An Unexpected Surprise

There I lie on the hospital bed, trying my hardest to bare the pain piercing through me. I don't remember where Lucus went when they put me in a wheel chair to this room. All I remember was Lucus and I rushing to the hospital, and then I told Nurse Priyanka (who was talking to the receptionist when we walked in) that I was in labor. She rushed me here in a wheel chair, like I mentioned, and now I have to bare this pain until the opening is big enough. Great...

I screamed as another contraction hit me. I tried to do my Lamaze breathing, but I got out of it when the contractions got worse.

"Relax already." the crab apple nurse watching me retorted as she flipped the page in her magazine.

"Oh..." I moaned, "Where's Lucus...?" I felt tears streaming down my cheeks, and they rushed down faster as I screamed again with another contraction piercing through me.

Then a man in a green doctor's suit and a green mask came in. I pulled him over so his face was inches away from mine.

"Please.." I begged him, "put some drugs in me...."

"No, you don't want some drugs." he said in a calm manner, unlike myself, who was crying like a baby. ....How does his voice ring a bell to me?

"Yes I do..." I whispered in a rather whining tone. "I'll go back to Kindergarten and Summer School if you make the pain go away...."

Then the man in the green suit began talking to the crab apple as more contractions burned the insides out of me... metaphorically speaking, of course. I screamed louder and louder the more the they came at me. I felt like I was on my death bed, and there was nothing I could do but cry about it.

I moaned as I watched the man leave the room. It made me only cry more.

"Oh, I'm gonna die...." I sobbed. "I'm gonna die not knowing where Lucus went, and never know how my baby made it through this-" a contraction interrupted me, causing me to scream in agony.

"Would you give it a rest already, Honey?" the crap apple remarked. "It's just contractions. You're over reacting."

"I am NOT over reacting!" I barked, the most rage in my voice as possible. What did this bitch know? I am the one in the worst pain of my entire life, I'll ever experience, here! She can't tell ME that I'M over reacting!

The man from before returned with Nurse Priyanka. I was overjoyed to see her, hoping she'd tell me that I can push this baby out of me already.

"How's my patient doing?" Nurse Priyanka asked the crab apple.

"His opening isn't big enough yet, and he's begging for some drugs. He got out of Lamaze about ten minutes ago." She flatly stated, as if bored out of her mind, or annoyed to hell.

Nurse Priyanka looked at me and smiled. "You're doing wonderful so far, Barry. Try to bare with this. I really don't want to give you drugs, since that'll affect the baby..."

"Please..." I sobbed. "Please put some drugs in me... I beg you. I'll do anything to make the pain go away...."

The man approached me and took my hand, his blue eyes gazing beautifully into mine as he spoke with the most familiar, yet, wonderfully calm voice I've ever heard. His voice sounded so serious and calm that it put chills down my spine.

"Barry," he said, "you are going to be just fine. I promise you, when all this is over, you will be able to get to relax, and see your precious baby you have been taking such good care of in your belly for those nine, long, exhausting months for the first time. I know you can do this... I have always believed that you could make it through this. You are a strong person."

I smiled, squeezing his hand. "Please do me one favor and hold my hand till this is over with."

"I will." smiled back that intelligent, blue-eyed man.

"Alright Barry," Nurse Priyanka piped up, "it's time. You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be..." I sighed.

_-_-_-_-_-_Moments Later_-_-_-_-_-_

Relief came to me when I made that final push and I heard the crying of my precious baby. I breathed heavily to myself, resting for a moment after all that just happened. The man still held my hand, and I squeezed it as I regained my strength, somewhat. ...Hey, it took a lot out of me to pop that thing out of me.

Before I knew it, Nurse Priyanka had cleaned up everything, and cleaned up my baby, who was wrapped in a blue towel, and handed my precious child to me (of course I had to let go of the man's hand at this point) carefully, ceasing the baby's cries.

"Congratulations," Nurse Priyanka chirped, "you have successfully given birth to a wonderful baby boy."

I smiled. "A baby boy..." I glanced at the baby cradled in my arms, feeling tears of joy escape my eyes. "Hello, my precious baby... So you're the one who's been kicking at me."

My wonderful child was beautiful. He had purple eyebrows, revealing his hair color in the future, and his skin was the most adorable shade of peach I've ever seen. He was so tiny, yet, that's how babies are supposed to feel, right? He opened his eyes ever so slightly, glancing up at my smiling face. His eyes are blue, but that doesn't mean they are going to stay blue forever. A baby's eyes are always blue when they are first born, after all.

"You bummed out, huh?" I kissed the child's forehead. "I am too..."

"So, what are you going to name your baby?" Nurse Priyanka asked.

