Due (first, Tony Stark. Later, the Imaginauts and others.)

[soulstealingstark]

Alexa had been attempting to take it easy following her caffinated adventures with the Tiki Freaks. It wasn't all that difficult, really, especially since Remi had finally opened up with the l-bomb and she decided to take full advantage of it by spending extra time with him, even joining him in his tank--which had the interesting side effect of making the baby kick her harder and be generally more belligerent inside her. Alexa wondered exactly how much of the Atlantean genes were going to end up expressed in the baby, just like she wondered if the world was really ready for an Atlantean Stark. Remi's sister, Kassi, seemed to think so. Remi seemed horrified by the idea a little. The only person who hadn't weighed in was the original Stark himself.

Alexa hadn't really talked to him since they argued after rescuing Remi from cross dimensional insanity. She hadn't really seen him since her return from coffee hell and she realized that she needed to change that, even if to just stop in and notify him that she was fine. Her mother had asked her to do at least that.

So mid-morning on a Tuesday Alexa shuffled her overly pregnant self to Tony's office.

Comments

[avengeriniron]

Tony wasn't expecting Alexa, honestly. He knew there was a rift between them since their argument, but he'd be damned if he knew what to do about it. People, unless he was trying to schmooze them for some reason, really weren't his strong point. Neither was family, which had been fairly obvious to him and the world at large for years. The idea that he'd probably make the situation worse had held him back from making a move, yet.

He knew time was running out, though. In spite of not quite being sure how to handle the idea of being a grandfather, he did want to be around for the kid and for Alexa. If only relationships were as easy as machines. So logical and easy to repair.

Tony was on his feet to greet Alexa when his secretary told him she was there. It was good to see her looking so well after what she'd been through.

"Hey, kiddo. Come in." He reached to take her elbow and guide her to one of the comfy chairs. "Is there anything you'd like to drink? We've got coffee and things or I can send someone out..."

[soulstealingstark]

"I'm not sure coffee is the best idea considering aliens and that I can't breathe hard without having to pee. But mostly aliens. Can you believe those jerks?"

Alexa let him guide her to a comfy chair and then slowly, carefully, and decidely ungracefully she sort of flopped into one. Getting out later was clearly going to be a less than awesome endeavor.

"What are the odds you have a Pepsi?"

[avengeriniron]

No, he really couldn't believe those aliens. He'd seen the damn things and still had trouble believing they existed. Their lives were so weird.

"Better than average." He went to his desk and buzzed the secretary to bring the Pepsi. Then he sat on the edge of his desk, observing her for a moment. "How are you?"

[soulstealingstark]

"I'm okay. My insides feel like they've been turned into a giant bruise. I think I'm getting close to being ready to have this kid."

[avengeriniron]

Tony was glad the secretary appeared with the soda so he could get up and mask the shudder the visual image produced. He'd been in nasty dust ups and come out on the worse end and 'the insides as a giant bruise' rang familiar enough to be unpleasant. Not for the first time, Tony was grateful he was a member of the weaker sex.

"You two have everything ready for the big event?" He asked as he handed her the glass. "Need anything?"

[aqua_gambit]

Remi was out getting food. To go. He was pondering how much of the menu to get. Between himself, Alexa, and the baby, his Future Foundation pay ended up used for a lot of food. He had his phone on him. It had been a slightly tentative deal. Considering the technological death of his last one. But he needed to be reached in case Alexa had an emergency or the baby decided to come out.

Neither of those options were in Remi's mind. He just had kind of accepted Alexa's pregnancy as status quo. He wasn't quite mentally prepared for her to have their baby.

The Atlantean smiled at the girl behind the counter ready to take his order. Her cheeks turned a little red and she fumbled the order pad and the pen.

[ngm_miscellaneous]

Remi's food run was about to get interrupted. His phone rang in his pocket. Once he answered, he would be told Alexa hates everyone and he is a jerk.

Also some other things of import from someone who suspiciously sounded like Tony Stark.

[aqua_gambit]

"Bzuh?" was his response to that greeting. It took him a moment to pick up on the question being asked.

"Birthing... wait. Alexa's having the baby? Right now?" His voice got tighter toward the end. He might have squeaked the 'now' portion.

[avengeriniron]

"Correct," Tony answered brusquely. "Now is also the time I need to know where to take her."

After a beat, he continued. "And where you will be meeting us."

Because he would.

Or else.

[aqua_gambit]

Remi did make it to St. Vincent's without taking out a building. However, he did have bits of masonry dust and glass he was brushing off as he came in with a very stuffed bag in hand. He had remembered to take more than one breathe every five minutes at some point.

