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katewithak.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fellowshippers2004-06-13 09:44 am
katewithak.livejournal.com) wrote in fellowshippers2004-06-13 09:44 am
Fic : Liv A Little 2/?
Title: Liv A Little 2/?
Pairing: VM/OB
Rating: R
Summary: Living through your friends and lovers.
Warnings: The usual fluff…nothing major
Disclaimer: Actually, Viggo and I are best friends and he said that I could write this story…no…for reals, you guys!
Feedback: is my anti-drug.
A/N: A massive thank you to my beta,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
rowan_and without whom, this would all be one paragraph. And also to ancabell…what would I do with out you? And another huge thank you and an OrliandBillyatHeathrow embrace to everyone who’s left such nice feedback.
Prologue
Part One
Sunlight bounced unnoticed and unfiltered off the white walls of the smallish studio. He was perched on a paint-stained stool in the middle of the room. His back was to the window. Jeans made a sharp but soft zip-zip as he bounced his right knee up and down. The music was blaring, but Viggo’s mind was as white as the canvas in front of him. Precariously balancing the balls of his feet on the rungs of the stool, he let the music move through him. He let memory consume him, take him away from this studio, and move his brush in deliberate strokes.
~*~*~*~*~*
He held thick brunette strands in his hand, bunched away from a straining face. The tiles were cold even through his jeans as Viggo lowered further down onto the floor of the bathroom, careful not to release or tug the fistful of hair. Orlando was draped about the toilet, forehead resting against the cool porcelain. Viggo stroked the curve of his shoulders with his other hand. “Feel better, baby?” he asked gently.
“A little,” Orli echoed into the bowl. Viggo released the curls and handed Orlando a damp cloth he had grabbed earlier. Orlando took it gratefully and wiped down his smooth olive face, exhaling as he swiped.
“Come here,” Viggo sat down completely and opened his arms to his queasy lover. Orli turned and snuggled into him. Viggo wrapped his arms warmly around him, opening his legs to cradle his whole body. Orli’s muscles were tense against Viggo’s chest. Viggo gently rocked him back and forth, stroking his back, helping his lungs find a different rhythm. Orlando had been so nervous since two nights ago.
”We want to have a baby, and we’d like to have your blessing,” Viggo had finally said. Orli’s fingers became slithering ice-sticks and his palm was wet against Viggo’s warm one. Henry’s face hadn’t moved yet. Viggo squeezed Orli’s hand encouragingly.
“You…” Henry pointed back and forth between the two of them, “want to have a…baby?” They slowly nodded as if on cue. Orlando’s eyes were wide. Viggo tried to maintain eye contact with his son. He waited. He knew Henry was working this out in his head just like his mother always did. Orlando’s hand had begun to shake. Viggo squeezed tighter. “So…” Henry continued at last, “I guess my only question is, well…how?” Orlando noisily let out the air that he’d been holding in and relaxed into his chair, releasing Viggo’s hand as he raked his fingers through his hair. Viggo and Henry chuckled as they watched an obviously relieved Orlando Bloom come back to his senses.
“Well,” Viggo cleared his throat of the emotion that had risen, “we have a lunch date with Liv and her husband Sunday to see if she would be willing to be our surrogate.”
“And if that doesn’t work? What if she says no? Then what?” Henry asked honestly. Viggo silently cursed himself for raising such a blunt, honest son.
“Then, I guess – “ Viggo began.
“Then we’ll explore other options,” Orlando chimed in finally. “But the main thing is that we wanted you to be the first to be included in our final decision. We love you, Henry, and that will never change, and-“
“Look, Orli. I don’t need an explanation, okay?” Henry held up his hand to stop Orli mid-sentence, a technique he no doubt picked up from watching his father do it for almost seven years. “I know you love me, and I love you too…both of you,” he locked eyes with Orli. “Orlando, I have never seen my dad happier than when he’s with you.” He looked back to Viggo. “And if a baby is what you guys need to be even happier, then I say go for it.” Neither Orlando nor Viggo could suppress a smile. “I’m going to college next fall, and it’s good that you won’t have time to sit around and miss me too much. Frankly I’m just glad you’re not bringing another dog home. We’re running out of inhabitable couch-space as it is.” God, Viggo loved his son. And now his son had given him permission to experience this kind of joy all over again.
