In case you haven't read FWB in a while ALL stands for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which is the cancer she had in FWB.
Ch.3 It is Time to Exhale
(DREW)
"I'm pregnant?" Clare exhales in a disbelieving tone gripping my hand. Her face is sort of blank but mine is ecstatic.
"We're going to have a baby! I'm gonna be a dad," I grin getting up and hugging Fitz.
"Yep a baby Torres is on the way, can you believe you're going to be parents?" Fitz smiles hugging Clare but she barely hugs him back. "I'll go get a wheelchair and take you up to Obstetrics," Fitz says and leaves the room with a quick glance back at Clare.
"Angel what's wrong this is great news you should be happy," I comment sitting next to her again and putting my arms around her. She turns to me with a smile taking my hand.
"I am happy Drew, I am extremely happy and extremely relieved that I don't have cancer. I just…I'm surprised, no more like in shock. The thought that I could be pregnant never even entered my mind, I was prepared to hear I had cancer again," she tells me just as Fitz comes in with a wheelchair. Clare sits in it and Fitz takes us to Obstetrics, he takes us to a room and there's a gown on the bed for Clare to change into.
"Congratulations on the baby, Dr. Cook will be in to see you in a minute," Fitz informs us as Clare gets out of the wheelchair and picks up the gown.
"Mark," she calls turning to him, he squeezes his eyebrows together because she used his first name which she only does when something's wrong. "Don't tell anyone just yet, we want to be the ones to spread the news," Clare requests.
"Yeah sure Clare no problem," Fitz nods and gives me a look, he's worried and so am I. "I'll call you later Drew," he says and leaves the room.
When the door is closed Clare begins changing with her back to me. As soon as she's done I go over to her, I take her in my arms and she leans her head against my chest. I'm about to ask her what's going on in her head but there's a knock on the door and male doctor comes in.
"Hello I'm Doctor Cook," he says stepping in.
"I'm Drew, Clare's husband," I introduce myself, he already knows Clare's name obviously as she's the patient. The doctor shakes my hand and then Clare's.
"Good to meet you both. I've just been going over your history Clare, I see you have a history of ALL but you've been in remission for more than five years which is very good. Today we're going to take some blood and do a pelvic exam and a scan, you should call your regular doctor for a referral to an OB/GYN if you don't already have one or we can give you a recommendation here at the hospital. Why don't you lie back a little bit, scooch down and get your feet in the stirrups," Dr. Cook tells Clare and she does all that so he can start a pelvic exam.
I know he's a doctor and this is his job, I know he sees many vaginas and this exam is all routine for him. None the less it's another man with his face in my wife's pussy, he's got tools and things inside her and I'm pretty sure he's looking deeper than I've ever seen, and I don't like it. I don't say anything but when I stand behind him to try and look for myself Clare shoots me a warning look so I stand at her side and hold her hand. After her pelvic exam he does a scan but there isn't much to see, he tells us she's six weeks pregnant and our due date is February 6th. Then he says a nurse will be in to take some blood but we can go home as soon as they're done. The doctor leaves and a nurse comes a moment later, she sets down a tray and I watch her take a vial of blood from Clare's arm. Then the nurse takes a second vial, a third and then a fourth vial.
"That seems like a lot of blood," I remark as she's putting labels on the vials.
"Because of Clare's history with cancer we have to run more tests. There are some greater risks and concerns when the mom has a history of cancer. However with Clare's long remission period she is less at risk but we want to be cautious. You're all done Clare, you can get dressed again and we'll call you with the results, we'll also send them to your doctor," the nurse says and gathers the blood before leaving the room.
When the door is closed Clare gets dressed again and I go sign her out. She meets me at the registration desk and we walk out to the car. We drive home in silence, Clare is starring out the car window, lost in her thoughts. I want to talk to her but I'll wait until we're home, I park and we go inside and I take her to the sofa.
"Talk to me Angel, I'm ecstatic but you don't seem excited at all. If this isn't what you want then we should talk about it. Fitz is the only one that knows, if you want to abort then we c…"
Clare cuts me off by pressing her lips to mine, "I don't want to abort Drew. I want to have your baby, our baby. You know I want to have a family with you."
"Then what's wrong Angel? Because I feel like jumping off the walls and shouting the news and you look…sad," I point out.
