5695/1951, Killing the Rabbit

1951, Killing the Rabbit
Date of Scene:	23 March 2021
Location:	Carter-Sousa Home - Long Island
Synopsis:	1951, Peggy and Daniel give in and ask for a doctor to help them confirm their suspicions. Two days later, they get the good news. A baby is on the way.
Cast of Characters:	Daniel Sousa, Peggy Carter

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Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel was pacing, not that he'd admit it, he was simply 'looking out for the doctor' but really he as pacing, wearing a groove into their living room carpet as he walked back and forth occasionally peeking out the window to see if the man had arrived or not.

They'd opted to go with a private doctor rather than SHIELD medical, figuring they'd have a better chance of keeping it quiet and Dr. Price had come highly recommended, so they made a call and set up a home visit, or rather Margaret and Daniel Adams did, making sure their last names stayed off any sort of record.

When a green ford pulls up to the drive, and a man with a doctor's bag steps out Daniel finally stops his pacing, "Thank god, he's finally here," he says before glancing over to Peggy to see how she was handling things.

Peggy Carter has posed:
It's odd for Peggy because she's essentially in crisis mode. This wasn't exactly a crisis, but it wasn't a normal situation by any means either. She's normally so good in crisis mode. But right now she looks right on the edge of falling apart -- to her husband's eyes, at least. To most of the public, she's dressed neat as a pin in an elegant dark navy and green plaid swing skirt and a tucked in cream blouse, pieces of clothing easy to take off and open an inch at a time for the most modesty in such situations. Her hair is set. Her make up is perfect. There's already coffee on and the place has been picked up. To the whole world, she looks the most perfect little home maker. Only Daniel might see that her eyes are a bit too glassy bright and her smile too forced.

"If you pace like that *waiting* for him, my darling, how are you going to handle waiting for the answer. You know these things aren't immediate? Even if he's got access to his own small lab for testing..." Peggy tries to tease him as she stands up and takes in a deep breath. The room only slightly swims, she's still not had much of an appetite, but she puts herself quickly back together and moves for the door.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel definitely notices Peggy as not as together as it she has taken pains to a appear, which if anything makes him calmer, and slows his pacing a little, falling naturally into his role as her support. When she points out his pacing, he smiles sheepishly and pushes a hand through his slightly curly black hair. "Sorry," he says. "Guess I'm sort of losing it," he says with a shake of his head before he takes a breath. "I'll square myself away, don't worry," he promises as he joins Peggy in going to the door.

Dr. Price is waiting on the other side, white haired, slightly balding in a tweed suit with a little leather doctor's bag in hand. "Mr. and Mrs. Adams?" he inquires before sticking out his free hand. "I'm doctor Price, my assistant said you scheduled an appointment."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Before they actually open the door, Peggy leans in to press a kiss straight to his lips. Something to steady them both which would probably be considered too forward with a medical professional in the house. Even if he's coming because of things entirely more forward than a little kiss. "We'll be fine. This will all be fine." She mutters to him, the reassurances meant for them both. Then she's plastered her smile back into place and is opening the door.

Looking over the doctor, he can tell that she's already starting to build the profile in her head. Can he be trusted? Why is he taking house calls on a weekend? Is he competent? A spy? Even though she's smiling, Peggy's got the keen, determined narrowing to her gaze as she invites him in. "Yes, Dr. Price, please... Please come in. Thank you for coming so quickly, really. It means the world to us." And a fairly hefty fee they are more than comfortable to afford. She looks out the door behind him (paranoia dies hard) and then swings it shut before locking the bolt. "Come in, come. Get comfortable. Would you like some coffee? This is my husband Daniel, I'm Margaret..." It was weird saying her whole name.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel returns the kiss telling her "I love you," when their lips part before he takes and squeezes her hand. "We'll be okay," he says in response to her muttering finding focusing on Peggy's nerves is a lot easier to deal with than focusing on his own.

