sarahpetersonruiz

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah forced a smile as she could tell Gale was going above and beyond to make sure she was comfortable and calm, especially when he began speaking in Spanish to her. She loved that she didn't have to explain to him how she felt; never being that great at showing her own emotions. Instead, Gale knew her well enough that he could always just tell. It was why they worked so well. "I can walk, cariño, but thank you," she chuckled. He really was going into overdrive to make sure she was okay.

When they reached the hospital, Sarah's nerves began to show again. She squeezed Gale's hand, perhaps harder than originally intended. Her contractions were growing closer together, longer and a hell of a lot more painful, so she knew it wasn't going to be long. "She's desperate to make an appearance today," she huffed as she came to the end of a particularly nasty one, relying on Gale to get out of the car. "Knows what she wants. Definitely our daughter," she teased. They were inside the room before they knew it, Sarah changed into a gown and a midwife in at regular intervals to check on her. "Whatever you do, do not let them fucking inject me with anything. I'm over all that shit," she grimaced through the pain.

Gale knew Sarah like the back of his hand, and he could immediately sense it upon entering the room that she was feeling nervous, that she was panicking. Which was why he was doing his best to stay calm even if he desperately wanted to shake off how nervous and thrilled he was. With nimble hands he helped her change clothes into something more comfortable. Once done, his hands were on the outside of both legs, running them up and down in a comforting manner. "I'll be back in a minute." He told her in her native tongue, never having stopped improving, even during their break up. "We've got this, you're doing great, honey." Gale spoke again, lifting himself up to kiss her forehead before standing up straight. "Stay right there." He issued the instruction once more before he went to leave, his pace faster as soon as he had left the living room. He got the bag from the nursery, bringing it to his truck, then came back inside to make sure everything was in order. Everything was turned off, no candles. Everything that could spoil was back in the fridge and the lights were off. In record time, he made his way back indoors, car keys in hand, her purse slung around his shoulder. "All right. Your carriage awaits. Will you be making use of our economy transport, aka your legs, or are we feeling the premium use of my arms? Everything is possible today, every day." @sarahpetersonruiz

[sarahpetersonruiz]

"I swear to god, if I have random blondes knocking on my door accusing me of flirting with you, I'll find your most expensive car and key it," Sarah joked, although her expression didn't change. "Yeah, I guess so. Gale's the expert in all of it; he's been through it before with Klaus. And with how he turned out, he's pretty damn good at it." For once, the ghost of a smile spread across her lips as she thought about her husband and her son. Her eyebrows raised at the causal admission, "holy shit, I didn't know that. I hope things go well for you. Alcohol worked pretty well for Gale and I, but hopefully the other idea works too," she joked. "I'm kidding, you're completely correct. A study in Sweden of 124 women found that women were 50% less likely to conceive during a menstrual cycle in which they had consumed alcohol than a month when they had none, so it's recommended to abstain altogether when you're trying," she shrugged, having read it in a journal when she and Gale were trying themselves. "Personally, I wouldn't have been able to do it unless I was pregnant, but good for you and Haven if you can," she chuckled.

"Australian stallion. Gotta tell Haven you called me that." Julian chuckled, head slightly tilting at her books and brochures comment. From what he had heard about her, she loved her books. "Guess the practical experience always makes the theoretical knowledge pale in comparison, huh?" He asked, though knew that the bodily side effects were less than desirable, especially near the end when it stopped being 'just a bump'. He couldn't imagine how it felt. "Almost as funny as toddlers falling down, I agree." He mused, then shook his head. "Yeah, naur. I'm cutting back on the alcohol myself. We're trying for a little one ourselves. We heard that not drinking alcohol would increase the chances of conceiving." But if anyone knew if that was true, he had a feeling it would be Sarah. "But I will definitely keep you company, watching people trip." @sarahpetersonruiz

[sarahpetersonruiz]

"Oh shit, no way," Sarah looked at the gift basket as if it had been invisible right up until Carson noticed it, holding Posie securely in one arm as she inspected it with the other. "Flamin' Hot Cheetos? You know me far too well," she chuckled. "Seriously, thanks, Car. You didn't need to do that." Whilst a gift basket from anyone would have been appreciated, it meant a lot more coming from her cousin Carson. She reminded her a lot of herself when she was younger.

