What Makes A Family
Title: What Makes A Family
Author: jeri_1116
Rating: G
Word Count: 3,056
Beta: seajellybaby
Summary: Luke and Noah don't mind sharing.
Notes: Written for the new community nukeminibang. Also thank you to random_nic for hosting this and helping to keep Nuke alive. :)
Disclaimer: I owns nothing, nada, zilch. But let's be clear.... if I did, Noah never would've went blind, him and Luke would be together - like forever and ever. Jade NEVER would have disappeared, she'd be Casey's cock tease. And Reid would've fucked Chris into oblivion.
Jade loves spring; loves the warmth of it.
It isn’t like summer when everything is hot and humid and feels as though you can't escape the all consuming burn.
No, spring is best.
It's when she can bust out the colorful tank tops, flip flops, and shiny sandals. When she can wear colorful bangles and big hoop earrings that touch her shoulders.
If it gets a little chilly, a perfectly matched hoodie complements the ensemble.
Yes, spring is perfect.
Except... she's missing it all!
As she glances out her bedroom window, a light breeze hits the curtains, making them blow out before resting peacefully back against the wall. She lies on her side, listening closely as a blue jay perched on her windowsill chirps with all its might.
Somewhere in the house she can hear the sound of pots and pans hitting against each other, the low murmur of voices following behind.
Sighing, she slowly turns on her back and waits.
Seconds later, there’s a knock at the door. She doesn’t answer, just waits with a scowl etched on her face.
There’s another knock before she hears her name called through the door.
Again, she doesn’t answer.
There’s a sigh that’s not her own. She can hear the sound clear as day through the door.
“Jade, I’m coming in… okay?” The voice is hesitant; shaky. There’s a pause before the door actually opens and a peek of jet black hair pushes through, looking at her with concern. “Are you okay?” He cracks a small smile as he pushes the door open. He doesn’t get a response, so he moves closer to the bed. “Jade?”
Nothing.
“Come on now don’t be-”
“I want to go outside.” Her voice is angry and so very sad.
“Jade.”
“Please, I’m suffocating in here!” She lifts herself up and pushes her back into a couple of fluffy pillows. She hates begging or feeling so alone. The only thing that really gets her through this is the fact she’s not actually alone. It just feels that way sometimes.
“Jade, we’ve been through this already.”
“Noah, I don’t care!” She crosses her arms and shoots daggers his way.
Noah moves closer to the bed, ignoring the look. His hand reaches for a jar placed on a nightstand by the bed.
“You care," he says. "You’re just frustrated, that's all.”
Jade rolls her eyes and huffs hard, her jaw tightening as she watches Noah reach for the jar and sit on the side of the bed.
"You want to do it," he asks, holding the jar up to her. "Or do you want me too?”
Even with how upset she is, she can’t help but smile softly. “You enjoy doing it. You can - it's okay.”
Noah smiles and watches as she pulls up her shirt revealing a stomach big and round, the belly button protruding out like a strange brown grape. “Is she-”
“It could be a boy. And no... there’s not a lot of movement today. Lucky me,” Jade sarcastically interrupts.
Noah shrugs, “I really want a girl…”
“Most guys would want a boy. Luke wants a boy,” Jade is quick to point out.
Noah shrugs again. “What can I say, I’m different. But I know for a fact it doesn’t matter to Luke. Just as long as it’s healthy.”
“Wait, that doesn’t apply to you too?”
“Nope, I want a girl, or I don’t want it.” Noah is quick to smile big so she knows he's joking. The grin crosses his lips as he stares at Jade. “You know I don’t care, silly. And neither do you.” Without asking he places his hand on her stomach, his palm spreading out flat. “He/she keeping you up?”
“He/she?” She questions, her eyebrow raised.
“I don’t know what else to call it.” Noah’s hand moves in wide circles around her belly. “So I figured why not he/she until we know for sure.”
“Fair enough,” she replies, watching his hand move. "He/she is usually very active early in the morn-”
Before she can get the sentence out the imprint of an elbow or what they think is an elbow moves across her belly, the action bumping Noah’s palm. He moves his hand quickly. He had wanted that, but it was always a shock when it happened. Jade can’t help but giggle, watching as Noah’s eyes light up with fascination.
