slayers_desire | Acorn steals the show

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Acorn steals the show

It was 3 p.m., the middle of the evening. The city was quiet. April was fast asleep in her bed. Her husband, Clark, was at her side, sleeping just as peacefully.

There was a slight movement from April, adjusting as the baby kicked in the middle of the night. The soft touch of her voices entered her dreams... ready to prepare her for a very big event.

In her dreams, April was having a picnic lunch with her husband. There was a soft jingle of chimes from the oak tree that they sat under, as a soft wind blew across the field. Looking over her shoulder, April could see people approaching them.

First Martha, who came over to kiss her cheek, and who told her to rely on her strength. Then it was Spike, who came over to hold her hand, and told her to be brave. And not to fear the hunger that she may feel. That it was okay.

A slight pain rippled through April, soft and warning.

Still in the dreams, April and Clark was approached by more loved ones. She saw the face of Jor-El, and his wife Lara-El, who told her how proud they were of her. That they wished they could hold their grandchild. That they knew their legacy would be protected. Then it was Jonathan, who softly touched her shoulder, and spoke of the harvest that was to come. And how beautiful it would be. How he was proud of her too

Five minutes later, another pain rippled through April, this time causing enough discomfort to awaken her from her sleep. She sat up sharply... sitting there for a moment. April had a few Braxton Hicks contractions before, but something told her that this was not the case tonight.

She reached over and gently touched Clark. "Sweetie... wake up... the baby is coming."

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"Jonathan." April whispers softly to the small life in her arms.

She needs Clark's help holding him right now, still a little woozy from the experience.

The child stops crying when he is placed in the warm embrace of his parents.

"Thank you House. Emil."

Once the cleaning is done he straightens to get his first good look at the infant, and covers April's belly and legs. The child certainly looks human enough. When he's sure no one's looking, he waves to him.

Now that he doesn't have to worry about her health, Clark is free to be spellbound by the baby. He and April made this little person, their first son. "Hey there, little guy."

Emil nods to April with a smile. "Happy to help. Congratulations on a healthy son."

There are so many questions she has. But right now, all April can do is stare down at the child in her arms.

"He is amazing."

"Is he human?" That is an important question right now.

"Probably not," House says, speaking for the first time in what seems like forever. "But he's healthy. Good muscle movement. Strong lungs."

"He's ours," Clark says, kissing her on the cheek. "But he might not have powers for a while yet. I hope."

The baby starts making little whimpering noises. All this stress and strangeness, being dragged out into the bright world outside of his mother's womb, has made him hungry.

April can sense that hunger from her child. She looks up to House, a little lost. "I asked because... do I give him breastmilk? Or blood?"

"Breastmilk," House says without a second's pause. "Blood could transmit vampirism to him if he doesn't already have it."

"Not that that's a bad thing," Emil adds, without giving House the look that he really wants to. "He'll probably get any vital blood-based nutrients from you regardless. If he's still not getting what he needs after trying the usual methods, there shouldn't be any harm in trying blood."

Clark expected no less of House. Still, they have a healthy son thanks to him, so he has other things on his mind right now. "Thank you, doctors."

"How do I..." April has never breastfed before. She is a little nervous. "Will he know what to do?"

House has no idea that what he said was wrong. He didn't say, 'Breastfeed, I wanna watch' or anything like that! This is tame for House.

"Some babies do. Some don't latch on right away. There are tricks if you have trouble. Don't ask me how I know."

"We'll give you some privacy now, but if you need any help, we'll only be a call away," Emil says. "Do you want me to tell Senator Kent she can come in?"

"Please," Clark answers. He's sure Martha has been waiting anxiously for news of her grandchild.

((heading to bed))

April slowly sits up slightly in the hospital bed. Then gently removes part of the hospital gown so she can position her son into a feeding position.

He latches without difficulty.

It is such an amazing feeling, that she shared it with Clark.

"Thank you again. Both of you."

He inclines his head. "Keep me updated on him. I want to know about every sneeze." Then he takes his cane and limps out, limp worse than usual for all the time on his feet.

Emil follows suit. They both have to clean up themselves, and Emil at least has to file some paperwork. He'll have to come back to get the baby's measurements and name for the birth certificate, but he figures that can wait. Give the new parents some time alone first.

Clark can't help but be fascinated by the little life in her arms. Hearing the baby's heartbeat was amazing enough... now he gets to see his son's face. "He's beautiful."

"This feels weird... but so right." April refers to the breastfeeding. She reaches up to touch Clark's hair. To cuddle close to him.

"He is ours."

"Is it crazy that I can see ourselves in him?" Clark asks, and can't resist reaching over to touch the soft, dark fuzz on their baby's head. "Looks like he's going to have my hair, but that's definitely your nose."

"A little of each other, mixed together to make this wonderful little boy."

"Our Jonathan."

Martha stands in the doorway, watching them, and it touches her heart to know that they've named their firstborn child after her beloved husband. "Oh, sweetie. I'm so proud of you both."

Clark smiles up at her. "Hey, Mom. Come meet your grandson."

April smiles softly at Martha when she enters the room. "Hi mom. Want to hold him?"

"Oh, I would love to." She never got to hold her own son when he was this small. Clark was already a toddler when his ship landed, and she knows she missed so much from the earliest part of his life.

April finished feeding her son, the gently passes him over. "He might need to be burped."

It does her good to see Martha with a grandchild in her arms.

Martha may have never had a child of her own this young, but she's clearly a natural caretaker, holding him and supporting his head as she gently rubs his back.

Clark can't stop smiling, and he gives his wife a kiss. "You did good tonight."

He clearly loves her. Still being lovey-dovey when she is all sweaty and worn out from the experience.

"I was so nervous about this. The surgery."

"You handled it so well. I think you're the bravest person I know."

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