Time Warp: Second Son

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

July, 2021

"Shit."

It could by lying. They're not always right, right? More than one is always good.

Okay, that's a fair few positive signs.

"Shit."

A pause and a very contemplative moment for the ink manipulator who was pretty much just hanging out in the bathroom at this point. Taking a deep breath was difficult when the air felt so tight. It wasn't a bad thing. She knew that; of course, she knew this was going to be a thing eventually anyway. But she excepted a few more failed attempts. A few more months to breathe despite how she had been the one who wanted another kid so soon. Lucy had started that conversation in a quiet moment in a quiet room with a quiet baby and the forgettable baby monitor in the corner.

But y'know, it was one thing to think it, another to do it.

"Fuck me." The Australian offered then, to herself in her own disbelief. She wasn't allowed to swear in the presence of the first born, and she agreed with that. Seconds alone were different, and a moment like this definitely called for it.

Perhaps what was worse was that it was on a complete whim that she even contemplated testing. She reached for her phone in a moment of panic; a call to Carleigh and surely she could keep a handle on this before she actually said anything to the one person who needed to hear it. She then realised how stupid that was. Because when Penny found out the blonde knew first, she might kill the both of them.

So the solitude of the bathroom could only hold her for so long. Pressing positive signs practically by the dozen were growing more and more daunting, so into the trash they went. But they wouldn't be there for long, and she knew that. Not when it came to such a meticulous cleaning schedule, first born baby or no. Therefore, it was practically now or never. Penny had been so clever in the way she held the information from Lucy the first time; how was she supposed to manage the same? Was she supposed to? Underwear on and given the quality of the weekend morning, they were only coupled with the shirt she'd tried to sleep in the night before. She took a breath. She stepped out.

Fingers ran through her hair; she searched the house for her with an absent, quieter call; "Babe."

[Penelope Serrano-Blaise]

Penny was a creature of routine; everything she did was set to some sort of schedule, but having a child brought into their life certainly made it hectic. It was nearly impossible to stay on track when there was a being who lived to his own schedule in the mix. Of course, the Brit would never complain about their son's existence; she simply worked her best around it.

As she had to that morning. A crackle of the baby monitor, and moments later Penny responded to the sound of their stirring son. It was early, but she had already been awake due to a pre-programed schedule put in place. As quietly as she could, Penny eased herself from the familiar arms that held her so closely, kissing the top of Lucy's head before pulling on some of her clothes and leaving for Lincoln's bedroom.

By the time Lucy had woken and occupied the washroom, Penny had managed to settle their only son. Thrown off routine entirely, the Brit made her way to the kitchen. At least, there, she had familiar ground to work through. A water boiler and a coffee pot; two entirely different morning beverages for two entirely different people. It was a ritual, by then.

"Hmm?" A hum passed Penny's lips as she turned to the quiet nature of her wife's voice. Her free hand extended, reaching for the second mug on the counter as her fingers curled around the handle before moving in the direction of the noise.

As dark eyes landed on the half dressed form that wandered their home, she was slow to work her way up to meet Lucy's gaze, but when she finally did, her hand extended to offer coffee to the Australian. "Good morning." She greeted lightly. Once her hand was free it was quick to find its way to her waist as she leaned through the distance and kissed Lucy.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Words were just words. They weren't too hard to string together in an attempt at a useful piece of information. Lucy wondered if it was smarter to try to maintain some cooler qualities, or if she should just tell her in a rush that seemed more fitting. There was nothing glorified about the way she found out, and so there shouldn't have been anything special about the news. Right? Penny had told her about Lincoln in a hotel room in Paris with her own back against a wall.

It was a taxing thought process, one that made the ink manipulator feel far too tired for someone who hadn't been up all that long. Instead, she let her focus get caught by the small hum that seemed to echo through the quiet residence. Gently generous in its offer, it did wonders to kick her heart rate into her throat. She rolled her shoulders back once.

When she was finally in view, she swept her hair off to one side instinctively before she dropped her hands. But seconds later they were offered something necessary. An instinctive hand greeted the cup held for her, wrapping the handle before a hand wrapped her own waist and drew her attention inward. There was never a moment where Lucy wouldn't reciprocate the pressure against her lips. It should have done wonders to make a moment easier. But when she was gone, Lucy was left holding coffee. And with it came the rush of a memory; a laundry list of things Penny had told her she'd have to cut back on.

She stared down at it for a spare few moments before she shook the concept off. It couldn't be so bad. Not this one time.

"Hey," She finally greeted, dark eyes crossing from the cup to the length of her form and upwards slowly. "How'd you go?"

[Penelope Serrano-Blaise]

Whether the ink manipulator was aware of it or not, she was encouraging Penny in the worst of ways. Having missed the ink manipulator so early in the morning, she was immediately drawn to her - more so than in any other given moment. Worse, the shift of Lucy's hair instinctively put her gaze down the the exposed line of Lucy's neck. She even contemplated kissing it after drawing away from Lucy's lips, but a question filled the air first.