Sarah bounced Posie in her arms slightly as they headed into the living room, settling the baby down again as she began to stir. At Carson's expectant look, a soft smile spread across her face. "You want to hold her?" she offered, raising a dark eyebrow at her.

"Oh, that's for you," she nodded at the basket. She knew Sarah to be oblivious to these things at times, but who could blame her, really. Carson wasn't the kind of person who normally went out of her way to be...nice to people. But with a new baby in the family, it seemed appropriate. She sucked at coming up with gift ideas, but she was fairly certain she'd succeeded here. Hopefully, anyway.

"I can imagine," she snorted as they walked into the living room, flopping onto the couch. She wanted so badly to hold little Posie, but she was also too shy and awkward to outright ask. She was hoping Sarah would offer.

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah: Why would I make that up? While we're on it, Die Hard is based on a book called Nothing Lasts Forever. This is why I always tell you that literature is important. Sarah: Please don't compare my baby to a football. That gives me the uneasy feeling that you plan on throwing her at some point. Sarah: It makes me feel old as fuck. I don't mind a literal infant calling me that, but not a 30-something-year-old that I once slept with. It's weird. Sarah: You can get off your lazy ass and get here and then I'll give you some.

Dean: Woah- woah, wait hold on.. you're telling me Shrek is a book? You're lying, you're making that up. There's no way Dean: That is a very tiny baby, she's gotta be smaller than a football right now Dean: What do you have against being called momma? Diet coke and chips, that sounds like a good meal, can he get me some? Dean: Oh baby, I'm definitely visiting. You don't even have to question that, I'm gonna be there

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Although life had been crazy for the past few months, Sarah wouldn't have changed any of it for the world. It made her so much closer with Gale - which she didn't think was actually possible - and she didn't take anything for granted anymore. Watching her son push their daughter in her pram with the sun beating down on them, her husband's arm wrapped round her shoulder...it was a kind of paradise she didn't even know she craved. Brought back to reality by Gale's words, she looked up at him with a smile, the adoring look in her eyes covered with her sunglasses. "Honestly, all I ever wanted to do was get the hell out of here. I didn't think there was any possibility in ever having a life that I'd actually love here. I'm so glad you proved me wrong," she smiled, leaning up to plant a quick kiss to her husband's lips. "Klaus is great with her, isn't he? Does it remind you of how you were with Nicole?"

Coming home with a newborn was always strange. You had to get into a certain pattern, a rhythm. Things were chaotic, but as long as they remained a good chaotic it would be manageable. He made sure to do whatever he could in the house and that Sarah could take her rest with the baby whenever possible. Klaus had grown into the brother role more and more, which he was glad to see. And so time had gone from passing by slowly, to faster. They were a well seasoned family of four now -- six, for as long as Nicole decided to stay with them -- and he found himself enjoying every part of it, even the sleepless nights, for they managed to even find joy and light in those parts. Now, Gale was looking at Klaus pushing the stroller, his arm wrapped around his wife's shoulders, walking at a slow pace as they took in the rays of sunshine. The sound of birds around them, the warmth of being near his family. It completed the perfect picture. "Is this how you pictured it? Back in the day?" He asked randomly, moving his eyes away from Klaus and instead down to Sarah. "House with a fence, two kids, marriage?" @sarahpetersonruiz

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah noticed the gift basket sitting on the table as soon as she entered with Posie, but she was far too awkward to assume it was for her. Instead, she pretended to ignore it until her cousin brought it up, even though it was big enough to command attention.

