A Bundle of Joy

[Marcus Kane]

The idea behind the 'kangaroo care' came form Earth as a way to comfort early borns, and had been used on the Ark since the beginning for all infants. With the sounds of the engines, and the cool temperatures, infants needed that extra comfort. Therefore, it was why Marcus was sitting on his couch, his feet prompted up on his table, and he was staring down at his son who rested skin to skin on his chest.

He was in awe at the feeling of being a father. Marcus couldn't explain it. He had never thought much about being a father, as even his own had never been in his life for extended amounts of time, but looking down at his son he knew that he'd do whatever the hell it took to make sure he protected him in every way that he could. It was a love he had never known, but he felt it toward this tiny human now. His son. Bellamy Kane. Lifting his hand he gently placed it on the back of his son's head and lowered his head to inhale the smell of the new born, before he kissed his son's head. Marcus moved his own to rest on the back of the couch, and stare down at his perfect son.

[Aurora Blake]

When Aurora woke up, she was initially confused. It was due to what happened before. Her life had changed forever. Before she fell asleep she had given birth to her first – and probably only – child, had spent the first moments of his life with him and his father, nursed him, before exhaustion and Marcus presence allowed her to drift to sleep. The first things she remembered about that were the babies cries, the feel of his soft skin and of course Marcus smile as he held the tiny new life for the first time. Like every birth, this one had taken its toll on Auroras body, but she knew she would recover from it, the female body was made to do so. Slowly, careful of the changes in her body and mindful of the pain, she made her way out of bed.

Aurora had to pay attention to what she wore, even now. Even if people on the Ark were understanding of women after giving birth, she wanted to be at least a bit presentable for Marcus and his mother Vera. Once she made sure of that, by dressing – loose clothes and a robe – and washing her face, she walked to the living room where she could see Marcus holding his son on his chest. It was a wonderful sight to see, so very cute. Marcus was the reason why she could rest, because he was there to care for the baby. He could have woken her, should their son Bellamy need feeding, but he seemed perfectly content to lounge on his fathers chest. The sight alone made Aurora so happy. For her contact to the kid was there before he was even born. For Marcus it was harder, but now they were bonding.

“You know, you are allowed to put him down. You don't want to, do you?” If he wanted to, but Aurora didn’t think they would do that anytime soon. Those first moments and days were precious. “How are the two of you?”

Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

“You know, you are allowed to put him down. You don't want to, do you?” Marcus looked up at he for a moment after hearing her voice, but he smiled back down at his son before answering her. "Then he might get cold." He teased, knowing they had blankets made to keep infants warm, and that he was only using it as an excuse--and he knew she'd know that too. In truth, he was still in awe of being a father, after never having though he would be. It had not been in his plan. Now it was the only plan he had figured out.

“How are the two of you?” She asked and he looked back up at her. "He has been sleeping for about half an hour." He'd read that they normally sleep for two hours or so at a time, so he wasn't planning on moving any time soon. Not unless Bellamy work up sooner and needed something. Marcus patted the seat beside him, so she would come on over and sit with them. "How do you feel?" He asked, watching her face for the real answer, knowing she'd try to play it off. They might have started off the parenting thing rocky, as she had not told him about his son until she was a few months pregnant, but they had worked past such things.

[Aurora Blake]

As if they would ever let their baby get cold. They had stored up on more warming blankets and clothes than was technically necessary, but that way they were fully prepared for every eventuality, like for example the little one vomiting all over one of the blankets – it could happen even though she hoped it wouldn’t. She wished for the best for their son after all. “That’s good.” Aurora was tempted to ask for how long she had been out, but in the end it didn’t really matter. He would have woken her if the baby had become hungry. So he had not wanted any more milk, which meant she couldn’t have been out for all too long, which was good. Sleep would be very rare for the both of them in the coming days. While she would be more than okay with him sleeping through the nights so he could be up and refreshed in the morning, she doubted it would happen. He would want to do his part, too. That was just Marcus.

When he patted the seat next to him, Aurora smirked. It looked a bit awkward with him using one arm and having Bellamy resting on his chest, but she wouldn’t complain. Aurora reached for two blankets. She draped one over Marcus and their son partially and then sat down and curled up next to him, head resting on his shoulder with a deep sigh, blanket around her legs.

“I feel a lot less in pain than I was when I was in labor with him.” Aurora stated, but he probably knew that before. “I still hurt. I still feel like I could sleep for hours, but strangely happy. Like five drinks of moonshine strangely happy happy, like my heart can’t handle all the love for him."


Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

Aurora curled up next time him, and Marcus draped his free arm around her, adjusting the hand that was on Bellamy to both support and balance him. It wasn't hard with how small he was. Marcus marveled how how his one hand could hold half of the baby's body in it with no trouble. How humans started so small and became to where he was today, was a wonder. Leaning back more into the couch, he took in her words while staring at their son. He knew it was normal, and that the Ark could given them nothing more for the pain, but he didn't have to like it.

