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Chapter Text

How could this have happened? That was the question Helen kept asking herself even as she was sitting on the toilet and staring into the two pink lines in front of her. How could this have happened? Neither she nor Bitsy were capable of getting pregnant anymore, and they certainly weren’t capable of getting others pregnant. Helen thought that would have been the case, and yet…

First things first, she had to let it sink in that she was pregnant. Second things second, she had to let it sink in that she was pregnant with Bitsy’s child. How the hell was Bitsy going to react when she found out that her personal assistant was pregnant with her child? Helen could remember, as if it were just yesterday, Bitsy talking about how happy she was that she never had children. How was she going to tell her that well, she might be having a child after all? She had to imagine that Bitsy wouldn't exactly take it well, but she still had no idea how she was supposed to tell that their lives might change forever?

This shouldn’t have been possible, and yet… it just happened. What was in those gout pills they took? She couldn’t remember now. She knew that there were some unusual ingredients in them, though.

She’d have to find the answers to that question another day. She needed to focus on what was happening right here, right now. How was she going to tell Bitsy that she was pregnant with her child? Worse, how was she going to tell Spencer that she’d cheated on him? It upset her to imagine the pain she'd be thrusting upon him when she told him she was pregnant with someone else's child. She forced herself to take a deep breath and assess the situation at hand. Okay, she had sex with her boss while they were both high on gout pills, and now she was pregnant with her boss’s child. Who should she tell first? The sire of her baby or her boyfriend?

Helen took another deep breath. “Goddamnit, the situations I put myself into.” She set the pregnancy test aside and slowly got up off the toilet. “Time to bite the bullet, I guess.”

Without saying another word, Helen closed the toilet seat and then flushed. Then, without wasting any more time, she washed her hands and left the bathroom. Once out, she immediately found herself facing Bitsy.

"What the hell took you so long?" Bitsy asked impatiently.

"Sorry, I was distracted by..." Helen's eyes quickly darted upwards before moving right back down. "...something."

"Well, whatever it was, stop letting it distract you."

"Yeah, sure, okay."

With that, Helen quickly darted off to the storage closet that also doubled as her room and lied down on her bed. She couldn't help but wonder if Bitsy had managed to notice how strange she was acting or if she was just oblivious like usual. Even if Bitsy had noticed, though, did she even care? Helen just took a deep breath and laid her palm flat against her belly. It may have been relatively flat now, but she knew that it would only be a matter of months before it started growing and everyone knew about the little life she and Bitsy had made together. What now? Did she want to nip this in the bud or wait and see what would happen from there? As reasonable as that first option sounded, she wasn't sure she wanted to go through with what was essentially murdering another human being. After all, she was Catholic. Catholics didn't murder people, especially unborn babies. She'd be doomed to eternal damnation if she went through with an abortion. Besides, she now had an opportunity to manipulate Bitsy into submission if she so wanted. Would she really want to pass up on such an opportunity if it meant she was one step closer to getting her inheritance?

Before she could ponder on this any further, she heard Bitsy ask out loud about the pregnancy test still up on the counter. Great, now she'd have to tell Bitsy about the baby. It wasn't like she had much of a choice in the matter. As soon as she heard Bitsy calling out her name, Helen quickly got up from the bed and headed for the bathroom.

"Yes, Bitsy?" Helen asked, slight timidity in her voice. "What is it?"

"Whose pregnancy test is this?" Bitsy asked, half-interrogatively and half-confrontationally. "It's positive."

"Oh, it's... mine."

"Wait... are you... pregnant?"

"Yeah. I'm about three months along, actually."

Bitsy immediately reacted with a glare. "I'd like to know who the father is."

"What, why?"

"So I can... pay him a visit, let's put it that way."

"Well, actually, there is no father."

Bitsy raised an eyebrow. "No father? What are you, the Virgin Mary or something?"

"No, what I'm actually trying to say is that a man didn't get me pregnant." Helen paused for a moment before continuing. "You did."

Bitsy just stared at her in stunned silence, almost as if she were a deer in headlights. How could that be possible? Her... getting Helen pregnant with her child? It couldn't be, could it? This wasn't actually happening, was it?

"Are you sure?" Bitsy asked once she'd found her voice again.

"I'm positive," Helen replied. "As far as I know, we conceived that baby while we were high on those gout pills."

"You mean...?"

"Yeah, what else could I mean?" Helen took Bitsy's hand and overlaid it on top of her belly, making sure to hold it there for a little while. "We're having a baby."

Bitsy's face dropped as she let it sink in. "Holy shit... Oh God, I can't do this, Helen! This is not something I want to be doing for the rest of my life! What are we going to do?"

"I don't know, but we'll figure it out together." Helen closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "We pretty much have no choice anyway, and who knows? Maybe this will change us for the better."

Chapter Text

It had now been two weeks since Helen told Bitsy that she was pregnant with her child. It didn't seem like nearly enough time to fully process everything, especially since it now left their futures uncertain. Moreover, Helen was starting to show now, something that was making her rather anxious. Would people on the street immediately be able to pick up that she was pregnant? She shook her head away at that thought. Of course not. For now, her baby bump was just small enough that someone could just assume it was a pouch of fat, so she could easily pass it off as a little bit of weight gain if she wanted to. Besides, she was in her late forties, and she wasn't exactly in the best shape to begin with. Anyone who didn't already know she was pregnant would be none the wiser. 

Then again, that was the least of her worries. Given her age, she had to worry about what sort of complications could arise during her high-risk pregnancy. What really concerned her, though, was how people would react if they found out how the pregnancy came to be in the first place. For one, a scandal would surely break out. After all, what they had done together that day was a huge no-no, not the least because Bitsy could and would easily lord her power over her if she wanted to. Secondly, there was always the risk that the Brandenham Hotel's reputation could be affected as well. Would this pregnancy even be worth it in the end if it meant that the hotel, the very thing Bitsy had dedicated her life to, would be a casualty?

It ultimately didn't matter, Helen decided. She'd made the decision to keep the baby, and she was going to stick with it. After all, it was God's will that she bring this child into the world. Perhaps this child would be just the thing she needed to fully ensure she got Bitsy's money.

Today was Saturday, June 18th, the day of her first ultrasound appointment. Helen had decided that Bitsy would come with her to Mount Sinai for this appointment, whether she wanted to or not. After all, it was her child, too. The least she could do was be there for her, even if half-heartedly so. It'd be better than nothing.

Helen sighed and leaned back in her seat, wondering to herself how long she would be here before her name was called. As she sat there in the waiting room amongst other expecting parents, she thought about how surreal this all felt. Part of her wanted to believe that this wasn't actually happening, that this was all some sort of weird dream she was having right now. She knew better, though. This was real. She even pinched herself on the wrist just to be extra certain.

Bitsy sat beside her, a scowl embedded into her face and her arms crossed like a petulant child. "I'm so glad you dragged me down here. It's not like I had more important things to do, you know."

"Well, this is more important," Helen replied. "I'll have to go in for another appointment in two weeks. In fact, I have to go in for an ultrasound every two weeks to make sure nothing's wrong with the baby."

"Every two weeks? Christ, Helen, I don't know how you're supposed to keep track of that."

"I know it sounds like a lot, but I really want to make sure everything's okay. Besides, I can manage doing it every two weeks, trust me."

Bitsy was tempted to roll her eyes at this, but refrained from doing so at the last second. This would all be over soon enough.

The two women proceeded to watch several of the expecting parents in situations just like theirs come and go, come and go, come and go in order to confidently prepare for their own bundles of joy. Eventually, after what felt like nothing short of forever waiting, Helen heard the nurse call out her name, and she quickly rose from her seat.

"Alright, here we go," Helen said. "C'mon, Bitsy, follow me."

"Finally," Bitsy muttered. "About damn time."

Bitsy and Helen proceeded to follow the nurse into the doctor's office. Once inside, they took a look around and noted how small the room felt, particularly with its only conspicuous furniture being an examination table and a sonogram machine.

"The doctor will be in shortly," the nurse said before leaving.

"Alright, thank you," Helen just said. 

As soon as the nurse left, Helen proceeded to sit on the examination table and wait for the doctor to arrive. In the meantime, she and Bitsy proceeded to start talking amongst themselves.

"I can't believe you'd let this happen, Helen," Bitsy growled.

Helen was taken aback. "Excuse me? You're the one who got me pregnant."

"Yeah, but it's not like I wanted this to happen! And I'm pretty sure you didn't, either!"

"Even if I didn't, so what? I'm not getting rid of our child, not when God Himself willed it into me."

"Don't you dare bring God into this! No God would ever, ever---"

Just as Bitsy was about to escalate things further, the doctor walked in, putting an end to the argument.

"Good afternoon, Miss Squillace," the doctor began. "I'm Dr. Meggyesfalvi, and I'm here to perform the ultrasound."

"Hey, doc," Helen replied. "Boy, am I glad to see you."

Dr. Meggyesfalvi smiled. "Thank you. Are you ready to see your baby?"

"Yeah." Helen squeezed Bitsy's hand a bit tightly. "Might as well, right?"

"Good." Dr. Meggyesfalvi proceeded to squeeze some gel onto Helen's belly. "Now let's get started."

Soon, the doctor began to glide the transducer over Helen's skin. As she did so, the screen flickered to life and revealed the fuzzy, dark world that had formed inside her patient's womb. While maneuvering the probe, Dr. Meggyesfalvi kept her focus on the tiny developing humanoid figure moving as if without gravity through a small ocean of amniotic fluid.

"Is that...?" Helen began to trail off.

Dr. Meggyesfalvi nodded and turned the screen slightly so the expecting parents could get a better look. "Yes, that's your baby."

While this was happening, the room was filled with the sound of a heartbeat, strong and rhythmic like a tiny drum.

"Our baby..." Helen practically whispered to herself.

"God, is that a baby or an alien creature?" Bitsy chimed in, seemingly in disgust.

Helen's mood soured a little upon hearing that. While Bitsy wasn't technically wrong to compare their unborn child to an alien, it still seemed uncalled for during an intimate moment like this.

Dr. Meggyesfalvi chuckled. "That's perfectly normal at this point. They'll start looking more human as they develop." Her face lit up. "Oh, as long as you're still here, would you like to know the sex of the baby?"

"Yes, please," Helen quickly piped up, her voice tinged with excitement and anticipation.

"Well, okay, then." Dr. Meggyesfalvi proceeded to focus the ultrasound on a specific area. "Congratulations, you're having a girl."

Helen proceeded to lay there in stunned but joyful silence, letting the reality of it all sink in with every heartbeat they heard.

"A girl," Helen could only echo.

Within a few minutes, the ultrasound was over.

"Alright, well, everything looks healthy so far. However, you will have to come back in two weeks."

Helen started to get up. "Okay, thank you."

"No problem. Alright, have a nice day now."

"You too, Dr. Meggyesfalvi."

"Thank you. Oh, before you go, I'm sure you'll want pictures. Do you want me to give you some copies?"

"Yeah, that would be great."

"Okay." Dr. Meggyesfalvi handed Helen a printout of the ultrasound, an image of the baby forever captured in that moment. "Here's your little princess."

On the ride home from the hospital, Helen studied the ultrasound printout in her possession, making sure to trace and memorize the outline of her daughter's face and tiny hands. It still didn't seem real, but it was. It still didn't seem possible, but it had been. This was a human being developing right inside of her, a human being who could possess the best and worst traits her mothers could offer.

"She's going to be incredible," Helen murmured to herself.

Bitsy didn't say anything. How was she supposed to accept this? How was she supposed to accept any of this? This certainly wasn't what she'd wanted to do in her twilight years, and yet... it seemed fate had other plans. She had no idea if she was capable of raising a child or if she even had the patience for it. After all, the scars her parents left behind were not the kind to fade away. They were permanent. For all she knew, she could be just as bad of a parent as they were, if not worse.

"Well, if she's anything like me, she'll be a handful," Bitsy said.

Helen couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Yeah, I bet she will be."

Afterwards, Helen clammed up and resumed studying the ultrasound printout she was holding in her hands. She had no idea what the future would bring, but she knew that no matter what happened, the baby would be a part of it.

Chapter Text

As the weeks progressed, Helen's belly grew rounder, and the reality of impending motherhood became more tangible with each passing day. The more tangible that reality became, however, the more daunting the future seemed. She had no idea what she or Bitsy were going to do once people put two and two together and realized that her unborn baby was a product of scandal. She hoped that the worst that could happen was just public shaming, but it was hard to predict anything anymore.

Now here she was, just twenty-three weeks along and approaching the end of her second trimester. She had already explained everything to Spencer at this point, even making sure to break up with him while she was at it. At the very least, it was better than stringing him along for months and putting him through much unnecessary pain and anguish, especially when it would eventually and inevitably be revealed that the baby wasn't his. There was also the matter of her developing feelings for the sire of her baby. She had no idea if they'd come about solely because she was pregnant or if she'd always had feelings for Bitsy and just had them repressed until now. Either way, it was overwhelming, and she had no idea how she was supposed to manage them without risking ruining her shot at getting Bitsy's inheritance.

In the meantime, she spent hours every day researching baby names, nursery decor ideas, and parenting tips. She was willing to give everything she had and give her unborn daughter the best possible start in life, with or without Bitsy's help. It only seemed right.

