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jobrookekarev · 4 years ago

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Little Moon Chapter 4

Chapter: 4/?

Words: 4724

Summary: Jo spends the evening with Luna in her room on the Ped floor and Hayes announces that Luna is ready to go home. After Luna passes the car seat test with flying colors, Jo and Luna go to their new home at Meredith's house.

Fandom: Grey’s Anatomy.

Relationship: Jo Wilson/Alex Karev (Mentioned).

Characters: Jo Wilson, Luna Ashton, Cormac Hayes, Meredith Grey, Atticus Lincoln, Levi Schmitt, Zola Grey-Shepherd, Derek Bailey Grey-Shepherd, and Ellis Grey-Shepherd.

Rating: General Audiences.

Additional Tags: Fluff, All the Fluff, Parenting, Babies, NICU Baby, Foster Care, Going Home, Nursery, Infant Care, Jo being a Mom!

Read at AO3

Read at FFN

AN: After Thursday's episode, we all need some good Jo and Luna fluff where they're both happy and together! I swear if Krista doesn't make this right I'm going to cry a river and then riot on twitter!

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Jo sighed yet, all of her exhaustion faded away as she walked into Luna's room on the Ped’s floor. Luna had graduated to her own room a month ago after her bout of Aspiration Pneumonia. She had been taken off the ventilator, although she was still on supplemental oxygen. Since then, she had also gained a pound and a half and now weighed 6 pounds. Her preemie was now a little baby, still small, but absolutely perfect. Luna was doing so well and Jo couldn't be more proud of her little fighter.

“Hello, my Little Moon,” Jo said as she went over to Luna's crib and looked down to see her swaddled in the white and blue star blanket that Jo had hung over her incubator since she was four weeks old.

Luna woke up and let out the most adorable yawn, but immediately her face contorted into a grimace as she let out a cry. Jo cooed as she carefully lifted Luna out of the crib and was careful with her oxygen and other monitors as she moved over to sit in the rocking chair. The move from the crib to the rocking chair without disturbing any of the monitors or oxygen tubes was a delicate dance that Jo had become an expert at.

Luna’s fussing continued, but the second Jo picked her up, she started to calm. By the time they settled in the rocking chair, Luna had calmed down and was staring up at her with big blue eyes. Jo smiled down at Luna as they rocked back and forth and held her baby.

“Mama had such a hard day today. I don't remember my first year of residency being this hard, but Auntie Carina is kicking Mama's butt. And she speaks in Italian at a hundred words a minute, so I can barely keep up. I think I'm going to have to learn Italian if I want to keep studying with her. Can you help your Mama learn Italian, mia bella luna?” Jo said as she trailed her finger down Luna's cheek.

“But how was your day, Luna? Were you good for Dr. Hayes and your nurse Jackie?” Jo asked as Luna just stared up at her before Jo reached for the tablet and looked at Luna's chart. “Oh, I see you ate a lot today, and you were able to burp, but you peed on the nurse again. I thought we agreed we liked nurse Moria? And then you got some playtime and a good nap, no poopy diapers. I guess you’re saving that for Mama, but let's try not to poop in the tub again?”

Jo continued to talk to Luna and tell her all about her day as she stared up at her. Luna became fussy again, and Jo got her a bottle, then burped her, and changed her diaper. Sure enough, she was saving the poop for Jo, but thankfully she didn't ruin her onesie. Jo got her cleaned up and then pulled out the spaced themed play mat and set it on the floor, gently placing Luna in the middle for a bit of tummy time. She also put on some soft music and dangled the little rocket ship in front of her as it seemed to be Luna’s favorite, or at least she stared at it more than the other toys. Luna usually didn’t like tummy time, and after a few minutes, she began to fuss, so Jo moved her onto her back where she wiggled her arms and legs and stared up at the little rocket ship that Jo clipped to the overhead bar.

Luna wasn't too active as she was still technically a newborn despite being three months old. They had to subtract from her due date, and so technically, Luna was three weeks old. Yet, she seemed so big to Jo, despite the fact that she was only 6 lb. She couldn't help but remember how tiny she was when she was in the incubator, and here she was, moving around and turning her head. She just seemed to have grown so much in such a short time. Luna wiggled around for a while until she decided she was done and began to cry. Jo swept her up into her arms and held her close, enjoying their snuggle time.

As it got dark, Jo ordered food from the cafeteria and ate dinner one handed as she held Luna. After dinner, Jo got Luna set up for a bath. Because of her sensitive skin, she only got one every few days, but they were Jo's favorite days as she got to play with her in the water, and Luna loved the water. Jo filled up the bath in the adjoined bathroom, and nurse Jackie came in to help Jo unhook Luna from all of her monitors and the oxygen tubes. Finally, Jo completely undressed her and wrapped her in a fresh swaddle blanket before going into the bathroom and setting Luna in the baby tub. Jo sat down on the ground next to the tub and grabbed a cup as she gently poured warm water over Luna’s stomach in the swaddle. Luna’s eyes immediately fluttered close as she seemed content in the bath.

“Yeah, you like the warm bath, don't you, Little Moon,” Jo said with a smile as she poured the water over her body again.

After a few minutes, Jo began to unswaddle one of Luna’s arms one at a time so she can gently wash them with a washcloth and a little bit of soap. She made sure to get in between her fingers and toes before Jo finally opened the blanket, and she rubbed the washcloth over her little tummy, gentle of the scars from her Bronchogenic cyst and the Nissen fundoplication a few weeks ago. They were just hairline scars now and Jo knew that by the time she was an adult, they would just be finger-length long. When she grew up and asked about the scars, Jo would tell Luna that her scars were nothing to be ashamed of because she was a fighter and her scars were a symbol of her survival. Jo finished washing her body and swaddled Luna back up before she gently rubbed the washcloth over Luna's cheek.

“Oh I know, I know. We don't like this part, do we?” Jo said to Luna as she fussed and turned her head away.

Jo tried to be as quick as possible, gently scrubbing away the stickiness leftover from the tape to her oxygen tubes and being as gentle with her baby's skin as she could. Jo finished up and grabbed the grey elephant baby towel as Luna cried. She unswaddled her from the wet blanket and picked her up, putting Luna in her lap with the towel as she quickly wrapped it around her. Jo held Luna close and cuddled her gently, rocking back and forth until Luna calmed down again before she drained the bath and went back into the room. Jo gently laid her down on the fresh crib sheets that Jackie had changed.

“Alright, diaper first and then, lotion, bottle, book, songs, and bed, sound good, my Little Moon?” Jo asked as she wiggled her fingers over Luna’s tummy.

Jo hooked Luna back up to all of her monitors and got the oxygen tubes placed as she kicked. Jo grabbed the lotion and massaged Luna’s gentle skin as she looked up at Jo with her big blue eyes. Jo picked out a fresh onesie, this one was a light blue with white outlines of little leaves all over it, before grabbing the matching blanket that Jo gently wrapped around her, but not yet swaddling her. The room had a little sink and countertop where Jo was able to make up a bottle before she chose a book from the shelf. Tonight’s book was called ‘My Little Brave Girl’ and was one of the many gifts that Jo had received since she began the process of adopting Luna. The books had been her favorite as she settled in the rocking chair with the bottle and the book as she read to her Little Moon.

As Jo finished the book, she looked down at Luna, who was still working on the bottle. “You know, for someone who only drinks about 4 oz, you sure do take a while,” Jo said as she smiled down at her and continued to stare at her as she ate.

These were her favorite moments of the day. The calm, quiet moments that she got to spend with Luna, just holding her and taking care of her. Jo transitioned into the role of Luna's mom faster than she could have ever imagined, although there were some hiccups here and there. Jo felt lucky that she still had lots of nurses and other staff at the hospital to take care of Luna while she was at work, yet she still felt every bit Luna's mom. She tried to be there when she woke up in the morning, she spent all her breaks there, and she was there to put Luna to bed at night. These days she practically lived in the room with Luna, and Hayes didn't have the heart to kick her out when she fell asleep in the rocking chair. At least it was better than the crowded Loft with Helm and Levi still crashing there. It was rough though, Jo couldn’t take off her mask or ventilator helmet for very long, and she couldn’t officially set up a cot, so she occasionally slept in the on-call room down the hall. Yet Jo made it work because she would rather sleep in a rocking chair than be away from Luna.

Jo heard a knock on the glass and looked up to see Bailey and Webber smiling at her as they waved. “Look, Auntie Bailey and Uncle Richard are here to see you.”

Luna had finished her bottle, and Jo placed it on the shelf before she got up and walked over to stand in front of the window so Bailey and Weber could see her.

“Well, hello Luna, aren't you getting big and you look so happy in your Mama's arms,” Bailey said as she waved and smiled at Luna.

“She's getting big, isn't she Wilson,” Webber asked, looking down at little Luna and giving her a wave.

“She is, she ate a whole 4 ½ ounces tonight, and now she weighs 6 lb, she’s getting so big,” Jo said, smiling down at Luna with pride.

“Oh well, you gotta get big and strong so that you can keep your Mama on her toes, isn’t that right, little missy,” Bailey said as she cooed at Luna, who was fixated on her.

Luna had so many aunties and uncles who came by and visited her every day at the hospital. Even Meredith had managed to stop by and visit. Although they weren’t allowed in Luna's room, they waved and smiled at her through the glass. Bailey and Weber talked to her for a little while before Luna grew fussy and tired, and they left so Jo could put her down.

Jo pulled the curtain across the glass and turned off the overhead lights before turning on the moon shaped light. She turned on the sound machine that she had gotten to play the quiet sounds of the rain. She put Luna back down on the crib to swaddle her before she picked her back up again and returned to the rocking chair.

“La la lu, La la lu,

Oh, my little star sweeper,

I'll sweep the stardust for you,

La la lu, La la lu,

Little soft, fluffy sleeper,

Here comes a pink cloud for you.”

