[Princeton] Babies-R-Us

[doctortara]

Who: Rogue & Tara
Where: Maternity Ward, Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital
When: Thursday evening
Follows: A couple of days after THIS___________________________________________________

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[justalilcontact]

Rogue was exhausted. In fact, if there was a word that meant more exhausted than exhausted, then that's what she was. Some moments she could barely keep her eyes open, and others she was wide awake and excited all over again about being a mother.

She had a daughter! Her and the Doc's little girl was actually here.

She opened her eyes slowly to look at Tara and Riley, and gave a nod. "Mmhmm. Just don't mind me if I close my eyes all over again." Mia was cradled in her arms, the nurses allowing Rogue a few extra moments. She wondered briefly if they understood just how much the touch thing meant to her and the Doc, and that was why she was getting Mia as often as she wanted.

Rogue smiled at her friend, and raised an eyebrow. "Were you as weirded out at the idea of a baby suckin' on ya nipple as I am?"

[doctortara]

Tara nudged the IV pole with her foot so she could sit down in the chair beside the bed. There was a small whimper and squirm of protest from her son at the movement, but his eyes barely opened before he found a happy medium again. She laughed softly. "Actually, he wouldn't feed at first. It took him a couple of days to show any interest, but the first time he started sucking it was... surreal. It felt strange to have his little mouth there the first time, but at the same time I knew I was breast-feeding my son. I was feeding him because he was mine. It was weird but one of the most amazing feelings ever."

[justalilcontact]

"I'm just relieved I can touch her, otherwise I don't know what woulda happened with the breast feedin'. Kinda strange thinkin' about killin' my kid with my boob." Rogue frowned a little, but it eased as she looked down at Mia and brushed her fingers over her little girl's cheeks. "Guess I still think of nipples as bein' used in foreplay, not sustainin' life, even if that's what they're here for."

[doctortara]

Tara nodded. "Yeah, I understand. I nearly killed mine with my breast milk," she murmured, looking down at her son and stroking her thumb against his cheek. "It never really crossed my mind much like that. But then, I was off sex for a good few weeks before Riley was even born. They were hurting, too. And just a word of warning, they'll keep hurting the more eager she gets with the feeding. But get Chase to rub some lotion into them for you. It feels nice and he won't feel so helpless. She's beautiful, you know. Has everything been going okay?"

[justalilcontact]

Rogue blinked. "Sorry... I didn't mean... is he okay? The meds helpin'? I know our guys like our breasts, I don't think either of us were aimin' for literal killer boobs." Her nose crinkled. "Mine have been achin' for fuckin' ever. I just want 'em to stop hurtin'. Ergh... I didn't really wanna hear that warnin', but I guess it's better to know. I will definitely be askin' him to rub lotion into 'em."

Rogue smiled again, her brown eyes lighting up. "Thank you. She really is, ain't she? Everythin' has been fine. 'Specially since we knew we could both touch her. So, Riley, what do ya think of your intended bride?" Rogue asked as she looked at Tara's tiny bundle. "Think she's good enough?"

[doctortara]

Tara smiled. "Hey, it's okay. I just wanted you to know that I understood, on some level. Lachie kind of shifted from horny sex pot to protective, attentive husband and daddy. I think he's maybe forgotton my boobs used to be a massive part of foreplay. First time we did anything recently, my boobs weren't even in the equation because they were so sore. I wish it stopped once he started feeding well, but bottom line is, he's sucking on them countless times a day. They don't ache and feel like bowling balls anymore, but they're still really sensitive."

"That was wonderful news. Rob came and told us shortly after the birth. He was just over the moon. But at least he didn't kiss a janitor," she laughed, shaking her head. She looked between Mia and her son, smiling. They were both clearly oblivious, Riley contentedly sucking on his lower lip in his sleep like he always did. "I think she's perfect, Rogue," she agreed.

[justalilcontact]

Rogue glanced down at the her own boobs, still trying to work out if she was slightly more at east knowing they'd be 'sensitive' and not aching or bowling balls. "I'm hopin' the Doc's gonna be that now he's over the shock of me goin' into labour and everythin'. And once his hand stops hurtin'. I kinda maybe crushed it a couple times..."

Rogue laughed and gave Tara another sleepy smile. "Just maybe keep the perfection to ourselves since the Doc's set on keepin' a Campbell away from his little girl."

[doctortara]

"He will be," Tara predicted smiling. She looked down at Riley when he made a soft baby grunting sound in his sleep. "Chase was always going to be a perfect dad, just like Lachie. He's always had this wonderful connection to his kid patients and even the times he's come to visit our wee one, you can see it's natural in him. It's funny... the labour is the easy part," she mused softly and glanced back up at Rogue with a small smirk. "Probably still too soon for you to believe me on that note

[justalilcontact]

Rogue held up her finger and thumb to indicate a small amount of space. "Just a little too soon, sugar. I'm sure I'll agree with ya once I feel like I ain't been turned inside out." Rogue dipped her head to kiss Mia, and smiled. "I always knew the Doc was gonna be a good daddy. Just like I knew he was gonna be a good husband. I'm glad I'm the one that nabbed him."

Rogue nodded. "I know... I know ya would. Same as Mia's gonna grow up bein' a wonderful girl. I'll make sure if they are fated, that Mia treats him just as well. I just want her happy. And I hope she always knows touch."

[doctortara]

"Riley's ten weeks old now and I still remember exactly how it all felt," Tara admitted. "I'm surprised I'm still married at how much Lachie copped it, and he was only just over five pounds when he was born. I swear, he felt like he was about twenty pounds coming out. Lachie and his whole Clan were going to cop it for having healthy large-baby producing genes," she laughed. "That was some mean feat. He was always so sure he was destined to be alone and surviving on casual sex."

She rested her cheek against her son's head as tears of exhaustion filled her eyes before she could stop them. She blinked them away with a soft curse. "It's like you're carrying your heart around in a swaddle of blankets. You worry and you get scared about everything, and when they really do get sick and you can't help them, your heart breaks with every single cry. But it's still the most amazing thing you will ever, ever feel or know."

[justalilcontact]

"I didn't let the Doc cop it too bad, did I? I don't really remember... I know I was gettin' angry at him over stupid Spongebob. Then he found Logan and Cameron in the closet and he was shriekin' over that. I'm just happy Logan's happy. Kinda explains a lot..." Rogue trailed off, still remembering the look on her husband's face. He had been genuinely shocked. "So was he... And I was sure I was gonna wind up alone because no one wanted to put up with my skin."

"Hey... hey, you okay? Ya don't need to be embarrassed with me anymore." Rogue smiled. "I'm kinda gettin' a feel for that side of it. I can't wait 'til we're back home."

[doctortara]

"I think they forgive us anyway. There's nothing nice about giving birth except it being over. But you won't remember all the bad stuff when you do it again next time," Tara predicted. "It's hard to believe a woman's body is basically built for this when it hurts so damn much."

She shook her head hastily. "I'm sorry. Things are just catching up on me and I have a husband who is acting strangely. I'm a big ball of hormones and emotions." She put a hand up to wipe away the stray tears. "It's a little easier at home. You can start finding a routine and you can watch them start to become familiar with their surroundings. She'll start recognising your voice and whose arms she's in. They're amazing. They really, really are."