Ch 9: Growing Pains

The doctor got them in fairly quickly. Once Weiss was settled in and ready to see him, their doctor came in, "Hello ladies. I see you are a day early. Your call to the desk said you had some concerns?"

Weiss nodded, "Well, I'm in a bit of new pain where I was damaged and I've been dealing with losing sleep with worry lately. I just want to be sure everything is ok."

He nodded and gave a warm smile, flipping through some paperwork to refresh his memory on the exacts of her procedure, "Absolutely. Mother's comfort equals baby's health after all!"

While he got the ultrasound machine ready he inquired, "Did you do something that might have caused the new pain?"

Ruby didn't have to look to feel the sharp glare Weiss was giving her and shrunk in her chair, poking her fingertips together embarrassed as Weiss's harsh tone gave response, "Well I had to soothe a crying baby because someone thought it would be a good idea to invite over chaos and make my niece cry. Ended up having to comfort her with soothing motions and I think maybe she was a bit too heavy for me to be doing that right now."

He hummed in agreement, "I'd say that is more than likely correct. On the plus side that sort of motion is only really bad for your stitches internally at this point, not so much your baby but since we need to see how he's doing anyway we can at least get some answer that will hopefully combat the worries and nightmares."

The cold gel on her body made her wince but she ignored that and watched and listened longingly as he ran the device across. She could feel herself holding her breath, fingers clenching and opening constantly wishing she had a hand to hold and felt some relief as Ruby reached and snaked her fingers into Weiss's and gave a squeeze.

When the slow whirring sound was heard and the doctor's face scrunched a bit in concern, Weiss felt her heart drop. Another tight but shaky squeeze of Ruby's hand reminded her to breathe but her breath was swallow and shaky, her free hand clenching the bed beneath herself. Still, seeing what she knew from before to be her son on the monitor and hearing at least some form of proof he was at least alive kept her tears at bay for now.

"Hmm well… it doesn't seem to be any worse and it is definitely his heartbeat but we should probably be alert that it's still so weak. It could be that he just hasn't quite fully bounced back yet from the trauma your body and baby experienced, still a bit early to tell but until it improves I think you should see me weekly so we can at least keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't decline at the very least," he was putting the machine away now and handing over something for Weiss to wipe her skin with.

Weiss couldn't will either of her hands to move, as if releasing Ruby or the bed would drop her into the depths of an unanchored terrible reality. Ruby instead grabbed it in her free hand and gently wiped Weiss's skin of the gel. She could feel the tremble in Weiss's body both in her clasped hand and against the wipe. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't also terrified right now but she did her best to hold herself together for Weiss, "W-what happens if it doesn't get better doctor?"

He rubbed his chin and sighed, "Well, a multitude of health issues could present themselves but so long as he doesn't get worse you shouldn't lose him. Let's not focus on any of that right now though, the unnecessary stress isn't good for any of you. The good news here is he's alive and he hasn't declined. If by next week he doesn't improve we can discuss the potential things you can expect, alright? And again, Weiss, if you feel like you need to come sooner don't hesitate."

He stood up and walked over, "Now, I'm going to have a nurse bring you for a scan to check your injury to make sure that's all in order after the exertion. Hopefully you are just sore. If you popped a stitch it should be ok so long as there's no excess blood and it's only one or so."

Weiss could only really hear muted noise, her mind unable to focus on what he was saying, wrapped in the dark fears of what was happening and consumed with worry that nothing was going to be ok. When she didn't respond, sitting there staring at the floor, Ruby acknowledged him and watched him leave. She turned fully to Weiss and gently rubbed her thumb over the pale fingers in her hand, "W... iss… eiss… Weiss?"

Her ears were finally taking in information around her as she began to make out her wife's gentle voice trying to get her attention. Her eyes slowly turned to Ruby in a bit of a depressed daze, eyes glossy and slowly tears were running on her face, Her hand not in Ruby's slowly lifting to touch the wet on her face as if in disbelief that she was even there.

Ruby sucked in a sharp breath and leaned her forehead down against Weiss's, her free hand wrapping with their already intertwined fingers and holding it close to her lips, kissing lightly across Weiss's fingers as her own hands fought not to shake. She could see that Weiss was detached from reality right now, possibly disasociated with reality to coop.

No words left Ruby's lips, unsure what to even really say at first as she gathered her own thoughts. After a moment, she spoke gently, her voice close to a whisper, "Breathe for me Weiss. Just focus on breahting calmly. There's still hope. We need to try to focus on that alright? We can't give up on him."