Today was Friday, August 12th, the day Helen had to go in for yet another appointment. Unlike the previous appointments she had to go to, this time, Bitsy seemed surprisingly willing to come with. Helen had no idea what could've sparked the change in attitude nor whether it was genuine, but at this point, she didn't care. All that mattered was that now Bitsy wanted to be part of their daughter's life. Whether or not she'd still want to be involved once the baby arrived, however... well, it was hard to predict what would happen there. All Helen wanted right now was support.

In the waiting room, Helen leaned back in her seat, both hands cradling her growing belly. The amount of time she had to spend waiting felt like an eternity, but her patience seemed to be growing stronger with every appointment she'd made thus far. Bitsy, on the other hand, was bored out of her skull. It always seemed like such a chore having to wait at these things. She liked to believe that, at the very least, she wasn't alone in that department. How could anyone possibly sit through something like this?

"God, how long until it's our turn?" Bitsy asked. "I can't stand it!"

"It shouldn't be much longer," Helen assured her. "Just hold on."

"I really hope so. The sooner we can get home, the sooner we can make sure Shampagne is okay."

"I know, I know."

And so they ended up waiting for a while until they eventually heard the nurse calling out Helen's name.

"Okay, that's us." Helen struggled for a bit before finally lifting herself out of her seat. "C'mon, Bitsy, let's go."

Just like before, Bitsy and Helen proceeded to follow the nurse into the doctor's office. As they entered the doctor's office, Helen couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through her body. She was eager to see how their baby girl was developing and hoped that everything was progressing smoothly. Bitsy, on the other hand, seemed more focused on getting through the appointment quickly so they could return home. She didn't want to keep herself away from her little Shampagne for too long. For all she knew, the little dog must have been thinking she'd be gone forever. Once inside, Helen climbed up onto the examination table and then lied back and waited for Dr. Meggyesfalvi to arrive.

"Oh God, I can't wait to see how much our baby has grown since the last time we were here," Helen muttered out loud.

"Why?" Bitsy asked. "It can't be any different than last time, right?"

"Well, I wouldn't really say that. For one, she can hear us now. By the way, you should try to tone down the swearing moving forward."

"Seriously? Just because she can hear us now doesn't mean she can understand anything we're saying."

"I know, but I'm just saying." Helen instinctively rested her hands on her bump. "I don't want her taking after you too much."

After a few moments, Dr. Meggyesfalvi entered the room with a warm smile, greeting Helen and Bitsy before getting down to business. The doctor began the ultrasound examination, carefully moving the wand over Helen's belly to get a clear view of their baby girl. As the image of their growing child appeared on the screen, Helen couldn't help but be overwhelmed with emotion. It was hard to tell what Bitsy was thinking as this was all happening, though. However, as weirded out as Bitsy seemed to be, Helen liked to think that she was also fascinated by seeing their daughter right there. Seeing their baby's tiny features and hearing her heartbeat was enough to fill Helen with joy and anticipation for several lifetimes.

"Hi, baby," Helen practically breathed as she had her eyes fixed on the screen. "I can't wait to meet you."

Dr. Meggyesfalvi chuckled. "I'm willing to bet she can't wait to meet you, either, but you still have a long ways to go. Remember, your due date is December 9th."

"I know, but it seems so far away. I don't know if I can wait that long."

"Well, there's always the possibility that she could arrive before then. It's actually rare for babies to be born on their exact due date."

Helen just nodded. "Good to know."

As the ultrasound continued, Dr. Meggyesfalvi pointed out different parts of the baby's anatomy, explaining what they were seeing on the screen. Helen and Bitsy listened intently, trying to absorb as much information as possible. The doctor then proceeded to reassure them that everything looked healthy and normal, which brought a sense of relief to both soon-to-be parents. Then, as if in the blink of an eye, the ultrasound was over.

"Alright, Helen, I expect to see you back here in two weeks," Dr. Meggyesfalvi said. "You've been doing a good job so far."

Helen just nodded again. "Thank you, doc. You have no idea how good it feels to hear you say that."

"I'm always happy to say it." Dr. Meggyesfalvi's face suddenly lit up. "Oh, I almost forgot! I'm sure you'll want more pictures. Do you want me to give you some copies?"

"Yeah, that would be great."

"Okay." Dr. Meggyesfalvi handed Helen a printout of the ultrasound. "Here you go. Now come back here in two weeks, alright?"

"Don't worry. I'll definitely be back."

Dr. Meggyesfalvi smiled. "Good."

After arriving home, the first thing Helen did was make a beeline for the penthouse bathroom. She already knew that this pregnancy would be different from the one she had when she was 17. Even so, it still caught her off guard just how much it was changing her: the frequent bathroom breaks, the round ligament pains, the fatigue, all that jazz. Still, this was all God's will, and she couldn't help but take pride in thinking that He had chosen her to be the little one's mother.

After relieving herself on the toilet, she flushed and washed her hands. Helen then straightened herself and leaned away from the bathroom counter, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her hands instinctively went to rest on her growing belly, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. The reality of impending motherhood was sinking in more and more with each passing day. As happy as she was to have this baby, she was also a little frightened. Would she actually be able to give the baby the life she deserved? She liked to hope so, but it was hard not to doubt herself at times. Besides, anything could go wrong no matter what she did. She didn't like thinking about the worst-case scenario of a stillbirth, and yet it still distressed her just imagining such a scenario. She was willing to do anything to make sure this baby was born alive and healthy.

Suddenly, a knock at the door derailed her train of thought.

"Helen, what the hell is taking you so long?!" Bitsy practically shrieked out.

"I'll be out in a minute," Helen replied.

"Well, hurry up! I need to use the bathroom!"

"Hold on!"

Helen took a moment to cradle her bump and silently hope that the baby would turn out more like her than like Bitsy before leaving and heading for the nearest place to sit down. One Bitsy was enough to handle. She wasn't sure she could handle two of them. Even so, regardless of how her daughter turned out, Helen was determined to love her no matter what. It's what God would have wanted her to do, after all.

Chapter Text

Later that night, Helen found herself tossing and turning as she tried to get some sleep. She couldn't believe how needlessly difficult her daughter was making things. When Helen couldn't sleep, it left her so tired that she could barely function; but then when she tried to sleep, she couldn't. As if it already hadn't been hard enough dealing with the occasional insomnia before, now she had to deal with it on a practically daily basis. It didn't help that her twin-sized bed didn't feel like enough space for her growing belly to rest.

After nearly an hour of struggling to get some shut-eye, Helen gave up trying to do it in her own bed and decided to relocate to Bitsy's queen-sized bed. Hopefully, there was more space for her there. However, while climbing into bed, she inadvertently startled Bitsy awake.

"Helen?" Bitsy asked, half-asleep. "What are you doing in my bed?"

"I can't sleep," Helen replied, a slight whine in her voice. "Your daughter won't let me."

Bitsy rubbed her eyes and sat up, looking at Helen with a mix of concern and amusement. "She's already causing trouble, huh?"

"You have no idea."

Bitsy chuckled softly before patting the empty space next to her. "Come on, scoot over. Maybe we can both get some rest in here."

As surprised as Helen was by this offer, she decided it was better not to question it. She was desperate to get some much-needed sleep tonight. Helen gratefully accepted Bitsy's offer and settled into the queen-sized bed, feeling a wave of relief wash over her at the prospect of finally getting some rest. As she lay there, Bitsy's presence next to her was oddly comforting, almost like a reminder that she wasn't alone in this journey. The rhythmic sound of their breathing slowly synchronized, creating a sense of peace in the room. It felt so surreal just being in this situation, and yet this was her reality.

Suddenly, Helen's eyes shot open, and her hand flew to her baby bump. "Oh my God..." She shook Bitsy awake. "Bitsy... Bitsy..."

Bitsy just glared at her drowsily. "What?"

"The baby."

Bitsy’s expression changed to slightly alarmed. "What? What about her?"

"She's kicking."

While she said that, Helen's heart raced with a mix of excitement and disbelief as she felt the tiny fluttering movements from within. It was a moment she had been eagerly anticipating, the first time she could feel her baby's presence so tangibly. She quickly sat up and placed Bitsy's hand gently on her belly in anticipation of another kick. Almost instantly, the baby jabbed at Bitsy's palm, and she quickly jerked her hand away.

"Oh God, that is so creepy!" Bitsy exclaimed, startled by what she just felt.

Helen couldn't help but giggle at the outburst as she guided Bitsy's hand back. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it soon enough. She is your daughter, after all."

Bitsy just rolled her eyes at Helen's comment, but she couldn't quite hide the smile that tugged at her lips. Of all the times that baby could’ve chosen to start making her presence known, it had to be while her mothers were trying to sleep. Yep, she was Bitsy’s daughter, alright. As if to confirm that, she kicked again.

"You're definitely right about her being my daughter," Bitsy said. 

Helen and Bitsy took a moment to laugh over the timing of the baby's kicks and find solace in this unexpected bonding experience. The room was filled all at once with excitement, wonder, and a hint of nervousness about what lay ahead. As they both settled back into bed, Helen couldn't help but feel grateful for Bitsy's presence by her side, literally and metaphorically. As unexpected as it was, she wouldn't dare change a thing about it.

The next morning, Helen slowly woke up and stared straight up at the ceiling. The baby had settled down overnight and was now passing the time sleeping. Helen lay there for a moment, basking in the quiet stillness of the morning. What had happened last night felt almost dreamlike now, but the memory of feeling her baby's first kicks still lingered vividly in her mind. As she shifted slightly to get more comfortable, Bitsy stirred beside her and mumbled something unintelligible in her sleep. She had no idea what Bitsy could be dreaming about or what Bitsy was trying to say, and she wasn't sure she wanted to find out right now. She wanted to just lay there and be in the moment.

Helen had never been good at relaxing, so she figured that this at least would be a step in the right direction. Her thoughts drifted to the little one nestled inside her womb and what she must've been thinking about right now. Actually, now that she thought about it, could her daughter even have abstract thoughts at this point in the pregnancy? Probably not, but it was fun to imagine what she could imagine if that were possible. She also couldn't help but think about who the baby would take after more: her or Bitsy. She hoped the baby would be more like her: quiet, subdued, and introspective; someone who could be more of a calming influence on her sire if she'd let her. Though if the baby's kicks last night were any indication, she'd probably be more like Bitsy instead. Regardless, this was her daughter, and she was going to love her no matter who she took after.

As if out of the blue, Shampagne started barking. It was enough to rouse Bitsy from her slumber.

"Shampagne, sweetie?" Bitsy called out. "What is it?"

Helen just kept quiet while Shampagne barked again.

"What is it, Shampagne?" Bitsy asked again. "Are you hungry?"

Shampagne barked once more and scampered off, hoping that his owner would take this as a cue to follow him to his destination. Bitsy did so. As she followed her beloved dog, Bitsy decided to ask Helen if they still had the special dog food Shampagne supposedly loved so much.

"Yeah, I think we do," Helen replied. "Do you want me to check?"

"Of course I do!" Bitsy practically yelled. "That's your job!"

"Alright, well, speaking of jobs..." Helen trailed off for a moment as she got up and went off to retrieve the dog food. "I'm getting to a point in my pregnancy where I shouldn't be doing any heavy work."

Bitsy was silent for a moment. "Okay."

"And as we already know, this is a high-risk pregnancy. So when I get to that point, I'm really going to need to take it easy for the next few months."

"Okay... where the hell are you going with this?"

Helen took a deep breath. "I'm going to need to take some time off work, Bitsy. I can't afford to put my health and the baby's at risk by pushing myself too hard."

"What? I can't let you do that!"

"Yes, you can. Need I remind you that I'm having your baby?"

"Well, if you're not going to work for that long, who am I supposed to find to help me?"

Helen shrugged. "I don't know, but we can find someone." She lifted the bag of dog food up into her arms as she said that. "It doesn't even matter who, as long as they can get the job done."

As the day started to wind down, Helen's daughter started waking up and stretching out from within her mother's womb. After the day she'd just had, Helen decided that she was due for a long nap. However, she knew that it wouldn't be easy, not if the baby had anything to say about it anyway. As if the usual discomforts weren't enough, with how often Helen was starting to feel the baby move now, she had a feeling that her daughter was trying to remind her that restful nights would soon be a thing of the past. Still, it was hard not to be amused by the tiny life seeming to already exhibit such a spirited personality like her sire. Despite the challenges and sleepless nights ahead, Helen couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of finally meeting her little one. She often daydreamed about holding her daughter for the first time and seeing those tiny features that had been growing inside her all these months. The anticipation filled her with a mix of joy and wonder, making every kick and flutter worth it.

As Helen prepared to take a nap on top of Bitsy's bed, her daughter started kicking as if in protest. She couldn't help but notice that the kicks seemed to be slightly stronger than the ones from yesterday. Helen took a deep breath, trying to focus on the rhythmic sound of her own breathing to drown out the lively dance in her belly. The baby seemed undeterred, however.

Helen took another deep breath and began stroking the curve of her belly. "Sweetie, you need to calm down and let Mommy rest. It'll help you grow up to be big and strong."

As she continued stroking her belly, she imagined the peaceful embrace of sleep, wondering if her daughter would one day learn to appreciate these quiet moments of rest. She also kept talking to her daughter about her hopes and dreams for her, how they'd someday get their hands on the millions of dollars Bitsy would leave behind when she died, and how she'd see to it that her daughter would never have to face the world alone. Gradually, Helen felt the rhythmic movements inside her belly begin to slow, as if her gentle words and touch were lulling her daughter into a calm state. The kicks softened to a gentle flutter, and Helen smiled, grateful for the small reprieve. Sinking into the soft mattress, she allowed her eyes to close, and soon, the comforting embrace of sleep enveloped her, offering a brief respite from the excitement and anticipation of motherhood.