Every morning started this way. Either Luke or Noah would show surprise at the unexpected movement before grabbing her belly with both hands and placing an ear in the center to listen.
“Wow!” Noah breathes, as his ear presses into the skin.
“Wow indeed,” she agrees, shaking her head at his fascination.
He looks up, shooting her a silly grin, knowing she’s making fun.
“I can’t help it,” he says, his eyes going back to the belly. “It’s just so-”
“I know,” she says. “It’s cute. You’re a dork, but it’s still cute.”
“Shut up, Mommy. You may be bedridden and going crazy, but you’re just as fascinated as me and Luke. Admit it!” he says with that same goofy grin plastered on his face.
Jade doesn’t say anything and reaches for the jar Noah has dropped so he could place both his hands on her. “Just help me with these hideous things please.” She shoves the jar into his hand and refuses to look him in the eye. She doesn’t have to though. Noah knows the truth. She’s beyond being fascinated.
He unscrews the cap and dips his fingers in.“This cocoa butter really does help. The stretch marks looked darker last week.” Slowly he rubs in the lotion, his fingers stopping every so often when he feels the baby kick against his hand. A grin splits his face every time it happens.
“It does help,” she murmurs, watching his hand and the movement her belly makes. “He/she is wide awake now.” She rolls her eyes. “We really got to think about names.”
“We will. How about today?”
Before Jade can answer, she stiffens and shakes her head as if she’s working through something.
“Kicking hard?” Noah asks stilling his hand.
“God! He/she is playing a game of kick ball!” She groans and shakes her head a little working through the pain. “I can’t wait til this is over.”
“Yeah,” Noah whispers as he applies more cream. “It won’t be long now Jade.” He gives her a sympathetic look. “I know how you like this weather, but remember what Reid said-”
Before Noah can get it out, Jade rolls her eyes and says, “Bathroom. Bed. I know!” She huffs. “Reid’s not even a baby doctor!”
“A pediatrician,” Noah corrects, frowning at her.
“Whatever,” she growls. “He’s still not one so-”
“Yeah, but he’s still a doctor and he agreed to check in on you every day and take your vitals to make sure your blood pressure hasn’t spiked.” Noah gives her a look similar to one of a puppy dog. “Come on, you should be grateful.”
“It’s not you guys carrying this thing! It’s easy for you to say.” She looks down at her belly, glaring at it like it’s some kind of alien being. “I’ve been stuck here for two weeks already. Two weeks! And I’m nowhere near done! Yet I already want to scream and pull my hair out.”
“Six more weeks. Just six more weeks. That’s all.” Jade tries to relax listening to Noah’s voice. Her shoulders seem to loosen and some of her tension seems to slip away. “I know it sounds like forever. But it’ll be over soon and at the end of it, you’ll be a mommy and Luke and I-”
“Will be daddies,” she finishes with a little smile. No matter how upset she is, she can’t deny that what’s happening is pretty awesome.
“Yep!” Noah says, “I’m going to be a daddy.” His smile drops a little. He looks up at her shyly. “I know this isn’t how you planned on having a child. I know it should be with someone you love-”
“But I do love you Noah. We may not be in love, but that doesn’t matter.”
They knew it was unconventional, that most people would judge what they'd decided to do.
But as long as the three people involved didn’t have a problem, the other people on the outside didn’t matter.
It was Luke’s persuading that sealed the deal.
"Who else other than Noah could you think of Jade? He's the perfect biological father for your child?"
“The baby will be a little bit of me, you and Luke,” Noah says, pulling Jade from her thoughts.
“Yeah,” she says placing her hand on top of Noah’s. “And he/ she will have grandparents. Damian included. They will love to spoil he/she like crazy.”
“Don’t forget the cousins by the truck load!” Noah adds.
“And… and...! Two godfathers! One a cranky old doctor, and another who thinks life is all about parties and girls.”
“Hey!" Noah laughs, "Say what you want about Reid and Casey, but this kid is set.”
“That he/she will be.”
Noah laughs at that and looks back at the belly.
“Noah?” Jade asks timidly.”
