( start a family together )

[wrongs]

the "Starting a Family" meme

Nature is no respecter of persons, my friends. Whether it be childhood friends, newlyweds, or one-night stands, a single decision or accident can change everything, and there will be three people instead of just two.

Congratulations! The characters in these threads and those who reply to them are now expecting babies, no matter what their unique situation may be. Of course, depending on the characters, this might go over like a lead balloon. But wait! Even if the decision to have a baby was made and was consensual, the process is no walk in the park. There is lots to do...and only nine months to do it. Nine potentially drama-filled months.

HOW TO PLAY

• Comment with your character, preferences, etc.
• Not all options here are fluffy and happy. Some are potentially angsty or possibly triggering. Tread lightly. Be sure to mention what you want and what you don't want.
• Reply to others.
• For this, male characters can get pregnant because why not.

PROMPTS

• How'd It Happen: What led up to this event? How are you in this situation?


• Realization: There's a wrench in the works...or maybe it was expected, but you're just realizing you're pregnant.


• Positive Reaction: Yes, after all this time and planning! You're finally ready for a family.


• Negative Reaction: Oh, no. This is terrible. You're in no position to take care of a child!


• Freak Outs: But...how? You're a human, she's an alien, how -


• Deciding What to Do: If this wasn't planned, there needs to be a plan of action now.


• Keep it Secret: You're attempting to keep your pregnancy a secret from your partner. This is only a bandaid for the bigger problem.


• Telling Others: The other people in you two's life have to know at some point.


• Drama: No one wanted you to have a kid and the anger is palpable.


• Morning Sickness and More: Everything hurts and the mornings are hell.


• Learning: If you're in a technologically advanced society, you may get to see an ultrasound. Otherwise, there are folk remedies that can be tried.


• Manipulation: One of you is using the prospect of a child to bend the other to their will and make them stay.


• My Body is a Cage: The person carrying the baby is having a decent amount of discomfort, mentally and physically.


• Showing: It's a secret no longer with an expanding stomach.


• Support: The partner who isn't carrying the child should do their best to be there and help out...


• Overprotective: ...but to a degree. Don't act like the partner carrying the child is made of paper.


• Getting Ready: The house or apartment or castle has to be babyproof.


• Heart to Heart: It's time to talk about the big changes before the happen. Where do the two of you stand?


• It's Happening: THE BABY IS COMING.


• Rough Going: Childbirth is still a dangerous affair and there's no smooth sailing for you. So pace if you're lucky, scream in the bed if you're not.


• Bad End: Not all new beginnings last. Sometimes, they become unhappy endings.


• Coming Home: Finally, parents and baby get to settle down.


• Getting Used to This: Well, maybe settle down. There's still crying in the night, feedings to do, diapers to change...

Comments

[call_4766626]

The smile pulling at the corners of his mouth as he pulled away was both puzzled and loving. He cocked his head to the side a little, his eyes full and deep, brimming with his adoration for Peter.

"Of course it's okay, why wouldn't it be? Morgan adores you and you're going to be having her little brother or sister."

The scanner had been still while Tony and Peter talked, but now they'd given her some space again, the doctor went back to brushing it over the space and checking the screen. She started to tap the keyboard to the monitor for a few photos to be printed.

"... Oh."

[spider_m4n]

"I know, I know. It's just so weird and... I feel so unprepared." Peter looked down at his belly, aware that the doctor was still scanning it and taking a look at the kid he and Tony had made together. "I don't wanna mess up."

He can't mess up. Not with Morgan or their kid.

Not wishing to say more, aware that the doctor was there and it was probably pretty uncomfortable for her to hear such a private conversation, he focused on her.

"Oh?"

Wait, what?

"Is everything okay?"

[call_4766626]

Tony had missed it. He was focused on Peter's worries, his ridiculous fear that he would mess this up. Peter, the one that has been reading every maternity and early years handbook he can find, who is a whiz with Morgan and even gets her to eat her broccoli! He was ready to tell him all this when he noticed the new tone of worry in Peter's voice.

"What is it, doc?"

She looked between the two of them, unsure how news like this would be received. She moved the scanner carefully and pointed at the monitor screen.

"You see this here is baby's heart beat?" A small pulse beat on he screen. She moved the scanner around Peter stomach. Another feint pulse appeared in a difference location. "Now do you see this?"

[spider_m4n]

Peter had to admit that the pregnancy had made him a little paranoid. He was very aware of every move he pulled, worried about what he ate. It made sense, right? It was one of the first make pregnancies, anything could go wrong.

No wonder his first thought were negative ones, the second the doctor sounded reluctant of what she was about to show.

"What - What'd you mean?"

His body jerked forward as if that could help him see better what was going on on the screen. That pushed the scanner, the image disappearing for a moment. The doctor tried reassuring him and placed the scanner back in the spot where the second heartbeat would be visible?

"You mean..."

Then it hit him.

"Twins? We're having twins? As in..." Two kinds instead of one. "As in Luke and Leia twins?"