God damn they still had it baby. He snuggled her close and then let out a little sad noise when she pulled away and sat up “Mmmm...babe.” Her nose was sharper than his but as she mentioned it, he sniffed too. No, it couldn’t be. They had no plans. At least he hoped they didn’t. He sat up with her and frowned “Are we just senile already? I mean good thing we know the equipment still works…” He joked and reached for a tshirt and a pair of sweats. Maybe some underwear too since they were going to talk to their brood. These sweats had a few holes.
Kurt came bursting in the back door with an armful of spring flowers “Vases……” He looked between the Reinhardt boys and his love “Vere do you have vases?” He was trying to block out the tension with decor. “Ooooh that smells good…” He said about the lasagna.
Owen hung back in the kitchen pacing. He had been pacing all day. First he paced in his room. Then he had had a full blown anxiety attack while pacing in Logan and Kurt’s kitchen, with Shay as well there before they came. Then he thought talking to Slaine would ground him so he did that, while pacing at the bottom of the yard until she told him to sit his ass down. She had spoken softly to him and he was good for a while. But now her voice was far away and his parents were coming to lunch….this lunch. He started a new round, his leg muscles tight from non stop movement.
Seamus looked around at Kurt's request. How the fuck should he know where to put a vase? He pointed to the counter, “There?” he suggests, pointing to the fireplace. “There?” he looks at Logan and shrugs. Then he goes over to Owen, stepping in front of him to stop his movement. “We got ya back, bro.” he murmurs. “Really.” he and Owen had bonded and he wanted to be supportive of him now. Besides, Owen really seemed to be in love. He remembered from their conversation while he’d been sick.
Logan shrugs at Seamus. Pointing to the sink, he explains “Under there, Babe,” he tells Kurt where to find the vases. “Then, put them around, so the view of our loving family isn’t blocked by them on the table.” he suggests. He moves and kisses him on the cheek. Worse came to worse, he’d just have Kurt hug the love and acceptance into their parents.
Colleen smiled softly, but there was a frown on her face. “It works perfectly and I needed it so badly.” she gets up and reaches for a denim skirt, then finding panties. Putting them on, she then looks for a bra and finally a t-shirt. It’s her day off, damnit. She glances down at the shirt and realizes it’s John’s old 10 Alarm shirt … that he wore when he found out his father died. “Nope.” She's weird about those sorts of things and yanks the shirt off, picking insead a simple purple t-shirt. “OK … now … lets go … I’m curious now.” she wonders what could be happening. “God, I hope Seamus isn’t in trouble again! Or worse...” she wonders if he’s relapsed. It’d been known to happen.
John watched his wife dress with a bit of a grin. He saw the 10 alarm shirt get discarded and shrugged and nodded. He knew. John grabbed his stick of deodorant from the dresser nad gave the pits a little swipe and then sighed “No I don’t think Vincent would make lasagna for that….it’s totally his…” Rubbing at his face he ducks out “Wait for me..” and into the upstairs bathroom which has been alarmingly clean lately and washed his face and hands and brushed his teeth quickly. He left the door open in case Colleen wanted in. Once he was a little fresher and less obvious to their now adult kids, he was ready to descend the stairs.
Kurt looked momentarily put off by Shay’s reaction to him seeking vases and then kisses Logan’s opposite cheek after his is kissed and heads to the cupboard under the sink almost getting run over by Owen “Oh hey hey…..slow and breathe…” He held the flowers up to him “Look ve have tulips again…”
Owen almost trips over Kurt and then looks taken aback by having flowers thrust in his face. Distractedly he says “Yes...yes we do….” He gives Shay a rueful strained smile after, knowing he means it. He looks up, hearing movement from upstairs. There’s walking, their bedroom door opens and then it sounds like someone is running water in the bathroom. Owen sighs “Why are they taking so long?”
Seamus had not been looking at Kurt and so he realizes the flowers are not yet IN any vase. “Oh … right….” he sees Owen fumbling around and pats him on the shoulder. “Don’t think about it. It’s the first time both of them have had a day off in like a month….” he tells them. “Don’t think about it. You have to be sane for Slaine and the kid.” he hears water running a second time, which confirms it for him. He rolls his eyes. “OK, places, guys.” he stage whispers, placing himself near the dining room table, ready to pull out a chair for his mother if it comes to that.
Logan rolls his eyes at both of his brothers and groans at Seamus. “Shut the fuck up. No.” he orders and, when Shay stage whispers, he blows out a breath. It’s nearly time.
Colleen blinks when John bolts out of the room and it suddenly hits her. She goes in behind him and cleans herself up, brushes her teeth and hair. Rejoining him, she takes in a deep breath. "OK ... they're being nice. Probably just realize we have a day off and are celebrating that." she nods to herself, as if that will make it so. "Onward..." and she heads down the stairs, assuming John is right behind her.
John barrels down the stairs as he is known to do and takes in the odd scene. Maybe Colleen was right and they were being nice…..but this looked extra nice. He was used to a “Dad I’m making grilled cheese do you want some?” This was fine dining, donated by his soon to be son in law. And Kurt was at the counter filling every vase they owned with tulips and smiling at them as they came in like someone was holding a gun to his head. Seamus and Logan were in the dining room like standing like statues while Owen was in the far corner of the kitchen looking like he was about to throw up. He gave an unsure wave “Who are you and what have you all done with our family?”
Kurt gestured to the flowers like a game show host showing off a prize “Aren’t they lovely?” He did what Kurt did and walked to hug them both “Look at you both, you’re glowing. Did you have a good rest hmmm?”
Owen shrunk into himself and closed his eyes when his brother started suggesting his parents were upstairs getting lucky. Maybe it would make them more sympathetic? Maybe they’d be in a really good mood? He didn’t even have the emotional energy to be grossed out. He just needed some kind of advantage. Then Kurt got all Sally homemaker about the flowers. He shot a desperate look at Logan and then turned mechanically to their parents and blurted out “Greetings.” like he was some kind of deranged robot.
Seamus watched it all in mild amazement and could not help but fold his arms across his chest. He decides to play it cool and says nothing.
Logan narrowly avoided pinching the bridge of his nose at his father's words. They were suspicious already. But when Kurt spoke, he almost smiled. Yes. Hug the suspicion out of them, Kurt. Work your magic. But Logan doesn’t say anything, half his attention on his youngest brother, who seems to have become a Pod Person in a microsecond.