"If you need anything, just ask." He told her, knowing he would make sure she had all that was in his power to give her. "Until then, go ahead and rest some more. We can just stay here until he wakes us both up." And he knew it would happen, for infants often cried for the most odd reasons--and he would never learn to tell what cry meant what. He would only have to stay calm and do his best to give his family everything he could give them. He knew that his job would mean not being around as often as he would like, for it called for long hours and often random times--but he would be here for them no matter what they needed.

[Aurora Blake]

“I’m good.” Aurora whispered, getting comfortable in his embrace. He had his little family in his arms, secure and safe. The baby was warm, she was warm, both were safe. Right then, with her flowing over of hormones, she felt like right then and there nothing could ever harm any of them when they were together like that. She placed her hand on Marcus’ chest, finger barely touching their newborn sons arm, enjoying how warm and alive he was. They did good with him, if she could say so herself. They made a very cute baby and he was whole and as healthy as it got. “I don’t think either of us needs anything right now, Marcus. He gets to cuddle and bond with his Daddy, I get to cuddle with you, I think we’re both very happy.” The pain didn’t matter. The female body was a funny thing anyway. She didn’t need painkillers, her body would supply natural painkillers soon enough.

“Did you already call your mother?” Aurora assumed Vera was dying to know if she was a grandmother now or not. With how enthusiastic she spoke about the baby when Aurora was still pregnant, she was surprised she wasn’t here yet, then again it would also be very Vera to decide to give them space after the birth. She didn’t know if Vera knew that Marcus had been there with her the entire time, but if someone could have predicted and expected it, it would have been Vera. She raised him after all. In the end she was in no rush to get Vera here. She wanted those moments with them, they were so very precious. “Thank you, Marcus.”

Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

“I’m good.” She told him, and Marcus felt a bit of relief at knowing that she was fine, as he trusted her to be honest with him. Aurora was strong, and he knew that she wouldn't be the type to complain but he also knew that if she felt something was wrong, that she was indeed speak up and let him help. “I don’t think either of us needs anything right now, Marcus. He gets to cuddle and bond with his Daddy, I get to cuddle with you, I think we’re both very happy.” Lifting his hand, he placed it on the side of her head to better allow him to lean down to place a kiss on the top of her black hair, before leaning back into the couch, and letting his hand slide back down to comfortably rest over her.

“Did you already call your mother?” She asked, and Marcus thought back to his mother. He had started to grow apart from her when he was younger but Aurora had helped make sure he didn't loose contact with her. He was too logical, and she was too strong her in faith. Sometimes they were at odds, but having some they both care for in the middle helped bring about a peace between them. "I hailed her when you had fallen sleep. She came for a short while, but left to let everyone rest. She said she would bring something to eat later for us." He had moved some of his food allowances to his mother's account so that way she could bring it without harming her own supplies. The advantage of being whom he was, was being able to afford more then others. That didn't mean there wasn't days when he had to go without--it just mean that they were much rarer then the lower class. “Thank you, Marcus.” She thanked him, and he wasn't sure if it was in general or for something direct. "I hardly did any work." He teased her, while looking at their son.

[Aurora Blake]

“That’s very sweet.” She had always seen Marcus mother as sweet. Maybe it came with her caring for the spirituality of basically everyone here on the Ark. In any case Aurora was just glad that this apparently went as smoothly as possible and she would return. Given how close Aurora was with her own grandmother, she was hoping Bellamy would get to enjoy the benefits of having a grandmother. In any case he would have two very loving parents, because she knew both Marcus and her would do everything in their power to make this little guys life the best life ever. He was already so loved. She knew she would love this little life for the rest of hers, give him everything she had.

Aurora held onto him just a little closer than. “You did a lot of the work, Marcus.” She whispered. There was no need to speak any louder. Bellamy was resting peacefully, they were close enough for whispers to be enough, no need to risk waking the baby. “I wouldn’t underestimate the power of moral support and someone holding someones hand, especially not during childbirth. I think none of this would have gone as smoothly without you there.” He was a strong man, mentally, physically, everyone could see it. His strength helped her a lot and she guessed it helped Bellamy right now as he got to snuggle with his Dad. “And right now you are doing a lot of work. Bonding and helping him develop at the same time as well as keeping him warm AND cuddling.”

Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

Marcus watched his son sleep while his wife spoke to him about what all she thought he was doing. He was used to being more physical and doing things that were more then just emotional support. Part of him wanted to do more because he felt as if he had done so little; while the other part of him was proud and grateful that she thought what he had done was enough. This was new to him, and he was figuring it out as he went along.

He didn't know how to be a father. His own had never really been apart of his life. He had been raised by a mother who had put herself so deeply into her faith after his father, that it was hard not to think of one without the other. It had caused him to rebel slightly, and turn to logic over faith. He had not stopped believing, but he had doubted--until he had seen his son. There was little room for doubt int he face of such a perfect little thing. "I should be thanking you," He said in a voice that was equally low. "I never held something that meant so much to me." He loved her, yes, and he loved his mother--but there was something about a child that was different. He couldn't explain it. How could his father not have felt this toward him? "He's perfect."