“Yeah?”
“Luke is alright, right? He knows this is his baby as much as it’s ours right?” Jade bites her lip. “I know he said he’s okay…and I know this was his idea… I just….”
“Luke wouldn’t lie to you,” Noah smirks. “He doesn’t know how not to be emotional.” Noah runs his other hand along the side of her belly, smiling when he feels another kick. “If he was having trouble with this you’d know it.”
Jade nods her head accepting that answer, hoping it’s the truth. She desperately wants it to be the truth. She needs them to help her raise he/she. She needs them to help her raise he/she into a well-rounded human being. Noah and Luke would do just that. The combination of both of them rubbing off on the kid perfectly.
She’s scared she’ll mess up - scar the kid for life. She has a sudden flash of something Luke had said.
"This kid is going to be lucky to have a mother like you, Jade. Oh the style this kid's gonna have! It's probably also gonna have a fierce attitude!"
Clearly he’s biased. She can’t help but smile knowing this fact.
“You hungry?” Noah asks, his hand still placed on her belly; her hand atop his waiting for another kick. “What’s got you smiling like that?”
“It’s nothing. And yes, I’m starving.” That same smile sits on her lips.
“Spinach and ricotta with chicken?”
“Hell yes!” She exclaims, eyes getting bright.
Reluctantly, Noah removes his hand and stands up. “I’ll be right back. Oh and Luke will be home soon. He’ll keep you company while I cook.”
“Wait, it’s not done yet?” she says with a pout as she pushes up more; reaching for the remote control on her nightstand.
“Jade it’s only 10 am; it was intended for lunch.”
“Whatever,” she says turning on the television. Noah just laughs and heads for the door. “Noah?”
“Yes.”
“Could you open the window wider? It’s so nice today.”
“Sure. No problem.” Noah moves towards the window and pushes back the curtains, before lifting the window up. “That good?”
Jade just nods and keeps her eyes on the television. Without another word Noah leaves, ready to fix lunch.
********
Two hours later
‘You are not the father’
The television can be heard playing softly in the back ground. She doesn’t turn to see what’s on, she knows already. It wouldn’t help anyway, there’s an elbow or possibly a knee pushed into her back; an arm around her waist, hand splayed out on her belly, palm flat against it. She’s trapped; she’s always trapped at this time of day.
“Luke,” she mutters, her hand smacking at his.
He moves; little incoherent words slipping past his lips.
Jade rolls her eyes, “Luke!” She smacks his hand extra hard.
“What!?” He yells back flicking her in the nose with his finger once he’s fully awake.
“Watch it!” She moves her face away from the finger as best as she can. “I will bite it if you don’t stop.”
“You would bite the hand that feeds you?”
“First of all you don’t feed me, Noah does.” Jade’s brow furrows. “Speaking of Noah um….where’s my food?”
Luke chuckles at that. “He brought it to you, but you were sleeping.”
“And like always you decided to sleep with me?”
“Of course,” Luke’s knee seems to press more into her back as he speaks, his hand retreating from her belly as he does it.
“Do that again,” Jade says groaning.
Even lying down, the back pain was horrendous.
“I’m not hurting you?”
Jade only shakes her head. At that response Luke moves his knee and starts to use his elbow.
“You sure?” He checks.
“Luke!”
“Okay, okay. Sorry. Geeze.” He inserts more pressure. If she’s not complaining about his bony elbow, then he won’t either.
Pregnant women are weird, he thinks, pressing in harder.
“I’m hungry.”
“You’re always hungry.” He doesn’t have time to brace himself for the blow he receives. She’s quick with her reach-arounds. “Ouch!”
“I said I’m hungry!” She doesn’t even acknowledge his pain.
Luke sucks in a breath and screams. “Noah!”
*******
Six hours later
It’s almost dark now. Just about. Noah sits in a corner by the window in Jade’s room watching as she and Luke sleep peacefully in the bed. There’s a piece of paper trapped between his fingers. Every now and then his eyes look it over, before going back to the bed. He can’t help but chuckle at the way one of Luke’s knees presses hard into Jade’s back as he sleeps. He shakes his head in amazement at the look of contentment that rests on Jade lips because of this.
