“Hey Vinyl?”
“Yeah, Tavi?”
“Are you nervous?”
“’Bout what, silly?”
“About being a parent.”
“Hmm… Nope!”
“No?”
“Nuh uh. Are you?”
“…”
“Why are you so nervous, man? Just relax!”
“Violet, it’s not that easy. What if I don’t do a good enough job? What if I turn out to be like my dad?”
“Tavi-“
“I can’t make those mistakes with our daughter!”
“Tavi-“
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to be a good father-“
“TAVI!”
“What!?”
“Just chill out!”
“But Violet-“
“No buts! Just listen to me, ok? Just take a breath, shush up, and listen to ol’ Vi, ok?”
“… Ok.”
“Now. Do you want to be like your father?”
“No, but-“
“Ah! What did I say?”
“Sorry.”
“Good. So you don’t want to be like your own father?”
“Right.”
“Then you won’t be. You need to be your own man, and be the kind of father you wish your own dad would’ve been.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Psh. No one knows how to be a parent before they are one. It kinda just happens!”
“… I guess you’re right.”
“I mean, think about it. Back when he was in college, my dad was a total party animal. Ran all over town from one club to the next, barely skatin’ by in his classes, getting drunk every weekend…”
“Real stand up guy.”
“But!”
“Sorry.”
“He got his act together when he met my mom. He started to try harder in his classes and graduated with pretty good grades. He slowed down on his partying and all but dropped his drinking. Then, one day, mom came to him and said she was cookin’ me. He says it was one of the greatest days of his life when he found out.”
“…”
“Basically, everyone needs that kick in the ass to get it into gear. I know you’ll be a great dad, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be a damn fine mom.”
“… I guess you’re right. As always.”
“Damn straight.”
“I love you, Violet. I truly do.”
“And I love you too, ya big dork.”
“Get yourself some sleep, beautiful.”
“You too, handsome.”
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
Octavius smiled over at Vinyl, who returned the smile before slowly turning her back to him, laying on her side and slipping her hand under her pillow. Octavius placed a gentle hand on her side, smiling wider as he felt the large bump in Vinyl’s stomach.
Suddenly, the bump kicked out at him, making him chuckle lightly.
“Violet?”
“Hm?” She slowly looked over her shoulder at him.
“I can’t wait to meet our girl.”
“Me either, babe…” Vinyl smiled wearily as she laid her head back on her pillow.
Octavius slowly rubbed his hand up and down her side until she started to gently snore. He carefully pulled his hand away, then stood up from the bed, stretching slowly. He walked to the door, pulling it open and casting one last look at Violet. With a final smile, he stepped out into the hall and shut the door behind him, then headed down into the kitchen.
He sat at the table, putting his head in his hands and exhaling slowly.
“Um, Octavius?” A meek voice sounded from the door of the kitchen.
Octavius jumped slightly, looking over to see Flutters peeking in wearing a long T shirt and some light pants.. “Oh, hey there, Flutters,” he said as the woman walked in and sat down beside him.
“Uh, I don’t want to seem rude,” she started, trying hard to look into the cellist’s eyes. “But, uh, I saw you were upset when you came down here, and, um, I was wondering if there was maybe something I could do to help you?”
“No, no, Flutters, it’s ok, I’m ok,” Octavius lied. “Don’t worry about it.”
Flutters looked up again at the cellist, but this time with a flat expression. “Octavius…”
Octavius tried to maintain a fake smile, but finally he cracked, letting out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “It’s just… I don’t know, I’m just worried about being a parent. It’s only four months away now, and I still don’t know if I’m ready.”
“Oh, Octavius,” Flutters said with a slight giggle. “You’ll do great. I’ve only known you for a short time, but you seem like a good man to me.”
Octavius looked up at Flutters with a sideways smile. “You’re assuming too much of me, Flutters. But I certainly appreciate the reassurance.”
She stood up and walked over behind the man’s chair, wrapping her arms around his body in a warm hug. “I know you’ll be a great dad. Trust me.” She stood up and walked back into the living room, sitting on the couch and flipping on the television. She pulled her knees up to her chest, hiding her legs under her shirt and pulling her arms into her shirt.
“Flutters?” Octavius slowly stood up from the table, walking into the living room with her.
“Hm? What is it, Octavius?” Flutters looked up at Octavius after muting the television.
“Why are you up, anyway? Vinyl and I weren’t that loud, and I was quiet on the stairs. I even avoided the squeaky one.” Octavius sat down on the couch beside the woman.
Flutters blushed. “Oh, well, um, you see, uh, there’s this show I like to watch. It’s all about animals, and, well, I love the cute little dears so much. It’s basically just a show where every episode is about a new cute animal. This one is called a pygmy marmoset.”
Octavius looked at the TV, watching a tiny animal staring adorably at the camera as someone droned on about it. “But why at,” he cast a quick glance at the clock. “1:30 in the morning?”
Fluttes giggled nervously. “Well, uh, that’s because at this time, Turner was usually in bed, and he almost always made me sleep on the couch. Or the floor, if I had been bad that day. I turned on the TV one night and found it. So when I would finish everything he asked, and he went to bed without me, I would come out here and watch the show.”
Octavius looked away in embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to make you think of him.”
“Oh, it’s ok, Octavius,” Flutters said quickly, smiling awkwardly at him. “I promise, I love it here with you and Vinyl. You guys are my first friends in a really long time, and you’ve made me feel so welcome. Plus I got to see David and Ditzy again, and I got to be there when Ditzy recovered like she did. Turner never would have let me seen that.”
Octavius turned his gaze to the young woman. He smiled kindly at her, placing a hand on hers briefly. “Flutters, I know coming with Vinyl can’t have been easy. But I hope you never regret that decision.”
Flutters smiled back at the man. “I don’t think so either.” And the two turned back to watching the show together in silence.