Colleen is right behind John and, as Kurt and her sons react to their presence, her mind, which had been working so hard not to overreact about anything; Not the number of infected; Not the number of deaths; Not the fact that the world had gone batshit insane; snapped. She doesn’t return Kurt’s hug. She can’t. She looks from Kurt’s odd smile to Logan looking like he was trying supervising a robbery, to Owen who was speaking to them like a greeter in an amusement park and jumps to an immediate conclusion. Her eyes move to Seamus, whose arms are folded defiantly across his chest and she can’t help herself. All these years of Bad Boy Seamus .. those years of The Rogue Reinhardt … come crashing down round her. “What the hell have you done that has your brothers going to these lengths to keep you out of trouble? You haven’t even left the house, have you?” She demands, her eyes narrowed. When he had been sick with Covid-19, she had cried herself to sleep every night, or she probably wouldn’t have slept at all. And now, she felt a slight bit of shame at her assumption. But it was too late to take the words back.
Seamus’s jaw drops right along with his arms. He tightens his jaw, licks his lips and closes his eyes. But he doesn’t proclaim his innocence. Nor does he confess any guilt. He is used to his mother’s ire, and he admits that he probably deserves more than half of it. In this case … if she wants to go off on him … he can take it. Owen … maybe not so much. His eyes open and he does his level best to not look like he’s fucked up … again.
Logan groans and steps forward. “Mom … no .. no .. just .. no.” he motions to the table. “Seamus didn’t do anything. Just … come on .. sit down and let’s eat, alright. It’s nothing bad. I promise you.” he assures them.
Colleen looks at Logan for a beat and then sighs. She’s overreacted. Just as she told herself she wouldn’t. With a sigh of relief, she moves to Seamus. “I’m sorry, Shay. I just …” she wouldn't be surprised if he pushed her away … not that they could get further apart.
Seamus blows out a breath when Logan swoops in and his mother relaxes. When she approaches him, he actually takes a step forward and hugs her. “It's OK, Mom.” he tells her. “I know you’ve been really working hard and we want to do something nice for you.” he doesn’t realize that she’d considered that as a reason for this kind of spread. He just holds her, like she did for him when he was young.
John had hugged Kurt. He was used to Kurt now. He sees his wife reject hers and then hears her direct her fear and anger at their youngest and he bites his lip. It wasn’t inconceivable but she might regret that. He sighs in relief as she reaches out to Shay and apologizes and he accepts. So it wasn’t Shay. Their kids were undoubtedly awesome but something was off here. Owen was off and now right in front of him giving off waves of it. He turned towards Owen and let his stare bore into him.
Owen watches his mother accuse his loyal supportive brother of nothing and practically buckles from the guilt. This was his deal and they were backing him up. As they reconcile he darts a look sideways and sees his father’s stare. He cracks and chokes up, his whole face sucking into the pre sob before it explodes outwardly and he looks like he’s going to fall down.
John gasps a little and then catches him as he completely breaks down. He looks over at Colleen, Logan and Shay and says “They’re ass kissing for Owen…...just breathe bud….Sorry Shay…”
Kurt backed up as Colleen refused the hug and then exploded. As she and Shay made up he got all teary eyed and then when Owen lost it and John comforted him he sniffled. This loving family, oh how he loved them now.
Seamus holds his mother, not seeing anything at all, but hearing when Owen sobs. He lets her go, and still says nothing. He moves, finally over to Owen. “Sit down before you fall down, man.” and, if allowed, he will guide Owen to the dining room and a chair.
Logan blows out a breath at the hug Seamus gives their mother and then looks in Owen’s direction when he lets out a sob. “How about we all sit?” he suggests. And goes to the dining room table. Seamus is on Owen’s right side, so Logan goes to sit on Owen’s left. Bookending their brother, he waits for his parents and Kurt to also sit.
Colleen holds onto Seamus for dear life. The hug had surprised her and she wanted to cherish it. She would make it up to him … her false accusation in his direction. Somehow, someway she would… She hears Owen sob just as Seamus lets her go and her eyes fly to her third born just as John says that the brothers are covering for Owen. She stares at him, hearing Logan suggest they sit down. Colleen moves to the table and sits in the corner chair, expecting John to sit at the head of the table. “Owen?” this was not the child that got in trouble. She is confused and worried. Is he ill? He certainly looks it. She looks to Owen, then Logan and then Seamus. The brothers sat on either side of Owen … protectively.
John releases Owen to Seamus. He nods worriedly at Colleen. What could possibly be the matter? He felt a little sad Owen didn’t come to them first with whatever it is but in a way he’s also really touched at the solidarity and support of the boys for each other. John takes his usual seat and leans forward on his hand watching Owen.
Owen allows Shay to lead him and sits down feeling the warmth of each brother’s arm on either side and the strength of their doing this with him. He wouldn’t be able to face this alone.
Kurt sighs and takes a vase of tulips with him to the table. He has a whole side to himself so he may as well have flowers. He looks with kindness at Owen, Shay and then his love. This was hard stuff.
Owen knows everyone is waiting for him and he doesn’t want to terrify his parents more or disrespect his brother’s time and energy so as weepy as he still is he just starts talking. “Mom, Dad…..Please hear me out all the way through this. I’ve had a …..There’s some...stuff. The guys know. Fi and Vincent know. Please don’t feel like i love you any less for telling them first. I just feel like it will hurt you more…..I’ve been messed up for awhile. There are reasons. The L thing...which isn’t really a thing. Someone hurt me in a way I never thought would happen to me. And no, it wasn’t L. I’m not going to say the name but I was sexually assaulted. I’m telling you because I think I need help with it. I think….I want to talk with Dr. Singh. It just keeps going round and round in my head even though it was a while ago.” He grits his teeth and closes his eyes and then holds up a finger to indicate he’s not finished “Not everything has been bad. I also met someone and I’m in love with her. She’s amazing and she loves me. Her name is Slaine. She’s actually a friend of Logan and Kurt’s so yeah she’s older…..” He pauses now and looks between his parents “And she’s pregnant. It’s mine….my baby...our baby…..” He exhales and deflates and waits for the oncoming storm.
Seamus sits beside his brother as he begins to speak. He couldn’t help but admire Owen for telling them everything. L. The assault. And asking for help on top of it. And he felt like he could hear the love … again .. when he spoke about Slaine. He looks at Owen as he comes to the part about Slaine being pregnant and looks at him, encouragingly, setting his hand on the chair back and setting a couple of fingers on Owen’s back.
Logan admires how Owen is letting it all out. Not just Slaine, but the thing with L and that assault as well. He leans into Owen a little bit, showing his support and swallows when he mentions that Slaine was a friend of his and Kurt’s. And then … the most important thing. The baby. When Owen deflates, he places his hand on his back, feeling Seamus’s there as well.
