Motherly Pride (Open)

[Midori Hawkins]

It felt odd to be walking through the doors of Hammel with no intentions of going down the hallway that led to the recruiters’ offices, sitting at her desk, and getting to work. It felt like her first day of work all over again. Only this time, instead of carrying a purse and work supplies, she was carrying her son. He was asleep, which he seemed to spend a good deal of his time doing. Even though he was only a few weeks old, he rarely threw screaming fits, and he was a relatively good sleeper. She’d been warned to enjoy it while it lasted, and she planned to.

She was headed to Hammel today for one reason. She missed her coworkers, and a bit of motherly pride had her wanting to show off her baby. No matter what circumstances had brought him into the world, he was here, and she adored him.

The recruiter had sent out a few emails to important people, like James and the rest of the recruitment team, letting them know she planned to stop by with Tory for a little visit. She didn’t really know who else might show up, but she figured she’d have at least an hour or two before Tory started fussing. By that point, she’d probably be tired enough to head back home. Being a recruiter was sometimes tiring. This being a mother thing? Exhausting.

She swung into the staff lounge, figuring it would be the best place to set up camp, and sent off of a few texts to her team members to let them know she was there, if they had the time to spare. She knew that Flo had been dying to see Tory, and James liked kids. The others, she wasn’t so sure about. Not wanting to wake Tory, she just smiled and leaned over his little carrier, gently running her fingers across his cheek. Proud? Just a little.

(Pretty much open to anyone that knows Mii and would want to drop by to say hi and see the bby!)

[Florence Bryant]

Florence had practically melted into a pile of cooing goo when she'd found out Mii was bringing in her newborn. Happy happy memories of her tiny little bundle came thick and fast as she counted down the days till she could come and greet the baby. She'd originally thought of doing a baby shower for the new mother, but had decided against it for the simple reason that Midori was a quiet lady, and she doubted a ton of people showering her with large gifts and attention would be her sort of thing.

Still, she'd bought a lovely gift for her friend - a lovely little leather bound book with "Baby's Firsts" indented in silver. Flo had also brought a second gift, mostly for Tory's hopeful enjoyment. Trotting along side her as she walked down the corridors was a small, fluffy looking dog, white fur positively gleaming as he bounded and scurried back and forth. She'd also brought Midori a panini hot from the store, just as a little bonus.

Knocking gently on the Staff Lounge door, the conjurer peered her head in and had to stifle a squeal of delight. Nodding at the samoyed familiar, she got the dog to sit up in the chair near the young mum and wagged eagerly, face drawn in a happy pant.

"Mii!" She said warmly, throwing her arms open to pull the fellow recruiter into a hug. "It's great to see you. I brought presents." Her eyes sparkled as she rummaged in her bag for the two gifts. "I hope you like them." Presenting the recruiter with the wrapped book and the panini, she scooped up the tiny samoyed and lifted him up.

"This is Oscar. I heard little Tory liked dogs, so I thought he could do with some furry company." Oscar's tail wagged and he looked at Florence eagerly. "Oh! Please let me see the baby! Please please please! I'll be gentle, I just want to see the baby!" He chanted in Florence's head, wiggling slightly in her arms.

Peering over the carrier, the conjurer let out a sigh of delight. "Oh Mii." She breathed, very carefully letting Oscar sniff the little bundle. "He's beautiful!" She gave a bright smile over to her friend and then rested her chin on her hand. "I just want to cuddle him up." She added breathlessly, before settling down in a chair, watching her familiar cautiously. "How's he been? Gwynie used to enjoy waiting till 3am when I was finally going to sleep before crying." The woman chuckled, pushing her dark hair behind her ear.

