Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Phoebe and Marcus were having a quiet evening in their London home. Watching an old movie that Marcus was explaining to her, Phoebe's ears suddenly twitched. She thought she heard crying. Not a distant cry of some drunk person going home after a bad date. More high-pitched.

Chapter Text

"Marcus is running late," Miriam muttered in annoyance. Sitting at her desk in the university lab, she had been waiting for the man to pick up his phone.

"Probably just had to go to the hospital," Chris said. He was always there to give the benefit of the doubt. But Marcus was more focused on his patients and medicine than his research, no matter how talented he was. 

Matthew arrived, looking over a paper when he looked up to see that Marcus still was not there. 

"Where is-"

"Late. Speak to your spawn about punctuality." Miriam smirked slightly. He rolled his eyes at his friends.

Yet the heard the sound of the I.D scanner beep and knew he had finally arrived.

"You are late." Miriam pointed out but was more surprised when she turned to see Phoebe here too.

Holding a car seat with a baby inside of it. 

"Is that a-" Chris' questions were interrupted and answered by the noise the baby made.

"We had to buy a car seat." Phoebe said by way of explanation, "Marcus was worried about killing the baby, especially with how he drives. So I went to buy a car seat and toys. Babies love toys."

Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose. It was far too early for this, so he asked what everyone was thinking.

"That's great. Where on earth did you get the child?" He asked.

"Aww, she's cute." Chris smiled gently at her, leaning down to take a look, "What's her name?" 

The young couple looked at one another, "Come on, guys; she is not a cat; you need to name her." 

"We just found her last night. Naming her hasn't been a priority right now."

"A few days old." Matthew murmured, looking over her, "

"Nope, home birth. Human from what I can tell, but I thought I should test here," 

Miriam turned to get a blood testing kit when Marcus stepped in front of the child, "I said I would do the test." 

The last time he snapped at her like that was when she kicked him out of Freyja's home, rather literally, when he tried to see Phoebe. Challenging, yet it did not shake her at all. She merely held up her hands in mock surrender, and he took the baby to his own small office. Matthew followed, shutting the door behind them 

"So, already making me a grandmother." Miriam hummed, "You really are an overachiever, Phoebe." She rolled her eyes in response.

"I texted Jason. I don't know what to do with a baby!" Phoebe whispered, "But Marcus..." 

She saw how he watched over her during the night. He was in love with this baby.

Phoebe paced, retying her curls into a ponytail, "I don't hate babies. I love them. Especially when I can return them, but some person literally saw us and decided, what? We should have a baby?" The whole thing made her nervous.

"Well, you live in Notting Hill, have good jobs, and you are a young and attractive couple. I would entrust you with a baby if I didn't know you." Miriam summarised.

"Your pep talks can still use work, Miriam." She needed to call her mum; she knew what to do with a baby. 

"Talk to him," Miriam advised gently.

Meanwhile, Matthew watched Marcus calm the newborn as he took a blood sample. She barely fussed, only crying a little before calming in his arms.

"You have always been good with young patients," Matthew hummed.

"Helps not to glare at them," Marcus smirked. Matthew huffed a small laugh. He would not let his time as a paediatric doctor in the 60s be forgotten.

"Marcus, you would be a good father. If that is what you and Phoebe decide."

"Yes, I have had many good role models. I know what not to do," Marcus replied. Things were still quite tense between the two. Their relationship was amicable, yet despite being his father's first son, he was the most distant compared to Jack and the twins.

The older vampire nodded, "Yes. Yes, you do."

They drove home, the car silent aside from the odd gurgle from the child.

"Are we going to look for the mother?" Phoebe asked after a while. She knew Marcus had become so attached.

"Yes." Marcus said, "A mother does not just abandon a baby for no reason,"

"Probably desperate. Scared. Or trying to protect her," Phoebe agreed. 

They remained silent as they reached a stoplight. Marcus noticed in the corner of his eye his wife fiddling with her orange blouse. She didn't fiddle.

"Speak to me, love." He said gently. Phoebe looked up at him, biting her lip nervously.

"I don't know...I..." Phoebe sighed, "I was never the baby type. I love them, yes. But I never saw myself as a mother. Marriage, career; yes."