Colleen listens, and immediately blinks. L … she thought L had left the island long ago. But she doesn’t press it, as Owen clearly isn't finished. His next words drive L completely out of her mind and her mouth opens, but she doesn’t speak. She nods when Dr. Singh is mentioned. Of course they would get him in to see Dr Singh. She reaches out for Owen’s hand, if he’ll take it, her eyes filling a bit with tears for the pain her baby is in. That there is good news makes Colleen smile. Love. Wonderful, healing love. But then Owen mentions that she is a friend of Logan’s … which meant the girl was probably a college student. Logan was 21 years old. Almost 22. So the girl was probably in her 20’s. Then Owen says the girl is pregnant … with his baby. Their baby. Her eyes go wide and she stares at her son. Her hand in or on his doesn’t move .. but neither does anything else. It’s all so shocking. A baby? Her mouth opens and she blinks, but .. cannot speak. She’s in something like shock.
John listened with intense curiosity as Owen began and then his hand slipped from under his chin and just dropped to the table with a soft thud as Owen went on and the small worry line between his eyebrows became a deep chasm. His breath was audible and the inhalations were particularly sharp with a slight whistle in the nostrils. He felt his chest tighten and ache when Owen told them of the assault and asked to get help talking to the good psychiatrist. How had he missed that? How could he not see Owen’s behaviour after. Now some things made sense. The brooding at family events, the detachment, the shutting himself in his room. Maybe even some of the rift with Shay, although right now the brothers were so beautifully solid. John swallowed as his eyes watered. Thank god they had raised their kids to have each other's backs. When Owen talked about being in love, his breathing softened and a tear silently fell from his face to the table, leaving a droplet. Then the pregnancy came up and he inhaled so quickly through his whistling nose it looked like his head might blow up like a balloon.
Owen turned his hand and held on to his Mom’s when she offered it. He leaned back lightly into the hands of his brothers supporting him and breathed. There was a large space in the room occupied by his silence after his reveal and his parent’s reactions. You could drive a train through it. He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or terrified right now so he just sat and stared at the table.
Kurt’s eyes darted around as Owen spoke, taking in the words and all the reactions. He dropped his hands to his lap and nodded along when Owen mentioned Slaine was a friend of theirs. He wondered and hoped if Slaine would be welcomed by this family someday as he had been. She needed a family as much as he did and this was a good one. He felt a fierce love for Logan and even for Shay as they supported Owen and of course he felt empathy and love for Owen, Colleen and John. He watched and waited.
Seamus watched his parents react, but mostly just remained silent. He is learning more about Owen and admiring him more.
Logan is giving the bulk of his attention to Owen, but he does look at Kurt. He loved happy endings, and he hoped the family could provide one.
Colleen’s mind was a cacophony of little voices in her head. She looks down, finally and her eyes land on her and Owen’s joined hands. “How did I miss all of this? I mean … assault .. Jesus.” and that is when the tears begin to fall. “I missed my baby in need. I missed … everything. And not just Owen .. Shay too…” she isn’t aware that she is speaking aloud and she stops a moment, clearing her throat and pushing to the most immediate issue. “This …. Slaine, is it?” she blinks and clears her throat again, sniffing. “She’s a friend of yours from college?” she turns her head to look not at Logan, but at Kurt. “Tell me about her, please?” she asks him. Kurt was further removed, and she half feared that Logan may sugar coat this girl if there was a problem … then again so might Kurt. “I mean … is she … I don’t know anything about her and … I ..” she sniffs again and another tear falls. “Seems like I should … know her.” the mother and nurse .. the calm face that Colleen is known for … is slowly rising to the surface .. but there’s a lot to rise through. “She’s the mother of my … grandchild.” that word made her blink and she sniffed again and squeezed Owen’s hand gently. But she still looked at Kurt for his reply.
John clenches his jaw and that chasm of a line deepens again. He sniffs listening to Colleen and nods along with her. He feels like he’s failed Owen, all the kids. How could they not know? When they were little and scraped a knee he could fix it with a bandaid and a kiss but this was a hurt he couldn’t fix. When Collen said “and Shay” he gulped. Shay had been acting out for years. What else didn’t they know about their kids? He gave each of his boys an aching look of love and regret. He had probably failed Fiona too somehow but she wasn’t here to get the look. He turned to Kurt as well when Colleen started asking about Slaine his mind spinning from the word grandchild. He knew they wanted them someday, but he didn’t think it would be so soon.
Owen starts to cry again at his mother’s emotional reaction. He hangs his head and listens, sobbing quietly. When she asks about Slaine he snaps his head up but then sees she’s looking at Kurt. He defensively looks like he might butt in but then Kurt catches his eye and gives him an assuring look and he holds off. He really hoped Kurt had something of substance to say and wasn’t just going to compare Slaine to a tulip.
Kurt brought his hands up to the table and folded them in front of him, interlacing his fingers. He spoke softly but with clear purpose “Slaine Indi is like family to me, even more so now. She’s an amazing person. She’s stronger than she knows but she’s had a very hard life. She lost her parents to a car crash. Slaine has a son from a previous relationship with a horrible horrible man. He’s taken the boy and there’s a custody battle which sadly I think Slaine may lose. Xavier has a lot of money and influence and better lawyers than Slaine could afford. Liam is only 5 and such a sweet kid.” He sees the looks about her already having a kid and holds up a hand “I know…..but she’s genuine. She’s 28 but not hung up on Owen’s age. And Owen…” He laughs and looks at Owen “Owen is an older soul than any of us ever knew before recently. It makes sense that he would connect with an older woman.” He takes a breath and continues. He had overheard the conversation the other day on Face time. “She wants to move here…..see if she and Owen can make a go of it. They have all my confidence even though it might not be easy. I mean…” He looks at Colleen and then John “It never is right? But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for.”
Seamus watches and is a little confused when Colleen asks Kurt about Slaine. He would have thought that Logan was the one to ask. But he listens. Some of it he knew, but most he didn’t. “Liam…” he murmurs the name just before Kurt does, but then falls silent again. Kurt is shocking him a bit … he’s never seemed more put together.
Logan is not insulted that their mother asked Kurt about Slaine. In a way it was proof that their mother was coming out of her shock. As a mother and a nurse, he thought she pulled it together faster than anyone else would. Now that he was an EMT he was also learning to pull it all together and not panic the person you needed to be helping by freaking out completely. But his mother seemed to have that down cold now. As for Kurt … Logan smiles at him. Kurt could be extremely eloquent, but he’s never had to before now. In front of the family.