Jo had to admit she didn't have the best singing voice, but Luna’s eyes fluttered close, and she settled in her arms, and quietly drifted off. Over the past few weeks, Jo had learned all the Disney lullabies, and the Little Star Sweeper song from Lady and the Tramp had quickly become Luna and Jo’s favorite.

Even after Luna fell asleep, Jo kept singing the lullaby once more, and she continued to rock and hold Luna. She never felt like she got enough time with her, in between her residency and her studies, and Luna being in the hospital, being rounded on and checked over. Jo could hold Luna forever and some nights she did. As soon as she was sure she could move without waking her up, Jo grabbed her OB/GYN books and the TV remote and settled in to study with Luna in one arm. Although it was hard to concentrate with the sleeping little girl in her arms captured her attention every time Jo looked at her. She didn't even notice Hayes and Schmitt coming into the room with the interns for the night rounds until he pulled back the curtain and turned on the lights.

“What the hell are you doing? Turn off the lights!” Jo hissed at them as she pulled the blanket up over Luna’s head.

“Our apologies Wilson,” Hayes said as he glared at the interns until Dr. Khan turned off the lights.

“Young Ortiz, presen.”

“Luna Ashton,” Ortiz said in a normal tone as Luna stirred in Jo’s arms.

“Shhh!” Jo shushed her along with a glare as Ortiz shrank back.

“Ummm Luna Ashton, 4 ½ months old, born at 26 weeks, surgery at four weeks old for a Bronchogenic cyst, and another at 4 months for Nissen fundoplication, is now breathing on her own and her gastroesophageal reflux is under control. She has had no episodes of apnea or bradycardia for the last two weeks, is able to maintain her temperature, is taking donated breast milk by bottle, and weighed 6lb and 1oz at this morning’s weight check.”

As Ortiz presented, Hayes came over, and Jo reluctantly let him hold Luna and move her over to lay in the crib as he checked her lungs. Luna slept through the whole thing. It was the touch of a good pediatric surgeon. Arizona had that touch and so did Alex. Jo took a deep breath as she ignored the thought of her ex-husband and focused on the baby in front of her.

“Conclusion?” Hayes asked as he finished his exam and gave Luna back to Jo.

“Discharge with continued supplemental oxygen at home?” Ortiz said, unsure as she read the chart.

“What?” Jo asked, looking between Ortiz and Hayes.

Hayes just smiled as Jo just stared at him in shock. “Carry on to the next patient and wait for me there.”

“Levi can stay,” Jo said, looking at him.

The interns filtered out and closed the door as Jo just started at Hayes. “Luna can go home with me?”

“Yes, she is doing well even on supplemental oxygen, and we’ll get you set up with a CPAP machine and an apnea monitor, but with a doctor for a mum, I’m sure Luna will be in good hands,” Hayes said as he crossed his arms with a smile. “Get your maternity leave sorted and anything else you need from the courts, and we will schedule a date for the car seat test, and then the two of you can go home.”

“She can come home with me. Luna can come home?” Jo asked, still in disbelief.

“Yes,” Hayes said with a smile.

“Jo this is amazing! Luna gets to go home!” Levi said, getting excited. “I’ll help you get the medical equipment tonight, and you can talk to Bailey and Carina tomorrow, and she can be home by this weekend.”

“Home,” Jo whispered, looking down at Luna.

Home had been the hospital for Luna’s entire life and this room had become Jo’s home too for the last few weeks. The thought of bringing her baby home to the Loft was both exciting and terrifying. Here at the hospital, Luna had round-the-clock medical care and a number of nurses who helped Jo take care of Luna’s day-to-day needs as well as all of her medical needs. Going home meant that Jo would have to do all of this on her own and although she knew how to do it, it was different because Luna was her baby. She had taken care of a number of babies when she was a resident in Ped, but this was her own kid, and there were no breaks, no shift ends. It was only her.

“Jo. Hey Jo,” Levi said, putting his hand on her shoulder as Jo finally came out of her head and looked up at him. “Don't worry, it's a good thing, and you're more than ready for it.”

“I know,” Jo said, taking a deep breath before she looked down at Luna. “We're going to be going home, my Little Moon, home.”

The day of the car seat test came, and from the moment they set Luna into the little black car seat, Jo became a nervous wreck. They got Luna settled, set up the monitor, and then they started the clock. Jo spent the hour pacing the length of Luna's room as she watched the monitor for any signs of a drop in heart rate. Jo was an anxious parent whenever it came to anything regarding Luna. Each time she so much as hiccup wronged, Jo instantly tensed up. She became just another mom on the NICU ward, and all of her logic and medical training went out the window as she worried for her daughter. Luna just watched Jo as she paced before she decided that her Mama was boring and slept through the rest of the car seat test.

The hour was over before she knew it and Luna was officially a graduate of the NICU. There was a little bit of excitement and celebration in the room as everyone started clapping. Jo got Luna out of the car seat as she smiled down at her Little Moon. One of the nurses presented her with a tiny graduation cap that had the number of days Luna was in the NICU, along with a tiny little onesie that said NICU graduate. They were finally going home and Jo could hardly believe it.

They all got packed up to leave, and all of the nurses and staff who had come to know and love Luna just as much as she did, came to see them off. They presented her with so many gifts that Jo could barely fit them all in her car. When they walked out of the hospital, everybody was there to see them off, including Bailey, Webber, Levi, Helm, Maggie, Winston, Hayes, Teddy, Owen, and Amelia as they all wished her congratulations. Finally, Link was waiting for them next to her car.

“Your chariot awaits m’ladies,” Link said, opening the back door for her.

“Thank you for doing this,” Jo said as she put Luna’s car seat in the car and reached out to pull Link in for a hug.

She felt so lucky that she had such amazing friends and family who stepped up to be there for her and Luna. She would have never succeeded in becoming Luna's guardian or becoming her Mama if it weren't for her friends encouraging and supporting her.

“Ready?” Link asked as he turned around in the front seat as Jo got Luna’s car seat settled and sat next to her.

“Yes,” Jo said as she looked down at Luna, who she suckled on her pacifier, still looking ever so small in her car seat. “Let's go home.”

Jo looked down at Luna for the beginning of the ride home, cooing to her and talking to her about the outside world and the parks and other places they would go to. Link made sure to try and distract her with small talk, excitedly talking about how they could have playdates now with Scout and he can meet Luna. As well as a few tricks and things he had learned in the past few months with Scout. It was weird seeing her best friend be a parent and even weirder to think that she was now a mom to her own little girl.

She was so focused on Luna that she didn't even notice when he finally pulled up to Meredith's. It was bittersweet, pulling up to the house. Jo had originally wanted to take Luna home to the Loft as it had been her home for years, but when she did the first walk through with her lawyer, she said it was unlikely that she would get approved to live in such a place as it was hardly baby-friendly. Meredith’s house had been approved for foster care before, and all they had to do was update the license and redo the background checks. Meredith had graciously and excitedly offered to let Jo and Luna move back into the house. Still, it wouldn't be home, but then again, the Loft hadn't felt like home since Alex had left. Jo felt like she was just shuffling between the hospital and the Loft the way she did when she was in foster care. She hoped that with time and with a little decorating, their room at the house could become their home.

Link quickly came around to help her out of the car. He grabbed Luna’s oxygen tank, and Jo held the car seat as they walked into the house. As soon as they walked in, they saw the huge banner across the staircase that said ‘Welcome home Auntie Jo and Luna.’ As they looked into the living room Meredith and the kids were all there waiting for them. As soon as they noticed her, they all jumped up to run and greet her.

“Auntie Jo, you're here!” Zola said, getting to her first and wrapping her arms around Jo’s waist.

“We missed you!” Ellis said as she and Bailey bombarded Jo with hugs before they all pulled back and crouched down in front of the car seat that Jo had set on the floor.

“Is this her? Is this our new cousin?” Zola said, smiling down at her. “Hi, baby Luna.”

“She's so tiny,” Bailey said as they all stared down at Luna. “Scout was much bigger when you brought him home from the hospital, Uncle Link.”

Luna stared up at her new cousins with wide eyes taking them in as they watched her. Jo knew she shouldn't be, but she couldn't help but feel anxious, especially as Ellis reached out to touch her.

“Ellis, you need to ask Auntie Jo first before you touch Luna, and you need to wash your hands too,” Meredith said, coming up behind Ellis and putting her hands on her shoulders. “Why don't the three of you go put the finishing touches on Auntie Jo's room, and we’ll be up in a second.”

“Yeah, come on guys,” Bailey said, leading the charge up the stairs.

“I'm really glad you're here, Auntie Jo. We’ve missed you, especially since Uncle Alex left,” Zola said, giving her another hug before she disappeared up the stairs.

Jo smiled as they left, she had missed them too. They were her nieces and nephew despite how they weren't blood-related. She knew that they loved her, but going to Meredith's house just wasn't the same without Alex. And she hadn't seen the kids since the pandemic started.

Meredith came over and pulled her in for a hug before she looked back at Luna. “How does it feel to finally be home with her?”

“I am excited and a little terrified,” Jo said as she reached down and got Luna out of her car seat.

“I was too when we first brought Zola home, but you'll get the hang of it soon enough,” Meredith said, giving her shoulder a squeeze before she looked back at the living room. “We've got a second oxygen machine set up down here, as well as a pack and play, a high chair, and anything else you and Luna could need.”

“Thank you,” Jo said, looking around the room and smiling. She recognized the pack and play and some of the toys from when Meredith’s kids were babies, and it was nice that Luna was able to inherit these things from family.

“Well, let's go upstairs, and you can start unpacking,” Meredith said as she walked over to the stairs.

