The doctor listens to Wanda's belly with a stethoscope. "Hmm," he mumbles. Tony and I stand behind the couch and furrow our eyebrows. Dr. Nielsen moves the stethoscope to another spot. "Hmm," he hums again. Tony and I exchange confused glances. "Yep! Definitely pregnant," the doctor concludes, getting up.
"Oh," Wanda chuckles. "Well, that much we figured."
"I came to that diagnosis without a stethoscope. Maybe I should be a doctor," I remark while the doctor packs his bag.
"It's just kind of taken us by surprise. It's just kind of suddenly. Quite suddenly, wasn't it?" Vision looks at Wanda before resuming. "I mean, practically overnight. I mean..." he stutters. "How did this happen?"
"You see, when a man and a woman love each other very much..." Dr. Nielsen begins to explain. The couple exchanges a look before Wanda gets up.
"Well, we're just tickled pink... or blue," she chirps.
"You're at about four months now. Is that right?" the doctor asks. Vision shakes his head while the rest of us nod. He nods along when Wanda gazes at him. "I thought as much. We let the little ladies keep tabs on their growing babies with fruit. Makes it simple for them," the doctor claims. Wanda and Vision give each other a look, Tony and I doing the same. "At four months, the fetus is about as big as a pear. At five months, a papaya. Six, grapefruit. Seven, pineapple. Eight, honeydew," Dr. Nielsen conveys, hovering his hand over Wanda's tummy at the end.
"Hypothetically speaking, what size fruit would it be at say, hmm, 12 hours?" Vision inquires.
"Uh, pardon? 12 hours?"
"Well, I think this line of questioning is fruitless!" Tony comments, making Wanda and I chuckle along. Wanda nears the doctor to walk him out.
"Well, hypothetically speaking, should we be concerned?" Vision questions again, making the doctor pause.
"Hypothetically speaking, every new father-to-be gets nervous," Dr. Nielsen replies before acknowledging Tony. "I'm sure you know all about that," he chuckles. Tony chuckles in return, looking down in confusion.
"Well, I have nerves of steel, so there goes your theory, Mr. Doctor," Vision gets defensive.
"Vision, why don't you see the doctor out?" Wanda pipes up.
"Good idea. Yes," Vision utters, walking out with the doctor. "Thank you so much for dropping by, Dr. Nielsen."
Wanda looks down at her belly and rubs it. She looks at me and Tony and we all gleam as we walk to the kitchen. "Huh," Tony suddenly mutters.
"What?" I ask as I start cleaning up the kitchen. He furrows his eyebrows.
"It's just... I can't remember that 'new father-to-be' feeling... Why don't I remember when you were born?"
I shrug and act nonchalant as I organize the spice cabinet. "Well, it was 16 years ago, dad... pass me the pepper," I point to the pepper. He grabs it and hands it to me before a hesitant look appears on his face.
"Pepper... I know someone named Pepper, don't I? They meant a lot to me..." he stares at me with a lost expression. I stare back, getting nervous.
I slightly shake my head and choke out, "I-"
"Huh," Vision's voice sounds, interrupting the intense moment. Oh, thank goodness. He steps inside and shuts the door. "Strangest thing just happened outside with Herb- Woah, Nelly!" he shouts when he spots Wanda. "Have you gotten bigger?"
I walk over to her from the kitchen and notice her bigger tummy. "Have I?" she asks, turning her body and knocking down some fruit. Vision speeds over and catches the papaya. "I can't tell from this angle," Wanda adds.
"Woah! Yeah. Definitely bigger," Tony comments as he approaches.
Vision studies the papaya and claims, "I can't wait..." He giggles before continuing. "To be a proud papa-ya."
"Wow, that was lame," I casually remark.
"Tell me about it. If you're gonna start telling dad jokes, you need to do it right," Tony adds.
🎥🎥🎥
We're gathered in the nursery room and Wanda assembles a crib while I paint the walls with our telekinesis. "Nesting, the overwhelming urge during pregnancy to clean, organize, and prepare the home for the new baby," Vision reads from his book.
Meanwhile, Wanda opens up a box and responds, "see? You're an expert already, we've got nothing to worry about." I fly the decorations up above the crib. Tony just watches us decorate as he sits in his chair next to Vision, drinking beer.
"Well, nothing to worry about outside of morning sickness, mood swings, aching back, and... f-feet. Darling, you should probably sit down," Vision says, getting out of his chair.
"Don't be silly. All I feel is excitement, happiness, and... oh!" Wanda suddenly gasps, looking down at her belly.
"Kicking? Already?" Tony questions, standing up.
"Wow," Vision utters, touching her belly. Tony and I feel her belly too.
"Oh! He kicked me!" I claim.
"He's a violent fella, isn't he?" Tony remarks.
"Oh, it's such a strange sensation. It's kind of fluttery," Wanda enthusiastically giggles. Right after her statement, the butterfly decorations come to life. "Oh, did I do that? I didn't mean to."
A butterfly lands on Vision's nose. "Oh, uh, darling," he voices, bending down.
