"Get out! Get out! Get out!" Steve heard Laura yelling in the bathroom. He ran for the stairs. He still wasn't used to them having two bathrooms, let alone the two floors in their new condo. He ran through the double doors into their bedroom and turned sharply left to charge into the master bathroom. He looked around for an intruder but saw only his wife. He exhaled sharply. "Auditioning for a play, honeybunch?" he asked.

She turned and glared at him. "No, I'm trying to force a parasite out of my body," she sneered, pointing at her round belly.

Steve smiled softly. The poor thing was a week and a half late. They had tried all the tricks the doctor had suggested. She had been eating spicy foods, rubbing oils all over herself, Steve had been massaging her breasts, and they'd been making love like crazy. She had a date to induce labor only a few days away, but she'd never been a patient woman. Steve stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her belly… or at least as far as they would go. He kissed her cheek softly. "I'm sorry, my love. I can't imagine how tough this must be for you."

"No, you can't," she agreed. "Remind me why I agreed to do this again?"

"Because you love me," he purred.

She grimaced. "Not a good enough reason," she said as she pulled away.

He shrugged and followed her back into the bedroom.

"Take off your clothes," she said as she slipped her top over her head.

His eyes widened, and he began to strip. "Yes, ma'am!" he cried excitedly.

Laura dropped her sweatpants to the cozy, carpeted floor and slowly lowered her lopsided body onto the bed. "You are going to screw this thing out of me if it's the last thing you do." She lay flat and grumbled as she positioned herself over the edge of the mattress.

Steve stood in his place at the edge of their bed. He leaned over her and took off her bra. Then he began to massage her sensitive breasts exactly where he was supposed to in order to stimulate labor. It hadn't worked yet, but he was sure it would eventually.

"Mmm," she moaned, relaxing slightly as he massaged her.

He leaned around her large stomach and began to suck on her nipples. "Mmmmm…" he moaned.

Laura smiled softly for the first time in a while and reached her hand to the back of his head. She stroked it gently and watched him. He looked so happy. She knew that he must be savoring every moment, knowing that this would be one of the last few times they made love for awhile. She figured she might as well try to make it fun for him, especially since she'd pretty much only been using him as a sex toy for the past few days. "Mmm… Steve," she purred.

He looked her in the eye. She hadn't actually moaned his name like that in weeks. They had stopped making love for awhile because she felt so uncomfortable in late-term pregnancy, but she had gladly started again when she was informed that it could help her go into labor. Then she became so focused on that aspect that she had begun to forget that they used to do this for fun. Her lack of enthusiasm was making this seem like a chore to him, his favorite chore, but still a chore because she didn't let him romance her the way he liked to. Even just hearing her acknowledge his efforts like that sent a little chill up his spine. He released her breast and began to kiss down her belly. He got on his knees in front of her, disappearing from her eyeline due to her enormous tummy, and traced a single finger around the edge of her panties, teasing her.

She quickly grew annoyed but tried to tamp it down. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Take those off."

He sighed loudly, disappointed that she was rushing him again. Still, for the mother of his child, he gave in without question. He slipped her panties off and recentered himself between her legs.

She regretted rushing him as soon as she heard him sigh. He just wanted to enjoy making love. Was that really too much to ask? As he leaned close to her womanhood, she interrupted him. "Wait."

Steve paused and stood up. "What's wrong? What did I do?" he asked, preparing to take any and all blame.

She frowned at him. "Help me sit up," she ordered, extending her hands. He grabbed her hands and helped her sit. "You didn't do anything. I'm sorry I've been so difficult lately."

Steve shook his head. "No, you haven't been difficult." She stared at him challengingly. He looked away and nodded. "Ok. You've been a tiny bit less sweet to me lately than you usually are but well within your limits as the woman carrying my baby."

"I'm still sorry," she replied.

He leaned closer to her. "Don't be." He kissed her shoulder gently again and again, lingering against the smooth skin. "Lie down," he ordered, placing a hand on her stomach to guide her back. He kissed his way down her body again and moved between her legs. Without teasing her or warning her, he began to eat her out. He heard her exhale in relief immediately. It seemed that the only time her mind wasn't on her extreme discomfort was when his head was between her legs. If his tongue were stronger, he would have been happy to stay there until her water broke. However, he wasn't Superman, and after two orgasms, he couldn't stand it anymore. He stood and lined his member up with her entrance. He stared down at her, absorbing every inch of his beautiful, pregnant wife. Then he slid inside. "Oh, Laura," he moaned.

"Steve…" she purred. She looked deep in his eyes. "I wanna be closer to you," she announced.

Steve paused what he was doing but didn't pull out. "What?"

