(2019-01-23) Unicorn Visiting Hours
Everett and Willow come to see Vic and Calvin and learn about their unexpected fetus count.
Players:
calvin..vic..everett..willow..

Three days after the shooting, the world is moving on. All it took was three little things. A small press conference with the doctor followed by a statement from Calvin's 'camp' that he was stable and Vic was in good health and her pregnancy was coming along nicely. (Grant wanted to announce they were expecting twins. Calvin flipped out, refusing to agree.) Lastly, Calvin tweeted out a /video/ thanking well wishers and even promising his beloved followers that he will still be releasing music. (That was Grant's turn to yell.) Now, the hospital's lot is clear of news trucks and the press are only resorting to the sneakiest of methods, it's safe to reopen the wing, though the couple is still under guard in one room. Also, it's safe to allow more than just family (And tightly wound managers), to visit. This has lead to a steady stream of folks coming in. Bandmates, ex-clients, family friends…along with doctors and nurses. By the time the sun sets, Calvin is so annoyed that Sascha, one of his backup vocalists, leaves the room in tears. TEARS.

And her sobbing form is who meets Everett at the elevator. So. Good time is visit.

*

Vic was napping. That's the only way Calvin got away with making Sasha cry. Otherwise she'd have curse worded him into profuse apologies. She stirs now though, tired, achy due to requesting the lowest level of pain meds, and stiff from having to lie 'just so' to accommodate all the monitors on her and tubes in her. There's a nasal canula making sure she gets the right mix of oxygen while her right lung heals. Her eyes flutter open and she makes a grunting sound. "I hate sleeping on my back." She mutters. Good luck when those twins actually start turning her into a beached whale and she has no choice.

*

Coming out of the elevator, Everett blinks a few times as the crying woman trades him places. Unlike most of the other folks who have come to visit, Everett isn't carrying any flowers. Not that he didnt' WANT to get flowers; that was totally what he argued for and thought was appropriate. But, Willow was adamant and had spent the last three days MAKING something, since she didn't think they'd be allowed to visit. And now, Everett is bringing said … thing … to the hospital, while Willow works feverishly at the agency. And, as an after thought, he's picked up a stuffed bear from the hospital gift shop, for the baby. Because he doesn't know it's plural yet.

With the extra staff and security, it's not hard to find the sought after room. Having probably been put on a short list of authorized people, thanks to his wife's (even if they weren't aware of her being so) close relationship with Vic, Everett waits politely outside while security notifies the occupants who's come to visit and asks their permission before he enters.

*

The guard at the door does, indeed have a list. He opens the door and calls into the room. "Hey, Everett's here." Calvin snaps back quickly with, "Is Willow with him?" Is that…fear in Cal's voice? "No, sir. Just him."

"Oh! Okay, yeah. Let him in." Calvin says, with a sigh. What he said yesterday is true. He is difficult to sedate and he's not sleeping a great deal without medication to assist. Calvin, in his most natural state, is always busy. He can't seem to stand a dull moment for long. He's the guy playing on his phone when the conversation lulls. Now, on day two of full wakefulness, he's a little stir crazy. He greets Everett with an exaggerated 'Hello!' with his arms spread. Which he immediately regrets, winching in pain. "Ugh..where did I drop the clicker…" His morphine drip. The former addict is /that/ bad off that they risk it to keep him pain-free.

*

Vic smiles wanly when Everett comes in. She's definitely looked better, but she's alive and that's great at this point. "Hey Everett. No Willow? Is she all right?" she asks, her expression turning to concern for her ward-of-sorts. "How was Australia?" she adds. Like it's any normal day and she and Calvin aren't in hospital beds.

*

Everett comes in and quickly pulls down his hood, staying near the door and looking a little uncomfortable to be there. "Good afternoon, ma'am, sir," he says, nodding to them. "Oh, no, Willow's good. She just … I mean, you know her. She's making sure everyone knows that you're detective agency is still open for business and stuff. But, she made this for you guys. It's so you can … uh … 'feel our love and support even when we're not here,' I think she said," Everett explains. He then moves to set the sculpture down on an empty surface, leaving him with just the stuffed teddy. "And, uh … I got this for your kid. Cuz I hope he's okay, too," he adds, moving to hand the stuffed animal to Vic. Since she's carrying the baby, after all.

