"You know what's funny?" Alfred asked Ismael as they watched some fashion show. "Pirates of the Caribbean." He grinned widely, leaning back on the couch with his hands behind his head. They had been living together for the last few months and had managed to get into a routine. As Lili became more and more prominently pregnant, Alfred became more excited and nervous to be a father while Ismael just took her shopping and other 'gay' things.
Rolling his eyes, Ismael changed the channel when it turned to a commercial. "It's not funny, it's fucking sexy. Those pirate suits look so good on them." Especially that last scene of the last movie. "But why do you suddenly bring it up?"
Laughing to himself, Alfred pointed at him. "Exactly that! You're from Cuba right?" Before he could get a confirmation, he continued. "And they are in the Caribbean. And you're from there. Well, it's obvious they're all gay for each other since it would get lonely on a boat, so that's where butt pirates comes from!" He finished, laughing again and he took the remote from his hand and turned it to a soccer game.
Elbowing him, Ismael got the remote back, and just to piss him off turned it to Sex in the City. He hated it, but knew that Alfred hated it more. "That's a movie. Not real life, idiot." They really should get a new second TV, because they both liked different shows, and were always fighting over what to watch.
"No duh, but they base movies off real life. Why else did they make all the pirates look gay?" Elbowing Ismael back, he took the remote with a triumphant smirk. "There's no way I'm watching this show unless there's actual sex and not just bitches whining about it."
"Whatever. Oh, and by the way, you didn't wash your dishes this morning. How many times have I told you not to leave them in the sink?" It was so annoying sometimes, since they had such different life styles.
With a shrug, Alfred turned it to some action movie. "So? Why should I care what I do? It's my house: I can do what I want." Thinking the conversation was over, he turned his attention back to the TV. "You're not my dad so stop acting like it."
Glaring at him slightly, Ismael stood up and took the remote back, turning off the TV and throwing the small device across the room. "It's not your house, it's ours. I pay half of the rent, if you don't remember! And soon, there will be someone else living here too."
"What the fuck!" He yelled, standing up to be on the same level as Ismael. "I didn't ask you to come here you know! I would have been perfectly fine being a dad on my own!" Alfred didn't need Ismael's help, he just decided it would be beneficial and if Lili liked him, it all worked out. "And I'm my own person who does things how I want to do them."
Snarling, Ismael started pacing. God damn, not another one of their fights. "How do you plan on being a dad when you're not even responsible enough to clean your fucking dishes? What, did Matthew always do them for you?"
With a growl, Alfred went over to him and grabbed a hold of his collar to stop him from pacing. "So what if he did? I always told him not to bother, but he did anyways. This kid is going to help me to be a better person, and I don't want you to fucking intervene if you are going to freak out at me like my dad did all the time. I don't want my son to know that."
"Maybe your dad had a point. You shouldn't be raising a kid to become a better person, you should be raising a kid to make them a better person!" Ismael grabbed Alfred's collar as well, so they were both glaring at each other, neither giving an inch.
Tightening his grip, Alfred spat. "You knew what I fucking meant you bastard! You keep twisting my words to sound-" Suddenly the phone started to ring, causing him to look at it with a death glare before letting go with a push to pick it up. "What?" He answered angrily, not wanting to deal with a telemarketer right now.
Seconds later, all anger slipped off his face to be replaced by his mouth wide open. "O-Ok! Just wait a few minutes and you'll be ok! Don't forget to breath!" He said hurriedly before hanging up.
"Lili's in labour!" He stressed, running to get his car keys. "What are you waiting for, you oaf?"
"She is? But she's not due for another week!" All thoughts of the fight behind them, Ismael grabbed his wallet before going after him to the car outside. "The hospital isn't far from here, you don't have to run!" He yelled to him, getting in the passenger seat.
Turning around with an exasperated sigh, Alfred yelled. "She's not at the hospital yet you dumbass, that's why we need the car! And I know she's a week early, but we need to drive her to the hospital cause her bro isn't there right now!" He had continued to walk as he explained, getting into the car and fumbling with the keys to place it in the ignition.