“I'll stick around and help you out,” Link said as he picked up the oxygen tank again and the three of them headed up.

Having lived there once before, Jo was familiar with the house and wasn't surprised when they led her into Cristina/Maggie's former room. She could hear all the kids giggling behind the door, and Bailey peeked out before Zola pulled him back in. Finally, they opened the door to her room. Jo gasped as she looked around her room. It was all set up and ready for her and Luna. The walls had been painted the same light red color as the door to the loft, and her bed had been made up with the same comforter, and even her macrame tapestry hung on the wall. Alex’s nightstand was on the right and hers on the left. There were their shelves and her woven laundry basket. Her TV was set up across from the bed, even her plants hung in the window. It was like they had simply picked up everything from her room in the Loft and put it exactly how it was in the room before her.

In the corner of the room, there was a galaxy tapestry with hanging lights at the differentiation of the little space for the nursery. Luna's white crib with her little rocket shelf was next to it with the rocker, and the little mobile with all the planets, stars, and the little moon were hung above it. Jo took everything in with wide eyed as she looked around the room and a smile stretched across her face.

“Being a new mom is hard,” Meredith said as Jo turned around to look at her and Link. “It's exhausting and never ending, and it can be very lonely, especially if you're doing it as a single parent. It's good to have a support system, and since I'm only back at work part-time, I’m able to help you whenever you need it.”

“And since Amelia and I are switching off shifts for now and Scout is here whenever one of us isn't, I can help you to, and we can figure out how to raise our kids together,” Link said with a smile, it was something that they had once dreamed about doing and now they finally could.

“I can help you out too,” Zola chimed in, hopping off the bed and coming over to them. “I can play with her and keep her entertained, and I can give her a bottle or put her down for a nap, too.”

“Me too, except that I don't do diapers,” Bailey said as everyone laughed.

“Don't worry guys, I'll do all the diaper changes,” Jo assured him as she reached out to ruffle his long blonde hair.

“Can I sleep in here with you, Auntie Jo?” Ellis asked, she had already crawled up on Jo's bed and was happily lying against the pillows.

She had always crawled up on their bed whenever Jo and Alex babysat her at the Loft. Jo had no doubt that Ellis would do exactly as her mom used to do and slip into Jo’s bed in the middle of the night.

“We’ll see Ellie-Belly,” Jo said, giving her a wink before she looked around the room again. “Thank you for doing this. It means a lot to me, to both of us.”

She looked over at her two best friends who were like her family and they would be Luna’s family too. She smiled down at Luna, who was eagerly looking around, and walked over to the crib, she gave the mobile a light spin, turning the stars and planets, and it quickly got her attention. Luna stared at it for a second before she caught Jo’s eye and stared up at her, and opened her mouth as if she was smiling and Jo smiled too.

“Welcome home, my Little Moon.”

#jo wilson #grey's anatomy #grey's anatomy fanfic #meredith grey #cormac hayes #atticus lincoln #zola grey shepherd #derek bailey shepherd #ellis shepherd #luna ashton #jo and luna #my fanfiction #my work #my writing #luna wilson

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sleepykittypaws · 4 years ago

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Mother’s Day Movie Favorites

What better way to celebrate mom than by watching a mother-centric movie with her or, if that's not possible, while thinking about her, or her memory?

We've all got a mother, heck, some of us even are mothers, making motherhood extremely fertile, movie-making subject matter for everything from tear-jerking melodrama to slasher flicks. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of movies exploring the bonds of mothers and their children, both sweet and sour, but below are my Top 25 favorite mom movies…

Updated: July 29, 2023

Steel Magnolias (1989) - This Southern-friend Schmaltz-fest is near and dear to my heart, having lost my own mother in a way not all that dissimilar to Julia Roberts' character. And, while much of Steel Magnolias is over the top, the cast is, indisputably, top-notch. This is one that never fails to make me laugh, cry and think about my mama.

Lady Bird (2017) - Probably the best mother-daughter movie of the last 20 years, this Greta Gerwig classic is a perfect watch on Mother's Day, or any time. It nails teen angst and the push pull of mother-daughter relationships perfectly.

Mr. Mom (1983) - While the premise—A dad being the primary caregiver? How novel!—may be dated, the comedy in this Teri Garr-Michael Keaton comedy still holds up remarkably well, give or take a moment or two. A great, whole family watch, and a wildly under-rated '80s comedy.

Petite Maman (2021) - This simple, sweet, but never cloying, French story of a daughter who magically meets and befriends her mother as a child, leading to greater love and understanding between them is the absolute perfect mom-centric movie, on Mother’s Day or anytime.

Postcards from the Edge (1990) - Based on Carrie Fisher's roman a clef about her own relationship with actress-mother Debbie Reynolds, this Meryl Strep-Shirley MacLaine movie is one of my very favorites.

Freaky Friday (2003 or 1976) - Whether you prefer the Jamie Curtis-Lindsay Lohan remake, or the Jodie Foster-Barbara Harris original, this Disney classic is fun, funny and an absolute hoot of a mother-daughter romp.

Terms of Endearment (1983) - As you can see, Shirley MacLaine looms large on this list. MacLaine really cornered the market on over-the-top, yet-loving mom roles, and there are few better mother-daughter dramas than this absolute classic weepy that co-stars Debra Winger.

The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021) - This Netflix-original animated movie, starring Maya Rudolph as the mom, is a pretty perfect Mother’s Day watch. Funny, all-ages humor that packs quite an emotional punch, amidst all the silliness, and the Mama Bear fierceness Rudolph provides in the climax is epic.

Philomena (2013) - As an adoptee, another very personal watch for me (even if this situation is nothing like my own), this story of a woman searching for the child she was forced to give up is incredibly well done, and funny as well as heart wrenching, with absolutely incredible performances from both Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

Overboard (1987) - This goofy ‘80s comedy features real-life loves Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn at their most charming. It’s also about found families in a way that feels very modern Mother’s Day appropriate, and is a whole family watch that holds up better than you'd think given it’s a story about a man who convinces a rich lady with amnesia that she’s the mother of his three rowdy boys all because she stiffed him on a contracting job. But, whatever you do, don’t watch the dreadful 2018 remake (shudder).

Mamma Mia! (2008) - This Abba-jukebox musical has a star-studded cast—Meryl Strep! Amanda Seyfried! Christine Baranaski!—and a heart of gold. If you're not singing and dancing along with the mother-daughter wedding hijinks, you're doing it all wrong.

Baby Mama (2008) - This Tina Fey-Amy Poehler comedy is not only a “stealth” Christmas movie, it’s also a great Mother’s Day watch that’s funny and has a little something to say about society’s vision of who is “worthy” of being a mom.

Dumplin’ (2018) - Based on the great book by Julie Murphy, Dumplin' is honestly Jennifer Aniston's best work in years. Aniston plays the pageant queen mom to the less lithe Willowdean. Lots of love and some messy family business make this a relatable, yet lovely, watch.

Mother (1996) - Though I slightly prefer the movie about Debbie Reynolds as a mom, see Postcards from the Edge above, this movie with Reynolds playing Albert Brooks' mom is also a classic. Brooks is at at his absolute driest wit in my second favorite of his movies, after Defending Your Life. Just don’t confuse this Mother with the controversial 2017 Jennifer Lawrence horror movie, because that would be a very different holiday viewing experience.

Juno (2007) - This story of a pregnant teen making choices feels especially poignant in 2022. The balance of so many iterations of motherhood—from Juno’s own mostly absent mom, to Allison Janney as her fierce and flawed stepmom, potential adoptive mom Jennifer Garner and teen-mom Juno herself make this absolutely perfect Mother’s Day viewing.

Blockers (2018) - This teen sex comedy is neither about sex, nor the teens, but instead focuses on a ragtag group of parents, including mom Leslie Mann, who are struggling to let their kids grow up. A truly funny R-rated romp.

Wonder (2017) - This under-seen, sweet and gentle story stars Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts as parents of Auggie, a kid who is a little bit different, and a whole lot special. Will definitely give you all the mom feels, and also has some stealth Christmas moments.

Little Women (1933, 1994 and 2019) - Take your pick from the myriad adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's classic, but whichever Marmie you prefer, this story of three sisters and their stalwart matriarch stands the test of time.

The Parent Trap (1961 or 1998) - Both versions of this twin-swapping story are equal parts ridiculous and joyful. Don't think too much about what kind of parents would willfully give up one of their children just because they looked alike (I mean, what in the world?!?), and instead enjoy the cute, cupid-y machinations of multiple Hayley Millses or Lindsay Lohans.

Baby Boom (1987) - This Diane Keaton comedy is usually remembered as a rom-com with Sam Shepard, but it’s really the story of a woman falling in love with being a mom, and what could be more appropriate Mother's Day viewing?

A Simple Favor (2018) - If you're looking for something a little less gushing, and a lot more deadly, check out this Paul Feig black comedy/thriller that features Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick as epic mom frenemies.

It's Complicated (2009) - Not sure whose movies feature in this list more often: Meryl Strep or Shirley MacLaine. This Strep-led, Nancy Meyers romp is a grown-up family dynamic farce that still holds up, despite the somewhat unfortunate inclusion of Alec Baldwin.

Bad Moms (2016) - Kathryn Hahn, Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell make a heck of a trio in this R-rated comedy about moms going kind of, but not too, wild.

The Guilt Trip (2012) - This guilty pleasure road trip comedy stars Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogan, and the very fact that such a combo exists at all gives me great joy.

Hope Floats (1998) - This Texas-set, Sandra Bullock divorce story didn't get a lot of love upon release—the soundtrack was a bigger hit than the movie—but it's better than you remember, and is also a pretty great portrait of a multi-generational mother-daughter relationship. Plus, it features a baby Mae Whitman.