"I'm not sad, I'm happy, very happy and excited but," she pauses biting her lip and rolling it between her teeth. Her forehead wrinkles as she thinks about how to phrase what she's going to say. When she remains silent I squeeze her hand and brush a curl behind her ear. "I'm thrilled Drew but I spent the last several days mentally preparing myself to hear that I had relapsed. I'd prepared myself to hear that I would need chemo again, I'd been rehearsing what to tell Natalie. I started making a list of people to call and tell. I am thrilled that we're pregnant Drew I'm just in shock and they always said my cancer could complicate a pregnancy. I'm thrilled Drew but I'm terrified too. What if something is wrong with the baby? What if I can't carry a pregnancy to term? What if I relapse during the pregnancy? What i…"
It's my turn to cut her off with a kiss, cupping her face and overtaking her lips with mine. Clare exhales, her neurotic ranting ceases and she melts into the kiss. I keep kissing her until I feel her heart rate slow and her body relax, then I pull away but just barely, just enough to look into her eyes.
"All new parents are terrified Clare, do you think Owen and Paige weren't terrified? Or Darcy and Peter? It's totally normal to be worried we're bringing a whole new life into the world. A life we're responsible for and this world can be scary. And yes because you had cancer it means there's a little more risk and some potential complications, more than with an average pregnancy. However we will find you the best doctor, someone that has handled this sort of thing before and knows what to do and how to keep you, and the baby, as healthy as possible. We made it through your cancer a pregnancy should be a walk in the park," I assure her and she smiles now.
"I know but what about your schedule? You travel a lot, what if you aren't here when the baby is born?"
"When our child is born I will be there, I promise you I will be there. I'll talk to Bob I'm sure I can travel less and I will do whatever it takes to be with you when our baby enters this world Angel," I assert and she smiles again, kisses me gently and leans against me.
"What do you want? I mean boy or girl which would you prefer?" Clare asks me.
"Maybe it'll be like Adam and we'll get a little of both," I jest.
"Andrew!" Clare scolds pinching my side hard.
"I'm kidding you know that, I love my brother and if our child is trans we'll know how to handle it," I point out and she giggles. "I don't know little girls are easier I think, they just want to have tea parties and play princess, whereas little boys want to play soldier and think they can be fly like a super hero. Adam and I were a handful I know that. Although teenage girls can be a mess, I should know I dated enough of them," I respond and Clare twists her face.
"And all teenage guys think about sex," she comments.
"Yeah especially our kid," I quip and she giggles.
"We should call everyone and get together, tell them all at once," she says after a minute.
"I'll see if everyone can meet for dinner, they can come here," I reply moving a little so I can get out my phone.
"So you want us to throw a last minute dinner party but you don't want me to stress," she comments.
"We'll make it a pot luck and I never want you to stress," I respond.
"I'll call Fitz and asks him not to say anything. I'll call Natalie and Justin myself and you should invite Bob and your parents, if we're going to break the news we'd better do it all at once. We can call Jake and Katie, Eli, Alli, Maya and everyone else tonight or tomorrow," Clare says.
Clare gets up to go call Fitz, I send a group text that Clare and I would like everyone that can make it to come to dinner and please bring food. I get a bunch of replies right away but when I get overwhelmed by so many people asking what they can bring I ask my mom to take over organizing. Then I call Bob & ask him and his wife Madeline to come to dinner. When I get off the phone with them Clare hasn't returned to the living room so I go looking for her. She's in the bedroom and still on the phone, her back is to the door and she's giggling.
"Justin you're terrible," she laughs and my fists clench at his name. I'm pretty sure that she's been on the phone with him the whole time and I don't like it. She giggles again and I walk to the bed, sitting behind her and moving a strand of her hair so I can kiss her neck. She inhales a quick breath and when I brush my fingers over her belly she strangles a moan in her throat. "Justin I need to go, see you tonight," she says into the phone and hangs up.
I take her phone and toss it, gently, across the room then lie her down on her back. I pull her top up and begin kissing her belly, grinning wide at the thought that my baby is in there.
"Were you talking to Justin the whole time?" I inquire.
"No I called Fitz first and asked him not to tell Jenna because we want to tell everyone together. Then I called Natalie, she's coming with her husband Daniel," Clare tells me. "Then I called Justin and asked him to come to dinner and we started talking, then you came in and started kissing me," she says.
"You were still talking to Justin for a while, everyone will be here in a few hours so I think I should do my own exam," I comment unzipping her skirt and pulling it quickly down her legs. "I think I should do a very thorough vaginal exam of my own," I grin pulling her panties down and tossing them over my shoulder.
Clare giggles and moves higher on the bed propping up some pillows so she can lean against the head board. She opens her legs, bending her knees and putting her feet down on the mattress. I get her top and bra off so she's all nice and naked for me.
"Why aren't you naked?" She questions as I get between her legs.
"Because I'm the one doing the exam," I respond with a carnal grin putting her legs over my shoulders. "Maybe we should get a pair of stirrups for the bedroom, I think they have ones that hang from the ceiling," I remark taking Clare's hips and moving her down a little.
"We'd never be able to have anyone over," she argues.
