Flower Child Ch. 6

A few weeks had passed without incident, Marluxia was feeling better and recovered well from the hypothermia he suffered at 20, almost 21 weeks into his pregnancy. Of course now the rose haired assassin was currently fighting with his cloak, knowing that they had yet another important meeting to attend. He didn’t understand why he had to go when he could barely get into his cloak anymore. Sure, 28 weeks wasn’t bad but he hated the fact that he had to try and find larger cloaks instead of altering his.1

“You knew it was inevitable, Marluxia. It’s either we alter your cloak or we borrow a few from Lexaeus and make a few adjustments that way. You only have about ten more weeks to worry about this anyway.” Vexen spoke, watching as Marluxia walked to his closet for the millionth time to find something that would actually work today.2

“Says the blond man who got me pregnant. Next time you have the baby, and I’ll be the one offering you spare clothes. Just help me alright? The one I wore yesterday doesn’t even fit anymore… I swear either I’m gaining a lot of weight, or our baby is growing really fast.” Marluxia sighed; finally picking out one that he hoped and prayed would work. He moved his arms through the sleeves before slowly attempting to zip up the zipper. And to his surprise, and joy it worked. So he found something that actually fit.3

“I vote for the first thing actually. If the baby was growing that fast, you’d be having her in five weeks instead of ten. And that brings up another point, delivery. I can give you something that can alter a few things but only temporarily. Or, we go to Twilight Town and you have a C-section. You have time to think on this.” Vexen spoke, moving toward the door once Marluxia attached the chain and slipped on his gloves.4

“And why would I be cut open? I mean … never mind. Stupid question. Men don’t have the parts to give birth like women do. So that means me getting cut open… and then me staying off my feet longer than Xemnas wants me to. So maybe I’ll go for the first option.” Marluxia spoke, trying to think of something that would actually work. But maybe that also called for a visit to the doctor in Twilight Town. He didn’t know, but he’d see what Vexen thought about the whole thing.5

“You have a good point there. Xemnas is already upset at you having only heartless detail, which isn’t smart because of what you have.” Vexen spoke softly, pointing his finger to Marluxia’s chest. He then looked down at the other’s stomach, realizing there were actually two hearts at stake if something went wrong during one of the detail missions.6

“Yes, I have a heart. The baby has a heart, I know the risk Vexen. But as long as I can still fight the heartless, I’ll do so. Why don’t we just go to Twilight Town and pay our doctor friend a visit. Then we’ll see what she says about the whole thing, or if anything is scheduled.” Marluxia spoke, crossing his arms over his stomach. Earlier on it wasn’t as comical as it was now as his arms rested over the top of his stomach instead of normally crossing them over his chest.7

Vexen just nodded, creating a dark portal before looking at Marluxia. He decided to take the other’s hand for just a quick moment so they could both go through the portal without Marluxia having to make one of his own. They just hoped that whatever answers the doctor had would be reasonable enough for them.8

“Xiggy? Have you seen Vexen or Marly anywhere today? I was just going to check the garden and see how things were going but they’re gone.” Demyx spoke, walking up to the older man with a worried look on his face. He had found a few things for the baby on a mission and wanted to show them to Marluxia. If he could find the expectant assassin, which proved to be difficult since the young nocturne searched everywhere he figured Marluxia would be.9

“I saw Vexen earlier in his lab with Marluxia, but that was a couple hours ago. I haven’t seen them since to tell you the truth. Is something wrong?” Xigbar asked, putting a hand on the other’s shoulder gently. He knew that even minor things would upset Demyx, so something must have happened to warrant the worried look on the younger’s face.10

“No, not really. I was just concerned that’s all. I had something to show Marly for the baby. This is exciting though, he said I could be Uncle Demmie. Well he told me that yesterday.” Demyx smiled, clinging to Xigbar’s arm. It didn’t take much to excite the blond sitar player. And with the prospect of being an uncle, that made him even happier.11

Xigbar smiled, and decided to pull Demyx into a gentle hug before letting him go. He sighed softly, thankful that was all it was. He knew that if it was actually serious, he’d have to get Zexion and the others to help or at least look for Marluxia to see if they could do anything for him. But he felt a lot better now, wondering what exactly Demyx had gotten the soon to be born baby.12

“So what did you get the baby then? Something that a baby would like or something for when she’s older?” Xigbar asked, looking down at Demyx. The smile didn’t leave the other’s face once, which was probably a very good thing. It was always good to see a happy Demyx rather than a sad one. He figured that it was probably something really good and thought out.13

“It’s cute. First, I have a lullaby that I’ll give to Marly for him to sing to the baby. But I got her a cute little sleeper set and something special from Twilight Town. I can’t give her an instrument yet.” Demyx replied happily, holding his hands together. He was so excited, he just couldn’t contain it much longer.14

