Vincent (to Mouse): Good morning, sister o' mine, how are... What are you...? Are you GARDENING?
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh yeah, I decided I wanted an herb garden. How are you? I was actually wondering how you were doing this morning.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Well, the world is certainly a strange place. :-P
Mouse (to Vincent): Stranger than when you left it?
Vincent (to Mouse): Ha ha! Probably a little saner than when I left it. We're doing well. Poppy is in the thick of the throwing up and craving strange things phase. I'm here collecting egg rolls, croissants, and those little cupcakes with the cream filling. Oh! And a vanilla cappuccino, with two pumps of syrup.
Mouse (to Vincent): Wow... I guess she's further along than I thought. Do you need help with anything?
Vincent (to Mouse): She is. The combo of crossing the portals and Poppy and I being unfixed in one reality has made for an... unusual pregnancy. How long has it been since I last saw you? It's been weeks for me. It's getting hard to keep track... We probably need help with a lot things. None of which I can think of right now. I have NO IDEA what to do with a baby, you know.
Mouse (to Vincent): It's only been a day or so, since I last saw you... How are you guys going to handle the whole sudden arrival of baby here? Or is there a way that you can navigate through the portals to arrive at a later date?
Vincent (to Mouse): We should be able to arrive later at a more baby appropriate time, we just can't move backwards along our own timelines. Well, Poppy and I can't. Victor clearly can. AND, even better, as we recently learned, he can take passengers with him.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... well, that sounds not good...
Vincent (to Mouse): Heh. No. Not good in the slightest. If the universe is extracting revenge on me for being such a pain in the patoot... it's doing a damn good job.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, with that logic... What the hell did I do to get saddled with your troublemaking? :-p
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. You killed puppies, babies and nuns in a past life. Clearly. :-P
Mouse (to Vincent): Heh. Clearly... You should probably head back, little brother, you don't want to keep a hungry pregnant lady waiting. I hear they can be a giant bundle of emotions.
Vincent (to Mouse): When you are right, ma sœur, you are right. Give me a quick hug. Love you, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): Love you too... And if you need a hiding place, you're always welcome. :-)
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. I'll keep that in mind.
A short time later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Hi, lover. I bring food and coffee. How's your stomach doing? Are you up to eating yet?
Poppy (to Vincent): I think so... though, I might have to stick to just water, honey... The smell of that coffee is making me ill. I'm so sorry to make you go get that stuff for me.
Vincent (to Poppy): It's alright, hun. The croissants will still be good tomorrow, & these cupcakes will last until after the zombie apocalypse.
Poppy (to Vincent): I just feel mildly insane... I mean, yesterday I almost broke some gentleman's wrist because he touched my shoulder to get my attention & that seems a little excessive to me now... How on earth did my mother go through this eight times... She must have been a masochist.
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmmm. Would you like a cup of peppermint tea, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Sure... Are you humoring the crazy pregnant lady, honey? :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): What I am doing is keeping my mouth shut. You are armed, and I am at least half responsible for your current state. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... You're right. You may want to take this gun away from me, honey, because the first person who pats my belly is liable to get shot... And, I don't want to have Victor in prison.
Vincent (to Poppy): Alright. If you want to hand it to me, I'll certainly hang on to it for you. What other weapons do you have on you, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Um... What do you mean, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): Hun. Please. If the point is keeping you from using deadly force on some unsuspecting, over-familiar idiot... Perhaps you should had over those three knives and the small pop pistol I know about. And whatever else you might be carrying that I don't know about.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, Fine... Here... And, then there's this one and the garotte in my jacket hem. Oh, I almost forgot the brass knuckles. It's all just for self-defense, honey... Honest.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Well, that's how we're trying to keep it, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Do you want to search me to see if I got them all, lover? ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmmm. Maybe I should. Though, will you try to break anything if I get too familiar? :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, on you? No. I like all of your bits exactly where they are, honey.
Ripper (to Vincent): Come in, Captain Potter. Do you read me? Sorry to bother you but I have a special delivery from your sister.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hold on to that thought, hun... (to Ripper) We read you. Is that you, Professor?
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, I'm at the crossover point. Mouse asked me to bring this stuff to you & Poppy. There's a bunch... I probably should have thought this through a little better.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh dear. What kind of stuff with which did she saddle you? We're not far, so we'll see you in a few. (to Poppy) Apparently, the Professor has a sizable care package for us from my sister.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oooh, I like presents...
Ripper (to Vincent): I have no idea what the hell half of this stuff is... I think she went to a baby store & bought it.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh good heavens... Hee hee. I think Aunt Mouse is a wee bit excited at the prospect of having a nephew. (to Poppy) Well then, lover, it sounds like you're in luck. We'll be there in a few.
Ripper (to Vincent): Heh... I think her exact words were, "those 2 adorable idiots have no idea what they need, so I just got everything for them", and if there's anything you don't need, she'll take it back to the store.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, I should tidy myself up... I'm a mess.