More to Explore

Mum (2016-19) - This gentle BBC series, which checks in on a newly-widowed, working-class mother in the first years following the death of her husband (the first two seasons feature monthly check-ins, the last takes place over a single week) is a delight. Mum originally aired on PBS in the U.S., and is now available via Britbox. Just a really lovely portrait of motherhood, love at a certain age, and how adult children learn to live and grow on their own—or don’t, as the case may be.

Motherland (2016-22) - The Sharon Horgan-created BBC series, available on AMC+ on the U.S., is a very funny look at modern motherhood starring Anna Maxwell Martin, and includes a smashing season three Mother’s Day-centric episode—the eponymously-named “Mother’s Day”—that’s both terrifically funny and touching.

The Middle: Mother’s Day II (2011) - This season two episode of the long-running ABC series, currently available on HBO Max, is probably my favorite episodic take on the holiday. The depiction both of how “me time” is never all it’s cracked up to be for moms, and how trying to recreate a perfect moment never works out, is spot on.

Snoopy Presents To Mom (and Dad), with Love (2022) - The Peanuts gang is eager to celebrate Mother’s Day in this new, Apple TV+ original special, all except for Peppermint Patty, that is, who grew up without her mom. It’s a rare special centered on the holiday with a sweet, family-comes-in-all-forms message.

Mothering Sunday (2022) - A stellar cast—Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, Josh O'Connor, Odessa Young—populate this Mother’s Day-set period drama that is far from a fun romp, but impeccably acted.

Mother's Day (2016) - This movie is bad. Really bad, yet I feel obligated to include it, since it actually takes place on the holiday, but must stress it should only be watched for ironic mocking, with a generous amount of wine.

Mother’s Day (2018, BBC) - This British TV movie, available in the U.S, on Britbox, couldn’t be more different from the stinker that shares its name. Vicky McClure and Anna Maxwell Martin play mothers who use their own tragedies to help bring peace to Northern Ireland, with key events taking place on the British version of the holiday.

Mother’s Day on Walton’s Mountain (1982, NBC) - This reunion movie follows up on the family from the long-running CBS series.

Otherhood (2019) - This otherwise mid-tier Netflix empty nest/road trip comedy benefits from its very strong cast—Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette and Felicity Huffman—as well as its liberal references to the holiday itself.

Mermaids (1990) - This Cher-led single mom story is another under-rated gem. Featuring Winona Ryder and a baby Christina Ricci, with the very odd (but it works) choice of Bob Hoskins as the eventual love interest, this is definitely one worth checking out.

Incredibles 2 (2018) - While both of these Pixar flicks are some of the best superhero movies ever made, the second is particularly mom-focused in a way that feels both realistic and touching—not an easy feat for a cartoon about a family with superpowers.

The Sound of Music (1965) - Because this is a movie about motherless children and their nanny/eventual stepmom, didn’t think I could put this in my main list of mom-centric movies, but as a motherless child myself, with several stepmoms far less magical than Julie Andrews, this is definitely a fantasy film for me, and another whole-family pleasing watch.

Muriel’s Wedding (1994) - One of my favorite movies of all-time, this one isn’t quite mom-centric enough for me to include on my main list, but the tragic mother-daughter relationship in this otherwise lighthearted, Aussie coming of age tale is indelible.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) - This one is more about family bonds, than motherhood in particular, but if you need a dose of how loving even the most cloying clan can be, this is a great example that will make you want to reach out to relatives you haven't seen in years. And Lainie Kazan as the lovingly overbearing mother is a standout.

Secrets and Lies (1996) - This adoption story is about the reunion of a mother and daughter who don't share much beyond DNA. This British Best Picture nominee isn’t a lighthearted romp, but it is poignant and powerful, and just missed making my Top 25 above.

Lion (2016) - Yes, yet another adoption story. Based on a true tale of a man searching for a his biological family, it takes a different tack than many similar stories, and Dev Patel’s performance is incredible

Parenthood (1989) - Not on my top 25 list mostly due to the fact that Steve Martin’s multigenerational father-son relationship is probably the more central story, but still one of my all-time favorite family life films and if you’re looking for something for Father’s Day…

Imitation of Life (1959) - Sure, it lacks some of the nuance a 21st century telling of this story would have, but the performances, and prejudice, seen through the eyes of two mothers, remain all too relatable.

Stepmom (1998) - Another mom movie that also qualifies as a stealth Christmas flick, this weepy tale of Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts battling over the kids’ affections isn’t my personal fave, but a lot of people love it.

Mom’s Day Away (2014, Hallmark) - This Bonnie Somerville-led family comedy is set around the holiday, and cuter than your average Hallmark joint, with a stressed out mom taking a day off from her family.

Mom’s Night Out (2014) - Almost a Hallmark film, this very gentle, PG-rated comedy, starring frequent Hallstar Sarah Drew, is one of those “crazy night out” comedies that is low on actual crazy, and big on family feels.

The Adam Project (2022) or Yes Day (2021)- Not sure how an actress whose breakout role was as a sexy super spy morphed into the ultimate Hollywood mom, but Jennifer Garner has seemingly cornered the market on loving but exhausted and/or somewhat tightly wound mom roles, which is why so many of her movies already appear on this list. Neither of these are spectacular, but both are perfectly fine, ultimately innocuous, all-ages, family viewing that also happen to be easily available on Netflix for at-home, anytime viewing.

The Joy Luck Club (1993) - This adaptation of Amy Tan’s novel is all about mothers and daughters. I wholeheartedly recommend the book, but am a little less enthusiastic about the movie, which is why it didn’t make my main list.

Room (2015) - Definitely dark, but a searing portrayal of what mothers endure for their children, and how strong those bonds are. Alison Brie won an Oscar for this mostly grim, but ultimately hopeful, mother-son story.

This is 40 (2012) - Judd Apatow isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but that this sort-of sequel to Knocked Up features his real-life wife and daughters, with Paul Rudd as Apatow’s martial stand in, adds some interest to an otherwise just so-so story.

Tully (2018) - This dark and twisty Charlize Theron movie is a relatable portrait of an exhausted mother…right up until it most definitely is not.

The Kids are All Right (2010) - I didn’t love this story about how two moms relationship changes when their son meets his sperm donor, but there’s no denying the acting chops in this Julianne Moore-Annette Binning-Mark Ruffalo movie.

Auntie Mame (1958) - Make sure you watch the Rosalind Russell original and not the Lucille Ball remake (shudder) but this delightful comedy about non-traditional mother figures has been a favorite of mine since childhood.

Serial Mom (1994) - This dark (very dark) comedy about a murdering mom played by Kathleen Turner is not for everyone, but for those in the right (a.k.a. wrong) mood, it could make a perfect Mother’s Day watch.

Mommie Dearest (1981) - Perhaps the ultimate anti-Mother’s Day watch, this camp classic starring Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford is unforgettable and way, way over-the-top.

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yourdeepestfathoms · 5 years ago

Text

SIX Fanfic Masterlist

because my other one dipped

you can really see the huge characterization change from the oldest to newest fics lol

Multi-chapters

if not by blood, then siblings by bloodshed

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

Monsters Don’t Soften When They Die

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Olly Olly Oxenfree

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7

West End

Cynophobia

Coming out

Emetophobia Pt 1 Pt 2

let us break your fall

Rabies

Home Alone

Early Mornings

Never Mix Stimulants and Depressants

Meltdowns in Silent Hill

Bleary-Eyed Ferret

As Tough As Diamonds, As Fragile As Glass

Beautiful

to mend old wounds

“Tell me something: Why were you crying?”

“You’ll kick this thing’s ass. You’re tough!”

“I love you.”

“Hey, hey, look at me, okay? Just breathe. You’re safe now.”

“Please tell me what’s wrong.”

“Here, you can snuggle under my blanket. I’ll protect you.”

Like Mother, Like (not) Daughter

I’ll Be Met By Moonlight

Silence of The Lamb (because i’ve dried her tears)

“what are you so afraid of? it’s only me! the monster you created.”

Bear Claws

Where The Lamb Sleep Under The White Tiger’s Tail

skintight

“cause i really always knew that my little crime would be cold, that’s why i got a heater for your thighs”

Goodbye To A World

“i do love you”

Hush, Little Lamb

Morphine

“There Are Worse Things I Could Do”

Forever a Family

Tudor Women In A Groupchat Pt 1 Pt 2 Pt 3

Cara Mia

hate me, mate me, still tryna replace me

The Blood Inside of Ewe

Ram Horns

No Use Crying Over Spilled- MOO!

Bite The Bullet (and mop the blood spatter up with fur)

After The MegaSix Ends

Cherry Wine

Tour

Survivor Mentality

If I Didn’t Look Anything Like Me

Lick Your Wounds

Mama, We All Go To Hell Pt 1 Pt 2

The Antidote For Hate

Solitary Hide-And-Seek

A Little Piece Of Heaven

The Chambered Nautilus

Brain on Fire

AUs

Baby Bird (Wings Au)

Roses in The Dark (Mute!Maggie AU)

A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (Werewolf AU)

Baby Mine (Sitcom AU)

uroboros, the eternal return (Foster AU) Pt 1 Pt 2

LIMBO (Time travel AU)

A Bat Loosed From Hell (Wings AU)

Leather-Blood (Wings AU)

Of Patience and Partners (Pokemon AU)

The Girl Who Cried Witchcraft (The Six Crucibles)

The Postmortem Interval (Dark Souls AU)

Balance Requires Motion (Cowgirl AU)

shout out loud (the moment of the peak) (Cowgirl AU)

A Lullaby For A Stallion (Cowgirl AU)

Candy Crush (Sweet shop AU)

Flavors of Poison (Sweet shop AU) Pt 1 Pt 2

Children of The Gods (Demigod AU)

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melsie-sims · 6 months ago

Text

Welcome to Mia's little house in Henford-on-Bagley. It's not much, but it has all of the essentials to start raising her not-so little family.