"He was determined to put up a fight." Penny sighed, "But in the end he gave in, stubborn as he tried to be." Despite her tiredness, there was light amusement in her tone as she spoke of Lincoln. There was little that could happen that would put a negative tone in her voice when speaking about their son.

Still, she hadn't strayed far from the ink manipulator. How could she? Were she not holding tea in her free hand, it would have certainly ended up on the Australian. Instead, she kissed her again, only this time at the line of her jaw. "He's certainly yours."

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

It was never easy when the morning was as rushed as it had been. Lucy had great issues with the way Penny had to leave the bed they shared so suddenly. Ripped from her hands far too quickly, and waiting for her counterpart to return had never been an option once Lincoln was awake. Slightly earlier starts to the day didn't really phase the ink manipulator. But the resolution to a hunch was a completely different story.

She listened to the answer given, because she wouldn't have asked if she wasn't genuinely interested in hearing a response. Still without a drop to her lips, she felt herself become far more captivated by something else entirely. Gentle lips to the line of her jaw. Just once.

"Funny that, huh." Lucy replied, the rest of the air passing her lips on a humoured breath. Her free hand might have skimmed the length of her love's form slowly, but she was determined not to lose sight of the imperative conversation at the edge of her tongue. Even if focus provided its own share of difficulties; "Can't blame him for wanting to be around you."

[Penelope Serrano-Blaise]

Having been pulled away from Lucy so early in the morning left Penny in distress on certain levels. It brought her exceptionally closer to the Australian when on a regular basis she already stayed close. With her arm firmly around her form, she took a slow step backwards to lead them into the kitchen.

Because she hadn't strayed far from Lucy's jaw, even while she listened to what the ink manipulator had to offer. Close enough where Lucy could have felt the way she smiled at the remark before pressing against her jaw again, only this time slightly further up. "Mmm." She hummed in a quiet agreement, still amazed that her son did seem to enjoy her company. It was a surprise every day.

Once they passed the edge of the counter, the tea cup Penny held was set onto it. With both hands free, she was quick to press her palm to Lucy's back as her mouth brushed Lucy's ear.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Imperative words flooded Lucy's mind, lingering within the idea that she could make or break a moment with such news. She wasn't worried for what reaction she would receive; rather, Lucy was very certain she knew the joy that would flood her counterpart's features and fuel her motives. She would be happy. She would be more than happy; the kind of elation words didn't give justice to. But giving words in the first place was the problem. At the edge of her tongue, but it wasn't as easy as it must have seemed.

All Penny gave her was a soft hum passed her lips, the kind that filtered across her own skin with the closeness they shared. Lucy followed as she was led forwards into the kitchen.

Her love had free hands now, and both had worked themselves beneath the fabric of her clothes so easily. If she told her now, nails would track such harsh marks against her skin; as painful as it would be fitting and so glorious. When she opened her mouth to force the imperative words out, nothing eloquent could pass them, just the remnants of a useless breath in a weak attempt at holding composure.

[Penelope Serrano-Blaise]

Once started, it was hard to stop. Although she hadn't been away from her love for all that long, it had felt it. Pulling herself out of Lucy's arms was never enjoyable, but at least she gained a second chance to make up for the lost contact. Because it didn't take news for her nails to skim across the ink manipulator's back, although this time only lightly.

The useless breath Lucy gave was perfect encouragement, whether Lucy wished it to be or not. Slow steps brought them across the length of the kitchen to the opposite counter where Penny pressed her against.

Hands shifted to Lucy's side, nails dragging against light skin downward until she found her hips. Parted lips thought to say something, yet when was Penny ever one to speak in such moments? And instead she kissed her.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Despite her years, Lucy could never grow past the idea of missing Penny within a few hours. She often spent weeks within unbearable, unbreakable distance, and so in the times where she was available it was oddly strenuous. A morning where Penny attended to their naturally needy son and Lucy could have followed, but she didn't. She followed the concept of a disbelieving feeling, and now she was there.

And it was never easy to ignore the things Penny wanted when they called so close to her own nature. Pressed against the surface like she knew she would be, but it forced her heart beat to soar all the same. And thoughts of an extended family with the person she loved could only force that to grow. The cup in her hands quickly hit the surface, and full as it was, she couldn't help the way the darkened liquid spilled a touch. It hardly mattered right now.

Because familiar lips caught her own, and they were so sweetly lined with the kind of heat-packed intention that had gone missing from the morning. A hand coursed its way to find the material of her shoulder and dig in, and she made a mental note to approach the imperative news at a better time, likely with more clothes to her person.

[Penelope Serrano-Blaise]

Note: FtB

For one who so often picked up after messes, Penny had completely ignored the dark liquid that had spilt on the counter. Her attention had already been so wrapped up in Lucy. She hadn't been gone from her for long; just a missed beat in a morning routine and Penny was rendered completely useless. Pressure at her shoulder hardly stopped the psychometrist, even if it made her wince.

She kept Lucy between herself and the counter, but it didn't seem as if she minded the closeness. While Penny pressed her lips to the curve of the Australian's neck, she could feel the ring of her pulse. How it beat just as erratically as her own, but somehow maintaining an opposite rhythm. So loud it blocked out any memory that might have tried to cross her distracted mind. Strong as it was, her own mentality was peaking as her mouth found the line of Lucy's jaw.