As for Doctor Adams, his smile behind his neatly kept beard seems genuine even if there was a degree of professional distance, but there is no sign of deception or aggression, just the mild awkwardness that comes with standing on a stranger's front step for the first time.

"Thank you, coffee would be wonderful, and it is a pleasure to meet you both," he says as he's led from the door.

Daniel for his part sizes up the man as well, and by the slight bulge in his vest pocket he's not entirely unarmed either. Though he seems to find nothing glaringly off about the man as he offers, "It's okay, I can get the coffee if you two would like to talk," he says, departing to let Peggy and the doctor get down to business while coffee is fetched.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peg knows it makes full sense to let Daniel fuss and serve. The doctor wasn't here for him, after all. But she still gives him a little sideways glare that says 'How dare you take away my excuse to put this off much longer.' It doesn't last overly long and then she's turning her sweet, red lipped, quietly professional smile towards the doctor. "Thank you, Daniel, that'd be lovely. Please, sit down, Doctor. I hope we won't have to keep you too long..."

And with that, she tries to settle herself. Pulse still fluttering in her throat and nerves practically screaming, it's only years of training in disguise that she's keeping herself together. "I shan't dance around the matter. We suspect that we... I... May be in a family way. We're not even a year married and both work in the city so, while we'd like to *know*, we... We're just trying to keep it quiet for now. You know how it is."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel takes the glare with the faintest of smug smiles. He clearly knew what he was doing. "Be right back," he promises as he vanishes to go get the coffee.

"My time is yours Mrs. Adams," Dr. Price says as he takes seat in the living room. "So I understand you've been having some morning sickness, is that correct?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
Her smile is only leaning more into the awkward range than the polite and pleasant. Peggy's going to have to admit they were messing about like undisciplined teenagers, even if that's the most logical thing in the world for newly weds. She clears her throat neatly, eyes suddenly studying her fingernails more than the man across from her. "Yes... four, five days now. Hell, vaguely at this moment. I'm starting to suspect this morning thing was a lie. But it could be food poisoning, or... perhaps I encountered something else to set me off. However, Daniel and I have been in a... married way... a few times in the last two months. So, we thought it prudent to double check..."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Dr. Price doesn't seem to notice the awkwardness as he produces his notebook and jots down a few details. "Perfectly understandable and you're smart to check rather than just waiting and seeing, it can help ensure the baby's health," he says giving Peggy a smile before Daniel arrives with the coffee and there is a bit of idle chit chat, with Daniel looking more and more impatient until finally Dr. Price sets down his cup and announces. "Well, I am taking up so much of your time, shall we begin the examination?" he asks.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Y-yes... of course. The bedroom is just... Just through here." Much like a labor and delivery room, for anything more invasive than coughing into a tissue, the pair will be separated. It means Daniel is left alone in the living room to pace. Again. And it's a good 30 minutes of Peggy being poked, prodded, giving blood, peeing into a cup, and every other bit of totally normal but somehow completely invading interaction possible.

When he's finished, there's some polite conversation and a promise to give then a call as soon as the lab work comes back. It'll probably be a day or two, but he seems fairly certain, from everything, that she is pregnant. Food poisoning doesn't last this long, and she's not sick enough for other matters. With a smile of congratulations, a reassurance this is all perfectly normal, and a few reminders for Peggy to just *calm down* and take it easy, the man is out the door. Peggy shuts it behind him, turning back to Daniel as she sags against the door.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
They're lucky there's carpet left when Peggy finally emerges, Daniel had been pacing again, despite the agitation it gave his bad leg, though the empty tumbler by the sideboard suggests he's taken some steps to soothe that, even if they aren't particularly healthy ones.

When the doctor leaves, Daniel joins Peggy by the door smiling sympathetically, while trying not to look as nervous as it feels. "Well, I guess that rules out the sandwich," he says, which was far easier to say than it looks like it's real.