Vincent (to Ripper): Heh. Well, she's right about the not knowing what we need part. ... And the adorable part as well. (to Poppy) Well, I think you look gorgeous, hun. I'll be back before you can miss me.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heh... You are a silver-tongued devil, honey.
Ripper (to Vincent): See you shortly, Captain.
Vincent (to Poppy): I've been called far worse in my time. :-P I'll be back before you can miss me. (to Ripper) We're just coming in for a landing now. I'll be out in half a tick to give you a hand.
A few minutes later:
Vincent (to Ripper): Hey, Professor, it's good to see... OH HOLY CRAP! Wow. You weren't kidding when you said she bought a baby store. Good heavens!
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, I probably shouldn't have mentioned to her that I was crossing over before I agreed to act as transport. She's sneaky. I said yes & then she showed me the pile of stuff. Lesson learned. :-p
Vincent (to Ripper): Ha ha ha! She's a sneaky one alright. Well... Let's start getting this stuff into the Falcon.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, and if you find a bag with a ribbon on it, that's somethings for Poppy. Mouse said she'll need them.
Vincent (to Ripper): Bag with ribbons contains girl stuff. Got it.
Poppy (to Vincent & Ripper): Wow! What on earth is all this stuff? ... Here let me help, it'll go faster.
Ripper (to Poppy): Wow, Poppy, you look stunning... Um, there's not much more, I think we've got it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh no you don't! You will sit, pregnant lady! Start trying to figure out what half this shit is.
Poppy (to Vincent & Ripper): Fine, have it your way... I never get to do anything... What on earth does this do? Oh... I swear for all of advances your side has, it still seems kinda backwards when it comes to babies.
Vincent (to Ripper & Poppy): Don't look at me. I don't know nothin' about birthin' no babies, Miss Poppy.
Ripper (to Vincent & Poppy): Yeah, what he said.
Poppy (to Ripper & Vincent): Heehee, boys... Well, you'll have to figure it out eventually.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Yeah. No kidding. (to Ripper) Whew! Well, Professor. I think that's the last of it. Thank you for bringing it all over to us.
Poppy (to Ripper): Thank you, Jacob!
Ripper (to Poppy & Vincent): You are both very welcome! And, now you won't have to be subjected to a baby shower. :-p
Vincent (to Ripper): Heh. Well, Poppy can't cross over until after Victor is born, so I think this is Mouse's way of making sure we DON'T escape being bombarded with baby stuff. Heh. Will you please thank her for us if you see her before we do?
Ripper (to Vincent): Of course! I'm happy to help... And now, I am off to my appointment with her highness. I promised to let her have a sneak peek at my new novel... And, don't worry, it's not inspired by the Dandy.
Vincent (to Ripper): Alas! There goes my literary fame! :-P Hee hee. You killed me off in the last one, didn't you?
Poppy (to Vincent & Ripper): Oh really? That's a shame... I mean, maybe it's the hormones talking but I've been rereading them & I'll miss Sebastian.
Ripper (to Vincent): Yes, all new characters & made sure that any rumors I used for inspiration was not about anyone I know... I think. (to Poppy) Well, that's sweet of you to say. And, I really did mean it when I said you look stunning. And, now I really do need to go.
Vincent (to Ripper): We will. thanks again, Professor! Let us know if you need anything while you're here. :-P
Ripper (to Vincent & Poppy): Thanks! I'll see you both later. And, if you need anything from the other side, just give me a holler.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, that was really nice of Jacob & your sister, honey. I'm touched.
Vincent (to Poppy): It was, wasn't it? We've got a nice little family, don't we?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, I never really thought of it like that before... I guess we do.
Vincent (to Poppy): We do indeed. And now we have a whole pile of baby stuff we need to figure out how to use. Sooooo... you'll miss Captain Sebastian Dearheart, will you? :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, I'll miss him just a bit, he seems to always have a plan of some sort. Are you sure he was really based on you, lover?
Vincent (to Poppy): Ha ha ha! According to Jacob he is, but only just vaguely, I assume.
Poppy (to Vincent): So, I've divided up everything into two piles; One is stuff we'll need immediately when Victor is born, the other is stuff that we may not need until later or at all... Some of this stuff is just ridiculously unnecessary.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh yeah? Like what? What is THIS?
Poppy (to Vincent): It's a breast pump, honey... We're not going to need that.
Vincent (to Poppy): A what pump? What on earth would you... Oh. OHHHHHH!
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, see you're already learning more than you probably wanted to know about all this, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, like I said, I'm going to have to learn soon.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, well I spent a lot of time with Molly & Persephone, the last time we stayed at the inn. I didn't think I was ever going to need to remember all that stuff... Oh... I'm going to have to tell her, if I want her advice... I wonder if I can swear her to secrecy & ask her to not tell Bernard...
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm afraid we're going to have to tell your brothers sooner or later, lover.
Poppy (to Vincent): Later sounds like a plan, honey... I'll just start wearing large flowing dresses now, tell them it's very fashionable & then I'll tell them right before Victor is born... just kidding, you don't have to make that face at me. I know I should tell them, I'm just a little nervous about it. Bernard was strangely happy about the two of us dating. But, this is a much bigger deal, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): I know, hun. Believe me, I KNOW. I'm the one whose legs he'll want to break.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, that would be terrible, honey... I don't want him or any of them to hurt you. Hmmm, maybe I should tell them by myself?