“Noah?” Luke’s voice fills up the room. “You there….? You okay?” Luke’s head peeks up, seeking Noah out in the room; his knee on instinct pushing in deeper.
“Yeah Luke?”
Luke’s eyes zero in on Noah’s face, his eyes traveling to the paper trapped between his husband’s fingers. “Accept it baby, it’s what she wants. Let her have this.”
“Luke-”
“Noah, come on accept it. Besides, calling it he/she may be cute, but the cuteness of that is starting to wear off fast.”
“Yeah, but we agreed he/she would have your-”
“Noah!” Luke doesn’t mean to raise his voice. He flinches and looks down at Jade’s sleeping form hoping he didn’t disturb her. He pushes up more and gives Noah a stern look. “Look at her,” he says more softly. “She’s been poked and probed. We’re lucky it took the first time!” Luke shakes his head. “And, hello, worse pregnancy ever! She’s bedridden for God's sake! Give her what she wants.” Luke’s face softens, watching the emotion spread across Noah’s face. “Trust me, this is a good thing. A great thing in fact.” Luke rubs his eyes and runs his hand through his hair. “Love me?” He gives Noah a sweet smile as he waits.
“Always.”
At that response, Luke nods and drops his head back down on a pillow he shares with Jade.
Noah closes his eyes, the last of the light from outside disappearing, the room finally being swallowed up by complete darkness.
“Are you sure?” He says looking at Luke and Jade has they watch him expectantly from their spots on the bed.
“Noah, baby, Jade and I have talked about it. We’ve been talking about it for quite some time now.”
“Yeah, but Luke we agreed.”
“Noah,” Jade says seriously.“I want the baby to have your last name.”
“…but what about Luke?”
“What about me? It’s not like I’ll be left out.”
“Just look at it,” Jade says, shoving a piece of paper in Noah’s hand. “It flows perfectly. Hell it sounds perfect.”
“Luciano Jaden Mayer?” he whispers, looking at the paper.
“Yep!” Luke says puffing out his chest- "if it’s a boy,” he adds.
Noah can’t help but beam at the pride he sees in Luke.
Noah looks back down at the paper. “Luka Jaden Mayer, if it’s a girl?”
Luke nods his head.
“See,” Luke says. “I’m all over it! But Noah, that kid’s a Mayer! You and he/she will make that name mean something.”
Noah goes to open his mouth.
“Noah,” Luke starts. “I know you don’t want our kid associated with Winston.” Luke sighs. “But it’s not about him. This is about you.”
“Yeah, but-”
“Deal!” Jade yells. “It’s Mayer! Get over it!”
“Okay,” Noah says shutting his mouth quickly.
“Good,” Jade says rubbing her belly. “Lucky’s being good. No kicking now.”
Noah’s brow furrows. “Lucky?”
Luke dances in his spot on the bed. “That’s the nick name we came up with. If we were all in agreement about the name. And it works for either a boy or a girl.”
Noah cocks his head to the side in thought.
“Lucky,” he whispers, a smile appearing. He lets the name roll off his tongue and rattle around in his head for a few. “Lucky,” he repeats, his smile becoming wider. “I like.”
“Noah?” The sound of his name pulls him from the memory.
“Yeah, Jade?”
“I gotta pee. I need help.”
Noah smiles softly and pushes up off the floor. “Lucky sitting on your bladder again?”
Jade smiles at the use of the name. “Right on it.” She rubs her belly as Noah bends down and scoops her up bridal-style to take her to the bathroom. “Be quiet. Let Luke sleep.”
“I’m up, Mommy,” he murmurs from the pillow his face is pressed into.
“You’re up? Why are you up?”
“Wanted some more of that food Noah made,” he says as he gets up and flicks on the light.
“Oh get me some too,” Jade adds, held tight in Noah’s arms. She has a pinched look on her face as she speaks.
“I’m on it. Get her to the bathroom though, before she pees on you,” Luke says noticing the look on Jade’s face.
“We’re a weird bunch,” Noah answers, heading towards the bathroom.
“And you wouldn’t want it any other way,” Luke smirks as he follows Noah out of the room.
“No. No I wouldn’t.”
