Ann had woken up for the first time around 1 in the morning, feeling the very beginnings of contractions. in the base of her back. She’d been feeling some pressure all the day before, but hadn’t had any real reason to go in to the hospital.
She’d distracted herself for as long as she could. She’d taken a shower and gotten dressed, not wanting to wake Jeff before she really had to. She ate some food, knowing it would be the last time for a while that she could, and made sure she hadn’t forgotten to put anything in her bag.
By 3am, her contractions had gotten considerably more close together, and she finally woke up Jeff, letting him know that she was eight minutes apart and in real pain now.
He was adorable, the way he literally tumbled off the bed and into his clothes, some skinny jeans and a speed racer t-shirt that appeared out of the back of a drawer, and shoes that seemed to be Abed’s. Knowing that she’d be put into a gown anyway, she threw her coat on over her pink dress from her birthday, the only thing that fit anymore, and they headed out the door.
At the hospital, they were met by Britta and Jeff’s mother. On the way, he ahd revealed that he would be skyping in Leslie in Pawnee, and she couldn’t think of a moment when she had been happier. It was so thoughtful of him.
Then another contraction came barreling through and she was ready to kill him.
She’d taken almost everything in silently as it happened, thanks to her contractions rendering her speechless. She smiled shyly at Jeff’s mother, and tried to look grateful as Britta tumbled in and began talking a mile a minute while setting up Leslie.
She was between contractions when Britta brought up a message from Abed. “He wants to know if you’re upset your son is going to be born on the day Justin Bieber hosts SNL.” She had chuckled and managed to spit out, “Only if we’re still here when it airs.”
She couldn’t help but laugh when the uppity nurse, who had been telling her that she couldn’t have an epidural yet because of her water having not yet broken, was interrupted by Ann’s water breaking in the middle of her sentence.
Up until then she’d been mostly keeping it together, but as her longest and most painful contraction yet came on, she couldn’t help but unleash a string of profanities and tear up, trying not to cry too much.
Jeff walked over to Ann and held her hand. No matter how hard she would squeeze, he promised not to tell her to stop. “Everything will be okay,” he found himself saying.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Ann made it a statement, rather than a question. They looked each other in the eyes, until a high, slightly nasal voice cried out.
“Ann! Ann! Oh my god, you’re glowing! It’s me Leslie, and Britta set me up!”
“That I did,” Britta polished her fingernails.
“Leslie,” Ann’s shrill voice was a strong contrast to her best friend’s. A half naked Ben walked through the background. Leslie refused to look away from Ann, but somehow got a perfect grab on Ben’s ass.
“How do you do that?” Ann asked.
“Practice,” Leslie answered.
Everyone just kind of sat around for a while, the nurse checking on her intermittently until around 5am, when Ann’s contractions were five minutes apart and barely survivable. They were finally moving her to a delivery room, and Ann couldn’t help but wonder how ridiculous their little procession looked.
Her nurse looked skeptical and stopped at the door to the delivery room. “Are they all allowed in here?”
“Absolutely,” Ann said. “It’s the father, the grandmother, and the godparents. Are you testing my sanity? I’m a nurse myself!! Get this kid out of me you wench!”
Finally. Ann was in the room, and she could feel the need to push. She let out a few screams, clutching onto Jeff’s hand for dear life. She felt terrible that it was red and swollen and she had possibly broken it, but at the moment she was a bit preoccupied. Britta and Jeff’s mom held hands and cheered her on, Jeff wiped off her forehead with a cool damp towel, and Leslie jumped up and down in her living room in Pawnee while shouting to Ben what was happening.
And then, suddenly, the room was silent. And out of that silence rose a single, gurgling, warbling, strong cry. And Lukas Edward Winger was born.
The nurse handed him to Jeff first, as they cut the cord and waited for the placenta to finish exiting Ann. He held up the tiny baby to the computer so Leslie and Ben could meet their nephew and godson, Leslie crying happily.
