Cabin Pressure fic, part 3
Title: Surprise chapter 3 (Chap. 1, Chap. 2)
Fandom: Cabin Pressure
Pairing/characters: Martin/OFC, Douglas
Rating: PG
Summary: Martin's got a girlfriend, but it's not going to be easy.
A/N: This is an idea that started eating at my brain and wouldn't/won't stop. Probably one or two parts left (this keeps GROWING) and then maybe a couple one-shots if people are interested. Enjoy!
Martin quietly moved in with Trish at the five-month mark of her pregnancy; her two-bedroom flat was a huge improvement on his student-housing attic. The pair were very private, all things considered, so it wasn't until the baby shower that a lot of Trish's friends actually met the man who was the subject of almost as much conversation as the impending baby.
Trish was seven months pregnant. She and Martin were getting more and more excited and anxious by the day. The spare bedroom had acquired a coat of medium cream-coloured paint and a few items of baby furniture; they were waiting to see what the baby shower brought in, although they hadn't been able to help themselves in a few cases, as demonstrated by the little airplane clothes Martin had bought at the airport. Trish's sister Olivia organized the event, and most of Trish's female friends and family were able to make it. Despite some initial misgivings, and a slightly rocky reception from her mother in particular, everyone was supportive of and happy for her and accepting of Martin, or at least of the idea of him.
The shower had been organized around one of Martin's moving jobs; although he was now payed with MJN he still liked to try to do a few moving jobs a month. He'd left about half an hour before everyone was due to arrive at the flat. An hour later, things were in full swing--everyone had shown up, cake and punch were being passed around, and Trish was sitting down to begin opening presents. It was understandably loud with all the excitement, which is why the women missed him coming into the flat until he walked slowly and apprehensively into the room.
"Martin?" Tris asked when she caught sight of him hovering in the doorway nervously. It couldn't be denied that she lit up at the sight of him. The room quieted down as everyone turned to look at him.
"Is everything all right? Trish asked, knowing he wouldn't have come back for reason. He fidgeted in place; she knew he had to be uncomfortable with all attention focused on him, especially dressed as casually for his job as he was in shabby jeans and a faded blue jumper.
"Yes. Fine. I just, er, forgot the keys the client gave me for the storage facility I'm going to."
"Ah. Well, everyone, this is Martin, my boyfriend." Everyone waved and tittered hello at him, and he flushed a bit under the attention.
"Hello, ladies. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. It looks like you're having a lovely time. I'll just--get out of your way then." He veritably fled towards their bedroom to get the keys, followed by a hail of giggles. Chattering resumed for a couple of minutes again until he returned to the room, flashing a nervous, tight-lipped smile at everyone. He crossed the room to where Trish was sitting and stooped to drop an obviously affectionate kiss on her forehead; the pair smiled at each other as he straightened.
"Enjoy yourselves, everyone."
Everyone chorused cheerful goodbyes and he exited quickly. Moments later, the attention focused back on Trish, and she was bombarded with comments on her beau. The consensus, she was gratified to learn, was favourable. She'd wanted everyone to like and appreciate Martin; it was the least he deserved.
~~~
Douglas could tell Martin had something on his mind the second he stepped onto the flight deck, and time only firmed his suspicion. Martin seemed restless, his leg bouncing as he sat, his replies clipped as they went through their pre-flight routine. Douglas, knowing Martin as he did, waited his captain out as they took off. They'd been in the air for about twenty minutes and had just turned off the seat-belt signs when Martin broke.
"Douglas?"
"Yes, Captain?" Douglas said, perfectly nonchalant.
"I was wondering if--well, I know you're good with women, and you've been married several times--not to, er, critisize, but--and I was wondering if you could maybe give me some suggestions--"
"Martin, Martin, Martin," Douglas interjected. "Breathe." Martin did so, and when he spoke again he was his more controlled self.
"I want to ask Trish to marry me and I was wondering if you could give me some ideas."
"Ah. I thought you might be gearing up to that. All I can really tell you, Martin, is kiss." There was a quiet for a beat.
"Kiss? Well, I was planning on doing that, but--"
"Keep it simple, stupid."
"Oh." Quiet again.
"I find that keeping it heartfelt and low-key seems to be very appreciated," Douglas added helpfully.
Martin's face took on a thoughtful, inward look at that, and Douglas left him to it. It was one of their more quiet flights.
~~
Several weeks after the baby shower, Martin and Trish were having a quiet night in. They were lying together in bed after dinner, quietly relaxing and cuddling. They were spooned together, Martin behind Trish. Trish gasped suddenly, and Martin jerked.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah, just--the baby's moving," Trish replied, slight awe in her voice; the wonder of the feeling hadn't quite faded. She shifted so she was lying on her back, belly in the air. She grabbed Martin's hand and placed it on the side of her stomach. After a few seconds, Martin broke out in a huge grin. She smiled lightly back at him.
"I'll never get tired of that. It's amazing," he said, voice slightly hushed.
"I know," Trish replied, just as hushed.
"Close your eyes," Martin said, suddenly sounding strangely determined. Trish complied, a look of curiosity on her face. She heard some rustling and then something was set on her stomach.
"Open," said Martin. Trish was greet by the sight of a diamond ring nestled in a black velvet jewelry box resting on her belly. She inhaled sharply.
"Martin!"
"I love you, and I love this baby. I want to be with you forever. Will you marry me?"