Icy blue eyes disappeared behind drooping lids and Ruby listened to Weiss take several deep but shaky breaths, meek and sad words barely audible choking out, "I'm really scared…"

Ruby bit her lip and moved a hand to wrap around Weiss and pull her close, her own tears dripping slowly, "Me too. But I'm hopeful he'll be ok. I have faith he's strong like his mom."

Weiss whimpered, the ache in her chest lurched and she gripped Ruby tightly now but willed herself a slight smile at Ruby's words, "I hope you are right…"

The nurse entered but waited once she saw them, letting them take the moment they needed. Even with everything, the couple were still among a low precentile of people that even succeeded this far with the process at this time so the staff had gotten fairly used to seeing sadness. After Ruby noticed her and gently pried Weiss from her shirt so she could step away, the nurse got Weiss scanned and checked out. Just a stitch had popped but no bleeding or anything of note to worry about so she was once again adviced to bed rest and light duty before they were sent home.

The trip back was solem and quiet and Weiss spent it tucked into Ruby tightly to help ground herself in the present but also Ruby's excess hope that she herself did not have nearly enough of right now. Luckily for her, Ruby always had enough optimism for several people combined.

Weiss was actually glad Winter had decided to leave when they got home to an empty house. She didn't want to have to explain anything right now. In fact, all the woman wanted to do right now was go to bed. Ruby made some soup and made Weiss eat for her and their son's sake before she helped Weiss tuck in. It was still a bit early to go to bed herself so as soon as Weiss was comfortable enough, she went back to get a few chroes done to keep herself distracted.

After finishing rounds of laundry, folding clothes and laying out hangables, and washing dishes and areas of the house, she finally gave herself a break on the couch, rubbing her own tired face. She pulled out her scroll and dailed Yang. When her sister answered, Ruby's hand was over her mouth and her shoulders slumped and shook, muffling her sobs as she broke, trying not to be too loud not wanting to risk waking Weiss.

Yang's brows scrunched in concern as she watched Ruby through the video call, "Rubes! Wbhat's wrong? Hey, talk to me."

Ruby took several deep weezing breaths and rubbed her arm across her eyes. She told Yang finally what all had happened that led to Weiss in the hospital along with the news they got today, her sister listening with her full unwavered attention even when Blake came into view sitting next to her.

When she finished, she slumped even further over, the scroll barely in her grasp as her arms weakly hung across her lap and her body slacked over, tears falling. Yang's voice pulling her attention, "Ruby… I'm so sorry all that is happening. It sounds like all is not lost though so I know once you've had a chance to get a good cry out you can totally help Weiss and yourself stay positive. Sounds to me like it's all you can really do for now."

Ruby sniffled and nodded, not looking up. Yang grew more worried, "Ruby are you going to be ok?"

Ruby sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes, sitting up straight and collecting herself for a moment before forcing a weary smile, "I…I'll be fine. I just… needed a moment. Thanks for listening Yang. I'm gonna go check on Weiss."

Yang didn't believe Ruby for a second but didn't comment on it, "Ok Rubes. Call me anything ok?"

Ruby nodded and they ended the call. She let her scroll drop from her hand to the floor as she pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged hold of herself, burying her face in her knees and just focusing on breathing as she tried to calm herself. She flinched in surprise when she felt lean weak arms wrap around her and the couch dip next to her.

A glance out the side of her eye proved Weiss was next to her, wrapping Ruby in an embrace and pulling her close weakly, the pale face tucking into Ruby's shoulder and soothing sounds left trembling lips between sniffling, "Weiss… you should be resting…"

She felt those fingers full of tremors running back and forth along her back and soft cool lips against her neck as Weiss spoke weakly, "Shush Ruby. Even you need to cry sometimes. Don't be dense… we can take care of each other. You do not have to bare everything alone all the time either."

When Ruby's body shook harshly in Weiss's arms and the sounds of her heartache could be heard in weak sobs, Weiss tightened her grip on her wife as best she could and cried right along with Ruby. They sat there for what felt like hours just holding each other and letting the tears run their course until they didn't feel like they could shed any more tears.

Ruby leaned back on the couch and gently held a hand out to Weiss, pulling the woman on top of her into her arms when Weiss took her hand. She reached for the blanket on the back of the couch and fluffed it out over them, holding Weiss closely, "It's not our bed but…I just don't have the energy to move right now. Sleep here with me Weiss?"

Her wife nodded against her neck, tucking her hands between them and resting her knees around Ruby's hips as Ruby wrapped her in strong warm arms, letting the sounds of Ruby's heartbeat and breathing lull her to sleep. Ruby breathed in deep the smeel of Weiss's hair and salty tears and let her eyes close, exhausted from her emotions.