The End.
Lucky
Author: jeri_1116
Rating: G
Word Count: 3,056
Beta: seajellybaby
Summary: Luke and Noah don't mind sharing.
Notes: Written for the new community nukeminibang. Also thank you to random_nic for hosting this and helping to keep Nuke alive. :)
Disclaimer: I owns nothing, nada, zilch. But let's be clear.... if I did, Noah never would've went blind, him and Luke would be together - like forever and ever. Jade NEVER would have disappeared, she'd be Casey's cock tease. And Reid would've fucked Chris into oblivion.
Jade loves spring; loves the warmth of it.
It isn’t like summer when everything is hot and humid and feels as though you can't escape the all consuming burn.
No, spring is best.
It's when she can bust out the colorful tank tops, flip flops, and shiny sandals. When she can wear colorful bangles and big hoop earrings that touch her shoulders.
If it gets a little chilly, a perfectly matched hoodie complements the ensemble.
Yes, spring is perfect.
Except... she's missing it all!
As she glances out her bedroom window, a light breeze hits the curtains, making them blow out before resting peacefully back against the wall. She lies on her side, listening closely as a blue jay perched on her windowsill chirps with all its might.
Somewhere in the house she can hear the sound of pots and pans hitting against each other, the low murmur of voices following behind.
Sighing, she slowly turns on her back and waits.
Seconds later, there’s a knock at the door. She doesn’t answer, just waits with a scowl etched on her face.
There’s another knock before she hears her name called through the door.
Again, she doesn’t answer.
There’s a sigh that’s not her own. She can hear the sound clear as day through the door.
“Jade, I’m coming in… okay?” The voice is hesitant; shaky. There’s a pause before the door actually opens and a peek of jet black hair pushes through, looking at her with concern. “Are you okay?” He cracks a small smile as he pushes the door open. He doesn’t get a response, so he moves closer to the bed. “Jade?”
Nothing.
“Come on now don’t be-”
“I want to go outside.” Her voice is angry and so very sad.
“Jade.”
“Please, I’m suffocating in here!” She lifts herself up and pushes her back into a couple of fluffy pillows. She hates begging or feeling so alone. The only thing that really gets her through this is the fact she’s not actually alone. It just feels that way sometimes.
“Jade, we’ve been through this already.”
“Noah, I don’t care!” She crosses her arms and shoots daggers his way.
Noah moves closer to the bed, ignoring the look. His hand reaches for a jar placed on a nightstand by the bed.
“You care," he says. "You’re just frustrated, that's all.”
Jade rolls her eyes and huffs hard, her jaw tightening as she watches Noah reach for the jar and sit on the side of the bed.
"You want to do it," he asks, holding the jar up to her. "Or do you want me too?”
Even with how upset she is, she can’t help but smile softly. “You enjoy doing it. You can - it's okay.”
Noah smiles and watches as she pulls up her shirt revealing a stomach big and round, the belly button protruding out like a strange brown grape. “Is she-”
“It could be a boy. And no... there’s not a lot of movement today. Lucky me,” Jade sarcastically interrupts.
Noah shrugs, “I really want a girl…”
“Most guys would want a boy. Luke wants a boy,” Jade is quick to point out.
Noah shrugs again. “What can I say, I’m different. But I know for a fact it doesn’t matter to Luke. Just as long as it’s healthy.”
“Wait, that doesn’t apply to you too?”
“Nope, I want a girl, or I don’t want it.” Noah is quick to smile big so she knows he's joking. The grin crosses his lips as he stares at Jade. “You know I don’t care, silly. And neither do you.” Without asking he places his hand on her stomach, his palm spreading out flat. “He/she keeping you up?”
“He/she?” She questions, her eyebrow raised.
“I don’t know what else to call it.” Noah’s hand moves in wide circles around her belly. “So I figured why not he/she until we know for sure.”
“Fair enough,” she replies, watching his hand move. "He/she is usually very active early in the morn-”
Before she can get the sentence out the imprint of an elbow or what they think is an elbow moves across her belly, the action bumping Noah’s palm. He moves his hand quickly. He had wanted that, but it was always a shock when it happened. Jade can’t help but giggle, watching as Noah’s eyes light up with fascination.