He headed toward the nurse's station to try to figure out where Alexa was at.

[soulstealingstark]

"OWWWWWWWWW. Where is the jerk? THIS IS ALL HIS FAULT!"

It wouldn't be hard to find Alexa. There was plenty of screaming, particularly of obscenities.

[avengeriniron]

"The jerk is on his way," Tony answered patiently, letting her squeeze his hand to bits. He'd cheerfully relinquish that to Remi once he arrived.

[aqua_gambit]

The nurses figured out who Remi was there for when he turned toward where the obscene screams were coming from. He signed in, got his visitor's badge, and hustled down the hallway to where Alexa was.

"I'm here! I made it." He stepped into the room and was only partially ready for the sight that greeted him.

[shadeblossom]

Baby!Baby!Baby!Baby!Baby!Baby!

Each mental bounce was accompanied by a physical one. Hana stood just outside the door to Remi and Alexa's room, bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet, arms loaded with brightly colored packages and fluffy stuffed animals.

Baby!Baby!Baby!Baby!Baby!Baby!

She juggled her armload to knock lightly -- wary of baby waking -- and waited for admittance.

[brother_bear]

Misha waited behind Hana, minus the bouncing. His arms were filled with the packages Hana was unable to carry. He was not brave enough to enter the room first. Getting between Hana and an adorable baby creature to spoil was bad. Also, Alexa was on the other side.

[soulstealingstark]

The baby had been fed (yeah, that was weird) and Alexa had showered and it was pretty peaceful in the room when people started arriving. Alexa wasn't exactly surprised that it was Hana and Misha that showed up first with Misha even beating out Tony.

"C'mon in guys. The nurse just finished traumatizing Remi about diaper changes so we're totally ready for visitors."

[aqua_gambit]

"It's only trauma when one realizes the diapers get worse from here on out." The Atlantean was seated in a recliner with his daughter cradled against his chest. Though diaper changing had been a very rare event for Remi growing up despite all his younger siblings. He had been awkward and clumsy doing it under the watchful eye of the nurse five minutes ago.

He did learn how to make a proper baby burrito, which was less traumatic with the lack of pee or poop.

[sorceress_supreme]

When the room was devoid of the last guest, Remi and Alexa would hear the softest pop! sound in the room, eerily similar to the sound a bottle of champagne made when opened. There would then be a cylindrical swirl of foam and bubbles that would fade into Sofia Strange standing proudly in the room dressed as (what else?) a sexy fairy godmother. She literally beamed with light as an array of gift-wrapped boxes appeared next to her, including one of the best strollers available in the market and and an array of baby clothes.

Invitation? Please. Like she needed one.

"How are you feeling?" she asked Alexa. "You look great. You're glowing, even." So as not to compete, the light that Sofia was giving off instantly dimmed.

She walked over to Remi and gently kissed him on the cheek. "Congratulations, you two."

[soulstealingstark]

Sophia's getup got a raised eyebrow but then again, it's Sophia.

"Stuff hurts but the baby is pretty awesome. She already punched a nurse." Alexa was pretty proud of that.

[aqua_gambit]

Remi didn't even notice the outfit. He had blinked and stifled a groan at the entrance. He knew it could only be one person. It was a small hope that Sofia didn't rub Alexa the wrong way during the visit.

He smiled a bit at the kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. Our daughter seems to be taking after her mother outside the tank."

Atlanteans needed water. Bassinet-sized fish tanks used and all.

[sorceress_supreme]

"Sounds like something the granddaughter of both Tony Stark and Namor would do," Sofia chuckled. Sadly, Sofia hadn't even thought of getting something water-worthy for the baby, but magic could always fix that later. Magic could fix almost anything.

"I know there's a lot that modern medicine can do - my dad was a doctor before he was the Sorcerer Supreme, after all - but if you need any poultices or anything to help with the pain, you know, magical infused stuff, let me know. I'm more than happy to help." It was a genuine offer, too. No witchy winking, no playful phrasing, nothing of the sort. Now was not the time to needle Alexa, and Sofia had no intention of doing so.

"May I say hello to her?"

[stormy_skrull]

"Eeeee!" Mary squeed. "Baby!"

She grinned broadly. "Okay, Remi, I gotta admit, you two done gone here. This is one seriously cute kid."

[soulstealingstark]

"She totally looks like me."

[stormy_skrull]

"Definitely explains it," Mary laughed.

[aqua_gambit]

Remi blinked at Mary. "Thanks... a lot."

Though he did not sound very grateful. He had smiled at the compliment earlier, but it faded a little.