“I’m sure he’d love that, Demmie. So will the baby. And I know for a fact that you’ll be her favorite uncle. Maybe after her Uncle Xiggy.” Xigbar smiled, keeping his arms around Demyx for a moment. He could be fun too, he could teach her how to walk on the ceiling, and portal out of various locations in the castle. Maybe even hang upside down. But he knew she wouldn’t have his power over gravity.15

“I don’t think they’d like her spitting baby food at them from the ceiling, Xiggy. But we can both be her favorite uncle. We can do fun things for her when she’s old enough to play with larger toys than her rattle and whatever else Marly has for her.” Demyx smiled, definitely still excited over the whole thing. He knew he couldn’t have kids though, so that put a slight damper on his happy mood.16

Meanwhile in the lobby of the hospital in Twilight Town, Marluxia sighed as he stared out the window. It was near impossible to tell time here since it was perpetual sunset in this world, he knew that’s how it got the name but it was still annoying unless you were used to the perpetual twilight and not even fully rising sun. It was even harder to tell if one hour ended and another began.17

“What has you bothered this time? I can tell something is because you’ve been staring out the window for the last half hour. The doctor is probably busy with other patients, but she knows we’re here.” Vexen spoke, putting a hand on the other’s knee to get the rose haired assassin’s attention. He tried not to chuckle as Marluxia jumped though.18

“This world creeps me out as it is… It’s always daylight here, or some semblance of it. And what if we end up coming here for her birth? She won’t know what time it is, or if it’s sunrise when she’s born. But that’s not the only thing bothering me. I really don’t want a C-section done. I want you to try everything you can to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Marluxia spoke softly, turning his head toward the scientist as they spoke. He moved his hands over his stomach lightly, his head lowering for a moment. Right now he had every right to have his fears, since there was no instruction manual about having babies.19

Vexen frowned for a moment, kissing Marluxia’s forehead. That was more affection than he had shown the rose haired man in awhile, he knew that much. But the gesture was appreciated, or so he hoped. Judging from the other’s smile, it was very much appreciated. He would have done more, but they were across from the receptionist’s desk so it wouldn’t have been great to go further than a kiss on the forehead.20

“I don’t know how it will be done, Marluxia. I know you don’t want a c-section, but if there is no other alternative then it has to be done that way. We’ll see what the doctor says. And where she thinks the baby will be born. I kind of don’t want her born here myself. But she’s the expert, so we should listen to her.” Vexen spoke, occasionally looking over his shoulder to see if the doctor was about to call them back or not. Or if they’d be waiting for another hour or at least that’s what it felt like to them.21

“Well I wish she’d hurry up. The least she could do is have the courtesy to allow us not to have a full bladder for an ultrasound… I hate that rule… I really do.” Marluxia spoke softly, shifting in his chair for a moment. He knew he was close to eight months, well in a couple weeks officially, but he hated the fact their daughter picked the most inopportune times to decide to lie on her side or curl up.22

“She’ll be here soon. You’re probably rather uncomfortable now, so if she’s sane she will understand that you don’t want to lie back on that table any longer than you have to.” Vexen spoke, trying to reassure Marluxia. He could see the discomfort on the other’s face, written rather clearly in his expressions and body posture.23

“I don’t care… as soon as she’s done; it’s a visit to the little assassin’s room for me. End of story.” Marluxia protested, sighing as he crossed his arms over his stomach. He knew he didn’t act this way normally, but he was very uncomfortable and felt like he was about to float away. Or at least feel like something really bad was going to happen and he would end up embarrassing himself.24

“I know, Marluxia. But if it makes you feel any better, I see the doctor now.” Vexen smiled, standing up before he offered his hand toward Marluxia. He took it carefully before helping him up on his feet. At least they could see how the baby was faring, and hopefully find out how she would be entering the world.25

“Took her long enough. Off to the ultrasound room!” Marluxia spoke, actually walking pretty fast for someone as far along as he was. But he had one thing on his mind, and that was get the ultrasound done fast so he could finally feel a little better than he was currently feeling now.26

Vexen shook his head looking up at the doctor. “I apologize, Dr. Katska. He’s just not exactly happy right now. Well you know what I mean. He was complaining all morning about the rule of the whole full bladder before an ultrasound thing.”27

“I understand fully, Vexen. Don’t worry. I’ve been there myself, so I feel his pain. I’ll make it as thorough as I can, then I can talk to you about the options while he goes off to the little assassin’s room. I heard him down the hall.” She grinned as she led them into her office.28

Marluxia just muttered a few things under his breath as he got up on the table, his eyes closing halfway as he lay back. He knew he probably couldn’t even do this for too much longer, and of course the question remained if the baby would come on time, or if he’d have to have a c-section. Or many other possibilities ran through his head. He didn’t anything bad to happen, or risky. But whatever happened, happened.29