—-

Every day until the next appointment carried out much like the last, the mood in the house doing it's best to stay positive while nights generally ended with sadness and clinging to one another for the only hope they could muster up together.

The next appointment wasn't much better. Still, their son's heart rate had not changed. At this point, the doctor put the machine away and sighed, "So, once again the good news is he is alive. I'm going to get you on some medications that will help make sure this doesn't affect his development or his nutrient intake. Now, let's discuss my biggest concerns. In this situation, the longer this goes on, the higher his health risks. The common things that can happen are that he will have an immunity disorder, he will be under devloped, his nueral development could suffer into some permanent abnormality or disorder. These things can range between minor to major defects and there won't be much in knowing until he greets the world."

Weiss's jaw was tight trying to steel herself. Ruby rubbed the back of her head, stress welling up inside herself, "What are the less common possibilities?"

No one wanted to discuss those, but someone had to bring it up. She and Weiss needed to be able to prepare for all possibilities. The doctor let out another sigh, "Well, he could suffer more severe underdevlopments like blondness or deafness, could have severe internal issues or… well he could not make it at all. We can see the gradual changes in the fetus so we know he's alive and growing to a degree so it's not like we are hearing some sort of residual of Weiss's heart rate. Not going to lie to either of you though, from here on out things are going to be tough. Weiss will still need to come every week so we can monitor him and the amount of suppliments and medicines i'm going to need you to be on Weiss to make sure he has the best chance are going to increase as we get closer and closer to the end goal. But the best thing to do right now is to try to stay positive. It'll go a long way in giving him the best chance."

They both nodded though Weiss seemed to stressed to cry this time. Truthfuly Ruby was unsure how she could continue to take so much all the time but at least her wounds inside had healed and the stitches desolved so that was one less thing to worrk about.

The hardest thing to swallow was that unlike them, Blake's pregnancy was going amazing though the two had the same doctor and for the most part same procedure all things considered. Weiss was of course happy for them but a small part of her couldn't help but feel it was unfair, like the universe had decided to torment only them, but she kept that feeling to herself. It was irrational after all and she knew that.

They had decided to work with the doctor's partner office closer to Vale to avoid having to go into the desert any further on the doctor's request considering how frequently she was going to have to start seeing him. It wasn't something he normally did but he too was concerned about the amount of debre she might be inhaling at this point. He was planning to make a full move there eventually anyway for these very reasons for his clients now that he had the income to do so.

When the two got home, Weiss just wanted to rest alone for a while, unable to handle any more stimulous right now. Ruby went about the process of putting herself on official leave from duty until further notice, not wanting to leave home right now. She took on all the house work and cooking, made the needed calls to Weiss's family so they knew what was going on, and tried her best to be as accomadating to her own and Weiss's feelings right now. No need to call her own father, she knew Yang was keeping him posted and honesty he would just be annoying and over bearing right now if she called herself.

—-

Throughout the rest of Weiss's second trimester, the two became fairly used to the stress and made the best of their worries. So far everything the doctor gave her was helping even though his heart beat still didn't improve.

Almost 4 weeks since the horrible hospital nightmare, Weiss was sitting in their living room, her belly had started to swell visbly, all good signs they were told. She rested and missed with her scroll, handling some bills while Ruby was getting some lunch ready. While Ruby got sandwiches together, she heard Weiss make a weird noise, making her stop what she was doing to listen, "Weiss?"

Where Weiss was sitting, she had felt the odd sensation of a sharp sudden jolt within herself. It was surprising and admittedly painful, causing her to squeak a bit and reach a hand over the area of her stomach. At first, she was scared, with everything going on with her and the baby she didn't know what to make of it. But as her hand rubbed the area, she felt it again, this time, she could feel the pressure against her hand along with it and while she winced, she felt her cheeks flush.

When Ruby called out to her, she was quick to respond, "Ruby come quick!"

The sound of silverwear dropping and Ruby's feet shuffling madly along the floor could be heard as the younger woman rushed in with a flurry of rose petals to Weiss's side, panic painted on her face, "What is it what's wrong?! Where's my scroll I'll call the doctor! Can you.."

Weiss cut her off with a light chuckle making Ruby look at her with a ton of confusion. Weiss reached and grabbed her hand, pulling Ruby down to the couch with her, "It's nothing like that. Here, you have to experience this with me."

Ruby's brow furrowed in her continued confusion as she sat facing Weiss until her wife placed her hand over her belly, "Weiss I don't under…oh!"