He was washed and weighed and measured and named while Britta took a million pictures and Jeff’s mom looked on happily, every so often running a finger down his cheek.
And then, finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the itty-bitty body was placed on her chest, and Ann got to look into her son’s eyes for the first time.
She shed a couple tears as she looked into her sons big blue eyes and said, “I love you Lukey.”
Hey everyone! The due date is tomorrow, and I’m already feeling some pressure in my back. Not even close to contractions yet though. I’ve got a while before I get to needing to go to the hospital!
BASICS:
Name: Ann
Age: 36
Height: 5’4
Weight gained so far: 30 lbs.
FIRSTS:
Is this your first pregnancy?: Yes.
How did you find out you were pregnant? Missed period and severe vomiting.
What kind of pregnancy test did you take?: Clear Blue, First Response, and E.P.T.
What were your first symptoms?: Morning sickness to the point where I actually lost weight.
Who did you tell first?: Leslie.
Who was with you when you found out?: Leslie
Was baby planned?: God no.
When was baby conceived?: May.
How far were you when you found out?: nine weeks.
THE BABY:
Due date: February 9th.
Do you know the gender?: Yes
If so, boy or girl?: Boy!
Any names?: Lukas Edward
Any ultrasounds?: Plenty! We just had our first one in Greendale, which I’ll post soon.
Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes. We cried.
Who do you think baby will look like?: It’s a toss-up.
Will baby have any siblings?: Maybe someday.
Have you felt baby move?: He never stops!
MISCELLANEOUS:
Do/Did you have morning sickness?: I had it really terribly at the beginning, but once I passed the four month mark, I was fine.
Do/Did you have any cravings?: I have had the weirdest cravings, though the closer we get to the due date, the less frequent they are.
Do/Did you have any mood swings?: At the beginning. I seem okay now.
Are you a high risk pregnancy?: Nope.
Any complications?: No
Formula or breastfeeding?: I’ll definitely try breastfeeding first, I’d prefer to start on that,
Have you bought anything for baby yet?: God, what haven’t we bought?! The kid has two of everything, thanks to his parents marital status.
When did you start to show?: Right away, as I had actually lost weight. When I started to gain weight, it was pretty obvious that it’s a baby bump.
How long could you wear your regular clothes?: Until month five, then everything was uncomfortably tight and clung too much.
Are you excited?: I’ve been since pretty much the day after I found out.
Who will help with baby after their born?: Jeff, obviously; Uncle Ben and Aunt Leslie in Pawnee, Aunt Annie and Aunt Britta in Greendale.
What are some of your favorite things about being pregnant?: Everything. I feel beautiful most of the time, and I love that I’m creating a life. Mostly though, the boobs.
What are some of the worst things about being pregnant?: Getting huge, really. I waddle now.
What are some things you miss doing since being pregnant? Coffee. So much. What’s the point of decaf again?
Are you ready for baby?: I have no idea. I think I am, but I don’t know about Jeff.
How many kids do you want?: I don’t know. Literally nothing is set in stone regarding to this kid.
Do you talk to your baby?: All the time.
Do you still feel attractive?: I do, actually. I’m surprised. Still, I can’t wait to have him out.
How far along are you now?: 8.5 months.
Happy Birthday to the most inspiring woman in the world, my best friend, Leslie Knope! I love you so much Leslie, and I wish more than anything that I could be with you on your birthday. I’ll see you in a few months, and you’ll get to meet Lukas!
Hey everyone! I’m so, so sorry about the ridiculous amount of inactivity the past few months. Things have been crazy for me, being pregnant and planning my move here to Greendale and finalizing things at work for my maternity leave.
So yeah! I am now in Greendale with Jeff, and we’re just finishing up the nursery. Lukas is due in just barely am month, can you believe it? I sure can’t, though I’m excited to finally meet him.
Anyway, I need to get back to settling in, Jeff and I still have a lot of baby-proofing to do around his apartment before Lukas gets here. Talk to you all soon!