"Charles Brian Tomas." I told her. "But I shall always call him Charlie."

"What a nice name." She smiled.

"I agree." the man said. Then he took off the green mask he was wearing, and revealed himself to be Lucus (who saw that one coming?).

"Lucus?" I smiled. "I thought you disappeared on me."

"I told you I was going to be here for you."

I pulled him by his shirt so I could kiss him. Oh, and how lovely that felt. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. Really."

"What are friends for?"

I saw Nurse Priyanka quietly slip out of the room with everyone else, to give us some privacy, out of the corner of my eye.

"Lucus..." I began. "I am glad to have you as a friend."

"So am I to be yours." he replied softly. "And I am very proud of you for making it through your pregnancy so well."

"If I ever need you for any reason," I asked, "will you promise to be by my side? I'm still scared about taking care of this baby by myself."

"But you shan't be alone. You have got me." I wanted to kiss this man the more he spoke.

We both glanced down at Charlie, who was yawning, before shutting his tiny eyes, falling into a deep slumber. I was just so overjoyed this moment had finally come, where I could be able to hold him in my arms for the first time.

"Sleep well, my baby." I whispered, kissing Charlie's forehead once more.

_-_-_Later That Night_-_-_

I was wandering the halls, just to get up and move, in the hospital. It was quiet, which you'd expect at this late of an hour. I found a balcony soon enough, and decided to get some fresh air. My mind was reminding me of everything that happened.

I gazed up at the stars. They were so pretty, yet, so small and far away. How do they manage to shine on the most darkest times? What is it that keeps those stars shining through thick and thin?

I sighed to myself. So I'm a single man again. Everything that I thought was a dream come true was, who I thought was my true love, using me like a fool. And then I find myself scared to these new, sudden feelings for him. I can't do this anymore. I can't date a guy just because he's a good kisser, or amazing in bed. I need someone who will be wonderful, loyal, and true to me, and be the perfect parent for Charlie. I need to take romance seriously... but I'm scared of being used like a fool again.

Would he be the one for me? Well, let's review: he's kind, intelligent, respectful, loyal, and he's never done anything to hurt me intentionally. Sounds like a good type of guy to me... but, I don't expect him to be this kind to me. I expect him to break my heart, like Paul did.

I closed my eyes and softly sang, "Nothing about you is typical. Nothing about you is predictable. You got me all twisted and confused. It's all new. Up until now, I thought I knew love. Nothing to lose and it's damaged cause Patterns will fall as quick as I do. But now... Bridges are burning. Baby, I'm learning A new way of thinking now. Love I can see, nothing will be Just like it was. Is that because? Baby, you're so unusual. Didn't anyone tell you, you're supposed to Break my heart? I expect you to, so why haven't you? Maybe you're not even human cause Only an angel could be so unusual. Sweet surprise I could get used to. Unusual you...."

I opened my eyes to gaze at the moon. How pretty it was, shining ever so brightly up in that sky above. The moon; he must get lonely, wishing the sun, herself, would join him by his side to light up the night.

I returned back inside to find Lucus standing right there. ...Shit. Don't tell me he's been standing there the whole time.

"Greetings, Barry." Lucus smiled that precious smile of his. So pure, and so beautiful.

"Hey..." I greeted.

"You have a beautiful singing voice." He complimented me. Ah, shit. He heard me singing. ...At least he enjoyed hearing it.

"Thanks."

He handed me a rose (of course there was no thorns on it). "I was thinking of you... and I thought you would find this rose quite, um, pretty."

I smiled, taking the rose from him. "Thank you. I love it."

"You love it?"

"Yes, very much."

He smiled back at me, blushing slightly. I couldn't help but giggle. He looked so adorable.

"But um," I said, "I'm going to go head off to bed. I'm getting tired."

"Alright then." Lucus replied. "Good night."

"Night." I watched Lucus walk down the hall as I held the rose to my heart. "Sweet dreams..."

I glanced at the rose, realizing how easily I was falling for love's games. I cursed myself quietly. "What's the matter with me?" I asked myself, walking back onto the balcony. "You'd think a guy would learn..."

I leaned against the railing, staring up at the moon. I broke into song again (hey, I sing all the time. Deal with it.).

"If there's a prize for rotten judgment... I guess I've already won that." I glanced at my rose in disgust. "No man is worth the aggravation..." I threw the rose behind my shoulder. "That's ancient history. Been there. Done that."

I could hear the voices in my head singing, "Who you think you're kidding? He's the Earth and heaven to ya. Try to keep it hidden. Honey, we can see right through ya."

"Oh No~~~~~~o...."

