The Apartment Above the Photo Hut - Friday Morning

[flamesburned]

The last week had been a lot since she had discovered that she was pregnant. First she had called Dr. Lecter to let him know and then she had talked to both Marcand Summer.

Finally Liz had let Professor Broom and Hellboy know that she was pregnant. She hadn’t even gotten the words out before Hellboy had immediately started insisting that she not go back to Fandom, that she could stay at the BPRD, especially if they couldn’t reach Prompto and it had taken a lot of convincing but finally Liz had managed to convince them that she would be fine in Fandom and she did have support and friends who would look after her.

As Liz had promised, she and Rain had gotten back into Fandom early Friday morning. It felt weird being back at her apartment and the store and she didn’t want to think about how much work she now had to finish both in terms of the paperwork and all of the necessary plans she still had to make regarding her pregnancy but she was slowly learning that she could only do one thing at a time and to focus on what she could.

So now that she was back she had to make a few calls and the first one was to Steven, since she had promised Marc that she would tell Steven as soon as she got back to Fandom and then she figured she should leave Marc a voice mail as well to let him know that she was back and would be talking to Steven in case he was concerned she wouldn’t tell him.

She hesitated a moment and then sent a quick text message to Summer to let her know that she had arrived back in Fandom.

The last call was to Dr. Lecter so that he would know she was back in Fandom and then once those calls had been done, she went about unpacking as she nervously waited to see if Steven would stop by.

[Liz is expecting a visit from Steven but the post can also be open! The details of her conversation with Steven is NFB please!]

Comments

[sharp_man]

"Not directly, no," Hannibal said. "These drugs are safe during pregnancy for both of you. We may have to revisit them if you plan to breastfeed, but not before then. The danger is in your stress if we can't manage it."

He watched her for a moment. "I would prefer to be able to monitor you closely until we know we've found a medication that works and it has begun to do its job. There are also dietary rules you should follow - things to eat, things to avoid. And you shouldn't handle cat litter. Tell me, does all of that sound like something you are presently capable of? Truthfully, please."

[flamesburned]

“I …” Liz took a deep breath, feeling dizzy for a moment as she took in the news and she looked over at Rain, “I …no,” she admitted and looked back at Dr. Lecter, “I - I don’t think I I am currently capable,”

[sharp_man]

Hannibal nodded. "I would like to propose something, then. A solution for you." He smiled. "Keep breathing, for a start. You're doing very well, and I'm proud of you for knowing your limits. You remember you are not alone?"

[flamesburned]

Liz nodded and took several deep breaths as she did, “okay,” she focused on keeping her breathing steady , “I - I remember,” she said softly.

[sharp_man]

"My house has a number of guest suites," Hannibal said. "I would suggest that you move into one. Consider it a form of in-patient therapy. I will be able to monitor your medication and ensure your diet, and you will not have to be alone. And I have automatic litterboxes," he added wryly.

[flamesburned]

“I - “ Liz hesitated and then after a few moments she nodded, realising that mentally or physically she wasn’t capable of looking after herself properly, “I would like that, if it isn’t too much trouble,”

There was a pause then, “What about work?” she asked quietly, “would I still be able to keep working?”

[sharp_man]

"Of course," Hannibal answered. "I think you enjoy your work, and it's good for you. I won't be locking you up; I simply think having a bit of extra support is warranted at the moment.

"You can come and go as you please, or your friends can visit. I will expect you to be present for meals or to take something with you to eat, and I will expect to speak with you daily to ascertain your mood. I will supervise your medications. And I will be right there should you need anything."

He shrugged. "It will be more comfortable and less stressful than a hospital, and more supportive than being on your own. It will not be a prison."

[flamesburned]

Liz nodded as she took all of that in, “okay, … I wouldn’t want to go to a hospital,” she said softly, “I - that’s what I was planning originally before I moved back to Fandom,” she admitted, “but I - I can do all of those tasks, I … I’d like the extra support,” and there was another pause, “I need the extra support,” she added softly, “I’m … I know I’m not capable of supporting myself at this point,” she hesitated, “when … when would I move in?” there was another pause as she looked back over at Rain, "and Rain ... when would we move in?"

[sharp_man]

"As soon as is convenient for you," Hannibal answered. "I would suggest we introduce Rain gradually to the others, but Beethoven is unlikely to bother her if she leaves him alone, and Joni...well, I hope Rain is used to kittens."

She would get her tail pounced so much.

[flamesburned]

“We could move in over the weekend if that works?” Liz considered as she thought about and then nodded about introducing Rain to everyone.

“She is, she gets along great with other cats, she has over twenty brothers and sisters,” she said with a small smile, “one of Hellboy’s cats recently gave birth to kittens so she’s very used to them now, especially these past couple of weeks,” she added.

[sharp_man]

"That's good to hear," Hannibal said, smiling back. "The weekend is fine. Bring whatever you need, there is plenty of room, but it isn't as though you can't come back to get things later either. You won't even need to redirect your mail, although you're welcome to if you like."

[flamesburned]

“Okay, I think Rain has more things than I do,” Liz admitted softly, “I don’t really own a lot - the biggest ones is all my photos and cameras,” she considered, “I probably don’t need to come into the store for a lot of the general admin work, I can do those from home but if I do need to pick up anything I can come back when I do come into work,” she considered.

[sharp_man]

"As soon as you pick up the cat toys, then," Hannibal said with a smile.

[flamesburned]

Liz nodded, “thank you,” she said quietly, “for - for helping me, with everything,”

[sharp_man]

"I would be a poor friend and therapist if I did not," Hannibal said. "I also look forward to taking you shopping," he said, smiling a little. "Although I believe Summer has the relaxing spas covered."

[flamesburned]

Liz gave a small smile at that, “I would like that,” she said softly, “Summer does know a really good spa, she took me to one in space,” she added.

[sharp_man]

"I tend to visit places on Earth," Hannibal said. "There's one in New York I'm fond of, and some very good ones in Tuscany. But they don't have holographic nail polish, that I'm aware of."

[flamesburned]

“I’ve never been to Tuscany,” Liz admitted, “I’ve been to New York a few times but the spa Summer took me to was the first time I’ve been to one,” she revealed.

[sharp_man]

"I highly recommend them," Hannibal said. "There are spa packages for during pregnancy as well. Which reminds me, do you have an obstetrician yet?"

[flamesburned]

“No,” Liz shook her head, “Summer mentioned about finding one only, I wasn’t sure about trying to explain …well with my powers,” she admitted.

[sharp_man]

Hannibal nodded. "My husband's world would be familiar with the potential issues, and I know some doctors there, but none specialize in obstetrics. I can ask them for general information about powers and pregnancy, and let you know if they have any insight.

"Kitty Pryde might be able to help, and would have a better idea about specialists; I would recommend asking her how she found her doctor."

[flamesburned]

“I’d like that, I’m - I’m scared about how my powers will react to my pregnancy and birth - especially …if my daughter will have my powers as well,” she still couldn’t get used to saying that.

“But I - I can ask Kitty for advice,” Liz said softly.

[sharp_man]

"It's good to be aware of potential issues," Hannibal said. "Only make sure you use that to prepare, rather than allowing it to frighten you into inaction."

[flamesburned]

“I … how - how how do I prepare for the possibility of my daughter having powers?” Liz asked quietly, “I’m - there’s still a lot about my own powers that I don’t understand,”

[sharp_man]

"I would begin with making certain fabrics are fire retardant and there is an extinguisher near," Hannibal answered. "We will figure out the rest."