Chapter Text

As weeks passed, Helen's belly grew even rounder, and her body changed even more. Her breasts had grown as well, and what had been her innie was now an outie. It still seemed like just yesterday when Helen had shown Bitsy what their daughter had done to her navel and Bitsy had freaked out before having to be assured that such a thing was normal while pregnant. Helen couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing (if not a little annoying) that the sire of her baby was so unfamiliar with the whole process, and especially to the point where Bitsy often still questioned if the baby was actually an alien trying to take over Helen's body. 

Still, it was becoming obvious that Bitsy's bond with their daughter was slowly evolving. Bitsy would spend hours plotting and scheming about Central Park aloud to Helen's belly, hoping their daughter could recognize her voice, and feeling her kick seemingly in response. Each day, Bitsy grew more excited about the prospect of becoming a mother, eagerly helping to prepare the nursery and dreaming about the future they would all share together. Helen watched this transformation with a mix of amusement and admiration, grateful for Bitsy's growing involvement. It warmed her heart to see Bitsy develop a deeper connection with their unborn baby, and it reassured Helen that they would be able to navigate parenthood together. Despite her initial doubts, Helen felt confident that Bitsy was ready to embrace the challenges and joys of motherhood alongside her.

Of course, that wasn't to say that Helen wasn't still dealing with the typical pregnancy discomforts in the meantime. If Helen hadn't been having problems resting before, then she was now. Every time Helen settled down, the baby seemed to sense it and would start an enthusiastic internal dance. Tiny feet and elbows would press against her belly, making it impossible to find a comfortable position. Clearly, she took more after the Brandenham side of the family than she did the Squillace side. Helen couldn't help but find herself simultaneously amused and exasperated by her baby's active nature. While she appreciated the reassurance that her little one was healthy and energetic, the constant movement often left her feeling exhausted and longing for even a few moments of peace. Despite the discomfort, however, there was a certain joy in feeling those tiny kicks and somersaults; for they reminded her of the life growing inside her and the adventure that awaited them all.

Today was Monday, September 12th. Helen was now twenty-seven weeks along and in her third trimester, inching ever closer to having her baby girl. She had a few ideas at this point for what her little one's name could be, but she hadn't settled on any of them yet. The first one was "Faith". On the surface, it seemed pretty apt, given her current situation. She wasn't completely on the fence, though, wondering if it gelled with her surname. She'd have to think more about it later. Next up was "Grace". She didn't have any strong feelings about it, but she supposed that it would be a name to fall back on in case none of them worked out. Then there were "Heaven", "Rosario", "Biancamaria", and "Apollonia". Last but not least, there was "Mercedes". She didn't exactly know why, but there was something about "Mercedes" that drew her attention. Like with "Faith", she didn't know if it would mesh well with her surname, but she at least had a name she could use if none of the others worked out.

Just recently, the Brandenham Hotel had hired a new employee in Abby Hunter, who recently moved to New York from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Helen had taken some time out of her day to introduce herself and Bitsy to Abby. It'd been a little awkward at most, but Helen couldn't help but get friendly vibes from her. However, she also couldn't help but get the feeling that Abby might not be able to keep a secret, so when Abby asked her who the baby's father was, Helen lied about getting herself artificially inseminated through a sperm donor. She hated having to do that, but the last thing she needed to deal with was a potential scandal on her hands.

Now, Helen was back home from her latest appointment, with Bitsy having tagged along like she'd done last time. Both women could rest easy with the knowledge that things were still going well, but Helen was especially relieved since she hadn't experienced any complications despite her worries. The first thing she did was head straight for her twin-sized bed and sit down, ready to mull over the potential names again. Her daughter made the occasional flutter as if she was helping.

"Okay, first things first, how do we feel about Faith?" Helen placed her hand on her belly and felt a slight nudge. "Okay, I guess that's a maybe. How do we feel about Grace?" No response. "No? What about Heaven?" Again, no response. "How do we feel about Rosario?" Once again, no response. "What about Biancamaria?" Yet again, no response. "Okay, you're probably right. It doesn't exactly flow that well. And I guess that's a no for Apollonia, too?" Just like before, the baby didn't respond. "Yeah, I figured you wouldn't like that. How do we feel about Mercedes?" Almost immediately, she felt a distinct kick. "You like it?" The baby kicked again as if out of confirmation. "Okay, looks like we've got a winner. Faith will be your middle name since that was the only other name you seemed to like."

Mercedes kicked again as if out of joy that she'd finally been given her name. Helen just chuckled and rubbed her belly, hoping that it would calm her daughter down even just a little bit. Thank God she'd finally closed the book on that part of her journey. Now she could focus all her energy on trying to take care of herself as she and Bitsy prepared to meet Mercedes.

"Helen!" Bitsy called out to her.

Helen waddled in as quickly as she could, Mercedes seeming to lead the way. "Yes, Bitsy?"

"I need a drink!"

Helen was slightly taken aback. "You mean... right now?"

"When do you think? Of course I want it right now! Go get it!"

Helen couldn't help but sigh deeply in response. "Mind if I ask what kind of drink you want?"

"A tequila sunrise. Now hurry up and have Lionel make it!"

Helen sighed again and headed down to the bar. She was slightly disappointed that Bitsy would demand a drink right now, even after all the progress she'd been making in bonding with Mercedes, but she supposed that old habits died hard. Hopefully, Bitsy would have time to sober up before the baby was born, but she couldn't be sure how much time there was. That, however, would be food for thought for another time. She had a tequila sunrise she needed to retrieve for Bitsy. As if in practically no time, she headed down to the bar and sought Lionel out.

"Oh, hey, Helen!" Lionel called out to her as he tended to the bar. "Did Bitsy ask you to get another drink for her?"

"Yeah," Helen replied as she waddled over to him. "A tequila sunrise. And she wants it now."

"I figured as much. Hold on. I'll make it for you in a second." Lionel proceeded to do so in practically lightning speed and handed the drink to Helen. "Alright, here you go."

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

"No problem."

Helen didn't say anything else after that. Instead, she left with the drink and waddled her way back into the penthouse.

Later that night, Helen prepared to cuddle up with Bitsy in the queen-sized bed again. Such a thing was not easy to do when one party was short enough that she could easily be lifted off the ground and there was a literal bump to deal with. Even so, Helen was desperate to find some sort of comfort, however temporary it was. She decided to try sleeping on her side while Bitsy spooned her (or at least tried to) from behind. It seemed almost unbelievable that either of them would have ever ended up in this situation, but Helen wouldn't change a thing about it. They were months away from having a baby together, after all, and it was bound to change their lives for better or worse.

Any sort of peace they could've had was short-lived before Mercedes decided to make her presence known again. Mercedes began to squirm and kick with surprising vigor, as if determined to remind her mothers that she was still there. Helen let out a small groan as Bitsy chuckled softly, placing a gentle hand on Helen's belly.

"Looks like someone isn't quite ready to settle down for the night," Bitsy murmured, feeling the rhythm of Mercedes's tiny movements.

"I'll say," Helen replied as she rolled onto her back. "It feels like she's a diva in the making." She then threw off the light blankets and lifted up her nightgown to expose her swollen belly, which seemed to ripple and shift with every movement their little girl was making. "I mean, just look at this."

Mercedes's tiny feet seemed to be performing a rhythmic dance, tapping against Helen's organs with surprising vigor. Occasionally, a small elbow or knee would jut out, creating curious bulges that moved across her belly like waves. It was as if Mercedes was trying to communicate her restless energy to the world outside.

"Well, with parents like us, I wouldn't expect anything less," Bitsy said as she traced her fingers gently over Helen's belly. "She's going to keep us on our toes, that's for sure."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of," Helen replied. "If she's this dramatic now, imagine how dramatic she'll be when she's a toddler."

"She probably won't be that bad, Helen. Maybe we can calm her down if we get enough time with her."

Helen glanced over, her eyes practically pleading with Bitsy. "Well, is there anything you can do to try to calm her down right now?"

Bitsy shrugged. "I'll see what I can do. Just don't expect any miracles."

"Well, I wasn't really---"

Before Helen could say anything else, Bitsy had already begun to hum a soft lullaby, her fingers continuing to trace soothing patterns across Helen's belly. She spoke in uncharacteristically gentle, calming tones, telling their spirited daughter little stories about all the adventures out there that were waiting for her. Then, she laid her hand flat against Helen's bump, hoping the warmth and her voice would be enough to provide some comfort and coax Mercedes into a peaceful rest. For a moment, it seemed to work. Mercedes's movements seemed to slow down, giving both of her mothers a nice reprieve from her seemingly chaotic energy. Bitsy then kissed the curve of Helen's belly, hoping that Mercedes could somehow feel it through her skin.

"That's better," Bitsy murmured. "Now be a good girl and let your mother sleep, okay?"

"Mercedes isn't even here yet, and you're already asking too much of her," Helen jokingly replied.

"It's too much to ask that she lets us sleep every once in a while?"

"I didn't say that. I'm saying that you can't expect her to behave very well, that's all."

"Hmph. Well, I just hope she grows up to have the same ambitions in life that I do, to solve most of her problems with money like I do. Hell, I'll even help her redevelop land over in the Catskill Mountains, laws be damned."

Just after Bitsy had said that, Mercedes's movements picked right back up from where she'd left off, prompting Helen to groan again.

Helen had to stop herself from laughing at the timing. "Told you you were asking too much of her. She's moving again."

This time, Mercedes's kicks and wiggles seemed to be in full force, as if she'd found a new rhythm with each kick more determined than the last. Helen could feel the distinct pattern of her daughter's movements— two quick jabs followed by a gentle roll and then a pause, as if Mercedes was catching her breath. The intensity of the kicks left Helen amused, amazed, and frustrated all at once; marveling at the strength and energy of the little dancer growing inside her, but also being irritated that the little one would start up again after she'd already seemingly settled down.

"Dammit," Bitsy cursed under her breath. "I just calmed her down. Let me see if I can try that again."

"Go ahead," Helen replied. "But don't expect any miracles."

With that, Bitsy started softly humming another lullaby as she gently massaged Helen's belly. Miraculously, as she did so, the kicks began to subside. Eventually, the restless movements eased up, leaving a serene stillness in their wake.

Helen sighed peacefully. "Thank you, Bitsy. Now maybe we can finally sleep."

"We better," Bitsy grumbled. "I don't want to have to do this a third time."

"Hopefully, you won't." Helen glanced down at her now perfectly still belly, which rose and fell with every breath she took. "But if what Mercedes just put us through is any indication, this is only the beginning."

"I know." Bitsy proceeded to kiss Helen's bump again. "But we'll be ready for her when she is."

With that, the two women proceeded to resume cuddling and doze off.

Chapter Text

As if in the blink of an eye, it was Friday, September 30th. Helen was now thirty weeks along, and she couldn't believe the reflection that was staring back at her in the bathroom mirror. Mercedes had managed to grow substantially over the last three weeks, so much so that Helen had to wonder if there was actually another baby in there that Dr. Meggyesfalvi had somehow managed to overlook during the biweekly ultrasound appointments. Admittedly, this was a ridiculous thought to have, but the urge to even entertain it was tempting.

Were Bitsy's genetics partly the reason their baby girl was so big right now? The Brandenhams weren't exactly the healthiest when it came to genetics, but they certainly could be tall sometimes. Perhaps this would be true for Mercedes as well. Then again, she could grow up and turn out to have dwarfism just like her sire, so there was no way to predict how things would go.

Helen couldn't help but groan to herself as she tried to stretch out her aching back. "Mercedes, you're getting so big. How are you even fitting in there?"

Helen's lower back ached persistently, a deep, throbbing pain that seemed to intensify with each day that passed by. Her legs felt heavy as if they were being weighed down by invisible anchors, and her swollen feet protested every step she took. Even her skin felt like it was being stretched to its limits, tight and itchy across her belly, reminding her constantly of the little life growing within. She readjusted her stance for what must have felt like the hundredth time this morning, trying her best to maintain it while her center of gravity kept pulling her forward.

"Oh, Mercedes, you've put me through so much over these last several months," Helen continued. "You better pay me back for this when you're older."

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, spooking Helen a bit.

"Helen, are you okay?" asked Abby's disembodied voice.

"Yeah, fine," Helen replied. "Just looking at myself in the mirror."

"Okay, because Miss Brandenham's worried that something might have happened to you."

Helen couldn't help but find that touching, but she kept it to herself. "Tell her I'll be out in a minute."

"Alright, will do."

With that, Helen just listened as Abby's footsteps gradually faded off. Once she was certain that Abby had left, Helen took one last look at herself in the mirror and headed out the door.

Later that morning, despite her best efforts, Helen struggled to relax while lying on top of the pillow nest she'd made for herself on Bitsy's bed. Mercedes offered little help, still being as active and lively as ever, and her movements were even stronger and more pronounced now. For all the discomfort Helen felt, though, it was hard not to marvel at how much Mercedes had grown over thirty weeks. It almost made it hard for her to believe how much time was left before the little one would be born. It also scared her somewhat. Would everything go well when it was time for Mercedes to come into the world? Would Bitsy and Helen still have that close bond in the future as they did now? Would they even have a future together? So many questions, but not enough answers. So little answers, but not enough time to answer them.