The lot traits I picked out are: on ley line, sunny aspect and child's play. I regretted one of them pretty quickly, but it's too late to change them now.

It's just one of many mistakes I'll probably make along the way, but I'm not trying to min-max the challenge. I just want to have fun, goof around and yell at my Sims when they refuse to do what I want them to.

#sims 4 #ts4 #sims 4 gameplay #sims 4 100 baby challenge #sims 4 challenge #baby mama: mia foster

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loveistherootofhappiness · 5 years ago

Text

Written for Bathena Week Day 2

Word Count: 3654

Summary: Rationale: this whole thing can be avoided with direct communication. Just ask what’s going on. May, Harry, & Buck: lol, nah.

Also read here.

XXXXX

Big, beautiful doe eyes look up at him, capturing his full attention. He unconsciously runs a hand through the soft curls of her hair, getting soft, happy gurgles in response. He can’t help but smile as he removes his hand from her hair and rubs his thumb against her warm brown cheek. She smiled and gave him what sounds like a giggle before grabbing his thumb in her grip.

“Bobby, I told you to get her packed up ten minutes ago. This is as far as you got?” Athena leaned over the arm of the couch resting her head on Bobby’s shoulder. The baby, Mia’s, eyes left Bobby and turned their attention to the new person in her line of sight. Athena smiled at her.

“It’s not my fault she didn’t want to move, she’s quite comfortable right now.”

“She told you that, huh?”

“She can be very persuasive.” Athena hit him lightly on the shoulder and huffed out a chuckle

“Well, as much as she doesn’t want to she’s gonna have to. Her mama will be here any second.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, the doorbell rang. Athena turned back towards Bobby, “see.”

Athena went to the door to let in Mia’s mom, Braxton. Bobby got off the couch and tried to sit Mia down so he could finish packing her bag, she refused each time he tried, “okay, kid.” He made quick work of packing the baby bag on the coffee table, which only consisted of a few blankets, bottles, clothes, and toys. He could hear two people walking back into the living room.

“Hey Bobby,” Braxton greeted as he put the last of the items and zipped up the bag.

“Hey Braxton, I hope everything was okay with your wife.”

“Oh, it was. She just fell and broke her foot at work. Nothing serious, thankfully. They patched her up and released her. I dropped her off at home, before coming back.” She reached her hand out towards the baby, the baby shook her and laid her head in Bobby’s chest, “excuse me, then. Looks like she likes you,” Braxton smiled up at him, “but nope, I haven’t seen my baby girl all day. You’re coming with me, kid.” Braxton gently took Mia out of Bobby’s arms. Mia whined a bit but soon settled in her mother’s hold without much fuss. “Are you good now?” She kissed the top of her head, “I hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”

“Not at all. She was a dream.” Athena said with fondness.

“Yeah, she’s only that clingy towards people she really likes. So you two must have made an awesome impression on her,” She took the baby bag from Bobby and placed it on her shoulder. She looked towards the baby, who still had her eyes on them, and back at them. “Have you two thought about having a kid?” She decided to ask.

Bobby and Athena looked at Braxton with wide eyes at the seemingly random question. They looked at each other before looking back at the young woman in front of them. “You say that like we’re your age, Brax.” Athena said carefully.

“Like that matters. My younger brother just turned two a few months ago. When my mom remarried after my dad died, she and her hubby decided they wanted to have a baby together. They couldn’t do it naturally anymore, so they did IVF. It’s actually what gave me the courage to do it after I got married.”

Athena looked apprehensive. Bobby had an unreadable expression. “I don’t know...”

“Oh, I just talk without thinking sometimes. You know that, Sarg. I hope I didn’t overstep or anything. I just thought it would be something to think about. You guys are really good at this,” she started speaking rapidly, a quirk she had when she was nervous, “Or even adoption or fostering. I know a lot of kids would love to have parents like you guys. I don’t know, like I said, just something to think about, I guess,” her mouth snapped shut after that, thinking it best to just stop talking.

“It’s okay, Braxton. You didn’t say anything out of the way.” Athena assured her.

“And thank you for the compliment.” Bobby said with a smile.

Braxton felt a bit better and smiled back. “On that note, I’ve done enough putting my foot in my mouth for one day. I should be getting this little one home and getting back to Jemma.” They walked her to the door. Braxton stepped over the threshold and turned back to say, “thank you guys again for watching her. You really helped me out. I owe you guys.”

“No, you don’t. You asked, I accepted. We were happy to do it.”

“It was no problem at all,” Bobby told her.

“You guys are the best!” She looked down at her baby, “Can you say bye bye, nugget? Tell ‘em bye.” Braxton picked up Mia’s arm and waved it at them. “See ya tomorrow Sarg, til next time Bobby.” They said their good byes and waited until Braxton and Mia pulled off before going back in the house.

XXXXX

Later that night, what Braxton said to them earlier still ran through Athena’s mind. It wasn’t the first time that she’d been approached with the idea. She knows she’s said that she didn’t want to reset the clock another 18 years, especially given the fact that her oldest will be 18 soon, but the idea of something that her Bobby created together is rolling around in her head.

“Athena,” Bobby’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts she looked up to see him sitting on the edge of their bed waving her over, “come here.”

She walked over towards and allowed him to pull her into him. His hands settled on the small of her back, while hers wrapped around his neck. “I could hear you thinking from here, what’s on your mind?”

“Really? You sure what Braxton said earlier isn’t still on your mind.”

Sometimes, Athena really hated how well her husband knew her. She sighed, “I mean it’s something to think about.”

“Yeah it is. And it’s not the first time the idea had been thrown our way. It might be time to talk about it?”

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, “I mean, do you want to? A kid together?”

“I’m not going to lie, a small version of us that has your eyes and smile has crossed my mind a time or three,” Athena went respond, “but like I told you in the beginning, I love may and Harry like they’re my own and I’m good with that. We don’t do anything you don’t want to do and not 100% on board with.”

“But you are open to the idea?”

“I am open to the idea. How are you feeling about it?”

“I don’t know, I like the idea, but there are a lot of things to consider here, May and Harry, first and foremost,” she knew that if they decided to do this, she’d wanted to at least get their opinions on it.

“I understand, it’s a lot to take in. I want to hope they’d be thrilled with the idea.”

“I do, too. I just don’t know how they’re going to react to me having another baby.”

“I guess after we decide what we want to do, we’ll see where their heads are at with the whole idea.”

“Absolutely.” She leaned in to kiss him. “So, we’ll cap this by saying we’re open to the idea of adding to the family.” Saying out it out loud the idea to take solid shape in her brain.

“We are open,” he agreed. She yelped in surprise when he placed her on the bed, “until we make a solid decision a little practice at trying couldn’t hurt.”

“I can’t seem to see the harm in that.” Her lips meet hers again.

XXXXX

Harry sat down next to Buck, who was playing video games in the loft at the station. May was on the other side of them scrolling through Instagram on her phone.

Buck had to call Harry’s name three times before he got his attention. Harry zoned back into what was happening around him “huh, what?”

“Dude, I asked if you wanted to play?” Buck studied the kid for a moment, “are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Harry folded his arms across his chest and sunk down into the sofa.

“He’s been like this for the last couple of days. “What’s going on with you?” May asked with genuine concern.

Harry thought for a moment on whether or not he should tell them. He knew he probably wasn’t supposed to know himself, but he also wanted someone else going through this with him.

He looked towards Bobby and his mom, who were across the room, talking. Buck and May followed his line of sight and looked back at him, more curious than before. “Okay, but you have to promise not to tell anybody. I’m pretty I’m not even supposed to know this.”

“Okay...” May and Buck reluctantly agreed and looked at each other.

Harry chanced one more glance toward his mom to make sure her attention wasn’t on them. He leaned in close and, in a lowered voice, said, “I think mom’s pregnant.”

The statement was followed by Buck choking on air and May giving Harry a skeptical look. “Harry, stop playing.” May told him.

“I’m not! I overheard them talking about it.” Harry defended.

“Wait, hold up, back up,” Buck jumped back in, face beet red, barely composed, “did you say Athena was pregnant? Athena? Like having a baby?”

“That’s what pregnant means Buck.” May told him, tone slightly sarcastic.

“I know it’s just. I mean Athena? Isn’t she-”

“I’m going to stop you right there.” May interrupted, knowing what was going to come out of his mouth didn’t need to be said. “Back to you,” she pointed towards Harry, “what makes you think mom’s pregnant?”

“Well...”

3 days prior...

It was late and Harry couldn’t sleep. He decided to go in his mom’s room and talk to her, as he usually did when this happened. He got out of bed and walked the short distance to her bedroom. He noticed the door was cracked and he heard his mom and Bobby’s voices slightly muffled voices inside.

“There are just a lot of things to consider here, May and Harry, first and foremost,” he heard his mom say. Harry tiptoed a little closer to the door.

“I understand, it’s a lot to take in, I want to hope they’d be thrilled with the idea.” He heard Bobby respond.

“I do, too. I just don’t know how they’re gonna react to me having another baby.”

Harry shocked, covered his mouth to hold in reaction and tiptoed quietly to his sister’s room to find her asleep. Not knowing what to do, he just returned to his room, being forced to mull over the idea of a new sibling alone. If he couldn’t sleep before...

“And you’re sure that’s what you heard?” May asked.

“It’s burned into my brain. Bobby and mom were talking about how we’d react to having a new baby in the house.”

“Oh my god. Oh my god! I can’t believe... I didn’t think... I mean... wow.” May sputtered.

“Wow is right. I can’t believe those two are going to have a baby.” Buck said thoughtfully. “I mean, are you though?”

“Are we what?” Harry asked.

“Okay with this, with Athena and Bobby having a baby?”

