fic: Two

[bonnefois]

Title: Two
Series: Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns
Character/pairing: Ford/Holly,
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 3,003
Summary: Ford does a prenatal check up on his wife, and finds some (pleasant) surprises.
Author's Note:

I genuinely feel like 3OT is almost perfect, with some fairly minor points like how I wish the people from the other towns could come to the wedding, or at least some receptions. But, I do seriously wish it'd followed after the first Story of Seasons and let you have twins.

Especially since I love, love, love the design of the little girl child, and then realized that little boy child looks massively like Ford in design. Not just the hair/eye color, but his hair design and face structure and hair texture especially. Plus, he's meant to be a Westown kid.



Ford had just put away his things from the long walk home. A bath would be in order. And maybe a nice foot soak. He'd been studying the minerals of the spring nearby, which were higher than average, and did quite well for pain relief.

He suspected this was the so called origin of the 'goddess' that lived there. Water with higher potential of specific minerals equated a more fertile growing valley. People attributed what was purely science to a 'blessing of the goddess.'

Or that was his going hypothesis. He still had much more study of the land and water of this area to go.

Ford let out a soft tie and pulled at his tie. It had been quite some walk. Even after some time, he hadn't quite accustomed to the exertion.

Intrinsically he knew there was definitely health benefits to such a walk. However, the amount of sweat and dust that he accrued along the way made it less appealing, even as he knew this.

If only exercise could be done mentally, while reading. He'd be as toned as Ludus and then some if that were at all possible.

He tided himself with the thought that each step was one closer to her.

Usually, she took a bit to come in. She would have to do all the harvesting, the watering, and feeding of the animals. He offered to cook meals more, though as the only doctor for miles around, he was constantly beset with attending to the populace, which hampered just how much he could spend helping at the farm.

He noticed right away as he made sure to thoroughly scrape the dust and red clay from his dark shoes. She sat in the living room portion of their large house.

"Holly? Did you finish early?"

She let out a sigh and leaned back in the chair. Her long pigtails drooped down the chair. Her orange farm dress was quite dusty today.

There was quite few new drying herbs in the large western style home Holly had hired Ludus to build. The seating area was quite spacious, though they rarely had time for meeting others. It was a bit dustier than usual.

"...Are you quite all right, Holly?"

"It's funny. I didn't think I'd be so tired. I'm constantly exhausted these days."

Ford frowned. "You just assumed you could merrily go about your regular schedule while being pregnant?"

"I guess you could put it that way."

Ford sighed and shook his head. "That's utterly preposterous. Still, I hear this quite often from patients. None of them realize just how draining pregnancy can be, and even when I lecture them of the side effects, they always come to me convinced that everything has gone wrong when they feel nauseous."

Ford took a few steps closer.

"Though, I would suppose it is a unique standpoint I am at right now, to be able to see it intimately. One ideal point of being married to you is that I can check on your condition whenever I wish."

He would simply have to bathe a little later. His wife's condition was of the utmost importance.

"Rest for a moment. I have my tools with me."

He got to his knees and reached into his black doctor's bag.

She smiled.

"I rather like the look of you on your knees."

"I-I am not to be distracted until the procedure is completed," Ford said sternly.

"Okay, doctor~" Holly said flirtatiously.

He could trust these things to be true: his wife would find any reason to flirt and tease with him, and she'd always overwork herself given the chance. He'd had to carry her back to the White Capsule clinic.

Could she smell the perspiration on him at this point? It wasn't as bad as the summers they'd endured. (Last summer was particularly hot, to the point where he spent much of his days and nights treating heatstroke.)

Still, he couldn't stand even a speck of dust upon him.

"...Apologies, I'm still dusty from the trip. I haven't had time to clean up. My coat may even be slightly less than pristine," Ford said.

"Dear, I'm a farmer. I get twice as dust and sweaty before noon."

"A doctor must be immaculate and pristine in cleanliness. It is only right."

"You're fine," she said.

With that confirmation, and relief, he stood up. Ford then took the stethoscope and listened to her heartbeat.

"Yes, good."

"Now, to check your blood pressure. There can be fluctuations within blood pressure and blood sugar during pregnancy. I'm glad I can keep such an eye upon your nutritional intake. You didn't forget to eat, correct?"

"If I didn't eat when I was out, I'd probably faint. I get so hungry these days that skipping meals isn't an option."

"Yes, all a part of being pregnant. Don't ignore those cravings or put them off. Our future child is demanding nutrition."

He brought out the tool and tied it tight about her arm. The number hadn't fluctuated beyond any normal rate.

"Yes, these results are satisfactory."

Ford placed the tools of his trade back in his doctor's bag.

