Chapter 7

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Rolling out of bed Alan was already jealous of William who could stay in bed a while longer, he didn't have work today. Sitting up he forced himself out of bed, not feeling the nauseous feeling for once, though he knew it was coming, and jumped in the shower. He was grateful he was finally starting to feel better. Fourteen weeks pregnant and not dealing with horrible morning sickness anymore was a blessing. He still got sick throughout the day but it wasn't nearly as bad as it had been only a few weeks before. Funny what a short amount of time could do. Getting out of the shower he stopped and stared at himself, something he noticed he was doing more. It was hard not to, he could swear his stomach was becoming more defined with the growing child. He still didn't think it was that obvious but if you looked you could clearly tell he had a tummy on him. Coming out of the bedroom he saw William sitting up in bed.
"Miss me that much?" he teased opening his dresser for clothes.
"I guess so. Bed got cold."
"Well sorry, one of us has work today." Throwing his things on his bed he moved to the mirror to comb his hair. "What is on your agenda for today?"
"Nothing much. Probably go to the bank, talk about a loan for the house."
"I thought we weren't doing the loan?" he asked, the thought of him soon owning a house made him smile.
"Well we certainly don't have enough to put down to cover the complete cost. And I'd rather not touch our savings when we should be using it on the baby expenses."
"True. I forgot about that." Not about the baby of course but that they couldn't spend as much as they wanted right off the bat because they didn't want to not be able to afford things for the baby. Coming back to the bed he started getting dressed feeling the eyes of the other on him. Turning his head to him he asked, "Can I help you?"
"Sorry, I just, are you using a new soap on your skin?"
"No, why?" Standing back up he slid his pants on. For maternity clothes they looked exactly like his old work pants only comfier, he loved these pants he would hate to give them up when this was all over.
"Oh, your skin looks…well…it must be that pregnancy glow everyone is always talking about."
"Oh I am glowing am I? If you turn off the lights will I radiate?" He teased leaning in the bed to kiss him.
"Always love."

Sitting at his desk working on paperwork wasn't all that bad and Eric was in charge since William was off. Not that he didn't love William as a boss but people seemed a lot less on edge when it was Eric. Probably because he was such a laid back boss. Finishing up this first set he stood to file them, once the dizziness went away. He forgot about that, he had to stand up slower or else he felt dizzy. He had scared both William and Eric with that one before. Walking into the file room he saw Grell whose face light up at his entrance.
"Well don't you look stunning today!"
"Thanks Grell. Apparently I'm glowing."
"Aren't you always?" she teased as she waited for Alan to finish so they could walk back together. "So two things Alan my dear and you can't say no to either of them."
Scared what they were now he let Grell wrap her arms around his as they slowly made their way back to the offices. "One, we must do lunch it's been forever. And two, I'm going to throw you a shower."
"Oh Grell, you really don't have to."
"Yes I do. The guys won't do it and you need one, everyone having a baby deserves one."
"You just want to spoil me and the baby don't you."
"Oh Alan you can read me like a book." Both laughing they split off at Alan's desk. Shaking his head he knew fighting Grell over it would be pointless, though when he told William he knew he would object. Neither wanted to use their friends for things for their baby, though if someone saw something they thought would be nice they most certainly wouldn't say no.

Alan didn't see it coming, it wasn't even something on his mind but when his chest tightened his body started to panic. Not an attack, not now, not here. Trying to move from his desk he fell to his knees before he could even take two steps. The pain flared up through his body as the attack worsened. One of his co-workers saw him fall and quickly called for Eric who came running at the first mention of Alan. Seeing him on the ground he knelt down beside him putting his arms around him to hold him close. He had seen and helped Alan through these attacks before but seeing him clutching his stomach worried him. What if the baby was in danger, if anything happened to that child Alan and William would be devastated. Lifting Alan into his arms he yelled at the first person he saw to contact William immediately as he swiftly moved to the infirmary. Hearing him gasp in pain he looked down at the younger male and told him to hold on, he would be alright, everything would be alright. Feeling Alan grip his shirt he slowed a little worried the pace was hurting him.
"…Eric…the baby…what if…"
"Ssshh everything will be alright." Forcing a half convincing smile he finally made it to the infirmary and passed Alan off to the staff. He would be alright, they both would, they had to.

