Time for the Duvals

While Nick and Santana were on the same page when they got married about waiting to have children, it slowly got harder to justify. While Jeff and Brittany came back from their honeymoon pregnant, they embraced the moment as Xander was the only little one around as the other kids were in Massachusetts. Yet, once the rest of them started to get pregnant, Nick noticed a subtle change in Santana. She'd been quite the doting Auntie to Xander, yet watching Brittany be pregnant once again, along with Quinn, and Ally. Plus, knowing Blaine and Sebastian were having a baby as well, was tough.

It was no secret that Nick and Santana wanted to have kids, they just knew they needed to wait till he was done with his residency so she wasn't doing it alone. If their friends noticed a change, they didn't say anything as they knew it was a sensitive issue. While Santana came off as such a bad-ass, those who truly knew her were aware of how loving she was.

When Nick came home from the hospital one evening, he saw Santana curled up on the couch with a glass of wine in her hand. "I thought you were going out with Ally tonight." Nick said as he hung his coat up. "Everything alright?"

"Yea, why." Santana replied before taking a sip of wine.

"Because you're home." Nick told her before sitting down beside her. "What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Tana, talk to me." While he spoke, Nick extended his arm and Santana promptly curled up beside him.

"Alright, for starters, I didn't go out with Ally as Brianna came down with something and Ally didn't want me getting sick." Santana told him. "And Thad's got a lot of work to do, so he couldn't really drop what he was doing to care for her. You and I both know how needy our niece is when she isn't feeling well. She wants to curl up with you, and there is no way Thad would've gotten any work done."

"That we do." Nick replied before taking a sip from Santana's wine glass. "Why do I have this feeling that there is more to all this?"

"Maybe because I overhead Cassie today talking with Lexi about how Hunter and Quinn are thinking of adding to their family, as are Blaine and Sebastian." That was all she needed to say for Nick to tighten his hold around her. "I know we're making the right decision Nicky, but…I can't help how I feel."

"I know, and you're not alone." Nick told her. "I've been thinking about it quite a bit lately too and…there would be nothing wrong with you being pregnant as I finished my residency." That comment caused her to look up at him. "Are you really that surprised that I just said that?"

"A bit, since we said we'd wait till you are done."

"True, but as I said, I've been thinking about it quite a bit. And really, during pregnancy I'm not needed as much as I would be after the fact." Nick said. "Not that I wouldn't want to be here all the time, I just…"

"I get it Nicky, and it makes sense. Aside from doctor's appointments, it's more about me taking care of myself."

"Precisely, and while I'd love to always be there should you need me. We know we've got one hell of a support system in place should we need them."

"That we do. So…" Santana then laced her fingers with Nick's. "…are we going to do this? Are we going to try and get pregnant?"

"I'd say we should, though it'll take some time as you're going to need to work the birth control through your system."

"True, when I get to work tomorrow I'll make an appointment with my doctor as she said when the time came, she wanted to see me. Are we going to mention anything to anyone considering how anxious our friends and families are?"

"I feel we should keep this between us, at least for a while. Not to mention, none of them are even expecting anything till I'm done with school."

"So, if we get pregnant beforehand we'll get to surprise everyone. I'm talking truly surprise them." Santana said, her smile seeming to grow the longer the two talk. "What do you say Nicky, how about we finish this conversation in a more comfortable setting?"

"More comfortable?" He replied as she took a sip of her wine.

"Yes, I'm thinking our bedroom or more specifically, our bed."

"Anything else you're thinking of my dear?"

"That your wife shows you how much she's missed you these past few days." Santana said to him. "Do you like the sound of that Nicky?"

"Like, isn't the word I'd use." Nick replied before finishing up her glass of wine prior to scoping her up in his arms. When he did so, she giggled which was a sound he positively loved hearing. "So you're aware, your husband plans on showing you how much he's missed you as well." Nick continued as he carried her to their bedroom.

From that night forward, each of them had a slight spring in their steps that all of their friends took notice of, yet none could figure out. And the only responses they got were that the two were just happy as they'd finally reached Nick's last year of school. While it made sense, they seemed a bit too chipper, though Wes told the others it's only those that have personally gone through it, would comprehend.