"You skipped breakfast this morning."

"Technically, I just ate it a little later. I was having horrible nausea."

"Morning sickness. Though contrary to the name, for some people it lasts the entirety of the day," Ford said.

"Lucky for me, it stuck to the morning," she said.

She suddenly clutched her stomach.

"Ooof."

"Did that hurt? Was it a cramp, or a different type of pain? Have you experienced bleeding recently?"

The thing about being a doctor meant that every small symptom could lead to more. Was a headache due to an impending fever, or heat stroke, or was it the first symptom of something much more?

With patients, he was detached. He had to be, or he couldn't be objective and professional. But, she was his very own wife. The woman who had made him believe in love, even when such a thing seemed utterly impossible to him.

"No, yes, I mean--Here, here. I think the baby just kicked."

She guided his hand to her stomach. "See?"

"Yes, quite a strong kick. It must come from your side, for I am not athletic in the least," Ford said.

"Oof. There's another one right there."

She guided his hand lower.

"This baby is going to be quite the acrobat. I don't even know how the baby could move that far that fast." she said.

"Hmm."

Ford rested his hand upon her stomach. She looked farther along than she was. The exact date couldn't be calculated as they were rather, ahem, amorous couple. But he had a general idea.

She looked seasons further along than she was.

"Gnnn..."

"Is something the matter?"

She leaned back, and looked truly exhausted.

"Need...food."

"Is that so? I will make you something nutritious in a moment. Do you have any requests?"

He listed off some things he had enough ingredients for. She always kept some of the produce at hand behind to make into seeds, and some for cooking. She was even kind enough to let him have some for his experiments. She'd pioneered truly remarkable methods and often grew massive vegetables, often ten times the normal size.

Usually, he kept to three options. This time, he expanded it to six, as she was pregnant, and many pregnant women had quite a few cravings to deal with.

"All of the above, and also a fruit smoothie."

"Oh? That hungry?"

His brow furrowed.

"Actually, your appetite surprises even me. I thought I had calculated the exact amount of caloric density and nutrition you would need, but my calculations seem off," Ford said.

"Well, yeah. I'm eating for two," she said.

"No, no, you misunderstand me completely. What I am saying is that I am beginning to suspect that you are eating for three. I've thought for a while that you seemed to showing faster than usual, and your reactions are more in line with the people I've treated who had multiples."

She looked so shocked that her straw hat nearly fell off her head.

"What?! You think it's... Twins?"

He nodded. "It is a distinct possibility. The symptoms I noted in people giving birth to multiples were increased morning sickness, increased fatigue, increased feeling of baby movement, and looking farther along than you are. You show all these signs. It isn't enough to be entirely sure...but I could make a hypothesis about it."

She laughed. "Then you certainly did your job well, huh."

He blushed. "I-I could say the same of you."

"In case I'm correct, I will have to adjust my calculations accordingly. It is good to realize now, while I can still buy up the needed supplies, and expand the set of learning I had devised."

She fell silent, and her head drooped again.

"Is something the matter? You grimaced all the sudden? Am I boring you?"

"No, I'm still hungry. It comes on so quickly. I think I'm fine and suddenly I find myself headed right towards Brad's to get some mince pie. Then I don't just eat the Mince pie, but his entire stock of lunch special. Brad's started looking scared when I come there. I know he's had to cook twice as much to keep up with the lunch crowd and me, too."

Ford chuckled. "So that's how it is. That is to be expected, I suppose. Do you have any particular craving?"

"Salty, and savory and also sweet....Ugggh, my brain is all mixed up."

He laughed. "I believe that you are getting very conflicting requests from two future little ones."

He put his tools away, just so. Then he went to the kitchen and removed his gloves to wash up. His gloves had to be washed often with his line of work, after all.

As he cut the vegetables in perfect order, he spoke again.

"Would you wish me to help with chores more? I could perhaps help with some watering or crop gathering. It might be a fascinating study, considering what quality your plants are."

"That's all right. You're busy enough with your work at the White Capsule clinic. It's coming on near winter anyways. I'll just cut back on planting winter crops this year. I made enough off of Tea Leaves this year that we won't even miss less crops."

"Are you quite certain? I would be glad to help," Ford said.

"Was it just that you wanted to spend time with me? Maybe you just wanted to kiss me in the fruit orchard."

Ford blushed softly, and quickly busied himself with his meal preparation. "...I certainly would not say no if you asked," Ford said.

She laughed.

"It's cute how you're still a little shy, like we haven't been married for almost a year. I think you know me very well, considering that I'll be giving birth to twins soon enough."