*

"Ma'am. Sir." Calvin snorts. "I'm Calvin or just Cal. That's Vic." He shakes his head as he celebrates finding the 'clicker' with a little whistle. He gestures to the sculpture sitting on the overbed table. "She made that? Aww. Sweet girl. Drives me up the wall sometimes but good heart." He looks pretty terrible. Drained. His ruddy complexion is only the lightest of pinks. His hair is a particular mess, not that he spends a lot of time on it anyway. "Oh, yeah. You went to Sydney. I saw video of their New Year's display and I was so fucking jealous. We spent the night at home. She was out before the ball dropped."

*

Vic first attempts to decipher what the sculpture is, but since Willow made it, she'll love it regardless. As long as it's not pink and forced to be someplace prominent in her office. She holds the little bear to her chest tightly though, looking truly touched at that. "Thank you, Elliot. Let Willow know she can close the Agency for a few days. Cases will still be there after I'm out of the hospital. She'll still get paid." She snorts at Calvin. "You try burning up energy for two kids and see how well YOU stay awake after 8 PM, pal." Two kids!?

*

"Sorry, sir," Everett apologizes quietly, all formal, looking quite nervous. It's obvious that being in the hospital makes him somewhat uncomfortable. He's also pretty unfamiliar with the pair, so not having Willow there doesn't help. After depositing the bear with Vic, Everett backs away and was just turning to leave when Vic mentions she's got TWO babies. He freezes, then turns to peer at Vic with an eyebrow raised. "… wait … you said /two/ kids?" … guess he'll have to buy a second bear after all!

*

"When I woke up from my first surgery—hang on." Calvin sits the bed up a bit, to get a better look at Everett. He's grinning like a cat. "The first thing I asked was about Vic. 'How's my wife? How's my wife?' and the nurse says she will check. I don't think she bet on me still being awake when she came back. Then, she says, 'Mister Shay, she just came out of surgery herself. She and your unborn children are healthy and strong.' She starts checking on me like she didn't just blow my fucking mind. I don't remember anything after that for a while. I probably fainted." He laughs and then groans in pain. "She's at a higher chance for because she's older. Hopefully it's a boy and a girl and…" He just stops and exhales. "Yeah. Babies. As a twin, I don't know if I should laugh or cry."

*

"My grandmother and great aunt were twins and it skips a generation," Vic adds with an amused look. "I think we were doomed to have them no matter what. My mother is over the moon about it at least. And she's a nurse, so she'll make sure they both arrive safe and sound." She leans back against her pillows. "You need to get Willow up here to see us though. I know she'll be antsy until she can see us with her own eyes."

*

"… oh man. That's …," Everett trails off, as if trying to decide if that's good news or bad news. But, after watching the reactions of the happy parents, he smiles and nods. "That's great. I'm happy for you both. That's really awesome." He then looks a little sheepish and starts rubbing at the back of his neck like he always does when he's nervous, as he stands closer to the door. It seems like he maybe has something he wants to say, but isn't sure about it.

*

"Hey, man…" Calvin says, letting out a sigh. "Look…hospitals suck and seeing people you know or like or love in one of these places is awkward, at best and miserable at worst. I've got to remind myself of that sometimes. My brother was in and out a lot as a kid. I got used to hospitals. This one in particular too…and the old one before it. Point is, you can go, if you want. Or you can just say what's on your mind. Vic and I are like…impossible to offend and we're like, family practically."

*

"Spit it out, Everett," Vic notes, with one of her motherly looks. She is still cuddling the bear, because even now wrapping her brain around the fact she's pregnant is a bit hard. It's about as magical and impossible to conceive of for her, as if one of Willow's fantasy unicorns walked into the room and crapped out cupcakes for them.

*

Everett smirks a little at Calvin's family comment. "Yeah … you know she be callin' you mom and talkin' bout your kid being her brother or sister, right?" Everett asks Vic. And, at Vic's pressing, Everett just shrugs and holds his hands out to his sides defensively. "I just wish Willow was here cuz she's way better at this kinda stuff than me." He frowns, then, and shakes his head. "She was there, when I got shot. … that's pretty much when we decided we was go'n be serious 'bout each other. Cuz she said she wasn't never fittin' ta leave." And, as his speech has worsened slightly, it would seem he's relaxing a little bit.

*

"Oh, right. You did get shot. I remember that…she left Thanksgiving early and Vic and I made out and…more." Calvin can barely contain his laughter as he says, "If Everett never got shot, I would have never got shot." He bursts into mad laughing, along with groaning and wincing in pain. "I'm okay. I am. Click click and all that." When he finally stops, he explains. "Willow left the Thanksgiving party early because of you. Which gave Vic and I alone time. That's when she got pregnant, by the way. I had a vasectomy and I gotta hear, 'It only takes once!', like my mom's giving me The Talk." He sighs. "We got shot because my Ex found out that Vic was pregnant and lost her fucking marbles because, once upon a time, I was an asshole and made her have multiple abortions during our marriage." He has to not laugh but he is grinning. "They ever find out who shot you. I got a bone to pick with 'em. Vic, you can find them, right?" He sighs. "Christ. Dope makes me talkative."