Colleen listens to Kurt and as he speaks, more sounds seem to go off in her head. It’s like the sound of metal security windows opening or closing as she pulls herself together. She hears Kurt out, and by the time he finishes speaking she has straightened and is nodding. “Alright....” She takes a deep breath and looks at Owen. “You text Vincent. I know that boy has connections, because his uncle gave a donation to the Clinic that was nothing short of miraculous. A man like that has a lawyer. If it means that much to Mr Bittetto we’ll pay him back however we can.” she seems to speak to herself. “Take that boy away? I don’t think so, buddy.” and then she looks around the table. Her eyes stop on Logan and go across her boys. “Don’t let her rent an apartment in the Shops.” she warns them. “You’ll answer to me AND your grandmother.” Looking at Owen specifically, she cants her head. “I never thought you’d be the first to give us a grandchild but … Kurt is right … and I think this might actually be good for you.” she sighs and blinks again, then arches her brows at Owen. “What are you waiting for? Text Vincent .. get that ball rolling. Then, we need to eat and then …” she pauses and nods. “I want to meet this girl. Maybe set up a family conference or something. If anything changes her mind, it’ll be your family.” she manages to quip. “But I’m sure she can handle us.”
John looks impressed by Kurt. That’s the most serious he’d ever seen him and he could tell it was earnest. Damn Owen could sure pick the complicated ones though….what a mess. He didn’t even know where to start but Colleen had it. She was so much better at this stuff. He stepped onto her tour bus and just rode along, nodding. He especially nodded about meeting Slaine and laughed out loud when Colleen said if anything changes her mind it will be your family. It was true, they were a shitshow on a good day.
Owen stopped crying and his head snapped up as he stared open mouthed at his mother. She was in problem solving mode...about Slaine. He half laughed and exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for a week “Uh…..ok…” He fumbled for his phone in his pocket a little slowly and when she says “what are you waiting for” he nervously drops the phone on the floor and has to scramble for it under the table. He crawls back into his chair and swipes at it, finding Vincent in his contacts he pauses, thinking on how to even word the request.
Kurt beams. It was a happy ending so far. He takes the initiative and starts cutting the lasagna and doling it out, getting a little emotional “I just...I just love you guys….” He stammers as he passes out plates of the beautiful food.
Seamus actually partially sags in relief when their mother enters her problem solving mode. For him, that’s all he needs to see to know things were on their way to being alright. Owen drops his phone and Seamus can’t help himself. “Clumsy.” he chides, but for him, the insults are loving. Then Kurt starts dishing out the food and Seamus looks relieved.
Logan smiles when his mother effectively takes charge. That was the mother he knew and loved. He laughs along with their father as their mother talks about their family. Then Owen drops his phone and he laughs harder. It felt like the family had survived an earthquake. As Kurt feeds them, he smiles. “We love you, too.” he replies. “Me more than the rest of these slackers.”
Colleen nods to herself as Owen finally picks up his phone. She braces herself for a clumsy grandchild and hopes that Slaine may have grace she can pass on to their baby. Kurt begins to dish out food and she smiles at him. “I love you too, Kurt. I really do. I’m sorry about the missed hug. I’m just … Work is a bear, to be honest. Susan is making us take regular days off, but of course, off is a relative thing. If there’s an emergency I have to go in. Even with Dr. Alvin and Theo helping…” she cuts herself off. Now is not the time to talk about her troubles. She sighs and looks at John, who hasn't said a word yet. Her strong silent man. Even when Shay was sick, he just held her as she cried, more than half convinced that Shay would, at least wind up on a ventilator. Her hands free since Owen was using his own, she reaches over to take John’s hand and squeeze it. She liked the sound of laughter, so she smirks at him. “Enjoy your lunch … Grandpa…”
John chuckles at Owen’s phone fumble and the subsequent teasing. They were coming down from the precipice that had seemed moments ago so precarious. He still felt guilty but as he took a few bites of lasagna the food comforted him a little. As Collen squeezes his hand he gives her a closed mouth smile as he chews and when she calls him Grandpa he involuntarily chokes.
Owen gives a mock snarl at the teasing and then cracks his first smile of the day, except for the lovesick puppy ones he had sent towards Slaine through their screens earlier. He head juts at Kurt “Love you man…” and then looks around “Love all of you. Thank you for not putting me out on the street with a backpack and a jar of peanut butter.” He gives a residual sniff and starts texting Vincent. His facial expression reveals he feels awkward about what he’s typing and in jest he pretends to compose out loud “Dear Vincent, thank you for the lasagna. Please send your mafia to my girlfriend……” He does in fact type a thank you for the lasagna and a much more politely requested message asking about Vincent Bittetto and legal connections for Slaine.
Kurt head tilts and beams at everyone expressing love back, lingering on Logan a little before Colleen’s words make John choke “Do you want the heimlich?” Which of course sounds way funnier with his German accent than anyone else who could ever say it.
Seamus laughs at the word ‘Granpa.’. Yet it was true. And he would be Uncle Shay … or Say if all kids botched his name. He looks at Owen after he gives his thanks. “Hey, that’s MY jar of peanut butter, thank you very much.” he hopes to cut off more Owen tears. “And if you want I can teach you how to change a diaper.” he offers. “I changed Olivia’s a lot. It’s not hard to do but the colors can really throw you.” he shakes his head at what Owen claims he is typing and half hopes he sends that one. But he raises his hand, before panic can ensue again. “No Olivia isn’t my kid. Have you SEEN her? She’s Joey’s. You hardly need a DNA test to know that.”
Logan smiles wide at his family and takes a mock swing at Shay. “Don’t try and outdo him on this one, Shay, for fucks sake!” He thinks everyone thought it would be Shay who knocked a girl up at a young age. And then Shay offers diapering lessons and he looks at him, sharply and then relaxes. He had to admit it … but at the same time, Daisy was also a blue eyes blonde, so … who knew WHO Olivia looked like.
Colleen digs into her lasagna. It was still a dish that brought happiness, even if it often heralded mixed news. She narrows her eyes at Seamus. “I still have backpacks and peanut butter and in this day of easy eBay I am sure your sister can reopen her lemonade stand.” she threatens. Then her eyes widen and she catches her breath. No .. Olivia was not Shay’s child, but she knew the two of them were friends … another thing she had not seen coming. At Owen’s text she gives him a warning look. “Be nice to he who sends lasagna to cushion news.” she chuckles. “I remember the first time I had his lasagna…” she remembers the whole day and winces. “Never mind. Forget I mentioned it.” and she looks between John and Seamus. That day had been a rough one, to be sure.