Confidently armed with Henry’s blessing they had made a lunch date with Liv and Roy for this afternoon, the most important lunch date of their entire lives.
“What if she says ‘no’?” Orli murmured into Viggo’s shoulder. Viggo’s stomach clenched. He softly threaded his fingers through Orli’s hair and sighed.
“Then we’ll do just what you said. We’ll look into our other options. It won’t be the end of the world, baby, I promise,” he said quietly, determined to keep his own fear out of his voice. “Now, c’mon. We don’t want to be late…not today.” He leaned Orlando back and hoisted himself off the floor. He reached out his hand to help up his elf.
* * *
After a delightful artichoke appetizer, Viggo ordered lunch and another glass of wine for both Orlando and himself. He giggled with Liv over the absolute domesticity of the group of them. The foursome had chatted about everything from Hobbits to the weather to fabric and back again at their quiet table on the secluded patio. Roy blew his cigarette smoke over his shoulder into a bush and put his cigarette-less arm around Liv’s shoulders, stroking his fingers up and down her arm. Viggo caught their silent exchange and prepared his words.
“So, what’s this all about, then?” Liv sweetly inquired after a swallow of her tea. “It’s not everyday my favorite inter-species couple shows up on time for lunch.” Orlando placidly scoffed and began to blush. Just then the wine arrived and Viggo’s eyebrows rose as Orlando nearly drained his entire glass.
“Don’t you think we should wait until after lunch?” Viggo asked lightly, giving Orlando a calm-the-fuck-down look and putting a death grip on the younger man’s bouncing thigh, which threatened to upset the entire table without Viggo’s restraint.
“Well, you said it was important on the phone. Just thought we could clear the air a bit,” Roy offered. He sat back into his chair, stubbing out his cigarette in the generic black ashtray.
“Yeah, c’mon guys. What’s going on? Is something wrong?” Liv widened her eyes with interest and a bit of concern, looking directly at Orlando.
“You’re right. We have something very important to talk to you about, Livy,” Orlando began. His voice was staccato and adorable and Viggo took his cue.
“We, umm, we have been thinking about having a baby and – “
“Oh my god! Really??” Liv interrupted and clapped her hands. “That’s so wonderful!” Her smile was a mile wide. Royston raised his glass.
“Truly great, guys. That’s just really fuckin’ amazing. Well done, you,” he saluted them and took a swig as Liv continued excitedly. Viggo tried to slow her down with his eyes, tried to keep control of the conversation, but it was in vain. He felt Orlando tense and softly start bouncing his leg again against the pressure of Viggo’s grip.
“So, how are you guys going to do it?” she asked placing her elbows on the table and leaning her face into her hands. Her cheeks were flushed a most delicate pink. Viggo and Orlando exchanged nervous glances. Viggo pulsed his fingers into Orli’s thigh, prompting him to speak.
Just as Orli drew in his breath to speak, the waiter appeared with their lunches. Exasperated with the small but still unexpected intermission, Viggo nodded towards Orlando once the waiter was gone. Liv had stabbed salad onto her fork, Roy twirled pasta around his, and they both looked up, patiently waiting for the conclusion. Orlando took a deep breath and locked eyes with Liv.
“Well, we wanted to ask you…to be our surrogate,” he finished.
Time stopped. Forks dropped against white china with a clink. Viggo was surely leaving crescent-shaped bruises on Orli’s thigh as his fear constricted the muscle beneath his hand. Several seconds of stunned silence passed between the quartet. Liv looked to Viggo then back to Orli. Roy looked at Orli, to Viggo, then to Liv. Viggo’s gaze shifted from across the table to the man beside him. Orlando’s eyes didn’t move from Liv’s until he suddenly caught the scent of the dish in front of him, which made him look down and go pale.
“If you’ll excuse me…” he managed to say with a weak smile as he scooted his chair back and almost ran toward the restroom. Viggo rose after him.
“Sorry. We’ll be back in, uhh, just a moment…he’s been so nervous,” he explained as he hurried after his partner. All Liv and Royston could do was nod. They looked at each other completely for the first time in a while. Liv’s eyes softened. Her husband’s eyebrows rose.
“I’ll be right back…I’ll just…yeah,” Liv left Roy at the table fumbling the next of what could prove to be an endless line of cigarettes. He waved her off and stared into nothing, replaying what had just happened.