Ah, my swollen, beautiful girlfriend.
How I missed you.
…I’m gonna ignore the “swollen” comment and skip straight to the beautiful part.
And I missed you too, honey.
Swollen can be beautiful. You know that.
Hell, you live that.
Hey everyone! I’m so, so sorry about the ridiculous amount of inactivity the past few months. Things have been crazy for me, being pregnant and planning my move here to Greendale and finalizing things at work for my maternity leave.
So yeah! I am now in Greendale with Jeff, and we’re just finishing up the nursery. Lukas is due in just barely am month, can you believe it? I sure can’t, though I’m excited to finally meet him.
Anyway, I need to get back to settling in, Jeff and I still have a lot of baby-proofing to do around his apartment before Lukas gets here. Talk to you all soon!
Ah, my swollen, beautiful girlfriend.
How I missed you.
…I’m gonna ignore the “swollen” comment and skip straight to the beautiful part.
And I missed you too, honey.
Hey everyone! I’m so, so sorry about the ridiculous amount of inactivity the past few months. Things have been crazy for me, being pregnant and planning my move here to Greendale and finalizing things at work for my maternity leave.
So yeah! I am now in Greendale with Jeff, and we’re just finishing up the nursery. Lukas is due in just barely am month, can you believe it? I sure can’t, though I’m excited to finally meet him.
Anyway, I need to get back to settling in, Jeff and I still have a lot of baby-proofing to do around his apartment before Lukas gets here. Talk to you all soon!
I made a lineup of what will probably happen in the RP in the coming year, up to the wedding. Add on as wanted?
spoiler:
Obviously, the ones I wrote aren’t law. I haven’t run them over with anyone. Also, CONGRATULATIONS VALERIE AND CHERRY!!!
THIS IS BRILIANT. But I have a couple things.
A Nursing Degree in Feelings: Family
Leslie was still shaking as she quickly showered and changed into a sweater and her favourite jeans. She didn’t have the added luxury of a lot of time to reflect on what had happened and try as she might, she couldn’t get Ben’s words out of her head as she did her hair…
Leslie hugged Ann a little more tightly than was probably recommended for someone so pregnant, but as soon as she saw her best friend she felt even worse about choosing to stay instead of going with Ben. But the next few hours were all about spoiling Ann, not dumping her own problems out in the open.
But when Ann inquired about him, Leslie tried not to flinch. “His brother showed up in town, so they’re out to dinner.” There. It wasn’t a lie but it wasn’t the whole truth either. If Ann could tell, she didn’t let on, and Leslie smiled again and finally pulled away.
The front door opened and April silently stalked in, closing the door in the face of some of Ann’s other friends who were right behind her.
“April, welcome! Ann’s other friends, thanks so much for coming!” Leslie greeted everyone as they approached Ann for hugs and well wishes.
Ann was still worried and vaguely confused after her exchange with Leslie. She’d been unusually short-winded in her response, seeming to keep to a bare minimum of details. She pushed it to the back of her mind for later, deciding to greet her friends as they arrived instead of prying into Leslie’s problem.
The party went on well, and Ann did thoroughly enjoy herself. Leslie seemed to avoid her, instead busying herself by flitting around and refilling drinks that didn’t need it yet, putting food on plates that weren’t yet half-finished, and almost over-governing the party. Finally, Ann couldn’t take her worry anymore, and pulled Leslie to the side.
“Leslie, what on Earth is up with you today? Did you and Ben have a fight or something? Why didn’t you go to dinner with him and his family?”
Leslie had been busy mixing up another batch of virgin pina coladas when Ann had cornered her in the kitchen away from the rest of their guests. One look at her friend’s face and Leslie knew the jig was up: Ann was on to her, and there was no use pretending that everything was okay anymore.