Every morning started this way. Either Luke or Noah would show surprise at the unexpected movement before grabbing her belly with both hands and placing an ear in the center to listen.
“Wow!” Noah breathes, as his ear presses into the skin.
“Wow indeed,” she agrees, shaking her head at his fascination.
He looks up, shooting her a silly grin, knowing she’s making fun.
“I can’t help it,” he says, his eyes going back to the belly. “It’s just so-”
“I know,” she says. “It’s cute. You’re a dork, but it’s still cute.”
“Shut up, Mommy. You may be bedridden and going crazy, but you’re just as fascinated as me and Luke. Admit it!” he says with that same goofy grin plastered on his face.
Jade doesn’t say anything and reaches for the jar Noah has dropped so he could place both his hands on her. “Just help me with these hideous things please.” She shoves the jar into his hand and refuses to look him in the eye. She doesn’t have to though. Noah knows the truth. She’s beyond being fascinated.
He unscrews the cap and dips his fingers in.“This cocoa butter really does help. The stretch marks looked darker last week.” Slowly he rubs in the lotion, his fingers stopping every so often when he feels the baby kick against his hand. A grin splits his face every time it happens.
“It does help,” she murmurs, watching his hand and the movement her belly makes. “He/she is wide awake now.” She rolls her eyes. “We really got to think about names.”
“We will. How about today?”
Before Jade can answer, she stiffens and shakes her head as if she’s working through something.
“Kicking hard?” Noah asks stilling his hand.
“God! He/she is playing a game of kick ball!” She groans and shakes her head a little working through the pain. “I can’t wait til this is over.”
“Yeah,” Noah whispers as he applies more cream. “It won’t be long now Jade.” He gives her a sympathetic look. “I know how you like this weather, but remember what Reid said-”
Before Noah can get it out, Jade rolls her eyes and says, “Bathroom. Bed. I know!” She huffs. “Reid’s not even a baby doctor!”
“A pediatrician,” Noah corrects, frowning at her.
“Whatever,” she growls. “He’s still not one so-”
“Yeah, but he’s still a doctor and he agreed to check in on you every day and take your vitals to make sure your blood pressure hasn’t spiked.” Noah gives her a look similar to one of a puppy dog. “Come on, you should be grateful.”
“It’s not you guys carrying this thing! It’s easy for you to say.” She looks down at her belly, glaring at it like it’s some kind of alien being. “I’ve been stuck here for two weeks already. Two weeks! And I’m nowhere near done! Yet I already want to scream and pull my hair out.”
“Six more weeks. Just six more weeks. That’s all.” Jade tries to relax listening to Noah’s voice. Her shoulders seem to loosen and some of her tension seems to slip away. “I know it sounds like forever. But it’ll be over soon and at the end of it, you’ll be a mommy and Luke and I-”
“Will be daddies,” she finishes with a little smile. No matter how upset she is, she can’t deny that what’s happening is pretty awesome.
“Yep!” Noah says, “I’m going to be a daddy.” His smile drops a little. He looks up at her shyly. “I know this isn’t how you planned on having a child. I know it should be with someone you love-”
“But I do love you Noah. We may not be in love, but that doesn’t matter.”
They knew it was unconventional, that most people would judge what they'd decided to do.
But as long as the three people involved didn’t have a problem, the other people on the outside didn’t matter.
It was Luke’s persuading that sealed the deal.
"Who else other than Noah could you think of Jade? He's the perfect biological father for your child?"
“The baby will be a little bit of me, you and Luke,” Noah says, pulling Jade from her thoughts.
“Yeah,” she says placing her hand on top of Noah’s. “And he/ she will have grandparents. Damian included. They will love to spoil he/she like crazy.”
“Don’t forget the cousins by the truck load!” Noah adds.
“And… and...! Two godfathers! One a cranky old doctor, and another who thinks life is all about parties and girls.”
“Hey!" Noah laughs, "Say what you want about Reid and Casey, but this kid is set.”
“That he/she will be.”
Noah laughs at that and looks back at the belly.
“Noah?” Jade asks timidly.”
“Yeah?”