"Helen?" she suddenly heard Bitsy call out to her.

Helen instantly snapped back to reality and looked over to see Bitsy looking up from beside the bed.

"Bitsy, what are you doing back here?" Helen asked, a little surprised.

"I came in here to tell you that someone finally ordered the côte de boeuf that we've had on the menu forever," Bitsy replied as a smile crept onto her face.

Helen's surprise grew a little more. "Wait, really?"

"Yes, really! I'd never thought I'd see the day when someone would actually buy it. We need to celebrate with a special presentation for them."

"Oh, okay." Helen paused for a moment. "Do you want me to help you?"

"No, you've been working so hard. It wouldn't feel right."

"Are you sure? You've never had to do something like that without me before."

"I insist. I love you too much to want to put your health and the baby's at risk." After saying that, her eyes widened, and she gasped.

Helen just stared at her, equally shocked. "What did you just say?"

"I..." Bitsy trailed off for a few seconds before regaining her train of thought. "I love you."

Helen didn't say anything for a few moments while she tried to process what Bitsy had just told her. Had she heard her right? Did Bitsy actually just say that she loved her?

"Helen?" Bitsy asked after a while. "Are you going to say anything?"

"I..." Helen started to get emotional. She had no idea whether it was because of pregnancy hormones or because she had realized the full extent of Bitsy's feelings for her. "I love you too. You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that."

"You do?"

Helen quickly nodded while tears of joy threatened to fall from her face.

"Oh my God..." Bitsy trailed off for a moment. "This isn't going to change anything, is it?"

"I hope not." Helen's eyes darted down to her belly. "But it'll probably make raising Mercedes a little easier now."

"Speaking of Mercedes, how is she?"

"Great. Still giving me a hard time as usual." Helen just winced as Mercedes made a strong visible jab right below her navel. "She's really going at it today. Do you want to come up here and feel?"

"Of course I do. Why would I want to stop now?"

"Okay, come on." 

Helen struggled for a little bit before eventually pulling Bitsy up onto the bed and right beside her. She then guided Bitsy's hand to where Mercedes's movements were most pronounced. Bitsy's eyes widened with amazement as she felt the tiny but powerful kicks.

"Wow," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "I can't believe how incredible it is to actually feel her move like this."

"Me neither," Helen replied. "And to think that God was the one to make it all possible. He had a plan for all of us to be here at this moment."

"I wouldn't say that it was all part of God's plan. I'd say---"

Helen cut her off. "I'm actually so proud of you for stepping up to be here for me and Mercedes. I didn't think you had it in you."

"Well, what can I say? I guess I'm just full of surprises."

"You and her both. She's been quite the little acrobat lately." Helen gave an amused smirk as another kick sent a ripple across her belly. "Sometimes it feels like she's doing somersaults in there, and other times it's like she's practicing her soccer skills. It's amazing how something so small can have such a strong presence."

Bitsy nodded, her hand still resting on Helen's belly, feeling the life within. "I get the feeling she's already showing us her personality. God, I can't wait to meet her and see what kind of person she'll become."

"Well, if she's anything like us, we'll have to protect the world from her."

"You're damn right." Soon, Bitsy broke her hand away from Helen's belly and prepared to climb down from the bed. "Okay, I need to go now. Jean-Luc is probably wondering where the hell I am."

"Wait, don't go!" Helen gripped Bitsy's wrist tightly and stared at her with puppy dog eyes. "Can't you stay with us a little while longer?"

"Helen, please. I really need to go. This presentation's important. It needs to be perfect."

"At least promise you'll come back soon."

"Helen, it's not like I'm leaving forever. It'll only be a while."

"I know, but it's more for Mercedes than it is for me." Helen broke out the puppy dog eyes again. "Promise her by kissing my tummy?"

"Fine."

Bitsy proceeded to lean forward and gently kiss Helen's belly, all while whispering sweet assurances to the baby inside. Just as she did so, Mercedes delivered a powerful kick, landing squarely on Bitsy's mouth and prompting a yelp from her.

"Oh my God!" Helen exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," Bitsy replied tersely as she rubbed at her lips. "Little turd just kicked me in the mouth. Did it right on the lips, too. Guess now we know what kind of person she'll be."

Helen burst into laughter, unable to contain her amusement at Bitsy's attempt to hide her embarrassment. "Well, she's certainly starting off strong." She gave her belly a gentle pat. "That's our girl, always full of surprises."

"Alright, now I'm leaving." After her false start, Bitsy climbed down the bed and started heading out. "God, whoever ordered the côte de boeuf better make this presentation worth it."

"I'm sure they will."

"Mmm-hmm. I'll believe it was worth it when it happens."

As soon as Bitsy left the room, Helen tried to pick up where she left off and relax on top of her pillow nest. This pregnancy wouldn't be over for a while, but as long as she had Bitsy by her side, she knew that everything would work out in her favor.

Chapter Text

Somehow, Mercedes had managed to grow even more over the last three weeks. Helen couldn't believe how much her belly had grown now that she was thirty-three weeks along. As if it wasn't enough that Mercedes had to make her look like she was carrying twins and that she hadn't been able to see her feet in a while, according to Dr. Meggyesfalvi during the last ultrasound appointment, the baby was in the 90th percentile for size. Helen couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and apprehension when she heard the news. She marveled at the thought of nurturing such a strong and healthy baby, yet she couldn't help but worry about the challenges that would come with delivering a larger-than-average newborn; and while she was already dealing with a high-risk pregnancy, no less. Despite her concerns, however, she was determined to stay positive and focus on getting ready to meet her little girl. After all, as the saying went, "If there's a will, there's a way."

Bitsy had been just as shocked when Dr. Meggyesfalvi had informed her and Helen of this development. She already knew by now that their daughter was big, but she had no idea that she was this big. She couldn't even begin to imagine the pain and discomfort that Mercedes must have been putting Helen through right now. Even so, she knew that Helen was going to need her more than ever as they drew closer to welcoming their daughter into the world.

In the meantime, they’d already managed to finish up repurposing Bitsy's childhood room into a nursery for Mercedes. In addition, Shampagne was being trained to co-exist with a new baby in the suite, and things had slowly been changing to make room for the upcoming arrival. Helen couldn't believe just how much they had managed to get done over a few weeks, but she knew it was all going to be worth it for the little one currently laying rounds against her organs. She could already see Mercedes roaming through the penthouse with her limitless energy and causing chaos all around her.

Today was Friday, October 21st, the day Helen had to go in for yet another appointment. She could hardly contain her excitement at the thought of seeing Mercedes yet again. Before she even knew it, Mercedes would be out here, plopped into a chaotic world filled with interesting and unique people. The waiting room buzzed softly with the hum of quiet conversations and the rustle of magazines being flipped. Helen sat in one of the upholstered wooden chairs, her hands cradling and rubbing her swollen belly while faint pop music played overhead. Bitsy sat in the chair beside her, bored but also somewhat nervous about what this week's appointment would entail.

"My God, you're big," Bitsy told Helen.

"Uh, thanks... I guess," Helen replied uncertainly. "I just hope everything's okay. I'm not sure how much bigger I can get. I'm actually scared to find out."

"Surely, it won't be by much, right?"

"Well, we'll see. I get the feeling that she'll be as ambitious as you are."

Bitsy gave with a smug smirk. "Damn right she will."

Helen leaned back against her chair, desperate to relieve the aching pain in her back. Thankfully, there were only a few more weeks left before this would all be over, but they felt like they were a lifetime away. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to imagine what her daughter would look like and whether she'd take more after her or Bitsy. So far, it seemed like Mercedes might be a perfect mix of the two women, but it was too soon to tell for sure. She supposed she'd have to wait and see what Mercedes actually looked like once she was born, but even then, it wouldn't be clear whose genes would win out more. Eventually, Helen heard her name being called by the nurse, and it was enough to jolt her back to reality. It was finally time for her check-up.

Once they’d made their way inside the doctor’s office, Helen proceeded to sit on the examination table and wait for Dr. Meggyesfalvi to arrive. While waiting, she and Bitsy proceeded to strike up a conversation with each other.

"What do you think the doctor will find this time?" Bitsy asked.

"Nothing concerning, I hope," Helen replied. "As if this pregnancy hasn't been hard enough already, the last thing either of us needs to think about is whether or not she can survive this."

"Well, we've made it this far, haven't we? What could possibly go wrong?"

"A lot of things, actually, but I'd rather not think about that right now. Let's try to focus on something else. Maybe... whose hair color we think she might get."

"Oh, please, we both know she's going to have auburn hair like every other Brandenham throughout history."

Helen raised an eyebrow at this. "You sure about that? I was thinking she might have black hair like me."

"Let's not rule out the auburn hair, Helen. You'd be surprised how strong Brandenham genes can be sometimes."

"Oh, they can be strong, alright." Helen ran a hand over her belly. "Strong enough to keep me up at night, make me use the bathroom every five minutes, make me crave lavender cake and Turkish delight, and---"

Before Helen could go on a rant about how much being pregnant could suck, Dr. Meggyesfalvi finally walked in, a warm smile etched onto her face.

"Oh, hello, Miss Squillace," Dr. Meggyesfalvi greeted. "How are you feeling today?"

"Like an inside-out punching bag," Helen replied wryly. "In other words, sore."

Dr. Meggyesfalvi chuckled. "Sounds to me like Mercedes is as active and healthy as ever."

"You have no idea."

"Okay, let's not waste any more time. Ready to see your little one again?"

Helen quickly nodded. "Yes."

Dr. Meggyesfalvi nodded back. "Alright, lay back on the table, and we'll see how she's doing."

Helen did so, her belly now on full display. Beside her, Bitsy held her hand, simultaneously nervous and eager to see how little Mercedes was holding up. Dr. Meggyesfalvi squirted some cold gel onto Helen's belly, prompting a shiver from her. She'd gotten used to a lot of things during these appointments, but that was not one of them. Dr. Meggyesfalvi then started moving the wand over her patient's skin. Silence filled the room as Helen and Bitsy waited for her to reveal the latest image of the baby. Then, right there on the screen, Helen saw Mercedes again, and she squeezed Bitsy's hand. As their baby's heartbeat filled the room, strong and rhythmic as ever, Helen felt a surge of love that was so profound that it almost brought her to tears.

"There she is," Dr. Meggyesfalvi said. "It looks like she's doing great. Her heart rate is excellent and everything."

"God, she's moving around so much," Helen murmured. "That's my baby up there."

The screen showed Mercedes flailing her limbs around, almost as if she was aware that all eyes were on her and relishing in being the center of attention.

"That sure is," Dr. Meggyesfalvi replied with a warm smile. "We still need to think about where we'll have to go from here. Given that we're dealing with a double whammy of a 90th percentile baby and an advanced maternal age pregnancy, we may have to consider a Cesarean."

Bitsy's eyes widened and her pupils shrank. "A Cesarean? That sounds so dire."

"Not really," Dr. Meggyesfalvi disagreed. "Basically, what we do is we make an incision in the abdomen and deliver the baby that way."

"I know what a Cesarean is. I meant it sounds so dire that you would even consider that at all."

"Well, it's either that or putting both Helen and Mercedes's lives at risk with a vaginal delivery. I just think a Cesarean would be the safer option, is all."

Bitsy forced herself to calm down. "My God, that's not something I want to think about right now."

"I don't think there's anything to worry about as long as everything goes well. Still, better to be safe than sorry."

At that moment, as if out of the blue, Dr. Meggyesfalvi felt something jab against the transducer in her hand and gasped. She turned her head to see Mercedes just now drawing her leg back.

"Well, I certainly didn't see that coming," Dr. Meggyesfalvi said, caught off-guard but also amused by what had just transpired.

"She must not have liked that we weren't paying attention to her," Helen joked.

Dr. Meggyesfalvi chuckled. "In all my years working as an ultrasound technician, I've never come across a baby more attention-seeking than this one. And you can certainly tell just by looking at her."

Bitsy and Helen both watched as the little one moved in real-time, her tiny features becoming more defined with each scan. While they watched, Dr. Meggyesfalvi pointed out Mercedes’s profile, her little nose, and the way she seemed to be sucking her thumb.

Bitsy smirked. “Well, how else is she supposed to entertain herself? There’s nothing to really do in there except kick and squirm like there’s no tomorrow.”

"It looks like she's practicing for when she's actually here," Helen rejoined.

After a few more moments of watching Mercedes's antics on the screen, Dr. Meggyesfalvi wrapped up the ultrasound and started cleaning the gel off of Helen's stomach. "Everything looks perfect. She's growing beautifully."

"Oh, uh, thank you," Helen replied. "I'm so glad to hear that."

"No problem. I expect you back here in two weeks to see when we can proceed with the Cesarean, okay?"

Helen nodded. "Yeah, I gotcha."

"Okay, good."

Later that day, Bitsy and Helen tried to nap together. As difficult as it was trying to get some rest, Helen cherished that time all the same since it meant she could spend it dreaming about the future she and Mercedes would have together. Much as she loved Bitsy, though, she wasn't sure that a relationship would work out between them. There was still the issue of Bitsy being her superior and still more than capable of lording her power over her if she so wanted. Besides, she really wanted that inheritance. Her romantic feelings for her wouldn't change that end goal, no matter how hard she tried to convince herself otherwise. That was something to worry about for another time, though. Now was the time to cuddle.