"Get in bed," she explained, reaching up to him.

"But you've hated all the other positions we've tried," he argued, pulling out again.

"Get in bed," she repeated.

He nodded and climbed over her to his side. He watched her hesitantly as she lay down on her side. They had tried every position that she had loved during the second trimester, but none of them had really worked at this point. She had only learned to tolerate one. Despite his memories that told him to do otherwise, he moved close to her and spooned her. He smiled against her neck as she reached for his hand and pulled their hands together to rest on her stomach.

"I want you inside me," she told him softly.

He pulled his hand away for only a moment to guide his member inside, but he quickly returned it to hold hers on her stomach. "I love you," he groaned as he entered. "Oh, Laura Lee, I love you so much," he continued as he began to move in and out.

"I love you, too," she whispered. She turned her head back slightly, trying to see him out of the corner of her eye. She let go of his hand and reached back to his head, pulling him closer.

He lifted his head to look down at her slightly, finally allowing them to make minimal eye contact. He reached his hand up to her breast and began to stimulate her nipple again.

"Oooohhh…" she purred. "Oh, Steve. Yeah, that's it. That's it, baby. Just like that."

He couldn't help but smile brightly with her encouragement. He knew that she used to be vocal in bed, and he knew that she would be again, but it had just been so hard to make her happy lately. Making Laura happy was the only thing Steve really cared about, other than keeping the baby healthy and happy now. He paid close attention to her every signal, praying for one good lovemaking session before they buried themselves in diapers and breast milk. Soon, some time had passed, and she was clearly on the edge.

"Oh! Oh! Oh, yes! Harder, Steve. Please. I'm almost there."

"Laura…" he groaned, trying hard to resist the urge to come.

Suddenly, the phone began to ring.

"Nooo," Steve whined. "No, Laura don't make me stop."

"Don't you dare!" she ordered. "Make me come!"

Steve smiled brightly in relief and began to take her harder, both of them happily ignoring the phone. Finally, Laura went over the edge, pulling Steve with her as she squeezed him in all the right ways.

"Steve!" she cried.

"LAURAAAAA…" he growled as he shot his cum inside of her.

Both of them were completely lost in the moment as Harriette's voice came on the answering machine.

"Laura? Laura, pick up."

Steve was the first to recover from ecstasy, but he didn't want to pull out of her as she continued to tremble for him.

"Laura. Seriously. It's an emergency. Pick up!" Harriette urged.

Steve begrudgingly slipped out of her and reached over her to get to the phone.

She whimpered softly in disappointment below him.

Steve looked down at her apologetically as he answered. "Harriette? What's wrong?"

Laura watched him as her brain began to come back to her. Her brow furrowed.

"Uh-huh," he agreed. "Oh, no. Oh, God. We'll be right there." He quickly hung up the phone and hopped out of bed. He began to dress hurriedly.

"Steve, what happened?" Laura demanded, trying and failing to get out of bed on her own.

Steve noticed her struggling like a turtle on its back and finally helped her stand. "We have to get to the hospital," he announced.

———————————————————————

They got to the hospital as quickly as possible. Steve helped Laura out of the car and walked her inside. Immediately, a man approached with a wheelchair.

"Ma'am," he offered.

Laura glared at him. "I'm not here to give birth. I'm here to visit a relative."

"Oh," he said, "But you are…"

Laura raised a brow at him. "No," she lied.

Steve looked at her in disbelief. Her crankiness had come back with a vengeance.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he said, backing away.

"Mm-hmm," Laura mumbled with an eye roll as she waddled to the elevators.

Steve pressed the button as she entered, holding the door open for her. He glanced at her nervously. He wanted nothing more than to hold her close to him, but he knew she was a little less open to physical affection these days.

While he wasn't looking, she shifted closer to him and grabbed his hand. She squeezed it tightly as his eyes met hers again. "It's gonna be fine, Steve. Relax."

Steve frowned at her. "I wish I knew that, my love."

"I know that," she said firmly.

The doors opened, and Steve held them again as she slowly made her way into the hallway. Steve walked beside her at her snail's pace. Maybe they should have taken that wheelchair.

When they finally made it to the right room, Steve opened the door for her.

"Knock, knock," Laura announced as they entered.

Estelle looked away from Carl, Harriette, and Fletcher who hovered around her bedside and turned to the door. "Oh, no!" she whined. "You two didn't have to come all the way up here for me. You have enough goin' on."

Laura leaned carefully over to kiss her grandmother's cheek without toppling over. "Hey, look at it this way. This is the best place in the world for me to go into labor," she joked.

Estelle laughed and squeezed her hand. "You didn't have to come, sugar. I'm fine," she said firmly.

