Prologue

He hugs her every day. Once before he leaves for work. And twice when he comes back. She never sees him without a smile on his face. The larger her stomach grows the more he seems to revert back to the old Rory. That clumsy, nervous, extremely attentive man that drops everything just to watch her walk up the stairs. Every time, no matter what, he trails closely behind her, keeping his arms open to catch her when she fell. Though she never does. She tries to just shirk off his behavior or bat him away, yet she can't help but smile at how he is. This was how it was supposed to be, and neither could hide how happy they were that they could just be normal, expecting parents.

There are many nights she hears him sing to her stomach. Though he always thinks she is dead-asleep, quite honestly it was quite impossible falling asleep to his voice, and it didn't help that the baby kicked around in protest. He holds her stomach, kisses it, and whispers secrets to the baby. She sleeps as still as she can, with her eyes closed, just listening to him speak with that different voice. Tender, yet strong and steady.

Seven months in and Rory asks for time off at his job, and when they refuse, she finds herself more exhausted than before as he wakes up earlier just to spend more time with them.

"6 A.M. Rory." She grumbles as he gently lifts her up out of the bed. (against her will, of course)

"I-I know. I just wanted to see if the baby would kick before I leave."

"I'm guessin' it won't have the same effect if I kick you?"

He smiles, and places his palm around her bloated bellybutton. After a few quiet minutes, concern sweeps over his face, and he swallows nervously.

"I don't feel anything."

Amy sighs, "The baby is most likely sleepin' as well, Rory. Much like I would like to."

He slowly kisses the hardness under her skin, "I just keep reading all these books about how active a baby is supposed to be in the third trimester."

"Rory, it's not even out of my stomach yet."

"Uterus."

Amy groans in disgust, "Don't use those words."

"They're the proper words." He gently pulls down her shirt over the growing mountain attached to her torso, and kisses her. "Which reminds me, I have to schedule another sonogram appointment."

She lightly shakes her head as she watches him race over to the wall calendar and scribble down some sort of note. "Rory, I just had one two weeks ago."

"You only know that because you just looked at the calendar. Besides," He turns back to her and smiles. "A lot can change in two weeks."

Amy rolls her eyes at him, and shoos him out the door. He turns around to her again and kisses her. "If you've anymore cravings, send me a text, and I'll pick them up on the way home."

She shirks off his nurturing look, "I love you, crazy man." Another kiss.

"I love you too, Mrs. Williams." And before she catches him, he quickly kneels down and kisses her stomach, "I love you as well, little Pond."