As such, Helen was lying on her back on top of a pillow nest, her prominent belly facing upwards like a mound in case Bitsy wanted to reach over and touch it. Bitsy herself had her head resting on Helen's shoulder. The thin gray sweater Helen had picked out for the appointment only barely fit over her tummy, leaving a bit of skin exposed. That didn't matter right now. All that mattered was this moment. This was a moment that would live on in their minds for years to come.

However, it was soon short-lived as Helen began to feel an insistent nudge from within, followed by a series of tiny but powerful kicks. She shifted slightly in an attempt to find a more comfortable position, but the movement persisted.

It was enough to wake Bitsy up. "Mmm... is Mercedes bothering you?"

Helen sighed. "I think she's decided she's in the mood to play right now."

Bitsy smirked and sat up, her hand gently resting on Helen's belly. "She must still be excited from the appointment we had today. I can't necessarily blame her. It must've given her quite the ego boost."

"That's nice and all, but can she try to be a little less excited right now? I really need to nap right now."

"Hmm, let me see what I can do." Bitsy pulled Helen's sweater all the way up so that her belly was fully exposed. She began to softly stroke it in slow, circular motions, her fingers tracing gentle patterns across the skin. "Hey there, sweetie. Let's try to calm down a bit, okay? It's nap time for everyone, including you. You need to save that kind of energy for when you're actually out here with us." She then traced her fingers over the stretch marks that had slowly been forming all over Helen's bump. "Oh, Mercedes, if only you could see what you've been putting your mother through... I mean you're leaving your mark on her in more ways than one. I don't think she can even remember the last time she's seen her feet because of you." She then caressed her thumb over Helen's navel. "I know it's a bit cramped in there, but just hang tight. We can't wait to meet you."

As if responding to Bitsy's touch, Mercedes seemed to settle down, her movements easing into a gentle rhythm though not before giving one last strong kick as if in protest.

"Yeah, yeah, you can't wait either," Bitsy said. "Well, lucky for you, it probably won't be much longer."

"Thank you," Helen whispered, exhaustion finally catching up to her now that the baby seemed to be settling down.

"Of course." Bitsy kissed Helen's belly before lying back down, her head resting again on Helen's shoulder. "You said yourself we're in this together."

"Mm-hmm."

With that, Helen let peace wash over her as her eyelids grew heavy and she drifted off to sleep, finally getting to nap like she wanted.

Chapter Text

It was Abby who had suggested throwing a baby shower for Helen. Neither Bitsy nor Helen were keen about this idea, with Helen even telling Abby as much. However, Abby had insisted on it out of the kindness of her heart. Helen knew that she meant well and that she only wanted her to feel special at least once before Mercedes was born, but she just didn't want all eyes on her. She would rather prepare for Mercedes's arrival in peace. That being said, she didn't want to say no, either. After everything this pregnancy had put her through so far, Helen figured that maybe she did deserve to be pampered somewhat.

Bitsy, on the other hand, wanted to skip the whole thing. She wasn't exactly the easiest person to get along with, and being the ruthless and eccentric owner of such a prestigious hotel like the Brandenham made making friends even harder. Plus, events like this only reminded her that the people under her employment were the closest thing she had to friends. It took some convincing from Helen and Abby before she finally agreed to throwing the whole shindig. Besides, it'd been a while since she'd last kept in touch with some of the investors she'd hired for her Central Park redevelopment scheme. It'd be nice to see them again, even for just a little while. They wouldn't even have to talk about the park. They could just try to live in the moment and try to celebrate an upcoming new life. And unlike with Dimitry's daughter Anya's wedding, they would have the baby shower in the regular ballroom.

Today was Monday, October 31st, and Helen was 34 weeks pregnant. For whatever reason, Abby thought that it would be a good idea to throw the baby shower on Halloween. Neither Bitsy nor Helen could quite discern the reasoning behind that decision. Maybe Abby needed an excuse to break out the Princess Daisy costume she'd been wanting to wear for God knows how long, maybe she wanted to do something different for Halloween for a change, maybe she was trying to push the Brandenham out of its comfort zone, or maybe she was an oddball who thought that there was somehow an association between the two. Regardless of the reasoning behind it, it certainly made for a more memorable occasion.

Besides the usual suspects, there were also some unexpected faces who had shown up for the co-ed gathering. For some reason, Abby thought that it would be a good idea to invite her sister Paige and her family. Helen was a little shocked. She didn't think they'd actually show up. However, according to Abby, she had to trick them into coming by claiming that it was merely a Halloween party. Quite a few members from the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza family had also shown up for the occasion. One member in particular, a shatei named Satoshi, had shown up with a huge haul of gifts for Helen and the baby.

Helen made the decision to spend most of the event sitting at her designated table, mostly because there wasn't much she could do at this point in her pregnancy. Heavy lifting was a gigantic no-no, as was almost all heavy-duty work and alcohol. Then again, she didn't seem to mind not being able to do much as long as she could find any excuse to be pampered.

"Check out all the gifts I got for you and the little one, Miss Squillace," Satoshi said as he opened the large box containing all the gifts he'd brought along.

Helen was taken aback by his generosity as she looked through the contents. "Oh, uh, thank you. Uh, what exactly did you bring again?"

"Oh, nothing too unusual. Just the essentials like clothes and whatnot."

"Really?" Helen's curiosity was now piqued. "Show me."

"Of course." He proceeded to pull out some baby kimono onesies, which all came in various colors. "What do you think? I bought these from Makie."

"Oh, uh..." Helen couldn't believe how soft and tiny they were. She held one in her hands. "Wow, these are so cute. Thank you."

"It's the least I can do. I know it's not easy raising a child without a partner."

"Well, of course it isn't, but then I'm not really doing it by myself."

"Exactly. You've got people who will help you every step of the way."

Helen wanted to object, but she didn't want to pass up on the opportunity to relish in the spotlight. "That's right. I know it won't be easy, but---" Suddenly, her stomach rumbled so loudly that several of the guests turned her way. "Ugh, I'm famished. Is it time for cake yet?"

"It should be soon," Abby replied in a sing-song voice. "And it's lavender, just like you said you wanted."

"Great, but can you hurry up?" Helen's hand rested firmly against her bump. "I can't wait, and neither can she."

"Hold on. I'll see what Jean-Luc can do."

With that, Abby left to check on how the cake was progressing. Meanwhile, Bitsy was already in the middle of a conversation with Dimitry regarding what the latter had been up to lately. From what Bitsy had managed to gather out of the conversation so far, Anya had been enjoying the newlywed life, still reveling in the fact that she was married. It was still a miracle that they'd managed to pull off the wedding when it seemed all but certain that it would be called off; and a good thing, too, considering what they had to go through to get to that point. Of course, Bitsy had been tuning in and out throughout, but she managed to get the gist of things so far.

"That all sounds great," Bitsy said, feigning interest. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been to adjust, though."

"Nyet, no one can." Dimitry shook his head. "Change is hard. It's never easy to adjust to life changing before your eyes."

"Don't I know it." She would've patted him on the shoulder if she could reach it without a ladder. "How are you, um, feeling right now?"

"Fine, but I hope she gives me grandchildren soon."

"Why? Who are you to try to put pressure on her like that?"

"Why not? I'm just saying that I want to have grandchildren before I die."

Bitsy pursed her lips. "That's weird. You're weird."

Before Dimitry could respond to that, Abby came back with the lavender cake and set it down on the centerpiece table.

"Thank God. It's about time." Helen's relief only lasted a few seconds before she noticed that there was already a slice missing. "Abby, did you already get a slice?"

"Uh, maybe?" Abby cheekily replied.

"You better not have!" Jean-Luc could be heard yelling from a distance. "That cake is for everyone!"

Helen just rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever. Give me a slice already! I'm hungry!"

"Okay, okay!" Abby cut another slice into the cake and then held it out for the very pregnant guest of the hour. "Here you go. Enjoy!"

"Thanks." Helen took a small bite and groaned at the sheer explosion of flavor in her mouth. Creamy and rich, she couldn't help but take another bite and another. "Mm, so good. Probably the best lavender food or lavender anything I've ever had." She balanced the plate of cake on her stomach, an ability she'd been more than happy to occasionally take advantage of. "Now if you paired this with a Shamrock Shake, it'd be perfect."

"It's almost November, way out of season."

"I know, but nothing's stopping you from just making a Shamrock Shake for me." Helen rubbed at the cake crumbs on her mouth. "In fact, you should do that sometime."

"I mean... if you say so."

"Uh-huh." Helen cleared her throat. "Ahem, moving on— alright, everyone, dig in. I was going to wait, but I needed some food, stat."

"Everyone can multitask, right?" There was just a hint of a possible threat in Bitsy's voice. No doubt in Helen's mind that it was compounded by the old crone's maternal instincts slowly but surely kicking in. "Right?"

"Uh, yes, of course." Satoshi scratched the back of his head with his right hand. "We can all multitask." He started rummaging the rest of the gifts in the box. "Okay, Miss Squillace. Tell me what you think about all these other gifts."

Helen carefully picked up a soft, hand-knitted pink blanket and smiled, feeling the warmth of the yarn between her fingers. 

"This is perfect for keeping her cozy during chilly nights," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Thanks," Satoshi replied. "Ofukuro made it specially for you."

"Just tell her I said thanks when you see her."

"Will do."

Next, Helen came across a set of colorful wooden rattles, and her eyes lit up with delight. "These will be great for sensory play." She couldn't help but imagine Mercedes giggling at the cheerful sounds they'd make.

"That's what Ofukuro thinks, too."

"Alright, what's next?"

"Try looking through to the very bottom. You shouldn't miss it."

"Okay." Helen did so and, in the process, discovered something special: an Oekaki House magic drawing board. "Oh, wow. This certainly looks nice."

"Right? It's so cool. It's got stamps and everything."

"Thank you. I'm sure she'll love it."

As the gathering sprawled on, the guests mingled more and more and the cake started to disappear one by one. Soon, the cake was almost gone save for a couple pieces. Abby was determined to keep the party going, however, for as long as Helen could tolerate it. As the party continued, the atmosphere grew livelier with conversations and laughter filling the room. As all this was going on, Helen couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who had come together to celebrate Mercedes's impending arrival. She made sure to make a mental note to thank each of them personally before the day was over.

Meanwhile, Bitsy had been dealing with dull but persistent pain in her left arm, nausea, and heartburn the whole time. She tried not to think much of this, preferring to carry on like usual. However, she knew in the back of her mind that something was wrong and that she would need to go to the hospital soon. After all, heart problems ran in her family.

"Miss Brandenham?" Bitsy suddenly heard Abby calling out to her.

Bitsy whipped her head in Abby's direction. "What?!"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You look like you might be having a heart attack."

"Yes, I'm fine! How many times do I have to say it?!"

"Uh, okay..." Abby paused for a moment. "Just making sure."

Suddenly, as if on cue, Bitsy started retching and then puking onto the floor before collapsing seconds later.

"Oh my God!" Abby practically gasped. "Miss Brandenham!"

Confused, Helen turned her head to where she'd heard Abby yelling and nearly gasped herself when she saw Bitsy lying face-down onto the floor.

Chapter Text

When Bitsy came to, she found herself in a hospital bed. Surrounding her were Helen, Abby, and some of the Russian mafia and yakuza members who had attended the baby shower. Most of them appeared to be in a state of shock and worry. For a moment, Bitsy was confused, but then she remembered that she'd just had a heart attack.

"Oh, thank God you're okay!" Helen exclaimed. "For a moment, we thought we were going to lose you."

"You were?" Bitsy asked. "How serious was it?"

"Pretty serious," Abby replied. "If we'd waited any longer, it would've been too late."

Bitsy was taken aback by this. She knew that she'd just had a serious heart attack, but a near-fatal one? Had it really been that bad?

"That's, uh..." Bitsy struggled to articulate herself. "Um."

Bitsy just trailed off after that, unable to find the right words to express her shock.

"Da, it's a lot to take in," Dimitry interjected. "But at least you are alive."

Bitsy still couldn't find the right words to express herself, try as she might. Indeed, this was all a lot to take in. She just had a heart attack during a baby shower celebrating her soon-to-be daughter, and she could've very well died right then and there had Abby not intervened. Bitsy felt a deep pang of guilt wash over her as she glanced over at Helen, who was trying her best to maintain a brave face despite the evident stress etched on her features. The thought of putting her through such a terrifying ordeal weighed so heavily on her. How could she do this to her, especially when Mercedes was weeks away from coming into the world? How could she put her through the emotional wringer, making her think she might have to raise their daughter alone after everything they'd been through? It wracked her mind just thinking about it.

Helen sensed Bitsy's guilt and asked everyone to leave so she could be alone with her.

"Da, of course," Dimitry replied. "Anything for Bitsy."

Helen nodded, eerily serenely at that. "Okay, good. Get out."

With that, everyone else left, leaving Bitsy and Helen alone with their emotions. Then, as if without warning, Helen started to feel tears pour down her face all the way to her chin. She started trying to wipe them away but to no avail.

"Why are you crying?" Bitsy asked, seemingly confused. "I made it, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but I didn't know if you were," Helen replied, still crying. "I didn't know if I was going to have to raise Mercedes alone or if I would have to give her up like I did with my first child." She cast her gaze downward, almost to the floor. "I didn't even know if I wanted to keep going without you..."