"She looks like butter wouldn't melt, but she has a set of lungs on her for sure," Sarah said with a small smile. All sense of sleep routine had gone out the window for her and her husband, but she wouldn't have it any other way. "Thanks for having us over, Car. It's nice to get out of the house every once in a while."

Carson had her apartment all set for Sarah and the baby's arrival. She'd cleaned up the place and prepared a gift basket for the mother and daughter, complete with some of Sarah's favorite snacks and a couple of cute outfits and a toy for Posie. It was a bit pink for her liking, she was SO allergic to pink, but it seemed appropriate for the new arrival.

Then again, she knew absolute nothing about babies.

When she heard the knock on the door, she promptly jumped up from the couch, the gift basket sitting good and noticeable on the dining table, and hurried to the door. She answered and her face actually lit up as soon as she saw the little one, a rare expression of outward excitement. "She's precious," she crackled a slight smile as she stepped aside for Sarah to come in.

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah settled herself on the couch when she returned, curling her feet up beneath her as she smiled up at her sister gently cradling her daughter. "You look like you were made for that," she teased. "She is - it's all Gale. She's got his nose and his ears. She's got Lopez eyes, though," she said proudly. "Honestly, Gale has pretty much everything covered. He's probably more exhausted than I am. He gets up with her at night, does the shopping, helps get Klaus to school...I couldn't ask for anything more," she shrugged. She knew she had hit the jackpot with him; he was always meant to be a father. Plus, he had been through everything with Klaus before. He helped to calm her nerves when she was worried about a hiccup or a cry. "How about you? How have you been?"

Though Dana had visited at the hospital, she planned on making frequent visits to the Peterson-Ruiz home when she could. The last thing she wanted to do was overwhelm the new parents with guests, but they were family - it was bound to happen. No more than a few steps into the home, Dana was graced with her niece with a bright smile, "Take your time," though she was no longer looking at her sister but at Posie as she she cooed to the baby in her arms. Cradling carefully in her arms, rocked and bounced as she made her way further into the house. "If anyone can do it, it's you." She told Sarah when she returned, lifting her gaze to look at her sister. "She's so beautiful," something that Dana had probably already said a million times at this point. "Can I do anything for you? What do you need?" @sarahpetersonruiz

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah couldn't help but let out a laugh as Nel entered the room and immediately succumbed to her emotions, knowing that the sight of her sister with a baby coupled with the fact that she was heavily pregnant were the culprits. She moved over on the bed with a slight groan, leaving room for her sister to perch on the bed beside her. "Yeah, Mariposa," she smiled, looking down at her daughter in her arms. She was completely perfect; she still couldn't believe she was hers. "Her, um...Her middle name is Isabella. After you and abuela." She looked back up at her sister, tears clouding her own eyes. She never thought she'd be able to experience this. Having her own family, bringing a child into the world, having her sisters by her side. It was everything she ever wanted. She groaned as Nel smothered her in kisses, pretending she didn't love having her sister so near. "Isn't she? She's so tiny, I feel like she could break. Do you want to hold her?"

Penelope had to be slowed down on her way to the hospital, not caring one bit that she was sticking out like a sore thumb, or at least her belly was. With panted breaths she made her way through the hospital, being told at least twice by nurses that she was in the maternity and not the delivery wing. Which was quite funny on its own. She gave Klaus the biggest hug upon seeing him, smothering Gale with kisses all over his face congratulating him in a hurry before she made her way further to the room. Why was Gale out of the room? She had no idea, but she left Wyatt with him so that she could have a moment alone with her sister. Entering the room, her eyes immediately fell on Sarah, who looked exhausted yet radiant, holding the smallest human being she had ever seen. "Oh my God." Nel whispered, fanning herself in the face as emotions overwhelmed her. Her eyes became glassy, her lips pushed into a pout as she waddled further into the room, looking from the baby to her sister and repeating it over and over again. "You named her Posie?" She squeaked, making her way next to the bed. "Mariposa?" She was close to breaking out in a sobbing fest, distracting her from it by smothering her sister's cheek with kisses before she hugged her. "I am so proud of you, Sarah. She's beautiful." @sarahpetersonruiz

