Closed Unexpected Surprises

[Miran Kemp]

Miran was settling in surprisingly well with Martine and his brother. He'd been nervous when he'd come here, and even more so when Martine had convinced him to move in. He had been working on cleaning up the kitchen, wanting Martine to rest while she was home. She cleaned enough for her job- though to be honest, she'd been the one to teach him how to clean up properly in the first place.

He had just finished cleaning the stove when he heard a knock on the door. "I've got it," He called, jogging over to the door. He opened it, confused a moment when no one was there. He looked up and down the street, before stepping back. A little noise then made him look down, and he froze, the color draining from his face at what he saw. There was a little basket on the step, with a newborn baby wiggling. He lowered gently, picking up the attached note. Dear Miran, This baby is yours and she deserves better than I can do for her. Take care of her.

Miran swallowed hard, staring blankly at the baby. There was a folder, and he picked it up, pulling out an unofficial document with a womans name and his own, but not the babys. He remembered having a one night stand with someone about a year ago maybe, but he'd been drunk. He'd gone to one of Basils quidditch parties, drank too much, and woke up in bed with her. He hadn't seen her since. Apparently, that was all it took.

"Martine?" He called, his voice shaky. He stayed on his knees, afraid to pick up the baby but afraid to move. "Martine!" He called a little more desperately, his voice breaking as his panic rose more quickly.

 

[Martine Kinnek]

Martine liked having her home filled with the sounds of life. For so long it had been just her and then her and Basil, and now, her adult children came and went. She had very much taken her late husband's other child under her wing, knowing how difficult it was for people to get set up in life. She nodded as he went to the door, but where the door didn't close the door quickly. She was also sure she could hear the sounds of a baby. She had already beginning to approach when she heard his voice. Martine walked towards the door and spotted the little basket immediately. "Oh, a baby?!" she exclaimed. "Bring them inside, out of the cold," she said, wanting to deal with this where the baby could be warm.​

 

[Miran Kemp]

Miran swallowed hard but obeyed immediately. He leant down, picking the baby up gently in his arms. She cooed, shifting in his arms and yawning. He blinked, grabbing the basket in his other hand and walking back inside. He set the basket on the counter and sat down carefully, cradling her like she was made of glass. "I... do you remember that party of Basils a while back, I got drunk and ended up staying out all night?" He offered, looking shy.

 

[Martine Kinnek]

Martine closed the door, and with a little magic made the room a little warmer. Hoping to warm the little baby up. She watched Miran pick up the little thing as he remembered what had happened. "Well, this can happen if you aren't safe," she said, there was no scolding, no point now the baby was here. "I probably have some old baby stuff lying around," she said, thinking about all the things she'd held on to. "But first thing, was there a note? Does the baby have a name?" she asked. ​

 

[Miran Kemp]

Basil chuckled shyly, his breath catching as the baby fussed and shifted in his arms, staring at her with wide eyes. "There is a note, but no name," He offered, nodding to the basket. "I... don't know what to do, do you want to hold her?" He asked, tearing his eyes away and looking up to Martine. He bit his lip, looking nervous. "We have to keep her, don't we?" He asked, his grip on the baby tightening just a bit, worried for a moment that Martine would take the baby away.

 

[Martine Kinnek]

Martine guided Miran to sit down, trying her best to keep him calm. She shook her head lightly. ”I think you need to hold her a little more,” Martine did want to hold the baby, babies were cute and squishy, and she loved them, but this wasn't about her. She gave a soft smile, ”It's up to you what you do, we can keep her, you can be her dad. But you don't have to,” she said. Martine had lost her own children for a little while, and it had been hard to be without them, but she didn't think that if Miran wasn't ready, if he wasn't in a position where he felt he could look after her, then he shouldn't have to. ”It is for you to decide, sweetie, and I'll support you,”​