"Oh." Wanda removes it and Vision says, "Hello, little fella."
"Uh, y/n?" Tony pipes up. I turn to see multiple butterflies littered over his shoulders and head. I laugh and approach him, swatting my hands to make them fly off of him. "Thanks, kiddo," he sighs. Wanda opens the window, letting all the butterflies out.
"Well, if that was the first kick, that puts you at about six months! Boy, oh, boy, I thought I had superspeed, I can't keep up!" Vision claims. He closes his book and adds, "please don't misinterpret. I can't wait to meet you, little Billy." He kisses Wanda's belly and she gives him a strange look.
"Billy?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I was thinking Tommy. Just a nice, classic, all-American name."
"Hmm, Tommy. Hmm, yeah. Yeah, then there's Billy, isn't there? Named after William Shakespeare. 'All the world's a stage.' All the men and women, merely players."
"Bobby!" I suddenly cut in. The couple gives me a strange look.
"Bobby?" Wanda asks, clearly disliking it.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought we were just saying basic white boy names," I respond. They look at each other, slightly offended.
"What about Tony? Now there's an all-star name!" Tony suggests. Wanda playfully rolls her eyes.
"Well, I guess there's only one solution to this debate. Hope for a girl," she states before painting a stork on the wall.
"Whatever, I still think Tony is a top-tier name," Tony scoffs, putting his hands on his hips.
"Well, we ought to decide soon. I estimate the baby's due... it's not a constant progression, assumingly logarithmic," Vision mumbles.
"But if you were to graph fetal development so far," Tony continues.
"Yes, yes," Vision agrees.
Wanda and I roll our eyes. "He's gonna be here before you two figure it out," I sarcastically remark.
"Nearest I can conclude is that Billy..."
"Tommy," Wanda corrects.
"Tony," Tony counters.
"Hmm," Vision dismisses them before a look of realization forms on his face. "Is due Friday afternoon."
"In three days? Maybe I should sit down," Wanda reacts.
🎥🎥🎥
Vision stares at the doll he holds in front of him. He points from his eyes to the doll's and whispers, "I think we have an understanding. Start the clock!" I stand beside Wanda as she starts a timer. Vision uses his superspeed to change the doll's diaper. "Time," he voices, putting his hands up. Wanda stops the timer.
"Your personal best," she praises.
"Yes! We are nothing if not prepared."
Vision looks over at Tony, who awkwardly finishes closing the diaper of his doll. He holds it up and examines it.
"Oh, that's... you wrapped it nicely," Vision tries to make him feel better. Tony just huffs.
"Whatever, speed isn't everything," he retorts, tossing the doll onto the table.
"Oh!" Wanda exclaims. I immediately grasp her hand, setting my other hand on her back.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"Darling?" Vision asks at the same time.
"Ooh!" Wanda folds over the other way. "Do any of your books talk about this? It's, uh, not painful but it's strange."
"A tightening sensation?" Vision suggests.
"Yep, that's it."
"Yes. Where was it? Where was it?" he trails off, looking through his books. I rub Wanda's back, hoping it'll comfort her in some way.
Vision flips through the pages until he finds what he's searching for. "Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labor, usually starts in the third trimester. Named after John Braxton Hicks in 1875-"
"Yeah, we don't need the history lesson, Professor," Tony interrupts him. Vision's eyes flicker between all of us and we nod in agreement with Tony.
"Oh- sorry. Yes, yes, yes yes... Ooh! Excellent!" he closes the book and walks over to us. "Gives us a chance to work on our breathing exercises. It should go like this..." He starts to demonstrate and Wanda copies. Tony and I quickly join in.
"I don't feel any different," Tony notes. I shake my head in support of his statement.
"Yeah, it's not working. I can still feel it," Wanda adds.
"I'm sorry," Vision apologizes. Wanda suddenly groans and the lights start to flicker while the faucet starts running, making the water in the sink start splashing. Tony and Vision gasp while Wanda and I scream.
"What's happening now?" Wanda inquires.
"What the... what the Dickens?" Vision exclaims. "Let's abandon the kitchen!"
All the appliances go berzerk around us as we run out of the kitchen screaming. We stop by the dining table and stand in a circle as the lights go really bright around us. This reminds me of the Mind Flayer. Suddenly everything powers off but we keep our defenses up. "It stopped!" I claim.
"Yes. I'll go check on the neighbors," Vision whispers before zooming out.
"Yes," Wanda whispers back.
🎥🎥🎥
Vision returns and informs, "it appears that the whole block is out."
"Oh, and that was just a fake contraction," I point out.
"Who knows what will happen when the real thing starts," Wanda adds as she sits at the other end of the couch. "Do you think they know it's my fault?"
"They could think it was me," I answer.
"Our neighbors?" Tony asks.
"Well, yes, with all the close calls we've been having, it seems the people of Westview are always on the verge of discovering our secret," Wanda responds. Vision and Tony walk over, standing right next to each other. They both get this distant look on their faces.