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah: I'm not a nerd, shut the fuck up. Sarah: I've actually never seen Shrek. I've read the book, though. I never knew William Steig wrote a second one. Sarah: [holding back a laugh] Yeah, they're very small. Posie's a few weeks early, though, so she's even tinier. Sarah: Call me momma again and I'll claw your eyes out. I'm fine. Gale's going to the vending machine to get me a Diet Coke and some chips. Sarah: Doesn't mean you can't come visit, though.

Dean: [stares at her for a second] Dude, you are such a nerd. We're not watching your weird foreign movies, they're bad. We can watch Shrek, no- Shrek 2 is better Dean: Aaayy Posie! What is going on lil' lady, it's your Uncle Dean! Goddamn I didn't realize babies were so small, that's crazy Dean: How you doin, momma? You alright? Need me to bring you anything?

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah: Actually, Die Hard is 226 on New York Time's list of 1000 greatest movies of all time. They consider Rene Clair's 1931 movie 'À Nous La Liberté' to be the best movie ever made. Sarah: We could watch that, but we're back to the subtitles argument. Sarah: [smiling] You got that right. [she turns the camera to the cradle beside her bed, where Posie is just beginning to wake up] Sarah: Meet Mariposa. Posie.

Dean: Then we’ll just have to watch movies in English, there problem solved. I’m choosing a classic, obviously, Die Hard. One of the best movies ever made

Dean: You’re not denying it so I’m going to take that as you agreeing that I look really good right now, thank you

Dean: Is that Gale crying? [He smiled, clearly kidding] That sounds like my niece is here, turn the camera I want to see her!!

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah tried her best to control her breathing when Gale left to get the sweatpants, feeling the panic gradually begin to rise. Part of it was the anticipation of giving birth, remembering every word she had read on it. The other part was wondering if she was actually ready to mother a new-born baby. She knew herself how important the first years of a child's life were, and she didn't want to do anything wrong. She was taken out of her daze when Gale returned, sitting down in front of her again. Her eyes landed back on him, forcing a small smile. It was meant to be a magical day, she didn't want to ruin it with her worries. She nodded at his suggestion, slipping her phone out of her pocket to call her sister-in-law. "Don't be long, okay?" she meant for it to sound flippant, but the slight shake of her voice gave her away. She didn't want to do any of it without Gale by her side.

"Grey sweatpants. Got it." He nodded, only letting go of her hand once he was certain she had properly sat down. He was reminding himself to go at it normally, so he wouldn't run from drawer to drawer. He returned with a stack of sweatpants, including some of his own, as well as some of the 'comfortable' underwear, figuring he might as well have a few too many should she have more accidents along the way this moment to them coming back home, the three of them. At her smile, he winked. Having a feeling she was inching at smacking him, albeit teasingly. The fact that the realisation was dawning on her that she was close to giving birth was probably what kept her from it, so he wasn't all too surprised. Kneeling down in front of her, he looked up when she spoke, as he helped her remove her pants, extra careful as if she was the most fragile thing on the planet. “Yeah.” Gale nodded, his smile only growing at the excitement of the idea they finally got to bring her home and bask in her light. “No more waiting.” A glimmer in his eye as he spoke, a tremor of a laugh in his voice while he helped her change her clothing. "How about I put everything we need in the car. You stay put, call Nicole to pick up Klaus, call whomever you want to inform, and when I'm done I'll come and get you and you better be seated in the same spot, 'kay?" Father Gale Peterson-Ruiz wasn't messing about. @sarahpetersonruiz

[sarahpetersonruiz]

closed starter @ the peterson-ruiz household with @nicolepeterson

Sarah was already fighting the urge to sleep when Posie began crying, so she managed to beat Gale to her, scooping her up in her arms and trying her best to calm her down. When nothing seemed to be working, she headed downstairs with her, hoping that some walking and gentle rocking would ease their baby girl back to sleep. She wandered into the kitchen, still rocking a whining Posie when she spotted Nicole, throwing her a small, tired smile. A look at the clock on the oven read 5am, and she let out a soft groan. No point going back to bed now. "What's got you up so early?" she asked, keeping her voice soft both to sooth the baby in her arms and to keep the kids upstairs asleep. "Want some coffee?"

