asphaltcowgrrl (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2016-01-12 09:55 am
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2016-01-12 09:55 am
Entry tags:
Travis and Travail Chapter 3 (Common Law Fic)
Title: Travis and Travail Chapter 3
Fandom: Common Law
Pairing: Travis Marks/Wes Mitchell
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mpreg
Word Count: 2,184
Summary: Things are going smoothly for Travis… mostly. But being pregnant is starting to take its toll.
Author's Note: I think I'm going to rent The Perfect Guy tonight. Just sayin'.
Continued from here.
Travis had hit the sixteen week mark four days ago and his few bouts with morning sickness were now hopefully gone for good. He was well aware of the fact that this pissed Wes off, but Travis couldn’t be bothered to care much considering how much his back hurt these days. “Damn,” he muttered. “How do women do this over and over again?”
“Not just women,” Wes muttered, squeezing between Travis and the wall.
“Right,” he said, having somehow forgotten Wes had already done this before. Twice. The first time, he’d refused to even tell anyone he’d been pregnant. “Wes baby?”
“Yes?” Wes wandered back towards the bathroom, tie in hand.
“How did you do this the first time?”
Wes shrugged, looking a bit uncomfortable. “I had you, it was easy.”
“No you didn’t,” he argued, reaching out and taking hold of a pale wrist. “Not at first anyway. You were kinda far along by the time you fessed up.”
“Oh,” Wes said, his face clearly stating the fact that he’d been trying to forget that he’d lied to Travis for close to the first half of his pregnancy. “Yeah, okay, so that’s true.”
“Tell me then, how did you manage to cope with all this crap on your own?”
“I didn’t feel like I had a choice,” Wes confessed, hopping onto the bathroom counter. “You didn’t remember sleeping with me and I couldn’t bring myself to tell you. I was terrified of being rejected so I did what I had to do.” He reached out and traced a line down Travis’ barely there baby bump. “It was so much easier once you knew, even if you didn’t know it all right then.”
Travis considered all this, trying not to let the shock and heartache he’d experienced back then overwhelm him. Wes had had it much harder then than he had it now and yet, it still sucked. “You’re a better man than I am, blondie. I would have smacked the crap out of you and screamed, ‘look what you did to me’ at the top of my lungs.”
Wes laughed. They both knew this to be true because Travis was not the most patient of men, nor the most understanding either. “I can totally see you doing that, too, Marks. But that’s okay, I love that you’re able to just get it all out there instead of hiding it like I do.”
Coming to stand between Wes’ knees, Travis wrapped his arms around the blond’s neck and kissed his left dimple. "We are who we are and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“So, there’s no chance of me tamping down the dramatics over your pregnancy then? Damn,” Wes teased.
“Shut up,” Travis laughed, giving Wes’ shoulder a gentle shove. “I have not been dramatic.”
“Oh no?” A blond eyebrow quirked up. “What about that fit you pitched in the store the other night when I said you couldn’t have both containers of ice cream? A lady down near the Lean Cuisines said she thought it was one of the kids crying at first, not their father.”
“Well,” Travis hedged, feeling fully stupid for his reactions, but he couldn’t help it. The baby wanted what she – he? – wanted. And that night, the baby had wanted chocolate ice cream and lime sherbet. “Okay, so maybe I’ve had a dramatic moment or two.”
Wes snorted. “If you say so, honey. But just remember, it’s only going to get worse before it gets better.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Travis said, waving it all away. “So you keep saying, but I haven’t seen proof of it yet.”
Six days later, Travis got his proof.
Wes came home from the dry cleaners and as he was hanging his suits in the closet, the sound of sobbing caught his attention. Cocking his head to the side, he listened. Determining it wasn’t either Violet or Bryony, he was less concerned until he realized it was Travis that was crying. He hung the last suit and left the bedroom. His better half was curled into a ball on the couch, crocodile tears streaming down his face.
“Travis,” he said, placing a gentle hand on Marks’ shoulder. “Are you okay? Why are you crying?”