“Luke is alright, right? He knows this is his baby as much as it’s ours right?” Jade bites her lip. “I know he said he’s okay…and I know this was his idea… I just….”
“Luke wouldn’t lie to you,” Noah smirks. “He doesn’t know how not to be emotional.” Noah runs his other hand along the side of her belly, smiling when he feels another kick. “If he was having trouble with this you’d know it.”
Jade nods her head accepting that answer, hoping it’s the truth. She desperately wants it to be the truth. She needs them to help her raise he/she. She needs them to help her raise he/she into a well-rounded human being. Noah and Luke would do just that. The combination of both of them rubbing off on the kid perfectly.
She’s scared she’ll mess up - scar the kid for life. She has a sudden flash of something Luke had said.
"This kid is going to be lucky to have a mother like you, Jade. Oh the style this kid's gonna have! It's probably also gonna have a fierce attitude!"
Clearly he’s biased. She can’t help but smile knowing this fact.
“You hungry?” Noah asks, his hand still placed on her belly; her hand atop his waiting for another kick. “What’s got you smiling like that?”
“It’s nothing. And yes, I’m starving.” That same smile sits on her lips.
“Spinach and ricotta with chicken?”
“Hell yes!” She exclaims, eyes getting bright.
Reluctantly, Noah removes his hand and stands up. “I’ll be right back. Oh and Luke will be home soon. He’ll keep you company while I cook.”
“Wait, it’s not done yet?” she says with a pout as she pushes up more; reaching for the remote control on her nightstand.
“Jade it’s only 10 am; it was intended for lunch.”
“Whatever,” she says turning on the television. Noah just laughs and heads for the door. “Noah?”
“Yes.”
“Could you open the window wider? It’s so nice today.”
“Sure. No problem.” Noah moves towards the window and pushes back the curtains, before lifting the window up. “That good?”
Jade just nods and keeps her eyes on the television. Without another word Noah leaves, ready to fix lunch.
********
Two hours later
‘You are not the father’
The television can be heard playing softly in the back ground. She doesn’t turn to see what’s on, she knows already. It wouldn’t help anyway, there’s an elbow or possibly a knee pushed into her back; an arm around her waist, hand splayed out on her belly, palm flat against it. She’s trapped; she’s always trapped at this time of day.
“Luke,” she mutters, her hand smacking at his.
He moves; little incoherent words slipping past his lips.
Jade rolls her eyes, “Luke!” She smacks his hand extra hard.
“What!?” He yells back flicking her in the nose with his finger once he’s fully awake.
“Watch it!” She moves her face away from the finger as best as she can. “I will bite it if you don’t stop.”
“You would bite the hand that feeds you?”
“First of all you don’t feed me, Noah does.” Jade’s brow furrows. “Speaking of Noah um….where’s my food?”
Luke chuckles at that. “He brought it to you, but you were sleeping.”
“And like always you decided to sleep with me?”
“Of course,” Luke’s knee seems to press more into her back as he speaks, his hand retreating from her belly as he does it.
“Do that again,” Jade says groaning.
Even lying down, the back pain was horrendous.
“I’m not hurting you?”
Jade only shakes her head. At that response Luke moves his knee and starts to use his elbow.
“You sure?” He checks.
“Luke!”
“Okay, okay. Sorry. Geeze.” He inserts more pressure. If she’s not complaining about his bony elbow, then he won’t either.
Pregnant women are weird, he thinks, pressing in harder.
“I’m hungry.”
“You’re always hungry.” He doesn’t have time to brace himself for the blow he receives. She’s quick with her reach-arounds. “Ouch!”
“I said I’m hungry!” She doesn’t even acknowledge his pain.
Luke sucks in a breath and screams. “Noah!”
*******
Six hours later
It’s almost dark now. Just about. Noah sits in a corner by the window in Jade’s room watching as she and Luke sleep peacefully in the bed. There’s a piece of paper trapped between his fingers. Every now and then his eyes look it over, before going back to the bed. He can’t help but chuckle at the way one of Luke’s knees presses hard into Jade’s back as he sleeps. He shakes his head in amazement at the look of contentment that rests on Jade lips because of this.