Vincent (to Poppy): No, it's alright, hun. We got into this situation together; we might as well face the music together.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, you make it sound like we're teenagers got caught making out in the living room & we have to talk to our parents... I mean, we may not always act like it, but we are both adults... If we just tell them we're happy about it & want them to be happy for us too, it might not ingratiate you to them, but they can't be too mad. I'm sorry if I snipped at you, it's just the phrase 'got into this situation together' made me a little upset.
Vincent (to Poppy): No, you're right, hun. And you know I didn't mean it like that. I'm just a tad anxious. Your points are all well made, and well thought out, hun, but you're they're littlest of siblings, and only sister. I'm not expecting things to go smoothly. Heh.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Well then, we could tell Molly and see what her suggestions are for breaking the news.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh... That's BRILLIANT, hun! Plus, she might be able to tell us what this thing is. What the hell is a "boppy?"
Poppy (to Vincent): Well it looks like a pillow, honey... but why it's called a boppy, I have no idea.
Vincent (to Poppy): Maybe because it's... Um... I've got nothing. When do you want to talk to your sister-in-law, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, the sooner, the better, I suppose, honey. You said you thought she suspected something when we were there last and if I know her, she's probably thinking the worst.
Vincent (to Poppy): No doubt. Want me to set course for the Inn then, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, let's get this over with, honey... and here I was looking forward to our day of leisure... silly me.
Vincent (to Poppy): Don't worry. I'll make it up to you. Heh. Provided we both survive. No, wait. They won't kill you. You're with child. Just me then. :-P Oh, don't look like that! I'm only kidding. I'm sure no one will murder me. Maim, maybe, but not murder.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I'd be very upset... and I'd really hate to have to beat up any of my brothers, but I would.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, hopefully, I won't need you to defend my honor. Or my beautiful little body.
Poppy (to Vincent): You know, when you say things like that it makes it very hard for me to want to do anything other than kiss you, lover.
Vincent (to Poppy): That's kind of the idea. If you knew how much time and thought I devote to trying to impress you... Heh. That's probably not something I should admit out loud. I'll ruin my mystique.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh.. Well, that's too bad, because you totally piqued my interest with that comment & have my complete & undivided attention.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Heh. Ah, well. I may spend a disproportionate part of my day trying to devise ways to make you laugh. And, look at me like that. Even if it completely, um, completely throws me off my...
Poppy (to Vincent): That has to be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I should... I should really concentrate on flying the ship before I crash us into something.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'll leave you to it then, honey... And, just so you know, you don't have to try to impress me, you already do everyday.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh? Oh! I... Heh. Well, I have nothing to say to that, lover. Other than I'm very glad to hear it.
Poppy (to Vincent): And, you're sexy when you blush. ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. You love throwing me for a loop, don't you, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Maybe, a little... You're always so suave & putting on an act with other people, I guess I like the fact that with me, you're just yourself. I love you for the person you are underneath all that bravado & show... Sorry.
Vincent (to Poppy): There's no need to apologize for loving me for who I am, hun. And there's no way for me to thank you for it without sounding incredibly lame.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, you being here with me is thanks enough... I'm actually really grateful that this didn't scare you off.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course not! I may be a lot of things, Poppy, but I'm not an asshole. Even if we hadn't met Victor and learned that things turn out OK in the end, I wouldn't leave you to deal with this alone. I love you too much for that. After everything we've been through... Hun? Are you crying? Did I say something stupid again?
Poppy (to Vincent): No, no... I'm okay... I know you're not an asshole... I just don't want you to be here out of some sense of obligation... And, things just make me cry, lately... God, hormones... I guess that's what I'm afraid of, I don't want you to feel like you have to be here with me because I'm knocked up. I'm being silly, I'm sorry.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hun, I'm not here out of obligation. I WANT to be here. I want to be with you and Victor, when he finally makes an appearance. I know I'm putting my foot in my mouth a lot lately, and seem to be saying all the wrong things. Even though I know everything turns out alright in the end, I'm still on this side of terrified, hun. Heh. More than a bit excited, elated and completely, utterly terrified.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh god, me too... I'm sorry, honey. I just keep having bad dreams the last few nights & I feel like I'm going crazy. You should probably just ignore half of the things that I do or that come out of my mouth.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I think you're allowed to feel a little crazy right now, hun. What have you been having bad dreams about?
Poppy (to Vincent): No, they make me sound all sappy & wishy-washy... I know that they're ridiculous, but when they're happening they seemed so real. From what I've read, it's completely normal and they'll go away, eventually.
