Christmas Eve: 10am
Derek woke with a start, momentarily disoriented as he tried to figure out what had woken him up. Looking to his left he could see that Spencer was still, thankfully, asleep and their child seemed to be as well since Derek didn't feel a kick when he placed his hand on his husband's expanded abdomen. After they had eaten dinner they decided to call it an early night and made their way to their bedroom, enjoying each other's company, happy that they could spend the night together. Derek had been working many late nights the past week to finish all the necessary paperwork before he went on leave, and by the time he came home Spencer was usually sound asleep, whether in their bed or on couch in the living room. Happy that Spencer was still deep in sleep, he carefully got out of bed and placed a gentle kiss on the back of his head before he walks out of the bedroom.
Just as he reached the hallway, the sound that had woken him up sounded again: knocking on his front door. He walked over and points his finger at Clooney who was about to get up and start barking. He unlocked the door and is surprised as to who he finds and remains speechless for a while. Eventually he squeaks out, "Mom, what are you doing here?"
Fran smiles as she lets herself into the house, placing her luggage on the ground while Derek closes the front door. "Come on now, baby, you were expecting me. I told you I was coming."
"I know, Mom," he replies as he hugs her tightly. "Not until later tonight though. I thought your flight was coming in at 6:30?"
Clooney chose that moment to get up and greet their new houseguest. Fran reached down to give him attention, scratching behind his ears until he was content and walked back to his bed. "Apparently you haven't been watching the news. There's a storm coming that could dump some heavy snow and I wanted to be here. I called my airline to see if I could change it. Thankfully there was an opening on a flight earlier."
Derek takes a moment to open up the blinds and sees the sky covered by light grey clouds and some flurries coming down. "I was hoping to have a white Christmas; now it looks like we will," he says happily. He turns to face his mother again, a large smile plastered on his face as he asks her, "Can I get you anything to eat or drink? I just woke up and Spencer is still sleeping."
"I'll have a cup of tea if it isn't too much trouble honey." Together the two adults walk into the kitchen and Fran takes a seat in one of the chairs from the kitchen island. As Derek sets about making his mother's tea she realizes Clooney didn't follow them in. "Where did Clooney go?"
As Derek brings the warm mug to his mother he takes the seat next to her. "He's probably in the bedroom with Spencer. I'd come home some nights this past week and find him in my spot curled up right next to him, like he's protecting him or something. He's always by his side, never likes to leave him alone. Spencer's been home by himself for the past week, week and a half and he told me Clooney never leaves his side, even following him into the bathroom and laying on the ground while he showered. Clooney's been sticking closer to him since he started showing." He leaves the kitchen island and walks to the counter. He grabs a container containing some blueberry muffins and offers some to his mother, grabbing some for him to eat while they talked. "Knowing Clooney is so protective of him gave me some peace of mind while I was at work, that he would watch out for him. Silly, I know, because he's a dog and can't help him much if he needs it, but it did."
Placing her cup down Fran says, "It's not Derek, it's some sort of company. How has Spencer been handling the pregnancy? I bet you two are getting anxious now with his due date being so close. That's how I felt with you and your sisters."
Derek sighs as closes his eyes, debating on what to tell his mother. She, too, had been extremely shocked when Derek had told her the news of Spencer's pregnancy, but was ecstatic to hear of her pending grandchild. He decides to tell her everything about the past few months. "He was shocked, both of us were, but we came to adjust. We read everything we could find, even if the information mainly related to female pregnancies. We had some small scares here and there: he would get slightly dizzy, lose of balance to the point he would have hit the floor if someone on the team or I hadn't been there to catch him. It's been a little harder now because he's confined to bed rest…or couch rest, wherever he can fall asleep, really. He's had some small moments of panic, saying how he can't do this and he won't be a good father and all that stuff, but I've always managed to calm him down. Right now he's really freaking out abut how much weight he's gained; just last night he had a break down when I asked him what he wanted for dinner, saying how he was three times his size and how he's sick of it. I'm trying to stay strong for him, but it's hard because I know how self-conscious he is about himself and his self-presence."
Derek feels tears sliding down his face, but he doesn't wipe them away. He hadn't been able to tell anyone how he was handing the pregnancy; everyone just wanted to know how Spence was doing. He feels a hand on top of his, and looking up he sees his mother looking right at him. "I know it's difficult baby, your father felt the same way when I was caring you and your sisters," she starts off, never letting her eye contact stray from her son. "You are doing the right thing, making sure he is taking care of himself and the baby, and being there for him when he has his moments. I can't even tell you how many times I broke down crying for no reason, and all your dad did was hold me tight. He couldn't think of anything else to do but hold me. It may seem small to you, but all the small things count: the hugs, the kisses, being there for him if he needs to talk or cry or just needs comfort. I've been talking to him, Derek, and he never stops talking about how amazing you have been. You are doing everything you can for him and he appreciates it." She uses her other hand to wipe away the tears from her son's eyes and places a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"You really have been amazing Derek." A soft voice startles them out of their silence. Neither of them had noticed Spencer was now in the kitchen with them, Clooney right by his side. Spencer waddles over and places a gentle but loving kiss on Derek's lips, deepening it slightly when Derek places on of his hands around his bump. They pull away from each other a few moments later, Spencer placing one of his hands over Derek's and looking him right in his eyes like his mother had moments ago. "I can't thank you enough for everything. The love and support, making sure I was eating even if I didn't want to, making me drink enough water and resting when I was becoming stressed out. As much as I panic about everything… I know we'll be ok because I have you by my side. I'm sorry if I've been a little more difficult than usual; I'd blame the hormones but it could just be my stubborn self, but I really can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me and the baby. You're going to be an amazing dad."