Viggo found Orlando staring at himself in the mirror of the empty restroom, the faucet running almost full blast. Thank god the café wasn’t crowded today. Unsuspecting bathroom patrons would have gotten quite a show! Orlando wasn’t quite hyperventilating, but if Viggo didn’t intervene it might get that way real quick. He gently approached a slightly bent over Orlando, sliding his hand up his back, smoothing the fabric of his t-shirt over sweaty skin. He locked eyes with him in the mirror, huge brown orbs that seemed a bit bigger than they ever had before. “Okay, babe?” Viggo asked carefully. Orlando exhaled and abruptly shut off the water with a swift and forceful twist of his wrists.
“Yeah. Just made a complete arse of myself in front of the woman we want to mother our child. No big deal,” he snapped. He stepped away from Viggo and yanked a paper towel from the dispenser, madly blotting his hands on it, wading it into a tight ball.
“No, you didn’t. You were fine.” Viggo hated seeing Orli this unglued.
“No I wasn’t! I was absolutely fucking retarded! Running into the loo like some fucking teenage girl…” he trailed off as his aggression rose. Viggo knew Orlando was disappointed in himself, but it was all without merit.
“Orlando…” Viggo slightly chuckled shaking his head, and held his arms out to his lover in hopes of calming him down with humor, affection, violence, whatever it took at this point.
“Oh, now I’m funny? You think it’s funny that I just ruined our chances with Liv? Well, it’s not fucking funny, Viggo!” Orlando fumed and threw the paper towel ball across the bathroom, smacking the door with an impressive amount of force. As Viggo was about to enfold Orlando in a tight hug, the door cracked open. Liv’s familiar face appeared. Orlando relaxed against Viggo’s almost-embrace and Viggo released him to turn and face Liv. He instinctively reached for Orli’s hand, weaving their fingers together comfortably.
“Hey…” she said softly. “Just thought I’d come talk to you for a minute,” she continued warily. “Is that okay?” The men just nodded as she slipped through the door and leaned back against it, holding it closed. “There’s no one else in here, is there?” she half-laughed and gestured to the stalls.
“No,” Viggo managed to say quietly. He could feel Orlando tense up again. He stoked his wrist with his thumb in a slow, even rhythm.
“Come here, Orli,” Liv said and took a few steps forward. Viggo glanced at Orli whose eyes had begun to fill with nervousness again. Viggo squeezed then let go of his hand, giving him silent permission to obey Liv. She captured him in a hug to end all hugs. She wrapped her long, bare arms around his shoulders as he sank into her, securing his arms around her waist. “You know how much I love you, right?” she loudly gasped into his ear. He rose up and back a bit so that he could look at her properly.
“Yes,” he answered quietly. She quickly looked around him to Viggo, who was still standing by the sinks.
“Both of you?” she made sure Viggo was paying attention, as if he could ignore what was going on.
“Yes, and you know how much we love you,” Viggo added. “That’s why we asked you. We know that you’ll need to think about it and certainly talk with Roy about it. And take your time…all the time you need. But know that no matter what you decide, we’ll always love you and you’ll always be really important to us.”
“Thanks, and I know that,” she looked back to Orlando and held his face steady in her hands. “Listen. You have nothing to be nervous about, alright? Look, I know Roy. I know myself. We’ll have to talk about it, but as far as I can tell…how I feel right now…just between you, me, your ranger, and the urinals…” That got a chuckle out of Orli. Liv had such a way with him. Viggo admired her for that. “…I would love to have your baby.”
A relieved sigh escaped Viggo’s throat and a smile crept across his face. Orlando was speechless. His back was still to Viggo. Viggo took tentative steps forward to stand beside him. Before Liv could react, Orlando buried himself into her shoulder and hugged her again. Maybe this was the hug to end all hugs. A soft sob shook Orlando’s slender body. Viggo encircled both of them and hugged them to his chest. He couldn’t help it when a tear of his own traveled down his cheek.
Viggo released Orli and Liv, stepped backwards and wiped at his face. Orlando finally let go of Liv and held her at arm’s length. He stole an elated glance towards Vig and locked eyes with Liv again. “Thank you,” he whispered through his unashamed tears.
“Anything for you, Orli. You know that,” she replied and kissed his cheek. “Now, c’mere you filthy human…you get one too!” She embraced Viggo and held him tight as he whispered an Elvish thank-you into her ear. A few more tears made their way down his face and ended up dampening her hair a tiny bit. She let go of him and kissed his cheek as she had done to Orli. Wiping at her own tears, she giggled at the ceiling. “Okay!” she exclaimed. “Who’s hungry?”