Vincent (to Poppy): Alright, hun. If you want to talk about it, I'm more than willing to listen. I promise I won't think you're crazy. Well, no crazier than I already do. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Gee, thanks honey... Fine, in one of them, you took off with Magdalena moments after Victor was born. Then there was the one where you told me that this whole thing was a terrible mistake & that you were really in love with Percy... Oh, and then there was the one where I discovered that you were actually an automaton & that Victor wasn't real... That last one may have been because I was reading a comic book earlier that day.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ah. Yes. I, um, I can see how those would have... upset you. Heh heh AHEM. Yes. Hee hee hee. Oh! I'm sorry, hun. I shouldn't laugh. It's not funny.
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, yes... Laugh it up... Miss high & mighty spy has abandonment issues... It's hysterical.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh, hun. THAT'S not what I find funny. It's the idea that I'm actually in love with PERCY. I shouldn't chuckle at that. It's not nice. Sweetie, I don't think it's funny at all you have abandonment issues. I would think it stranger if you didn't. Hell, between the two of us, we are a nice, big, jumbo pack of abandonment issues. Heh. You're not the only one with weird hang ups. I'm sure you noticed me sweating fit to faint every time we sat down to dinner with Bernard and Molly. I'm not going to laugh at you for that, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): I did notice that... I figured you'd tell me about it eventually, if you wanted to.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, there's not really all that much to tell, hun. My family, my biological family that is, was very big on Family Dinners. It was usually the forum where my parents laid out all the things I had done wrong that day, that week... heh, that lifetime. I know it's different people, a different dinner table, but I still half expect to get smacked at some point during the meal.
Poppy (to Vincent): Awww, honey. But, we've had dinner with Eep & Mouse at a table and you didn't seem that nervous or stressed... Or is it just because Bernard & Molly radiate that parental vibe?
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Well, there's that, there's the fact that Bernard is a big guy, like my dad was, er is... And Mouse spent a lot of time getting me comfortable sitting down with her. I was a bit of a mess when she found me. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I'm so sorry... If you had told me, I would have made excuses to not do the family dinner with Bernard & Molly. I feel terrible that you had to sit there and go through that. Oh... and that's why you were so quiet every time.
Vincent (to Poppy): Poppy, it was fine. Really. I got to know Bernard and Molly much better because I joined the family dinner. It wasn't like I was emotionally scarred or anything. I know it's an irrational fear. And weirdly... Your brother guessed why I was so quiet. Heh.
Poppy (to Vincent): Yeah well, I never had a family dinner, but apparently it was common in the house when my mom was alive... I think my brothers all hated it. But, Molly instituted one whenever I came to visit. She said her family did it & it was a time to share the joys of the week, there is plenty of other time for reprimands & punishments... She also said yelling & arguing at the dinner table is bad for the digestion, too so, either way you slice it, sit your scrawny butt down at the dinner table. :-P She really is a lovely woman... Heh, I'm actually glad that Bernard married her, she's been good for him.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. That she is. Let's hope she's understanding as well as lovely. We're coming up on the inn now.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, before we go in... Can I ask you a hypothetical question?
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course. What is it, sweetie?
Poppy (to Vincent): I know this is going to sound really strange, since I slightly panicked the other day when it was brought up, but how would you feel if we told Molly that we were hitched or planning on getting that way? We don't actually have to, but it might help to calm everyone down... It's probably a silly idea, but I just remembered something Victor said to me...
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh? What did he say to you, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, when he and I first arrived at our place, he referred to you as my husband... I didn't think anything of it at the time because we didn't know who he really was, but talking about the family dinner for some reason reminded me of it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Are you proposing to me, Ms Meriwether?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... um... Is that what I was doing?
Vincent (to Poppy): I don't know. That's why I'm asking.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, I guess I was, sort of... Though, I was just asking a hypothetical question... I mean, if I was actually going to ask you, I'd want it to be a little bit more romantic.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I'm just teasing you a bit, hun. If you want to tell Bernard and Molly that we're getting married, I'm not opposed. I'm, um, I'm not opposed to doing it someday for real either. Just as an FYI.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh? Well, if you ever come into the Falcon, the lights are off except for a sea of lit candles & I'm wearing that red dress you like so much, and I come up to you real close, like this... well, that's probably what I'm going to ask you. FYI.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ah. Well. I'll keep that in mind then, lover.
Poppy (to Vincent): Though, part of me wants to ask you right now for real just to see what you'd say, honey & that's probably not fair of me.
Vincent (to Poppy): No. Probably not. Heh. Not when you're this close to me, looking this lovely. Definitely dirty pool, Ms Meriwether.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well then, kiss me, Captain Potter and we'll talk no more about it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Yes, ma'am.
Poppy (to Vincent): ... Wow... um... We should really go before I forget why we flew here, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Yes, ma'am. Ready, lover?
Poppy (to Vincent): As I'll ever be, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): We'll be fine, hun. Heh. All the same, um, I hope you don't mind if I hold on to your hand the whole time.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh no, I don't mind... I'm actually kind of glad to hold your hand, myself... Ok... Here's me walking into the inn... Hmmm... I don't seem to be moving...
Vincent (to Poppy): Come on, hun. It's like ripping off a band-aid. Heh. A blue-eyed, baby-shaped band-aid named Victor.
