Thank you Hollow Panda for reminding me lol. I've been so caught up in this Dani/Santana from Glee story that I tend to lose focus on other things. This is the next to last chapter, last chapter will be up in a day or so. :D
Hold Me Tight
Chapter 6
She was tired. Her feet her, her back hurt, she just wanted to go home and climb into bed. But no, Serah had her out shopping that day. Lightning's hand rested on her still growing abdomen as she followed her younger sister into yet another store. Being out shopping in the mall al day was not how Lightning expected to spend her day, especially being nearly seven months pregnant.
"Why won't you tell me what you're having?"
The soldier laughed at the younger woman. Serah and Vanille had been pressuring them to find out the gender ever since Fang and Lightning found out. But the couple refused to budge until the baby shower which was scheduled in a few weeks' time. "I already told you we want it to be a surprise, Serah." The younger Farron pouted, but drug her sister further into the shop anyway.
Lightning was happy. Truly happy. A couple weeks prior, her and Fang had told everybody about their baby. They were met with shocked reactions, simply because nobody expected Lightning to be happy over a child. But, those shocked reactions had soon changed to confusion as they tried to wrap their head around how it was even possible for two women to have a child together. Thankfully, nobody looked at Fang any differently for her extra appendage, at least nobody said anything. Nobody thought of her as a freak as Fang had feared, and as Lightning had also feared.
"I want to know what to get you guys though. Pink or blue?" She held up two different shirts. She'd been trying all day to get some kind of a hint from her sister as to the gender of the child. But Lightning had been strong. She didn't give her anything to go off of.
"The green one." Lightning picked up another shirt to look at it. She knew what her sister was doing and she wasn't giving in.
"You're ridiculous!" Serah glared at the older woman before putting the clothing back onto the shelf. "You're due in January, you're going to need some blankets." She grabbed her sister's hand to go toward the far wall.
"Mm." Lightning stopped in her tracks when the baby kicked particularly hard against her ribs.
"Sis?" Serah examined her sister's features and actions. When she saw her hands come to her stomach, her eyes widened. "Is the baby kicking?" She rushed to her sister's side.
"Yes. Here…" Lightning grabbed her sister's hand to place it flat to the side of her stomach. "You feel that?" She couldn't stop her smile when she saw her sister's face lit up. "The baby's been really active today."
"Well, it is you and Fang's child." Serah laughed. "They're going to be very active, and probably very strong too."
"Yea, it would be great if the baby would get onto a normal resting schedule. Ask Fang how much I wake her up at night because I'm tossing and turning." She sighed softly. Lightning knew it would only get worse as the baby grew and got even stronger.
"Only two more months to go." She smiled up at her sister.
"Can we please go and get something to eat? I need to sit down, Serah. Plus I feel like I'm starving." Lightning pleaded with her younger mirror image.
Serah nodded. "Alright, what are you in the mood for?" She dared to ask. At first, she found her sister's new eating habits very amusing. They all had. But after one comment too many from Snow caused Lightning to break down in tears, everybody stopped. They all made sure the pregnant woman had exactly what she wanted, when she wanted it. Snow had felt absolutely horrible for causing the normally tough soldier to cry.
"Mm, I don't know yet." She walked alongside her sister to the food court. Once she caught a whiff of the various types of food, she knew exactly what she wanted. "Spicy chicken with rice…" she bit her lip, wanting more, but not wanting to actually say so.
Serah eyed her sister cautiously. Lightning had never liked spicy food, but the smart woman decided not to say anything. "Anything else?"
"I'll… uh, well, something chocolate too."
The younger Farron chuckled before leading her sister to an Indian stall to get her some spicy chicken. She quickly stopped her sister from pulling out any money. "No, this is my treat. I'm the one dragging you out today."
Lightning watched her sister place her own order before walking to the counter to order her food. She hated eating in public because she was always so hungry. Thankfully, nobody really looked at her funny anymore. She was almost seven months pregnant and it was hard to miss her swollen stomach. She ordered her chicken and rice, as well an extra order of spicy rice. She didn't know what it was, but she had a taste for the spicy food. In a way, it frightened her. Lightning had always hated spicy food. But, ever since she had found out she was pregnant, she started eating things she would have never touched before.
Serah paid for their food then grabbed the tray to go to one of the empty tables. Lightning let out a loud sigh as she sat unceremoniously on one of the chairs. "My back is killing me."
"After we eat, I'll take you home so you can relax." She watched as Lightning nodded.
Very little was said was the sisters ate in peace. It was nice to have a sister's day. So much time had passed since the last time they'd gotten to spend more than just a few minutes together. "Thank you for today." She smiled across the table before scooping up a chunk of the chicken with some rice to eat. Lightning almost moaned at the taste of the food in her mouth.