She had called them later that night to let them officially know that she would be their surrogate. The joy was palpable throughout the house for days afterwards, and the celebratory sex had lasted into the smallest hours of the morning.
~*~*~*~*~*
As the CD Orlando had made him kicked to the next track, Viggo had to laugh. Orlando always had Elijah make him “mood music” CDs to paint by. Mostly they just reminded him of Orlando, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but today was different. He was so excited. Liv was only a week from her due date and he could no longer contain his happiness. The dated high-pitched voice blared from the speakers.
*Wha-oh! Wha-oh-oh-oh! Have I ever told you how good it feels to hold you? It isn’t easy to explain.
Blue splattered across the canvas as Viggo remembered Orlando handing him the CD fresh from Elijah’s this morning over breakfast saying, “Listen carefully, old man. These ones have meaning behind ‘em,” as if all of Orli’s special mixes didn’t have some sort of second meaning. Mattie had snorted at Orli’s directions as he lay next to the table hoping one or both of them would drop something palatable. “See? Even the dogs agree,” he had said and kissed him on the forehead on his way out of the kitchen.
And though I really keep trying, I think I may start crying. My heart can’t wait another day. When you kiss me, I’ve just got to say, Baby, I love you (c’mon baby)! Baby, I love you (oooh-wee baby)! Baby, I love only you! Wha-oh! Wha-oh-oh-oh!!
Viggo couldn’t suppress his widest smile as he swept red in great strokes along the pattern in his head. His hips swayed to the easy beat and his bare foot tapped on the ground in time with the music. He may have even been humming. He wasn’t sure. The only thing he was sure of was that his life finally had meaning and he had never felt more complete. He was a bundle of excitement as he watched his joy spill from his fingertips to be forever captured on canvas. He couldn’t wait to finish the piece and show it to Orli. He would be home soon. It was almost one o’clock. Liv would be ready for her nap about now. Viggo chuckled at his racing thoughts and hit the repeat button on the CD changer.
This was going to be a good day.
*A/N: Lyrics from ‘Baby, I Love You’ as recorded by the Ronettes
Pairing: VM/OB
Rating: R
Summary: Living through your friends and lovers.
Warnings: The usual fluff…nothing major
Disclaimer: Actually, Viggo and I are best friends and he said that I could write this story…no…for reals, you guys!
Feedback: is my anti-drug.
A/N: A massive thank you to my beta,
rowan_and without whom, this would all be one paragraph. And also to ancabell…what would I do with out you? And another huge thank you and an OrliandBillyatHeathrow embrace to everyone who’s left such nice feedback. Prologue
Part One
Sunlight bounced unnoticed and unfiltered off the white walls of the smallish studio. He was perched on a paint-stained stool in the middle of the room. His back was to the window. Jeans made a sharp but soft zip-zip as he bounced his right knee up and down. The music was blaring, but Viggo’s mind was as white as the canvas in front of him. Precariously balancing the balls of his feet on the rungs of the stool, he let the music move through him. He let memory consume him, take him away from this studio, and move his brush in deliberate strokes.
~*~*~*~*~*
He held thick brunette strands in his hand, bunched away from a straining face. The tiles were cold even through his jeans as Viggo lowered further down onto the floor of the bathroom, careful not to release or tug the fistful of hair. Orlando was draped about the toilet, forehead resting against the cool porcelain. Viggo stroked the curve of his shoulders with his other hand. “Feel better, baby?” he asked gently.
“A little,” Orli echoed into the bowl. Viggo released the curls and handed Orlando a damp cloth he had grabbed earlier. Orlando took it gratefully and wiped down his smooth olive face, exhaling as he swiped.
“Come here,” Viggo sat down completely and opened his arms to his queasy lover. Orli turned and snuggled into him. Viggo wrapped his arms warmly around him, opening his legs to cradle his whole body. Orli’s muscles were tense against Viggo’s chest. Viggo gently rocked him back and forth, stroking his back, helping his lungs find a different rhythm. Orlando had been so nervous since two nights ago.
