Exes and Oh... My gawds

Posted on Tuesday, 12 October 2021 - 3:50pm by Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD & Lieutenant Scarlet Rogers
Edited on on Thursday, 14 October 2021 - 5:28pm

Mission: Operation: Lazarus

Scarlet had explored the base a little, just to prevent the cabin fever from kicking in. It was Ryan's advice at the beginning of her coming on board. She'd just returned to their quarters and was looking around for her sketch pad. She knew she'd left it somewhere. The comms rang and she answered, thinking it may be one of Ryan's parents. "Hi, Ryan's not here. He should be back from shift in a minute though - - oh, you're not Ryan's mum. Sorry. Hi." Scarlet's cheeks flushed red.

A very pregnant blond looked back. “Hello.” She said politely enough. “Could you just let him know that Amanda called?”

Scarlet frowned a little confused, "Amanda…? Sorry. I'm still getting used to his family."

“Rose” Amanda frowned right back. But then put on a smile, that was only slightly forced. Her curiosity getting the better of her. “And you are?”

"Oh," Scarlet clicked in and now the pregnancy she was seeing before he made her question a lot, "I'm Scarlet. I'll let him know you called, Amanda Rose."

Amanda wanted to press, but she really didn’t have a leg to stand on if they decided to have a jealousy contest, and really she was happier without him. “Thank you.” and she cut the line.

Scarlet thought for a moment. Ryan and his ex wife had been separated for, what, around a year. Was it possible? Amanda was still using his surname too… that was weird, right? She was silent in their quarters for a moment. Perhaps a quick call wouldn't hurt, "Rogers to Rose. Are you almost home?"

“I am down the corridor.” Ryan smiled into the comm. “Do you want me to stop and pick up something for dinner from the lounge?” He asked.

"No, it's fine," she replied with a little smile at his thought, "I just lost my appetite. You might too."

Ryan frowned, but replied. “I’ll be right there.” Clearly they needed to talk about whatever it was in person, so he hurried the rest of the way home. He stepped in, and immediately removed his lab coat and placed it on the hook he’d had installed by the door. “What’s wrong?” He started in lieu of a greeting.

"You just got a call from Mrs Rose," Scarlet said bluntly.

“Oh.” Ryan looked a bit relieved that was all. “I forgot to warn her Stillwater was coming, I’m sure she probably wants a lift off planet or something.”

"That or a baby daddy," Scarlet muttered.

Ryan looked agog. “She’s pregnant?”

"Looks like she's almost ready to pop," Scarlet nodded, "Remind me, you've been split around a year right?"

“Yes. I haven’t seen her in a year. The baby isn’t mine.” He assured her, now getting a better idea of why Scarlet was upset, understandably so.

Scarlet simply grunted a response, thinking, "well, she's still using your name and wasn't happy with me being here, emphasising her surname. So, she obviously feels she still has some level of ownership."

Ryan sighed. “I’m sorry you had to put up with that. I can’t imagine what she could possibly think. I will set her very straight. He wasn’t sure of his welcome at the moment but stepped closer and hugged Scarlet.

Scarlet smiled and hugged him, "you owe her nothing." She kissed his cheek.

“No. I don’t.” He agreed. “I’m sure she’s calling about her house no longer being available. I’ll arrange a transport for her, as I’d do for anybody who asked, but that’s it. I really have no desire to see her again.”

Uncharacteristically, Scarlet rolled her eyes and stepped away from him. He was far too nice-- it was both a good quality and bad one. That said, this encounter had made her instantly jealous, an emotion she hadn't really felt before. "Fine," she simply replied.

“I’m sorry.” He kissed the top of her head. “You do know that I have absolutely no interest in even seeing my x, not to even mention any kind of relationship beyond civil. Distant, but civil.”

Scarlet nodded, "you can't help being nice." She offered a soft smile, and kissed his cheek again, "you really are too nice."

Ryan let out a soft chuckle. “I’ll work on that.” He said jokingly.

"I'll leave you call her back whilst I made dinner," she replied.

“Ok.” Ryan agreed. “Best to get it over with.”

Ryan sat down and placed the call. They learned that the baby’s father had left after finding out about the pregnancy, but Amanda was determined to do this on her own. When Ryan had gently asked why she’d kept his surname, he got the expected explanation of her colony's culture regarding marriage and last names. He reminded her she wasn’t on her colony, and as she had clearly shown, she could do what she wanted. That had given Amanda a contemplative gaze, so Ryan had hoped she’d either go back to her madame name or just pick a new one. He was also surprised that she didn’t want a transfer off planet, she just wanted a contact for a lawyer, as she felt Stillwater had given her the house, and she planned on staying there. Ryan assured her that a lawyer wouldn’t be necessary, Stillwater was reasonable, and she really should just discuss it with him. All said and done, it wasn’t so bad. He closed the call and relaxed into the couch with a sigh.

A root beer and a bowl of Lancashire Hotpot soon appeared, "sounded like a fun call."

“It could have been much worse.” He smiled. “Oh thank you, that smells amazing.”

Scarlet smiled, sitting next to him, with her own bowl, chuckling softly, trying to make it a little lighthearted, "yeah, I suppose. She could be one of those humanoids that are pregnant for two years. Gawd."

Ryan snorted in amusement. “Well I’m glad she is getting what she wanted, which was a baby. Hopefully she’ll have a good life. I feel bad for Stillwater though.”

"Don't," Scarlet giggled, "from what I hear, everyone is upset with him leaving, so this is karma."