"Boy, you can't conceal it. We know how you feel," I swear to Arceus I threw the rose behind me, but somehow, I felt it touch my elbow, and it was placed by my side. I glanced at it. "and who you're thinking of."

I took the rose and stared at it, carefully. "Ooh... No chance, no way. I won't say it." I threw the rose behind me, again. "No, no!"

"Ya swoon, ya sigh. Why deny it? Uh-oh."

"It's too cliché. I won't say I'm in love..." I put the rose aside and slowly walked over to a stone bench as I continued to sing. "I thought my heart had learned it's lesson. It feels so good when you start out." I yanked at my hair, "My head is screaming 'get a grip, boy, unless you're dying to cry your heart out'. Oh-o~~~~h...."

"You keep on denying who you are and how you're feeling. Baby, we're not buying. Hon, we saw ya hit the ceiling."

"Oh No~~~~~~o...."

"Face it like a grown up. When ya gonna own up that ya got, got, got it bad?"

I sat down on the bench and crossed my arms. "WRONG: No chance, no way. I won't say it. No, no!"

"Give up, give in."

I pictured an illusion of Lucus and I kissing in my mind, making me smile and blush.

"Check the grin, you're in love."

"This scene," I got up, "won't play. I won't say," I threw my arms up in the air, "I'm in" I threw my arms to my sides, my hands balled into fists, "lo~~~~~~~~~~~~~ve!"

"You're doin' flips. Read our lips: you're in love."

"You're way off base. I won't say it. GET OFF my case! I won't Sa~y it!" I crossed my arms and looked off somewhere, eyes shut.

"Boy, don't be proud. It's okay you're in love..."

I glanced at the rose, still sitting on the railing of the balcony. I approached it and picked it up. I softly sang these last few words. "Ooh... at least out loud.... I won't say I'm in..... lo~~~ve..." I smiled to myself.

_-_-_-_-_-_First Day With Daddy_-_-_-_-_-_

The following morning, Nurse Priyanka examined Charlie to be sure he was healthy and everything. She told me some things I'd need to know, like how many times I should feed Charlie, what formula to feed him, and things like that. I'm nervous, but this is my first day with Charlie. Lucus suggested I collect my things and move in with him (luckily he has a spare room we can use for Charlie's room). I explained to him that I wanted to move in with him until I could find a place of my own, which he thought was a good idea. I mean, I don't think Lucus' small house (as he describes it, anyway. I haven't seen it from the inside yet.) could fit two teenagers and a baby. All I know is that I definitely won't be alone for these first few months of Charlie's life.

Lucus told me I should take Charlie with me to Paul's house, so this way he can see our baby, even if Paul isn't going to help care for it. And he also wanted to come with me, "just in case". So, the three of us went to Paul's big white mansion, and I knocked on the door.

Paul answered soon enough. "Oh, hello." He greeted in a rather I-Just-Woke-Up tone.

"Hello, Paul." I greeted. "I'm here to collect my things. I'm moving out."

"Okay, that's fine... Who's this little guy?" he said, taking my child away from me, and cradling him into his own arms. Charlie looked a bit nervous. "Why hello there."

"His name is Charlie." I flatly stated. "This is OUR baby."

"He's so adorable... He has my eyes." Paul said in awe.

"I know. It's torture to love something that resembles someone you hate." I sighed. "Now, if you don't mind, Lucus and I would like to come in so we can collect my stuff together."

"That's fine." Paul stepped aside so we could come in. "I'll watch Charlie for you, if you don't mind."

"Actually, I do," I said, "but since there is no one else to watch him for me, unfortunately, I have to trust that you do not break his neck." I strut inside, Lucus following suit, and we went upstairs to collect my belongings together in an orange suitcase. Surprising that everything fit. When we were finished, we trudged the suitcase downstairs (in a rather hectic process), and found ourselves dumbstruck at the sight before us. Paul was actually behaving.

"You're such a cute, little, sweet heart." Paul said to Charlie in a rather cute tone. "Yes you are. Yes you are." He noticed his audience and cleared his throat, then got up, still cradling Charlie in his arms. Charlie, who before looked nervous around Paul, actually seemed quite joyful. Paul must be an entertaining man when it comes to kids. Quite unexpected. "So," he began, "you've got everything together, Barry?"

"Yes." I replied.

"That's good..."

"Paul, may I please take Charlie from you?" Lucus asked.

"Sure." Paul carefully handed my precious baby to Lucus, who was being extra careful not to hold him even the slightest bit wrong.

"Alrighty then," said the lavender, "I guess you'll be on your way now, right?"

"Of course." I felt like I was talking to Captain Obvious.

"Um, Barry, before you go... do you think I can talk to you?"