“Noah?” Luke’s voice fills up the room. “You there….? You okay?” Luke’s head peeks up, seeking Noah out in the room; his knee on instinct pushing in deeper.
“Yeah Luke?”
Luke’s eyes zero in on Noah’s face, his eyes traveling to the paper trapped between his husband’s fingers. “Accept it baby, it’s what she wants. Let her have this.”
“Luke-”
“Noah, come on accept it. Besides, calling it he/she may be cute, but the cuteness of that is starting to wear off fast.”
“Yeah, but we agreed he/she would have your-”
“Noah!” Luke doesn’t mean to raise his voice. He flinches and looks down at Jade’s sleeping form hoping he didn’t disturb her. He pushes up more and gives Noah a stern look. “Look at her,” he says more softly. “She’s been poked and probed. We’re lucky it took the first time!” Luke shakes his head. “And, hello, worse pregnancy ever! She’s bedridden for God's sake! Give her what she wants.” Luke’s face softens, watching the emotion spread across Noah’s face. “Trust me, this is a good thing. A great thing in fact.” Luke rubs his eyes and runs his hand through his hair. “Love me?” He gives Noah a sweet smile as he waits.
“Always.”
At that response, Luke nods and drops his head back down on a pillow he shares with Jade.
Noah closes his eyes, the last of the light from outside disappearing, the room finally being swallowed up by complete darkness.
“Are you sure?” He says looking at Luke and Jade has they watch him expectantly from their spots on the bed.
“Noah, baby, Jade and I have talked about it. We’ve been talking about it for quite some time now.”
“Yeah, but Luke we agreed.”
“Noah,” Jade says seriously.“I want the baby to have your last name.”
“…but what about Luke?”
“What about me? It’s not like I’ll be left out.”
“Just look at it,” Jade says, shoving a piece of paper in Noah’s hand. “It flows perfectly. Hell it sounds perfect.”
“Luciano Jaden Mayer?” he whispers, looking at the paper.
“Yep!” Luke says puffing out his chest- "if it’s a boy,” he adds.
Noah can’t help but beam at the pride he sees in Luke.
Noah looks back down at the paper. “Luka Jaden Mayer, if it’s a girl?”
Luke nods his head.
“See,” Luke says. “I’m all over it! But Noah, that kid’s a Mayer! You and he/she will make that name mean something.”
Noah goes to open his mouth.
“Noah,” Luke starts. “I know you don’t want our kid associated with Winston.” Luke sighs. “But it’s not about him. This is about you.”
“Yeah, but-”
“Deal!” Jade yells. “It’s Mayer! Get over it!”
“Okay,” Noah says shutting his mouth quickly.
“Good,” Jade says rubbing her belly. “Lucky’s being good. No kicking now.”
Noah’s brow furrows. “Lucky?”
Luke dances in his spot on the bed. “That’s the nick name we came up with. If we were all in agreement about the name. And it works for either a boy or a girl.”
Noah cocks his head to the side in thought.
“Lucky,” he whispers, a smile appearing. He lets the name roll off his tongue and rattle around in his head for a few. “Lucky,” he repeats, his smile becoming wider. “I like.”
“Noah?” The sound of his name pulls him from the memory.
“Yeah, Jade?”
“I gotta pee. I need help.”
Noah smiles softly and pushes up off the floor. “Lucky sitting on your bladder again?”
Jade smiles at the use of the name. “Right on it.” She rubs her belly as Noah bends down and scoops her up bridal-style to take her to the bathroom. “Be quiet. Let Luke sleep.”
“I’m up, Mommy,” he murmurs from the pillow his face is pressed into.
“You’re up? Why are you up?”
“Wanted some more of that food Noah made,” he says as he gets up and flicks on the light.
“Oh get me some too,” Jade adds, held tight in Noah’s arms. She has a pinched look on her face as she speaks.
“I’m on it. Get her to the bathroom though, before she pees on you,” Luke says noticing the look on Jade’s face.
“We’re a weird bunch,” Noah answers, heading towards the bathroom.
“And you wouldn’t want it any other way,” Luke smirks as he follows Noah out of the room.
“No. No I wouldn’t.”
The End.
Lucky