Nick and Santana were going into this with their eyes wide-open as Santana's doctor told her that it could take some time considering how long she'd been on birth control. So when she glanced at the calendar on her phone as she was planning a business trip a few months later, she shook her head numerous times. Then after triple checking dates, Santana grabbed her purse as she needed to run out to the drugstore. If she'd found this out any other time, she'd be doing it after work, yet she had an event that evening. Tempting as it was to call Nick in that moment, she didn't want to say anything to him before she had some confirmation.

By the time she got home that evening, Nick was already there and sound asleep as he'd just done a twenty-four hour shift. Even with as tired as she was, she didn't fall asleep right away as she sat in bed for a bit and watched Nick sleep. While the years of schooling weren't easy on them, it actually brought them closer than pushing them apart. So for them to now be at the point, where they were moving onto another stage of their life together, was everything they could possibly want.

With an event the previous evening, Santana didn't have to be into the office at usual time the next day. Though, that didn't stop her from getting out of bed when her internal alarm went off. While she'd taken a pregnancy test a couple of times since she and Nick had been together, this time she was wishing for positive results. As the timer counted down, Santana wrapped her arms tightly around herself in anticipation. She was so caught up in watching it, that she didn't realize she wasn't alone till she felt Nick wrap his arms around her. "How late?"

"Eight days." Santana replied as she relaxed in his arms. "If I didn't look at my calendar for a business trip, I might not have realize it with as busy as I've been." She then leaned her head back against him. "I'm nervous Nicky." Before Nick had a chance to respond, the timer went off. So he proceeded to kiss her on the temple before releasing his arms from around her. Even though it was a short distance, it seemed to take Santana quite some time to make the walk. Yet once the test was in her hand, she froze causing Nick to step up behind her. Without him saying a word, Santana slowly turned with a big smile on her face.

"Does that look mean what I think it means?" Nick asked and all she could do was nod. "Seriously?" Santana nodded again as she showed him the test. "We're pregnant."

"We're pregnant Nicky!" Santana exclaimed before wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, as he wrapped his arms around her. It wasn't surprising that they'd soon begun to kiss, with as happy as they were. Once it broke, the two couldn't take their eyes off of one another. "I should probably call my doctor and set up an appointment once I get to work."

"That would probably be a good idea." Nick replied before loosening his hold and bringing one hand up to caress her cheek. "Do you realize how much I love you Santana?"

"I've got a good idea, though I wouldn't object to you showing me how much you do."

"Well then Mrs. Duval, what are we waiting for?"

It was a couple of weeks later when Santana had her appointment which confirmed the news that she and Nick were finally starting their family. From that point, more appointments were made along with giving her a probable due date. While she wished Nick could've accompanied her, that wasn't possible as he was on rounds that day. But no sooner was her appointment over, did she call him with all the pertinent information.

Now that they were pregnant, they got a new appreciation for the rest of their friends that were parents as this wasn't the easiest news to keep to themselves. Not surprisingly, the hardest two people to keep the news from were Jeff and Brittany, especially once they started talking about adding to their family one more time. And one of the nights they were all together, and Santana had Madison on her lap, they both almost let the news slip.

So once they were finally through their first trimester they had two big calls to make before telling their friends. Needless to say, their parents were thrilled to get the news as this wasn't a call they were expecting for at least another year. When asked how hard it was to keep the news to themselves, they both replied with harder than they imagined, especially once Santana started to experience morning sickness. Something she was quick to point out happened more often than in the mornings earning quite the laugh from their parents, especially her Dad. It wasn't too surprising to hear Nick's parents ask if they were going to tell Ally before the others. Nick told them while it was tempting, Ally was going to find out with everyone else the next day at brunch. Hearing that bit of news, they were soon asked if that included waiting to tell Jeff and Brittany. Santana responded that yes, even Jeff and Brittany were waiting to hear the news since they made them wait with Xander.

Once the basics were covered, it wasn't shocking to hear that each set of parents was planning to come and visit relatively soon, which they both welcomed with as long as they waited. With their parents now, in the know, they only had to tell Ally and their friends. If there was a time they were thankful Nick's schedule allowed him to attend Sunday brunch, this was it as they got up that morning. "Who do you think is going to be the most shocked?" Nick asked as he wrapped his hands around Santana's bare stomach.

