A little less than a kilometer away from where you push through the fence posts of the Bagman house, lies this tranquil oasis. Faith found it first, but shared it with Thomas once. Melinda stumbled upon it while the rest of her siblings were at school. The marked path leads down here, so now any guest of the Bagman House can enjoy it.
She'd be sitting out at the lake looking out over the water clearly in thought. She'd been out here a while.
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 14:52, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
He'd come home from work and hadn't found her in the house. He'd waited for roughly ten minutes, and when she hadn't appeared, he came down to the lake to find Melinda. He saw she was clesrly deep in thought, and sat down quietly next to her.
She'd gently bite her lower lip. "I..." She'd let out a long sigh. "I can't say yes but I don't want you to...freak out either." She'd look over at him. "I'm pregnant."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 15:17, September 30, 2019 (UTC)~
He had kept his expression careful as she spoke, until she got to the news. His eyes went wide then and he let out one long, slow breath... and then another as he processed. "You're certain, I'm guessing?"
She'd give her head a slight shake. "I just...wanted to be sure before I mentioned anything. I didn't want to sound stupid and with my shape shifting sometimes things are a bit wonky so I didn't actually think I was pregnant."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 15:51, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
"It wouldn't have been stupid. I would have been there to support you, no matter what the news was."
"Really...mixed up. I mean I wasn't sure...if I wanted kids much less now when we're starting our marriage. We have a wedding coming up so...there's that whole thing to deal with and I have no idea how my family will react." She'd pause then give him a little smile. "...but I'm excited too and feel really protective of it." She'd absently put a hand on her stomach. "...and physically I'm tired and nauseous and I feel like my mind processing is running at half speed."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 17:39, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
He nodded. "Sure." He paused. "I suppose my first thought is what to do about the wedding. Post-poning it."
She'd frown slightly then shake her head. "Why?" She'd glance over. "Unless...this makes you uncertain about the wedding?"
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 17:55, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
He quickly shook his head. "No, certainly not. But... if you're feeling poorly..." he frowned. "I guess I just want you to be able to fully enjoy our wedding day. And it would seem being pregnant during the wedding might make that more difficult."
She'd nod. "I've been thinking about that and guesstimating some dates and...I think the wedding as planned right now will fall right near the beginning of the second trimester which means I should be feeling better and I'll probably still be photogenic enough for wedding pictures."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 18:03, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
She'd give a small smile. "The end of December...Christmas baby."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 18:34, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
He tried to do some quick math and a slight frown appeared. "If our wedding is in August... wouldn't that put you at the end of your second trimester?" He hesitated. "And... sort of... probably showing some?"
She'd frown and close her eyes trying to focus on counting...clearly it was harder than usual. "If The end of December is nine then the end of November is eight, end of October seven, end of September six, and end of August five so...since we're getting married mid August I'd be between four and five months...so middle of the second trimester I guess meaning...I might be showing some."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 19:09, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
He nodded. "When did your sisters start showing? That might give you some idea."
She'd try to remember. "I don't know with Faith...she tried to downplay the whole thing and for Charity I was only like...fourteen when she was born so I wasn't really paying attention to that sort of thing. With the other kids Charity started showing sometime in the second trimester but it could be different with the second kid and then she had twins so...it's less helpful."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 19:18, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
"Maybe something to ask after we announce it... assuming you want to. You did say you weren't sure how they would react."
She'd nod slowly. "I mean...I'm sure they'll be happy for us but...announcing it with the wedding coming up feels sort of...taboo for some reason? Like we only decided to get married because I'm pregnant even though we clearly decided that first?" She'd frown. "I don't know...am I being ridiculous?"
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 19:24, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
"Maybe a bit? I mean, we got engaged at Christmas. Babies don't take twelve months to be born," he said with a little smile. "So if they come to that conclusion, then they're the ones being ridiculous."
She'd nod. "Maybe I'm a bit embarrassed too...I feel like everyone else in my family was able to wait until they were married and settled to have kids and...even though this wasn't intentional it still makes me look...impulsive or unable to control myself." She'd frown slightly. "I guess I'm just feeling insecure."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 19:33, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
He slipped an arm around her shoulder. He wasn't entirely sure how to reassure her. "It's true that we weren't trying... and maybe it's a bit out of the traditional order, but that doesn't mean we won't love this child any less, or be any less responsible as parents."
She'd nod and give a little grin. "I know...but I feel like I was probably a handful for you before I was pregnant."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 19:46, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
He shook his head. "I'm sure it'll be fine," he said. He frowned. "But I do still wonder if postponing the wedding is a good idea. Do you want to be planning a wedding and... plan for a baby simultaneously?"