[Asher Bastien]

While Ash would've been loathe to admit it to anybody, he had been worried that the pretty brunette who worked in the recruitment office had up and quit; far be it for him to stalk anyone (it was really more 'keeping track' of) but he hadn't seen her face around the administrative area for a while and he certainly couldn't justify asking around without sounding like a complete creep. It wasn't weird to notice a girl. In fact, that was perfectly normal. People noticed girls all the time, that was how people made friends and got into relationships and ultimately ended up reproducing to make more girls for people to notice. They also noticed when said girl kind of disappeared after a while, and while it wasn't life-altering or any massive cause for angstbucketing (yes, that is a term because stevie says it is)... well, you've got me. Ash had been angstbucketing at least a little. It's his own fault, really. Ash could've easily added something other than "Hello", like, "herp-derp I think you're pretty" or "So I was wondering if you were doing anything on Friday," to his usual greeting and he could've noticed that the girl was PRETTY DARN PREGNANT for the last few months, which would explain her month-long absence. Yeah. Good job at completely failing at life, dude. The whole "BUT EVERY TIME I'VE SEEN HER SHE'S BEEN SITTING DOWN" excuse was a really weak one, as was "Well okay so maybe I did think she'd put on a little weight." Either way: Go Directly To Jail. Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200.

So imagine his surprise when he passed by an otherwise empty room and the pretty girl was back; not only was she back, but she was surrounded by a puppy, and Florence (who Ash knew only by name, not personally), and a... wait, hold up. HOLD UP. Was that a... OH GOD IT WAS A BABY RED ALERT RED ALERT.

Well, okay, maybe she was babysitting? He didn't know any of the recruiters particularly well, as it wasn't his job to hang around them all day; and, unable to contain his excitement that at least she was still here and hadn't been transferred to Czechoslovakia or hit by a bus or something, popped into the room with a smile and a rather dopey wave, which was also directed to Florence since she had always seemed nice, and had rather fantastic hair and also counted as one of the pretty recruiters, just not the pretty recruiter that Ash had been crushing on for last, oh, year or so. Right.

Waiting patiently for a lull in the conversation - the more Florence talked the more he got the accurate feeling that Mii was the mother and the not-so-accurate one that he had moping since 2010 after a taken woman who probably, like, had an awesome boyfriend that taught skydiving lessons or something thoroughly badass - he nevertheless cleared his throat and smiled again and said, "Nice to see you back. Is the little dude yours?"

A herp-derp Captain Obvious, wtf do you think Flo's been talking about for the last two minutes? Well, okay - in his defense, this is really the longest string of sentences he's ever really exchanged with Mii in the last year (nevertheless not exactly his finest hour in the charm department). AT LEAST HE SAID HI. Dx

[Midori Hawkins]

Not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for people to show up. During the lapse in time between the texts being fired off, and her fellow recruiter showing up, Midori busied herself with watching her son sleep. It was so peaceful. For the first few nights, she’d stayed up watching him sleep, still awed at the fact he was actually here. So far, he’d been perfect. Sleeping, eating all right, and he’d only burst into a few big crying fits. She knew that would change, but she’d take what she could get.

She straightened up at the knock, a wide grin appearing on her face when she saw Florence poke her head in. “Flo!” She was one of the few women on the recruiting team, and Mii adored her. During her pregnancy, Flo had been a great pillar of support and advice. She was a good friend, and a great person to work with. She hugged the other woman back, unable to keep the smile from her face. At least until presents were mentioned. She eyed her friend, looking very slightly disapproving. “Oh Flo… you didn’t have to.”

Still, once they were offered, she took the gifts gently. “Thank y – oh my gosh, Flo. He’s lovely!” She was well aware of the other woman’s ability. She’d seen it in action many times. Again, she glanced down at her son. “It’s only a guess. He’s not afraid of Zero, and we decorated the nursery in a dog theme.” Still, both she and Eli were dog fans, and with Zero around, it was likely Tory would be the same. Gently, she ran her fingers over the soft white fur. “I’m sure he’ll love him, when he’s awake.”

Letting Flo and Oscar inspect her son, Mii took a moment to investigate the items she’d been handed. The Panini was definitely appreciated. As for the wrapped package… she set the food on the table and slowly unwrapped the book. Her face lit up. “Oh Flo, it’s perfect. Thank you!”

