Small Cottage

Elroy looked at Serenity in the manner of a grazing cow, that sort of matter-of-fact stare he happened to share with his sister. He lifted the box into his arms. "Going up to storage. Be back." And of course, by storage he meant the old manor on the other side of the island. He would be taking the golf cart.

[what the hell was i on]

"Bastard..." Serenity muttered, and turned on the TV.

[IDK LUL]

He returned about a half an hour later.

[.... *facepalm* I'm sorry.]

Serenity kept frowning. "Okay, I don't even remember what you went out for, honestly."

"Go back to bed," he said offhandedly.

"Where were you? Tell me.."

"Storage."

"Oh.. Well, I think I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight."

Around the time Elroy was due to get home from work, Serenity was busy putting up a sign that said "Congratulations! You're a father!" Right in the middle of the living room.

And sure enough, Elroy came home at six-on-the-dot. He gave the sign a sort of gawking look before dropping his briefcase on the couch and trudging off to the bathroom.

Serenity followed him in. "I'm only joking, you know. It wasn't serious."

"I'm trying to take a piss, here!" Elroy promptly shoved her out and shut the door.

"Well, I don't care!" Serenity said, going and sitting down.

A minute later, Elroy assumed his usual chair. "A joke, that is. A very... funny joke."

"I know! I thought it was hilarious. But, seriously, what do you think of children?"

"You were launching a discussion, alright..." He rubbed his forehead. "They're alright, I suppose."

"Well do you think we'd want to have some?"

Elroy shrugged. "Isn't a little early to be discussing this?"

"I don't think so. I mean, I just got a job. We're married.."

Elroy thought for a moment, gnawing on his thumbnail absentmindedly. He then stopped and looked over at Serenity. "You were joking," he said, "Right?"

"Well, you see, no. You didn't take it that well so I tried to pass it off as a joke and now you're more angry."

"You're pregnant, then?" He seemed rather nonchalant about the whole thing.

Serenity stared at him for a really long time. "Uh-huh!" She said, with a cheery smile.

For the longest time, Elroy just stared at his wife. Inhale, exhale. "Well, alright then."

Serenity just stared at him. "I don't think this is what being married is supposed to be like."