Bitsy's heart dropped. "Helen, no! You seemed to do just fine before you met me. I think if I hadn't survived, you would've done just as fine without me. Besides, what about Mercedes? Wouldn't you want to keep going for her if I wasn't here?"

"I don't know if I'd want to. I know I'd have to, though. After all, God would want me to."

For a few moments, Bitsy didn't respond. She wasn't sure how she was meant to respond to that. Instead, she just lay there, grappling some more with the weight of Helen's words. She had never fully realized just how much her absence could impact Helen and Mercedes, at least not until it had almost been too late. She reached out and gently took Helen's hand in hers, her way of offering support and understanding.

"It's okay, Helen," Bitsy whispered softly, her voice filled with quiet reassurance. "You're not alone in this. I'm here for you, no matter what. We'll figure it out, one step at a time."

"But what if I can't do this?" Helen asked, tears still flowing. "What if I'm not strong enough?"

Bitsy squeezed her hand gently, offering a small smile. "You are strong, Helen. You're stronger than you know, and we have each other. We'll find a way through this, I promise."

Helen let out a shaky breath and leaned down into Bitsy's comforting presence. "Thank you, Bitsy. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You don't have to find out. We're a team, remember? We'll face whatever comes our way together."

Later that day, after Bitsy had a pacemaker implanted into her chest, she and Helen proceeded to leave the hospital for the penthouse. Despite Bitsy's earlier assurances, Helen still found herself wracked with anxiety and worry. She couldn't help it. It was borderline impossible trying to remind herself that everything had worked out fine.

Now here she was in Bitsy's office, leaning back against a chair in an attempt to relieve her back pain. Meanwhile, Bitsy sat across from her at her desk, sketching out plans for Central Park. Even after all this time, she'd never given up on trying to have it redeveloped for real estate. Of course, she'd always had this ambition somewhere in her mind, but she was sustaining it not just for herself, but for Mercedes.

"I can't believe you," Helen hissed. "How can you think about Central Park right now?"

"How can I not?" Bitsy asked back. "I need something to distract me from the pacemaker I just got."

"You almost die at our baby shower and even have to get a pacemaker, and this is what you decide to spend time on once we're home?!"

"What am I supposed to do? Just think about how I almost died today? I can't just do that! Otherwise, I'll spiral out of control."

"What about our family?! Shouldn't you be thinking about us?"

Bitsy was somewhat confused before she soon realized something. "This isn't about the park, is it? What's this really about?"

Helen sighed. "I don't know. I'm just all over the place today. I think I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Of what will happen next. Aren't you scared, too?"

Bitsy gave a small nod. "Of course I am. Our daughter is about to change everything. She's about to change our lives. Once she's out here, things will never be the same again."

"I know." Helen looked down at her swollen belly as it rose and fell with every breath she took. "Do you think she knows how much we already love her?"

"Of course she knows."

Later that night, Helen shifted in bed for what felt like the hundredth time, trying to find a position that didn't make her back ache or her belly feel like it was weighing her down. So far, nothing helped.

At this point in her pregnancy, her body didn't feel like her own anymore. Her belly, stretched beyond anything she could have imagined, dominated her frame; and it would spill onto her lap every time she sat up. This made it borderline impossible for her to fit in any of her clothes anymore (even her maternity outfits). The only possible exception was her usual pre-pregnancy outfit. Even then, though, it took effort and some alterations just to fit into it. However, it wasn't just the size of her belly that was astonishing to her. It was how alive it seemed.

Mercedes was nothing short of relentless. Ironic, considering her name.

The baby hadn't stopped moving since 7 PM, and at times, it was almost eerie. Helen would feel a sudden shift, and her belly would roll in response, the skin stretching as Mercedes pushed against it like she was testing the boundaries of her confined space. Sometimes, Helen swore that she could see the outline of a foot or an elbow pressing out, a ghostly imprint of the fiery little girl growing inside her. The kicks weren't just strong— they were powerful, almost startling in their intensity. Every so often, Mercedes would land a particularly hard jab against Helen's ribs, making her wince and let out an exasperated groan.

Helen just groaned as she sat up in her makeshift nest of pillows and leaned back with her shoulders against the headboard. Surely, this couldn't go on. Surely, Mercedes would have to wind down eventually, right?

"Okay, seriously," Helen muttered, half-laughing, half-exasperated. "Are we sure Mercedes's the only baby in there?"

Bitsy, who was lying beside her, raised an eyebrow. "Yes, why?"

"Because I'm starting to think that she's as big as you are."

Bitsy scoffed. "Rude. I'm proportionate. Mercedes, on the other hand, she's just... enthusiastic."

Helen rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right." 

She carefully pulled up her maternity pajama top, exposing her bare belly for emphasis. Her skin was now covered in a patchwork of deep silvery stretch marks that sprawled out from her sides all the way towards the belly itself, which only made her popped navel stand out more. The sheer size of her bump looked borderline impossible— like she'd swallowed a beach ball whole. The curve of her stomach also jutted out from her body in a tight, rounded mound; and it spilled over her lap like a heavy weight.

"Look at this, Bitsy." Helen turned her head in her direction and pointed at her mound of a belly. "Look at it! She's been taking up as much room as she can. I don't even know where my actual organs are anymore."

Bitsy's gaze softened as she took in the sight of Helen's belly. For all her gruffness, there was something about seeing the undeniable evidence of their daughter's impending arrival— stamped across Helen's skin in stretch marks and gentle curves —that always made her pause. She shuffled closer to get a better look.

"You're beautiful," Bitsy said, her voice quieter than usual. "Even if you are ridiculously huge."

"Gee, thanks," Helen replied wryly, but the warmth in her eyes betrayed her fondness. "This is all your fault, you know. She's probably sitting in there with her arms crossed, scowling, just waiting to tell me off."

Bitsy let out a short, amused snort. "Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised. I can already tell she has my attitude."

"Yeah, well, she's also got your energy. It's like she never sleeps. I'm not sure she even likes me."

"Oh, of course she likes you! She pretty much has to when you've been carrying her for eight months."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"No, I mean it."

Bitsy reached out to lay her hand on Helen's belly. The second she did that, Mercedes immediately kicked against Bitsy's palm, hard enough that Bitsy could feel the strength behind it.

Helen gasped as her whole belly jerked from the force of the kick. "Jesus Christ! She's trying to break out!"

Bitsy gave a low chuckle and kept her hand firmly in place. "That's my girl." Beneath her touch, she felt Mercedes squirming relentlessly, almost as if she'd already recognized her as her sire. "You're just like me: you're stubborn, you don't know when to quit, and you probably already have a short fuse."

Helen groaned, pressing a hand against her ribs where Mercedes had just lodged what felt like a foot. "I think you might be right."
 
"Of course I'm right. She's a Brandenham. Brandenhams have always been strong-willed." Bitsy proceeded to lean in and press a slow, deliberate kiss against the curve of Helen's stomach; but it was soon met with another sharp kick. "See? She's got a hell of a kick." Bitsy chuckled against Helen's belly, placing another kiss just above her navel. "You're gonna be a force to reckon with, aren't you, baby girl?"

"Don't encourage her." Helen sighed, her body sagging slightly as Bitsy concentrated all her efforts on doting on their unborn baby. "I already love her so much, but carrying her has been hard on me. My back hurts, my hips are wrecked, and this belly... it's so heavy. Sometimes, I have to lift it just to turn over."

Without hesitation, Bitsy slid down lower on the bed, her head now level with the underside of Helen's bump. "Here, let me help."

She let her fingers trail lower, pressing lightly against the soft underside of Helen's bump, where the weight was heaviest. Helen let out a soft sound, which was half a sigh and half a moan of relief.

"That feel better?" Bitsy asked.

Helen hummed in response, letting her eyes flutter shut. "Yeah… it's like I've got a damn bowling ball strapped to me." She cracked an eye open to look at Bitsy. "A really angry, wiggly bowling ball."

"She certainly has a lot to say already, doesn't she?" Bitsy's face softened again as she pressed a kiss to the underside, where the skin was warm and there was still a pouch of fat. "You've both been working so hard."

"She's been working hard to ruin my bladder, actually," Helen quipped, though her voice was warm. "But thanks."

Bitsy didn't stop there. She slowly kissed her way up the curve, pausing to nuzzle against the tight skin, even blowing a raspberry against one particularly firm spot. Mercedes immediately gave a sharp kick in response.

Helen couldn't help but laugh despite herself. "You're ridiculous."

"Oh yeah? Well, if I'm ridiculous, then so's she." Bitsy gently flicked a finger against the spot where their daughter had just kicked. "Feisty little brat. She's definitely mine."

"You don't say." Helen smiled tiredly and cupped Bitsy's jaw with her hand, her thumb brushing over Bitsy's jawline. "I'm going to give birth to an exact copy of you, aren't I? I'm doomed."

Bitsy grinned, but then her touch turned softer again— more reverent. She rubbed gentle circles into the skin, tracing the stretch marks like they were something precious. "I know how much you love making your mother miserable in there, but it's time for you to calm down." She then pressed her ear against the bump like she might hear their daughter plotting her next big kick. "We don't want her to be too tired when it's time for you to come out here, do we? Of course we don't."

Helen swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat. Everything about this pregnancy had been hard— her age, the size of the baby, the constant aches and anxiety —but moments like this? They made it easier to breathe. They made it easier to believe that they could do this, together.

"Are you sure you're ready for her?" Helen asked softly as her hand settled over Bitsy's, both of them cradling the bump together. "If I remember correctly, you never wanted kids before this."

Bitsy was quiet for a moment, fingers tracing slow patterns across the stretched skin. "Of course I didn't. I didn't think I could be a parent, nor did I want to be. But this... this is different. She's ours. And now I can't imagine her not being here." She glanced up, her expression suddenly fierce. "I'm gonna love her so much that it scares me."

Helen smiled through the tears pricking at her eyes. "Me too."

"She'll never have to know what it's like to be ignored and cast aside; nor will she have to know what it's like to fight for attention. I'll make sure of it." Bitsy pressed one more kiss to Helen's belly— right onto Helen's popped navel, the very thing that had freaked her out weeks ago. "Rest up, baby girl. Your mother and I need to get some sleep. You’ll have plenty of time to raise hell once you’re outta there."

The baby wriggled once more— one last playful reminder of her presence —before finally settling down.

"Atta girl," Bitsy said. "Why don't you try and get some sleep, Helen? I'll be right here to keep her in check."

Helen exhaled a deep sigh, finally feeling the tension in her body start to ease up. Mercedes had settled for now, and the warmth of Bitsy's touch made it easier to breathe.

"Okay," Helen murmured, resting a hand over Bitsy's. "I could really use some right now."

Bitsy pressed a kiss to Helen's ribs before tucking herself in close. "Good. You really deserve it."

Helen chuckled and let her eyes drift shut. She was eventually lulled to sleep by the steady rise and fall of her enormous belly, the warmth of Bitsy beside her, and the quiet, undeniable knowledge that their daughter was already so, so loved.

Chapter Text

It had been two weeks since the baby shower and especially since Bitsy had her near-fatal heart attack. Helen was still rattled by the whole thing despite reminding herself that it could've been worse. Part of it was her lingering uncertainty about the future and the questions that cropped up as a result. Would the feelings she and Bitsy had for each other still be there by the time Mercedes was born? Would they want to commit to each other for their daughter's sake? Would Mercedes grow up to be happy and healthy in an environment like this? Would Mercedes's existence hurt the Brandenham in the long run? Perhaps most importantly of all, would Helen be able to secure herself and Mercedes the inheritance she felt that they deserved?

All these questions had been running through her mind the whole time, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answers right now nor was she sure she could answer them. This pregnancy had been stressful enough without having to burden herself with anxious hypotheticals. She'd rather devote her energy to the present and what was to be done at this moment in time. It was easier than overthinking what she couldn't clearly see; and right now, what she could see was clear as day.

Helen stood there in the dimly lit bathroom, the soft glow of the vanity lights casting gentle shadows over her reflection. She barely recognized herself anymore. Now 36 weeks pregnant, her belly was massive— an undeniable presence that dominated her frame, jutting out in front of her as if it were an over-inflated balloon just a few blows away from popping. It hung heavy and low, stretching the fabric of her nightgown to its limits, the lower curve still spilling onto the tops of her thighs when she stood still. She pressed a hand to it, feeling the firm roundness beneath her palm, and exhaled. Even with her support belt, even with the frequent massages and warm baths, there was just no escaping how utterly massive she'd become.

She was already used to being big, sure, but this? This was something else entirely. She looked more like she could be pregnant with twins (hell, maybe even triplets) than a single child. She wasn't even this big during her previous pregnancy all those years ago. Then again, that could probably be chalked up to her being much younger there than here.

"Jesus," she muttered while angling herself slightly to get a better view. "How much bigger can I possibly get?"

It was frankly a miracle that she was able to keep moving while she was carrying around a baby bump roughly twice the size of a medicine ball. Her back should've probably given out by now from how much of a strain Mercedes was putting on her body. In fact, every part of her ached, and the weight of her belly made even the simplest of tasks feel monumental.

And, of course, Mercedes was still as restless as ever.

Right on cue, Helen felt a strong movement under her skin— a push, a stretch, little limbs shifting in protest. Her belly rippled with the motion, and she sighed, rubbing slow circles over the tight skin.