She settled beside her friend, watching her coo over the baby. “You can take him out. I doubt he’ll wake up.” She smiled and sighed happily. “He’s been wonderful so far. Of course, Eli’s been a fantastic help, but Tory’s been so good. Sleeping through the night, but that’ll change, I’m sure.”

She would have gone on about labor, or something equally as graphic a topic that only two mothers can truly appreciate, but she noticed one of the security team inching his way in. She recognized him, if only because his hair was hard to miss. She’d seen him on and off since she’d started at Hammel, usually seeming to run into him in the lounge, during coffee breaks. He’d always seemed nice enough, albeit a bit shy, but nice. He’d seemed to make a point of saying hello to her in the halls, but really, he probably did that with everyone. Right?

She waved back, returning the smile. He was a nice guy, and a member of the security team, for goodness sake. He was harmless, and she didn’t mind him being there. The fact that her absence had, apparently, been noticed by him baffled her for a moment, but she still managed a smile and looked up at him. “Yes, he’s mine. And thank you.” A light blush dusted her cheeks, because honestly, she hadn’t expected to be missed by anyone other than her own team.

In Flo's arms, Tory slowly stirred and stretched, opening his eyes. He didn’t fuss, or cry. He simply looked around the lounge. Mii smiled when Flo offered him back, and took him, nestling him in her arms. “See? He’s so good.” She little boy glanced around the room before deciding to stare right at the security guard, his eyes wide. It was only polite to introduce him, when he was staring like that. “Um. This is Tory,” she offered to him. “Apparently he likes you.”

[Florence Bryant]

Flo couldn't stop the smile that was positively beaming out of her face. Midori looked every ounce the proud mother, and with a bundle as gorgeous as Tory, she could see why. Ignoring her protest about receiving gifts, Flo instead settled crosslegged by the carrier and kept one hand gently on Oscar's back, letting his nose gently sniff the newborn with curiousity. His tail beat the air enthusiastically as he did so, and, after a moment of tentative wiffling, he dropped down and rested his soft furry head next to Tory's leg, ears perked.

"I'm glad you like him." Flo gossiped, keeping her voice quiet enough not to stir the peaceful baby. "He's ever so enthusiastic - he's been chattering in my head the entire drive over here." Propping her chin on her hand, she was about to reply that it was no problem whatsoever in regards to the presents (least of all the panini) when she noticed an easily recognizable bush of post box red hair sticking through the door.

Taking Mii's offer to lift the bundle out, the conjurer took no further encouragement in lifting Tory out of the carrier, holding him expertly in her arms as Oscar licked his tiny hand. "Oh he's really something, Mii." She said warmly, looking over to the door and nearly smacking her forehead against her palm when Asher asked if it was hers. "I mean it, he's like a little angel. For now." A small smirk rose on her lips, and she delicately passed him back over to Midori, standing up and letting Oscar lie, adoringly, at the fellow recruiter's feet.

"Hiya Asher." She said brightly, grabbing the poor man's hand and seating him rather firmly beside her friend. Flo is the queen of picking up vibes, perhaps unfortunately for poor Asher. She'd noticed the rather smitten faces he pulled at Midori every time she walked past, and how he appeared to turn into Mr. SaddyMcSadpants when she'd taken her leave. "Isn't Tory just the most beautiful, scrumptious little bundle of baby?" She added as a prompt to get the clearly awkward man to speak.

Of course, then Oscar seemed to notice the utterly impressive red colour on Asher's hair and mirrored Tory's expression - albeit with a furry face and a big black nose. As though trying to understand it, the little Samoyed moved his head from side to side, let out a little whine of confusion, then began to wag twice as hard as he had done before.

"He has HAIR. Oh gosh his hair it's so ... ODD looking and I'm colourblind but it is an ODD shade and I want to lick him. Can I lick him? I do so want to lick him!" The dog rambled, eventually moving in circles around Asher's legs, before placing a paw on the man's leg and barking.