"Such frank discussion should not bother me as I am a doctor. But, from you...I still sometimes feel as nervous as the first time we kissed, as illogical as that is."

"I know this, and love you for it. But, I can't help teasing you a little," she said.

"All studies say passion eventually fades to quiet contentment. But even at this level, I still feel such a sharp raising in pulse around you."

He smiled at the memory.

"You know, I used to test my blood pressure after you visited my clinic every single day. I had begun to think I had a heart condition. I did, just not the type which is fatal."

She giggled, and covered her mouth with her hand."Really? You thought you had a heart murmur?"

"Yes, or something of that nature."

"Sorry for worrying you, but that's pretty adorable. Did you think of each sign of loving me like that?"

"Yes, actually. It took some time before I stopped looking through the diagnostic books to figure out what had befallen me, and realized it was matters of the heart, not tachycardia. You certainly know the rest of the story. You were there," Ford said.

"Oh, I sure was."

She smiled at the memories, and so did he. Their wedding day had been an event would be completely burned into his mind forever. The sight of her, in that beautiful white dress coming to pledge her life to him forever...it was a kind of happiness he thought impossible.

And somehow, every calm day managed to meet that day's promise.

"Honestly, I'd love to have you help me. Don't get me wrong. I adore being a farmer. But, I don't want to make you overworked, you know? You're the only doctor for miles. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders."

"True. It would have to take place after work. Because you leave right after breakfast. I scarcely have enough time to kiss you a good morning kiss before you're off," she said.

"Yes, the walk is long. Though I suppose the extra exercise is good for me."

"Hmm."

He held the knife steady and pushed the tomatoes aside.

"I could also continue making each meal for you. That would require certain planning to return for lunch. I will have to definitely recalibrate my schedule."

"Really? You'd be fine with such a long walk?"

"If that is what it takes for me to spend time with my lovely wife, then so be it."

Ford glanced back to her.

"I do hope you are not depriving yourself of food in some misguided attempt to keep your weight in check. Right now you need to eat, especially if my suspicions are correct and you are pregnant with twins."

"No such problem~"

"Good. I have at times had clients who would become obsessed with each little weight gain during pregnancy. No matter how much I would try and comfort them and explain that their child needed this, it would not matter."

All talking was cut short as the loud buzz of the blender filled the room. In a few moments, he poured the contents into a glass, and brought her a vegetable shake.

"Here. I wanted to make sure you had something while I make more. It's quite nutritious and should help sate you until then."

Ford smiled.

"I'll make you an entire feast, if need be."

"Good, because I'll need it. Apparently, all that exercise got them really hungry."

He brought out enough food that the table was full. Even he, in all his perfectionism had to admit it was quite a feat to manage. She stared in awe at the sight before her.

"This looks amazing. Thank you so much."

But before he sat down, he lingered at the table a moment.

"Is something the matter, Ford? Is something on your mind?"

She broke off as his arms came about her, and he embraced her suddenly, even desperately from behind.

"The truth is, I'm so happy, I hardly know what to do with myself. I'm just...very thankful. In this moment, and always. I never thought love would be for me, and fatherhood...that would never happen. And now, it is entirely possible I will be the father of twins. Just...thank you, Holly. For everything."

He released her from the hug almost awkwardly.

He blushed and righted his glasses. "You'd think by now I would have accustomed myself to marriage and wouldn't get embarrassed by revealing my feelings. One day, maybe I'll get better at this. Today is not that day."

She smiled, turned to face him, and leaned up to kiss his cheek. Such affection was somewhat more difficult now, given her belly between them. "You know that your awkwardness is part of the many things I find so endearing about you."

She kissed his other cheek, too, and cupped his cheeks and held her hands there. Her face was filled with such joy and love.

Even after all this time, when he knew the answer, he felt a little awed that she chose him and loved him so. Ford who was eccentric, stubborn and difficult to deal with. Ford who was certainly not the easiest person to live with, from his pickiness to his persnickety ways and often extreme and obsessive means of cleanliness.

But, she liked these things about him, for better or worse.

"You're doing a great job. A wonderful job, even. And I know you'll be an amazing father. You'll cook them many great meals and teach them so many things. And we'll be like this for the rest of our lives. Living out happily in this valley."

"I am ever grateful for your patience...and your faith in me," he said.

Just as she was about to speak, her stomach let out a loud grumble.

She laughed, and rested her hand there, over her naval.

"The kids are complaining. I better feed them."

He sat down, and joined her.

He'd have to buy more chairs, and more onesies. He'd already purchased the required supplies months ago, but now he'd have to prepare for two.

Their life was about to get twice as busy. Ford was sure to be extra prepared.