“This stupid asshole,” Travis choked out, “he left his dog out in the rain and then –”
Wes couldn’t help it, he laughed. “Oh baby,” he said, settling down on the couch next to Travis. “Come here.”
Sniffling, Travis curled into the curve of Wes’ body, fitting himself against the blond in a way that made them believe they were two halves of the same whole. “I don’t know why I’m crying, Wes, but I can’t stop.”
He smoothed his hand across the top of Travis’ head. “It’s okay,” Wes assured him. “This is what I was talking about when I said it was going to get worse. Just wait until you’re trying to pick out an orange and start bawling over the fact that they’re out of season and none will work for the salad you’re making to go with dinner.”
“That never happened,” Travis said, disbelief thick in his words.
“Oh yeah,” Wes said, feeling idiotic all over again at the memory, “it sure did.”
“You never told me, baby.” Travis sat up, wiping at his eyes with a sleeve.
“No,” Wes admitted. “I was too humiliated to tell anyone.”
“Aw, you poor, sweet thing,” Travis said. “Thank you for not making fun of me.”
“Never,” Wes promised. “Although, later? After this baby gets here? Don’t count on me not relating these stories to everyone we know. And before you threaten me, let me remind you that you did exactly that to me after Vi was born.”
“You were too cute,” Travis conceded. “I couldn’t help it.”
“Mama,” Violet said, coming to stand before them, Bryony close on her heels.
“Yes, baby?” Wes held out his arms and she climbed into his lap.
“Papa’s ‘motional.”
Wes laughed again, laughed so hard his stomach hurt. “Yes, baby, he sure is emotional.”
“Why?” It was fast becoming Violet’s favorite word.
Good question. Wes looked at Travis, silently asking if now was the right time to tell them the news or not. Travis shrugged, probably as uncertain as Wes. “Well, Papa’s having a baby, Vi. You and Bri are going to have a brother or sister soon.”
“Nuh-uh,” Violet stated, sliding out of Wes’ lap. She took Bryony by the hand and looked over her shoulder at her parents. “You’re nuts, Mama. Papa doesn’t have the babies, you do.” The big fat ‘duh’ went left unsaid, but heavily implied.
Violet tugged on her sister’s hand and stormed out of the living room. “Let’s go play, sissy. Mama and Papa are bein’ weird again.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Wes muttered.
Travis, in response, cackled hysterically. “Yeah, that went better than we expected, didn’t it?”
He couldn’t deny the fact that he’d expected more than a little dramatics out of Violet, but outright denial hadn’t even been on his radar. Bryony, he knew, wouldn’t have an opinion because she was just too young. If anything, Bri’s reaction would be based more on Violet’s response to the news than anything she actually felt herself. To be honest, Wes wasn’t sure if he should be concerned by Vi’s disbelief or not. “Better ask Dr. Ryan,” he muttered.
“About what,” Travis asked, snuggling into Wes’ side.
“Huh?” He hadn’t realized he’s spoken out loud, but it was probably for the best that he had. “Oh, I’m a little concerned by Violet’s dismissal of your pregnancy. I’m not sure if I should be worried or not, but maybe we should ask Dr. Ryan about it at the next group meeting.”
Nodding, Travis agreed. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but it can’t hurt to make sure.”
It was settled then. They’d ask and hope for the best.
“So, how are the little ones taking the news,” Dakota asked the second she saw Wes and Travis come through the door.
“Well,” Wes began before being cut off by Travis.
“Oh, they’re taking it wonderfully,” Marks interjected. “So well in fact, that Violet’s scoffing at the fact that I’m even pregnant. Says that’s his job, not mine.”
Rozelle chuckled. “That sounds like your child, Travis.”
“Aren’t you worried,” Peter asked. “I mean, I think I would be. What kind of a shock is it going to be for her when you actually have this baby and not Wes?”
“See, Travis,” Wes said, eyeballing his husband. “This is what I was worried about.”
“Pffft,” Travis said, waving off all their concerns. “I refuse to be worried until Dr. Ryan tells me I should be.”