William ran down the hall to the infirmary not caring who he passed, Alan needed him. He just got back into the apartment when he heard the phone ringing, hearing it was work he didn't think twice about answering it until Alan's name came up. He should have been here for him, he shouldn't have dealt with the attack alone. Coming to his room he stopped at the door and caught his breath as he saw Alan asleep with wires hooked up to him and Eric beside the bed.
"Oh good, they got through to you."
"How is he?" Moving closer he didn't want to speak to loudly and wake him. He knew Alan needed rest right now.
"He is stable the doctors said the attack wasn't as bad."
"And the baby? Do you know if…"
"No." he said shaking his head. "They wouldn't tell me anything but all they did tell me was they hooked them up to a fetal monitor."
"No that's fine, I appreciate it. If anything were to happen to the child though, well, Alan would never forgive himself."
"I know."
"Thanks. For staying with him."
"Of course. I couldn't leave him to wake up alone. Though I know he'll be happier you're here." Placing a hand on his shoulder he gave it a gentle squeeze. "I should get back to work. Let me know if either of you need anything."
"Thanks Eric. For everything."
"Don't mention it." Letting him go he got ready to take his leave. He wasn't needed anymore, Alan had who he needed most right now.
"Eric. I really mean it. Thanks. I know Alan means as much to you as he does to me and I feel better knowing you're looking out for him too."
Giving him a two finger salute he left the room to head back to his office, let the others know Alan was doing alright.
Sitting down beside the bed he took Alan's hand in his own and watched he lover sleep. He knew he needed that most right now, especially after the attack. Looking at the monitor hooked up to their child helped him relax as well. Alan was his light and he knew this baby was Alan's, if he knew the thorns had harmed their child in any way, well, Alan would never be able to forgive himself.

An hour later Alan stirred from his slumber to feel a hand in his. Opening his eyes he looked over at William and smiled.
"Hi."
"How are you feeling?"
"I've been better."
Just smiling at him William ran his fingers through his hair happy to see him awake.
"The baby, are they okay?"
"I haven't seen a doctor so I figure everything is alright. They hooked them up to a fetal monitor and I've been listening to their heartbeat since I got here. Still so strong and perfect."
"Oh good. I was so worried."
"I know you were." Kissing their joined hands he watched his lover before saying what was on his mind. "Alan, maybe, maybe this is a sign that you should stop working."
"William…" He knew what he thought about this, they had talked about it before.
"I just, we know the thorns are heightened by activity, and with the strain the baby is placing on you….maybe we should place you on leave."
Having his head come closer he used his other hand to touch his cheek. "I appreciate the concern and, and maybe you are right. But, I don't want to be locked up in the house all day. I can't handle feeling like I'm doing nothing."
"I don't want to lose you Alan." Whispering he rubbed his head into Alan's hand.
"I know." He had thought about it too, especially since he was pregnant. He didn't want to harm the baby, there was no way of knowing what this had done to their child. And what if next time it sent him into premature labor, then what. But at the same time, "there is no guarantee my not working will do anything. Please William, try to understand my view. It's not like I do much at work. If I stay home I'll be doing nothing."
"Alright. I won't fight you over this. It's up to you. Just know I love you."
"I love you too William." Having him come closer he kissed his lips happy to know he cared enough about him to suggest something.

Both sat talking after the doctor said Alan just needed rest and everything showed the baby was doing fine when they heard a gentle knock. Looking up they saw Eric in the doorway.
"I hate to be a bother but Grell wanted me to give these to you Alan since she has mission to take care of." Coming in he handed Alan a vase of flowers, with pink roses, carnations, chrysanthemums.
"They are beautiful. I'll have to remember to thank her later." With Williams help they placed it on the nightstand beside the bed.
"So, how are you feeling?" Eric asked happy to see Alan awake and looking well.
"Better, doctor said I just need rest so I'm out of work today and tomorrow."
"Rest will do you well."
Putting his hand out he had Eric take it so he could bring him closer. "My two favorite men are here with me I don't need rest now." Both smiled at Alan though neither weren't going to say this wasn't awkward for them.
"Eric, once I'm better I'm treating you to lunch, as a thank you for helping me."
"You don't have to do that Alan, it's what friends do."
"To bad, it's gonna happen. I've made up my mind."
"Well if he made up his mind Eric you have no choice." William teased. He knew Alan still had feelings for Eric, it was something they had talked about when they started dating, and he would always have feelings for Eric. But, he knew Alan loved him and though at times he worried Eric would try something he also knew Eric and Alan were friends. He also knew Alan was in no better hands than Eric's when he personally couldn't be there for him. That was something he was grateful for.
"Alright fine. We'll do lunch. I'd say we would do just the pub but seeing as you can't drink…"he joked happy to see Alan in such a good mood.
"How about that new place that opened. That burger joint sounds good."
"Sure Alan." No way was he going to say to say to Alan, not that he could if he wanted to.

Finally getting discharged Alan was allowed to get dressed and go home though he was on strict orders to do nothing but rest. William would see to it too that he follow those orders. And really that wasn't that bad, he could handle it. Especially considering how things could have turned out.