Chapter 51: First Kick
It's the second week of September, meaning that May is 26 weeks pregnant.
May had just woken up and noticed that Drew is already up somewhere. She sat up and looked around.
"Huh." May said. "Must be already working." She got out of bed and went to the closet. She changed into one of her maturity clothes that her doctor was happy to give her the last time she was at the hospital. And May couldn't refuse, because the doctor had said that 'she insists' she takes them.
May left the closet and went to the tall display case. She opened it and put on her crown. She grabbed her waistband, putting it on, and she was out of the room.
May walked all the way to the Throne Room, and entered through the front. Drew immediately stood up upon noticing May, and he walked to her. May stopped.
"May, you should go back to our room." Drew said. "Just rest."
"Huh? Why?" May questioned.
Drew took the crown off of May's head. "You shouldn't have to worry about the kingdom and royal duties when you're pregnant."
"But...what does that have to do with this?"
Drew paused for a moment before speaking. "...I care about you too much to let you rule. I want to keep you and our daughter safe. So please go back and watch TV or something."
May didn't respond.
"I won't let you get stressed out from Royalty. Until the birth...I'll be the only one ruling."
"But Drew...you're...really going to rule alone for three months to protect me?"
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to keep you both safe."
May blushed and looked down. After a moment, she smiled shyly. "I guess I can't argue with you, huh?"
Drew smiled. "Nope."
(This song is "Catch My Breath" by Kelly Clarkson.)
May looked up into Drew's eyes. After a moment of silence-
"I don't wanna be left behind." May sang. "Distance was a friend of mine. Catching breath in a web of lies. I've spent most of my life. Riding waves, playing acrobat. Shadowboxing the other half. Learning how to react. I've spent most of my time."
"Catching my breath, letting it go." May continued. "Turning my cheek for the sake of this show. Now that you know, this is my life. I won't be told what's supposed to be right."
"Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that." May sang. "Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now."
May walked past Drew and slowly began walking towards the thrones. "Addicted to the love I found." Drew smiled and followed her. "Heavy heart, now a weightless cloud." May looked at Drew, smiling. "Making time for the ones that count. I'll spend the rest of my time." She faced forward. "Laughing hard with the windows down. Leaving footprints all over town. Keeping faith, Karma comes around. I will spend the rest of my life."
"Catching my breath, letting it go." May continued. "Turning my cheek for the sake of this show. Now that you know, this is my life. I won't be told what's supposed to be right."
"Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that." May sang. "Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now." May stopped in the center of the Throne Room and turned. Drew stopped and turned to face her. May took his hand. "You helped me see the beauty in everything."
"Catching my breath, letting it go." May continued. "Turning my cheek for the sake of this show. Now that you know, this is my life. I won't be told what's supposed to be right."
"Catching my breath, letting it go." May continued. "Turning my cheek for the sake of this show. Now that you know, this is my life. I won't be told what's supposed to be right."
"Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that." May sang. "Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now."
"Catching my breath, letting it go." May continued. "Turning my cheek for the sake of this show. Now that you know, this is my life. I won't be told what's supposed to be right."
"Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that." May sang. "Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now." She sang, finishing the song.
Drew took her other hand in his as well. "So...you'll listen to your husband?"
May smiled. "Of course. You usually take my breath away, and leave me speechless, so I can't exactly refuse…"
Drew chuckled. "I'll stop by to see you every now and then. Just go and relax, and I'll handle everything until you give birth."
"That's a long time, Drew…"
"Mm hm."
After a moment, May stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Drew. Drew hugged her back. "Thank you." May said. "You're the best husband ever."
"I'm glad you think so."
May pulled away from Drew. She smiled brightly. "Take care out here as well, okay? And if you need any help at all, you can always tell me. Promise me you'll do that, okay?"
Drew nodded. "I promise."
May pulled out her scepter. "Great. Then I'll get go-"
"Whoa, hold on." Drew said, reaching forward and taking May's scepter out of her hand.