"Why are you thanking me, sis?"
The soldier ate a few more bites of food before speaking, "we haven't done this in so long."
Serah smiled across the table at her sister. "No, we haven't." She took a bite of food. "I think last time was before you and Fang got married." Lightning nodded in agreement. "And now, with the baby coming soon, we probably won't be able to do it again for a while."
The soldier nodded. She knew things would change once the baby was born. Lightning knew that everything would get more stressful and hectic then they were now. "Well, I know you'll come over all the time to spend time with the baby."
"Well, duh. I'll be there every day if you'll let me."
Lightning chuckled at her sister. With her having a leave that was to start about two weeks prior to her due date, she'd be spending a lot of time at home. Fang would be able to be there with her once the baby was born, and stay for a few days before she'd have to return to work. Lightning would need help. "You know you're always welcomed, Serah."
"Have you guys thought of any names yet?" Lightning nodded, "well?"
"You think I'm going to fall for that, Serah? I'm smarter than you seem to think I am." Lightning smirked when her sister looked shocked. "I know all of your little tricks. I've spent 24 years of my own life putting up with you. Oh, how I miss those 3 years when you weren't around."
Serah pouted at her older sister. "Just you wait until you turn 30, Claire. You know what they say about payback." She pointed her fork at her sister, smirking when she cracked up laughing. "Oh, wait, Fang's going to be 30 next year isn't she?
Lightning chuckled and nodded. "This summer actually."
"Got any plans for her 30th?" Lightning shook her head. "You have to do something for her."
"It's just Fang. To her it's another day." Even though Lightning always thought about possible things to do for her wife's birthday. "Between you and I, I'll figure something out." She winked, drawing a loud laughter from her sister. Lightning's eyes darted to a couple at the table beside them who turned their direction with a look of disgust. "What? Can't I enjoy lunch with my sister?" She narrowed her eyes to them until they turned back to their own table. "People, I swear."
"You don't need to be so mean though, Claire."
Lightning opened her mouth to talk but felt a very painful cramp hit her lower abdomen. Her hand clutched at her stomach as it hit her again. "Serah…" She knew something wasn't right. She'd felt some cramping throughout the day, but had brushed it off as her just overdoing herself. Another cramp hit her, and the wind got knocked out of her.
"Claire?" Serah instantly reached into her purse for her phone before moving around the table to her sister's side. When Lightning whimpered, Serah knew something was wrong. "Hold on, sis…" Serah helped her sister to stand up. Lightning groaned again, her fingers clenching tightly around the fabric on her stomach.
All of a sudden, there was a man on the other side of the soldier, helping to support her weight as they hurried to the door. "Here, let me help…" Lightning glanced up at him briefly before tossing a soft smile. It didn't last long as yet another cramp hit her.
"Thank you, sir." Serah stopped at the curb to dig her keys out. "Claire, I'm going to get the car. Hold on okay?" She watched as the strange man helped her to one of the benches outside of the mall to sit down. Lightning didn't say anything as Serah ran across the parking lot. Serah got into her phone and dialed the number the office building Fang worked security in.
XXXXXX
Serah held her sister's hand tightly as she lay on the hospital bed. Lightning had fallen asleep, the medicine they'd given her was able to relax her. The younger Farron was still struggling to regain her own nerves. She'd never been so scared for her sister before in her life. Lightning appeared to be in so much pain. Sure, she knew labor was painful, but Lightning wasn't due for another two months. That's what had terrified her.
"Claire Farron. What room's she in?"
Serah looked up when she heard the familiar voice out in the hallway. It was obvious that Fang was as distraught as she had been. Carefully, she extracted her hand from her sister's. After making sure Lightning didn't stir, Serah stood up to meet Fang out in the hallway.
"Serah, what happened?" Fang placed her hands on the younger Farron's shoulders the moment she saw her.
"She had started to go into labor…" Serah saw the way Fang's face paled. "They gave her some injection and were able to stop it. She's asleep now."
Fang pulled her hands off of Serah's shoulders before going into the hospital room. She'd been shaking ever since she got off the phone with Serah. When she saw Lightning resting peacefully on the hospital bed, she knew she'd be able to let the breath free that she'd been holding. Without a second thought, she placed one of her hands gently on Lightning's swollen abdomen, then leant down to press a gentle kiss on her forehead. A few silent tears escaped her eyes as she rested her forehead against Lightning's. Fang had never been so scared in her life.
"Ma'am?" Fang's head shot up when a male's voice intruded into the room. "I am Dr. Seymour… Are you her wife?" He looked at Serah, who nodded, then back at Fang, who also nodded. "She was in labor when she was brought in." He saw Fang's eyebrows furrow as she wrapped her head around his words. "We were able to stop the contractions, but we want to keep her overnight just to monitor her."