"Paul, there's nothing else for you and I to talk about. What happened, happened, and there's nothing you or I can do about it. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to be heading on my way," I moved closer to Lucus, wrapping my arm around his waist. I pulled his body so close to mine that we were touching, "with my boyfriend."

Paul grew silent.

I strut out the door, pulling my suitcase behind me. Lucus followed me, carrying Charlie in his arms, closing the door behind us. As we walked down the sidewalk, Lucus piped up conversation about what just happened.

"Barry, if I may ask, why on Earth did you lie to Paul about me being your boyfriend?"

"Simple," explained my ever-so-dashing self, "because I knew it would get on his nerves if I lied to him about it. And guess what? It drove him so insane that he couldn't say anything."

"But lying is one of the worst things that you could ever do, Barry Upton!" Lucus retorted, irking me with the use of my first name next to my middle name, all in the same sentence.

"If you stop mothering me, I might take you out on a date."

Lucus grew silent.

"ANYWAY..." I changed topics before what I just said about the date thing scares my beret wearing lov-....um, best friend. (You didn't see me about to call him "lover". No way!) "What shall we do now?"

"Obviously," Lucus began, "we should head to my house, then allowing you to organize your stuff. But before you organize your stuff... I suggest we buy some things for Charlie, such as a crib."

"Oh shit! I knew I was forgetting something!" I snapped my fingers. "Damn! Thanks for reminding me, Lucus..."

"Watch your language around the baby." he mothered me.

"Sorry. It's habit to curse."

"A very terrible one, it is. Why, if you and I were to date," then he spoke fast saying, "not saying that we will or anything," then went back to normally speaking, finishing off his sentence, "but I would not allow such language to come out of your mouth."

I stopped in my tracks, ceasing Lucus in his. I strut over to him and beamed my fiery eyes into his, making sure my face was inches away from Lucus' (and I could swear Charlie was glancing up at us).

"Oh Lucus, how you wish you could even get your tongue IN my mouth, and feel the saliva drip down and intoxicate you with it's addicting hypnotism." I smirked. "And then you wish you could put it in me."

"Barry!" he whacked me on side the head. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't resist that one."

"At least be your perverted self when Charlie is not around to hear it. It is a bad influence for him."

"I'll behave. I promise."

"How about we head to my place, Barry?"

"Okay."

When we arrived at Lucus' house, I was impressed by what it looked like. It seemed small on the outside, but on the inside, it appeared larger than it actually was. Kinda crazy.

Anyhow, as you'd expect a bookworm like Lucus to have, he had a whole room, which I call a library, full of bookshelves of books. These books are about just about anything you'd think of researching. Like, there's some on Pokemon, some on World War I, and even some on, shockingly, the Gay's Rights Movement. Of course, that's just naming a few of many, but there's some interesting stuff here. This library connected to the hall near the front door. It's like: walk in, turn right, and you're in the library.

If you'd go further down the short little hall, you'd come into the living room/dining room. On the left side of the room, being the tan themed living area, there was a couch and a couple of chairs surrounding a coffee table, AND THERE'S NO TV! How can he live like this? To the right of the room, there was a glass table setting. A maroon rug sat underneath it (probably so the chairs won't scratch the wooden floors). A beautiful crystal chandelier hung just above the table (Lucus seems to like the glassy look).

And, if you'd walk straight ahead into yet another short hall, there's a four way turn, if you will. If you go left, there are two bedrooms, and if you'd go straight, you'd find yourself in the small-ish bathroom. And to the right would be the kitchen... which seems kinda small.

After the little tour of the house, Lucus and I let Charlie lie on the couch while we set up his bedroom. To do so, we had to clear out the guest room completely and throw in (not literally) Charlie's furniture. This whole process took about roughly a mere hour to do. At least Charlie had a nice nap... before we had to cease what we were doing to change his diaper. And then he took another nap as Lucus and I relaxed after completing his room.

"That took forever..." I told Lucus.

"Yes, it felt like it did, but I am glad we finally finished designing his room." Then it hit him. "Where shall you be sleeping, Barry?"

"Aw, you mean to say I can't cuddle with you?" I joked, laughing to myself. "Just kidding, man. Um, I can take the couch. Really, it's no big deal. Not like I sleep for that long on average. Right now, I'm workin' on about four hours.... which is much longer than I usually get."

"Oh my!" He gasped. "Only four hours? And you usually get less? Why, Barry, the average person needs a mere seven to eight hours of sleep. How on Earth can you live on about four hours, and even less than that, of rest?"

I shrugged. "I dunno. I just do."

"You are so unpredictable, Barry."

"So are you, Lucus."

We smiled at one another.