*

"So, now I told you how much of an awful person I am, you can be comfortable with us. Sit down, if you want. Not on my bed though. Special mattress." He rolls his eyes.

*

"She is like a daughter to me. Even though as far as I know her parents are alive and well?" Vic asks, as if Everett might know. "I haven't met them. But she's part of my family, yes, which makes you part of it too." She looks over at Calvin in amusement as he does a vomitous exposition soliloquy. "Pull up a chair, now that you know all the sordid details of our sex life, you can't possibly feel unwelcome." She would chuckle but laughing is still tough with the lung issues. "Calvin had poor decision making skills back in his reckless youth."

*

Everett's eyebrows raise at Calvin's explanation. Definitely way more information than he was expecting. "… yeah … she came wearing a turkey costume. It was … weird," he says, shaking his head. When they both bid him to pull up a chair, he sighs and obliges, sitting in one of the recliners in the room. "And no, I don't know who, specifically, shot me. But it was one of the bangers back home. They've had it out for me ever since I took the plea deal that kept me out of juvie when I was in high school. There was a group of 'em chasing me, so I dunno who popped off. Didn't think I should stop and investigate. Plus, it was dark out so I couldn't see who all was there, anyway. And besides, they'll all stick up for each other, anyway, so it's kind of a waste. I just stay outta the Heights and I should be good," he says. He listens, somberly, to the story of why THEY got shot. Then, he chuckles a little and rubs at the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah … Willow ain't got no problem talkin' bout our sex life, too. Except … she be puttin' it /all/ out there. Even straight up to my parents!" He laughs at the memory, shaking his head. "And yeah, she tells me all the time her folks is good, but I ain't never met them, either."

*

Calvin has some color to his face now, from his giggle fit and took a moment to smooth his horrible hospital head. "Bangers from the Heights. You're in college and they're still salty?" He takes a breath. "I'm glad you faired better than I did after taking a bullet or three." He looks to Vic suddenly. "You know they are going to kick you out of the hospital soon, right? I mean…before me, for sure. I…" He shakes his head as if to clear it. "Willow…she's like…a big, wide open, brave, loving sweetheart of a girl. Sadly, you can't count on her not to embarrass you now and again. But, I can look at you and tell that you'd have it no other way, right? Someone for everyone out there. And you are meant for her." Beat. "I can tell, because she doesn't grate your nerves like she does mine." Beat. "I mean that in a loving way!"

*

"Willow is lacking a social filter, but she's a genuine person with a good heart," Vic notes with a small smile. "Even if it can be frustrating at times, it comes from a good place, and that's why we love her." She looks over at Calvin. "At least a week, love. They want to keep an eye on things, make sure nothing goes south with the pregnancy after the trauma and all," she points out.

*

"Oh, I love how much she loves to … um … you know," Everett says, his own filter kicking in and preventing him from going there. "But she be sayin' stuff at the /worst/ times. And I can't never tell if she knows just what she's doin' or if she really that naieve. Like how she always be makin' them dick comments bout y'alls job and stuff," he says, nodding towards Vic. "But, I mean, y'all know you right, I ain't gotta tell you, bout her being so nice and stuff. Definitely the nicest thing that's ever happened to me. 's why I- …." And he stops himself, grimaces, and continues. "Why I'm so serious 'bout her and why I'ma do what I can to make her happy and keep her."

*

Calvin nods a little at Vic assurance that she'll be around a little while longer. He looks ill at ease but listening to Everett smooths out his features. "Vic's the best thing that's ever happened to me too. And I have Oscar." He smirks. "Maybe second best." He winks at her. "I'm in love too, man. Just because I'm old enough to be your dad doesn't mean I don't get it. So, keep her. Keep her close, always. I—I didn't come up with this. My Dad used to say it about Mom. He'd say, 'I keep her close. I keep her here, here, and here.'" He points to heart, head, left ring finger. "'I keep her close, always. Only way I can make it through a day. To know that she's at the end of it.' I turned that last bit into a song." He swallows and blushes. "You wanna sing it. Yell or shout that kind of love. But…" He stops and shakes his head. "Sorry. It's the dope."

*

Vic arches a brow at Everett's pause. She is a detective afterall. But she's also hopped up on meds and has pregnancy brain, so she lets it slide. "That's good to hear." Calvin is extremely entertaining on morphine and Vic just grins at him as he gets all schmoopy.