"Of course we would, all our friends know that we're insatiable when it comes to each other and the baby won't even know what they are. When he or she gets older we'll have to hide them or take them down," I state.
"You know we w…ahmm," she moans cutting off what she was going to say.
Clare moaned because I had two fingers probing into her while my palm pressed against her clit. I can't get in very far like this so I move my hand after a minute, taking my palm from her clit and turning my fingers inside my wife's juicy pussy I scissor them open. Clare moans again, giving me a lascivious smile as she watches me. I add a third finger and use my other hand to spread her lips even farther apart. A breath hitches in her throat as she moans and her eyes start to flutter with pleasure. I use my left hand to open her, spreading her pussy lips as wide as I can, now that she's so open I add a fourth finger and then my thumb so that I'm now fisting her.
"Annndrewww," she squeals and squirms on my hand. I open my fingers a little and slip my hand in a little farther. "Drew what are you doing?" She asks on a sharp breath as she lurches up.
"Conducting an exam like I said," I grin, "I wonder how far I can get my hand? Maybe I can feel the baby."
"Drew the baby is the size of a sweet pea and if your hand goes any farther I'm going to kick you," Clare warns me.
"Hey I'm just trying to open you up, I mean you'll be pushing a little person out of there in a few months," I tease as I withdraw my hand.
I pull my hand out but leave three fingers in, I put three from my other hand in and start rubbing along the edge of her vaginal walls. Clare moans and her back arches, removing a couple more fingers and move my head down and my tongue goes in. She grips into my hair and holds my head, I dart my tongue around and drink in her juices. While I taste her with my tongue I massage her with my fingers. It isn't long before I have her writhing in ecstasy and moaning my name in long breathless quivering chains. Her hips buck, my name drops from her lips, she reaches behind her grabbing the pillow and crying out in blissful orgasmic rapture. I slow down removing my fingers and then my tongue, Clare continue to tremble while her orgasm dissipates.
"Still stressed Angel?" I ask and she shakes her head. "Good got another one in you?"
"Do you even need to ask?" She giggles still slightly out of breath.
I smile and get off the bed undressing rapidly before getting back on the bed, and back between Clare's legs, I place my lips on hers. Clare puts a hand at the back of neck and kisses me a little harder, tasting her flavor on my tongue. My fingers drift over her skin and I feel her stomach muscles tighten, her back arches a little more and I rub myself so that I'm completely hard and penetrate her easily. Her legs wrap around my waist and her hips buck welcoming me in, her body already becoming desperate for another climax. My rapturously ravenous wife grips my shoulders and arches her back while she pulls out of the kiss to moan my name. Since I'm no longer kissing her lips I decide to occupy my lips by kissing all parts of her flesh within reach, starting with her breasts. Swirling my tongue around her nipple and sucking lightly eliciting a lovely quivering moan from her lips. When Clare begins bucking her hips faster and arches her back as high as she can I speed up my pace, thrusting so quickly neither of us can take more than a rapid shallow breath. Clare's whole body tenses around me, tightening and molding to me. My own body tenses and releases and at the same second we break, climaxing together. I slow down and pull out of her, kissing her breasts again as I slide off her body to lie next to her then bring her into my arms.
"I love you Angel," I grin stroking her hair.
"I love you more," she responds with a satisfied but tired smile.
(CLARE)
After an afternoon of orgasms Drew and I only had a small lunch, so I was starving and had been nibbling on crackers for the last half an hour while we made chicken for the dinner. Everyone had been told to come at seven so when the doorbell rings at 6:30, while Drew is just getting the chicken on the grill, I go inside to answer the door. It's Audra and Omar, I knew someone would be very early but I thought it would be Adam & Ashley or Owen and Paige.
"I heard from Adam that you haven't been feeling well," Audra says hugging me tightly. "Is that what this is about? Oh my I hope you haven't relapsed," she comments and is still hugging me.
"Audra let her breathe, we'll never hear the news if you smother her," Omar reprimands lightly and Audra releases me.
"We want to tell everyone together, they'll be here soon. I'm sure Drew could use some help with the grill, Audra I could use some help setting the table. I thought we'd eat outside since it's so nice out. We have our patio table and we borrowed three others from neighbors plus chairs since there will be 20 of us plus Krystan," I tell them.
"Oh no you sit down we'll get it we know where everything is, just sit down and relax," Audra insists.
"No really I c…"
"Not another word Clare you need to rest, Omar come out to the garage and help me find the table cloths," Audra orders and my in-laws go out to the garage so I go out to the patio where Drew is grilling.
"Your Mom doesn't even know what the news is and she's already making me get off my feet," I remark to my husband with a wry smile.
"Just wait until she finds out she's going to be a grandma," he grins back and I hear the front door opening.