Offering his arm, "Want to go lay down? It looks like we've got a long couple of days ahead of us."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"Do *you* want to go lay down? Your poor leg. Our poor carpet." Peggy mutters, only half teasing, as she can tell how long he's been at it now. She hardly ever mentions things, but then he rarely does several miles around their living room out of nothing but nerves. A weak smile crosses her still perfectly red lips and while she's looking a bit on the pale side, she's at least more steady than she was the last few mornings.

"In truth, I'm tempted to go into the office. Catch up on some of the things we've missed. Take advantage of the fact I'm not currently hugging a toilet bowl. Get our minds on... something else." But that's because Peggy's panic response is to work.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"I'm fine," Daniel says, before wincing a little as he moves, he sighs, "Okay maybe a little time lying down won't hurt," he admits before considering Peggy's idea for a moment, leaning against the wall as he does. "Split the difference? Go lay down for an hour the head to the office for a bit? Truth be told I could use something to keep my mind off of all this," a faint smile and a little tip of his head towards the living room. "And it's probably easier on our carpets too."

Peggy Carter has posed:
As he mentions that he could use something to get his mind off of it, a little, devilish smile pulls at her lips. "...there are other things we could do in a bed, husband of mine. Considering matters... We might as well enjoy it." And whether she'll actually has the energy for them to completely distract themselves has yet to be seen, but she's dragging him off to the bedroom in a way that is certainly not about sleeping. There are so many lovely ways to occupy a mind!

Daniel Sousa has posed:
It was a very pleasant afternoon and two long days of waiting later when the phone rings at the Carter-Sousa household. It's evening, the time of day most couples would be home having dinner. Which was mostly true at this one, though there are more files than food on the table. Putting down a report about Leviathan activities, Daniel looks to Peggy, "What do you think? Office or the call?" he asks putting to words the thought that had gone through his head over the last twelve hours whenever the phone rang.

Peggy Carter has posed:
While Peggy's still far from 100 percent, she's been figuring a few games to juggle to make the nausea not so bad. Some light cracker before bed, a few in the morning, lots of ginger tea, no strong scents. She's still not well, but she's also not utterly non-fuctional. It means she's gotten back into the office, even if she's a bit more calm than she normally would be and keeping slightly later hours. But things feel like they are almost getting back to normal. Almost.

She looks up from the file in her hands, eyes going a little wider. "...Call. It has to be the call. If it's not the call, Daniel, I am going to go down to that office and murder the rabbit myself." Peggy stands then, double time jogging over to the phone and picking it up, "Good evening..." She doesn't even say their name considering if it's the doctor, it'd be the wrong name.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel smiles at Peggy's response, 'Well, let's hope that's the call then," he says before taking a sip from his wine as waits for Peggy to get the phone.

When she does the familiar voice of Dr. Price is on the line, "Mrs. Adams?" he asks Peggy not offering a name when she answered. However it is definitely the call.

Peggy Carter has posed:
When that question comes, Peggy looks over her shoulder and nods voraciously at him more than once. Her eyes are wide as dinner plates. She then balances the phone on her shoulder and paints a too casual, wide smile on her lips as she shifts to leaning one hip against the wall. Her body language is screaming 'trying to be calm', like it could translate over a phone.

"Yes! Yes, this is Mrs. Adams speaking. Thank you for calling us back so quickly. Do...do we know if there's an answer? I do know these things take time..." Peggy tries to swallow her heart back down her throat.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
What bad leg? As soon as Peggy nods, Daniel is on his feet cane in hand, coming over. When he gets there he puts his arm around her waist hugging her from behind, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

On the line, Dr. Price answers, "Good evening," once he's sure he's got the right number. "And they normally do but we do have the inhouse lab which speeds things up," he clears his throat. "Anyhow we do have a result, would you like me to share it with you now or would you like a moment?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
Abruptly, Peggy wraps her hand over the phone and gives a frustrated little groan as she hisses into the room, "Of *course*, you *wanker*!" Whatever he just said was not to her liking, it seems. Then she gives Daniel another smile, tilts her head to the side, peels her palm off the phone, and pleasantly coos into the receiver, "Yes, doctor, please just share. We're ready. My husband is here as well." Such a strange turn on a dime from the growl she gave to their private living room a moment earlier. She pulls the phone away from her ear just enough that they can both hear if they lean closely.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Poor Dr. Price he has no idea what that tone means, Daniel does, flinching on the doctor's behalf even though at this point he's fully with Peg. Just get on with it!