Steve came up beside Laura and leaned past her to kiss Estelle. "Of course, you are! It was just a little tumble and a broken hip, but we figured you might need some company, having to sit up here alone with all these worrywarts," he exclaimed, gesturing to Carl, Fletcher, and Harriette.

"You got that right," Estelle agreed. She turned to Carl. "Carl," she began.

"Yes, Mama?"

"Your very pregnant daughter just arrived. Do you really think your big butt's more in need of a chair?"

"Oh!" Carl exclaimed, standing immediately. "Come sit down, sweetheart."

Laura chuckled. "Thank you, Daddy," she said as she walked slowly to the other side of the bed. Steve followed closely behind her and offered her his arm to help her sit down. She landed with a heavy plop.

"So how are you feelin', sugar?" Estelle asked Laura.

"Fantastic," Laura exclaimed with crazy eyes. "I'm having a baby! I've never been happier!"

"You're miserable, aren't you?" Harriette asked.

"Yes!" Laura cried. "I feel horrible about it, but I'm beginning to resent my own baby!"

"Just wait until she's coming out of you!" Estelle warned. "That's when you'll really start to hate her."

"Mm-hmm," Harriette agreed, "and him." She pointed at Steve.

"Me? Why me?" he demanded.

"You're the fool who did this to her," Estelle exclaimed.

Laura laughed. She had certainly been taking these last couple weeks out on Steve, as much as she hated to do it. She was almost kind of glad he was so used to people treating him with disrespect. He seemed completely unfazed by her snide comments and eye rolls. She could only hope she hadn't undone all of the confidence building she'd been working on for years. She reached for his hand resting on her shoulder and squeezed it. "He may have gotten me into this mess, but I couldn't do it without him," she smiled.

Steve looked down at her, blushing at the compliment. She hadn't exactly been showering him in affection lately, so he appreciated the extra love.

Estelle smiled at them. "Can I get a minute alone with the mom-to-be?" she asked. The others nodded and slowly excused themselves. Once Estelle was sure the door had shut, she looked at her seriously. "I may be a little sicker than I let on," she admitted.

Laura's brow furrowed. "What?"

"I haven't told those three yet, but I didn't just slip in the shower. I got very dizzy and blacked out."

Laura's eyes widened. "What? Grandma, you have to tell the doctors that!" she ordered.

"I did," she corrected. "I just didn't tell Carl or Fletcher because they worry so much. The doctors know, and they did a CT and an MRI. They'll be back with my results soon."

Laura relaxed slightly, but only slightly. She was nowhere near ready for something to be seriously wrong with her beloved grandma. "Why are you telling me?" she asked. "I worry too."

Estelle laughed and grabbed her hand. "Oh, I know, sweetheart," she said as she squeezed it. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm gonna do everything I can to be here long enough to meet the baby, but I don't know that I'll be able to."

"What?" Laura gasped. "Grandma, that's crazy. The baby will be here any day now. Wednesday at the latest because we're inducing."

"I know, baby, but if something's really wrong, I may need surgery, and that's not easy at my age."

"Well, if they don't think you'll survive a surgery, they won't recommend one."

"No, but I'll push for one," Estelle countered.

"Why?" Laura demanded.

"Because I don't just wanna be around the day your baby's born. I wanna be around to watch you and Steve raise her. I wanna be around to watch you have a son, too. I wanna make it to your little girl's graduation," she smiled.

Laura frowned deeply. They both knew that was almost impossible, barring a miraculous scientific advance.

"I am so proud of you, Laura," Estelle said softly.

Laura felt tears come to her eyes. "Why?" she squeaked.

"For loving that boy the way you do," Estelle smiled. "I know it's not always easy for you, but he needs you, sugar. I'm so glad he has you. I feel… more comfortable leaving, knowing that you two will take care of each other."

Laura's tears began to slide down her cheeks. "Of course, we will, but don't talk like that. You're not going anywhere."

Estelle nodded, feigning confidence for her. "Promise me you'll help him through this."

"Through what?"

"Losing me."

Laura's lips parted in confusion. "What do you mean? You're my grandmother, shouldn't he be the one–"

"Promise me," she said again.

"I promise."

"Promise me you'll take care of him. Promise me you'll stay with him for the rest of his life. Promise me you'll be as devoted to your family as I've always been to mine. Promise me you'll keep on making me proud, even when I have to watch you from up there," she said, pointing skyward.

Laura was crying openly now. "I promise," she whispered, struggling to lean over and hug her tightly.

Estelle hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. "I love you so much, sugar."

"I love you, too, Grandma," Laura replied softly. They held each other close for a minute. "Oh!" she exclaimed suddenly. "Um. Grandma?"