“That’s not exactly the role of a therapist, Travis.” Dr. Ryan had reentered the small yoga studio that housed their little gatherings twice a week. “What seems to be the problem and why aren’t you worried about it?
Shrugging, Travis pointed at Wes. “He told the girls about the baby, which I know we needed to do, but –”
“But Violet said that Travis couldn’t have a baby because it was my job,” Wes interrupted.
“I can see why she might think that,” Clyde said, nodding at Wes. “You were the one who did the last two times.”
“I understand that,” Wes began before he was cut off by Travis. “But –”
“But she’s still little,” Travis said, rolling his eyes at Wes. Blondie worried about everything. He did this long before they ever got together and had Violet. Things had only escalated since that moment when Wes discovered he was preggo. And god help him, but Wes had gotten steadily more concerned about every tiny thing since Violet was born. “She might be upset at first, but she’ll get over this before long. Baby Vi wasn’t even the least bit affected by Bryony’s arrival.”
Dr. Ryan was making a face and it was the face that told Travis he was being an idiot. Again. “While most of what you’re saying is true, Travis, you don’t want her to continue believing that you aren’t pregnant. Before long, she’s going to notice the changes in your body and start asking questions. If you aren’t honest with her now, and allow her to continue to believe that you can’t be the one having a baby, it’s only going to make things more difficult when the baby does arrive.”
“Could it lead to tension between the children?” It was a rather astute question coming from Dakota, a normally happy-go-lucky sort of woman.
“It very well might lead to some sort of resentment of the new baby by Violet.” Dr. Ryan turned to Wes and focused on him. “How did Bryony take the news?”
Wes scrunched his nose up in that adorable way that always made Travis want to pinch his cheeks. “She seemed unaffected for the most part. I’m not sure she understands what’s going on. Violet, however, has been down this road before.”
Dr. Ryan nodded. “How old is Bryony now?”
“About fourteen months,” Travis said, drawing the doctor’s attention back towards him. “Why?”
“She is still pretty young,” Dr. Ryan agreed. “But keep an eye on her and how she acts towards both Violet and yourselves. She’s at an age where she can’t express herself as well as her sister so any confusion, frustration, or anger will come out in other ways.”
“So, keep watch for any unusual behavior?” Wes rubbed his fingers across his chin.
“Yes, and pull her aside anytime you see her acting oddly. Don’t scold or punish her, unless she’s done something that could hurt her. Be sure to talk to her and reassure her, however.”
“Understood,” Wes said, nodding. “What about you, Travis?”
“Got it,” he said a feeling of dread building in his belly. If something was bothering Violet, she came right out with it so that everyone on the block knew that so-and-so at the park had taken her favorite toy without asking. She was so much his child that sometimes he worried for her future. No one would ever take advantage of that child and, if they tried, they’d suffer the consequences. Bryony, on the other hand, was too much like Wes. She internalized everything, even at a year old. It worried him more that she wouldn’t act out at all and then one day, he’d come home and find a baby doll in place of his real child. Not that he thought Wes or Bri harbored any sort of psychopathic tendencies, but still, neither one was very good when it came to expressing their feelings. He was going to have to make sure to keep an extra close eye on that one.
“You sure,” Wes asked, resting a hand on Travis’ arm. “You look a little worried.”
“Nah, I’m good,” Travis lied, sending up a silent prayer that it would all work out in the end.
“If you change your mind,” Dr. Ryan said, “I’m always here for you. All of you, anytime you need me. Understood?” Everyone nodded and Emma smiled. “Good, shall we start today’s session?”
Story continues here.
Fandom: Common Law
Pairing: Travis Marks/Wes Mitchell
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mpreg
Word Count: 2,184
Summary: Things are going smoothly for Travis… mostly. But being pregnant is starting to take its toll.
Author's Note: I think I'm going to rent The Perfect Guy tonight. Just sayin'.
Continued from here.
Travis had hit the sixteen week mark four days ago and his few bouts with morning sickness were now hopefully gone for good. He was well aware of the fact that this pissed Wes off, but Travis couldn’t be bothered to care much considering how much his back hurt these days. “Damn,” he muttered. “How do women do this over and over again?”