John recovers from his choking and now eats with gusto, a sign he’s calmed down too. He gives Seamus a wry look about the diaper conversation, still looking when Logan comments. How many illegitimate grandchildren would they be hiding all over the island? He cracks up as she eats about the lemonade stand. Fiona classic. She even spelled it all right on the sign, the little evil entrepreneur. John freezes with his next forkful hanging in the air and Colleen’s reminiscing of the first lasagna. His gaze strays over to Shay and it’s unsure if he’s still mad or just thinking. Then he sets the fork down and just starts laughing. It’s been long enough that he can see the humour in it and god knows after today catching Shay in the act is pretty small potatoes.
Owen gave a thoughtful little nod at Shay about the diaper offer and wondered what the fuck he meant by the colours. He stifled a laugh at Logan’s comment, knowing Olivia wasn’t Shay’s. He dares to retort back to his mother “With inflation she’d have to jack the prices on us…...and we’re way more expensive to feed……” On her next comment he purses his lips and just watches his Dad and then when he laughs, Owen exhales and catches the contagion of laughter.
Kurt was eating happily, laughing a long, not getting every family joke but enjoying the happiness between them all. The last one seemed particularly funny to John which intrigued him greatly as John was often so stoic. He raised an eyebrow and looked from John to each of the others.
Seamus froze in the act of eating when his mother mentioned the first time she’d had Vincent’s lasagna. He and his dad looked at each other at the same time, but Shay still waited until his father started laughing to laugh himself. He looks at Kurt, who looks a little lost, and then at Logan. “You didn’t tell him?” he sounds vaguely insulted. “I thought everyone in the family had a mental image of my bare ass.” then again, he’d also mooned half the family. If there was a shy gene in the Reinhardt genome, Seamus didn’t have it. He continues to eat, as if it's his last meal. He can taste again, and it isn’t getting old on him.
Logan snorts through a mouthful of lasagna and then points his fork at Seamus as he swallows. “I love Kurt. If you think I want to scar the man I love with visions of your bare ass, you’re crazy. We definitely have better things to talk about.” he announces and returns to his food.
Colleen swallows hard in the half second of tension before John starts laughing. She laughs along and listens to her son's banter. Putting on an amazed look, she looks at John., “Owen has a point! With a girlfriend in town, we don’t have to feed him as much.” and then she shakes her head as the conversation turns on Shay’s bare ass. “Boys! Dinner table. For fucks sake!” she is back. Still a little shocked but … back.
John finds the rest of what’s said even funnier. He can barely even eat he’s laughing so hard. Finally he swallows awkwardly and points a fork at Shay “I heard they named a wine after you.’ John laughs even harder again as Colleen chastises the kids for being lewd at the dinner table with an f bomb. Parenting win.
Owen laughs a long and then looks at his mother “Hey she’s pregnant...I will be feeding her as much I can. Although she’s still in the puking phase so I’m not sure how happy food is yet.” Because he can’t resist he turns to Shay and whispers “Your bare ass….”
Kurt blushes and laughs “Oh….oh my goodness.” Kurt was a bit of a modest person but he had a sense of humour. And then he frowned looking from John to Logan “I thought the wine was about the bears. The bear’s ass…?” He continues to ruin the joke but in a way only Kurt can “The furry bear’s ass……”
Seamus nearly chokes, but swallows because he isn’t spitting out food for anything. He looks at his family and shrugs. “My ass isn’t THAT furry, Kurt.” he smirks, then shakes his head. “You know, we haven’t gone streaking in a while…” he grins at his brothers.
Logan shakes his head and looks at his love. “See .. this is why you don’t talk to these people. Hug them. Love them. But don’t TALK to them. Nothing is sacred and if you’re not careful, you wind up naked and running down Central.”
Colleen started giggling, but managed to finish her lasagna. “Well … now I’m glad you boys didn’t additionally add wine to the lunch.” she shakes her head. “Kurt. Never change. Ever. This family needs you. I need you.” he had been a savior to the family from the beginning when he helped Kaitlin in the kitchen that fateful day. She sets her fork down and dabs daintily at her lips. “Now … when you boys are finished, I am ready to meet Slaine … Indi is it?” she leans back a bit. “God help her.”
John is highly amused as he finished up his lasagna too, listening. Colleen is right about Kurt. He was one of them. He nodded at Owen when Collen asked to meet Slaine “Yep….give her a chance to run now..” He jokes.
Owen ate his last bite and grabbed at his phone on the table, almost dropping it again “Jesus we better not streak today. I’m likely to trip and land on my head with my bare ass up in the air for the cops to see as they arrest me. Let me text her and see if she’s feeling up to it….she knows we’re doing this…” He makes a sweeping motion at the family and the table with his free hand and then texts Slaine Hey there gorgeous. How are you feeling? It went really well here. They want to meet you. Seriously no pressure but what do you think? He pressed send and then sat watching his phone.
Kurt blushed some more and smiled “Thank you. I need you all too.” he winked at Logan after and then watched Owen waiting for word.
Seamus finished before anyone and was sitting back, relaxing. “Oh, Uncle Mikey would LOVE that. He’d take pictures.” he predicts, casually waiting on word.
Logan smiles down the table at Kurt. He honestly hoped that someday Slaine would be as much a part of this family as Kurt had become. She wasn’t a hugger like Kurt, but that was alright, too.
Colleen watches Owen and sipes at her hair. “God please no. Michael … just don’t. He has a long memory, that kid.” she rolls her shoulders, but looks actually quite relaxed now.
Slaine had been listening to relaxing music and half meditating since she and Owen had ended their call that morning. He’d been upset and she’d put aside her own anxiety to help him. It was what she did and half the time, she didn’t realize it. Finally her phone chimes, indicating a text from Owen and she looks at it. Much of her anxiety melted away at the news that it had gone well. Taking a deep and cleansing breath, she replied to him. I think I’m ready. Go for it. And she sent the text, messing a little with her hair which was down for a change. First impressions.
Dan was puttering in the kitchen nearby making two packages of instant noodles. He heard the phone chime and leaned around the doorframe “How’s it going?” He couldn’t cook worth shit but he had basics covered and had brought some packaged and cut fruit and veggies so it was a well rounded meal without really cooking. Dan was a bit of a tattooed hobbit man. He had a face a little like Chris Pine or so he was told a few times. He took it as a compliment. His had a few piercings in it though.
John now watched Owen too, mildly fascinated to see him in this scenario, worried yes a little but fascinated. Somehow they had blinked and the kids had all grown up on them.
Owen smiled sweetly at his phone as his little R2D2 chirp indicated a message “Ok…..we’re on.” He looked around, “Can we set up a laptop for a Skype so you can see on a bigger screen? I can go get mine….” He scanned around to see if anyone of the family had left one on the main floor.