"Everyone, while Jeff and Britt will be shocked that we were able to keep it to ourselves."

"I can't argue with that assessment." Nick said before leaning his head against hers. "There have been so many times I almost told Jeff."

"I'm sure it's nothing compared to all the times I almost told Britt. Hell, I almost slipped up with Seb and Blaine a couple of weeks ago when I stopped by to see them. God, they're too cute for their own good with Ainsley."

"None of us would argue those thoughts. There is no denying how much they love their little girl." Nick said. "Are you ready to have the girls fawn all over you?"

"I am." Santana replied while placing her hands over Nick's. "Are you ready for all the comments coming your way?"

"I am." Nick then kissed her on the cheek. "Now, you better get dressed or we're going to be late."

"Is that so?"

"It is. I think we're going to be leaving Blaine and Seb's a bit earlier than usual so I can have my way with my wife."

"If I didn't know better Nicky, I'd swear your sex drive has gone into overdrive since I've gotten pregnant."

"I've always had a strong sex drive when it comes to you." Santana smiled in response as they were standing before the mirror. "You're beautiful."

"Are you still going to feel that way once the bump appears?"

"Absolutely!"

"Nicky."

"It's true Santana, nothing could chance the way I see you." When she sighed, Nick tightened his hold. "Santana, all of the changes you're going to be going through are because you're carrying our child. How could my feelings change?"

"Easily."

"They're not going to."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I love you, and nothing can change that." As simple as the words were, they were exactly what Santana needed to hear in that moment. Each of the girls had gone through that uncertainty upon getting pregnant, yet much as Nick had said to her, nothing changed.

When they finally arrived at Blaine and Sebastian's, Santana squeezed Nick's hand a bit tighter as they made their way inside. With so many toddlers in the group, it wasn't surprising to see them all sitting on the floor playing while Xander was over with Sebastian at the piano. "We were beginning to think you two weren't coming." Quinn said as she looked up at them. "Not that we wouldn't understand since Nick only has so many free days."

"That's good to know, but we're here." Nick replied as they sat down. "Even though my time is limited, brunch is something I look forward to when I can be here. It's one of the few constants still in my life."

"Crazy how that works, huh?" Sebastian said as Xander played. "It's gotten to the point where we all need these Sundays more now, than we did during college."

"Where's Blaine?" Santana asked as she leaned against Nick.

"He's in the kitchen on the phone."

"Is he talking to anyone we know?" Rachel asked.

"He's talking with Wes, so who knows what they're talking about." Sebastian replied. "But he shouldn't be much longer." He then looked over at Hunter whom Ainsley was using as her personal jungle gym. "You okay Hunt?"

"Yes, she's not doing anything Will doesn't do."

"Who would've imagined he would've been the one quietly playing this morning." Quinn said as Will was sitting before her quietly playing with a toy.

"You mean given how he was all over everything this morning?"

"Yes." The words was just coming out of his mouth when Blaine came walking out with a fresh pot of coffee.

"Nice of you to join us." Blaine said as he looked at Nick and Santana.

"We weren't that late."

"No, you weren't but you know the last to arrive always gets it a little." Blaine replied with a smile before glancing over at Hunter. "Do you want me to take her?"

"No, I've got this as I told your hubby."

"How are the Montgomeries doing?" Jeff asked as he walked Madison to the windows as she loved the view.

"They are doing extremely well, for the most part."

"For the most part?" Brittany asked.

"Yea, Hailey is feeling a bit…off at the moment." Once Blaine spoke, Nick had to stop himself from laughing as he had a good idea what was going on. And the thought of two of them dropping this sort of news in one day, was quite humorous.

"What's with you Nick?" Thad asked as he came walking into the room.

"What do you mean?"

"You've got this goofy look on your face ever since Blaine came walking in."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Santana, your husband is acting odder than usual." While Thad spoke, he watched Brianna pull herself up onto the couch next to Santana.

"I'm not acting odd." Nick replied. "Now Blaine, are you going to tell us what's going on with Wes or is it a secret?"

"I wouldn't say it's a secret, but you're going to have to wait for Wes to tell you himself."

"By chance, is everyone up there at his place for brunch as well?"

"They are actually, why?"