“Not just women,” Wes muttered, squeezing between Travis and the wall.
“Right,” he said, having somehow forgotten Wes had already done this before. Twice. The first time, he’d refused to even tell anyone he’d been pregnant. “Wes baby?”
“Yes?” Wes wandered back towards the bathroom, tie in hand.
“How did you do this the first time?”
Wes shrugged, looking a bit uncomfortable. “I had you, it was easy.”
“No you didn’t,” he argued, reaching out and taking hold of a pale wrist. “Not at first anyway. You were kinda far along by the time you fessed up.”
“Oh,” Wes said, his face clearly stating the fact that he’d been trying to forget that he’d lied to Travis for close to the first half of his pregnancy. “Yeah, okay, so that’s true.”
“Tell me then, how did you manage to cope with all this crap on your own?”
“I didn’t feel like I had a choice,” Wes confessed, hopping onto the bathroom counter. “You didn’t remember sleeping with me and I couldn’t bring myself to tell you. I was terrified of being rejected so I did what I had to do.” He reached out and traced a line down Travis’ barely there baby bump. “It was so much easier once you knew, even if you didn’t know it all right then.”
Travis considered all this, trying not to let the shock and heartache he’d experienced back then overwhelm him. Wes had had it much harder then than he had it now and yet, it still sucked. “You’re a better man than I am, blondie. I would have smacked the crap out of you and screamed, ‘look what you did to me’ at the top of my lungs.”
Wes laughed. They both knew this to be true because Travis was not the most patient of men, nor the most understanding either. “I can totally see you doing that, too, Marks. But that’s okay, I love that you’re able to just get it all out there instead of hiding it like I do.”
Coming to stand between Wes’ knees, Travis wrapped his arms around the blond’s neck and kissed his left dimple. "We are who we are and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“So, there’s no chance of me tamping down the dramatics over your pregnancy then? Damn,” Wes teased.
“Shut up,” Travis laughed, giving Wes’ shoulder a gentle shove. “I have not been dramatic.”
“Oh no?” A blond eyebrow quirked up. “What about that fit you pitched in the store the other night when I said you couldn’t have both containers of ice cream? A lady down near the Lean Cuisines said she thought it was one of the kids crying at first, not their father.”
“Well,” Travis hedged, feeling fully stupid for his reactions, but he couldn’t help it. The baby wanted what she – he? – wanted. And that night, the baby had wanted chocolate ice cream and lime sherbet. “Okay, so maybe I’ve had a dramatic moment or two.”
Wes snorted. “If you say so, honey. But just remember, it’s only going to get worse before it gets better.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Travis said, waving it all away. “So you keep saying, but I haven’t seen proof of it yet.”
Six days later, Travis got his proof.
Wes came home from the dry cleaners and as he was hanging his suits in the closet, the sound of sobbing caught his attention. Cocking his head to the side, he listened. Determining it wasn’t either Violet or Bryony, he was less concerned until he realized it was Travis that was crying. He hung the last suit and left the bedroom. His better half was curled into a ball on the couch, crocodile tears streaming down his face.
“Travis,” he said, placing a gentle hand on Marks’ shoulder. “Are you okay? Why are you crying?”
“This stupid asshole,” Travis choked out, “he left his dog out in the rain and then –”
Wes couldn’t help it, he laughed. “Oh baby,” he said, settling down on the couch next to Travis. “Come here.”
Sniffling, Travis curled into the curve of Wes’ body, fitting himself against the blond in a way that made them believe they were two halves of the same whole. “I don’t know why I’m crying, Wes, but I can’t stop.”
He smoothed his hand across the top of Travis’ head. “It’s okay,” Wes assured him. “This is what I was talking about when I said it was going to get worse. Just wait until you’re trying to pick out an orange and start bawling over the fact that they’re out of season and none will work for the salad you’re making to go with dinner.”
“That never happened,” Travis said, disbelief thick in his words.
“Oh yeah,” Wes said, feeling idiotic all over again at the memory, “it sure did.”