"He really likes your hair." Florence explained, laughing warmly as Tory joined in the staring competition. Giving the affirmative to Oscar, she rose from her vigil beside the carrier back to her chair, and promptly took out a rather messy looking sub. "Gwynie said she'd make lunch today." She added with a gentle tut, before popping the bread into her mouth.

[Asher Bastien]

Granted, Ash DID have a past history of missing Mii; the one day he'd decided to actually try to engage her in conversation and had come fully prepared with exactly what he wanted to say and a rather non-offensive gather of daisies (because most girls tolerated them and some loved them and no one really HATED them, and they were usually the least presumptuous selection available anyway) SHE HAD BEEN GONE. Even worse, the flowers had ended up on a desk that did not actually belong to Miss Hawkins, and he'd had an interesting time explaining why he'd apparently left a male recruiter a modest collection of asters and baby's breath alongside a gushy and thoroughly embarrassing note.

With that sort of luck, it really should have come as no surprise that he was acutely aware of when she was gone for long periods of time, and completely oblivious as to the reason or duration. Because, you know, he's not the most observant guy on the block, and asking about it just would've catapaulted him into creepy territory.

Listening to the women coo over the child being passed between them, Ash grinned a bit; babies were infectious (as in, like, the oohing and awwing and omg that's so cute it burped, not like OH GOD PUT IT IN QUARANTINE RIGHT NOW BEFORE WE ALL DIE) and even he found himself watching the little thing with an instinctual curiosity. Was it disappointing to realize that the girl he'd pining after for the better part of a year was probably in a relationship? YES OH GOD IT WAS CRUSHING. Well, it wasn't that bad; as long as she was happy (and she seemed very happy; glowing almost) then that was the important thing, and he'd have to go be sad somewhere that wasn't work. At least he would have if Florence hadn't pulled him further into the room; a dumbstruck Ash was particularly easy to steer closer to Mii before he realized that Ms. Bryant had just supplied a reason to stay in the room, and for a minute he looked like he could kiss her (which he, fortunately, did not do due to the fact that it a) was probably grounds for Flo to sue him, and b) totally defeated the purpose of coming in to trip all over himself over Ms. Hawkins). "He's beautiful," he replied instead, smiling at Tory and deciding against mouthing a thank you in Florence's direction. Because, you know, that was also kind of creepy, and he doubted (hah) that Flo really knew what a wonderful thing she'd just done. "And tiny. How old is he?" Couldn't have been more than a month or two by his guess. Which wasn't, you know, all that accurate. Ash hadn't really been around a multitude of babies thus far in his life, and he was currently UNAWARE AS TO HOW FULLY INUNDATED HE WOULD BE WITH THEM IN THE NOTSODISTANT FUTURE MUAHAHA.

Emboldened now that they hadn't run him out or anything for the intrusion, he laughed nervously, tugging on a handful of firetruck red. He let go and instead gave a cheery little wave to the baby - Ash, by now, knew better than to get his head too close to grabby fingers regardless of how adorable the owners of which were, or how badly he'd been crushing on their mothers. "It's the hair. Every kid I've been around usually points it out. I think my daughter's the only one that's used to it." Oscar was another story, though, and Mr. Bastien crouched to offer a hand before giving the Samoyed a careful scritch behind the ears. "Yeah? Never had an animal really seem to notice, other than crows." And, having missed a good part of the conversation, he glanced towards the baby-free recruiter (although his eyes certainly wandered back to Mii often enough). "Cute dog, Flo. Is he yours?"

Awwww, look at you Ash, chatting it up with the MILF squad all casual-like.

[Midori Hawkins]

“Of course I like him,” she assured her friend. “He’s perfect. Tory’s going to end up being surrounded by dogs. He already has Zero at home.” She smiled at the thought of Eli’s dog. “She’s already in love with him.” Zero had also taken to sleeping near Tory, and if he woke up she was the first one alert, and from there she’d alert either Eli or Mii to the problem. “His nursery’s dog themed too.” Midori pulled out her phone to show Flo the pictures. The room was a light tan with dark brown paw prints accenting it, and dog pictures on the walls.