"It's us," Owen calls I'm sure they let themselves in with their key. Drew kisses my cheek and I go inside hugging Paige and then Owen. "Okay so what's the news?" He asks looking at me very closely.
"Like I told Audra and Omar we will tell everyone at once," I reply and Owen twists his mouth at me.
"Owen leave her alone, put him to work so he stops asking questions. I can help too if you need," Paige comments as Audra and Omar come back in.
"No you sit Paige, Clare keep her company, Honey go help Drew with the grill, Owen help me with the tables please," Audra commands and everyone listens.
Paige and I sit on the sofa and she takes her shoes off putting her feet on the coffee table. We talk while the others cook or get the table ready, Adam and Ashley arrive next, also letting themselves in with their key. Adam goes out to join his father and brother at the grill and Ashley helps set the table. Darcy and Peter come next with Krystan, she runs in and over to us hugging me tightly and looking at Paige's big belly.
"Hi Auntie Tare," Krystan smiles and puts her hands on Paige's belly, "bid belly."
"Yes big because there's a baby in there," Paige tells her and Krystan's mouth goes wide.
"Mommy Paid has a bady in her bid belly," Krystan exclaims.
"I know Sweetie, it's going to be a little boy," Darcy grins as Peter hugs us from behind.
"Where Unl Dew?" Krystan asks looking around.
"Outside on the barbeque," I tell her.
"Come on Krys let's go wash up for dinner," Darcy says picking Krystan up.
Paige rubs her belly, probably thinking of Andrew and what he'll be like. I'm thinking of how big my stomach is going to get over the next few months when the doorbell rings again. Peter answers letting in Natalie and her husband Daniel and Bob and his wife Madeline who happened to arrive at the same time. I get up to greet them and they say hi to everyone, everyone met at our wedding and again at our five year anniversary last year. When the doorbell rings again Adam answers it since he came inside, it's Fitz and Jenna, Bianca and Dallas step inside after them. Just after I greet them the doorbell rings again, it's Glen, Jay and Justin who arrived at the same moment and are the last of the guests.
"So is this good news?" Justin inquires as I lock the door.
"We'll tell you all together," I reply.
"You know if you've relapsed I'll do anything I can for you," Justin says and kisses my cheek. An action that Drew happens to see as he walks in, my husband's eyes narrow slightly and the vein on his forehead throbs. I give him a scolding look for being jealous of an innocent peck on the cheek.
"Dinner's ready," Drew calls and Justin steps away from me.
We have so much food that we set it up in the kitchen buffet style, people get plates and then go outside to find a seat. Paige sits down first and Owen gets her food taking it out to her. Darcy makes a plate for herself and a plate for Krystan. I get a plate and sit next to Paige, we start eating and with people spread out among four tables they begin conversing at the different tables.
"Alright so what's the news? You call us all over here because you have news that you want to tell us all and we know Clare's been feeling sick so I know what we've all been thinking," Owen speaks up in a loud enough voice that all other conversations stop and everyone looks at me and Drew.
"I know what you're all thinking but Clare's still remission she's not sick again," Drew tells everyone.
"Then why were you so sick?" Adam questions.
"Because I'm pregnant," I announce and there's a second of shocked silence, like everyone is making sure they heard me right, and then everyone breaks into cheers and clapping.
"Andrew will have a best friend to grow up with they'll only be a few months apart!" Paige squeals and hugs me.
"Dude this awesome we're gonna be dads within a few months of each other," Owen grins hugging Drew and then me.
"Hey I'm going to be an uncle," Adam smiles getting up to hug us both.
Everyone wants to hug us so we stand up and make the rounds; Jay is already calling Spin and Em. Glen is calling Jake and Adam calls Eli with the happy news. Audra is calling everyone she knows to tell them she's going to be a grandma. Amongst the excited talk of the baby we do finish dinner and have dessert. We even clean up while still talking about the baby. Glen begins a plan to turn one of the spare bedrooms into a nursery and Audra is already planning my baby shower. Owen and Paige leave when she gets tired and needs to lay down, Peter and Darcy leave to get Krystan to bed and Justin leaves right after they do. Adam and Ashley are the last to leave just after one in the morning and by this time I'm very exhausted. Drew and I go up to our bedroom, strip down and fall into bed.
"We're going to be parents Drew, there's a little baby Torres growing in here," I comment rubbing my belly.
"Yes there is, I can't wait to meet them and see what an incredibly beautiful child we make," Drew grins kissing my temple and placing his hand over mine on my belly. "I talked to Bob and he'll make sure I travel less and not at all after you're eight months pregnant," he informs me and I smile.
"Thank you," I grin kissing him softly.
"I told you I'd be here when our child was born," Drew says.
"I love you Drew."
"As always Angel I love you more."
Update Friday February 20th most likely skipping ahead in Clare's pregnancy a bit.