"But not a baby. I know." Marcus said gently. He would never force motherhood on her, especially not as a young vampire and as his wife.

"But I look at her," Phoebe continued, looking in the back to see her sleeping, "She's beautiful and, right now, alone. I don't like the thought of us just abandoning her." She took a deep sigh, "I need my mum."

He nodded, "Okay. Padma's great. You do know she'll tell Stella?"

Phoebe groaned, thinking of her sister, "Dear God, the gloating. I'll have to beg her not to. On my knees."

Marcus chuckled, "We can ask Diana too. This baby doesn't drink blood or have a pet gryphon, so this should be a walk in the park. And Nate and Sophie!"

Phoebe smiled. They had a large community around them. No matter what, she was sure the baby would be fine. The question she was asking herself was if they would be.

Chapter Text

Phoebe was pretty sure she was in the middle of a nightmare. It had to be. The baby boutique was frilly and full of pastels. Not that she had anything against it, but it was far too much for her liking. She preferred balance - there should not be this much pink, white, green, and yellow. Diana enjoyed this? Willingly? She looked over at the witch, who was looking at something with frills that she would probably get Rebecca and a stuffed giraffe for Pip.

Diana had come with Phoebe as the twins were with Janet Gowdie. The older bright born was something of a teacher and aunt to the twins, helping manage their powers along with her own children. Diana knew more about human babies than she did and was happy to help, especially when Marcus and Matthew informed her.

"This place is a nightmare," Phoebe said.

"It's cute!" Diana argued, holding up a little star mobile and adding it to the basket, "You're doing great and wouldn't this be great for her room?"

"Aww, she's so cute!" An overly cheery store worker was near her, and Phoebe stopped herself from pouncing on her. This warmblood was no threat to anyone except her patience.

"Thank you," Phoebe said evenly.

"Beautiful like her mummy! What's her name?" She continued, oblivious.

"Catherine." Phoebe blurted out, then straightened up, "Clothes for the baby. Preferably nothing with frills, no pink, as gender stereotypes are bullshit. A playmat. Now." She handed her black card to the woman, who instantly gathered her co-workers, scurrying around the store and doing her bidding.

"There is no mistaking who sired you," Diana smirked.

She made a little noise of displeasure, and Phoebe lifted her out of the pushchair. She now knew when she wanted to be held and cradled her against her chest, gently bouncing her.

"Don't look at me like that; this is hell," Phoebe lightly scolded her, tickling her stomach with a finger. She gurgled in response, a little smile on her face, and she allowed herself a small smile.

"You are such a mama bear," Diana teased, "And Catherine is pretty." 

"Please go to sleep,"

Phoebe had never pleaded with a baby before, but it was increasingly necessary. It was now three am, and whilst she was tempted to call Diana or her mother, she wanted to do this herself.

Marcus came out of his office after she made him finish some work he had been catching up on. Phoebe had insisted she would be fine, but she was sure that he would hear her wails on the other side of the house.

"Here, let me take her," Marcus gently lifted her and gently rubbed her back to try to calm her down.

"She has been fed, changed twice and I..." Phoebe ran a hand through her curls, "I do not know what to do!" 

"It's alright," Marcus assured, "Spread out a blanket for me." She did so, and he put her down, gently wrapping her in the fluffy yellow blanket and tucking her until she was secure. Phoebe then picked her up again. 

She stopped crying and looked at Phoebe with shining eyes, but she was calming down, making soft cooing noises.

"She just wanted to be swaddled. How would I even know that?" 

"I didn't; the last thing I could think of," Marcus said. He had vague memories of his sister when she was a baby - was it her or hope of what could have been? - His childhood was not happy, and sometimes he thinks his mind likes to try to fill in gaps that he tried to forget when Diana had him speak through his life.

"I thought she hated me," Phoebe whispered, sitting down. 

Marcus looked at her, confused, so she elaborated, "I always think I'm doing something wrong. I'm not like my mum - she made everything look so easy! But she feels like mine; I can't explain it."

It was like a bunch of new hormones had been introduced into her body. Her heart told her that this was her baby to protect, even as her mind was full of doubts.

"Phoebe..." He whispered, kneeling in front of her, "You are the warmest, kindest person I know."