[Aurora Blake]

Neither had she held something as precious in her arms, really. She already thought she could not love someone more than she loved Marcus, but she was wrong, the love for this little life they created was so much more. She felt it was only right, that Bellamy had immediately taken up so much room in their hearts. She was glad that Marcus felt this way. Aurora had a lot of time to bond with the idea of being a mother as she carried him, felt him move, but Marcus didn’t have those opportunities. To see him and Bellamy like this was a real blessing. 

“He really is perfect.” Aurora agreed. She had never seen a more perfect baby. Or a more perfect father. It was like he never did anything else, even though it was his first child – and only, since a couple could only have one child. But Bellamy was perfect. Aurora reached towards the baby again, gently stroking his little hand. “And you got everything under control.” Aurora closed her eyes. She knew the babies cries would wake her if she fell asleep, but this position and situation was just perfect. She felt relaxed, warm, safe. In those moments pain was forgotten. She was happy and comfortable with her little family, so not long after she closed her eyes, she was asleep snuggled into Marcus side while their son lay on his chest, asleep as well.

Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

Marcus hoped she was right, whens he told him he had everything under control. He had never seen what a good father was first hand, and had only seen them from his friends becoming fathers. He wanted to been strong and there for his son in ways that he own father had never been there.
He turned his head to tell Aurora just that, but noticed she had fallen asleep. He wouldn't wake her, knowing their son would do that soon enough. He just sat there for the longest time, until he knew he needed to make sure they had flood for the night.

Placing a kiss on her head, he stood and lowered her gently down to make sure he didn't wake her. Then he took Bellamy to bed, and put him there. Marcus wasn't the best cook but he could put together an alright meal. It was an hour later that he was finished, and had it sitting in the warmer for whenever his wife woke up. Marcus began picking up some so the house would be clean for her. He was a man who liked things cleaned but didn't expect her to do all the cleaning. Especially not after just giving birth to their son.

[Aurora Blake]

At first she couldn’t tell what woke her. But then she heard the soft protesting sounds of an annoyed infant. For a moment she was confused. It was new, but wonderful. That was her baby, her son, gently protesting, probably getting ready to cry. Aurora got up slowly. She took her time to get to Bellamys bed, picking her son up, before turning around to find her husband cleaning. How on earth did she deserve that. Pressing the baby to her chest, she carried him over to where Marcus worked. He didn’t have to, as far as Aurora was concerned. He was working. He would work while she got to stay home with the baby. He didn’t need to work at home, but she was grateful as well. Bellamy was not even a day old, she still felt exhausted, but more than that did she feel happiness over how considerate and wonderful Marcus was. 

“Look at that, Bellamy.” She cooed to the baby. “Your Dad is cleaning. I think he also cooked while we were asleep.” She said it for Marcus as well, of course, knowing fully well he’d obviously hear it. “He’s pretty great your Dad.” Aurora kept her hand on Bellamy as he fuzzed more and more against her. “I think he wants food first.” But she had to do something first. Bellamy wouldn’t starve while she leaned forward to kiss Marcus gently. “Thank you, Marcus. For letting me sleep and doing this. You are by far the best husband I could have asked for aaaand the best, Daddy, right, Bellamy?” Bellamy wasn’t responding to it at all. Instead he finally started to cry. “Got it, baby boy.” Aurora cooed. “I’ll feed and change him and then we can eat, is that okay, Marcus?”

Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

He heard the fussing, but his wife beat him too their son before he could. Marcus stood there and watched them for a moment before she walked toward him. It struck him again that his father could have well have stood just like this--leaning against the wall with his arms folded--and watched Vera with an infant Marcus. How did one see such things and still be the father that he was. As if to echo his thoughts, Aurora spoke of what a great father he was, and Marcus felt a faint smile touch his lips, and a slight pain in his chest. Maybe while they ate he would express what was in his head about his own father, but for now there were more important things.

Stepping forward he dropped his hands to her hips and gave her the kiss she was moved in for, before then dropping his head to give his son one. "Take your time." He assumed her, not wanting her to hurry when she was giving their son what he needed, and Bellamy came first. He would always come first for Marcus. "I will finish cleaning up here, and have everything ready while he sleeps." Since babies tended to sleep most the time, it would give them a chance to eat alone. Something that would become rare as their son got older, and Marcus would both look forward too that, and miss this.

[Aurora Blake]

Aurora nodded, loving every moment with their new family. Marcus was great with Bellamy. The crying baby stilled for a moment when his father kissed his head. She wasn’t sure if it was because little Bellamy was surprised or not used to it or just enjoying his Dads affection. She wanted to believe the later. Their bond would only grow. “Okay.” She carried Bellamy with her to the couch where she let the baby nurse. He seemed strong. He drank eagerly and for quite some time and that was apparently a good thing. She burped and changed him after that. Holding him, it took only a few moments for the newborn to go straight back to sleep. Aurora placed him carefully back into his bed, to join Marcus.

“He’s asleep again. Fed and changed him and then he was out like a little light.” It was adorable. One tiny yawn later and her babies breathing had evened out and she let him sleep. Aurora moved to her husband. “Thank you, for doing this, Marcus.” She started. She knew he wanted to help, he always had expressed this desire, but she had the perfect job to take care of the household and then when he worked as well, allowed him to have time for their son when he got home. “What did you make?”

Marcus Kane