Derek pulls Spencer back to him as best he can and places another kiss onto his lips. "So will you baby boy. Everything is going to be fine. C'mon, get off your feet before your doctor yells at me for not following her instructions." Derek gets off his chair and walks with Spencer into the living room where they have the recliner that was from Spencer's old apartment.
After being seated and given a blanket Spencer asks, "Now what's for breakfast? We're hungry," as he places a hand over his bump, wincing slightly when he feels a kick.
Laughing Derek kisses his forehead. "Whatever you two want, Pretty Boy. Tell me and I'll make it for you while the two of you relax."
After telling Derek what he wanted Spencer was left sitting in the recliner with control of the remote and Clooney not too far away from him. He had been watching TV when he felt an odd and rather painful twinge. He hissed quietly, not wanting to alert Derek or his mom, placing the heal of his hand against his abdomen where he felt the pain. It lasted less than a minute and then disappeared, leaving him to believe it was just a Braxton hick contraction. He didn't have any more practice contractions when Derek returned with his strawberry pancakes with whipped cream and milk five minutes later, so Spencer didn't say anything. He relaxed with Derek, Fran and Clooney while they watched morning TV, ready to enjoy the day with those he loved and loved him back.
-CM-
Christmas Eve: 8PM
The day was spent quietly indoors. The snow had started to come down heavily from the sky and sticking to the ground, making Derek go outside to lay salt down and even shovel some. Fran had spent some personal time with Spencer, talking about anything he wanted to talk about, ask any questions he had and Fran offered some advice and encouragement when he started to get down on himself. Derek would bring Spencer anything he wanted whether it be a book or food, and when he wanted to relax in the tub Derek set it up for him, placing the bubbles he loved so much. After the bath they moved to the living room where Fran was watching The Polar Express on DVD. Spencer was so engrossed in the movie he never noticed that Derek had placed his feet in his lap and was now massaging his sore and swollen feet. He sighs quietly and after a while he feels himself start to fall asleep…until another twinge made its presence known. He gasps quietly and rubs his side, hoping Derek wouldn't notice.
Spencer never told Derek or his mom of the one he felt earlier that morning, nor the one he felt shortly after they had lunch. He didn't think they could be anything more that practice contractions: they were too infrequent and the pain wasn't bad enough for it to be labor. He wasn't due for another two and half weeks anyway; he still had time. He placed his hand on his bump and rubed it vigorously, hoping the pain would go away. When it finally did about a minute later he looks up and sees Derek and his mother looking at him.
"Everything ok, Pretty Boy?" Derek asks, his hands still on Spencer's feet but not doing anything. He has a deep look of concern on his face but stays where he is on the couch. Spencer takes a deep breath and says, "Yea I'm fine Derek. Just some practice contractions is all, nothing to worry about. Really I'm fine," he adds in when he sees Derek's eyes widen at the word 'contractions'.
Fran gets up from her seat and goes to Spencer's side placing a hand gently on his bump. "Are you sure Spencer? Have you felt anymore before this one?" she asks. She may be on vacation, but the caring instincts she felt not only as a mom but a nurse as well broke out without her even thinking.
Spencer thought about lying, but he knows he wouldn't be able to get Derek and his mom to believe it. "I felt a small one this morning at breakfast and then another one when we were eating lunch. They were hours apart and the pain wasn't intense. I think the little one is just getting too much excitement with the holidays and having Grandma here."
Both Derek and Fran looked unconvinced. "Should I call your doctor baby boy? I don't want anything to go wrong and I know you don't either. Should we bring you to the hospital?"
Shaking his head Spencer pulls his feet off of Derek's lap and onto the floor. "I'm fine Derek, I promise. I think I'll just head to bed. I think we're both tired." Derek gets off the couch to help his husband up, his mother right beside them.
Fran hugs Spencer when he's steady on his feet. "Sleep well Spencer. We'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight Fran," he says and he, Derek and Clooney make their way to their bedroom. Derek makes sure Spencer is settled in bed and places a kiss on his forehead then his lips. "You'll wake me if anything feels off right?" Derek asks as he places a hand on his husband's bump, smiling when he feels a kick. "Mom and I will be in the living room for a little while longer if you need anything."
Spencer rolls his eyes while saying, "Yes dear. We'll be fine, trust me. I'll scream if I need you and you're not here next to me. Now can you go please? I'm tired." As he closes his eyes and rests his head against his pillow he hears Derek laugh and then the soft sounds of his retreating footsteps. Spencer falls asleep easily, his hand on his bump and Clooney right beside him.
-CM-
Spencer suddenly woke up, gasping in pain and clutching his abdomen. The pain takes his breath away and he can't help but gasp and try to breath around the gut-wrenching pain. It lasts longer than the practice contractions, and Spencer can't help but start to panic. He couldn't be in labor; he wasn't due for a few more weeks! The pain stopped suddenly, and Spencer greedily took in air. He glanced at the alarm clock in his bedside and saw it read 11:35pm and Derek wasn't with him in bed yet. He started to call for him when he feels a wet sensation running down his legs. He pulls the sheets back and sees the stain spreading through the sheets on the mattress. Panting slightly he tries to get out of bed, but stops when he feels a much stronger contraction come out of no where. When he gets his breath back he tries again to call for Derek but feels a hand on his shoulder.
He turns and sees Derek staring right at him a look of concern plastered on his face. "Clooney ran out and started barking at Mom and me, he wouldn't stop until we followed him. Pretty Boy, what's going on?"
Taking a deep breath Spencer faces Derek and stares at him, his eyes showing some fear and uncertainty. "My water just broke and I've had some strong contractions. Derek, the baby is coming!"
-CM-
Revised February 16 to fix spelling and sentence issues.