Her eyes widened and she quickly looked from Weiss's belly to her eyes as she felt the sudden pressure come and go against her hand. She blinked, mouth a bit agape in her stunned expression as Weiss smiled at her, "He's kicking Ruby… he's actually kicking…"

Ruby's lips curled into her own smile as she rubbed her hand back and forth a bit over their son's active kicks while they lasted, her other hand lacing behind Weiss's neck and holding her close as she leaned over to place excited kisses all over the woman's face. Her lips brushed over the happy tears leaving Weiss's eyes, "Oh my god Weiss this is amazing!"

With everything they had already been through and were still going through, neither of them had thought he would be this active at any point and had completely forgotten that this was something they could experience together with their baby. The surpise was such a welcome change that for the first time since everything went wrong they both felt a renewed sense of hope for their son.

Weiss welcomed Ruby's affections and nuzzled into her face with her own, her hand laying over Ruby's on her stomach as she reached her other hand up, gently wiping away the few tears Ruby had that the younger woman hadn't noticed on her own face. Weiss was too scared to say anything else and risk jinxing it, and they enjoyed the moment until the baby tired back out. It didn't surprise either of them that it was a brief moment considering how weak he was but they would take what they could get.

Ruby leaned forward and kissed Weiss's stomach over the area once their son stopped, smiling with so much love as she whispered softly, "Thank you little one. We have been so worried about you. Me and your mom really needed that. It's good to know you are fighting too. I can't wait to meet you."

The display made Weiss's heart melt, loving the way Ruby was acting and making her feel so safe and loved and secure. The calm had Weiss blush a bit in her adoration for the woman against her. She twirled Ruby's short hair in her fingers, tapping her scalp. When those silver eyes looked up at her she beamed and her heart swelled at that smile, her voice needy, "Ruby… kiss me."

Ruby's brow quirked up but her smile widened and she leaned back up, pressing her lips against Weiss's eagerly, the kiss full of all her love and passion for the icy woman carrying their baby, Ruby's cheeks growing pink as Weiss returned the kiss with just as much fervor. It had been so long since they had shared a kiss that warm and delectable, both catching their breath when they parted. The younger woman simply held Weiss close and the two gushed about the refound joy as Weiss stroked her fingers lightly against Ruby's arms that were so sweetly wrapped around her.

If only moments like this could last.

—-

That this point in time, Blake and Yang were getting home from a check up. They had discovered their baby was a girl and Yang was so full of pride and excitement that Blake couldn't stop beaming even if she wanted to, her own joy intense in herself as well. As they had gotten settled, Yang called out to Blake, staring at her scroll, "Hey! Our nephew was kicking today! Isn't that awesome!?"

Blake came back out their room, having changed into something more comfortable, smiling at the blonde, "That's such good news. They really deserve a break like this with everything they are dealing with."

Yang nodded, looping Blake into her arms as the woman grew close, enjoying the gentle purr the cat was emitting. She peppered kisses along Blake's neck before nuzzling the skin, "I can't wait for that to happen with you two. You are what? A month or something behind Weiss right?"

Blake nodded, "Close… something more like 5 or 6 weeks behind her. I sometimes get fears that everything will just suddenly go south soon just like it did for her."

Yang's strong arms pulled Blake tighter to herself, her front pressed firmly into Blake's back before a hand reached up and turned her face enough to look into those amber eyes, "Don't. Don't even think that over yourself. Everything's going to be fine."

Eyes closed and Blake hummed an agreement as she pressed into Yang's hand. The brawler's other hand moved to brush over the barely existant signs of baby existing under the skin and Blake mewled lovingly in response, "Alright you. Cool it. What are we eating tonight?"

The blonde snickered at Blake's attempts to calm Yang's fiery libido and rested her chin on Blake's shoulder as both hands rested over her belly, "Well I was considering baking some fish and veggies, just the way you like them."

Blake felt her mouth water and slipped from Yang, eager to help her meal prep which only made Yang laugh. The two worked together to get food prepared and once it was in the oven Yang couldn't resist sneaking a breath of hot air against the soft fur of Blake's cat ear, pulling a surprised squeal out of the faunus before the woman smacked her, "Can't blame a gal for trying."

Amber eyes glared into her, "Not tonight. I'm tired and my back hurts."

Yang pretended to be slighted but then chuckled and kissed Blake's cheek, "As you wish Kitten. Let's go relax until the food is ready."

They lazily cuddled in the couch and Yang massaged the aching areas of Blake's back to help relieve her wife until dinner, enjoying the delighted groans of ease that Blake released as Yang was soothing the pain. Once food was finished and consumed the two turned in for a hot soak in the tub, Blake sitting infront of Yang, her cat ears folding as Yang continued to work out her sore lower back in the hot water.

