(no subject)
"Today is Wednesday. Today we're going to see the fireworks." Guppy says, pointing to the picture schedule on the wall. His young son studies it dutifully.
"Today weddy. Seeda fie-wods."
"That's right." Guppy smiles slightly. He hates fireworks. He hoped that Alex would hate fireworks, and was highly surprised when the baby started rushing over to the windows every time one went off outside. Especially since the neighbour's children in hallowe'en costumes sent him hiding under the table for two hours the other night.
"Seeda fie-wods!" Alex says again, excitedly. "Wheeee!"
Guppy laughs and restrains himself from ruffling Alex's hair.
"Mummy's just finding her hat, so let's get your coat on."
"No."
"It has to be done." Guppy says. He's taken to using this phrase when they're doing something where there's no choice; it means it is not negotiable, regardless of tears, tantrums, screaming or biting. No way is he going out without his coat on. But he tries to use it only when necessary.
Alex, who knows this, mentally admits defeat. Experience has told him that once this phrase is uttered, he's never going to win, though he'll still try if he hates the activity enough. He even attempts to put his arms in the sleeves of his own accord as Guppy moves the coat around him.
"Good boy. Hat?"
"No."
"Okay, gloves?"
"No."
"Okay, but if you get cold, you'll have to wear them later." Guppy puts them in his pocket.
There is more resistance on getting in the car, but they soon set off to watch the fireworks. It's their first night out in ages, and it really does help take their minds off everything else that's been going on.
"Just think, this time last year we were panicking about him popping out too early, now he's nearly one and doing great." Frogspawn says, watching their overexcited son squealing and flapping his arms.
"Whee!" Alex squeals as a big one goes off. He tries to get closer, but the baby harness is held firmly in his father's hand.
"Do you think we should start planning for another one?"
Guppy comes back to Earth and blinks at his wife.
"Another what?"
"Another baby, you muppet."
"Frogs, I adore Fry, but you have to agree he is Hard Work." Guppy says quietly. "I wouldn't go as far as to say no, but... think about it. I agree with Max that he's doing well but it's a waiting game. We haven't even worked out whether he's going to be able to go to mainstream school yet."
"Guppy, at this rate we'll need to look for a genius school."
"Does Holby have one of those?"
"I suspect not. Not the point anyway. I'm gonna get a year's maternity leave, which would help with some of the time before he goes into said school."
"What if the new baby is early, ends up in NICU like Alex did? What if the new baby is autistic spectrum as well? How are we going to cope?" He takes her hand in his free one, and gives it a squeeze. "Let's give it just a little more time, okay? We're holding it together right now because we're a good team, but..."
"Okay, I got your point." She shrugs. "It was just a thought."
"Er... on the subject of pregnancy. I have a friend from the bar, er, Mike, who's, er, carrying a surrogate alien baby and may need to come stay with us for a while. You okay with that?"
"How long for?"
"Until it's born? Might be a couple of weeks. He's a bit nervous because he doesn't have a cervix."
"Sure. Just don't bring him to work. And you get to explain to Alex."
"Today weddy. Seeda fie-wods."
"That's right." Guppy smiles slightly. He hates fireworks. He hoped that Alex would hate fireworks, and was highly surprised when the baby started rushing over to the windows every time one went off outside. Especially since the neighbour's children in hallowe'en costumes sent him hiding under the table for two hours the other night.
"Seeda fie-wods!" Alex says again, excitedly. "Wheeee!"
Guppy laughs and restrains himself from ruffling Alex's hair.
"Mummy's just finding her hat, so let's get your coat on."
"No."
"It has to be done." Guppy says. He's taken to using this phrase when they're doing something where there's no choice; it means it is not negotiable, regardless of tears, tantrums, screaming or biting. No way is he going out without his coat on. But he tries to use it only when necessary.
Alex, who knows this, mentally admits defeat. Experience has told him that once this phrase is uttered, he's never going to win, though he'll still try if he hates the activity enough. He even attempts to put his arms in the sleeves of his own accord as Guppy moves the coat around him.
"Good boy. Hat?"
"No."
"Okay, gloves?"
"No."
"Okay, but if you get cold, you'll have to wear them later." Guppy puts them in his pocket.
There is more resistance on getting in the car, but they soon set off to watch the fireworks. It's their first night out in ages, and it really does help take their minds off everything else that's been going on.
"Just think, this time last year we were panicking about him popping out too early, now he's nearly one and doing great." Frogspawn says, watching their overexcited son squealing and flapping his arms.
"Whee!" Alex squeals as a big one goes off. He tries to get closer, but the baby harness is held firmly in his father's hand.
"Do you think we should start planning for another one?"
Guppy comes back to Earth and blinks at his wife.
"Another what?"
"Another baby, you muppet."
"Frogs, I adore Fry, but you have to agree he is Hard Work." Guppy says quietly. "I wouldn't go as far as to say no, but... think about it. I agree with Max that he's doing well but it's a waiting game. We haven't even worked out whether he's going to be able to go to mainstream school yet."
"Guppy, at this rate we'll need to look for a genius school."
"Does Holby have one of those?"
"I suspect not. Not the point anyway. I'm gonna get a year's maternity leave, which would help with some of the time before he goes into said school."
"What if the new baby is early, ends up in NICU like Alex did? What if the new baby is autistic spectrum as well? How are we going to cope?" He takes her hand in his free one, and gives it a squeeze. "Let's give it just a little more time, okay? We're holding it together right now because we're a good team, but..."
"Okay, I got your point." She shrugs. "It was just a thought."
"Er... on the subject of pregnancy. I have a friend from the bar, er, Mike, who's, er, carrying a surrogate alien baby and may need to come stay with us for a while. You okay with that?"
"How long for?"
"Until it's born? Might be a couple of weeks. He's a bit nervous because he doesn't have a cervix."
"Sure. Just don't bring him to work. And you get to explain to Alex."