*

Everett grimaces as Calvin gets all up in his feelings. He eyeshifts, looks over at Vic, then shakes his head. "Well … uh … sure. Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," he says. "I just wish she'd quit trippin' bout the fact that she's got small boobs. She swears she doesn't want a boob job but she keeps talkin' bout how I'ma leave her for someone with bigger tits."

*

Three days after the shooting, the world is moving on. All it took was three little things. A small press conference with the doctor followed by a statement from Calvin's 'camp' that he was stable and Vic was in good health and her pregnancy was coming along nicely. Lastly, Calvin tweeted out a /video/ thanking well wishers and even promising his beloved followers that he will still be releasing music. Now, the hospital's lot is clear of news trucks and it's safe to reopen the wing, though the couple is still under guard in one room. Also, it's safe to allow more than just family to visit. But there is a list. And of course, Willow is on it and she's let right in. Just in time to see Calvin, preaching at Everett from a hospital bed.

Calvin is scoffing. "Do not look at me like that! If you are in love and you feel it, you shout it. Especially to her. She needs to know that you aren't going to leave her for a pair of tits. You see she worries! Notes, letters, poems, songs, a releasing of dove, a skywriting plane, whatever! Express it. Never let them forget it for one fucking second. I mean it. You treat Willow like the unicorn riding goddess she is or I will shoot you…again." He takes a breath. "Sorry…worked up. Morphine makes me kinda nuts. But whatever. It's from the heart."

*

"Just tell her that if she still feels that way when you get into Pro Football, you'll buy her a pair. That should tell her you care about how she feels about it, while buying you time to show her you don't feel that way at all." Vic grins. She shrugs a little at Everett, holding the teddy bear he brought for the kid(s). "Calvin is better than cable TV on morphine."

*

"I already said we could get her a boob job and she ain't want one," Everett grouses at Vic. "And I do be tellin' her I love her. I mean, we hittin' it like twenty-four seven, too, so she know I ain't bored or nothin'. I mean, I even be callin' her Misses Franklin," he admits, looking away and rubbing at the back of his neck again. Because he hasn't told them about the marriage, yet. Because Willow wasn't telling anyone. Everett is presently sitting on one of the hospital recliners in between the two beds. He's already deposited the sculpture that Willow made on one of the tables, and he had no idea he was gonna need to buy /two/ bears before he got up here. Thankfully, this time he's just /visiting/ the hospital, winter coat on over his hoodie with sweat pants.

*

And here comes the Unicorn Riding Goddess! It's terrible weather outside but as if that would stop her dressing up /as/ a unicorn to help cheer up her family. It's a fluffy unicorn, two sizes too big so it drapes over feet and hands, and the horn droops over her exposed face. Though her face is not exposed enough that her eyes aren't covered by the hood, so she has to keep peering out from under it. She is also carrying presents in large plastic bags. "You're awake!!" she squees as she almost slides in on the unicorn material under her shoes. A quick kiss to Everett's cheek gets him a horn across the eyes. "Not you, E. I know you're awake." She beams at the wounded pair. "Oh my Gosh! How are you feeling? Everything good…ish? At least those horrible news people have gone, but I should get used to them for when E is a football star. They'll probably want to interview me and stuff. You looked good on the TV, Calvin." It looks like she is going to sit on Vic's bed…hopefully the bed control is safely away.

*

"Oh man. And then she shows up." Calvin smiles. "I was just telling Everett to show his love to you. And I'm finished telling him that but I want to add that it's not all about amazing fucks. I mean…I'm expecting twins. And I have a daughter about your age that I just connected with. So, there's more than fucking even if I am a terrible example right now." He pauses and looks at Willow. "Oh! Right. You don't know! It's twins! You're gonna be a double big sister." He laughs and pounds that morphine button. "Anyway, my tweet was on the TV? Glad I had them open the blinds for the better light. I thought I was kinda pale. Anyway, Vic's doing better than me, so…you know she's good to go."

*

If Willow craps out cupcakes, Vic's prior analogy will be complete. She just stares at the unicorn-clad girl for a moment, then smiles. She can't laugh right now, without possibly hurting herself. There's a canula under her nose for oxygen purposes, and all sorts of tubes and monitors on her. "Hey kiddo," she greets the girl. "Pay no mind to the man punching the morphine drip button, he's a bit out of control on the magic sauce."