Poppy (to Vincent): Okay, okay... Here we go!
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh yeah, I decided I wanted an herb garden. How are you? I was actually wondering how you were doing this morning.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Well, the world is certainly a strange place. :-P
Mouse (to Vincent): Stranger than when you left it?
Vincent (to Mouse): Ha ha! Probably a little saner than when I left it. We're doing well. Poppy is in the thick of the throwing up and craving strange things phase. I'm here collecting egg rolls, croissants, and those little cupcakes with the cream filling. Oh! And a vanilla cappuccino, with two pumps of syrup.
Mouse (to Vincent): Wow... I guess she's further along than I thought. Do you need help with anything?
Vincent (to Mouse): She is. The combo of crossing the portals and Poppy and I being unfixed in one reality has made for an... unusual pregnancy. How long has it been since I last saw you? It's been weeks for me. It's getting hard to keep track... We probably need help with a lot things. None of which I can think of right now. I have NO IDEA what to do with a baby, you know.
Mouse (to Vincent): It's only been a day or so, since I last saw you... How are you guys going to handle the whole sudden arrival of baby here? Or is there a way that you can navigate through the portals to arrive at a later date?
Vincent (to Mouse): We should be able to arrive later at a more baby appropriate time, we just can't move backwards along our own timelines. Well, Poppy and I can't. Victor clearly can. AND, even better, as we recently learned, he can take passengers with him.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... well, that sounds not good...
Vincent (to Mouse): Heh. No. Not good in the slightest. If the universe is extracting revenge on me for being such a pain in the patoot... it's doing a damn good job.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, with that logic... What the hell did I do to get saddled with your troublemaking? :-p
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. You killed puppies, babies and nuns in a past life. Clearly. :-P
Mouse (to Vincent): Heh. Clearly... You should probably head back, little brother, you don't want to keep a hungry pregnant lady waiting. I hear they can be a giant bundle of emotions.
Vincent (to Mouse): When you are right, ma sœur, you are right. Give me a quick hug. Love you, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): Love you too... And if you need a hiding place, you're always welcome. :-)
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. I'll keep that in mind.
A short time later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Hi, lover. I bring food and coffee. How's your stomach doing? Are you up to eating yet?
Poppy (to Vincent): I think so... though, I might have to stick to just water, honey... The smell of that coffee is making me ill. I'm so sorry to make you go get that stuff for me.
Vincent (to Poppy): It's alright, hun. The croissants will still be good tomorrow, & these cupcakes will last until after the zombie apocalypse.
Poppy (to Vincent): I just feel mildly insane... I mean, yesterday I almost broke some gentleman's wrist because he touched my shoulder to get my attention & that seems a little excessive to me now... How on earth did my mother go through this eight times... She must have been a masochist.
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmmm. Would you like a cup of peppermint tea, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Sure... Are you humoring the crazy pregnant lady, honey? :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): What I am doing is keeping my mouth shut. You are armed, and I am at least half responsible for your current state. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... You're right. You may want to take this gun away from me, honey, because the first person who pats my belly is liable to get shot... And, I don't want to have Victor in prison.
Vincent (to Poppy): Alright. If you want to hand it to me, I'll certainly hang on to it for you. What other weapons do you have on you, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Um... What do you mean, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): Hun. Please. If the point is keeping you from using deadly force on some unsuspecting, over-familiar idiot... Perhaps you should had over those three knives and the small pop pistol I know about. And whatever else you might be carrying that I don't know about.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, Fine... Here... And, then there's this one and the garotte in my jacket hem. Oh, I almost forgot the brass knuckles. It's all just for self-defense, honey... Honest.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Well, that's how we're trying to keep it, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Do you want to search me to see if I got them all, lover? ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmmm. Maybe I should. Though, will you try to break anything if I get too familiar? :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, on you? No. I like all of your bits exactly where they are, honey.
Ripper (to Vincent): Come in, Captain Potter. Do you read me? Sorry to bother you but I have a special delivery from your sister.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hold on to that thought, hun... (to Ripper) We read you. Is that you, Professor?
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, I'm at the crossover point. Mouse asked me to bring this stuff to you & Poppy. There's a bunch... I probably should have thought this through a little better.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh dear. What kind of stuff with which did she saddle you? We're not far, so we'll see you in a few. (to Poppy) Apparently, the Professor has a sizable care package for us from my sister.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oooh, I like presents...
Ripper (to Vincent): I have no idea what the hell half of this stuff is... I think she went to a baby store & bought it.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh good heavens... Hee hee. I think Aunt Mouse is a wee bit excited at the prospect of having a nephew. (to Poppy) Well then, lover, it sounds like you're in luck. We'll be there in a few.
Ripper (to Vincent): Heh... I think her exact words were, "those 2 adorable idiots have no idea what they need, so I just got everything for them", and if there's anything you don't need, she'll take it back to the store.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, I should tidy myself up... I'm a mess.
Vincent (to Ripper): Heh. Well, she's right about the not knowing what we need part. ... And the adorable part as well. (to Poppy) Well, I think you look gorgeous, hun. I'll be back before you can miss me.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heh... You are a silver-tongued devil, honey.