Eyes going wide, Ismael did up his seat belt. "Holy shit! Hurry!" He yelled, just as the car was thrown into gear and tore out onto the road. "How long does it take to get to her place?" He had never been there, because of her brother.
"Ten minutes if I'm from 'Driving Miss Daisy', three for 'Fast and the Furious'." Alfred said, buckling up as they sped down the avenue. "Let's just hope that her brother doesn't get home after us or we're gonna need to go to the hospital as well."
Seeing a yellow light ahead, the Cuban pointed. "Go faster you can make it!" But soon after the light, they both heard the siren of the police man coming up behind them.
Alfred groaned. "Fuck really?" He swore again under his breath as he regretfully pulled over. "This is not my day... Quick! Look like you're dying or something!" He ordered Ismael, his eyes going wide.
Rolling his eyes, Ismael just sat back in the seat, banging his head against the back. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck..." He kept mumbling under his breath.
Knocking on the door, the officer sighed. "Do you know how fast you were going? Plus you ran that red light back there."
"I'm sorry sir, but my friend's in labour and we have to get to the hospital!" Alfred explained, trying to make the officer feel bad or at least let them go with a warning.
Raising an eyebrow, the police man looked in the passenger seat, seeing the large man with dread locks. "Uh huh, sure he is."
"Not him! We have to go pick my girlfriend up - well, my ex but that isn't important right now - and take her to the hospital!" Alfred pouted, his body just wanting to start the car and drive away in a flash. They had already wasted enough time here and Lili was all by herself!
Sighing, the officer checked his watch. It was almost the end of his shift anyway. "Fine, I guess I will give you a police escort, but if there isn't a pregnant girl at the end, you will see me give birth to a speeding ticket."
Giving a big sigh, Alfred grinned. "Follow us officer." As soon as the cop was out of view, he started the car and sped off once again. "Fuck that was close." He commented calmly, swerving between a bunch of cars.
"Yeah, good job idiot. Couldn't have just said the aliens were coming?" But at least they were once again on their way, and thanks to the police car they didn't have to deal with traffic.
Scoffing, Alfred checked his watch and then quickly swerved out of the way of another potential accident. "And risk getting some ridiculously expensive ticket and having to pay hospital fees? Shit, everything is ready for the baby, right?"
Looking in the back seat, Ismael saw the bag they had packed about a month ago, with blankets and such. "Yeah, we bought diapers last week and we have the things in the bag." Plus the baby's room was finished so it should be good. He watched as they pulled into a rundown trailer park.
"Good." Pulling into the driveway with the police car behind him, Alfred barely recognized the fact that the neighbors were looking at them before running to the door and almost knocking it down. "Lili! Lili, I'm sorry it took us so long!" Checking the door he found it to be open and immediately went to her side as she was breathing heavily on the couch.
Holding her stomach, Lili looked up and smiled as her contraction ended. "Thank god you're here! Al, I'm so scared!" She grabbed his hand, and he pulled her to a standing position. "Vash went to the next town, for a client, I already called him and he is going to try to be at the hospital and..."
Mouth open a little, the officer stood in the door. "Holy crap, she's in labour!" He didn't know what to do, and ended up just standing there in shock.
"Not to be offensive officer, but holy crap you're observant." Alfred mocked, doing his best to support Lili. "Do you have a bag packed with some clothes?" He asked her as they got to the car. Ismael was already in the back seat, ready to keep Lili calm as they went to the hospital.
"Oh yeah it's by the door!" She had completely forgotten about it in her rush, and watched as Ismael ran to go get it and returned a moment later. Just as he came back in the car, she grabbed his hand and squeezed as another contraction came on.
Seeing his ex tense up, Alfred determinedly turned to the cop. "So are you gonna follow us or what? Cause she really needs to get to the hospital." With a shake of the other man's head, he slid into the drivers seat and started up the car only to speed out of the trailer park. "Keep breathing Lili, we're gonna get there soon." The American said, trying to keep his voice calm despite all the thoughts running through his head.
