August 20th 2001
Ironwood
I sat with my legs crossed in a hospital wing, June sat next to me, the other couples stared at us, the instructor walked in and froze, she slowly created a fake smile and waved.
"So I see we have two brand new people in our Lamaze class, could you please introduce yourselves?"
I turned to June.
"Um... my names Icy, I joined the Wards when I was about 12 years old, then I transferred to Seattle and joined the Protectorate. That's where I met the big guy and we hit it off, got married and I'm um pregnant."
She waved.
"Right and um."
"Ironwood, I used to work as a medic for the beings you called the Endbringers, I have recently defected to your human side, I've never been a father before, and I am the nervous."
The instructor smiled just a little bit too much.
"Great see? that's um interesting, so yeah new faces... So I'm going to start this class off with a very detailed video on childbirth and what to expect. I'm just going to, um gather my wits."
She plugged in a TV and we watched the video, a few people left but me and June watched, though at one point June looked a little woozie.
"So yeah... that's the miracle of life... now it's time for breathing exercises. Ok breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out. Good good, now it's very important that you learn how to support your partner."
The class eventually ended and the instructor wished us all the best of.
"So how did you two, um get um... you know, get pregnant."
I stared at her.
"Well I liked her very very much and then there was a special hug."
The instructor put up a finger and then put down her hand.
"On second thought, I don't really want to know, just um stay safe."
We got into a van and drove home, June sat next to me.
"So is it going to hurt? You know that badly?"
"No I will shut down your pain receptors for the duration."
"Oh...um thanks, HEY CAN WE GET SOME STEAK SANDWITCHES?"
I had heard about the cravings, June's was for meat, potatos and bell peppers. We found a place that was still open and ordered a couple sandwitches. She sat down next to me as she ate.
"I feel fat."
"You're pregnant, not fat."
"I feel bloated, fat and ugly."
"You just finished two of the steak sandwitches, adjusting for colaric intake most humans would feel bloated, and I think you're cute."
"And I'm still hungry."
"You're eating for three people, this is expected."
She started eating the fries.
"Do you still lov-"
I pulled her close, my arm around her.
"We knew this wouldn't be easy when we got into this."
"Maybe we rushed into this."
I nodded.
"We did, but we also don't know the future, I don't want to have any regrets."
We watched the sunset and the Space Needle in the distance, June leaned against me, our fingers intertwined. We said nothing and just let the experience overtake us.