With a roll of her shoulders, Penny finally eased herself back just enough to look at her wife. What was supposed to be a glance quickly turned into something more; there were only a few times Penny could resist staring, and this wasn't one. The only way she did manage to was by kissing her again.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

As imperative as it was to try and implement some life changing news, the thought was also overwhelming. When coupled with the naturally overwhelming nature of her counterpart's affectionate nature, there was little Lucy could do to offer any distraction. Had she the ability to be coherent, the words might have left her mouth in a moment where they really didn't belong.

Then again, it would have almost been fitting. It would have practically mirrored the news of Lincoln's impending existence.

But the thought was long gone, attention instead focused to the familiar connotations of lips grazing across her neck. Distance in an instance like that could have only been detrimental, so strong enough hands were determined to keep her close. And it seemed that without fault, she had no intention of forcing herself too far in turn. There was a significant enough break when she realised she should open her eyes, and as she caught a glimpse of the expression offered to her, she almost stared with a dumbfounded nature.

If it was another boy? Jonathan. If a girl? Ellis.

"Plans for today?" She finally managed, the words as breathless as she absolutely was. Because if anyone knew what was supposed to happen today, it was Penny.

[Penelope Serrano-Blaise]

The day was bound to be a busy one, and Penny was well aware of it. Having started off on the wrong page, she knew just how little time she'd have with her counterpart. It made the mornings more imperative; between busy schedules and a child, time in a day had grown significantly shorter since they were younger.

Penny lifted her hand, dragging it up and through Lucy's hair, raking dark locks towards one side as she hummed over the question. As if she really had to think about the day she already had scheduled and planned out since last night.

"We need to go to the markets." Penny started thoughtfully, although it was now a regular scheduled event for the weekend. "And while we're out, we need to get a new lamp for Lincoln's room. Something dimmer, or with different settings." Pausing, Penny pressed her lips to the corner of Lucy's mouth. "But before he wakes up, I need to clean some things." Saturdays were reserved for the kitchen and bathrooms, she must have known that.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Lucy listened to the way their inevitable day was listed to her, just as it was every other week when she seemed to forget the detailing of their weekend. Routine was pertinent, though flexible when it came to throwing a child in the mix. Everything was resting on the idea that he would get a little sleep now; enough to be ready for the portion of the day they would spend away from their home. And in that meantime, of course Penny had plans to keep the house as it was. At least, now that she'd crossed the most important task off the list.

"Mmm," She agreed with a small hum passed her lips, but in truth she hardly knew the routine cleaning schedule her love kept to. She never really had to clean a thing when it came to their home, and as such, she found herself a little clueless.

Instead, she brought herself forward enough to press her lips against hers again. Short enough to compensate for the fact that it still wasn't easy to take a full, decent breath; intoxicating as she very much proved to be. "Should I help?" She asked with a defined laugh, fingers tracking up through the line of her hair in a slow enough motion.

[Penelope Serrano-Blaise]

The hum that passed Lucy's lips put something of an amused smile on Penny's. She knew just how little interest her counterpart held in daily chores. Penny had her schedule, and as distracting as Lucy could be, she still gave Penny the necessary space to follow it. A tidy home was necessary for living in, and routine cleaning kept the Brit sane. After all, Penelope Blaise wouldn't be herself if she couldn't find a way to scrub down the corners of her home.

Her eyes closed as she felt familiar fingers catch the line of her hair, amusement only growing as Lucy spoke. Although she didn't laugh as her wife had, humor still existed in the short exhale she offered. "I love you." Penny started, stressing the point. "But no. Just no." Even if she were to allow the Australian to try and aid her in the task, Penny would have likely gone back over all of her work anyway. There was little point in making two people work when she herself had cleaning down to a practical art.

She kissed Lucy again, lingering against her lips with slow burning intention. "I should get started." She offered with a roll of her shoulders, now that she could get started with her day properly. Still, another press of her lips against Lucy's and she stayed pressed up against her for moments longer before finally easing back a half step.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Lucy lingered in the provided proximity, intent enough to keep Penny close for as long as she would allow it to be. Her mind might have been on other things - the day's events as per Lucy's own initial question - but it didn't mean she had to disappear right away. Though Penny was making a point, the ink manipulator was far too wrapped in the way she declared love as a kind of off-set. There was no way Lucy was bound to help clean their house; there was no point. Anything she did would be re-handled minutes later. It just made work longer. More tedious.

Penny was equally expert at the severity of a drawn kiss. She worked wonders to keep the Australian's focus completely attuned to the rhythm of her movements. To the contact she provided before she threatened the idea that she was going to move away from her.

Sure enough, she was making movements to slip out of Lucy's grasp. There was an obvious part of her that wanted to keep her. "That's it, huh?" She asked, her voice traced in a type of teasing shade, "Got what you needed so you can survive without me for a few?" As if it were ever that simple.

And while she gave another laugh, her own hands lost their pressure all the same; "Or gave, I guess."