Yang of course was just glad to be of help, ignoring any physical response her body gave to Blake's noises of comfort but she was fine with it if it meant Blake wasn't hurting as much.

—-

When the time came around that Blake could begin to feel their daughter kicking, she wished she couldn't. The first moment was of course special and Yang and Blake enjoyed all the thrills of feeling the kicking child growing inside the faunus. However, Blake quickly learned that their healthy daughter was incredibly active.

Blake was practically bed-ridden with how much pain the baby was causing her. If she wasn't flinging her feet at Blake's stomach she was stomping into Blake's organs and diaphram, making the faunus curl up most days in pain, practically pleading with the baby that couldn't understand her to give her a break more often.

Sadly, in conversations with Ruby, Yang had learned the Rose baby had barely made himself known since the first time, the most Weiss got these days was occassional feelings of him shifting slightly. The cat often grumbled about wishing she could split the difference with her friend.

The doctor had assured them some babies were just like this and gave his reccomendations of warm baths and quiet environments to try to help the pain and possibly give less stimulus to the baby in hopes it would calm her down some. Yang had to practically carry Blake out his office when the cat got annoyed at his unhelpful advice and nearly lunged at him.

Meanwhile, Weiss's own health seemed to attract every possible negative occurance of being pregnant. She was now dealing with blood pressure issues, digestive issues, trouble sleeping, and they were concerned she might develop gestational diabetes. Both women were miserable for different reasons but at least in their pain and misery they were able to message each other about it, something their beloved wives couldn't relate to that gave them a sort of new level to their friendship.

All of Blake's baby's activity caused her mood swings to often put Yang into the dog house, getting blamed for the energy the baby had clearly coming from Yang, as if that were her fault. The blonde did her best to take it in stride and not be hurt by it. If she could make the baby chill out she would in a heart beat to bring Blake relief but that was sadly not how it worked. Though, internally she was filled with pride at the fact that their baby might be like her.

"Yea… I'm sleeping on the couch again. Though I'm sure come 3am like clock work she's going to be whining for me to come cuddle. Rubes if I could make our daughter stop I so would! Kid's already basically boxing in there! I feel bad for Blake but it's cool to think she might have my energy, don't tell Blake I said that though," Yang shared staring at Ruby's face on her scroll as she fluffed a pillow on the couch and leaned back.

Ruby chuckled. Yang could see Weiss sleeping next to Ruby in the screen rested on Ruby's lap as her sister stroked peacefully through her hair. Weiss looked sickly but that was what she expected all things considered, Ruby teasing Yang quietly to not wake her slumbering wife who needed any sleep she could find lately, "Yang… if she's blaming you know you have a death wish if you are gonna be in the delivery room with her. She is totally going to claw your eyes out."

Yang just laughed. Ruby was glad she had earphones on or it might have woken Weiss up with how hearty it was, "I'm strong I can take it! Like hell am I not going to be there! Anyway, her mom is supposed to arrive in a day or two so I can start working again. She'll be so needy to see me I'm sure she'll start to give me a break."

Ruby frowned, "Yang… we told you we could help…"

Yang cut off her sister as she worked off her prosthetic to give her arm a break, "Ruby while I appreciate that and I'm more than happy to accept the help with the doctor stuff, I can't let you both do that. Blake and I are trying to buy a place before Blake starts nesting and it's something we need to do ourselves. It's important to us to feel like we can provide for our own family. Plus, Weiss's bills can't be cheap right now with how often she has to be seen and the amount of medication she needs. Put that money towards taking care of your wife and son."

Ruby was about to protest and remind Yang that Weiss was basically one of the richest people in all of Remnant but Weiss had stirred, reaching for Ruby and mumbling for her to come to bed already. Yang saw the pale fingers grip Ruby's shirt and heard the annoyed but needy words, "Ruby… put that away and hold me already…"

The older sister smirked as Ruby gave a sheepish smile to her, "Go on. She needs you more than I do right now. I'll talk to you again soon Sis."

Ruby thanked Yang and they shared I love yous and goodbyes before Ruby hung up and set her headphones and scroll to the side, sliding down into the blankets with Weiss clinging against her, wrapping her arms around the older woman, "Alright Princess, I got ya."

Weiss grumbled as she fell back asleep, "Finally. How dare you keep me waiting… you…dol…"

—-

Yang watched the screen go blank and sighed as she tucked her arm under her head and held her scroll to her chest, "Cuties both of them."

She let herself fall asleep and as expected, come a little past three in the morning she was woken up by Blake's whimpers at her, begging for her to come back and giving Yang a display of clingy needy licks and whimpers when the brawler rejoined her, crying her apologies in Yang's ever forgiving embrace.