"That doesn't make a good parent Marcus; babies love you. I didn't babysit when I was younger. Stella is the future mum who does yoga and PTA." Phoebe pointed out.

Marcus sighed, "My sister, Patience, always loved the idea of her own family. She was a brilliant mother. I didn't think I would ever be a good father."

"I think even Ransome would disagree." Phoebe gave her husband a small smile but he did not return it, "What's the matter?" 

"Phoebe, I killed my father." 

Phoebe was silent. She hadn't seen that in his blood, the memory perhaps buried deep in his mind. Of course, he wouldn't want to remember that. Even if he was an abusive parent, a man who preferred to save lives to take the life of his own father. She put the baby down in the small Moses basket and watched him 

"I killed him. Obadiah McNeil was a man of brimstone and bristle. Strict rules, supposedly dictated by God. My mother, she tried, but..." He trailed off and inhaled sharply, "I had to protect Patience." 

She pressed her forehead against his back, "Marcus, you are more than your father - Obadiah, Philippe, even Matthew. You are so much more than all of them. I love you, no matter what."

He turned to her and gently stroked her cheek, "There is nothing wrong with you," He said, "Nothing at all." The baby made a small noise as she began to drift off, making them chuckle softly.

"We should really name her," Phoebe whispered, "I was thinking after your mother and sister. If you wanted? Um, when Diana and I went shopping, this overly cheering woman tried to attack me with pink."

"And you didn't snap her neck?" He asked teasingly, "Well done."

"I called her Catherine." Phoebe added and he looked at her, stunned.

"No, I'm just..." Marcus smiled gently, kissing her shoulder as he sat next to her, "I love it."

"Catherine Lila Patience," She said, and he titled his head, "It's a more modern version of Miriam's daughter's name - Lalla. She was her favourite. Keep that between us - I promised her I would not tell anyone. And Patience for your sister." 

"I love you." Marcus hugged her and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I love you too. Please finish that paper," Phoebe told him, gently pushing him away.

When Marcus returned home from his shift the following evening, he was glad the house was far quieter than it had been. He didn't expect to see Phoebe lying on the carpet in the living room, Catherine on a mat, and she was reading from a book of fairytales. But it was a sight he gladly welcomed.

Chapter Text

"We heard down that the two of you had taken in a bairn," Gallowglass said. He and Jack had several paint cans and other stuff for the baby's room.

It seemed Diana had meant it when she said help was always available. One morning, it seemed any family member in England had come by to see the new arrival.

"Congratulations," Jack smiled at his brother and at Phoebe, who was walking around, burping the baby. He showed them the crib he had begun carving, holding wood and various other building and carving materials. "Can I finish in the garden?"

"Oh, Jack, you didn't have to," Phoebe said, touched, but he shrugged in that sheepish way he did and went out to the garden.

"Her room is..." Matthew, carrying supplies, asked Marcus.

"Former guest room near ours," Chris went up with him, Nate following. 

"Your family really do not know how to do things subtly, do they?" Phoebe said. The sheer amount of stuff was already 

"No." Marcus agreed. 

Miriam arrived soon, with multiple bags and boxes from boutiques across Europe, with Stella behind her "I do hope her wardrobe has been built." The elder vampire said, "Matthew! Hurry it up!" In response, they heard him and Gallowglass laugh.

"Miriam, you did not need to-" Phoebe stuttered, seeing the designer labels. She didn't even know they did baby clothes.

"I did." Miriam said, "I spoke with you mother. She and your father are returning from Mumbai in a few days. She sent me half of this. Our granddaughter must be well dressed." 

"Did you decide on a full name?" Diana asked eagerly, cradling her.

"Catherine Lila," Phoebe told her. Miriam smiled gently at Phoebe.

"Catherine Lila. Oh! That's so pretty." Stella gushed, cooing down at the baby who was interested in her diamond pendant.

"Babies truly neutralize anyone." Diana joked, seeing the usually sharp Taylor sister so taken in. Marcus nodded.

Matthew held her, letting her wrap her tiny hands around his fingers. He recalled when the twins, now toddlers who he adored and wrecked havoc, were this small.

"She's beautiful. And healthy." She could not ask for better parents." He smiled.