He leans in close though when Peggy shifts the handset and Dr. Price says, "The test was positive, congratulations to you both, you're going to be parents."

Daniel blinks at the news head straightening, not quite sure he heard what he heard. He looks to Peggy then reading her reaction to solidify the news in his mind.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Shock is sometimes an incredibly useful reaction. It means there is no more screaming, no squealing, nothing but a thoroughly pleasant, "Well, that is lovely news, Doctor. Thank you so much. We'll call back in a week or two for a follow up, I'm certain. You have a lovely night." And then she's hanging up the phone. She realizes he's staring at her, like maybe he didn't quite here. She just gives him a slow, too-wide eyed nod. Shock is still present but it won't last all that long.

"...Pregnant. We're... pregnant." She utters emotionlessly into the room. Boneless legs carry her quietly to the couch, collapsing there in stunned silence. "We're going to be parents."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel can tell well enough by that polite reply and quick hang up what the answer is but he still stares until she gives him that little nod and confirms it fully a moment later. For a second he doesn't do anything, he just stands there, "Wow..." he says. "That's..." what was it though? Shocking? Terrifying?..."Wow," he repeats. "Is it bad if I can't tell if that's good or bad news right now?" he asks, very much still processing the news.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peg is now half collapsed on the couch, her elbows on her knees, staring at the coffee table. Slowly, she reaches one hand back to her stomach to drag fingertips across her currently slender middle that somehow feels far more heavy now. She doesn't answer him for a few heartbeats, still silently staring. "...Terrifying. Shocking..." She fills in some words for him, but a faint laugh escapes a heartbeat later. "But... we can decide it's good. This can just be...good? Right?" She finally looks up to him as she says that, eyes practically begging him to agree.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel follows Peggy to the couch but keeps his feet when she crashes onto it, standing beside her, the look of confusion and terror not fully fled his features. Though when she asks him what she does he looks down, meeting her pleading eyes with his own before nodding. "Yeah, I think it can be," he says a faint smile spreading across his lips. "Might be a while before I can really believe it, but it can definitely be good."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"We... wanted this." Peggy breathes out. And then she's reaching for him, trying to gently pull him down into the couch next to her. Instead of just holding his hand, she shifts her palm over his to move it against her slender stomach. "It's faster than we thought, but we...*wanted* it. We bought this house so we could have this baby... We wanted a family. This is a good thing. Terrifying, but, Daniel, we're going to have a baby. If we can take down half the world...win a *war*... We can certainly do this."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel is easily pulled down beside his wife and lets his hand be guided to Peggy's stomach, something about that touch makes it all feel more real. It's like electricity along his arm, and he nods. "Yeah, think I'm just surprised more than anything," he leans in to kiss her brief and tender. "You're right, we wanted this, and I still do, so, ready for this or not, we'll do what we need to do to make things alright," he glances down at his hand on Peggy's stomach. "For all three of us."

Peggy Carter has posed:
Feeling the weight and warmth of his hand against her stomach is calming in a way her own wouldn't be. Much like so many times in the past, he's her grounding. When she was sitting alone on the couch, the world all seemed to be spinning in too many circles. But now he's here, arm wrapped close around her, promising her that yes, he wants this. It's good.

She lets out a deep breath, sinking a bit deeper against him as she seeks for that solid presense she knows gives the world sense. Suddenly, she seems far calmer. When he says all three of us, a genuine smile lights up her features. "...three of us. I guess this house won't seem so big after all." She kisses him back again, breathing a bit more easily. "We're... doing this. We really are."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel happily plays the pillar, it's a role that he often thinks brings him as much joy and calm as it brings Peggy, knowing just his presence can give her focus the way her presence does for him. He smiles softly at the closeness, his thumb bruising over her stomach. There's a warm smile as Peggy repeats his words, 'three of us',

"We are doing this," both confirming and trying to assure with those words before they kiss. After he leans his head against her shoulder. "On the bright side, the odds favour us," he remarks smiling into her. "We got them out numbered two to one."