*

When Willow comes barging in … in a unicorn costume … Everett blinks several times. Then, he just smirks and shakes his head, smiling as she makes her greetings. "You know, all these costumes you be in, you should start like a children's show or something on KCC1," Everett teases, waiting while Willow moves to sit next to Vic on her bed. However, the comment about interviews gains a very quick shake of his head. "Hell nah, ain't go'n happen. You ain't gettin' nowhere near them TV reporters, hon. Not ever," he states, though he's still smirking.

*

"Of course love is more than 'hiding the beef sausage'" Willow pouts before an aside whisper to Vic. "What's bigger than a sausage, because, you know, wow. All I'm saying." She then proceeds to say more. "Do you like the sculpture? Thanks for bringing it in, E. Anyway, we love each other totally. And once we have a place to live…" There is a piercing scream that may get some guards running to the scene. "Twins!!! Oh my God!!! I thought you'd only done it once. Oh, man, that is so totally awesome." She attempts to give Vic a hug through all the wires and tubes. "And you're good to go? Cool. I made sure your room was all spic and span. I changed the sheets…and the pillows. And I vaccuumed. And I washed the windows totally hard…may have washed off a bit of the 'Grey' word. It sorta looks like 'G ay' now? It's no big deal, I'll fix it. We did get some new clients in afterwards that were asking for us to look for all kinds of strange things." A pout for Everett. "I can talk to interviewers real good like. Ooh, a kid's show? But I work for Vic. Maybe I can combine the two." Her hand sweeps through the air as she announces the title. "Dicks for Kids" Willow's nose screws up as she decides there is something wrong with that but she can't figure out exactly. "I will be soooo good with kids."

*

Calvin falls silent, watching Willow and it seems like he sort of floats away for a bit. Even Willow's scream and the bursting in of an annoyed guard and nurse pass him by. But then, he says, "The name's fine. It'll be Shay soon. That just two letters off." He looks up at the ceiling and leans the bed back a bit more. Has the morphine finally kicked in?

*

Christ on a cracker, Willow is a lot to deal with when Vic is healthy and sober. In this condition, she errs on the side of 'let it go' and just returns the hug and doesn't comment on the rest of the tidal wave of talk that comes out of her. "I'll be fine. I may be home in a week. But I'll be staying here as much as possible until Cal can come home." She too is looking weary and perhaps ready for some rest.

*

"Nope. No interviews. Not in a million years," Everett says, smiling sweetly at Willow. Aaaand the patients appear ready to pass out. Everett takes his cue and stands up, then, moving to put his hands on Willow's shoulders. "You … /do/ know that's now how twins happen, right?" he asks. Then, he'll give her shoulders a squeeze and a gentle nudge. "C'mon, hon. I think Calvin and Vic were so excited to see you, it wore them out. We should let them get some rest and we'll come back and see them again real soon, okay?" he suggests.

*

Willow offers a curious look at Calvin before eyes go wide again. "We have to plan the wedding! Oh my gosh. I better change the sign to Shay then." A solemn nod to Vic, though Willow's eyes are alight with excitement. "A week. Okay. I'll make sure everything is perfect." At the words, and touch, from Everett, she slides off the bed without pulling out any tubes. "Of course I know how twins happen. It's when you have sex twice, like, in the same day or something. Oh my…are we gonna have octuplets. E?" A warm smile for ther 'parents', along with a wave from both hands…which means a wave from the ends of her unicorn sleeves. At least they cover up her wedding ring. "We'll be back later. Don't change rooms or anything. Love you both!!"

*

Calvin nods a little. "It's been a lot of visits today. I fought with my manager. Yeah, exhausting. Go home and enjoy yourselves. Thanks for being brave and visiting us Everett. He waves back at Willow and the second the door closes, Calvin deflates. "Oh, fucking christ. How am I supposed to tell anyone about…me? It? Fuck. Oh, fuck…I can't…" He starts to pant and soon monitors are making noises.

Outside, a nurse leaves the station, quickly but not in a hurry. Surely, there is nothing ominous about a nurse with a needle of medication entering the Shay-Gray room. Nothing ominous at all.

*

"Go home, kids. Calvin needs some quiet time," Vic says, and she's working on throwing him the teddy bear to have some way of touching him. "Cal, it's gonna be ok. I'm here, focus on me." And that's when the nurses shoooo the kids out of the room.

*

"… no … no, that's /not/ how that works. C'mon, I'll explain on the way out," Everett says as he ushers Willow out of the room. He gives Calvin and Vic an upnod from the door, then throws up a peace sign, before moving out of the way of the nurse heading in. "… but for reals. Where you keep gettin' these costumes?" he asks, as he and Willow head down the hallway.

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