Chapter 8

…

James stretched as he woke from his sleep the next morning to hear the low groans coming from the bathroom; he threw back the covers, walking in to the bathroom to see Mallory leaning over the side of the toilet, his knuckles white as he gripped the sides. James came and knelt down beside the older man, rubbing soothing circles over his back as they waited for his stomach to settle.

"I'll get you some water."

James went to the kitchen, coming back moments later to see Mallory sitting on the edge of the bathtub, his head down and his eyes closed.

"Here, drink this…it'll help."

"Thank you."

James took a seat beside him, watching Mallory closely as he took small sips from the glass before setting it on the edge of the sink.

"Feeling a little better?"

"Not really, I've been up most of the night if I'm honest."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"James I'm not going to wake you up at 1am to tell you I'm nauseous…what could you have done."

"Kept you company."

"Don't be ridiculous, I just have to let it run its course."

"Should it be that bad, all through the night? I thought it was called morning sickness for a reason."

"I suppose it doesn't specify what time of the morning."

"Maybe Kate can give you something to help."

"This is the worst it's been; I wouldn't bother her with it."

"Okay, if you're sure. Come on, why don't you go and get some rest."

"I have to be in the office in an hour."

"The office can wait."

"James I have too much to do."

"Look, what you need right now is some sleep, just the morning. I'll go in and start your paperwork for you."

"You?" He said, a small smile on his face.

"What's so funny?"

"You're not exactly a paperwork kind of guy."

"Okay I don't like the stuff but…it's for you so, I'll suck it up."

"I don't know I…"

"Look, if I get stuck…I'll get Eve to help me okay. Please, get some sleep; the baby needs it as much as you do."

"I'm not going to win this am I?"

"No."

"Fine, but I'll be in this afternoon."

"Great, now get in to bed…I'll bring you some breakfast."

"Oh James I…I'm not really hungry."

"You have to eat, just some toast…for me."

"Okay."

"I won't be long."

James leaned in, placing a warm kiss to Mallory's lips before getting up to make his breakfast.

…

James had his head down, concentrating on the file in front of him as he sat on the couch in Mallory's office. Eve walked in with some coffee, a laugh escaping her as James looked up.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm sorry James, it's just…you doing paperwork, it's not…normal."

"Yeah well it's not something I'll be making a habit off; it's a one off as a favour to Gar…M."

Eve came and took a seat beside him, passing him a cup.

"Thanks."

"You know…around me, you can refer to him as Gareth is you want…you are his partner, the father of his child."

"It just…feels strange calling him by his first name when we're here."

"I get that…so; he's pretty bad today huh?"

"He's been up since god knows what time of the morning sick."

"I've been told it doesn't last for too long."

"I just hate seeing him like this you know; he's our boss…the strong one. Seeing him look so weak and vulnerable, it kind of scares me a bit."

"James…he'll be alright."

"I know, there's just nothing I can do for him."

"You have to let nature take its course."

"Nature…that's laughable."

James got to his feet, running a hand over his face as he turned to Eve.

"This isn't natural Eve…what's happening to him…shouldn't be. He shouldn't be capable of having a baby, or suffering through morning sickness…or giving birth, I mean….jesus, none of this should be happening to him."

"But it is happening, he is going to have a baby, your baby and that's not necessarily a bad thing."

"I'm trying to be the strong one here Eve, but I don't know how to help him when he's glued to the toilet for long periods of time because the baby won't give him a moments piece."

Eve got to her feet, coming to stand in front of James.

"James, morning sickness is completely normal. It means things are progressing normally, they're healthy."

They both looked up when there was a light knock at the door and Kate appeared.

"Oh sorry, did I interrupt something?"

"Kate morning, no you're fine…I was just heading back to my desk."

Eve gave James a reassuring smile before heading back out to her desk.

…

Kate closed the door behind her, walking over to James to had taken his seat.

"Where's Gareth?" She asked.

"Home, he wasn't feeling that great this morning."

"Morning sickness?"

"It was pretty bad."

Kate took a seat, pushing Eve's cup away as she placed a file on the table.

"What's that?" He asked.

"Gareth asked me for a list of properties."

"Properties…why?"

"Well with the baby coming you'll need a bigger place."

"We?"

"Oh I'm sorry dearie…I'm making assumptions."

"No it's…we haven't really talked about moving in together."

"But you do want too?"

"Of course I do."

"He does love you…you do know that?"

"I know…I love him too…so much."

"You'll be wonderful parents James and I'm sorry I haven't been the most friendly towards you."

"You want to protect Gareth, I can understand that."

"Thank you dearie."

"Kate…do you have any free time today."

"I might have…what do you need."

…

Kate parked the car, making her way in to the building and in to the elevator, pressing the button to Mallory's flat. She remained quiet as two young girls got in, laughing and joking to themselves while Kate kept her eyes on the numbers to the floors. She brushed past the girls as the doors opened…the blonde smiling at her as she stepped aside. Kate knocked a few times on the door but got no answer and searched her bag for the spare key James had given to her. Unlocking the door, nothing could be heard, no tv, no music…just complete silence. She called out for Mallory but got no reply so decided he must be sleeping. She made her way in to the bedroom to find it empty, she turned to leave but stopped at the door when she heard a noise coming from the bathroom. Setting her bag on the bed she made her way over to the door, ready to open it but the door stopped, she managed to get her head in to find Mallory lying to the side of the toilet, vomit lying at his side.

"Oh my god…Gareth."

She used all her strength to move his body just enough so that she could maneuver herself through the door. She knelt down beside him, turning him over to check for any injuries.

"Gareth, it's Kate dearie…can you hear me, open your eyes for me."

Mallory could hear the faint sound of someone talking to him, groaning as his stomach tensed. He curled in on himself, opening his eyes and trying to focus on the person beside him.

"Gareth, talk to me…where's the pain."

"Ka…Kate."

"It's alright dearie I'm right here."

"The….mmmmm, baby."

"You're alright, you'll both be just fine. Just try and relax."

Kate rubbed a soothing hand on his arm before getting up and retrieving her bag from the bed, digging to find her phone. She tucked her hair behind her ear, her face pale as she dialed the emergency services, giving them Mallory's address and current situation. Hanging up, she rushed back through to see Mallory dry heaving, clutching his stomach. Seeing him like that, a man so powerful, so strong, reduced to this…it scared her.

"Ka…Kate…I…"

"It's alright dearie, the ambulance is on its way." She said, as she knelt back down beside him, a hand running through his hair.

"Kate the baby."

"I know dearie, it's probably nothing. You'll be fine, you'll both be fine."

"James…."

"Don't worry, I'll let him know…just try and relax for me until the ambulance arrives okay…I'm right here, I won't leave you I promise."

Mallory reached for her hand, taking tight hold of her as his other hand remained on his abdomen, the baby's life uncertain.

…

To Be Continued…