"You're running out of room in there, sweetheart," she murmured, watching her reflection as her hand moved over the swell. "Just a couple more weeks, and then you'll be out. Believe me, I'm counting down the days until your mama and I can meet you."

The thought of going in for a Cesarean still made her nervous. She knew that it was the safest option available, for both her and the baby, but it was still daunting nonetheless. Would the surgery go well? Would either of them or both of them survive the process? Even if they did survive, could complications still arise? So much could go wrong, but so much couldn't. She knew that she shouldn't let her anxiety get the best of her right now, but that was easier said than done. Besides, it only served to reinforce that this was all real, that the baby was almost here. She was about to change their lives in ways neither woman could've predicted.

"Helen?" Bitsy's voice drifted in from the bedroom, tinged with impatience but not unkind. "What the hell are you doing in there, writing a novel?"

"No, just staring at my massive gut," Helen replied.

"Staring at it's not going to make it any smaller, you know."

Helen rolled her eyes at this, but she couldn't resist giving a soft chuckle. "Really? I thought maybe it could."

"Well, hurry up! The last thing we want is for you to go into labor early."

Helen took a deep breath. "Okay, just hold on."

Helen ran her hand over her belly one more time before making her way out of the bathroom. When she waddled into the bedroom, Bitsy was already waiting for her on the bed, her back propped up against the pillows and her arms crossed across her chest.

"Come here." Bitsy patted the space beside her. "I want to spend some quality time with my kid before she decides to make her grand entrance."

"You mean before she decides to bulldoze her way out of me?" Helen asked wryly.

Bitsy gave her a cheeky smirk. "Sure, depends on how you look at it."

"That figures."

Helen groaned as she eased herself down onto the mattress, every movement slow and deliberate. It took some maneuvering— and several pillows —but she was eventually able to get comfortable. She reclined against the headboard with support behind her back, a pillow wedged between her knees, and another placed beneath the heavy curve of her belly.

Bitsy, despite her size, did her best to help out— which, given her short stature and Helen's sheer girth, was a challenge in and of itself. Still, she fussed. She tugged at the pillows, adjusted the blanket, and even attempted (and failed) to lift Helen's belly just a bit to give her some relief.

Helen huffed out a laugh as she watched her struggle. "You're really trying here, huh?"

Bitsy shot her a look. "Shut up. God, you really are huge."

Helen rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Bitsy. That's exactly what every pregnant woman wants to hear."

"It's true, isn't it? Seriously, though, you look like you swallowed a watermelon or something."

"Yeah, well, try growing a baby this big and see how you feel."

"Not a chance in hell. I'll throw myself off the balcony before I put myself through something like that. Trust me, I don't envy you one bit."

"Oh yeah, because God forbid you have to walk a mile in my shoes."

"Like I said, I don't envy you at all." Pause. "It's kinda impressive, though, when you're doing it."

Helen cocked an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah." Bitsy’s eyes trailed down to Helen's bump. "That's my daughter you're growing in there, and she's just as stubborn as I am."

Helen let out a sigh. "She really is. God help us."

Once she was satisfied with the arrangement (or rather, just gave up after a while), Bitsy settled in beside Helen, immediately reaching for her belly again. Her hands explored every inch of the belly that had grown impossibly bigger over the past few weeks. She traced over the stretch marks, brushed a finger against Helen's popped navel, and smirked when she felt a sharp kick against her palm.

"There she is," Bitsy said. "She can't hide from me."

"No one said she could hide from you," Helen replied. "Where could she even go in there?"

"Exactly." Bitsy pressed a little firmer against the skin, feeling for movement, and was rewarded almost immediately— another sharp kick met her palm, making Helen's belly ripple. "Oh, she's feisty tonight."

Helen groaned. "She's feisty all the time."

Bitsy smirked. "Gee, I wonder where she gets that from."

Helen sighed and rubbed her temples. "Oh, that's easy. She definitely takes after you."

Bitsy, clearly pleased by this, pressed a kiss to the side of Helen's belly. "Damn right she does. Jealous?"

"Honestly? A little bit. I can't even remember the last time I could calm her down, yet you can just waltz on over and do it without much convincing."

"I know, isn't it great? This is Shampagne all over again."

Of course Bitsy had to bring up Shampagne. Besides Mercedes, Shampagne was the only one who could easily win Bitsy over with his small size, his squished up puppy-like face, his soft white fur, his... well, everything. Helen had witnessed that firsthand. She knew that once Mercedes was born, she'd just as easily have that same effect on the old broad. She could practically see it coming from miles away.

"You're trouble, you know that?" Bitsy pressed another lingering kiss against Helen's belly, letting her lips trail along the taut skin. She moved lower, nuzzling against the underside, rubbing slow circles with her thumbs. "You're not even out in the world yet, and you're already testing your limits."

Helen huffed. "Welcome to my life." 

"Still, I suppose that's to be expected. You're my daughter, after all."

Helen wanted to be upset that Bitsy just ignored her like that, but she couldn't. All she could do instead was be grateful for this moment.

"You almost ready to meet us, princess?" Bitsy murmured. "Well, you better be. You're almost out of time."

Mercedes gave another strong push outward in response, making Bitsy laugh.

"Yeah, she's almost here," Helen couldn't help but reply. "In just two weeks, I'm having them pull her out of me."

"Two weeks…" Bitsy trailed off for a moment before regaining her train of thought. "I still can't believe it."

"Me neither. I feel like I've been pregnant for years, but it's only been nine months."

"Yeah. Funny how close it is, huh?" Pause. "So... this whole Cesarean business. How long is it gonna take?"

Helen sighed. "Should be pretty quick. They'll get her out in about twenty minutes. The recovery, though…" She grimaced. "That's gonna take a while. Fun stuff."

Bitsy frowned, running a soothing hand along Helen's belly. "Are you sure you're ready for it?"

Helen hesitated for a moment. Was she ready? Was anyone ever ready for this?

"I don't know," she admitted. "But it's happening either way. All that really matters in the end is that she's okay."

Bitsy smirked, pressing another kiss just above her navel. "That's the spirit."

Helen felt her heart soften up. Despite all the discomfort, all the exhaustion, and all the chaos that this pregnancy had to offer; there was something deeply comforting about the way Bitsy had changed, the way she would touch Helen's belly with such care, the way she'd been speaking to Mercedes like she'd known her her entire life.

"She's gonna be ours, through and through," Helen murmured. "But especially yours."

Bitsy smirked against her skin. "Damn right."

Helen sighed and let herself sink further into the pillows; her body warm and heavy, but for once, comfortable. Soon, Mercedes would be here. For now, however, she was going to let herself rest.

Chapter Text

Now 37 weeks along, Helen was absolutely done with this pregnancy. It had been one of the longest nine months of her life, and she couldn't wait for them to be over and to finally have Mercedes in her arms. She was almost certain that Bitsy couldn't wait for this whole thing to be over, either. However, she suspected that the only thing Bitsy would miss was doting on her belly like it was one of the most precious things in the world. She couldn’t necessarily blame her. After all, Bitsy never had to deal with the grueling discomfort that came with growing a baby nor would she want to.

However, there was still a week left before Mercedes would be born. Helen had known since the 33-week appointment that it'd be better to have the baby at 38 weeks than to try to carry all the way to the 40-week mark. Besides that, she was already full-term anyway. Even if she were to go into labor tomorrow, the odds of Mercedes struggling to thrive on her own would be minimal at best and nonexistent at worst.

Today was Thursday, November 22nd. As it so happened, it was also Thanksgiving this year. It was hard to believe it was already here. Like they were wont to do every year, Bitsy and Helen braced themselves for the influx of guests that would surely be staying at the hotel over Thanksgiving weekend. After all, there was no telling just how busy it would be over the next few days.

As Helen lay there in bed, practically immobilized by her swollen belly, she found herself lost in thought on how she and Bitsy were going to spend the day this year. Normally, she'd spend Thanksgiving like she would every other day working thanklessly to accommodate Bitsy's wants and needs, no matter how ridiculous they were or how ridiculous they seemed. This year, however, she had to take it easy due to her advanced pregnancy. No heavy lifting, no other strenuous work, nothing that could endanger her or Mercedes. However, for all her complaints and the hardships she'd been experiencing, it was actually a nice change of pace. For once, the roles got to be (somewhat) reversed, with Bitsy taking care of Helen and attending to her with little to no question. She could only hope that Bitsy would keep this kind of attitude around once the baby was born.

"Helen," she suddenly heard Bitsy call out to her.

Helen's eyes swayed over to Bitsy, who was standing by the queen-sized bed. 

"What?" Helen asked.

"Are you hungry?" Bitsy replied with another question.

Helen was tempted to roll her eyes, but decided against it. "When am I not?" Suddenly, a particularly strong Braxton Hicks contraction seized Helen's abdomen, making her gasp and clutch at her belly. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!"

Bitsy's eyes widened. "What? What's wrong? Is it time?!"

Helen just breathed through the cramp, waiting for the tension to ease up before speaking again. "No, it's just Braxton Hicks again."

Bitsy's eyes narrowed from behind her oversized glasses. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure!" Immediate regret washed over her when she saw Bitsy's face shutter. "Sorry. I'm just—"

"A walking hormone bomb with a passenger who treats your organs like they're a jungle gym?" Bitsy's smirk came back. "Yeah, I noticed."

Helen couldn't help but huff a laugh despite herself. "Yeah, it's something like that."

"But you're my walking hormone bomb."

"Yeah, I guess so." Pause. "Wait, what were we talking about again?"

"I was asking you if you were hungry because it's almost lunch time. Do you want Jean-Luc to make anything special for you?"

Helen thought about it for a second. "Yeah. I think I'll have a grilled cheese sandwich with pickles and peanut butter."

Bitsy couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and feel a little queasy when she heard that, but she ventured anyway. "Anything else?"

"I also want a side of watermelon sprinkled with salt."

"Anything else?"

"And some of my 50th birthday cake from yesterday."

Helen figured that this was a strange combination to have for lunch, but her pregnancy cravings had been unpredictable lately. If she was going to indulge in them, then the least she could do was make them interesting.

Bitsy sighed. "Alright, I'll see what he can do."

It took nothing short of an hour for Jean-Luc to put together the special if not unusual meal for Helen, even if he did complain about how such and such didn't go together along the way. Surprisingly, he had managed to do a good job, all things considered.

With that out of the way, it was decided that Helen would sit at the dining room table for this. Bitsy was willing to do everything she could to make sure her very gravid assistant was happy and comfortable while she ate. She was, after all, supposed to have their daughter soon. So Bitsy summoned Abby to help her relocate Helen to the dining room, even when Helen didn't seem to need that much help.

Unfortunately, Bitsy didn't consider that, with how much Mercedes had crowded herself inside Helen's womb and up against her digestive system, Helen would already feel full after only eating a few bites of food. She should've been used to it by now, but it was still a hard thing to wrap her head around.

"I still can't believe you're already full," Bitsy remarked, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "I was hoping you'd try to eat the whole meal, not just a few bites of everything."

Helen let out a small chuckle. "I know, it's crazy. Look on the bright side, though. At least I managed to eat some of it, right?"

Bitsy nodded, trying to stay positive. "Yeah, I gotta take my victories where I can get 'em, I suppose."

"Yeah. Give Jean-Luc my thanks the next time you see him. He really gave it his all."

"Yes, of course. Anything for you and little Mercedes."

Helen winced slightly as another kick from the baby made her shift in her seat. "Looks like she's agreeing with me being full too."

Bitsy chuckled. "Well, we can always save the rest for later. Maybe she'll leave more room for it then."

"You know, I could go for some of that myself," Abby interjected. "I've always wondered what a grilled peanut butter and cheese sandwich with pickles tastes like..."

Bitsy's face scrunched up in disgust. "Ugh. If you want to try one, be my guest, but keep it as far away from me as possible."

"Uh, okay..."

"And don't forget, you're just a waiter here. Don't even think for a second that we're friends, Other Helen."

"Yeah, uh, okay." Just as the feeling of dejection was starting to set in, Abby couldn't help but notice Helen struggling to get up from her chair. "Hey, you need help?"

"No, I think I've got it," Helen lied, albeit poorly.

"You sure? I could get you up on your feet in just a few seconds."

"No, no, I'll be fine."

"Helen, it's okay. I can tell that this whole pregnancy thing hasn't been easy for you. The least I can do is help you out sometimes."

Helen reluctantly sighed. "Alright, fine. Help me."

Abby proceeded to do so, though not without struggling a little bit as she pulled her up. Helen couldn't help but feel even more embarrassed than she already was at this moment. Much as she liked to be pampered and doted upon, she didn't like how this pregnancy had made her almost solely dependent on other people for most tasks. Having Bitsy take care of her was one thing, but it was an entirely different thing altogether when she had to ask others for help. The sooner this baby was born, the sooner she could get her independence back.

"Thank you," was all Helen could choke out.

"No problem," Abby replied. "Just trying to help out when I can. I can't believe that you'll be having your baby in a week. Are you nervous at all?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't."

Abby nodded. "Yeah, I get it. Raising a child by yourself can be scary, but it's nothing you can't handle."

Bitsy just sat there, fuming over Abby and Helen's conversation. She still couldn't believe that Helen felt the need to keep Mercedes's parentage a secret. She knew better than to try to speak up, however. Much as Bitsy wanted to publicly brag about Mercedes being a Brandenham scion, it'd draw far more scrutiny than either she or Helen could possibly handle. The last thing they needed right now was attention, especially while Bitsy's redevelopment plans were still underway.