“You never told me, baby.” Travis sat up, wiping at his eyes with a sleeve.
“No,” Wes admitted. “I was too humiliated to tell anyone.”
“Aw, you poor, sweet thing,” Travis said. “Thank you for not making fun of me.”
“Never,” Wes promised. “Although, later? After this baby gets here? Don’t count on me not relating these stories to everyone we know. And before you threaten me, let me remind you that you did exactly that to me after Vi was born.”
“You were too cute,” Travis conceded. “I couldn’t help it.”
“Mama,” Violet said, coming to stand before them, Bryony close on her heels.
“Yes, baby?” Wes held out his arms and she climbed into his lap.
“Papa’s ‘motional.”
Wes laughed again, laughed so hard his stomach hurt. “Yes, baby, he sure is emotional.”
“Why?” It was fast becoming Violet’s favorite word.
Good question. Wes looked at Travis, silently asking if now was the right time to tell them the news or not. Travis shrugged, probably as uncertain as Wes. “Well, Papa’s having a baby, Vi. You and Bri are going to have a brother or sister soon.”
“Nuh-uh,” Violet stated, sliding out of Wes’ lap. She took Bryony by the hand and looked over her shoulder at her parents. “You’re nuts, Mama. Papa doesn’t have the babies, you do.” The big fat ‘duh’ went left unsaid, but heavily implied.
Violet tugged on her sister’s hand and stormed out of the living room. “Let’s go play, sissy. Mama and Papa are bein’ weird again.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Wes muttered.
Travis, in response, cackled hysterically. “Yeah, that went better than we expected, didn’t it?”
He couldn’t deny the fact that he’d expected more than a little dramatics out of Violet, but outright denial hadn’t even been on his radar. Bryony, he knew, wouldn’t have an opinion because she was just too young. If anything, Bri’s reaction would be based more on Violet’s response to the news than anything she actually felt herself. To be honest, Wes wasn’t sure if he should be concerned by Vi’s disbelief or not. “Better ask Dr. Ryan,” he muttered.
“About what,” Travis asked, snuggling into Wes’ side.
“Huh?” He hadn’t realized he’s spoken out loud, but it was probably for the best that he had. “Oh, I’m a little concerned by Violet’s dismissal of your pregnancy. I’m not sure if I should be worried or not, but maybe we should ask Dr. Ryan about it at the next group meeting.”
Nodding, Travis agreed. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but it can’t hurt to make sure.”
It was settled then. They’d ask and hope for the best.
“So, how are the little ones taking the news,” Dakota asked the second she saw Wes and Travis come through the door.
“Well,” Wes began before being cut off by Travis.
“Oh, they’re taking it wonderfully,” Marks interjected. “So well in fact, that Violet’s scoffing at the fact that I’m even pregnant. Says that’s his job, not mine.”
Rozelle chuckled. “That sounds like your child, Travis.”
“Aren’t you worried,” Peter asked. “I mean, I think I would be. What kind of a shock is it going to be for her when you actually have this baby and not Wes?”
“See, Travis,” Wes said, eyeballing his husband. “This is what I was worried about.”
“Pffft,” Travis said, waving off all their concerns. “I refuse to be worried until Dr. Ryan tells me I should be.”
“That’s not exactly the role of a therapist, Travis.” Dr. Ryan had reentered the small yoga studio that housed their little gatherings twice a week. “What seems to be the problem and why aren’t you worried about it?
Shrugging, Travis pointed at Wes. “He told the girls about the baby, which I know we needed to do, but –”
“But Violet said that Travis couldn’t have a baby because it was my job,” Wes interrupted.
“I can see why she might think that,” Clyde said, nodding at Wes. “You were the one who did the last two times.”
“I understand that,” Wes began before he was cut off by Travis. “But –”
“But she’s still little,” Travis said, rolling his eyes at Wes. Blondie worried about everything. He did this long before they ever got together and had Violet. Things had only escalated since that moment when Wes discovered he was preggo. And god help him, but Wes had gotten steadily more concerned about every tiny thing since Violet was born. “She might be upset at first, but she’ll get over this before long. Baby Vi wasn’t even the least bit affected by Bryony’s arrival.”