"Do you mind if we call them?"

"I…don't see why not." Blaine replied before glancing at Sebastian. "Any particular reason."

"Just, it's been awhile since we've all technically been together since summer ended."

"Nick's got a point, it has been awhile." Thad added before sitting down beside Ally. "It might be a good time to start figuring out our holiday plans as well. Wasn't it being talked about us going to Ohio for Thanksgiving?"

"That it was." Sebastian said as he helped Xander.

It only took a few moments for Blaine to make the call to Wes and for them all to be looking at one another through the screen. "If I'm not imagining things, you're missing one." Jeff said as he got situated on with Madison on the floor next to Brittany.

"Hailey will be with us shortly." Wes replied. "Looks as though you guys have a full house."

"Almost." Blaine replied as they spotted Dave and Stephanie behind Wes. "Nick actually thought it was a good idea to do this."

"Did he now?" Wes said with a smile. "He and I must be on the same wavelength since you and I talked about this moments prior." When Nick laughed again, Thad looked at him once more.

"You're doing it again Duval."

"Doing what?"

"Acting odd." Once Thad spoke, Ally looked at Santana and shook her head bringing a smile to Santana's face. "And I'm talking odd, even for you."

"I'm feeling the love Thad." Nick replied before brushing some of Brianna's hair out of her eyes.

"I don't know how the two of you put up with them." Quinn said in response.

"They're not like this all the time." Santana told her. "The problem comes in that they know each other too well. Britt and I often deal with it in regards to Jeff and Nick."

"And like I do with Hunter and Seb, or Hunter and Thad." Once Quinn spoke, it wasn't long after till the rest of the girls started to make comparisons to the rest of the guys.

"You girls aren't much better." Sebastian said once all the laughter subsided.

"Never said we were." Santana told him. "Only goes to show, how well we know one another. So, Thad saying Nick's acting a bit odd isn't so crazy." After she spoke, the two exchanged a look before Nick kissed Santana on the cheek. That little moment of affection had Brittany and Ally exchanging looks.

"Do you have something to tell us San?" Brittany asked with a wishful smile. "Nick?"

"So much for waiting till after brunch." Nick said softly, but loud enough for them all to hear.

"You're the one that wanted to call the others."

"Just say it!" Ally blurted out.

"We're pregnant!"

Much as they expected, they were immediately encircled by the girls as the congratulations commenced. Carefully, Nick moved out of the way as the girls fawned over Santana knowing how much this was something the two wanted. "It's about time man." Jeff said as he gave Nick a hug.

"Jeff's right." Blaine added. "Though, we all understood and respected your desire to wait."

"It wasn't easy." Nick said. "Especially with so many of you having kids. So, we talked and realized there was nothing wrong with us trying before I was done." Nick then looked towards the screen. "Wes, your turn." The moment Nick spoke, the girls looked between the two as they each had similar smiles on their faces.

"We really are on the same wavelength, aren't we?" Wes said just as Hailey appeared next to him.

"Wait, you guys are expecting too?" Thad asked and Wes nodded. "Is, that what you were talking with Blaine about?"

"It was, as we didn't want to share the news till everyone was there." Wes said in response. "And when we first got on the phone, Nick and Santana weren't there yet."

"How are you feeling Santana?" Hailey asked as Santana made her way towards Nick.

"Depends on the day." Santana replied. "It's nice to know I'm not going through this alone."

"You're not. And since this isn't my first go, feel free to call whenever you feel the need. We made our way through med school with our boys, now we can go through pregnancy as well." Once Hailey was done, Nick kissed Santana on the cheek as she wrapped her arms around him.

"I appreciate that."

"You've also got the rest of us as well Santana." Quinn told her, and as she did she noticed a slight shift in Rachel who was practically beaming with happiness. That look, told her that she and Rachel needed to talk later on. "We know Nick's still got one last year to finish, so, we'll be there for you guys."

"Thanks." Nick replied. "It's nice knowing, we've got this support."

"Always." Blaine told them. "We've had each other's backs through everything, that'll never change. Now, do we have a due date?"

"Mid-April." Santana replied, before glancing at Wes and Hailey. "What about you two?"

"The same." Wes told them. "So, that means Flint's got March covered and we've got April, who's next?"