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

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

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.

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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..."

"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?"

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?"

"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."

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?"

"I think so? I mean, we have a laundry basket and some blankets the kid can sleep in."

For a tiny fraction of a second, Tony bought that. Then he remembered Alexa was his child and thus was prone to moments of spontaneous sarcasm. And deep-seated evil.

"Oh good. I was going to offer you access to the office paper shred bins, but sounds like you have it covered."

"Remi wouldn't let me hamster-style the kid. He also vetoed the toddler leash for later so I'm just going to have to figure out a shock collar or something."

She might have been serious about the shock collar.

"I think we have everything set up, though to be honest I don't know exactly what half of the gadgets and things are supposed to do. Consumer electronics for people with babies are so mundane and simple they're useless. They actually make diaper wipe warmers. Why? And a Diaper Genie is ridiculous. That's what Bill the robotic arm is for. Remote control diaper removal. It's perfect."

Alexa winced.

"Damn that keeps happening."

Tony couldn't say much... chances were good he'd build something equally useless in the face of impending fatherhood. It was a good thing he wasn't looking down that particular barrel right now. And that Remi wasn't mechanically inclined.

"What does?" He asked, zeroing in on the wince.

"This unpleasant cramping-pressure-ouchness. It's been going on all morning. It goes away, then it comes back. It's been coming back a lot."

"You ask your doctor about it?" He asked, feeling the distinct tug of uneasiness in his gut. He'd never been present when a woman was this close to delivering. How was it supposed to go?

"It really hasn't been all that bad. I didn't want to bother the doctor considering Remi sort of called her every five minutes after the coffee freaks incident to make sure the coffee was okay for me...well damnit."

Alexa flailed a bit as she struggled to stand up.

"I'm really sorry, Dad, but I think I may have just peed on the furniture...I think."

Oh holy hell.

It couldn't be.

Tony blinked and reached out automatically to help her up. He had a very, very bad feeling about this.

"You, uh, maybe... could that be your water breaking?" Not funny, fate.

"Well, yeah, I guess but that would mean that..."

Alexa's eyes went wide.

"Holy fuck. I'm going to have a baby."

Oh goddamn it. Sometimes he really hated being right. A lifetime full of comeuppance was about to be delivered all in one... well, delivery.

"Okay... let's not panic..." He was panicking. Quietly. "I'll call an ambulance. Or, wait. Do they do that for babies? I can drive you." Yes, that was a wonderful idea. Only not.

"... I'll have the car meet us downstairs."

This is his Not Panicking face.

Doesn't an ambulance seem excessive? A car is way easier, right? We should call Remi. He needs to get my bag and stuff and oh shit. Maybe we should just go to the lab I mean, what if my kid comes out with gills or something?"

"Remi has gills," Tony reminded her as he reached for her to help her out of the chair. "He does fine outside of the lab." A car, right. And a call. He could do that. Speaking of which...

He reached out blindly to smack the intercom button on his desk and tell his secretary to have his driver bring the car around.

"But what if they're like super gills? Oh my god this wet business is uncomfortable and I feel like I have to pee. I've changed my mind. I don't want to have a kid..."

"Sorry, kiddo. I think we're a little past that point now." He turned back to her after summoning the car, taking her arm to lead her toward the door. "Come on. I'll give the daddy-to-be a call in the car."

And pine for the drink he can't have but wants oh so bad, right now.

"I hate everyone. Tell him he's a jerk," Alexa complains as they walk, slowly, to the car and she deals with another contraction coupled with a kick from an agitated and ready to be born hybrid baby.

"Yes, ma'am." Tony would pretty much do anything she asked, right now. It was the only way he knew how to deal with pregnant women and with a pregnant woman in labor? It seemed even more necessary.

He helped her into the waiting car and then slipped his cell phone out of his pocket, dialing Remi with one hand while keeping an arm around his daughter.

"Alexa hates everyone and you're a jerk," he announced without preamble when the line was picked up. "Also, which birthing center did you two decide on? It's become very urgent that I have this information."

The call does not go to voicemail. It's picked up by an Atlantean out for food.

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

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