Ripper (to Vincent): See you shortly, Captain.
Vincent (to Poppy): I've been called far worse in my time. :-P I'll be back before you can miss me. (to Ripper) We're just coming in for a landing now. I'll be out in half a tick to give you a hand.
A few minutes later:
Vincent (to Ripper): Hey, Professor, it's good to see... OH HOLY CRAP! Wow. You weren't kidding when you said she bought a baby store. Good heavens!
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, I probably shouldn't have mentioned to her that I was crossing over before I agreed to act as transport. She's sneaky. I said yes & then she showed me the pile of stuff. Lesson learned. :-p
Vincent (to Ripper): Ha ha ha! She's a sneaky one alright. Well... Let's start getting this stuff into the Falcon.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, and if you find a bag with a ribbon on it, that's somethings for Poppy. Mouse said she'll need them.
Vincent (to Ripper): Bag with ribbons contains girl stuff. Got it.
Poppy (to Vincent & Ripper): Wow! What on earth is all this stuff? ... Here let me help, it'll go faster.
Ripper (to Poppy): Wow, Poppy, you look stunning... Um, there's not much more, I think we've got it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh no you don't! You will sit, pregnant lady! Start trying to figure out what half this shit is.
Poppy (to Vincent & Ripper): Fine, have it your way... I never get to do anything... What on earth does this do? Oh... I swear for all of advances your side has, it still seems kinda backwards when it comes to babies.
Vincent (to Ripper & Poppy): Don't look at me. I don't know nothin' about birthin' no babies, Miss Poppy.
Ripper (to Vincent & Poppy): Yeah, what he said.
Poppy (to Ripper & Vincent): Heehee, boys... Well, you'll have to figure it out eventually.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Yeah. No kidding. (to Ripper) Whew! Well, Professor. I think that's the last of it. Thank you for bringing it all over to us.
Poppy (to Ripper): Thank you, Jacob!
Ripper (to Poppy & Vincent): You are both very welcome! And, now you won't have to be subjected to a baby shower. :-p
Vincent (to Ripper): Heh. Well, Poppy can't cross over until after Victor is born, so I think this is Mouse's way of making sure we DON'T escape being bombarded with baby stuff. Heh. Will you please thank her for us if you see her before we do?
Ripper (to Vincent): Of course! I'm happy to help... And now, I am off to my appointment with her highness. I promised to let her have a sneak peek at my new novel... And, don't worry, it's not inspired by the Dandy.
Vincent (to Ripper): Alas! There goes my literary fame! :-P Hee hee. You killed me off in the last one, didn't you?
Poppy (to Vincent & Ripper): Oh really? That's a shame... I mean, maybe it's the hormones talking but I've been rereading them & I'll miss Sebastian.
Ripper (to Vincent): Yes, all new characters & made sure that any rumors I used for inspiration was not about anyone I know... I think. (to Poppy) Well, that's sweet of you to say. And, I really did mean it when I said you look stunning. And, now I really do need to go.
Vincent (to Ripper): We will. thanks again, Professor! Let us know if you need anything while you're here. :-P
Ripper (to Vincent & Poppy): Thanks! I'll see you both later. And, if you need anything from the other side, just give me a holler.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, that was really nice of Jacob & your sister, honey. I'm touched.
Vincent (to Poppy): It was, wasn't it? We've got a nice little family, don't we?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, I never really thought of it like that before... I guess we do.
Vincent (to Poppy): We do indeed. And now we have a whole pile of baby stuff we need to figure out how to use. Sooooo... you'll miss Captain Sebastian Dearheart, will you? :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, I'll miss him just a bit, he seems to always have a plan of some sort. Are you sure he was really based on you, lover?
Vincent (to Poppy): Ha ha ha! According to Jacob he is, but only just vaguely, I assume.
Poppy (to Vincent): So, I've divided up everything into two piles; One is stuff we'll need immediately when Victor is born, the other is stuff that we may not need until later or at all... Some of this stuff is just ridiculously unnecessary.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh yeah? Like what? What is THIS?
Poppy (to Vincent): It's a breast pump, honey... We're not going to need that.
Vincent (to Poppy): A what pump? What on earth would you... Oh. OHHHHHH!
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, see you're already learning more than you probably wanted to know about all this, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, like I said, I'm going to have to learn soon.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, well I spent a lot of time with Molly & Persephone, the last time we stayed at the inn. I didn't think I was ever going to need to remember all that stuff... Oh... I'm going to have to tell her, if I want her advice... I wonder if I can swear her to secrecy & ask her to not tell Bernard...
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm afraid we're going to have to tell your brothers sooner or later, lover.
Poppy (to Vincent): Later sounds like a plan, honey... I'll just start wearing large flowing dresses now, tell them it's very fashionable & then I'll tell them right before Victor is born... just kidding, you don't have to make that face at me. I know I should tell them, I'm just a little nervous about it. Bernard was strangely happy about the two of us dating. But, this is a much bigger deal, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): I know, hun. Believe me, I KNOW. I'm the one whose legs he'll want to break.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, that would be terrible, honey... I don't want him or any of them to hurt you. Hmmm, maybe I should tell them by myself?