"I've dealt with worse things around here," Helen said. "I think I'll be able to handle single motherhood just fine."

"Yeah, there you go," Abby rejoined. "I believe in you. I just hope Mercedes does, too."

"Don't worry, she will."

"Great." With that, Abby started to head out. "Alright, I'm going to leave now."

Bitsy arched an eyebrow at this. "Why? Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going home. It's my first Thanksgiving I've spent away from Oshkosh, can you believe it?"

"No, I can't." Bitsy then made a dismissive hand gesture in Abby's direction. "Alright, do... uh, whatever it is you were planning to do, Other Helen."

"Go home? Okay, I'll get on that."

Within a matter of minutes, Abby walked out the door and left for home. Soon, Bitsy and Helen found themselves alone again with their unborn daughter.

Helen let out an audible sigh. "Okay, can we go lie down now? I need to be horizontal."

"You always need to be horizontal," Bitsy quipped.

"I'm serious, Bitsy. I'm swaying like a top-heavy oak tree." Helen grunted as she adjusted her stance in an attempt to ease her discomfort. "Come on, let's go back to the bedroom before I topple over."

"Alright." Bitsy started leading the way. “Come on, let's go.”

In the master bedroom, Helen lay propped up against a nest of pillows (her favorite position lately), with her back fully supported and the plush cushions tucked around her belly to bear some of its weight. Despite how comfortable the setup was, it still felt like the heaviness of her swollen form was anchoring her to the mattress. Her camisole clung to her body, stretched tight over her enormous belly, which seemed to grow more and more by the hour. Somehow, despite Mercedes's latest growth spurt, it still fit.

Meanwhile, Bitsy had reclined herself on her side, chuckling and watching Helen's stomach ripple with sudden intensity as Mercedes kicked up a storm from the unorthodox meal her mother just had. She still couldn't believe that their daughter was in there, growing and preparing for life outside the womb.

"This has been the weirdest Thanksgiving we've ever had," Bitsy remarked. "Certainly not one I had in mind."

Helen grimaced slightly as Mercedes pressed her heel right near the left set of her ribs. "Mmm, me neither, but it beats all the other Thanksgivings I've spent here. I haven't needed to do anything this year except let you pamper me and Mercedes. Honestly, I don't know what we'd do without you."

"You won't have to know. I'm not going anywhere."

"I hope so. I don't want you dying on me for real."

That briefly gave Bitsy pause, like she wasn't sure how she was supposed to process her own mortality, especially after her most recent brush with death. "Well, we'll see about that. I may not know how much time I have left, but I'd like to spend as much of it as possible with you."

Helen was left speechless in turn. She'd already had a feeling that that was how Bitsy had felt about her, especially after they'd mutually confessed their feelings nearly two months ago, but hearing her say the quiet part out loud? It stirred up quite a few emotions in her; emotions that, like where the two women currently stood, seemed indefinable at this moment. Regardless, she was glad to have heard her say it. Despite all her logic and reasoning, she couldn't help but think that somehow this was all going to be worth it; for the money; for Mercedes; for Bitsy.

Suddenly, Helen felt a sharp involuntary twitch beneath her ribs. A few seconds later, she felt another, and then another. 

She frowned. "Oh, great."

Bitsy raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Helen groaned, rubbing her belly. "She's got the hiccups."

"Again?"

"Yes, again."

Bitsy smirked. "That's what you get for shoveling sugar into your system."

Helen was about to snap at her for daring to insinuate that she deserved this, only for yet another hiccup to ripple through her belly. This time, it was strong enough that the skin beneath her camisole visibly bounced.

Bitsy's smirk only deepened. "Jesus, that was a big one."

Helen groaned again while rubbing slow circles over the firm surface. "She's been like this a lot lately. It's always after a meal."

"Poor baby. She's already running out of room in there. Now she has to deal with her whole world shaking around her too?"

Helen nodded, wincing as another strong hiccup rippled through her belly. "Yeah, but don't worry. It's actually good that she has hiccups."

"Really?" Bitsy raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it means her lungs are developing properly. She's just practicing her breathing. She must've just swallowed too much amniotic fluid again, that's all."

Bitsy crawled onto Helen's lap and reached out without asking, pulling the hem of the camisole all the way up to her breasts to expose the bare bump and resting both her hands lightly on the top of it. Even as she did all this, the hiccups continued— soft, rhythmic, and strangely percussive.

"There she goes," Bitsy murmured, amusement creeping into her tone. "I can feel her little body twitching in there."

"Well, can you tell her to cut it out?" Helen asked. "You're the one she listens to the most now."

Bitsy smiled a little, then leaned forward and pressed her cheek gently to the side of the belly, right where the hiccups were strongest. Her voice softened into that rare register— low, smooth, and intimate.

"You've got the tiniest case of the hiccups I've ever seen, you little brute," she murmured into the skin. "Are you trying to shake everyone out of bed?"

Mercedes hiccupped again, firm and consistent, like a clock ticking beneath the surface of Helen's overstretched skin. Her belly quivered with each subtle but unmistakable motion.

Bitsy laughed against the swell. "Oh, don't talk back to me, young lady. You're already supposed to be making your debut soon. God, you sound like a tiny angry engine in there."

"She feels like one," Helen said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was doing it just to mess with me."

Bitsy smirked. "I wouldn't put it past her. If she's anything like me, she's making a statement."

Helen rolled her eyes but smiled, watching the way Bitsy instinctively traced small circles over the surface of her bump. The baby hiccupped again, and Bitsy chuckled— low and fond, her nose nuzzling into the skin just below Helen's navel.

"Okay, you can calm down now, sweetie," Bitsy murmured. "Your mother needs to sleep before she turns into a rage monster."

Helen groaned. "Too late."

Bitsy smirked up at her, smug. "She kicks like a warlord on her best days. I'm taking credit for the attitude, but the dramatic flair is all yours."

"No, I'm pretty sure she gets that from you," Helen countered.

Another hiccup. Bitsy raised a brow and leaned in again.

"She's got flair, this one," she said, now softer and almost reverent. "She wants to be seen. Heard. Felt."

Helen watched her quietly as the older woman continued to roam her hands across her bump. Bitsy's hands may have been small, but they were so careful and loving in how they touched her as to make her breath catch.

Bitsy pressed another kiss to the bump, right where the hiccups had been landing.

"Okay, Mercedes," she whispered. "That's enough showboating. Be still. Let her rest."

It took another full minute, but the hiccups eventually slowed and then stopped altogether. The belly shifted again, only more softly like a wave receding.

Helen exhaled, long and relieved. "Thank God. She actually listened to you."

"Of course she did." Bitsy rested her cheek back down against the mound, smug and sleepy. "She knows who runs this household."

"Yeah, her. The fetus."

Bitsy hummed. "That checks out."

Bitsy just lay there for a good while, trying her best to ward off the sleep while feeling the warmth of Helen's belly against her cheek. All Helen could do was stare down at the moment unfolding before her. None of this still seemed real, and yet here she was, about to welcome a baby with her meal ticket. She had to wonder if she actually deserved to be here right now. Had she truly earned this moment or was it just pure, dumb luck? It probably didn't matter in the long run. Their daughter was almost here.

"You're going to be a good mom," Helen whispered.

Bitsy blinked like she wasn't sure if she'd heard that correctly. Then, slowly, she lifted her head and looked right up at her with a soft face (a rarity in the past).

"So are you," she whispered back.

She'd endured long, grueling days on her feet managing the hotel, suffered through migraines brought on by Bitsy's impossible demands, and spent the last nine months carrying a baby that felt more like she'd had a boulder strapped to her than anything else. This, however? This familiar deep, relentless tightening in her belly, accompanied by pressure that clawed away at her spine and pelvis? This was worse, much worse.

It had started in the early hours of the morning, just two days after Thanksgiving, with a dull ache that was so persistent that it robbed her of what little sleep she could get. She had shifted in bed and adjusted the pillows underneath her belly, trying to convince herself that it was just another sleepless night. However, as the pain sharpened and spread, she realized that it wasn't just discomfort. She was in labor.

She groaned as another contraction ripped through her, gripping the headboard with one hand and pressing the other to her belly, as if she could physically hold Mercedes still. 

"Oh, you have to be kidding me," she muttered.

Bitsy, still half-asleep beside her, blinked blearily. "What? What is it?"

Helen barely had time to answer before she suddenly felt an unmistakable warmth pooling between her legs. She froze, knowing full well what just happened.

"Oh no," Helen murmured.

Bitsy, suddenly wide awake, sat up. "What? What happened? What—"

Helen turned her head slowly, glaring at her. "My water just broke."

Bitsy just stared at her for a moment, dumbfounded, before she started speaking again. "Your water just broke? What do you mean? What do you mean it broke? You mean, like, right now? As in right now?"

Helen exhaled through gritted teeth as another contraction tightened around her belly. "No, Bitsy, I thought I'd just pretend my water broke for fun."

Bitsy's eyes widened further. "Oh my God..." She scrambled out of bed and hovered her hands over Helen's heaving form. "Okay, okay, we've been practicing this. Just breathe in and out, like that damn hippie instructor told us."

Things moved quickly from there, too quickly it seemed. Looking back, Helen couldn't help but think that with how much time seemed to fly by, her mind must've blocked out the rush from the penthouse to the elevator and then out into the lobby and into the backseat of the Rolls Royce.

The car ride en route to Mount Sinai was a motion blur of swearing and Bitsy's steadfast attempts to provide comfort and support while screaming at the chauffeur to drive faster. The ER doors slid open; and before she even knew it, Helen found herself in a gown and settled into a hospital bed, her belly exposed with monitors strapped to it. The steady, rapid thump-thump-thump of Mercedes's heartbeat filled the room, strong and unrelenting.

Bitsy stood at her bedside, clasping her swollen hand between her two small, soft ones. "You're doing great. We're almost there. Just try to hold off the urge to push."

"You owe me for this," Helen groaned, head thrown back against the pillow.

Bitsy arched an eyebrow at her. "I owe you?"

Helen shot her a glare, her jaw tightening as another contraction hit. "Yes, you owe me. You're the one who got me into this mess, Bitsy!"

Bitsy smirked, unfazed by Helen’s labor-induced wrath. "Well, technically, you were the one who came onto me, so—"

"Bitsy!" Helen practically growled.

Bitsy snickered, but then the doctor stepped in, studying the monitors. "Looks like this baby doesn't want to wait until next week. Your contractions are regular, and your cervix is starting to dilate. We're prepping the OR now."

Helen breathed a sigh of relief, her hand instinctively resting on her belly. It was so full and so heavy, her skin stretched to its absolute limit. She wasn't sure how much more she could take.

Bitsy was still hovering by. "Good. Let’s just get this over with before she decides to claw her way out."

The lights were too bright. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air. Helen was awake but numb from the chest down, draped in blue sheets, her arms out to either side. Her belly was massive— still, even now —and a nurse gently rubbed iodopovidone over the taut surface as the surgical team prepped.

Beside her, Bitsy was dressed in blue scrubs and a cap that seemed to be several sizes too big on her. She stood on a stool at Helen's shoulder, gently stroking a lock of damp hair from her temple with her soft fingers.

"I can't feel my legs," Helen whispered, her voice trembling.

"You're not supposed to," Bitsy replied. "That's the whole point of the spinal block."

"I already know that. I'm just saying."

"Good."

The OB appeared above the curtain as if out of the blue. "Alright, we're starting now."

Helen clenched her jaw. The sensation was strange— pressure without pain, tugging and movement deep inside her pelvis. Her breath hitched with every pull the surgical team made.

"Big girl," Helen could hear one of the nurses murmuring.

"Yep, she's coming," the OB said.

Helen held her breath as she felt another tug before then feeling a shift, an enormous weight suddenly and all at once being lifted right out of her. After that, she heard the most beautiful sound— the loud cry of their daughter filling the room. Instantly, tears began to prick Helen's eyes as a sense of joyous relief washed over her. Bitsy leaned forward and craned her neck, eager to catch her first glimpse of Mercedes as the OB lifted their baby into view.

"She's here," Bitsy whispered in awe, her voice breaking with emotion.

Just as they'd expected, Mercedes was a big girl; weighing in at eight pounds and nine ounces, with chubby cheeks and a full head of dark hair that already seemed wild with personality. Her tiny fists were clenched tightly as if ready for battle, and her cries were strong enough to make everyone in the room smile.

One of the nurses brought Mercedes over, freshly cleaned and wrapped in a soft blanket, and placed her in Bitsy's arms.

Almost immediately, Mercedes quieted down as she settled into the warmth of her mother's chest. At first, all Bitsy could do was stare down at her with an unreadable expression on her face. Then, slowly, a smile broke out. It was one of those rare genuine smiles that Helen only saw her break out with Shampagne.

"God, she's… perfect," Bitsy practically whispered in awe.

"Like me?" Helen asked weakly and half-jokingly.

"No…" Bitsy trailed off and stared at the baby for a moment, then at Helen, and then back at the baby. "Like me."

Mercedes just squeaked as if she were trying to chime in on the conversation.

"God help her," Helen murmured. "You were right."

Bitsy raised an eyebrow. "Right about what?"

Helen smiled despite her utter exhaustion. "She's a Brandenham."

Bitsy couldn't bring herself to say much of anything. Instead, she just kissed the cap on Mercedes's head while the sun rose over their unlikely little family.