”We want to have a baby, and we’d like to have your blessing,” Viggo had finally said. Orli’s fingers became slithering ice-sticks and his palm was wet against Viggo’s warm one. Henry’s face hadn’t moved yet. Viggo squeezed Orli’s hand encouragingly.
“You…” Henry pointed back and forth between the two of them, “want to have a…baby?” They slowly nodded as if on cue. Orlando’s eyes were wide. Viggo tried to maintain eye contact with his son. He waited. He knew Henry was working this out in his head just like his mother always did. Orlando’s hand had begun to shake. Viggo squeezed tighter. “So…” Henry continued at last, “I guess my only question is, well…how?” Orlando noisily let out the air that he’d been holding in and relaxed into his chair, releasing Viggo’s hand as he raked his fingers through his hair. Viggo and Henry chuckled as they watched an obviously relieved Orlando Bloom come back to his senses.
“Well,” Viggo cleared his throat of the emotion that had risen, “we have a lunch date with Liv and her husband Sunday to see if she would be willing to be our surrogate.”
“And if that doesn’t work? What if she says no? Then what?” Henry asked honestly. Viggo silently cursed himself for raising such a blunt, honest son.
“Then, I guess – “ Viggo began.
“Then we’ll explore other options,” Orlando chimed in finally. “But the main thing is that we wanted you to be the first to be included in our final decision. We love you, Henry, and that will never change, and-“
“Look, Orli. I don’t need an explanation, okay?” Henry held up his hand to stop Orli mid-sentence, a technique he no doubt picked up from watching his father do it for almost seven years. “I know you love me, and I love you too…both of you,” he locked eyes with Orli. “Orlando, I have never seen my dad happier than when he’s with you.” He looked back to Viggo. “And if a baby is what you guys need to be even happier, then I say go for it.” Neither Orlando nor Viggo could suppress a smile. “I’m going to college next fall, and it’s good that you won’t have time to sit around and miss me too much. Frankly I’m just glad you’re not bringing another dog home. We’re running out of inhabitable couch-space as it is.” God, Viggo loved his son. And now his son had given him permission to experience this kind of joy all over again.
Confidently armed with Henry’s blessing they had made a lunch date with Liv and Roy for this afternoon, the most important lunch date of their entire lives.
“What if she says ‘no’?” Orli murmured into Viggo’s shoulder. Viggo’s stomach clenched. He softly threaded his fingers through Orli’s hair and sighed.
“Then we’ll do just what you said. We’ll look into our other options. It won’t be the end of the world, baby, I promise,” he said quietly, determined to keep his own fear out of his voice. “Now, c’mon. We don’t want to be late…not today.” He leaned Orlando back and hoisted himself off the floor. He reached out his hand to help up his elf.
* * *
After a delightful artichoke appetizer, Viggo ordered lunch and another glass of wine for both Orlando and himself. He giggled with Liv over the absolute domesticity of the group of them. The foursome had chatted about everything from Hobbits to the weather to fabric and back again at their quiet table on the secluded patio. Roy blew his cigarette smoke over his shoulder into a bush and put his cigarette-less arm around Liv’s shoulders, stroking his fingers up and down her arm. Viggo caught their silent exchange and prepared his words.
“So, what’s this all about, then?” Liv sweetly inquired after a swallow of her tea. “It’s not everyday my favorite inter-species couple shows up on time for lunch.” Orlando placidly scoffed and began to blush. Just then the wine arrived and Viggo’s eyebrows rose as Orlando nearly drained his entire glass.
“Don’t you think we should wait until after lunch?” Viggo asked lightly, giving Orlando a calm-the-fuck-down look and putting a death grip on the younger man’s bouncing thigh, which threatened to upset the entire table without Viggo’s restraint.
“Well, you said it was important on the phone. Just thought we could clear the air a bit,” Roy offered. He sat back into his chair, stubbing out his cigarette in the generic black ashtray.
“Yeah, c’mon guys. What’s going on? Is something wrong?” Liv widened her eyes with interest and a bit of concern, looking directly at Orlando.
“You’re right. We have something very important to talk to you about, Livy,” Orlando began. His voice was staccato and adorable and Viggo took his cue.
“We, umm, we have been thinking about having a baby and – “
“Oh my god! Really??” Liv interrupted and clapped her hands. “That’s so wonderful!” Her smile was a mile wide. Royston raised his glass.