“I’ll make this quick, Marluxia. I know you must be uncomfortable. I’ll just see how things are going, and make sure the baby is in a good position. And then you can take care of whatever needs to be taken care of.” Dr. Katska smiled softly, putting the gel on the other’s stomach after unzipping his cloak.30

“Cold… not helping. Can you please hurry it up a little?” Marluxia asked softly, the coldness of the gel was definitely not helping his current situation. Especially with having to make a visit to the bathroom very soon. But he figured he could tough it out for another few minutes while she checked on everything.31

“Sorry. Let’s see how we’re doing shall we?” Dr. Katska smiled softly before she moved the probe slowly over Marluxia’s stomach. She moved the probe lower, looking for the baby and finally saw her curled up in the proper position. The smile didn’t leave her face as she moved it toward the baby’s head and saw her sucking on her thumb.32

“Already sucking her thumb. I tell you our baby is a genius. And it looks like everything is normal. Her head is down, and I can tell her little backside is facing up with her legs curled up.” Vexen spoke, watching as Dr. Katska removed the probe and pulled out some measuring tape.33

“Very observant. At this point she’ll start turning, even though she’s not due for a few weeks. Now we’ll just see how she’s growing compared to how far along you are Marluxia. And I’ll see if it’s normal for her gestational age, or if there is something wrong.” Dr. Katska smiled as she put one end of the soft tape at the top of Marluxia’s belly then put the other end at the bottom before she checked the numbers.34

“And what was that for? If you’re done measuring me and putting cold gel on my stomach, can I please take care of something before I end up embarrassing myself or exploding?” Marluxia asked as he looked up at her, just about ready to hop off the table and go as fast as he could down the hall.35

“It’s just to measure the fundal height, and the measurements add up to how far along you are. 28 centimeters matches 28 weeks, so you’re good. The baby is growing well, but if you measured any differently then I’d have to see what was going on. So yes, you’re free to go. Vexen will be out shortly I’m sure he has questions for me.” Dr. Katska smiled, almost laughing as Marluxia wasted no time in getting off the table and heading down the hall.36

Vexen couldn’t help but laugh a little before he stood near the door, looking at Dr. Katska. This was hard for him to ask, but he also knew that he had to ask her now, or they would be in serious trouble in twelve weeks if not sooner. He knew sometimes babies made up their own minds about when they’d arrive.37

“Can you tell me something? Aside from the baby being healthy and things going well. Do you have a suggestion on how we should handle this in a few weeks? It would be awkward to come here when the time comes and you’re busy with another patient. Or if we should try and handle it back home?” Vexen asked softly. Well if he could consider the Castle That Never Was home… but it was pretty much the only place they had.38

“You don’t have doctors there. Trust me, I know all the doctors in the different worlds. I want to do a c-section, but if you know of another way then I’ll hear you out. If you have a way to make it so he can have the baby naturally, then by all means.” Dr. Katska spoke, tilting her head slightly as she looked at the scientist.39

“I’ll find a way. He told me he doesn’t want a C-section, and 12 weeks is plenty of time for me to create a temporary solution with a couple potions. Unless you think creating a temporary birth canal would be a bad idea.” Vexen spoke, wondering what the other would say in response to that. He knew he could do it, he just had to find a way before it got too close to Marluxia’s projected due date.40

“If anything goes wrong though, come here. Don’t be foolish and try to do it yourself if complications should arise. But you seem like an intelligent man, and I’m sure things will go well. But he should come for a check up soon after, just in case you do manage to do a natural delivery.” Dr. Katska replied before walking out the door, offering a faint smile.41

“You don’t want vines in the delivery room. Trust me. You don’t know what Marluxia is capable of. So for your sake, I’m trying it my way first. If it fails I will bring him here. But either way he will come back after the delivery.” Vexen spoke before he walked out after the doctor.42

Marluxia watched Vexen for a moment, a light smile crossing his lips as he saw the other walking down the hall. He couldn’t help but wonder what the others were talking about, but he felt a lot better than he did a few minutes previously.43

“You look better, Marluxia. Let’s go back shall we? I’m sure you either want to rest, or tend your flowers. One of the two right?” Vexen smiled before he waited to see if the slightly shorter assassin would get up after him or stay seated. Either way he’d make them go back to the castle, one way or another.44

“Sure... but I can’t get up under my own power. Unless you seem to have forgotten. Help me up, please?” Marluxia spoke, once again trying to stand up. One, he was actually getting comfortable. Two, he couldn’t get up because of the extra weight. He was close to giving up a few times though.45

“Of course. Now let’s go. And don’t worry about when the time comes, I have it all worked out.” Vexen spoke softly before creating a portal in the hallway, knowing that was the easiest way to go back since they really did have no other way.46

Marluxia just nodded, smiling as they both walked through the dark corridor. He knew that he would still be worrying about the delivery for the next few weeks, but whatever happened it would be for the best regardless of the outcome. Granted he didn’t want anything to go wrong, there was just no point in worrying about it now.