Dr. Ryan was making a face and it was the face that told Travis he was being an idiot. Again. “While most of what you’re saying is true, Travis, you don’t want her to continue believing that you aren’t pregnant. Before long, she’s going to notice the changes in your body and start asking questions. If you aren’t honest with her now, and allow her to continue to believe that you can’t be the one having a baby, it’s only going to make things more difficult when the baby does arrive.”
“Could it lead to tension between the children?” It was a rather astute question coming from Dakota, a normally happy-go-lucky sort of woman.
“It very well might lead to some sort of resentment of the new baby by Violet.” Dr. Ryan turned to Wes and focused on him. “How did Bryony take the news?”
Wes scrunched his nose up in that adorable way that always made Travis want to pinch his cheeks. “She seemed unaffected for the most part. I’m not sure she understands what’s going on. Violet, however, has been down this road before.”
Dr. Ryan nodded. “How old is Bryony now?”
“About fourteen months,” Travis said, drawing the doctor’s attention back towards him. “Why?”
“She is still pretty young,” Dr. Ryan agreed. “But keep an eye on her and how she acts towards both Violet and yourselves. She’s at an age where she can’t express herself as well as her sister so any confusion, frustration, or anger will come out in other ways.”
“So, keep watch for any unusual behavior?” Wes rubbed his fingers across his chin.
“Yes, and pull her aside anytime you see her acting oddly. Don’t scold or punish her, unless she’s done something that could hurt her. Be sure to talk to her and reassure her, however.”
“Understood,” Wes said, nodding. “What about you, Travis?”
“Got it,” he said a feeling of dread building in his belly. If something was bothering Violet, she came right out with it so that everyone on the block knew that so-and-so at the park had taken her favorite toy without asking. She was so much his child that sometimes he worried for her future. No one would ever take advantage of that child and, if they tried, they’d suffer the consequences. Bryony, on the other hand, was too much like Wes. She internalized everything, even at a year old. It worried him more that she wouldn’t act out at all and then one day, he’d come home and find a baby doll in place of his real child. Not that he thought Wes or Bri harbored any sort of psychopathic tendencies, but still, neither one was very good when it came to expressing their feelings. He was going to have to make sure to keep an extra close eye on that one.
“You sure,” Wes asked, resting a hand on Travis’ arm. “You look a little worried.”
“Nah, I’m good,” Travis lied, sending up a silent prayer that it would all work out in the end.
“If you change your mind,” Dr. Ryan said, “I’m always here for you. All of you, anytime you need me. Understood?” Everyone nodded and Emma smiled. “Good, shall we start today’s session?”
Story continues here.
no subject
So I read this read on my phone while in the waiting room today, and I kept trying not to grin - but the oranges cracked me up to no end. I get it, I do .... something tells me you didn't have to dive too deeply into the personal archives for that one? :)
Dr. Ryan nails it again, per usual. I just hope Violet's parents get this figured out damn soon, because denial is not where they need her to be. I don't remember my oldest being too upset - in fact, he was pretty ho-hum about the whole thing, as long as he got a brother and not a sister - a seven year old boy has no use for a sister, I guess! But once it happened, he was less than enthralled ... still is, now that I think about it! LOL.
Fun! Thanks!
no subject
ROFL - not quite that (with the oranges), but I was reading something on the back of a pack of cat treats and it said something like 'this is not food, to be used as a treat only' or something and I started bawling over the idea that someone might not have enough money to buy their cat proper food. God, I'm an emotional wreck on a good day, can you even imagine?
It's funny, Taylor wasn't bothered in the least by Maddie's arrival (but then, she wasn't quite 2 yet either). She was ALL about the baby. Even now, she mothers her 14-year-old sister. Hah - yeah, I can definitely see how a 7-year-old might not want anything to do with a baby of either variety. But Wes has a trick up his sleeve to convince Violet and you'll get a very Violet-type reaction, too. :D