Kurt looked excited “I can go grab my tablet…..Is Dan home? You can meet Dan too….our old roommate. He’s staying with Slaine….” Then he qualifies it “Don’t worry, he’s gay.”
Seamus watches his brother with a grin. “My laptop is down here.” he tells them. “Might be easier to hook the HDMI cord up on it. Just log me out.” he stands and heads for the living room with its television and it’s HDMI cord.
Logan is about to tell Kurt to go and get his tablet when Seamus offers up his laptop. “You mean it’s not virused to hell and back?” he teases, but stands and heads in that direction.
Colleen nods. “Whatever works.” she begins to stand and then reaches for John’s hand. She wants to sit with him, and feel his quiet strength. But at the same time, she leans in and whispers. “Don’t go all quiet on me, John. Please?” it can be a crap shoot with the Reinhardt men, especially John.
Slaine looks up at the sound of Dan’s voice. He had moved in after Xavier had moved out with the promise that she’d never be able to afford the rent on her salary. He was right, of course, but Dan had come to her aid and moved in with her and Liam. “I’m .. going to meet them…” she heard a tremor in her voice and bites her lip. She clears her throat. “I won't cry.” It is almost a mantra. She isn’t worried about throwing up. She was one of those women for whom morning sickness was truly a morning phenomena. It was her worry about Liam that kept her from eating, and yet she had to eat for her and Owen's child. Dan made her eat and she loved him for it. And since he couldn’t cook, he bought fruits and vegetables. But she was missing her own cooking. As soon as she could smell Thai spices and NOT feel sick. She sits on the couch, glad she keeps a net house, with Dan’s help and opens her laptop … and waits.
Dan put a hand over his heart and smiled at her “It’s ok if you need to cry. You’re pregnant...isn’t that all the hormones all the time? Let me wait on pouring the water in, unless you’re desperately hungry...actually how about the fruit so you can snack?”
John squeezes Colleen’s hand and chuckles “Would you like me to recite her a soliloquy?” He’s being cheeky but he knows what she means.
Owen hovers beside Shay as he sets up and as soon as he gets confirmation that it is a done deal he opens his Skype app and puts in Slaine and Shay ona group call and initiates it. It will come up on his phone too so they’ll hear it in a semi stereo. The call makes it’s usual “do do do...do do do do” noise and then he hears a click indicating it connected, not sure it it’s Shay or Slaine or both he calls out a little sheepishly “Hellooo...are you there?” He’s peering into his phone screen with a bit of a goofy grin.
Kurt walks beside Logan and shakes his arm with glee and grins.
Seamus looks mildly insulted by BOTH of his brothers. "Fuck BOTH of you." he puts the laptop on the coffee table, then sets up a camera. Double checking, he makes sure that the camera covers most of the living room, then he moves to the couch and sits on the floor where he can both be seen and also control things if his laptop does decide to act up. He opens the proper program and answers the skype call, looking first at the laptop and then at the television. Perfect quality, as he expected. He sees her and grins, almost shyly.
Logan moves to the couch with Kurt and sits on the floor with Seamus, expecting Owen to be on the couch with their parents. When he sees Slaine he smiles. She looks a thousand percent better, but he also knew she was half expecting this call.
Colleen gives her husband a look that would remind anyone of Fiona when she was being creepy. As she leads him to the couch she replies ith “Oh, that would be wonderful, John. I hear the people at the Widow’s Club are very welcoming of new members. I look forward to my initiation.” she sits on the couch with him and looks at the television. Her first thought was that Slaine was beautiful … but also looked nervous. She watches, half waiting on Owen to make the introductions before he makes her do it.
Slaine blows out a breath. “Wait on the water, yes please. But no food. I’m not hungry.” she replies to Dan. When her Skype announces the call, she smiles and leans forward a little bit, her hair falling over both shoulders and into her lap. It’s very long. Owen appears as do five other people … only three of whom she knows. “Hello handsome Owen, love. Hello … other Reinhardts.” she includes Kurt in that and always has even though they are not ‘married’ .. that’s semantics to her mind.
Dan hung back and out of the view of the screen for now. Slaine knew he was on call if she needed him. And he felt like she was bookended with their other two friends and her boyfriend on the other side. He lets her know he’s heard her before she answered the call “Will do…” He says. He casually grabs himself a few grapes from the fruit though because they called to him. He heard Owen’s voice and then Slaine’s reply and smiled to himself as he scrolled through social media on his phone, leaning his lower back against the kitchen counter. He was wearing a black short sleeved button up bowling shirt, a crisp pair of baggy dark blue jeans with the cuffs rolled up a few times and some worn out grey wool socks.
John gulps and then sits dutifully beside his wife on the couch. When Slaine appeared he did a little double take. She was quite stunning. When she greeted Owen so lovingly he gave Owen a little sideways grin and chuckled. It was always the quiet ones. He gave Slaine a little wave and kept true to his wife’s request “Good to meetcha Slaine.”
Owen melted a little at Slaine’s greeting and her hair flowing all around her. He bit his lip and looked at her a little too long and then cleared his throat self consciously and gestured to his family and back to her “Hi…..Everyone this is Slaine…” He Started pointing around the room and listing off names “You know Logan and Kurt of course….that’s Seamus...Shaybus or just Shay…” He says with dramatic flare and then subdues “And my mom Colleen and my dad John.”
Kurt waved madly “Hello Slaine. You look so pretty today!”
Seamus had never met Slaine, nor seen her. So when she shows up on his screen, he cranes his neck to look behind him at Owen. "Bro... " his tone stunned respect. Then he is introduced and looks at her and smiles. "Mostly I'm Shaybus only to the ZeroMan." he quips. “Good to meet you.”
Logan smiles at Slaine and aves from the floor beside Kurt. When Seamus reacts, he snorts and rolls his eyes.
Colleen looks at this girl and smiles. She looks at John, but cannot bitch too much. Four words was sometimes diarrhea of the mouth for him. “Hello, Slaine. It’s wonderful to meet you. You’ve had quite the effect on Owen.” she watches Slaine, taking in how pretty she is.
Slaine watches all of these people. She waves .. really to everyone, but blushes, catching on to Seamus’s tone. “ZeroMan?” she moves her eyes to Owen. “I see…” she shrugs. “Thank you, Kurt. Dan picked out my clothes. Apparently a tank and shirt were inappropriate.” she rolls her eyes, trying to look casual. That was her usual state of dress. Beyond casual. Then Owens' parents are introduced and speak. “Hello Mr and Mrs Reinhardt. It is so good to finally meet you.” she pauses and swallows. “I’m really sorry if I’ve caused your family any trouble. I didn’t mean it. This … “ her eyes flick to Owen. “One of the happier .. accidents. I mean .. this wasn’t planned but … it’s .. welcome.” she has gotten over the initial shock of finding out she was pregnant. Liam was also an accident … or perhaps sabotage was a better word.
