No turning back, nervous, nervous, I shouldn't be nervous

Nooj adjusts his position in the chair for the umpteenth time. Silence is all around him, heavy and pensive and yet practically buzzing with anxiety. Time's passing is marked only by the sound of his heartbeat as it thuds defiantly against the quiet. However, his face is a mask. Only the occasional stirring and a glimpse of his eyes can reveal what lies beneath his unflinching surface.

Nervous and...impatient

He finds himself itching for it be over with now. It's ironic how well he managed to remain patient during the waiting period, only to have it fizzle out at this point. The tail end is putting him on the edge of his seat, yet the reaction is all too normal in his circumstance.

He did such a good job of taking it in stride when the news first hit him, although he was very surprised to hear about it, to be sure. But when the shock panned out he actually became optimistic. Sometimes life throws a man one heck of a blitz pass; Nooj knows that better than most people. Like so many times before, this will doubtlessly turn out to be another test of his mettle.

Not sure how well I'll do, though

That is the part that contributes to his nervousness the most. His future holds no promises in this regard, only question marks. There is no one he can turn to for help or advice either, no one with any knowledge of what this will be like. He is on his own...almost.

Paine assured him that he'd do well. She believes in him.

Just thinking about her words makes Nooj smile. Of course it'll be all right, he realizes. She'll be there with him every step of the way. This won't be a one-person job. How silly of him to treat it that way.

He exhales contentedly, letting her little speech play through his mind on loop. It's almost as good as having her there by his side.

Blue or red, I think that's —

His musing is interrupted by the opening of a door far off to his right. A woman steps into the room, positively beaming.

"It's a boy," she says.