"Well...the wedding is a good way along already and it would seem a waste with the work we've already done. We can't really postpone the baby though...and we'll have most of the second trimester and the third to get things ready which is when I think you're supposed to do most of that anyway. I mean it's hard to design a room and such if you don't know if it will be a boy or girl yet."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 19:53, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
"Unless you go for gender-neutral colors like yellow or orange," he said with a shrug. He looked at her carefully. "Do you want to move the wedding? I... can't see you wanting to have wedding photos with a pregnant figure."
She'd thought she'd been pretty clear...apparently not. "No...I don't want to move the wedding. I think it will all be fine." She'd pause. "You keep bringing it up though...do you want to move the wedding?"
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 19:58, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
"I just... I guess I feel like it makes sense. I don't think it would be wasteful. Planning can be stressful... and being pregnant can be stressful. I'd hate for you and your body to be under that much stress all at once."
She'd pause and tamp down her irritation a little. "I see what you're saying but I think I'd prefer it if we got married first. If we hadn't already started planning and putting down deposits and telling everyone maybe I'd consider waiting but as it is...I think that's the best way to go."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 20:04, September 30, 2019 (UTC)
"What deposits? We're having the wedding at the Villa in Greece? That's... costing us something? And it's mostly just family coming. I'm sure they'd understand our reasons, Melinda," he said, trying to be delicate.
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 12:31, October 1, 2019 (UTC)
He considered that. "I... guess I'm not entirely sure. Maybe next spring? I don't think it needs to be a whole year. April?" He spoke carefully, because he felt that she was still opposed to the idea.
She'd shake her head. "In April the baby would only be three months old so we'd have to try to work everything around their schedule." She'd pause. "Besides if we want any chance at a honeymoon we need to do it before the baby comes."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 13:10, October 1, 2019 (UTC)
He frowned slightly. "You seem very determined to do quite a lot before you give birth. Why is that?"
She'd frown. "...because once I do I won't have the chance to do much else for quite a while." She'd pause. "I..." She'd pause again to think. "My gut feeling is to try to keep the wedding where it's at but I suppose I could be persuaded if there was still a way to do everything I want to with it later. I just don't think that's possible."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 15:16, October 1, 2019 (UTC)
"What if... we moved it up?" He suggested slowly. "That way you might not be showing quite as much for pictures. And we'd have more time for a honeymoon-" A notion he found slightly ridiculous now with a baby on the way. "....and still have plenty of time before baby. That way nothing important gets rushed."
She'd look a little surprised. "Move it up? I thought you were worried about stress and everything?" She was clearly thinking it though.
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 17:03, October 1, 2019 (UTC)
"I'm concerned about you being largely pregnant and stressing yourself out. If lots of the wedding is already planned... it shouldn't be too much trouble to move it up, right?"
She'd shrug. "Except for changing everyone's travel arrangements and any time they've planned to take off work for it. Plus getting flowers done sooner, making sure my dress is ready by then, and it will already need alterations."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 18:37, October 1, 2019 (UTC)
"I don't think your family will have any issues with changing the date. Magic can do a lot for flowers. Ash is quite the herbologist, right?" He paused. "Better to have the dress done for your figure in... May or June, than August."
She'd stop to take a couple deep breaths and think through that. "I...suppose so." It felt weird to push the wedding up and something about it rankled her but she couldn't put her finger on what it was.
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 19:43, October 1, 2019 (UTC)
He let her process, figuring he'd said enough at this point.
After a few moments she'd shrug. "I guess I don't have a problem moving it up a bit...but we need to get on that soon and also let at least my family know why."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 20:19, October 1, 2019 (UTC)
He nodded. "When do you want to tell them?" He asked, before pausing and adding. "And... how do you want to?"
She'd shrug. "Probably Mark. Him and Mal will probably be the most supportive. Thomas...can have a temper and Faith...well I think she's probably a little jaded from her own experiences." She'd pause. "With Charity...I think she'd also probably be supportive but out of everyone she's the one the criticism or disappointment coming from would hurt the most."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 12:30, October 2, 2019 (UTC)
He nodded. "So what if we invited Mark and Mal over first? Have them bring the girls.... they can be the first to find out about their newest cousin. Make it fun. Then you have them in your corner, as well as me, when we tell everyone else?"
She'd nod. "Yeah...that might work or...I guess the next time I meet up with the women for wedding stuff I could let them know and they could tell the guys." She'd pause. "...but that wouldn't include you so would you be ok with that or would you like to do it together?"
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 15:00, October 2, 2019 (UTC)
"I guess... I'd prefer to be there. Since it's our news. But if your idea works better..." he shrugged.
She'd shake her head. "If you want to be there we'll make that happen."
Eric SelwynRavenclaw Alumnus -Jack of all trades... Master of none – 17:46, October 2, 2019 (UTC)
"I feel like it sends a better message... a more united front. And not like... I'm making you do this on your own, or taking responsibility for my part."
