One Day at a Time

[Benji]

People are funny, sometimes.

They have a way of finding their way right where they need to be, even if it doesn't seem like it. People find each other in a similar fashion; you never quite know who you're going to run into, and what that will mean to the rest of your life.

Plans? Sure, lots of people have plans, but plans don't always work out, and you're left picking up the pieces in the worst case scenarios.

And when that happens, well, that's when things get interesting, and the world gets to watch as you take things-

One Day at a Time

 

[CrimsonFang47]

Having just moved into town, former career criminal and expectant mother Kaiya Ashikaga was currently trying to settle in. Unable to ride either of her motorcycles and with her SUV in the shop over night, Kaiya had ended up resorting to public transportation. Sure, she had that 1971 Dodge Challenger, but she wasn't comfortable driving it. Just one thing at a time, one day at a time.

Today, Kaiya just took the bus to meet with her new midwife and to review her birth plan as she was five weeks from her due date. Since her appointment had been later in the day as she had drop her car off beforehand along the way, not to mention grabbing dinner before going to the bus stop to catch one of the last busses to finally go home. Keeping her purse close, Kaiya sat down on the bench at the bus stop having about ten to fifteen minutes to spare. While waiting, she looked down at her swollen belly, sighed and began cradling it as she felt her unborn child kicking. Just a couple more minutes and she'd be on her way home.

 

[Benji]

Donnie did his best to not act on his urges, but good lord, it was hard.

He rubbed the coin they'd given him at his first meeting, while keeping it hidden in his pocket. At the same time, his other hand produced a cigarette as he got to the bus stop.

He'd been walking, specifically so that he could better avoid the liquor store, and not have time to stop if he couldn't avoid it. It was a good meeting, but all the extra walking was making him tired, hence his current location. Maybe if I keep my hands in my pockets, it'll be easier to avoid the wrong stop. He told himself.

If he had a devil on his back, than the rotten little imp was having a tantrum, and he wasn't afraid to get the pitchfork involved, either. He pulled out his lighter, and grunted in frustration as he tried (and failed) to get the "death stick" lit.

Without thinking, he glanced at the woman sitting on the bench and asked, "Hey, lady, you got a-" Once he fully looked at her, though, he grimaced. "O-ohh... Um, nevermind, I guess." Away went the cigarette as he gave up on a nicotine fix to distract from his "thirst". "I'll wait 'til I get home. Hey, you carrying all that yourself?" He raised an eyebrow as he pointed at her grocery bags.

 

[CrimsonFang47]

Upon hearing a man's voice, she opened her eyes and turned to the direction she thought the voice came from. She raised her eyebrow, wondering what he wanted...then saw a cigarette out of the corner of her eye. However, he stopped mid-sentence when he realized that she was pregnant. Still, that must have been awkward, about to ask a pregnant woman for a lighter. He then stated that he'd wait until he got home, bringing her a sense of relief. While she was used to the smell of cigarettes, Kaiya didn't exactly want to be around it right now as inhaling it was bad for the baby. Well, as far as secondhand smoke went anyway.

Soon, he asked if she was carrying all her grocery bags by herself. prompting her to look down at them. "Yeah, it's only about three of them. I'm not worried." She answered. "The heaviest items I have are three Arizona Iced Teas. So I'll be fine."

 

[Benji]

Heaving a sigh, he leaned against the brick building directly behind them. "No worries." He turned a raised eyebrow to her again, "So, uh, how much left on the timer? You know, for that bun in the oven."

He wasn't really all that interested, but he wanted the distraction from his urge to feed his addictions. Sure, she was cute, but that didn't matter so much to him because, well, obviously someone else agreed, and acted on that.

Nonetheless, though he didn't want to admit it to himself, he was wanting to connect with people, again. He'd been isolated when he was at his worst, and while his current club was supportive, he was new there, and it just wasn't the same as having real friends.

 

[CrimsonFang47]

As the small talk seemingly ended, Kaiya just relaxed on the bench, even if it was starting to feel really uncomfortable in comparison to a couch or even a bed, especially for her back. The silence was soon broken when he asked about her pregnancy, particularly how long she had until the big day. Briefly, she looked down at the swollen belly before looking out to the street. "About five more weeks, give or take." She replied, smiling as she was excited for the arrival of her baby.

Growing another human being was a miracle on its own, but with the life she once led, Kaiya didn't think she'd be starting a family. Now she wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world. However, she did wish her circumstances were better. Like being married or having a companion to share the joy with and to comfort as well as protect her because she was really at her most vulnerable. But she made due with the cards that she had been dealt. Going through pregnancy alone was hard and it was certainly awkward whenever she was in the waiting room at the clinic by herself waiting for her appointment.

All things considered though, she was doing well, the pregnancy was going smoothly and most important of all, the baby was healthy. "So, you just headed home too?" She asked, open to the idea of small talk while they waited for the bus.

Checking her watch, it should be at least five more minutes until the bus arrived. Oh how she missed her SUV...