06 | video

[asdamaged]

[It is time for one of those videos you know cannot be an accident. The community is stalking an innocent scene in the Bennett household. Rita is in a short, pale dress with light blue and yellow patterns at the stove. She's reading a pamphlet on hotel management as soft music plays in the background. She sways to it absently as she reads and stirs chocolate pudding that is cooking on the stove.

It's right about now you can wish this was your mother community members.

Some of it gets on the stove so she samples it, keeps stirring away until it's done, and pours it into a bowl. She goes to add another kind of pudding into the chocolate just as a man walks in. Rita lights up at the sight of him. Those who know her can guess this would be the boyfriend off her reaction alone.]

Hey, you. [He smiles at Rita and heads on over to join her in the kitchen.] Hey, yourself. [Rita continues what she is doing with a coy smile. The man laughs.]

This music again, chocolate pudding again... [He quirks an eyebrow, clearly trying to tease her, but Rita looks up at him. She is alarmed by what he's said.]

Oh shit. [He meets her gaze cautiously.] What? [Rita continues:] I've done this before. [The man straightens up expecting something big. Rita does not fail to deliver.]

I'm pregnant. [The video cuts on his stunned face.]

Comments

[spiritually]

[ What... does one say to this? Uh. ]

Congratulations?

voice;

[asdamaged]

[Much, much later after Dexter leaves and she freaks out about how this got recorded in the first place. Probably a little more about how this must look too. Just a lot of freaking out off screen.]

... It's not for sure yet, but thank you.

[whitechocolate]

You know you're pregnant from chocolate pudding?

voice;

[asdamaged]

... I suspect I am from chocolate pudding, yes. It was a quirk of mine when I was pregnant with Cody and Astor. I was obsessed with chocolate pudding and... I might not actually be pregnant. I still need to be tested in the hospital...

[But yeah she sounds pretty certain about it.]

voice;

[whitechocolate]

Chocolate pudding is awesome...

That'd be great if you did turn out to be pregnant though... right? [Or not right?]

voice;

[asdamaged]

[There's a long, complicated stuff to get into, but Rita isn't telling a teenage boy that.]

Right. The situation isn't perfect, but I love children and being a mother. Things would work out.

voice;

[whitechocolate]

You seem like an awesome mom so the kid is lucky to have you as one.

How did the dad take the news? He looked pretty shocked...

voice;

[asdamaged]

He's adjusting. [She hasn't seen anything, but shock face from him.] We're going together to get the test.

[makewayforroze]

Congratulations!

voice;

[spiritually]

If it.. turns out to be for sure, then he or she is a lucky baby.

[asdamaged]

Thank you. We still need to get a test though.

voice;

[asdamaged]

Oh... thank you. That's really sweet of you to say.

[kittyhell]

If ever there was a pregnancy craving to have then chocolate pudding would be it.

[asdamaged]

[Rita laughs.] It really is heavenly.

[kittyhell]

Chocolate pudding is good. So do you know for sure?

[thatsmyyogurt]

Congratulations.

[asdamaged]

Not yet. We made an appointment for tomorrow so it won't be long now.

[asdamaged]

Thanks, but we don't know for sure yet.

[kittyhell]

Well, well. Best of luck to you.

[asdamaged]

Thank you, Selina.

[thatsmyyogurt]

Oh. Then- I hope you get the results you want.

[kittyhell]

You're welcome dear.

[asdamaged]

Thanks. I hope so too. [Too bad Rita doesn't actually know what she wants. :(]

[makewayforroze]

Is there anything you need? How are the children taking the news?

voice;

[whitechocolate]

Oh... good luck?

I know I was excited when my mom had my brother and sister. I hope your kids feel the same way.

[asdamaged]

What about you? How are things?

[asdamaged]

Oh no. I'm fine. [Avoiding the children thing like a boss.]

voice;

[asdamaged]

I hope so too. Astor will be finding out a little early thanks to this.

[makewayforroze]

[And Roze will let her. No reason to push.]

If you think of anything, let me know.

[kittyhell]

Okay...or as okay as they can be I suppose.

voice;

[spiritually]

It's true. You're a really nice woman and from what I've seen your children love you. They'll be really lucky to be in a family like that. [ It sounds like he really, really means it. ]

[asdamaged]

I will. Thank you, Roze.

[makewayforroze]

You're welcome.

voice;

[asdamaged]

[She can tell. That is why she pauses to collect herself. Rita is touched anyone believes that passionately in her skills as a mother.]

Natsume... I don't know what to say. That's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.

[asdamaged]

Has anything happened recently?

[kittyhell]

Oswald betrayed me, but I should have expected as much. There's a Christmas soiree coming up.

[asdamaged]

I'm sorry to hear about that. Maybe that soiree will turn things around?

[kittyhell]

I sincerely hope so.

[asdamaged]

It's hard to feel bad when you get the chance to dress up and go out on the town or maybe that's just me.

voice;

[spiritually]

I've lived with a lot of different families, so.. I've got the experience to know it's true, at least. [ Touko and Shigeru were the only ones who actually wanted him there, even though they were super distant, but he'd been basically all around Japan getting moved every couple of months to a different family. Rita's seems like it's very loving, so.. ]

voice;

[asdamaged]

[That's sad. :( Rita has to try to put a good spin on it.] I can't argue with an expert.