Harry and May thought for a moment. They’d never really thought about the idea before. “Yeah, I am.” May said.

“So am I,” May looked at his sister and smile. As he thought about it some more he started to frown. “Ah, man!”

“What?” May asked.

“With you going to college and stuff, they’re gonna want me to help out aren’t they?” Harry rolled his eyes, “I hope they won’t make me change any dirty diapers,” he said.

May clapped him on the back and looked him with sympathetic humor, “it’s mom, of course you’re not going to be that lucky. I wasn’t when you were born,” May conveniently left out the part where she actually wanted to help out and made their mom teach her things to help, “I was wondering when life was going to return the favor.”

Harry huffed in disgust and flopped back into the sofa cushions.

XXXXX

It had been a week, since Buck, May, and Harry talked about Harry’s discovery. They mutually decided not to say anything and let Athena and Bobby tell them when they were ready to. Since then, though, he started noticing signs he hadn’t seen before. Athena started coming by the fire house more. When he saw them together, they seemed a bit more affectionate, Bobby was a bit more attentive to her. What really sold it for him was when he’d come to their home for dinner a couple of days ago and Athena had gotten sick. He shuddered at the memory, but was coming to love the thought of having a baby around.

He was hoping them announcing it was the true purpose of tonight as he pulled up to the restaurant. It had been a week full of tough calls and Bobby had invited everyone out to refresh and celebrate a job well done. He exited the car and walked in the restaurant to find that he was the last to arrive, as always.

“About time you showed up, we were beginning to think you wouldn’t show,” Chimney commented as Buck walked over to the table.

“Ah, sorry. Traffic. You know how it is.” Buck took off her jacket and sat on the side of the table next to his sister, across from Athena.

“Yeah, yeah, sure.”

“So what’s up guys? What did I miss?” Buck eyed May as he picked up the glass of water, knowingly. She shook her head to indicate nothing had been said. Athena, having caught the look, looked between them both suspiciously.

“Nothing much, we’ve already ordered drinks. That’s all,” a few moments later a tall, lanky waiter brought the drinks to the table. Most of the drinks looked alcoholic for everyone else with Bobby ordering soda.

As he watched everyone have their drinks placed in front of them, he was about to stop the waiter to order his own when he saw the glass of wine being placed in front of Athena. She thanked the waiter and was about to take a drink when Buck, without thinking, took the glass from her and took a good swig out of it. He grimaced a bit at the taste, not being a big wine drinker.

Athena, not amused in the slightest, fixed him with a look that would probably send him straight to his grave if it could, “Evan, you have two seconds to tell me why you did that.”

“I- I, um, thought pregnant women couldn’t drink?” He said nervously, his words coming out as more of a question.

All side conversation at the table had ceased, everyone was looking at him in shock and/or confusion, including Athena, “I’m sorry, you thought what now?”

Buck was going to respond when May jumped in, “mom, you don’t have to hide it anymore, we know. Well, we figured it out.”

“Yeah, we’ve known about you being pregnant a while.” Harry commented.

“What?!” Bobby and Athena exclaimed at the same time, the volume drawing some attention from patrons at neighboring tables.

“Talk about secret keeping, you’re pregnant?” Hen asked her, voice dripping with humor. Similar questions were asked by everyone else.

“No! I’m not.” She looked looked between May, Harry, and Buck, “but seeing as this is something the three of you seem to have gotten in your heads, I’m curious as to why you guys would think that.”

Buck and May immediately turned to Harry, who grumbled at being the one who was chosen to explain. He sighed, “I overheard you guys talking about it.”

Athena looked at Bobby, Bobby just shrugged his shoulders, not knowing either. “When?” Bobby asked him.

“It was about two weeks ago. I was gonna come to your room to talk to mom when I over heard you guys talking. You were talking about how me and May would react to having another baby in the house.”

Athena grimaced remembering the conversation, “oh, baby, that’s not-“ she sighed, deciding now was as good a time as any to explain and figuring out how she could, “we did say that, but we didn’t mean it in that way.”

“I’m confused.” Harry told her.

“Earlier that day, the idea of having a baby together had been suggested. We were just talking about it, that’s all. It wasn’t about me being pregnant right now, just how you guys would react if we were to decide we wanted to add to the family.” Athena explained.

“So you’re not pregnant? But you’ve been sick,” Harry said.

“And you haven’t been drinking any wine lately,” May followed.

“That’s just because I’ve had a stomach virus, I’m okay now. I’m not pregnant. I promise,” Athena assured not only them, but everyone else. “Everything good now?”

“Yeah, it is.” Harry looked thoughtful for a second before saying, “you know, I kinda got used to the idea of having a baby in the house. I still didn’t wanna change any dirty diapers, though.”

“Yeah, me too, honestly,” May said.

“I was ready to have them around,” Buck said, “all the stuff I was gonna teach them.”

“Buck you can barely teach yourself,” Maddie countered jokingly.

Athena and Bobby looked at each other and smiled. “Well, it’s good to know all of you are on board with it,” Bobby told them all. “Nothing’s set in stone. If and when Athena and I decide it’s something we want to do, you’ll be the first to know. Sound good?”

Buck, May, and Harry agreed.

“And y’all know better than this. If you’ve got something on your mind or something you want to know, just ask me. We would have told you what was going on.” Athena told her children.

“It wasn’t that, mom. We just decided that weren’t going to say anything and just let you guys tell us when you wanted to, since we weren’t supposed to know anyway.” May told her. “We actually thought it was why all of we out tonight.”

“Still, next time just ask, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Okay, now that that’s cleared up. Let’s talk about these two glasses of wine that you owe for that stunt you just pulled.” Athena pointed star him. Buck had the good sense to look sheepish.

XXXXX

Athena sat in her doctor’s office, waiting. Since there had been so much discussion of the idea of child having lately, she decided to make an appointment with her OBGYN, just to discuss where she was as far as her options. She knew that she was still having her cycle regularly, so the option of conceiving naturally was not completely off the table. But she had to admit to herself the risks that would be involved with carrying a baby at her age. Especially given her last pregnancy wasn’t the easiest and it was over a decade ago. There’s a lot more wear and tear on her body now.

Her thoughts were broken at the sound of the door opening. “Mrs. Nash,” Athena was greeted by her doctor. “It certainly has been a while since I’ve seen you, you’ve gone through a new name change and everything.”

She twisted the rings on her finger and chuckled a bit, “yeah, I have.”

She walked to the desk in front of Athena and sat down across from her. “Alright, so as you know, I’ve run some tests. Though some of them will take a couple of days to come back, I have a couple of important one right here,” she held up the standard beige file folder, “I want to discuss with you.”

“Okay,” Athena said as she sat up a little straighter.

Her doctor opened the file and looked her in the eye, “well, Athena, it seems that we don’t have to discuss conception options anymore because you’re already pregnant.”

At that Athena began to laugh, clearly thinking the doctor was joking with her. They have known each other since she was pregnant with May after all, “good one. Now what did you really want to discuss?”

“I’m not joking. You are pregnant, Athena.” Seeing the serious look, all humor fell from Athena’s face and was replaced by shock.”

“You can’t be serious,” well this was unexpected, “let me see that.” Since the information in the file was hers and hers alone, the doctor didn’t have any issue handing Athena the file. Athena skimmed through the medical jargon and there, clear as day, a sentence saying that she was positive for pregnancy.

“This must be a mistake,” Athena said as looked back up towards the doctor. She didn’t know what to think. She and Bobby just started actually discussing the idea, nothing was supposed to happen this fast. These couldn’t be her tests results, it had to be a mix up.

“I assure you, Athena, that it isn’t,” she said as she held out her hand to get the file back, “it surprised me and I had the lab run them again to make sure, blood and urine, specifically. These are your results...” the doctor trailed off, or at least Athena thought she did. The words turned to white noise as Athena flopped back in her chair, mind wondering with a million possibilities. She was completely stunned, but she could feel the undercurrent of excitement fluttering. She was gonna have another baby, she and Bobby were going to have a baby.

Fan-cast: Jessica Parker Kennedy as Braxton.

This is a headcannon that’s near and dear to my heart. I think I’ll name them Ayesha and Amelia (a reference to another story of mine)

#bathena week #bathena #athena grant #bobby nash #may grant #harry grant #911 #911 on fox #fanfic writing hell

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notthestarwar · 1 year ago

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WIP tag game

rules: in a new post, post the names of all the files in you wip folder regardless of how non descriptive or ridiculous. let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet or tell us about it. and then tag as many people as you have wips

Thanks to @trudemaethien and @codythecheshirecat for the tags

This actually came just in time cause I've just been reviewing my wips and making a list. There are. Uh. A lot.

OK uh. I'm not gonna tag the same number of ppl as I have wips because... there are a lot. And a lot of you guys have probs already been tagged lol so open to anyone who sees this and wants to join in!!! I'd love to see what you're working on. And also let me throw in a few no pressure tags to:

@lttrsfrmlnrrgby @syn0vial @dontbelasagnax @yournewfriendshouse @thesunlikehoney @aquaticflames @happybean17 @auxxrat @chiliger

currently in the process of writing:

The island

Undead fox

Boba and Cody spn au

Gold teeth and a taste for this town- fox&maul.

Obi Wan and Jango’s dream(s)

Fox gets a job- quin/ Fox

Prime, the worst clone.

A violent product of a violent world

Those that are forgotten and those that are just lost- Jango/Obi Wan

[more under cut]

The unwanted and unintentionally abandoned- Boba and Korkie

Who killed chancellor Palpatine

The dream/the pond obi wan/cody

Venators are haunted

Convoluted modern AU with baby fostering obi wan/cody

You could make this beautiful sequel-

And when the time comes to let it go, to let it go (Boba, Rex and Cody)

Nothing is lost in life or love (Cody/Obi Wan &Anakin &twins)

Din needs an orivod din&kix

Mama Mia au

Reverse Cody finds Obi Wan on Tatooine. Cody is not happy.