Dan sighs from offscreen like he’s been slighted and waltzes over into Camera view, adjusting her laptop up so he can be seen as he casually leans over Slaine “Hello Reinhardts, I’m Dan Moore...the roommate.” He winks at Logan and Kurt. and then gestures at Slaine’s torso with his tattoo sleeved arm and affects a bit of a faux posh voice “Slaine Indi is modelling the latest high fashions from Joe Fresh care of The Real Canadian Superstore. The Vee Neck Tee Dress in dark blue...also available in red or black.” He sniffs and makes a pretend snooty face “Paired cleverly with the flat oval pendant necklace care of their jewelry counter. If anyone else needs a personal shopper I’m available by appointment only.” He smirks at Slaine and then pretends to look at his nails before walking off. He’s actually not as flamboyant as he’s putting on but he enjoys making fun of the stereotypes.
John looks between the brothers and chuckles and then catches Colleen looking at him and gives a feeble shrug. He thinks he’s making great conversation. He gives Slaine a little smile as she talks but then isn’t quite sure how to react to her roommate so he just laughs awkwardly. It’s kinda like Kurt on steroids.
Owen unabashedly flips Shay the bird for calling him Zeroman in front of Slaine and then looks back at her sweetly “Ignore him...one too many cross checks on the rink without a helmet.” He blushes at his mother’s comment which was of course all true and then just looks at Slaine with total devotion when she talks about the baby being a happy accident “Happiest accident I’ve ever had.” He concurs. You can feel the love pouring out of him when he connects with her, even through a screen surrounded by his family. When Dan pops in he cracks up and shakes his head “Hi Dan...thanks. You know I’d find Slaine gorgeous in a burlap sack though right? Feel free to accessorize the burlap if it goes there though.” Dan’s laugh can be heard from offscreen after.
Kurt enjoyed the banter between the family and watched Owen and Slaine with kind amusement. When Dan started his little show he laughed and laughed. He missed their dear friend and his usual antics and gave him a wave before he left the screen.
Seamus sees Owen flip him the bird and smirks. "TWO too many cross checks, Slaine." he insists, holding up two fingers. "TWO. Owen doesn't math as well as I do." that much is true, anyway. He looks at Slaine's dress with approval. He is not a gay man .. he just has the fashion sense of one. Then Seamus mentions a burlap sack and he quips. "You know the word 'accessorize'?" he teases. "Seriously you look great, Slaine."
Logan smiles as Dan goes into his act. "Be careful, Dan .. you flame TOO much the sprinklers will go off and you'll ruin her hair." he rolls his eyes. "Dan here is the same kind of fashion whore as you are, Shay. Pity you two aren't the same size."
Colleen watches the interaction with interest. She laughs lightly. "Now is your chance to run, Slaine." she tells the girl. "Now or never..."
Slaine blinks when Dan comes over and then turns a stunning shade of red he will surely 'stan' and buries her face in both of her hands. "Thank you." she murmurs, although it is muffled by her hands. She then laughs at the way Shay and Owen banter. And then Owen talks of her in a burlap sack and the blush continues. And finally, when Colleen speaks, she looks into the camera. "Never then, Colleen..." she replies, demurely.
Dan wanders back over and leans in to look with just a sideways view of the top of his head to the bridge of his nose. He wiggles his brows, his one piercing in one brow shaking just a bit and his eyes crinkle as if he’s grinning “Which one’s the fashion whore?”
Owen laughs and points at Shay and Dan nods approvingly at his clothing “Damn you are ALL giants..” His eyes dart to Slaine “You think you can grow one of those creatures in your little Thai body?” He jokes and then disappears again.
John now looks amused by Dan “We do start small..like everyone else Dan.” He looks at Colleen for input as he only watched her push out their babies, with fear and reverence for the true power of women in childbearing. He is glad Slaine isn’t running.
Owen doesn’t correct Shay. It wasn’t a mathematical statement. Too not two. He knew there were more than two. He gave Slaine a little relieved smile that she wasn’t running. Dan was probably as challenging as his family as well as being amusing.
Kurt just smiled at it all. He was in his happy place with family and friends.
Seamus waves, happily accepting his place as fashion whore. Then he chuckles. "Just wait till you met Uncle Jude and Great Uncle Ulick."
Logan looks at Shy and nods. "Yea ... well ... I guess the shortest male is Vincent .. he'll be a Reinhardt come Halloween. So bring on those short genes, Slaine."
Colleen looks at her children. "Well ... even Fiona is near six feet tall." she blows out a breath and looks at her husband and sons with love. "It's amazing what you can stand for the man you love and the baby you two have created." she says, softly. And then she looks at Slaine. "Have you had your prenatal yet?" she suddenly realizes this woman will need a doctor at some point.
Slaine listens to the Reinhardt sizes, but doesnt look worried. Colleen's words ring true. "It is amazing." she agrees and then Colleen asks about a prenatal visit and bites her lip. "No ma’am ... not .. not yet." she inhales and then exhales. "To be honest ... I'm terrified. Not so much of doctors but ..." her eyes begin to leak a bit. "Even though I've read Covid-19 may not affect the baby .. I don't want to chance it, so I haven't looked for a doctor yet." she takes a deep breath, clearly trying to calm herself. "At the hospital they told me I was pregnant and my due date is December the 5th." she shrugs. "But that's all I know right now."
Dan stays out of the way as the conversation turns more serious. He was still in Slaine’s sight though and he was keeping an eye. Casually he ate a few more of the grapes. They were so juicy. He overheard the thing about the prenatal and ate three more grapes and then reached for another and realized he had in fact eaten...them all. He sighed and moved on to the cantaloupe, trying to control himself. Dan was what you might call a fruitarian.
John snorted about the Uncles and then nodded about Vincent. A sweet look came over his face when Colleen talked about him and their babies. He looked between Colleen and Slaine when the conversation turned medical, now staying silent as this was not his area but hers. He noticed the tears and felt bad for the girl.
Owen had been jovial and then as soon as he saw Slaine’s tears on the prenatal subject he slid down to the floor at one end of the couch, cradling the screen of her on his phone like he was holding her, like he did when he lay beside his phone talking to her to say goodnight. December 5th. A lifetime away it seemed and yet also not. He blew out a breath at her “It’s gonna be ok…..” He tried to assure her but really he didn’t know either.
