Some Things Just Can't Be Understood

Maple tried to guess the condition on the way to the doctors, only he was unable to come up with anything that fit her symptoms. Eventually he arrived at the medical wing and asked for Dr. Woodbury.

Mr kitty finally ventured back up onto the bed

"Hello Professor Maple," greeted Dr.Woodbury. "Is your arm bothering you?"

"No it's fine," Maple replied. "Actually I was here to ask about Pheobie. She said to come to you to ask about her condition. What does she have?"

"A baby," replied the doctor nonchalantly.

"Oh," Maple replied, before it fully registered. "Wait, what?"

Pheobie held the bear close and cuddled it.

"She's pregnant," Dr. Woodbury said.

"...Pregnant," Maple echoed numbly.

"Was it you?" she asked. She guessed by Maple's stiffening that it was and chuckled. "We figured. It was either your or Smith, and Smith wasn't nervous enough about the news."

Maple swallowed, looking away.

Pheobie vaguely wondered how Maple was going to react.

"Ah, well..." Maple rambled, not sure what else to say.

"You don't have to give me the details," said Dr. Woodbury. "In fact, I don't want them. So what will you do now, future papa?"

"Well...guess I need one of those parents books. And baby stuff. And...just a lot of stuff," Maple replied. "Just...wow. Ask me when my brain stops imploding."

"I understand," the doctor replied with a slight smile.

Pheobie rolled over so her back was to the door. She curled around the teddy bear.

Maple left the doctors in a daze. His other colleagues seemed to notice this, many with amusement. They knew, or had suspected it. It was like Woodbury had said: there weren't many suspects to choose from.

(Okay, remind me, how was smith a suspect?)

Pheobie worried Maple might not come back.

(He was the main person who hung out with Pheobie while Maple was gone. But it was never very likely, just a possibility)

Finally Maple came back and knocked on the door. "Pheobie?" he called.

Pheobie was hesitant. "yes?" she asked

"Can I come in?" asked Maple.

"... Yes" She mumbled

Maple came in a carefully closed the door behind him. He was trying to think of what to say.

Pheobie curled into a tighter ball. She was more nervous because he was silent.

Maple plopped down on the corner of the bed. "So...I've heard I'm going to be a dad," he said with some amusement.

Pheobie pulled the blanket back over her head.

Maple looked back. "...Are you mad at me?"

"You're not mad at me?" Pheobie asked softly.

"No," Maple replied.

Pheobie peaked up at him from under the blanket. "You're not?"

"No," Maple repeated. "I should've worn a condom or something."

"A what?" Pheobie asked

"It's the thing you put over...the thing, that goes into...the thing," Maple answered vaguely. "Anyway, it helps prevent unwanted pregnancy."