Chapter 3
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Alan stretched from his nap on the couch as he heard the phone ringing. Getting up he flexed his arms to get them to crack from how he had slept.
"Hello?"
"Alan?"
"Eric…hi…how have you been?" It had been awhile since he spoke to him now that he thought about it.
"I should be asking you that. Haven't seen you in a few weeks now. Will said you had been sick."
"Yea I have been. I'm feeling alright, just trying to take it easy before I head back to the office. Aren't you at work now?"
"Nah, have the day off finally."
"Would you like to come over then? I'm not contagious or anything."
"You sure you're up to it? If you need rest…"
"Come over. I miss people. I love William but I miss seeing my friends." It was still strange at times to know he wasn't with Eric. Everyone that they were a sure thing but Eric never made a move to get serious with their relationship when William made a move he let him.
"Sure I'll be there in about twenty minutes. Should I bring anything?"
"Nah, William just went food shopping yesterday." It was all healthy foods and tons of fruits but at least the house was stocked. Hanging up with Eric he straightened up a bit. Since he had been home for so long he started to gain a collection of magazines. Mostly on houses and babies but it was still starting to pile up.
Hearing a knock at the door Alan went to let Eric in, it was actually really nice to get the chance to see him again.
"Hey."
"Hi, come on in."
"You're looking…well."
"Thanks. I've been trying." Showing him to the living room he asked if wanted something to eat while he grabbed a fruit bowl William had made him in the morning. Grabbing a soda can that Eric asked for he sat next to him on the couch.
"So, what's been wrong with you? When I asked Will all I got was that you were sick. Has it been the thorns?"
Hearing Eric asked he could tell he had been worried about him for a while now, really William should have told him. They both knew how Eric worried about him, and about the thorns getting to him. They may not have worked out but they still cared for each other quite a lot.
"No, thankfully the thorns have been pretty quiet. I have been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum."
"That sounds serious….what is it?"
Alan couldn't help but laugh as picked up a grape with his hand not even going to bother trying with the fork. Before he could answer Eric grabbed his hand.
"You got engaged?!"
Right, Eric had been on vacation when William proposed to him so he wouldn't have seen it in the office the days after. And then he had gotten sick and been out from work for the last few weeks.
"Surprise. I wasn't hiding it from you I just haven't seen you to tell you."
"Your fiancée could have mentioned it."
"Don't get huffy. It's not Williams fault, he was waiting for me to come back to work I'm sure."
"I'm telling you he doesn't like me."
"Well I like you and he can deal with it." Alan said defensively.
"Well…congratulations all the same. Any idea when you'll get married?"
"We aren't planning the wedding yet. We have other things we have to focus on first."
"Like your illness?"
"Sort of." Putting his bowl down he turned to face Eric better. "Eric look, I'm going to tell you something and you can't go blabbing to everyone at work."
"I promise, Al, what is it? If I can help somehow."
Shaking his head he smiled gently at the other.
"My illness, it's severe morning sickness...I'm pregnant Eric."
He watched him just sit there a moment and let the words process.
"You're….pregnant…?"
"I am. I was hoping to wait a little while before I told anyone, well outside of William, but this hit me sooner than I expected. I imagine once I get back everyone will start asking and I won't lie to them about it. William and I decided not to marry until after the baby is born so we wouldn't have to plan a lot at once. We decided to take the time and look for a house instead."
"I am happy for you Alan, I really am."
"Thank you Eric, it means a lot to me."
Both talked for a little while before Alan went to make dinner so it would be ready by the time William got home. He invited Eric to stay over glad to have the company for a change. It made the day brighter.
"So, when is the little one due?" Eric said as he sat at the table trying to stay out of Alan's way.
"Honestly. I don't know…the doctor never told me but I'm nine weeks already."
"So sometime in December."
"Yea, I guess so." He forgot he could have just counted weeks now that he knew how many weeks he was." Both stopped talking as they heard the front door open and William come into the apartment.
"Hi William!" Alan yelled, "We have company." Seeing him come into focus Alan smiled at his love while Eric just half waved.
"Hello Eric. I'm just going to change, if I have time." William said as he came up to Alan and kissed him as he always did when he came home.
"Go ahead, dinner still has some time left."
As William left their view Eric whispered, "I'm telling you he doesn't like me."
"Oh go set the table." Alan laughed as he reached for the plates, only to stop and run down the hall.
"Alan!" Eric yelled after him worried. Hearing Alan's name William quickly came out of the bedroom. At the sound of Alan getting sick he sighed and pulled his shirt down the rest of the way. Knocking on the door both men heard, "I'm fine!" and the sink start to run as the toilet was flushed. Looking over at Eric, William was going to say something only to be cut off by the door opening.
"I already told him William."
"Are you alright?"
"Yea, I should have seen that coming, I've been pretty good all day." Giving him a smile he kissed his cheek and went back to the stove to finish dinner.
Dinner was nice, it had been so long since they had a guest join them. After they had cleaned up Eric decided it was time to go before he overstayed his welcome.
"Any idea when you'll be back to work?"
"Hopefully next week. I'm feeling better little by little. I was just so sick I could barely function so I was forced to stay out for a little while."
"I can understand that. Well, if you need anything you know how to reach me."
"Thanks Eric. I'll talk to you soon." Giving him a hug he left him with a smile as he saw him walk down the hall towards the stairs. Closing the door he saw William on the couch looking over listings of houses.
"Do you really not like Eric?"
"Who ever said that?" He said looking up from the paper.
"He is one of my best friends."
"I have nothing against him." Letting Alan into his arms, he held him close. "I just don't want to see you get hurt by him that's all."
"It isn't like that anymore. You're my fiancée."
"I know. I just know you both are still close and I worry."
Kissing Williams lips Alan smiled against them. "You are too cute. Why don't we forget about house hunting tonight and go into the bedroom to cuddle better. I miss that" Standing, he took William's hands and brought him to the bedroom so they could stretch out better.
The day Alan had been looking forward to was finally upon him, returning to work. As much as he wasn't looking forward to the paperwork he would get to do he was looking forward to getting out of the apartment. He missed seeing his co-workers. Getting his suit pants on he noticed they felt a little tight. He wasn't starting to show was he? Looking at himself in the mirror he didn't see anything that looked different. Hearing William come out of the bathroom he stopped him as he entered their bedroom.
"Am I showing?" Lifting up his shirt he let his pants stay unbuttoned as he moved to the side.
"I don't think so. I don't see anything. Why? What's wrong?"
"My pants feel tight."
"Well the books said you would start to feel it now."
"I know but I figured I would have more time considering I've been so sick."
"Guess not. Do you need bigger clothes? And how are you just realizing this if I can ask?"
"I've been wearing loose clothing because I've been so sick my other pants made me feel worse. I guess it never dawned on me that that were getting tight from putting weight on." Closing his pants he sighed and dealt with it. They weren't tight to the point he was in pain, they just weren't as loose around his waist as they had been.
"After work we'll go shopping for you so you don't wait until it becomes a problem."
"Alright, I guess I can live with that." Sighing again he finished getting ready. Getting his own pants on William heard the sigh and moved next to him putting his arms around him.
"What's the matter love?"
"It's nothing. I just, well, I thought I would have my body a little longer."
"I'm sorry." Kissing his neck he didn't know what to say to make him feel better.
"It's alright. I knew this was coming sooner or later." Placing his hands on top of William's he had them slide down a little to rest over their child.
