Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or this world. I just like to be a part of it sometimes

Author's Notes: Omg, you guys! I just realized I skipped a few prompt requests. I am SO sorry about that. I'm going to go back and make sure those get added in the queue.

And just a note about how I choose which prompts I write, since a few of you have been PMing me about that. I try to write every prompt given me – however, there are some I just can't/won't do. These include: 1. Anything super out of character – I love the characters we were given. I like to expand on them, but I won't change them (too much). 2. Any Audrey/Duke requests – I'm pro Naudrey, so will only write those. 3. Anything I don't feel I can do justice to – some requests I can tell there is a specific vision of what it should be, and sometimes, I know I just can't hit that, and don't want to disappoint.

Also, my postings might be kind of spotty these next couple of weeks – I have a huge work project which I'm going to have to devote my time to. I'll try to keep up, but I'm not feeling good about it. So, until I can somehow figure out how to get paid for my drabbles, I need to focus on the work project. ;)

So with all that out of the way, on with the show!

This is all A/U, but everything we've seen so far is applicable.

Prompt: Nathan meets his child for the first time - and discovers he can feel him. (Courtesy of Peacockgirl)

Summary: The birth of their first child is imminent, but Nathan isn't worried about the birth – he's worried about the aftermath.

A Simple Touch.

For everyone who has ever had a child, the act of holding that child for the first time is one of the most exciting moments in life. To hold something created by the love of two people, and feel a tiny fist clasp your finger, is utterly breathtaking. It's an unforgettable moment in time. It's a moment that can never be taken away, and will be precious for all eternity.

But what if you could see that tiny fist curl around your finger, but not be able to feel it?

She sat patiently as ever as Nathan floated his fingers across her rounded belly. She knew fear ran through him every moment of every day. Fear he would never be able to feel their child. He only admitted the fear to her once, but once was enough. She tried as best she could to tell him that no matter what, the child was half hers, and he could feel her, so he should be able to feel their child as well, but to no avail. Nathan's fear wouldn't allow him to hear her reasoning, so she never brought it up again.

Instead, she would sit and read her book as he whispered in hushed tones to their child, urging him or her to kick, and grin like a loon every time a kick could be felt.

Tonight however, he was spending more time with her belly than usual, and when he sighed after a particularly hard kick, Audrey put down her book to watch him.

After what seemed like hours, he spoke.

"Your due date is tomorrow. This could be the last time I ever feel our child."

A piece of her heart broke. Right then and there. Shattered, beyond repair.

The pain in Nathan's voice was palpable, and she could feel tears burning down her cheeks, so she reached out to run her fingers through his hair as he laid his head on her belly, keeping one hand pressed there as well to feel the gentle kicks. Their baby was much more active tonight than usual – like he or she was giving Nathan as much of their touch as possible before he or she entered the world.

"Nathan…" His name came out as a whisper, because she couldn't put anything else into it. She wanted nothing more than to give him the simple pleasure of being able to feel his child, and she silently cursed the world they lived in that could very well rob Nathan of that simple pleasure.

And so they remained in their position – her sitting on the sofa, he on the floor with his head and hand on her belly – until he finally stood up to help her stand, and they moved to their bedroom to sleep as a family of two for maybe the last time.

The pain was indescribable. She had been shot, pistol whipped, hit with supernatural forces, but none of that – none – equated to the pain she was feeling right now. Every fiber of her being was wishing upon wish she had Nathan's affliction right now so she could survive this. But, as she watched his anxious face while she pushed, a small part of her brain that was somehow still coherent, was telling her that not being able to feel anything would be worse than the pain she was feeling now.

And when she used the very last of her energy for one final push, and the room around her exploded in a cacophony of commotion, she leaned against the bed pillows, utterly exhausted. Very quickly, the doctors were congratulating her on the birth of her son – she had a son! – and were wrapping him in blankets, and passing him her way.

But as her son was being handed to her, she did something few mothers ever do – she shook her head. Her body was screaming at her to hold her son, but she couldn't do it, it wasn't fair.

"No, please, let Nathan hold him."

As they stared deep into each other's eyes, thousands of words wordlessly passed between her and Nathan as the doctor nodded in understanding, and moved towards Nathan with the tiny bundle.

She could see fear, doubt, uncertainty, anxiety, and numerous other emotions flit across Nathan's face as he reached out for his son. And in the fraction of a moment that it took for her son to be passed from the doctor's arms to Nathan's, she prayed a thousand prayers, and wished a thousand wishes that a simple touch would be felt between father and son.

All she could do was hold her breath as Nathan lifted a long finger to their son's tiny nose, carefully tracing it from top to bottom. And as that finger reached the tip, she could see tears welling in Nathan's eyes, which quickly fell down his cheeks. Scenario after scenario flew through her thoughts, and she knew this could go either way.

But as he looked up at her and made eye contact, and mouthed words to her, all the anxiety she didn't know she was holding rushed out of her, and left her feeling weightless. She knew Nathan could feel their son, and she knew Nathan was able to experience that simple touch, because the words he mouthed to her, were, "thank you."

Upcoming Prompt: Nathan tries to plan a romantic night for Audrey but a new unseen before Trouble threatens his plans. (Courtesy of STforRK)