Vincent (to Poppy): No, it's alright, hun. We got into this situation together; we might as well face the music together.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, you make it sound like we're teenagers got caught making out in the living room & we have to talk to our parents... I mean, we may not always act like it, but we are both adults... If we just tell them we're happy about it & want them to be happy for us too, it might not ingratiate you to them, but they can't be too mad. I'm sorry if I snipped at you, it's just the phrase 'got into this situation together' made me a little upset.
Vincent (to Poppy): No, you're right, hun. And you know I didn't mean it like that. I'm just a tad anxious. Your points are all well made, and well thought out, hun, but you're they're littlest of siblings, and only sister. I'm not expecting things to go smoothly. Heh.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Well then, we could tell Molly and see what her suggestions are for breaking the news.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh... That's BRILLIANT, hun! Plus, she might be able to tell us what this thing is. What the hell is a "boppy?"
Poppy (to Vincent): Well it looks like a pillow, honey... but why it's called a boppy, I have no idea.
Vincent (to Poppy): Maybe because it's... Um... I've got nothing. When do you want to talk to your sister-in-law, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, the sooner, the better, I suppose, honey. You said you thought she suspected something when we were there last and if I know her, she's probably thinking the worst.
Vincent (to Poppy): No doubt. Want me to set course for the Inn then, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, let's get this over with, honey... and here I was looking forward to our day of leisure... silly me.
Vincent (to Poppy): Don't worry. I'll make it up to you. Heh. Provided we both survive. No, wait. They won't kill you. You're with child. Just me then. :-P Oh, don't look like that! I'm only kidding. I'm sure no one will murder me. Maim, maybe, but not murder.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I'd be very upset... and I'd really hate to have to beat up any of my brothers, but I would.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, hopefully, I won't need you to defend my honor. Or my beautiful little body.
Poppy (to Vincent): You know, when you say things like that it makes it very hard for me to want to do anything other than kiss you, lover.
Vincent (to Poppy): That's kind of the idea. If you knew how much time and thought I devote to trying to impress you... Heh. That's probably not something I should admit out loud. I'll ruin my mystique.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh.. Well, that's too bad, because you totally piqued my interest with that comment & have my complete & undivided attention.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Heh. Ah, well. I may spend a disproportionate part of my day trying to devise ways to make you laugh. And, look at me like that. Even if it completely, um, completely throws me off my...
Poppy (to Vincent): That has to be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I should... I should really concentrate on flying the ship before I crash us into something.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'll leave you to it then, honey... And, just so you know, you don't have to try to impress me, you already do everyday.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh? Oh! I... Heh. Well, I have nothing to say to that, lover. Other than I'm very glad to hear it.
Poppy (to Vincent): And, you're sexy when you blush. ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. You love throwing me for a loop, don't you, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Maybe, a little... You're always so suave & putting on an act with other people, I guess I like the fact that with me, you're just yourself. I love you for the person you are underneath all that bravado & show... Sorry.
Vincent (to Poppy): There's no need to apologize for loving me for who I am, hun. And there's no way for me to thank you for it without sounding incredibly lame.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, you being here with me is thanks enough... I'm actually really grateful that this didn't scare you off.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course not! I may be a lot of things, Poppy, but I'm not an asshole. Even if we hadn't met Victor and learned that things turn out OK in the end, I wouldn't leave you to deal with this alone. I love you too much for that. After everything we've been through... Hun? Are you crying? Did I say something stupid again?
Poppy (to Vincent): No, no... I'm okay... I know you're not an asshole... I just don't want you to be here out of some sense of obligation... And, things just make me cry, lately... God, hormones... I guess that's what I'm afraid of, I don't want you to feel like you have to be here with me because I'm knocked up. I'm being silly, I'm sorry.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hun, I'm not here out of obligation. I WANT to be here. I want to be with you and Victor, when he finally makes an appearance. I know I'm putting my foot in my mouth a lot lately, and seem to be saying all the wrong things. Even though I know everything turns out alright in the end, I'm still on this side of terrified, hun. Heh. More than a bit excited, elated and completely, utterly terrified.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh god, me too... I'm sorry, honey. I just keep having bad dreams the last few nights & I feel like I'm going crazy. You should probably just ignore half of the things that I do or that come out of my mouth.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I think you're allowed to feel a little crazy right now, hun. What have you been having bad dreams about?
Poppy (to Vincent): No, they make me sound all sappy & wishy-washy... I know that they're ridiculous, but when they're happening they seemed so real. From what I've read, it's completely normal and they'll go away, eventually.
