Not sure why I chose to show the updated legacy house at night instead of daytime, but it’s looking really cute! And I love checking out the surrounding city view :)
Layla’s always wanted a party patio! She could get used to this kinda life…
Layla: So, what’s the plan for when the baby comes?
Kurt: Like names, or…?
Layla: I don’t care about names, I mean logistics! You earn more money than me, but I don’t want to let up on my case, not when I’m so close to a breakthough and getting back on the CSI team-
Kurt: I mean, we’ve got enough in the bank. I could afford to take a career break. Or we could hire a nanny!
Layla: A nanny? Some stranger in our house, with our newborn, unsupervised?
Kurt: You worry too much, babe.
Layla goes into labour the next morning just as Kurt gets into his carpool. Talk about bad timing!
Red: Hello, is everything okay? I heard, uh, screaming?
Layla: Oh, I’m fine. Was just having a baby. Everything’s under control now.
Red: Damn, you look good for it! I’m Red, by the way. Have you got everything you need? I know a guy who makes nursury shit.
Layla: You’ll have to give me his number. Red… actually, your timing is pretty good. I was having trouble thinking of a good name for the kid.
Red: Haha, you gonna name them after me?
Layla: Not exactly. But Scarlett is nice for a girl, right?
Layla: Welcome to the world, Scarlett. Here’s hoping you grow up cool and smart. Like your Mom!
Red: So is the dad in the picture, or…?
Layla: Yeah, he’s around. He’s just at work right now.
Red: Cool, cool. Wouldn’t want to step on any toes.
Layla: Eh, I wouldn’t worry. Kurt’s chill.
Red: Maybe you should take her. I think she needs changing.
Layla: Oh, gross. You ever changed a diaper before? I don’t know what I’m doing.
Red: I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I need to get going anyway, I got, uh, things to do.
Layla: Fine, whatever. See you around.
Kurt: Is this her? Our little girl?
Layla: Sure is. I named her Scarlett.
Kurt: Oh, like A Study in Scarlet?
Layla: Yeah, sure.
Kurt: Kinda morbid, but why am I not suprised? Hey, she has my eyes!
Kurt: I can’t stop looking at her. What a cutie…
Layla: See if you’re still saying that when she poops herself.
Kurt: I don’t care, little Scarlett can do no wrong in my book!
Layla: Maybe I’ll change up my look…
Kurt: Aw, but I love your style! I don’t think you need to start dressing all mom-sy just because you have a baby now.
Layla: Oh, hell no, I wasn’t thinking of anything like that. I was just wondering about getting something for the warmer weather.
Kurt was really happy with his life, honestly. He hadn’t planned on having a baby with Layla, or anyone really, but he was already fantasising about their future together. He just hoped he and Layla were on the same page…
Kurt hires a babysitter, Claire, but Layla isn’t so sure about just granting some stranger access to her home so she invites her bestie Roisin over to keep an eye on her.
Claire’s a mixed bag. On one hand, she spends a lot of time at the pool table and helps herself to the home bar! But on the other, it’s rare I actually see a nanny change a diaper and not constantly disturb a baby’s sleep? So she can stay, for now.
Claire: Good evening, Mrs. Stamper.
Layla: It’s Ms. Fiero.
Claire: Oh! My bad.
Layla: I hope Scarlett wasn’t too much trouble.
Claire: Not at all, dear. She was an angel.
Kurt: Lookin’ good, babe! How was work?
Layla: Eh, it was okay. Not much activity on the streets lately. Which is good news for the city, but…
Kurt: Not so good for info, I get it. Want to get your mind off work for a little while?
Layla: Not especially. I need all the thinking power I can get if I’m gonna solve this-
Kurt: Layla. I’m asking if you want to spend some time together.
Layla: Oh. I get you. Sure, babe. Let me just change out of the suit.
Kurt: Or maybe keep it on? You look hot in workwear…
Kurt: I know we didn’t exactly plan most of this, but I’m really happy!
Layla: Yeah, things worked out pretty okay.
Kurt: I really love you, Layla. Do you ever think about the future?
Layla: Um… kind of? We should probably go check on Scarlett.
Layla loved Kurt, that much was certain. But did she see herself marrying him? Having more children together? Spending the rest of her life with him? Sometimes it sounded so nice. But sometimes the idea of it absolutely terrified her. Losing her freedom, losing other avenues to explore, losing parts of herself.
Occasionally she still had that instinct to bolt. It was the very instinct that had led her to Shellcastle Sands and her current life. Her new life was good! She had exciting work, somebody to love, and becoming a mother was leading her to discover all sorts of new things about herself. But there might be other, more exciting adventures right around the corner, just waiting for her to find them…