“Truly great, guys. That’s just really fuckin’ amazing. Well done, you,” he saluted them and took a swig as Liv continued excitedly. Viggo tried to slow her down with his eyes, tried to keep control of the conversation, but it was in vain. He felt Orlando tense and softly start bouncing his leg again against the pressure of Viggo’s grip.
“So, how are you guys going to do it?” she asked placing her elbows on the table and leaning her face into her hands. Her cheeks were flushed a most delicate pink. Viggo and Orlando exchanged nervous glances. Viggo pulsed his fingers into Orli’s thigh, prompting him to speak.
Just as Orli drew in his breath to speak, the waiter appeared with their lunches. Exasperated with the small but still unexpected intermission, Viggo nodded towards Orlando once the waiter was gone. Liv had stabbed salad onto her fork, Roy twirled pasta around his, and they both looked up, patiently waiting for the conclusion. Orlando took a deep breath and locked eyes with Liv.
“Well, we wanted to ask you…to be our surrogate,” he finished.
Time stopped. Forks dropped against white china with a clink. Viggo was surely leaving crescent-shaped bruises on Orli’s thigh as his fear constricted the muscle beneath his hand. Several seconds of stunned silence passed between the quartet. Liv looked to Viggo then back to Orli. Roy looked at Orli, to Viggo, then to Liv. Viggo’s gaze shifted from across the table to the man beside him. Orlando’s eyes didn’t move from Liv’s until he suddenly caught the scent of the dish in front of him, which made him look down and go pale.
“If you’ll excuse me…” he managed to say with a weak smile as he scooted his chair back and almost ran toward the restroom. Viggo rose after him.
“Sorry. We’ll be back in, uhh, just a moment…he’s been so nervous,” he explained as he hurried after his partner. All Liv and Royston could do was nod. They looked at each other completely for the first time in a while. Liv’s eyes softened. Her husband’s eyebrows rose.
“I’ll be right back…I’ll just…yeah,” Liv left Roy at the table fumbling the next of what could prove to be an endless line of cigarettes. He waved her off and stared into nothing, replaying what had just happened.
Viggo found Orlando staring at himself in the mirror of the empty restroom, the faucet running almost full blast. Thank god the café wasn’t crowded today. Unsuspecting bathroom patrons would have gotten quite a show! Orlando wasn’t quite hyperventilating, but if Viggo didn’t intervene it might get that way real quick. He gently approached a slightly bent over Orlando, sliding his hand up his back, smoothing the fabric of his t-shirt over sweaty skin. He locked eyes with him in the mirror, huge brown orbs that seemed a bit bigger than they ever had before. “Okay, babe?” Viggo asked carefully. Orlando exhaled and abruptly shut off the water with a swift and forceful twist of his wrists.
“Yeah. Just made a complete arse of myself in front of the woman we want to mother our child. No big deal,” he snapped. He stepped away from Viggo and yanked a paper towel from the dispenser, madly blotting his hands on it, wading it into a tight ball.
“No, you didn’t. You were fine.” Viggo hated seeing Orli this unglued.
“No I wasn’t! I was absolutely fucking retarded! Running into the loo like some fucking teenage girl…” he trailed off as his aggression rose. Viggo knew Orlando was disappointed in himself, but it was all without merit.
“Orlando…” Viggo slightly chuckled shaking his head, and held his arms out to his lover in hopes of calming him down with humor, affection, violence, whatever it took at this point.
“Oh, now I’m funny? You think it’s funny that I just ruined our chances with Liv? Well, it’s not fucking funny, Viggo!” Orlando fumed and threw the paper towel ball across the bathroom, smacking the door with an impressive amount of force. As Viggo was about to enfold Orlando in a tight hug, the door cracked open. Liv’s familiar face appeared. Orlando relaxed against Viggo’s almost-embrace and Viggo released him to turn and face Liv. He instinctively reached for Orli’s hand, weaving their fingers together comfortably.
“Hey…” she said softly. “Just thought I’d come talk to you for a minute,” she continued warily. “Is that okay?” The men just nodded as she slipped through the door and leaned back against it, holding it closed. “There’s no one else in here, is there?” she half-laughed and gestured to the stalls.
“No,” Viggo managed to say quietly. He could feel Orlando tense up again. He stoked his wrist with his thumb in a slow, even rhythm.