"She's not due 'til January."
He sighed softly. "We have no explanation as to why women go into pre-mature labor. Even someone in perfect health and physical condition like Claire is, can have complications." He reached out to place a hand on her shoulder. "Both mother, and child are fine."
"What can I do to help? To – to make sure it doesn't happen again…"
"Well, as long as there are no complications overnight, I'm going to order her to bed rest until she has the baby. The only way you'd be able to help is to make sure she actually obeys the bed rest."
Fang gripped Lightning's hand tightly in her own. "Wh-what if there are problems? What kind of problems could there be?" Serah moved closer to her sister-in-law to wrap her arms tightly around Fang.
"There's still a chance that she could still be in labor and the medicine we gave her only stopped the symptoms temporarily. We won't know anything for a little while to be honest."
Fang looked away from him, her gaze becoming fixated on her wife's sleeping form. They weren't ready for the baby, hell, they hadn't even had the baby shower, or finished the nursery at home yet. Fang was terrified. What would they do? She barely registered the doctor dismissing himself from the room. Her ears picked up Serah saying something about going to call Snow. She nodded silently, her eyes never wavering from her wife. "It's gonna be okay, honey." She brought Lightning's hand to her lips to kiss it gently.
XXXXXX
Scared… that was an understatement… terrified maybe? That seemed to be a better phrase for how Fang was feeling. 3:15AM and she found herself pacing in the waiting room. She wasn't allowed to be with her wife because of the need to an emergency C-Section. After the medicine wore off, Lightning found herself having contractions again. Shortly after, her water had broken. But, there was a problem. Lightning wasn't dilating at all, and having the baby, no matter how small it would be, would end up causing a lot of damage to both mother and child. That was what led her to the C-Section, and Fang being alone with her own rampant thoughts. The baby was coming, whether they were ready for it or not. Her hands shook. Her eyes were misted over with tears.
She'd was barely able to keep it together long enough to call Serah. She hated calling the younger woman in the middle of the night, but she needed someone there. Lightning would need her there too. Either way, Serah would kill her for not letting her know.
"Fang?" Serah's frantic voice rang out in the waiting room. Fang barely had a chance to look up before Serah threw herself into her arms. "Are they okay?"
Fang shook her head, "I don't know. They just took her back about ten minutes ago when I called ya."
Serah wrapped her arms tightly around Fang's neck and let the tears flow that she'd been holding in. "They're both going to be okay, Fang." Snow slowly entered the waiting room, covering his mouth as he yawned. "Snow, can you get her some coffee?" She looked up at him, thankful when he nodded.
Fang buried her face in her hands as she cried. She was glad that she'd called Serah. She needed the comfort. "Va… Vanille." She didn't even know how she'd managed to forget her own sister. In the haste of everything that was going on, all she could think about was her wife's sister.
Serah smiled as much as she could, given the current circumstance. "I called her on the way over here." Before Fang had a chance to say anything, she continued, "don't worry about it."
"Fang?"
The Pulsian's head shot up when she heard her name called. She found herself face to face with Lightning's doctor, who had a smile on her face. That simple look told her that everything was alright. "How are they?" She stood up, her head spinning around to look at Serah for a moment. "I'll be right back out." She met the doctor near the door and walked into the back with her. "Please… are they alright?"
The doctor smiled some more. "Lightning did wonderful throughout everything, and your baby girl was quite fussy."
Fang let out a heavy sigh of relief at the doctor's words. "They… they're okay?" She needed to ask again to make sure her ears weren't deceiving her.
"Yes, both of them are just fine. Your little girl is really small, she's only 16 inches long, and just over 3 pounds, but that's to be expected with Lightning only being 30 weeks along." The doctor reached out to push open one of the doors. She motioned for Fang to walk in first.
That's when she laid eyes on her wife who was somewhat groggy, her hand was reached into what appeared to be an incubator. Lightning didn't care about anything else, just the small baby girl that was beside her, sound asleep. "Hey, Claire." Fang whispered as she approached Lightning's bed.
The soldier's eyes snapped up, showing she'd been crying. But they weren't the same tears Fang had seen when they told her she was in labor. "Fang… look." She refused to pull her hand away from the tiny baby that slept. The little girl had her hand wrapped around one of Lightning's fingers.
Fang slowly made her way closer to the incubator. She dipped her head to place a soft kiss on Lightning's forehead before looking into the little chamber. She quickly swallowed the lump that was forming in her own throat. "She's perfect."
"The redness will fade in a few weeks," the doctor interrupted their moment. "She's breathing on her own with little problem. But, as a precaution, since she is so early, we need to keep her here for a few days to make sure she's going to be alright." When the doctor saw the women nod, she continued, "if you need me, let one of the nurses know."