Even though his hand was being squeezed painfully, Ismael continued trying to help her with comforting words. Of course it didn't help that Alfred was driving like a maniac, but that's why they got to the hospital in six minutes.
"I-I'm sorry Ismael." Lili hissed, squeezing the hand and her eyes shut as her contraction washed over her and left her shaking. "I don't know why I'm in labour now... It wasn't supposed to be for at least a week..."
Shaking his head, the Cuban helped her into the wheelchair Al had just rushed over. "It's alright, the baby just wants out now. Maybe he's just as impatient as his father." Over the past few months, they had all grown to speak of the baby as if it were a boy, because of Lili's suspicions. But, they would still be happy with a girl.
Narrowing his eyes, Alfred decided to let the comment slide so that he wouldn't make the mother of his child even more stressed. "It really is ok Lili, but let's wait until a doctor sees you to let it out." With a small, awkward laugh he went up to the receptionist and was told what room to go into.
Pushing the chair, Ismael patted her shoulder. "It's going to be fine, don't worry. And Vash will probably be here before the baby comes, so you will have him as well." Since labour usually went on for a few hours anyway. But he didn't want to mention that, or else she would realize just how long these things take.
Glad that it didn't seem as if another contraction would hit for at least ten more minutes, Lili gently squeezed his hand. "Thank you Ismael... I just want everything to work out."
"It will, it will. Maybe we should be telling that to Alfred, though. He looks white as a sheet." He looked over to the American, who was tapping the railing in the elevator, while holding it with a death grip in his other hand.
Turning to the other two people in the elevator, Alfred said. "I'm fine! And Lili is going to be fine too!" He repeated it to himself as well, desperately wishing he could have at least gone to one pregnancy class with Lili instead of her brother going all the time. Damn over protective brother having to get in the way all the time...
Both Ismael and Lili laughed at that, until she got another contraction. The elevator doors pinged open just as it finished. "Alright, where did the lady say her room was? God this place is so confusing..." Random hallways everywhere.
"Uh... This way!" Alfred yelled and pointed towards where he thought it might be. All the rooms just confused him anyways all the sounds of babies crying made him all the more anxious. "Seriously, it has to be here!" He said to himself again, looking around frantically.
Rolling his eyes, Ismael started running his fingers through Lili's hair. "Do you remember the number at least? Seriously, you're going to be a dad today and you don't even know the room we're going in?" But he wasn't using a harsh tone of voice, since they weren't angry at each other anymore.
Looking around again, he paced around the wheelchair. "I did remember it! I just forgot cause I'm just a bit freaked out right now!" Gazing back to Lili, he added. "I'm sorry, I don't want you to get all worked up..." But seriously! He did remember...
Smiling, a nurse came up to them. "Are you looking for the labour and delivery rooms? You can just follow me." She started walking in the direction of the rooms, smiling behind her at them. "Who is your doctor?"
Thinking for a second, Alfred told the nurse and she took the three of them to their room. "Can you get up, or would you like us to help?" Alfred asked, looking at Lili who was already getting tired from her increasingly constant contractions.
"I-I can get up, it's fine..." She pushed herself from the wheel chair, and climbed on the bed. "They couldn't make these things more comfortable, could they?" She wondered aloud, wishing she was at home. Everything was better when you were at home.
"You'll be ok..." Alfred murmured, pushing her short hair out of her eyes. "So um... I'm gonna go get some water. Do you want anything Ismael?" He asked, needing to get out of the room for a few moments before the actual birth to help calm himself down after the big rush it took to actually get here.
Shaking his head, Ismael grabbed a chair and pulled it to the bed, and once again sacrificed his hand so she would have something to hold on to when she got her contractions. Soon Lili was asking for drugs, and the Cuban left the room as the doctor checked how dilated she was.
As soon as he left the room, Alfred allowed his facade to fall as he paced furiously outside the door. Pulling at his hair, he mumbled. "I'm gonna be a dad... I'm gonna be a dad..." Over and over again, trying to get the notion to actually set in his mind. Before he could go insane, he went to get a cup of water and drank it all before going back to the room to see Lili in the middle of another contraction and a doctor checking 'down there' to see if she was big enough.