[sarahpetersonruiz]

closed starter @ the peterson-ruiz house with @cvrsonsanchez

Travelling with Posie felt like travelling with extra-fragile cargo, Sarah finding herself much more hyper-aware of her surroundings and any potential threats. She walked much slower than usual up the stairs of Carson's apartment b lock with Posie in her arms, choosing to leave the pram in the car so she didn't have to try and hoist it up with her. Using her free hand to knock on the door, she greeted her cousin with a small smile and a wiggling Posie in her arms. "Thought you'd want to meet your...niece? Cousin? Whatever you want to call her," she chuckled. "This is Mariposa. Posie."

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah: I'm not going to put on the dubbed-over version, that's sacrilegious. What movie did you choose, anyway? Sarah: [trying not to laugh] you're so fucking stupid. But you're right, I'm not in my house. Sarah: [soft crying from a baby comes from beside her. She looks over and smiles before looking back at the phone]. I guess that's your clue.

Dean: I’m not good with the subtitles, I can’t read them fast enough! I get halfway through the sentence and then it switches to the next one, it’s stupid

Dean: You should be glad I’m looking at you at all, normally I just look at myself in the corner of the FaceTime and I look damn good right now

Dean: Ooh a surprise? Now you’re speaking my language, I love surprises, do I get a hint?

[sarahpetersonruiz]

closed starter @ the peterson-ruiz household with @danaxallenlopez

"It's open!" Sarah called when she heard a knock on the front door, in the process of bottle-feeding Posie. She turned to see who was there, letting out a sigh of relief when her sister entered. "Oh my god, thank god you're here. I've needed to pee for the past hour and I didn't want to leave her alone." Without another word, she gently placed the baby into her sister's arms and rushed off to the bathroom, returning a few minutes later, significantly less antsy. "Thank you. Sorry, Gale is at the courthouse registering Posie into the world and Klaus is at school. I've been holding down the fort. Well, at least trying to," she chuckled slightly, the sight of her daughter in her sister's arms making her heart clench.

[sarahpetersonruiz]

Sarah: [rolling her eyes] it didn't suck; you just hate having to read subtitles when it's in another language. Sarah: You don't notice when I get a new haircut but you notice when the background is different? Sarah: I may or may not have a little surprise for you.

Dean: I was going to go to the bar later but I can come by you with food instead. I’m picking the movie though, last time I let you pick the movie sucked

Dean: [squints at the screen] Where are you right now? That doesn’t look like your house

[sarahpetersonruiz]

closed starter @ the peterson-ruiz household with @camilaquintanalopez

Adjusting to life at home with Posie had been a little harder than originally anticipated. Whilst Klaus had always been angelic, Posie loved to have her voice heard. Sure, Sarah and Gale were both exhausted, but she wouldn't have had it any other way. She was completely enamoured with her daughter. Wanting to give them a break, Sarah had sent Klaus and Gale to the supermarket with an extensive list, leaving her sitting on the couch with her daughter in the crib beside her. All she could do was simply stare at her, worried that if she took her eyes away for a moment that somehow she would disappear or hurt herself.

Hearing a knock on the door, she stood slowly and took Posie into her arms, opening the door to see her sister standing on the other side. Despite her exhaustion, her face broke out into a smile, ushering her sister inside. "Hey! Sorry, this place looks like a bomb has hit it. After every mess we clean up, two more appear," she chuckled. She was grateful that her family were around so much; it definitely made the difference to have so much support. "How you doing, Aunt Cami?"