Peggy Carter has posed:
There's a meal in the kitchen that should be eaten soon, especially now for poor Peggy who has been vaguely avoiding food. There's so much paperwork and so many other things for the night, but for these moments, Peggy just leans against her husband. She turns her head and takes a deep breath in against his neck, deep enough her stomach rises and falls below his hand. The world seemed somehow better already.

"For *now*... but the Jarvises will help too. They'll be delighted. And Lily.. We do have friends. Even if we have more, we're not alone. We're lucky... So damn, incredibly lucky." She whispers against his neck. "All those close calls. Everything that could have gone wrong..."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel holds Peggy tight as she leans against him, as much for his sake as hers, drawing his own deep breath against her shoulder, "Yeah," he says. "We've got people to help, we're likely going to have to surrender a bedroom to Ana for a bit once she finds out," he says. "Rose will likely just set up shop in our kitchen, and whatever they don't do, Howard will hire someone for it," he says lightly. Not that he felt they needed that help but it was easy to take comfort in knowing it would be there regardless.

The other bit, about how lucky they are gets a quiet nod. "Yeah, you're not wrong, we've cheated the universe in more ways than one," not only finding someone that they fit so well with but keeping them through all the dangers they face. "We made it though, and we'll just have to keep being as good as we are at what we do to stay ahead of whatever else is coming, but we've got friends to help there too."

Peggy Carter has posed:
He can practically feel her relaxing into him, muscles slowly easing one at a time. The knots she was wound into for days are slowly going as she simply knows now and can start to process. Start to get excited. Her smile warms a bit more as he just manages to bring up the other people they are surrounded by. None of it seems quite so frightening with their community. "They really are all going to just dive in and be here for us, won't they? They've all done it before... This is going to be fine." She sounds like she believes it this time.

But then she's thinking about their close calls. The dangers. The fact they thought she might have been poisoned. She sits up a bit again so she can turn to look into his eyes, but she's not quite releasing his hand. Not yet. "Life is still... there's a lot unknown. It's dangerous. We... we probably shouldn't tell anyone. Not quite yet. Not until we know things are really... settled. Give it a few months... I don't wany anyone getting their hopes up, then... you know."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel shifts letting her melt more easily against him, he can feel as much as see her smile, the tension in her shifting slightly but noticeably from nerves to excitement. "They will," he confirms. "And nothing we can do is going to stop them," he kisses her cheek then lips pulling away in a smile. "So even if we mess this up we've got plenty of people who are going to be there to kick our asses and get us on the right track."

Giving her a squeeze as she seems to actually believe they can do this now, he nods about the rest. "Good idea," he says of keeping things close to their chests. "Though when it comes out, maybe we should think about letting Howard do /some/ of the security modifications he wanted to do this place." The list had been extensive and to Daniel's mind excessive, but now, at least some of them might bring a little reassurance.

Peggy Carter has posed:
As he doesn't fight her about keeping it a close secret, Peggy gives a gentle nod of acceptance, like that's the agreed upon plan. "Hell, we can ask Howard to do them now. He won't think twice about it. He'll just think we came around to seeing his way of thinking and that's good enough. But, for now, our little secret. It'll make things easier at the office anyway." She smiles wider, leaning over to press a firm kiss against his mouth once more. And then her stomach is quietly rumbling, the forgotten dinner in the kitchen beginning to sound good.

"...but now, maybe some actual food? I might actually be...hungry, thank the lord." She half laughs, but is unable to stop herself from kissing him one last time before she's getting up out of the couch. It seems happiness has managed to set in a bit faster than she thought the whole matter would take.