Chapter Thirty Six
This Gets Harder

Do you remember that day when we met?
You told me this gets harder
Well it did
~It's Not A Fashion Statement, It's A Deathwish, My Chemical Romance

We'd get by.

Stuff that.

Three months pregnant, and I already wanted the little bugger out of me.

To make things worse, it was winter.

It was freezing.

I was hormonal.

It would be Christmas in three weeks.

Could it get any worse?

Yeah, it just did.

Shaking, I pushed myself up from leaning over the toilet, a horrid taste in my mouth. God damn morning sickness.

I brushed my hair out of my face as I left the bathroom and walked along the hallway to the kitchen, desperate for a glass of water. I poured myself a glass from the tap, leaning against the counter as I sipped it.

We'd get by.

That was a load of crap.

Maybe it was because this was my first child that I was so bitter, or maybe it was because I had a slight fear that this one would miscarry as well.

I shuddered, wishing that I had the sense to grab a jumper before I hurtled out of the bedroom. It was freezing in the flat.

I glanced down at my stomach, still flat underneath my pyjama top, and placed a hand on it. I couldn't help but smile, knowing that there was a little baby inside there, just waiting to be born.

Only another six months to go.

"I didn't hear you get up."

I jumped, my daydream broken by Sweeney's voice. Taking in a deep breath, I faced him.

"I didn't hear you come in," I retorted. "I've spent most of the morning in the bathroom being sick. What's your excuse?"

"You were deep in thought."

After a second of thought, I realised that this was his excuse. I grinned sheepishly.

"Guilty as charged."

"You've been sick again." Sweeney stated as he began making himself a cup of coffee.

"Yep. Good ol' morning sickness. Don't worry though, it's completely natural."

"I know. I've been reading the book as well."

I laughed; Sweeney and I invested in a book about pregnancy for first time parents, and it proved to be fairly helpful. It went through each stage of said pregnancy, including what changes I go through as the pregnancy progresses over the months.

"I'm going to get a jumper and then lie down," I said, pushing myself off the counter. "See you in the living room."

I did exactly that, wandering to our bedroom so that I could fetch a pair of thick socks and a jumper. I tied my hair back into a messy ponytail as I made my way back to the living room. Sweeney was sat on the sofa, a kid's cartoon playing on the TV.

"Spongebob Squarepants?" I screwed my nose up. "Really?"

"Is that what this is?"

"Yep."

Trying not to laugh, I sat down next to Sweeney and curled up against him, loving the way that he put his arm around me.

"It's very strange."

"How?" I grinned, wondering what he would say.

"The concept of the cartoon," Sweeney replied with a frown. "Why does a crab have a whale for a daughter?"

"I don't know, maybe he adopted her."

Sweeney continued to glare at the screen, as if the whole idea of the cartoon offended him, and I laughed.

"Just...chill," I said softly. "The whole cartoon is nonsense, but it's funny. There's no need to get angry about simple things."

He scowled, obviously not convinced. I laughed again, snuggling in closer to him.

"Sweeney,"

"Yes?"

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "I know it's not really your religion or anything, but I was wondering if you'd mind if we got the baby baptised when it's born?"

Sweeney stiffened slightly; I straightened up to look at him.

"Why do you want to do that?" He asked.

"Because I'm Catholic, Sweeney, it's my religion. I know that I'm a crap sort of Catholic, and I'm not trying to stuff the whole Church and Jesus thing down your throat, because I know that's not what you believe in, but it would mean a lot to me."

Sweeney's eyes met mine, and I met his gaze squarely.

"If it means that much to you."

I smiled. "Thank you."

I leaned forwards to kiss him, but the landline prevented me from doing so by starting to ring.

Sweeney swore under his breath as I got up from the sofa and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hi, darling, it's me."

"Hey Mum!" I grinned, flopping onto the armchair. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm great."

"Oh?"

I grinned at Sweeney, who was watching me with an almost amused expression.

"I've got some news, Mum, some really good news. I was going to leave until I next saw you but I guess I can tell you now."

"What is it? Niamh Olivia Quinn, what the hell have you done?" Mum demanded. I laughed.

"Mum, I'm pregnant."

The effect was immediate; Mum squealed down the phone in a very childlike manner, firing questions at me shortly afterwards.

"Mum, Mum, stop!" I cried, grinning. "No, I haven't got married behind your back, and yes, the father of the baby and I are together. I'm only three months gone."

"Oh Niamh, this is fantastic!" Mum laughed down the phone. "I am so happy for you!"

"Thanks Mum."

"Right, I actually have a reason for ringing you, love."

"Really?" I teased, giggling. I stopped giggling when she spoke again. "Oh. Ok. Yeah, we'd love to. That would be...amazing."

Sweeney was frowning at me, and I grimaced at him.

"Ok, Mum, I'm really sorry but I've got to go."

"Alright darling, I'll talk to you soon."

"Definately. Love you."

"I love you too, Niamh. Bye."

"Bye."

Putting the phone away, I flopped back onto the armchair.

"What?"

I turned to face Sweeney, wondering how he would react.

"We're spending Christmas with my family."

Thank you xSilentDawnx, Comfortably Plump, CadyD, PurpleandBlackPandas, Saphire Bethany Stacy Skyle and Shelia Chiaroscura for reveiwing!

PurpleandBlackPandas: The way I see it is, if Stephenie Meyer says that a vampire can impregnate a human, why can't a ghost-that-has-come-back-to-life do it? XD