May stared at him in confusion.
"I think it's better if I hold onto this for you."
"But...why?"
"I don't want you to risk hurting our baby by teleporting. What if it fails?"
"Drew, I have complete control over my magic."
"Still. Magic could be dangerous to use when you're expecting a baby. Just avoid using your scepter for the next three months." He paused. "Please?"
May smiled. "Alright, Drew. I'll listen to you. You know how to really keep me safe."
Drew smiled. "I'll walk with you back to our room." He held out his hand.
May took his hand, and they started walking. They left the Throne Room and turned to the right. Drew is holding May's crown and scepter in his free hand.
"Oh. And also…" Drew started. "I won't allow you to go horseback riding, eating anything that the doctor said to not eat, or leave the castle without me, okay?"
May giggled. "I promise, Drew. I'm not a little kid, you know. And you're supposed to be my husband. Not my dad."
"I am your husband. I need to make sure you don't get hurt."
"If you say so…"
"This is serious. We can't have our first child hurt before she's even born, now can we?"
For some reason, that sentence made May blush. She stayed silent.
Drew looked at May. "May? Something wrong?"
May blinked and shook her head. "Oh. Not at all. You just caught me by surprise."
"How?"
"When you said 'first child'." May answered.
"...Why were you surprised by that?"
"I-it's just...you know...it means that you...want to maybe have more kids with me…" she said nervously.
Drew smiled. "That's only if you want that too."
May looked at Drew, face red. She stared into his eyes for a moment before quickly facing forward. Her blush disappeared when she smiled shyly. "We'll just see what happens in our future." She paused before looking back at Drew. "...But I'd like to have at least one more kid with you." Drew's smile turned into a grin.
May sat down on the bed. Drew stood in front of her. "Just relax, okay?" Drew asked. "I'll be in the Throne Room if you need me. Just call." May nodded. Drew put May's crown in the display case and her scepter on the nightstand. He faced May again. "I'll see you later." He leaned down to kiss May's forehead before turning around and walking away.
"Wait. Drew." May said.
Drew stopped and turned around. "What is it?"
"Can you bring me some ice cream?"
Drew cocked his head in confusion. "But you haven't eaten breakfast yet."
"I'm just craving ice cream." She paused. "It's a pregnancy thing."
Drew smiled. "Got it. I'll be back with ice cream for you."
"Thank you."
Drew nodded and turned around. He left the room.
Drew had gone downstairs to the kitchen and he got a bowl of strawberry ice cream for May. He went back to their room and saw May laying down and watching TV. "I'm back."
May turned her head and smiled. She paused the TV screen and sat up to look at Drew.
"I got you your favorite." Drew said, handing May the bowl of ice cream. "Don't eat it too fast."
May smiled up at Drew. "Thank you again. Have fun today."
Drew chuckled. "I'll try to."
At that moment, May felt something hit her. But not on the outside. It was inside. She gasped.
May placed her bowl of ice cream next to her and she placed her hands on her stomach. She smiled when she felt a tiny bump on her hand from inside.
"Drew, the baby's kicking!" May said excitedly.
"Really?" Drew questioned.
"Yeah. Feel." May dropped her left hand to her side.
Drew gently placed a hand on May's stomach. It took a moment before he felt the baby kick. He smiled.
May looked up at Drew. "This makes me even more excited to become a parent."
Drew looked at May. "Me too."
Drew leaned in and kissed May on her lips before standing up straight again. "I should get going now." Drew said. "You better eat your ice cream before it melts."
"Oh. Right." May took her bowl of ice cream and ate one spoonful.
Drew chuckled. He wrapped an arm around May's shoulders, pulling her closer to him, and he kissed the top of her head. "I love you. Take care and I'll see you later."
May nodded.
Drew released May and turned around to leave the room. May continued eating her ice cream while watching TV.