"Yes, I know what you mean... but it's more than that, isn't it," Vision commences as he sits next to Wanda. "Mr. and Mrs. Hart, dinner. Outside with Herb..."
"Yes..." Tony chimes in, sitting in the space between Vision and I. "Something feels off... and that boy... Peter... there's something familiar about him," he says, looking at Vision and Wanda before looking at me. Uh oh. I just stare back, worried.
"I think something's wrong here, guys," Vision opines. Wanda and I exchange a frightened expression.
✂️🔙
"Yes, I know what you mean... the truth is, we are in unchartered waters... and you know what?" Vision asks as he nears the couch, sitting beside Wanda. "I'm anxious too."
"We just don't know what to expect," Wanda softly responds.
"Nope," Vision shakes his head. Tony comes and sits next to me, both of us smiling at the familial moment.
"Will the baby be human or Synthezoid? A bit of both?" Wanda inquires.
"If he's anything like his ma, Billy will be perfect."
"You mean Tommy."
"You mean Tony," I chime in, grinning at Tony.
"Mmm," Vision hums in disagreement, making us all chuckle. Wanda loudly gasps out of the blue. We all jump up in surprise.
"Oh, no, darling, are you alright?" Vision questions.
"What happened?" Tony asks.
"Sister?" I ask at the same time.
"This is a real one!"
"What??" Vision freaks out, floating up.
"I thought you said Friday afternoon!" Wanda exclaims.
"Well, I didn't consider that the timings between developmental benchmarks could be quite random," Vision chatters before he starts whimpering. Wanda begins to do her breathing exercise and gestures to him to relax. He starts doing it as well, followed by me and Tony. Vision slowly comes back down and Wanda approaches him, taking his hands. We all slow our breathing until we're all relaxed.
"Better."
"Yes, darling, thank you, it's passing," Vision whispers.
"We feel better too," I disclose, making Tony nod. Suddenly thunder rumbles and it starts to rain inside the house.
"Guys..." Wanda speaks up.
"Yes, dear?" Vision answers.
"Yeah?" Tony and I return.
"I think my water just broke."
"Yup," I state.
"Yes, dear," Vision confirms.
🎥🎥🎥
Vision and Wanda hide from the rain under the table. "Well, I was just reading about the advantages of water birth," Vision comments, to which Wanda sighs.
Tony and I stand outside and I peek through the open glass door. "You two alright in there?" I shout.
"Just peachy!" Wanda sarcastically yells back. The rain suddenly stops and she sticks her hand out. "Oh, thank goodness."
"Let me help you up, dear. There you go," Vision offers, pulling her out from under the table while she groans. Tony sticks his head in the doorway this time.
"Looks like it stopped," he points out. I walk over and peek inside.
"What a mess," Wanda notes as she looks around. She rushes a gust of wind into the house, making Tony and I yelp and move back from the doorway in surprise. "Darling, do you think it's time to c-" we hear her ask as we stroll inside.
"Call the doctor?" Vision finishes.
"Yeah," she confirms before he dashes to the phone.
"Yes, I do, dear. Damn, the phones are down too! I better run. Except he might have already left for vacation."
"Where?" I question.
"At a time like this?" Wanda asks.
"Well, in fairness, darling, the baby is approximately nine months early. I better leg it. You'll be alright here?" Vision addresses her. She nods and he pecks her cheek before running out in a flash.
"Well, at least nothing was damaged due to the rain," I pipe up. Wanda scoffs.
"Yeah, luckily. Thanks for abandoning us," she expresses.
"Hey, these clothes are expensive, I wasn't about to let them get drenched," Tony sasses. He checks his watch before acknowledging me. "Oh, I better hustle. I need to finish my latest invention to present to the board. Will you guys be alright here?" Wanda and I nod. "Great, I'll see you later, kiddo," he kisses my head and puts his shades on before exiting the house.
Wanda suddenly gasps and holds her belly, moving around as she breathes. "Why don't you sit down?" I offer, pulling a chair out for her. A chirping sound grasps our attention and we glance toward the nursery room. We grab hands and gradually move toward the sound until the doorbell suddenly rings, startling us. "I'll get it," I say before going to the door. I open it and see Peter standing there. I smile and fully open the door.
"Peter! Hey, what are you doing here?" I ask. He sends me a shy smile.
"I, uh, went to your house and your dad said that you were here... so here I am," he answers.
"Oh," I chuckle. "Uh, wanna come in?" I offer. I discussed it with Wanda and she thinks it's okay to keep Westview Peter around since I know and trust him in real life.
"Sure," he replies and I let him in.
"Wanda, look who's here," I announce. She spins around and Peter's eyes pop out of his skull.
"Wow, you are really pregnant!" he shouts. Wanda gives him a weird look.
"Um, I think she knows," I tell him. "Listen..." I grab his bicep and drag him over to the couch. "We want to keep my sister's pregnancy between family so if you could just-"
"I-I won't tell anyone, I promise," Peter assures us. Wanda grins and thanks him.
-
-
I just know Tony in the 70s would have sideburns and be the most stylish man ever