Frank was waiting by the gates, Angelo beside him. I could see them as I was led out. My heart was pounding, and as soon as the gate opened, I bolted, running over to Frank. He grinned and I kissed him happily, wrapping my arms around him as best I could. Angelo grinned and rubbed my back as I pulled away, looking down at Frank's swollen belly. “Oh my god. You are huge,” I laughed, and he pouted.
“I'm not fat.”
I chuckled and kissed his cheek. “No, of course not. Oh my god, I just wanna kiss you all over.”
Angelo coughed and we both giggled. Frank leaned into my chest, yawning. “I can't sleep with this huge stomach,” he complained quietly. I stroked his hair slowly, smiling sadly. “I'm sure you'll sleep better tonight.”

---

I rolled over and groped at the warm chest sleepily. Frank mumbled something and put his hand over mine, moving it down to his stomach. I yawned and kissed his cheek, then gasped.
“The baby kicked!”
Frank chuckled softly, his voice a little hoarse from sleep. “Mhm. Always when I’m trying to sleep.” I purred and pulled my boyfriend into a quick kiss. “I’m so sorry,” I murmured, tugging him closer to me. “But we’re gonna have a beautiful baby soon.”
He rolled over to face away from me and I wrapped my arms around him, my leg between his to support his back. “I love you, Gee.”
I kissed his neck, my hand running down his side slowly. “I love you too. Go back to sleep.”

---

Angelo and I were already eating breakfast by the time Frank got up in the morning. Ari was at his friend’s house for a sleepover, and wouldn’t be back until the afternoon.
“I think I can hear him moving around,” Angelo commented quietly.
I looked up and nodded. “Mhm. I don’t think he’s been sleeping too well, even with me here.”
He shrugged. “It’s hard with that weight. Can you imagine how much that hurts his back?”
I pulled a face and stood up. “No. I’m gonna go see if he needs help.” Angelo nodded and I wandered off down the hall, opening the bedroom door. Frank was in his dressing gown, struggling to sort his clothes out. I smiled and shut the door behind me as I walked to him, kissing the side of his head. “Go sit down, sweetie, I’ll help,” I murmured, rubbing his shoulder. He shot me a grateful look and went to the edge of the bed. I was gathering his clean clothes when he suddenly cried out.
Everything I’d been holding dropped to the floor and I hurried over to him, cupping his face in my hands. “What’s wrong?”
Frank gasped, grabbing at my wrists with shaky hands. “C-contraction, I think- ow!”
I quickly reached around him, tugging his folded pajamas over to me. “Okay. Hospital time, beautiful.”
I helped him into the clothes and brought him his coat and shoes. He was on the verge of tears by then, groaning softly.
“Shh, Frankie. I’m here, baby,” I tried to soothe him, stroking his hair and supporting him as he stood up. “Come on. Angelo is gonna drive us so I can sit with you, okay? Take deep breaths.”
Frank clung to my hand as I led him to the car, talking to him quietly the whole way. The contractions already seemed to be getting closer together, and Frank was clearly in increasing pain. I buckled his seatbelt for him and Angelo glanced over his shoulder. “Everything okay?”
“No,” Frank laughed shakily, then gasped and made a frantic grab for my hand. I hugged him, rubbing his belly slowly. “It’s okay, shh, I’ve got you,” I murmured over and over as he buried his face in my neck, trembling.

Once we got to the hospital, Angelo brought a wheelchair round and I helped Frank into it, rubbing his shoulder. “Try and relax, baby.” I followed Angelo as he led us to the right area, and Frank was soon placed in his own small room with a bed. I was just lifting him up when he whimpered and suddenly his pajama bottoms were soaked.
“Ohh, sweetie, it’s okay,” I said quickly, stripping them off and laying him in the bed. “Deep breaths, still,” I hummed, fussing around him and making sure the blanket was laid over him comfortably. A nurse hurried in and started to hook him up to all kinds of machines, then produced a huge needle. I swallowed hard and had to turn away as she injected the fluid into Frank’s spine. Angelo had slipped out by then, so I sat in the only chair by the bed, holding Frank’s hand tightly. “It hurts so bad,” he whimpered. I stroked his cheek slowly, watching as the nurse quickly changed him into a hospital gown. “I know, sweetie. I’m so sorry. I love you so so much.” He grinned as tears rolled down his cheeks and he tensed up again, groaning. I kissed his forehead and kept holding his hand as the groan escalated into a wail. I trembled, clinging to his hand and wiping the sweat off his forehead as a doctor came in, peeking under the blanket. She nodded to the nurse and looked up. “Hey Frank, I’m Dr. Olson, and I’m gonna need you to push for me, can you do that?”

The next hour was grueling for me, but I couldn’t imagine what it did to Frank. By the time I heard the baby cry, I was exhausted from trying to calm Frank and stay calm myself. I couldn’t stand to see Frank in so much pain, and certainly not pain I’d caused. I hugged him as tightly as I could as the doctor rushed the baby away, saying something to the nurse about incubation. Frank grabbed at me weakly, sobbing softly. “It hurts,” he whined, and I ran my fingers through his hair over and over. “I know. I’m right here, Frankie baby. You’re gonna be okay. It’s okay if you gotta take a nap, yeah? You look really pale.”
Another nurse walked in and smiled at me. “Hey guys. I’m just gonna clean Frank up a bit and make sure he has enough pain meds. First kids are always super tough.”
I held onto Frank as she wiped him down and changed the sheets. She was just about to leave when I gently grabbed her arm. “Why did they take the baby?” The nurse stopped. “I think he had an irregular heartbeat, they took him to clean him up and make sure he’s okay. He may have to stay here a couple days extra, but I’m sure he’s gonna be fine.” I relaxed and let go, leaning over to kiss Frank’s forehead. “It might be a while before we get to see him. I think you should try and get some sleep.”
He nodded slightly and I gently moved him over, laying next to him and hugging him tightly. He whimpered softly, but leaned into me gratefully as his eyes slipped closed.

Notes

Do you guys think this moves too fast, or is it okay?