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Léan glanced around at what the other couples were doing, and then made a face. He absolutely didn't want to touch the fake infant's hindquarters, even if it was to remove something. A real one would be even worse. So he folded his arms across his chest, huffed, and glanced up at the ceiling.
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"Oh come on, now," Glory said. "Grow up. It's really not that bad." Reaching over, she did what they were supposed to be demonstrating. "See?"
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Léan made a face. This was something the offspring of merpeople didn't have to worry much about, and the very idea of even doing that seemed awful to him. "I...don't think I'll be able to do that."
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"You might have to, once or twice," Glory replied. "Especially if they can't change like we can." The last part was said in a slightly lower tone, so she wasn't overheard.
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Léan grumbled, shoulders up to his chin. This was already going badly for him, it seemed. He was going to be very picky about what he would do, it seemed...he couldn't stand children, so getting anything from him at all would be an accomplishment.
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"You need to try," Glory said. "Please?" She sighed a bit and looked down, rubbing her stomach a little. The tiny movements under her hands didn't make her feel any better.
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Léan made a bitter face and looked to the side. "Eeuch...why?" he demanded, stubbornly. He didn't sound sour or upset--he just sounded like the very thought of changing a diaper gave him the willies. And it did.
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"Because I don't want to have to do this alone," Glory replied. She was trying her best not to get upset. "Because I know I can't handle raising two children on my own, not when I know there will be things that I won't have the faintest idea of how to deal with."
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Léan sighed, his shoulders drooping. "I can do other things...that, however, I have a problem with..." he surrendered, finally. "What else is there I can try to do...?" He reached down and took her free hand, squeezing it slightly. He hadn't meant to upset her.
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Glory sighed a little.
"We'll see what else they make us do here," she said. She hesitated for a moment, and then gently pressed his hand to her stomach. "Tell me if you notice anything." She kind of hoped he would be able to feel the twins moving, though it was still so slight she figured he might not be able to. |
Léan blinked, and then fell still, unsure of what he was supposed to be looking for. He felt a bit of movement, but wasn't aware that he should pay it any mind. "...What am I trying to feel?"
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"I wasn't sure if you'd be able to feel it or not..." Glory replied. "The twins are moving. I know I can feel it, but I'm not sure if you can feel it from the outside yet."
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"I feel little movements..." Léan informed her, shrugging. He had a feeling that was what she wanted, but hadn't been sure. He cleared his throat, awkwardly, as the instructor began to give out some new directions on how to hold a child.
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Glory sighed a bit. That wasn't the reaction she'd hoped for, but she would take what she could get.
"Alright," she said. "Pay attention, I think you'll want to know this part." |
Léan paid attention, and he didn't seem to mind this part. He timidly insisted that she try it first, so he could see how it was done. He was afraid of doing something wrong.
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It was definitely simple enough, so Glory demonstrated for him, quietly explaining what to do. Then she handed him the doll.
"Now you try," she said. |
Léan couldn't help having a good laugh at the doll again before attempting to hold it correctly. First he held it upside-down, and then he held it in the wrong direction. But he finally managed, after getting personally scolded by the instructor. He waited until she turned her back, and then stuck his tongue out at her.
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Glory rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything. The woman had overreacted in her scolding. Leaning over, she softly explained how exactly to hold it, and why.
"Make sure it's secure," she said. "Air doesn't have near the buoyancy that water does, so you have to compensate for that when you hold it." |
"Yes, mother," Léan teased, before righting the doll and staring down at it awkwardly. He looked so out of place...it was a funny sight. "Is this right, or have I earned more possible scoldings from Super-Mom...?"
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"She obviously took too many drama pills this morning," Glory joked softly, rolling her eyes. It didn't help that the instructor kept glancing over at her. Glory could tell that the woman thought she was too young to be having kids. She could see it in every look the woman gave her.
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"Ah, drama. Something I cannot stand..." Léan commented, dryly. He handed the 'child' over to Glory so that he wouldn't be scolded by the passing instructor.
Despite her bad attitude, she was actually a wonderful instructor as she went on about different kinds of formulas and methods of feeding newborns. |
Glory listened to the lecture, but inwardly commented that she would end up buying formula only if she needed to, and then within her price range. The bit on how to feed newborns was useful, though, so she paid attention.
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Léan seemed to be ignoring this part, but he half-paid attention at the end, so he would know what was going on if Super-Mom asked him about it.
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Glory nudged him.
"Come on," she said, "pay attention. This is stuff you should know too." |
"I know what's going on...somewhat." Léan was tapping his foot under the table, absently, for something to do so he wouldn't get too bored and nod off. "Something about how to feed them?"
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