"Alright." Lightning spoke softly, making sure not to disturb the baby near her.
The Pulsian lifted her hand to brush away some tears that had not fallen. She couldn't pull her eyes away from the little girl in the chamber. She could already tell she would have a darker version of Lightning's hair color. With the redness of her skin, neither of them could really tell her skin tone. "Look at you…" she spoke right to her daughter. "Ya really gave us a scare kiddo." Fang slowly reached her hand into the other slot on the chamber.
Lightning noticed her wife's hesitation to touch the little girl and smiled up at her. "Go ahead, it's okay."
After a long stretch of silence, Fang finally spoke, "I bet she's gonna be gorgeous, just like her mom." Fang's fingers gently caressed the wrinkled skin of her daughter's arm. When the Pulsian didn't hear a response, she turned to her wife. A smile came to her lips when she saw Lightning had dozed off. "Sweet dreams, love." Fang leaned in to place another kiss to Lightning's forehead.
After a few more minutes spent with her wife and daughter, Fang finally mustered the strength to actually pull her hand out of the incubator. Serah and Snow would want to meet their niece. Vanille would too if she was there. She glanced at the two loves of her life before quietly leaving the room to go back to the waiting room. As soon as she turned the corner, Serah and Vanille were right in front of her. "How are they?" Serah asked first.
"Yea, can we see them?" Vanille's question followed immediately after.
Fang smiled from ear to ear at the woman. "They're both wonderful. They're both also asleep, so ya gotta be quiet. Snow, ya comin'?"
The blond-haired man yawned as he stood up. He grabbed his and Serah's coffee cups from the table to follow the three women down the hallway. "So, everybody's okay?" He asked, then chuckled softly when Serah gave him a pointed look, "sorry, I was trying to wake up."
"Yes, Snow, they're okay." Serah answered.
The group was stopped at Lightning's door by a nurse. "Since it's so late, we just ask no more than two people at a time."
"I understand," Fang spoke before looking at the younger women. "Who's comin' first?"
Snow made himself comfortable on the bench outside. He knew he'd eventually get his turn with the baby. It surprised everybody when Vanille joined him. Ever since the Pulsian discovered her sister and sister-in-law were expecting a baby, she constantly talked about how she couldn't wait to meet him or her. "You go first, Serah. Light's your sister." Vanille smiled at her best friend.
"Thank you, Vanille." Serah hugged her friend, then followed Fang into the quiet room. Her sister's head had fallen onto her own shoulder as she slept. Her hand had not moved from holding her daughter's hand.
"Serah…" Fang whispered to the younger Farron as she approached the incubator. Without a second thought, she reached in to touch the child, "meet Kamilah." Fang smiled lovingly down at her daughter.
"Kamilah's a beautiful name. "Serah stood beside Fang to look down at the little girl. "Why's she in there?"
"She's so early… and so small… not everything's developed all the way yet." Fang smiled sadly. "She's gotta stay here a few days, protocol or somethin' they said. I tuned most of it out to be honest with ya."
Serah stepped away from Fang to kiss her sister's forehead. "You know… I be she's going to be gorgeous when she grows up."
Fang let out a small laugh. "Why do ya say that?"
"Anybody with eyes can see how beautiful the two of you are." She came back up beside Fang with a smile, "already looks like she's got Claire's hair… but a little darker. I bet she's going to be a perfect mix of you both." She tilted her head to the side to get a better look at Fang when she spotted a few tears sliding down her cheeks. "What's wrong?"
"I… honestly, Serah… I've always wanted kids, ever since I could remember. But, never thought it would happen ya know?" Serah nodded in understanding. "With… my condition, never thought anyone would love me. Plus, I always thought I couldn't even have kids… Then I met your sister. She accepted me for me. When Claire told me she was pregnant, I was terrified. Then she went into labor two months early…" she bit her lip to stop the tears, "and… and I thought the worst. But, look at her, Serah. Kamilah's okay. They're both okay."
Serah wrapped her arms around the older woman. "You got that family you always wanted. Plus, don't tell her I told you this, but Claire's always wanted kids too. The thought scared her, yes, but she's always had this nurturing personality about her."
Fang smiled over at her wife. Serah's words were true. Lightning did have a nurturing personality. They now had a family of their own. They both had steady careers, they were married, and now their perfect life expanded by one small person. Fang couldn't be happier.
Next chapter IS the last one. I'm currently working on a Glee story, I also have a completely finished Fangrai story that I need to post that's 13 chapters I believe. I still need to edit it though. So keep an eye out for that one.
Let me know what you think :D
Ideas for the prequel, and for the sequel are welcome since I don't have much written for the prequel right now.