"Alright, you still have a few more centimeters to go, but everything seems to be working fine. We can give you an epidural now if you want." The doctor smiled kindly at her, knowing what she was going through since he dealt with it every day. Not to mention he was with his wife when she gave birth.
"Yes please!" She gasped, her breath coming in short bursts as her body was wracked with pain. Hopefully the medicine would make this at least a little bit more bearable so she would stop feeling like she was being torn in two.
The doctor started getting it ready, and helped her sit up. Soon, Lili was lying in her bed with a small smile on her face. "This is better. Alfred, can you get me a chocolate bar?" Could she even have a chocolate bar in the hospital? Hell, who cared.
Looking around, Alfred rubbed the back of his head. "Uh... I don't think I can get you one..." He really hoped that didn't induce the feared 'woman giving birth' rage, but he really didn't think it would be good for the baby or Lili right now. "How about... You think of what our baby's nickname will be." There, something to keep her mind off the pain... Hopefully.
"I don't care right now! Fine, give me a phone and I will ask Vash to pick me up one. He should be here soon." She looked to Ismael, who came back in the room now that the doctor was gone. "And maybe he could pick up some cheese too..."
"I'm sorry Lili, but..." Giving up, he sighed. "Ok, I'm going to go talk to the doctor and see if you're allowed to eat anything." He had no idea what she could and couldn't eat before giving birth. "If you hurt, I give you permission to squeeze the life out of Ismael's hand."
Pouting, Ismael shouted after him, "I hope you slip on a banana peal!" Then he turned back to Lili, seeing her laughing at their exchange. "Do you want me to call your brother for you and ask when he should get here?" Though he was a little afraid to meet the person who owned that angry voice.
Looking down at her belly, she nodded. "If you can please. I don't want anyone to fight, so he might stay civil around you two." Plus she had told him Alfred was the father and that Ismael and he were taking care of the child.
Nodding, Ismael handed over his phone so she could punch in the numbers, before putting it to his ear. It rang three times, and as soon as it was picked up he heard honking car horns. "Um, hello? This is Lili's brother, right?"
"Of course it is! HEY BUDDY DON'T MAKE ME TAKE OUT MY AK47! I MAY BE NEUTRAL BUT I WILL NEUTRALIZE YOUR ASS!" More honking, and something that sounded suspiciously like metal grinding against metal. "Sorry, traffic is backed up, cause some ASS went and got in an accident! I should be there in about an hour!"
Watching Ismael murmur a few more words before hanging up, Lili asked. "What did he say?" All she heard was yelling, but he didn't look upset so he couldn't have been yelling at him.
"He'll be here in about an hour. Or earlier if he tries to drive over the cars in front of him and ends up in an ambulance, which it sounded like he was about to do." Vash was certainly quite a character, but it was obvious he really cared about Lili, so Ismael figured he was alright.
Just then Alfred walked back into the room. "Sorry, but they don't think you should eat just yet..." He pleaded for her to understand in his mind since he wouldn't go against the word of the doctors. "So... Any word from Vash?" Oh god, he was finally going to see the crazy son of a bitch again.
Nodding his head, Ismael sat down on the chair again. "Should be here in about an hour. Why, scared?" He sneered slightly, then laughed. Grabbing Lili's hand, he tried to help her calm down, although it seemed like the drugs were doing a pretty good job of that.
"I'm not scared of him... Just of his guns." Because the man was notorious for having guns with him at all hours of the day. "And of being alone with him, but I'm not going to let that happen." Wanting to get away from that topic, he asked Lili. "How is the pain?"
Laughing, she let her head fall back onto the pillow. "What pain? I can hardly feel a thing!" Hopefully it would be like this through the whole delivery, but she had a sinking suspicion that it would get worse. Oh well, she was alright for the moment. "I'm gonna have a nap."
"Alright, we'll be right here." The Cuban smiled down at her as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
So, next chapter is the delivery! And the last chapter. So yeah this is almost finished, everyone! Anyway, I just failed my driving test because of a stupid little school zone. Who slows down for those things anyway?