“Come here, Orli,” Liv said and took a few steps forward. Viggo glanced at Orli whose eyes had begun to fill with nervousness again. Viggo squeezed then let go of his hand, giving him silent permission to obey Liv. She captured him in a hug to end all hugs. She wrapped her long, bare arms around his shoulders as he sank into her, securing his arms around her waist. “You know how much I love you, right?” she loudly gasped into his ear. He rose up and back a bit so that he could look at her properly.
“Yes,” he answered quietly. She quickly looked around him to Viggo, who was still standing by the sinks.
“Both of you?” she made sure Viggo was paying attention, as if he could ignore what was going on.
“Yes, and you know how much we love you,” Viggo added. “That’s why we asked you. We know that you’ll need to think about it and certainly talk with Roy about it. And take your time…all the time you need. But know that no matter what you decide, we’ll always love you and you’ll always be really important to us.”
“Thanks, and I know that,” she looked back to Orlando and held his face steady in her hands. “Listen. You have nothing to be nervous about, alright? Look, I know Roy. I know myself. We’ll have to talk about it, but as far as I can tell…how I feel right now…just between you, me, your ranger, and the urinals…” That got a chuckle out of Orli. Liv had such a way with him. Viggo admired her for that. “…I would love to have your baby.”
A relieved sigh escaped Viggo’s throat and a smile crept across his face. Orlando was speechless. His back was still to Viggo. Viggo took tentative steps forward to stand beside him. Before Liv could react, Orlando buried himself into her shoulder and hugged her again. Maybe this was the hug to end all hugs. A soft sob shook Orlando’s slender body. Viggo encircled both of them and hugged them to his chest. He couldn’t help it when a tear of his own traveled down his cheek.
Viggo released Orli and Liv, stepped backwards and wiped at his face. Orlando finally let go of Liv and held her at arm’s length. He stole an elated glance towards Vig and locked eyes with Liv again. “Thank you,” he whispered through his unashamed tears.
“Anything for you, Orli. You know that,” she replied and kissed his cheek. “Now, c’mere you filthy human…you get one too!” She embraced Viggo and held him tight as he whispered an Elvish thank-you into her ear. A few more tears made their way down his face and ended up dampening her hair a tiny bit. She let go of him and kissed his cheek as she had done to Orli. Wiping at her own tears, she giggled at the ceiling. “Okay!” she exclaimed. “Who’s hungry?”
She had called them later that night to let them officially know that she would be their surrogate. The joy was palpable throughout the house for days afterwards, and the celebratory sex had lasted into the smallest hours of the morning.
~*~*~*~*~*
As the CD Orlando had made him kicked to the next track, Viggo had to laugh. Orlando always had Elijah make him “mood music” CDs to paint by. Mostly they just reminded him of Orlando, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but today was different. He was so excited. Liv was only a week from her due date and he could no longer contain his happiness. The dated high-pitched voice blared from the speakers.
*Wha-oh! Wha-oh-oh-oh! Have I ever told you how good it feels to hold you? It isn’t easy to explain.
Blue splattered across the canvas as Viggo remembered Orlando handing him the CD fresh from Elijah’s this morning over breakfast saying, “Listen carefully, old man. These ones have meaning behind ‘em,” as if all of Orli’s special mixes didn’t have some sort of second meaning. Mattie had snorted at Orli’s directions as he lay next to the table hoping one or both of them would drop something palatable. “See? Even the dogs agree,” he had said and kissed him on the forehead on his way out of the kitchen.
And though I really keep trying, I think I may start crying. My heart can’t wait another day. When you kiss me, I’ve just got to say, Baby, I love you (c’mon baby)! Baby, I love you (oooh-wee baby)! Baby, I love only you! Wha-oh! Wha-oh-oh-oh!!
Viggo couldn’t suppress his widest smile as he swept red in great strokes along the pattern in his head. His hips swayed to the easy beat and his bare foot tapped on the ground in time with the music. He may have even been humming. He wasn’t sure. The only thing he was sure of was that his life finally had meaning and he had never felt more complete. He was a bundle of excitement as he watched his joy spill from his fingertips to be forever captured on canvas. He couldn’t wait to finish the piece and show it to Orli. He would be home soon. It was almost one o’clock. Liv would be ready for her nap about now. Viggo chuckled at his racing thoughts and hit the repeat button on the CD changer.
This was going to be a good day.
*A/N: Lyrics from ‘Baby, I Love You’ as recorded by the Ronettes