"Yeah, sugar?"

"Do you think you can hold on for another few hours?" Laura laughed slightly, sitting up straight.

"What?"

"My water just broke," Laura said, grinning brightly in relief.

Estelle was over the moon. "Steve!" she yelled.

"Steve! Get in here!" Laura yelled with her.

———————————————————————

As soon as Fletcher shut the door to Estelle's room, Carl placed a hand on Steve's back. "So how ya doin', Papa?" he grinned.

Steve smiled weakly. "Good. Very good."

"You sound terrified," Carl laughed as he sat several chairs away from Harriette and Fletcher.

"Completely," Steve admitted with a nod as he sat beside him.

"You're gonna do fine, son," Carl assured him.

"Carl, when I was a baby, my parents let me roll off my changing table a total of eight times," he argued as Carl's eyes widened in horror. "I have no idea how to raise an infant. When she's older, I'll at least have your example to work from. Right now, I'm just flying blind."

"Well, you took that class, and you have some instincts, and you have all of us here to help you. Most importantly, you have Laura. You'll do fine," he assured him.

"Yeah, I know Laura won't let me mess her up too badly, but I don't want to put all that pressure on Laura. I wanna be helpful."

"You will be, Steve, but don't forget to ask for help when you need it. You'll have to remind Laura of that, too. We want to help you. Those first few months are hard on everyone, so don't feel like you're failing if you need a break every now and then. It's perfectly normal."

Steve swallowed hard and nodded.

"You are going to be a wonderful father, Steve. I know that."

"How?" Steve whined.

"Because you love Laura so unconditionally. I know you'll love your kids even more. That's what really matters when you're a parent."

"I could never love anyone more than Laura," he corrected.

Carl smiled knowingly. "Yeah, well… We'll see about that." Steve took a deep breath. "Look, Steve. I'm not worried about you after the baby is born. You're going to do fine, but can I tell you what I am a little worried about?"

Steve looked at him with concern. "Of course, Big Guy! Please!"

"Labor is going to be… tough for you."

Steve hesitated. "I think it'll be a lot harder on Laura, don't you?" Steve didn't understand why Carl would try to make Laura's trial by fire about him.

Carl nodded. "Oh, yeah. Definitely, but I want you to be prepared for what you're going to go through."

Steve shrugged. "They talked about it in our parenting class, and I am a biologist. I think I get the drift."

"Yeah, I know, but it's gonna be really hard for you to see her in so much pain."

Steve paused for a minute. Carl was right. He had been so worried about how much pain Laura would be in that he had completely forgotten he had to watch it. He tugged at his collar. "Yeah, that's gonna be tough," he admitted.

Carl nodded. "It will be, but that's not all. The real reason I wanted to talk to you about this is that Laura's gonna be in a lot of pain, and she's gonna take it out on you," he explained.

Steve shrugged. "Oh, no big deal. I can handle that. I'm sure I've heard worse from her."

"No, see, that's what I mean. You haven't. She is going to say… No, she's going to yell some really cruel things, and your job is to sit there and take it like a man."

"I know that, Carl."

"Without a doubt, she's going to say some things that really hurt you, but she won't mean them, Steve. You can't take them personally."

"Did Harriette ever say something awful to you?"

"Oh, yeah," Carl nodded. "During both births. Where do you think this is coming from?"

"What'd she say?"

Carl cleared his throat and leaned close to Steve to whisper, but he chickened out. "I can't repeat it," he complained as he pulled back. "Let's just say it was filthy and had to do with my… size."

"Your weight?"

"No, my… size."

"Oh!" Steve gasped as his eyes widened. "Oh, no… What do I have to do, Carl?

"Just don't take what she says personally. Laura has a lot of… ammo. Don't give her anymore, and just let it roll off your shoulders when she says something devastating. It's just the pain talking."

Steve nodded nervously. "Ok. Ok. Yeah, I guess I can do that."

"Atta boy," Carl said, patting him on the back.

"Thanks, Big Guy," Steve smiled weakly.

"Steve!" he heard Estelle yell suddenly. He leapt out of his chair immediately.

"Steve!" Laura called. "Steve, get in here!"

Within seconds, he had burst into the room, followed by everyone else.

"My water just broke," Laura laughed the moment she saw him, tears still streaming down her face.

Steve gasped loudly, and his eyes rolled back in his head. Suddenly, he collapsed, Carl catching him at the last minute.

Laura rolled her eyes. Figured. "Could somebody get me a wheelchair?" she barked eventually.

"On it!" Harriette announced, turning from the doorway.

"And a gurney for my husband!" Laura yelled after her.