She sighed quietly and avoided eye contact for a moment, fiddling with the cocktail umbrella in one of the drinks she’d poured. “Oh, Ann.” Normally she’d call her beautiful or enchanting or something like that but nothing was coming out right, and so she stopped there before trying again. “I really screwed the pooch tonight, Ann. Ben’s brother just sort of showed up unexpectedly and wanted to take us out for dinner. But I didn’t want to bail on your shower, so I didn’t go. Ben… didn’t take it so well.”
The floral pattern on the paper umbrella was blurry, and she blinked to clear her vision and then angrily swiped at the tear that slipped down her face. She was not going to be a downer. She was Leslie Knope, and she would not only be an awesome hostess, but she was going to fix everything when Ben got back. There wasn’t another option. Not with so much at stake.
“But as soon as I told him that I didn’t want to go, that this was too important to miss… everything just came out. It was like he was in therapy or something; I don’t know why he never told me any of this before, but he thinks that… that I put you before him. That he’s not worthy enough of me and that he doesn’t deserve me, and that’s why. And it’s not true. None of it is. I just… I don’t know how to make him believe me, because he doesn’t. And I need to make this right, but I have no idea how. The one time I need the perfect plan and I’ve got nothing. Nada.”
Ann listened quietly as Leslie spoke, chewing over what her friend was revealing to her. She still felt like maybe Leslie wasn’t telling her fully what went on, but she wasn’t going to pry anymore. Her friend crying was breaking her heart enough. Struggling to come up with an answer, she paced as best she could for a moment, before it hit her much like a sudden light after being in a movie theatre.
“Go now! Throw on a nice dress and go over there and meet them! It’ll mean so much to Ben, and I know you’ll feel better.”
Leslie began to protest, but Ann cut her short, employing the little leverage she had and her well rehearsed mom-voice.
“Leslie. Go now. I’ll get Donna to take notes on the presents and who gives me what. Everyone can handle getting their own drinks and food. I will not have you possibly hurting your relationship with Ben in a big way because of me.” She paused to catch her breath, about to say something that she knew would hurt Leslie, but had to be said. “I know you don’t want to hear it, or do it, but you have to choose what’s the most important to you.” She tried to hold back tears, thanks to her stupid damn pregnancy hormones, but she felt her voice start to shake. “You have to choose between Ben and me, and I sure as hell know that I’m not more important to him. I swear to god Leslie, if you don’t go right now, I’m dragging you there myself.”
A Nursing Degree in Feelings: Family
Leslie was still shaking as she quickly showered and changed into a sweater and her favourite jeans. She didn’t have the added luxury of a lot of time to reflect on what had happened and try as she might, she couldn’t get Ben’s words out of her head as she did her hair…
Leslie hugged Ann a little more tightly than was probably recommended for someone so pregnant, but as soon as she saw her best friend she felt even worse about choosing to stay instead of going with Ben. But the next few hours were all about spoiling Ann, not dumping her own problems out in the open.
But when Ann inquired about him, Leslie tried not to flinch. “His brother showed up in town, so they’re out to dinner.” There. It wasn’t a lie but it wasn’t the whole truth either. If Ann could tell, she didn’t let on, and Leslie smiled again and finally pulled away.
The front door opened and April silently stalked in, closing the door in the face of some of Ann’s other friends who were right behind her.
“April, welcome! Ann’s other friends, thanks so much for coming!” Leslie greeted everyone as they approached Ann for hugs and well wishes.
Ann was still worried and vaguely confused after her exchange with Leslie. She’d been unusually short-winded in her response, seeming to keep to a bare minimum of details. She pushed it to the back of her mind for later, deciding to greet her friends as they arrived instead of prying into Leslie’s problem.
The party went on well, and Ann did thoroughly enjoy herself. Leslie seemed to avoid her, instead busying herself by flitting around and refilling drinks that didn’t need it yet, putting food on plates that weren’t yet half-finished, and almost over-governing the party. Finally, Ann couldn’t take her worry anymore, and pulled Leslie to the side.
“Leslie, what on Earth is up with you today? Did you and Ben have a fight or something? Why didn’t you go to dinner with him and his family?”
