(no subject)

[command_dot_com]

There's no particular reason today, that the boss seems...distracted at work. The office workers have enough sense to pick up on it, and both Specky and the elderly matron binome have caught Dot for a few brief moments looking at a jpg in her PDA.

It's an old jpg, the quality of the image is rather grainy, but the face in it could be an exact match for the boss's...if the skin weren't just a touch more yellow.

Appropriate, considering who has arranged for a little luncheon together today.

Comments

[notascreensaver]

As if on cue, there's a soft knock on the office door, followed by the entrance of a familiar Game sprite.

"Hey, Dot."

[command_dot_com]

"Come on in, AndrAIa." The PDA is reduced to pocket-size as Dot gets up from her desk. "I'll get my account file and we'll be off to lunch, you're picking the place, right?"

[notascreensaver]

AndrAIa nods, smiling at her sister-in-law as she watches her from just inside the doorway.

"Right. There's a place nearby that's pretty good."

[command_dot_com]

"Great, I'll buy ofcourse." And Dot's dragged and dropped the file into the PDA, and they're ready to go. "All these new eateries are going to give the Diner a run for it's money..."

[notascreensaver]

"I'm sure the Diner will be just fine, it's still pretty popular, you know."

[command_dot_com]

"If only as a tourist attraction." Dot chuckles. "How're you and Matrix holding up?"

[notascreensaver]

"Aside from a few severe mood swings, we've been really good. I don't think Matrix could be any more excited about the Alpha coming."

[command_dot_com]

"Have you found out if you're going to be having a boy or a girl yet?"

[notascreensaver]

Absently, she lays a hand on her stomach, her voice soft.

"We're going to ask during the next appointment."

[command_dot_com]

"That's next second, isn't it?"

[notascreensaver]

A nod.

"Yeah."

[command_dot_com]

"...AndrAIa?"

Dot caught that look.

[notascreensaver]

The Game sprite's walk slows to a stop, and she swallows thickly.

"Dot? Were you nervious when you were pregnant with Mairi?"

[command_dot_com]

There's only a moment of thought for that question.

"Yes. Good Code, I haven't stopped being worried, even after she was born."

But for entirely different reasons.

[notascreensaver]

Frowning a little, AndrAIa begins fidgeting with the bracelets on her wrist.

"I feel terrified sometimes, that I can't do this." Fidget. "I didn't exactly have a normal childhood, if you recall."

[command_dot_com]

"...I recall teaching you how to use a fork at the dinner table, and that you don't have to eat everything raw." Dot replies softly, putting an arm around AndrAIa's back. "And about people."

[notascreensaver]

AndrAIa leans into the touch, giving a watery sort of laugh.

"So do I. You and Bob and Mouse, you guys are the closest things I've ever had to parents, and even that didn't last for very long before the war."

[command_dot_com]

"No...it didn't..." Pause. "But on that note...it looks like we all did a good job."

[notascreensaver]

She nods, drawing in a shaky breath.

"I'm just scared that maybe, I won't be good enough."

[command_dot_com]

"AndrAIa?" She's just going to give the AI a hug now. "The fact that you care enough to worry about it..you're going to be a great mom."

[notascreensaver]

AndrAIa's hugging back as best as she can with the baby bump.

"You think so?"

[command_dot_com]

"I know so." Small knowing smile.

[notascreensaver]

The Game sprite smiles a small smile, hugging her mother figure turned sister-in-law.

"Thanks."

[command_dot_com]

"Come...let's get the two of you a good lunch...what's this place we're going to known for?"

[notascreensaver]

One last squeeze and Dot is released as they continue their walk to the restaurant.

"I think you'll like it, they have something like sushi at Milliways."