“Thank you,” she murmured, watching her son sleep with pride only a parent knew, and gladly took him back, cradling him against her chest. “I know. I’m shocked at how good he is. I thought babies were supposed to fuss and cry more than he does.” It had been a source of worry for a little bit, until she’d been told that he was perfectly healthy, and she was just lucky.

Because she’d been gone, she’d missed the drama in the recruitment department. Which really, was too bad. She would have liked to be privy to that particular story. Because she wasn’t privy, she just looked down at Tory and stroked his cheek. She was happy to focus on her son, at least until Flo got up and pulled Asher down right beside her.

She shifted, more to get comfortable and keep Tory settled than anything else, and glanced up at him, smiling. “Thank you,” she managed. “He’s just over a month old now.” Tucking her hand against Tory’s, she let him wrap his fingers around hers. Yes, she was ridiculously proud of him. Let her have her maternal moment.

Tory watched as Asher waved to him, his eyes tracking the movement for a moment before drifting back to the bright color he was so interested in. Mii smiled and pulled him up closer, now slightly curious about the security guard. Of course, she didn’t know much about him. But among the things she hadn’t known was that he had a daughter. WHICHMEANTHEWASTAKEN. ... Yes? So really, she didn’t have to worry about talking to him. Not that ALL MEN were like Darryl, what with the flirting and the one night stands. “You have a daughter, Asher? How old is she?” Though she’d always loved kids and been somewhat maternal, she was finding that feeling increased tenfold since Tory had been born.

Oh Mii. You’ll get to know all about Ash’s daughter reeaaal soon.

[Florence Bryant]

"Yeah, he's a familiar I made for Tory." Flo explained to Asher, lifting the little dog up into her lap and sharing part of her sub with him. She couldn't help but beam and give Oscar a little cuddle when she saw the picture of the nursery, hand going over her heart. "Oh Mii that is absolutely gorgeous. Gwynie didn't get a nursery really, she was just stuck in my bedroom in the uni apartment for the longest time." She frowned a little, wishing she'd had the money to give her daughter a wondrous nursery those years ago. Of course, she had a lovely bedroom now, but she still felt Gwynie had missed out not having a room of her own as a baby.

Oscar, meanwhile, was still wagging and giving both Tory and Asher far too much attention to sit entirely still, his little ears perked as he let out a soft yip and licked all over Mii's face to signify how happy he was. "He's very excited, it's his first ever appearance and he doesn't really know what to do with the attention." Flo explained, finishing off her sub and licking her fingers to clean them of the honey-mustard dressing her daughter had slathered all over the bread. "He keeps asking if he can play with Tory, he's squirming all over the place." Indeed, Flo's lovely outfit was slowly getting covered in white dog hairs.

"Gwynie fussed a little. She mostly only did it when she was lonely though, and I wasn't in the room with her." Flo shrugged, then ran one finger over Tory's tiny little cheek. "You are so lovely, little guy." She said sweetly, before looking intently over at Asher. "Yes, how is your daughter?" A little sly smirk arrived on her lips, and she leant back in her chair, letting Oscar paw gently at Mii for attention.

"It's funny having a group of semi-single parents all sat round." She said carefully. "Perhaps you two should pair up, then you'd have the perfect two children and you could live in a little cottage. You know, all that quaint stuff." She eyed Asher with a grin, then patted his hand. "Just invite me to the wedding, okay? I'd be devastated if i missed out on that one." Oh Flo, you're being so very obvious about the whole thing, you might as well shout "DATE EACH OTHER" at the top of your voice while tossing confetti at them.

Clearing her throat, Flo feigned a sudden interest in the empty lunchbox she had by her side, mostly to hide a smirk of contentment. Mii could do with a proper man, someone to look after her, and Asher CLEARLY liked her. It was so obvious to everyone except, obviously, Midori. Flo would have to change that.