Vincent (to Poppy): Alright, hun. If you want to talk about it, I'm more than willing to listen. I promise I won't think you're crazy. Well, no crazier than I already do. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Gee, thanks honey... Fine, in one of them, you took off with Magdalena moments after Victor was born. Then there was the one where you told me that this whole thing was a terrible mistake & that you were really in love with Percy... Oh, and then there was the one where I discovered that you were actually an automaton & that Victor wasn't real... That last one may have been because I was reading a comic book earlier that day.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ah. Yes. I, um, I can see how those would have... upset you. Heh heh AHEM. Yes. Hee hee hee. Oh! I'm sorry, hun. I shouldn't laugh. It's not funny.
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, yes... Laugh it up... Miss high & mighty spy has abandonment issues... It's hysterical.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh, hun. THAT'S not what I find funny. It's the idea that I'm actually in love with PERCY. I shouldn't chuckle at that. It's not nice. Sweetie, I don't think it's funny at all you have abandonment issues. I would think it stranger if you didn't. Hell, between the two of us, we are a nice, big, jumbo pack of abandonment issues. Heh. You're not the only one with weird hang ups. I'm sure you noticed me sweating fit to faint every time we sat down to dinner with Bernard and Molly. I'm not going to laugh at you for that, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): I did notice that... I figured you'd tell me about it eventually, if you wanted to.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, there's not really all that much to tell, hun. My family, my biological family that is, was very big on Family Dinners. It was usually the forum where my parents laid out all the things I had done wrong that day, that week... heh, that lifetime. I know it's different people, a different dinner table, but I still half expect to get smacked at some point during the meal.
Poppy (to Vincent): Awww, honey. But, we've had dinner with Eep & Mouse at a table and you didn't seem that nervous or stressed... Or is it just because Bernard & Molly radiate that parental vibe?
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Well, there's that, there's the fact that Bernard is a big guy, like my dad was, er is... And Mouse spent a lot of time getting me comfortable sitting down with her. I was a bit of a mess when she found me. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I'm so sorry... If you had told me, I would have made excuses to not do the family dinner with Bernard & Molly. I feel terrible that you had to sit there and go through that. Oh... and that's why you were so quiet every time.
Vincent (to Poppy): Poppy, it was fine. Really. I got to know Bernard and Molly much better because I joined the family dinner. It wasn't like I was emotionally scarred or anything. I know it's an irrational fear. And weirdly... Your brother guessed why I was so quiet. Heh.
Poppy (to Vincent): Yeah well, I never had a family dinner, but apparently it was common in the house when my mom was alive... I think my brothers all hated it. But, Molly instituted one whenever I came to visit. She said her family did it & it was a time to share the joys of the week, there is plenty of other time for reprimands & punishments... She also said yelling & arguing at the dinner table is bad for the digestion, too so, either way you slice it, sit your scrawny butt down at the dinner table. :-P She really is a lovely woman... Heh, I'm actually glad that Bernard married her, she's been good for him.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. That she is. Let's hope she's understanding as well as lovely. We're coming up on the inn now.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, before we go in... Can I ask you a hypothetical question?
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course. What is it, sweetie?
Poppy (to Vincent): I know this is going to sound really strange, since I slightly panicked the other day when it was brought up, but how would you feel if we told Molly that we were hitched or planning on getting that way? We don't actually have to, but it might help to calm everyone down... It's probably a silly idea, but I just remembered something Victor said to me...
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh? What did he say to you, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, when he and I first arrived at our place, he referred to you as my husband... I didn't think anything of it at the time because we didn't know who he really was, but talking about the family dinner for some reason reminded me of it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Are you proposing to me, Ms Meriwether?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... um... Is that what I was doing?
Vincent (to Poppy): I don't know. That's why I'm asking.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, I guess I was, sort of... Though, I was just asking a hypothetical question... I mean, if I was actually going to ask you, I'd want it to be a little bit more romantic.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I'm just teasing you a bit, hun. If you want to tell Bernard and Molly that we're getting married, I'm not opposed. I'm, um, I'm not opposed to doing it someday for real either. Just as an FYI.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh? Well, if you ever come into the Falcon, the lights are off except for a sea of lit candles & I'm wearing that red dress you like so much, and I come up to you real close, like this... well, that's probably what I'm going to ask you. FYI.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ah. Well. I'll keep that in mind then, lover.
Poppy (to Vincent): Though, part of me wants to ask you right now for real just to see what you'd say, honey & that's probably not fair of me.
Vincent (to Poppy): No. Probably not. Heh. Not when you're this close to me, looking this lovely. Definitely dirty pool, Ms Meriwether.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well then, kiss me, Captain Potter and we'll talk no more about it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Yes, ma'am.
Poppy (to Vincent): ... Wow... um... We should really go before I forget why we flew here, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Yes, ma'am. Ready, lover?
Poppy (to Vincent): As I'll ever be, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): We'll be fine, hun. Heh. All the same, um, I hope you don't mind if I hold on to your hand the whole time.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh no, I don't mind... I'm actually kind of glad to hold your hand, myself... Ok... Here's me walking into the inn... Hmmm... I don't seem to be moving...
Vincent (to Poppy): Come on, hun. It's like ripping off a band-aid. Heh. A blue-eyed, baby-shaped band-aid named Victor.
Poppy (to Vincent): Okay, okay... Here we go!