"Or a better teta." Miriam pointed out, "She will be a valuable addition, won't you, aziziti?" She cooed at Catherine.

"She's a de Clermont." Matthew pointed out.

"Her mother is my blood, and mothers take precedence over girls in the families - or do you forget tradition?" Miriam challenged her friend.

"Technically, she's not either because the paperwork isn't finished," Diana pointed out and they both glared at the witch, "I'll stop there," She whispered, going to make tea. She would not get in between their competition of who is the best grandparents.

Phoebe held her hands up, scooping her child from Matthew's arms, "Okay before I have to cut her in half because the two of you cannot get along, I am going to feed her." 

Catherine's room was finished in the evening. As Phoebe and Diana put the last touches on dinner, setting the table, they heard everyone coming downstairs, all ready to show off their hard work.

The wooden panels of the room were painted in a soothing pink that complimented the white, pink, greens and blues of the whimsical Morris printed wallpaper. Two large white wardrobes sat in each corner of the room, with a changing station in between atop a chest of drawers. On the right of the room, was the hand carved bassinet, filled with a comfortable mattress and blankets and a mobile of stars, clouds and moons.

"It's beautiful." Phoebe smiled thankfully, "You didn't have to-"

"Phoebe, you need to get used to this family going all out. Or did you forget the ice sculptures at your wedding?" Gallowglass said, throwing a shoulder over his cousin's shoulders.

"Thank you, cousin." Marcus smiled, hugging him in return, "And you, Jack." He gently pushed the wooden rocking cradle, smiling.

Jack smiled shyly, "I was just glad I could help. And I remember Phoebe saying how much she loved William Morris. Miriam organized most of it." Ever so humble, he scratched the back of his neck as Diana smiled up at her son. 

"I picked most of the furniture." Miriam pointed out, "And clothes. And paint and wallpaper. And made sure everyone did as they were told." 

"That's an understatement." Chris murmured under his breath, recalling being woken up at 3 am by his partner who had planned the whole room.

"I carved the rocking crib and chair," Matthew added, "With my bare hands," He smiled smugly at his closest friend, who rolled her eyes.

"And I didn't kill your son that day I caught him with my ladies' maid in my bed," She retorted, "So, you're welcome."

Catherine made a small noise and Marcus looked at the two, "Less talk of murdering me in front of the baby, please?"

Stella looked at her sister, slightly horrified, "Do vampires just become this competitive?" Phoebe merely shrugged. 

"They have been like that for about eight centuries. It gets worse with age." Gallowglass joked.

Chapter Text

"“Daaaad!”

Marcus laughed hearing his daughter yell for him as he was updating some patient notes.

“I could hear you even if you whispered,” Marcus pointed out when she came into his office. She was holding one of the dogs in her arms, which meant she wanted something. His daughter, holding one of their rescue dogs was a weak spot.

“Sorry,” Catherine said sheepishly, “I was wondering if I could go with Miyako and a few friends into London. There’s a party and concert.”

“Did you ask your mum?” Marcus asked with interest.

“She would say no,” Catherine pointed out, “So would teta. But I was thinking of my favourite papa in the world and how he would let me go because he also did a lot of partying.”

Marcus narrowed his eyes, “Emotional manipulation. I raised you well.”

“Well it was that or I tell mum about what you and uncle Eric buried, for uncle Baldwin,” She said.

“Tell mum what?” Phoebe interrupted, coming into the office.

“Nothing. Cathy’s going to a party with Miyako on Friday,” Marcus said.

“But we have family dinner this Friday,” Phoebe pointed out.

Marcus waved her off, “I’ve missed more family dinners than I can count.”

“And it will only be this once. And I will buy you and nana Ysabeau a gift to say sorry,” Catherine promised.

“Fine,” Phoebe conceded and her daughter squealed happily, giving her a kiss and speeding upstairs to plan her outfit.

Phoebe smirked at her husband, “What did our child blackmail you with?”

“Nothing.” Marcus insisted “And if anything, that’s a problem from your bloodline,” He wouldn’t be surprised if teta Miriam had taught her this.

“Uh-uh. Who did you bury?”

“I have no clue what you are talking about,” Marcus insisted, standing up and kissing his wife."