The cycle ends with me- Luke

The Orb

The one where everyone runs away

End credits- Codywan reverse happy ever after.

Bounty hunter ex purge trooper cody

Post Jango & Obi Wan Slavery canon divergence. Cody & anakin

Cody tries to find himself- Rex and Ahsoka’s spaceship roomshare.

Qui Gon turns up on obi wans doorstep with anakin & then dies.

Normal Suburban life-

Council chambers-

Bedtime stories from an alternative universe

The absence of something is also it’s presence cody&jango

If you’re not really dead, I don’t want to be either cody/obi wan

1001 ways to lose yourself- deaged obi wan &cody

i'll be honest. this is actually not all of them, but. i'd listed enough i'm so sorry lol. several of these are almost finished, i just cant edit anymore.

i've also got: the glass wall, talking to the dead, no children & how the living go on living and the dead go living with them half finished on ao3. these are my non abandoned ones from the last year or so

#tag game #wip game

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artificialqueens · 6 years ago

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Shalaska Fic Rec Masterpost

Welcome! This fic rec masterpost is very much a work in progress, so please be sure to send in any suggestions or additions. KEY: 📚 for (clearly labeled) completed multichapter, 🌈 for oneshots.

When summaries were available (in the ANs or rec), they were included, and they are in quotes. If you are the author of any of the below fic, please feel free to contact us to update the description(s)

Start at the very beginning: http://artificialqueens.tumblr.com/tagged/shalaska/chrono

A-B-C-D-E-F-G by pureCAMP - Lesbian oneshot involving a Ouiji board. 🌈

Affliction by Jazz - Smutty canon compliant oneshot. Dom/Sub dynamics. 🌈

Coming Home by Jem - Multichapter Lesbian AU. Sharon and Alaska foster teenage Violet. Angst/Fluff. 📚

The Devil Named Sharon by Imafuckinglibra - Multi-chapter smut inspired by The Devil Wears Prada.

Die Young (the i look fuckin cool au) by Nova - Multi-chapter, AU based on Alaska’s “I Look Fuckin Cool” video. “What i loved about it was every chapter were so fun and thrilling to read and the whole post-apocalyptic drag queens was just such a cool and interesting idea for me ! It's def one of the god tier fics here (well at least I think so) plus it includes ships I enjoy reading too ! (witney and jivy).”

Exes Play Truth or Drink by Mistress - Canon compliant oneshot. “Exes have a stack of questions, which they can either choose to answer truthfully, or plead the fifth, and take a shot.” 🌈

Extra Credit by Rosie - Smutty lesbian AU multichapter. “University professor Sharon Needles hooks up with a slamming hot blonde at a bar who may or may not be one of her students.”

Fancy That by Mistress - Post break-up lesbian oneshot. AKA “Alaska and the No Good Very Bad Day...in which Alaska and Sharon have been broke up for years, and Alaska gets a flat tire.” 🌈

Femalien by Rosie - Smutty lesbian oneshot about a witch and an alien. “Space queen alien Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 from the planet Glamtr0n crash lands into Sharon’s world, turning the witch’s life upside down.” 🌈

Full of Grace by Sebald - Sharon-focused, canon compliant, angsty oneshot with a little smut. “Aaron prays.” 🌈

God of a Bad Religion by Luci - Multichapter lesbian high school au. “Alaska, the catholic daughter of a preacher gets dragged into a world of rebellion, corruption, and feminism with a girl who may or may not be the antichrist.” 📚

Gold Dust Woman by Citrus - Multichapter lesbian witchcraft AU. “Fusion of realistic witchcraft and some fantasy-type elements.” 📚

Gonna Make Em Scream Some Day, Gonna Make It Big by Rosetintedworld - Smutty multichapter lesbian AU. Sugar Mama Sharon/Sugar Baby Alaska.

Heavy Rain by Insomnidelic - Multichapter, canon compliant. Smut/angst/humor. “Alaska gets hit in the head, suffers amnesia, thinks it’s 2013 and her and Sharon are still together and doesn’t know she’s in love with Katya.”

Here I Go Again by pureCAMP - Mamma Mia! Inspired multichapter AU. Contains smut (In one chapter, which is tagged.) 📚

I Know Your Wife and She Wouldn’t Mind by Citrus (Sharon/Katya/Alaska) - Smutty lesbian oneshot. “When Alaska attends an extravagant business party in her father’s stead, she gets a little more than she bargained for… Namely, two gorgeous blondes who would like nothing better than to take her to bed with them. And they just so happen to be the ones throwing the party…” 🌈

In Ten Years’ Time by Jazz - Smutty lesbian oneshot. “Sharon and Alaska attend their 10-year high school reunion.” 🌈

Into the Waters by Sebald - Alaska-focused angsty break-up oneshot. “Justin is haunted by a dream that keeps slipping away.” 🌈

Immaculate (Or, Sharon’s Lesbian Awakening) by Citrus - Smutty lesbian oneshot. “Sharon’s been with the same guy since she was seventeen and has never had an orgasm. Her best friend Willam takes it upon herself to find a pretty lesbian to fix that.” 🌈

Just the Game We’re In by Ortega - Lesbian AU. A Witney/Group fic with Shalaska featured heavily throughout. Inspired by “The Thick of It” - the queens as British politicians. 📚

Just the Two of Us by pureCAMP - Multichapter lesbian Hogwarts AU.

Leather and Lace by Dandelionprophets - Multichapter lesbian high school AU “where Alaska is a popular cheerleader and Sharon is a weird goth.”

A Long December by Jazz - Smutty canon compliant oneshot. “A story about how Sharon and Alaska (probably) met, inspired by an old quote from Alaska.” 🌈

Mean Queens by Nymph and pureCAMP - Multichapter group fic inspired by Mean Girls. 📚

Of Light Mist, of Pale Amber Rose by Citrus - Sweet smutty lesbian oneshot inspired a photoshoot of “alaska [giving] serious trophy wife vibes.” 🌈

Party by pureCAMP - Canon compliant post-breakup multichapter. 📚

Playing Cupid by Rosie - Witney/Shalaska lesbian multichapter. “Overworked and underpaid, two personal assistants meet in an unsuspecting way. Bonding over their hatred for their ridiculous working conditions and cruel bosses, they hatch a plan to solve all their problems, discovering along the way that sometimes… love needs a little assistance.” Inspired by “Set It Up.”

Primadonna Life by Aksinya - Smutty, kinky, angty canon compliant oneshot. “Vaguely inspired by “The T” and Alaska talking about how it came out of her state of mind between All Stars filming and airing, where she had all these things she felt like she couldn’t talk about and finally just put them all in ‘a Wikileaks data dump of a song.’” 🌈

Santa Baby by Citrus - Smutty lesbian oneshot. “Sharon (rather foolishly) promises to spoil Alaska rotten during the holiday season. This promise turns Lasky into quite the brat, which of course leads to her being disciplined. TW for consensual(!) heavy impact play, degradation, bondage, and rough sex.” 🌈

Sharon Says by Citrus - Smutty lesbian oneshot. PWP, BDSM. 🌈

Something Near Perfect by Lost Imp - High School Lesbian AU Multichapter. 📚

Sweetener by Citrus - Smutty lesbian college au oneshot. “Alaska isn’t a lesbian. Sharon doesn’t want relationship. They’re both terrible liars.” 🌈

Swingers by Squeaky Stella (Shalaska x Trixya) - Smutty oneshot about a foursome with Lesbian Trixya, trans girl Alaska, cismale Sharon. BDSM. 🌈

The T by Dandee - Angsty oneshot. Sharon has a terminal illness; Alaska goes to visit. 🌈

Tattletale by Rosie - Angsty, smutty multichapter lesbian AU inspired by “Big Little Lies.” “When Sharon woke up on the morning of her daughter’s Year 1 Orientation Day, she didn’t expect to have the naked body of another mother writhing underneath her before the 3pm pickup rolled around.”

Too Close/Not Close Enough by Sebald - Canon compliant post-breakup oneshot. “Sharon and Alaska find it hard to have conversations in the crowded tour bus. They find it even harder to escape each other.” 🌈

Treasure Chest of Pretty Things by Monroe - Smutty lesbian morning sex oneshot. 🌈

Unlawful Affairs by Thomo - Smutty lesbian oneshot featuring “Cop!Sharon and 7/11!Alaska.” 🌈

Video Star by Rosie (Shalaska + Katya) - Smutty lesbian multichapter. “Sharon Needles is the most popular queen at RuPorn, the drag queen porn agency. But what happens when she’s paired with the newest RuGirl who’s joined the squad, and tasked with initiating such an amateur into a spotlight she’s not interested in sharing?” 📚

We’re Running Out of Wind by Morgana - Angsty oneshot. “So beautifully written, so angsty, honestly, it's just a beautifully heartbreaking fic because it's realistic - people fall out of love and no-one's the bad guy, it just happens.” 🌈

What Your Skin Would Look Like On Me by Dylann - Angsty, smutty, canon compliant oneshot. 🌈

Wild Desire by Velouette. Lesbian multichapter with eventual smut. “Alaska is a 28 year old successful lawyer who lives happily with her husband, Jon. After suspecting her husband has been going to a strip club she decides to investigate and visits the strip club herself. There she meets Sharon, a younger woman who strips for a living and might change Alaska’s life forever.”

Withstanding The Test of Time by pureCAMP - Multichapter AU.