Between kisses, Trish managed to get out, "Yes!"
Fandom: Cabin Pressure
Pairing/characters: Martin/OFC, Douglas
Rating: PG
Summary: Martin's got a girlfriend, but it's not going to be easy.
A/N: This is an idea that started eating at my brain and wouldn't/won't stop. Probably one or two parts left (this keeps GROWING) and then maybe a couple one-shots if people are interested. Enjoy!
Martin quietly moved in with Trish at the five-month mark of her pregnancy; her two-bedroom flat was a huge improvement on his student-housing attic. The pair were very private, all things considered, so it wasn't until the baby shower that a lot of Trish's friends actually met the man who was the subject of almost as much conversation as the impending baby.
Trish was seven months pregnant. She and Martin were getting more and more excited and anxious by the day. The spare bedroom had acquired a coat of medium cream-coloured paint and a few items of baby furniture; they were waiting to see what the baby shower brought in, although they hadn't been able to help themselves in a few cases, as demonstrated by the little airplane clothes Martin had bought at the airport. Trish's sister Olivia organized the event, and most of Trish's female friends and family were able to make it. Despite some initial misgivings, and a slightly rocky reception from her mother in particular, everyone was supportive of and happy for her and accepting of Martin, or at least of the idea of him.
The shower had been organized around one of Martin's moving jobs; although he was now payed with MJN he still liked to try to do a few moving jobs a month. He'd left about half an hour before everyone was due to arrive at the flat. An hour later, things were in full swing--everyone had shown up, cake and punch were being passed around, and Trish was sitting down to begin opening presents. It was understandably loud with all the excitement, which is why the women missed him coming into the flat until he walked slowly and apprehensively into the room.
"Martin?" Tris asked when she caught sight of him hovering in the doorway nervously. It couldn't be denied that she lit up at the sight of him. The room quieted down as everyone turned to look at him.
"Is everything all right? Trish asked, knowing he wouldn't have come back for reason. He fidgeted in place; she knew he had to be uncomfortable with all attention focused on him, especially dressed as casually for his job as he was in shabby jeans and a faded blue jumper.
"Yes. Fine. I just, er, forgot the keys the client gave me for the storage facility I'm going to."
"Ah. Well, everyone, this is Martin, my boyfriend." Everyone waved and tittered hello at him, and he flushed a bit under the attention.
"Hello, ladies. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. It looks like you're having a lovely time. I'll just--get out of your way then." He veritably fled towards their bedroom to get the keys, followed by a hail of giggles. Chattering resumed for a couple of minutes again until he returned to the room, flashing a nervous, tight-lipped smile at everyone. He crossed the room to where Trish was sitting and stooped to drop an obviously affectionate kiss on her forehead; the pair smiled at each other as he straightened.
"Enjoy yourselves, everyone."
Everyone chorused cheerful goodbyes and he exited quickly. Moments later, the attention focused back on Trish, and she was bombarded with comments on her beau. The consensus, she was gratified to learn, was favourable. She'd wanted everyone to like and appreciate Martin; it was the least he deserved.
~~~
Douglas could tell Martin had something on his mind the second he stepped onto the flight deck, and time only firmed his suspicion. Martin seemed restless, his leg bouncing as he sat, his replies clipped as they went through their pre-flight routine. Douglas, knowing Martin as he did, waited his captain out as they took off. They'd been in the air for about twenty minutes and had just turned off the seat-belt signs when Martin broke.
"Douglas?"
"Yes, Captain?" Douglas said, perfectly nonchalant.
"I was wondering if--well, I know you're good with women, and you've been married several times--not to, er, critisize, but--and I was wondering if you could maybe give me some suggestions--"
"Martin, Martin, Martin," Douglas interjected. "Breathe." Martin did so, and when he spoke again he was his more controlled self.
"I want to ask Trish to marry me and I was wondering if you could give me some ideas."
"Ah. I thought you might be gearing up to that. All I can really tell you, Martin, is kiss." There was a quiet for a beat.
"Kiss? Well, I was planning on doing that, but--"
"Keep it simple, stupid."
"Oh." Quiet again.
"I find that keeping it heartfelt and low-key seems to be very appreciated," Douglas added helpfully.
Martin's face took on a thoughtful, inward look at that, and Douglas left him to it. It was one of their more quiet flights.
~~
Several weeks after the baby shower, Martin and Trish were having a quiet night in. They were lying together in bed after dinner, quietly relaxing and cuddling. They were spooned together, Martin behind Trish. Trish gasped suddenly, and Martin jerked.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah, just--the baby's moving," Trish replied, slight awe in her voice; the wonder of the feeling hadn't quite faded. She shifted so she was lying on her back, belly in the air. She grabbed Martin's hand and placed it on the side of her stomach. After a few seconds, Martin broke out in a huge grin. She smiled lightly back at him.
"I'll never get tired of that. It's amazing," he said, voice slightly hushed.
"I know," Trish replied, just as hushed.
"Close your eyes," Martin said, suddenly sounding strangely determined. Trish complied, a look of curiosity on her face. She heard some rustling and then something was set on her stomach.
"Open," said Martin. Trish was greet by the sight of a diamond ring nestled in a black velvet jewelry box resting on her belly. She inhaled sharply.
"Martin!"
"I love you, and I love this baby. I want to be with you forever. Will you marry me?"
Between kisses, Trish managed to get out, "Yes!"