Kurt put his hand on his heart again as Slaine got sad. He was so easily affected by other's emotions. He could also see the intensity on Owen’s face as he appeared as a window now looking lovingly and worriedly at Slaine.
Seamus says nothing when the conversation goes to pregnancy talk. He doesn't say anything, but can barely imagine what it might be like for her. He watches his brother slide to the floor, but says nothing about the teasing potential.
Logan sighs when talk of doctors comes up. He can't blame Slaine but ... who knew how long this was going to go on?
Colleen blows out a breath and looks around the room, but not at anyone. It was one of the things she sometimes did when she was working to fix a problem. "I can understand that but …” she blows out a breath and licks her lips. “We’re doing a lot of virtual appointments.” she nods slowly to herself. “If you’re planning on moving here anyway, Susan can help you with anything we can do virtually. Do you want a Midwife? Michelle Kim is outstanding. If not, Dr. McKinney would be happy to help you.” she pauses. “Until you can come here. You can research Michelle and Dr Mckinney online whenever you want.”
Slaine chokes up at Owen’s reaction, but even more at his mother’s. “I .. um … I want natural birth. Please.” she sniffs and blinks. “I can’t come before June, I don’t think. Logan sent me some apartments and Owen suggested one just down the street from the clinic?” she speaks in questions because she doesn’t know the area. “A Mr Katz is reserving it for me for a move on June 1st, since .. well .. who moves now, of all times?” she blows out another breath. “Will virtual appointments be alright? I mean .. I can’t have a virtual pelvic.” she is so stressed, she has forgotten that the penis to vagina ratio is incredibly high right now.
Colleen nods. “Well then, June it is. I’m glad the boys were able to help you. Zeno Katz is a good man.” she looks around the corners of the room again. “I’ll have Owen send you the clinic’s number so that you can make an appointment and talk to Susan and Michelle.” she smiles when she frets about the pelvic, and ignores the males in the house. “Obviously you can’t have a pelvic, but we can do some basic care. Temperature, pulse, respiration and of course you telling us exactly how you feel.” she smiles a comforting smile. “I promise you we will do our best by you, Slaine.” she doesn't promise it will ALL be OK, but she forgives Owen for doing it.
Slane nods at it all, but by the end is crying softly. “Thank you, Mrs Reinhardt. Thank you SO much.” her relief and gratitude shows clearly through her voice and face.
Dan gets a little wigged out by all the lady parts talk and proceeds to then eat all the cantaloupe. He looks down at the fruit tray in dismay and then sticks the lid back on it and puts it back in the fridge with only the dreaded honeydew and some really too sour pineapple chunks. He knew all about the apartment so that part was not news to him.
John listens and looks mildly surprised, not displeased but just surprised that Slaine already has a place on hold. He had to hand it to her for being organized. He’s not particularly bothered by the medical talk as he was used to it from Colleen and Fiona had been very forthcoming about her adventures into womanhood during puberty. But again he wasn’t as present as it wasn’t his area.
Owen gets a huge grin on his face when Slaine mentions she already has an apartment on hold. “You got one!” He exclaims quietly. When it turns to talk of her body and examinations he’s not freaked out and relieved that his mom is being so proactive in helping her set up...not only that but helping her set up...here. The word pelvic was nothing compared to some of the things Fiona had thrown at them about her reproductive system during puberty. And nothing about Slaine’s body could ever ever be off putting to him. Her emotion at the end triggers his and he gets a little teary eyed and then looks to his mom too and just walks over to her and hugs her hard “Thank you Mom….I love you….”
Kurt looks happy about the apartment and pointedly looks at his socks when the topic turns to feminine examinations. He looks up at the end and when Owen hugs Colleen and fawns at them.
Seamus tries not to react to any of the .. pelvic .. talk. He's never had one and doesn't plan on having one. However he remembers well Fiona's growing up. In particular, her stopping him while he peered into the fridge stuck with him. "My vagina is bleeding...don't eat my fuckin yogurt if you want to live Shay!". He'd never forget that. He is interested in the talk of due dates and makes a mental note.
Logan scratches the back of his neck, only slightly uncomfortable. He's been with women, but never in a doctor's office while one was having a pelvic exam. He notes the due date and smiles slightly. It somehow made it more ... real.
Colleen nods as plans begin to form. Slaine would be here in June and they could do a more thorough sort of exam then. She makes a note to talk to Susan about how they could even do that. Pelvics and social distancing did not go together particularly well and the room with the sonogram machine had been a place where Covid 19 was being diagnosed several times a week now. The only good news, which she does not share with the new parents, was that they had four incubators on hand, from days gone by when there had been a baby boom long before even the 2017 earthquake. As long as they didn’t have more than four of them at one time, that was not going to be a problem. She also considers the possible need for a cesarean section, but Susan could handle that. As she is sorting through potential problems and assuring herself they could handle anything that came their way, Owen comes and hugs her. She hugs him back. “I love you, too Owen.” she tells him. “But keep it up with the buttering up. It will help when you want a night without the baby around and want me to babysit free of charge.” She looks at the camera and Slaine. “If he misbehaves, I want to know about it. His sister wants to know about it. His grandmother wants to know about it. Stephanie … you’ll meet her … wants to know about it. Basically, if he acts up, you leave him to us… unless you can handle that … in which case .. pictures please.”
Slaine nods at Owen. “I told you I wanted to move to be closer to you. So yes. I got it. I need to furnish it because every stick of furniture here is Xaviers but ...” then she watches Owen and his mother with a snify little smile. When Colleen tells her who to report Owen to, she smiles. “I’m sure he’ll be perfect, Mrs Reinhardt.” she demures a bit at the end. “I won’t need to handle it, I’m sure.”
Dan gets a call on his phone and answers quietly, slipping into his bedroom. He’s still available but in no way wishing to disturb.
John gives Owen a pat on the back when he hugs Colleen and chuckles at her telling Slaine who wants to know if he’s out of line. Owen had a harder path that way than he had with Jude. Practically he looked around their house, thinking of what furniture they could pass on. There was an old kitchen table and chairs in the garage…..maybe a bookshelf and a dresser.
Owen laughs but he knows it’s true. Any of the women in his family would kick his ass to the other side of the island if he disrespected Slaine. But he never planned to. He could only cherish her. He lets go of his mom and moves back to speaking into his phone “We’ll figure all those details out. I’m sure people have stuff to share for furniture…..we’ll just ask around. I don’t care if we sit on lawn chairs and sleep on an air mattress. I just want you here Slaine. I love you….”
Kurt watches like he’s in a heap of tissues weeping over a romantic movie. It was so beautiful. He knows they can do anything these two. He’s not sure how it came to be, but he knows they’ll make it through.
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