You’re Giving Up Before You Start by SammyIndigo - Lesbian oneshot focused on Sharon as a single mom. “Sometimes life is hard, and sometimes it sucks, and sometimes Sharon feels like a terrible mother, and sometimes she thinks about how it’s going to be like this forever. Or maybe not. Not when Alaska is there. But Sharon can’t even care for a cactus. She doesn’t deserve her.” 🌈

#fic recs #fic rec masterpost #shalaska

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fail-boat · 6 years ago

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Bottle babies!!!

I’ve been royally MIA on here. Kitten season has hit LA full force and I’ve been putting in a lot of extra hours at the Bungalow with TNR, feeding, and socialization. We had our 9th birthday celebration on Sunday and I was there from 11 am to 9:30 pm. As a volunteer. ❤️ But we’re slowly but surely making a difference on the lives of feral cats in Los Angeles.

I currently have this gorgeous feral boy living in my garage for the next few weeks:

He’s learning that this is home base for food and water before I release him to join the existing colony. He was trapped and neutered in South LA, but instead of returning him, his trapper put out a call asking if anyone could add him to their colony as someone was poisoning the cats in his area. My colony is pretty stable right now, so he should be able to adapt without issue, so I volunteered to take him in. Two more weeks before he gets to run free and I have no doubt he’s looking forward to it. ❤️

But back to the bottle babies. They were rescued, motherless, about two weeks ago. We had a nursing mama whose kittens were old enough to wean, so we swapped out the babies. These guys were thriving, but the mama cat developed some severe mastitis and at one point we almost lost her. She’s recuperating on antibiotics, but in the meantime, these little guys are getting bottle fed. The Bungalow has about a 9-hour gap between dinner shift and breakfast shift, which is too long for bottle babies to go without feeding. So I was contacted to see if I could foster and feed until they’re old enough to eat solid food. Absolutely. Unlike newborns who have to eat about every 2 hours and will die if you look at them wrong, 3 week old kittens can go about 4 hours between feedings, are MUCH sturdier, and they’re starting to get personalities! These guys will already cuddle into me and start purring. They’ve decided I’m an acceptable surrogate mom. ❤️

Look at these little floofs. ❤️❤️❤️

#foster kittens #kitten season #kitten video #kitty bungalow #from hiss to home #adopt don't shop

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sciencespies · 5 years ago

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Eight Things We’ve Learned About Moms Since the Last Mother's Day

https://sciencespies.com/news/eight-things-weve-learned-about-moms-since-the-last-mothers-day/

Eight Things We’ve Learned About Moms Since the Last Mother's Day

We freewheeling humans may be the only species that reliably showers mothers with cards and confections on the second Sunday in May, but all animal moms deserve some serious love and gratitude—probably on more than an annual basis.

From conception to birth and beyond, moms across the tree of life play an indispensable role in their kids’ survival and success. Here are a few things we’ve learned about the many ways the bong between a mother and her offspring manifests since our last Mother’s Day.

We Still Have a Lot to Learn About the Placenta

A mammalian fetus usually spends a few weeks or months or so in their mother’s placenta, an organ that shuttles nutrients, oxygen and waste between a mom-to-be and her embryo during pregnancy. Understanding this bizarre and complicated bit of anatomy is, quite literally, crucial to comprehending life as we know it.

Plenty about the placenta is still puzzling to researchers, including whether it hosts its own collection of friendly microorganisms, or microbiome. Though microbes are known to quickly colonize both the inside and outside of the human body after birth, playing important roles in immunity, digestion, and more, the placenta has traditionally been considered a sterile spot. If the placental microbiome exists—as some researchers argue it does—it could represent a fetus’ first exposure to benign bacteria and play a role in shaping the child’s future health.

But not everyone is on board with the idea. Last July, a group led by Stephen Charnock-Jones of the University of Cambridge published a study arguing against the existence of this mysterious microbial population, suggesting that previous experiments that had detected it had been the result of contamination in the lab, Laura Sanders reported for Science News at the time. The debate will inevitably rage on, wrote Ed Yong for the Atlantic, but highlights how little we understand about the microbes that inhabit our bodies.

Swamp Wallabies Can Get Pregnant While They’re Already Pregnant

Regardless of whether the placenta teems with bacterial tenants, this organ is inarguably a powerhouse—especially in the swamp wallaby, a petite marsupial that romps around Australia. Thanks to a series of weird quirks in their reproductive cycles, female swamp wallabies can get pregnant while already pregnant. These oddball animals boast two separate uteruses, and can alternate embryo implantations between them, allowing some overlap in gestation if they have sex before giving birth.

Female swamp wallabies may spent their entire adult lives continuously pregnant.

(pen_ash / Pixabay)

“As soon as they reach sexual maturity, these females are—perhaps unfortunately—pregnant all the time,” University of Melbourne biologist Brandon Menzies, who led the team that made the discovery, told Smithsonian magazine earlier this year.

Because their offspring suckle in the pouch for many months after birth, female swamp wallabies can end up supporting three young at once: an older joey that’s left the pouch, but still returns to mom for food; a younger joey nursing inside the pouch; and an incubating fetus that has yet to be born. Now that’s some impressive single parenting.

A 306-million-Year-Old Lizard Mother and Her Child Fossilized Together

The scientific community has learned about a few very old examples motherhood. Among them is a 306-million-year-old fossil immortalizing two lizard-like creatures huddled together in a tree stump—presumably, researchers argue, a mom protecting its kid.

If that’s indeed the case, this rare fossil could represent an extremely ancient instance of parental care in amniotes, the group that includes today’s mammals, birds and reptiles. The behavior, which requires an adult animal to invest time, energy and resources into its offspring after birth, might sound intuitive for modern creatures, but may not have come as easily to our egg-laying predecessors.

“Parental care is a strategy with a long antiquity,” paleontologist Arjan Mann told Smithsonian magazine last year. “Clearly, it’s worked out multiple times in evolutionary history. And we should have an appreciation for it.”

Were Ancient Europeans Using Clay Vessels to Feed Their Infants Animal Milk?

Not quite as old, but perhaps at least as impressive, are a set of 3,000-year-old clay vessels that may have been used to feed babies in what’s now Europe, Bruce Bower reported for Science News in September. Spouted and laced with traces of nonhuman animal milk, the containers may represent rudimentary baby bottles used on young kids during weaning, researchers argued in a paper published last year. By this point in time, dairying in Europe had been in place for at least 3,000 years, and women may have used milk from livestock animals to supplement their own breast milk as their children transitioned to solid food. The findings aren’t definitive, but still offer something for us modernites to chew on.

Mama Whales Whisper to Their Young to Evade Predators

Even when offspring stop relying on their mothers for food, they’ll often turn back to them for comfort, protection and companionship. That concept isn’t exactly breaking news, but each passing year offers up new examples of the tender ties between parents and their progeny.

Last July, Carolyn Wilke at Science News wrote of a heartwarming ritual between female southern right whales and their calves, who will listen to their mothers’ soft whispers to evade predatory orcas. These gentle calls—which sound like baritone moos—are too quiet to be picked up by anyone other than an adjacent whale (and, in this case, an eavesdropping scientist), allowing the gentle giants to protect their little ones in the vast and dangerous sea. “This shows us that whales have a sort of intimate communication as well,” Mia Nielsen, a behavioral biologist at Aarhus University in Denmark, told Science News at the time.

Vampire Bat Moms Persevere Through Illness to Care for Their Young

Moms will also go to great—and probably unsurprisingly—lengths to care for their kids, even when they’re feeling under the weather, a recent find in vampire bats suggests. Despite their vilification as blood sucking antagonists, these flying mammals are intelligent, social and generous, ecologist Gerry Carter of Ohio State University told Smithsonian magazine earlier this year. Sickness and symptoms do change behaviors, but illness-stricken moms will still muster the energy to feed and groom their offspring, highlighting the resilience of these relationships. The flipside of this, of course, is that it may enable infectious diseases to spread more quickly through family groups.

A Dolphin Adopted an Orphaned Baby Whale

A few heroic animal moms will even extend their caregiving to younguns of other species. Such adoptions are extremely rare (and don’t always end well). But recently, scientists have stumbled upon a handful of examples, including a female bottlenose dolphin that spent more than three years caring for a young melon-headed whale—even though she already had her own biological baby.

For mammals, milk production is a costly endeavor, making most moms wary of investing in young they’re not related to, even within the same species. The researchers behind the discovery, described in a paper published last summer, aren’t sure what circumstances bore out this odd cross-species interaction, but suspect it may have been largely fortuitous. Perhaps the little melon-headed whale was particularly persistent in pursuing the bottlenose mom at a time when she was “permissive” to the idea, having just given birth herself, Pamela Carzon of the Groupe d’Étude des Mammifères Marins (GEMM) de Polynésie told Erica Tennenhouse at National Geographic at the time.

A mother lion, her lion cubs and her adopted spotted leopard baby.

(Dheeraj Mittal / Deputy Conservator of Forests in India)

A Lioness Cared for a Sick Baby Leopard

Even more unexpected was a bond that formed between a mother lion and a baby leopard, described in a paper published earlier this year. Natural competitors who typically tussle over space and resources in India’s Gir National Park, lions and leopards are “at perpetual odds,” Stotra Chakrabarti of the University of Minnesota told Cara Giaimo at the New York Times. But a fuzzy, blue-eyed leopard cub managed to manage to melt another big cat’s lion heart. For more than a month, the lioness fostered the little interloper before he sadly died from a condition he’d likely had since birth.

The melon-headed whale and the leopard represent only the second and third cases of interspecies adoption ever documented, following on the heels of 2004 observation of a group of capuchin monkeys sheltering an infant marmoset. In all cases, the adoptee seemed to fit in relatively seamlessly with its new family, sometimes even engaging in playful behaviors and mimicking its newfound siblings.

These events are notably for their scarcity—but they’re also just plain adorable. As Carzon told National Geographic, “We were really excited to be able to witness such a rare phenomenon.”

#News

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