AppleHeart

Chapter Twenty-five

Short chapter warning!

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months; that's how time works. Winter soon ended and slowly transitioned into spring. It was this particular spring that Apple Poison and Jack Heart started the process of moving all of Jack's belongings to Apple's home, they've decided this due to the fact that Apple owns a bigger house and has enough land for their unborn child to run around in when they're old enough. Once the men have situated Jack in his new home with Apple Poison, it was time to work on the nursery. Apple had cleared out, dusted, swept, and mopped an old, unused room ahead of time so that it was ready for the painting. Funny thing, as soon as the men opened the cans of fresh paint for the walls, their noses were hit with those strong, toxic fumes. 

Under normal circumstances, their noses would be used to such scents, but this was enough to cause both of them to gag. So, they wore masks. The following day, when the paint completely dried, Jack and Apple measured up the space to determine where they would put the crib, the diaper changing station, a drawer for the baby clothes, etc. (with the help of their friends) This process alone took five days, but it was worth it. Once they've completed the room, the recruiters stepped back and examined their work, the room was perfect; the walls painted that classic baby blue color with some drawn in the shape of fluffy clouds, the ceiling fan was dusted thoroughly, the crib was brand new with white, wooden frame, attached is an overheated mobile that plays music with decorated stars and small animals. On the side of the crib is a portable diaper changing station, next to that is an empty trunk for future toys. On the other side of the room is a light blue chair with a soft throw blanket and a footstool on the floor in front of it. A white rug shaped like a lamb placed in the center of the hardwood floor. Two framed pictures of cute baby lambs hung on the walls, adding to the cotton aesthetic of the nursery.

As more months passed, Jack's stomach began to swell, indicating that the baby is growing, not only that, Jack is also going through other things like mood changes and weird cravings (again). Apple is somewhat scared and grossed out by it but he doesn't react so that Jack is not offended (and Apple knows it's a natural part of pregnancy). Other days when Poison and Jack are just relaxing, Jack could feel the movement of his unborn child inside him. The small kicks felt amazing to him, he'd place a hand on his swollen stomach and just feel the imprint of the baby's feet all day. Sometimes, Apple would touch Jack's stomach to feel the baby or even rest his head to hear the heartbeat. Hearing such a wonderful sound made Apple Poison happy, very happy indeed.
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Early June, summertime...

The heat from the sun gave away among the living creatures, insects buzzed around doing whatever, and trees provided the shade. In a certain cottage, Jack was sitting on the living couch, leaning back against a pile of cushions leaving his swollen stomach exposed. His due date is just around the corner, so that means the baby will be born soon, hopefully. Jack runs his fingers through his curls, it felt a bit rougher than usual, perhaps he should wash it again.

"Hey," Jack heard a voice. He looks up to see Apple Poison standing behind the couch holding a tray with two glasses filled with ice-cold apple juice. He walks around the couch and sets the tray on the table. Apple hands a glass to Jack then sits next to him placing his arm on the frame of the couch behind he smaller male.

"Thanks," Jack take a sip of the drink; the cold liquid traveled down his throat as he tastes the tart and yet sweet sensation touch his tongue. He felt more refreshed than before.

"How are you feeling?" Apple asked.

"Okay, for now," Jack leans on Apple's shoulder, "I wish the baby was born already." Poison kissed the top of Jack's head.

"Patience, love."

"Easy for you to say, you don't have to carry the baby," Jack whined.

"You have a point," Apple slowly and carefully pulls Jack into his lap then gently rubs the entertainer's stomach to feel any movement. This soothing motion allowed Jack to relax under his lover's touch, he closed red his eyes as he rested his head on Apple's shoulder. "I love you." Poison whispered before kissing the top of Jack's head for the second time.

That same night somewhere else,

The darkened night sky was clear enough for the stars to glisten their way through, but, most of the light was coming from the full moon itself. The moonlight crept it's way through a window and landed right on Mr. V's work station. Looking closely, papers were all over his desk, and some on the floor, a single candle lit to his right and a cup of coffee that is half empty. Across the room, Ms. Scatter stacked the last of her papers on the surface of her desk.

"I'm all done for tonight," Scatter announced. V was just finishing up some writing for the recruiters' next assignments before he too placed the papers on a folder on his desk.

"So am I," Mr. V stands up and stretches until he hears a satisfying pop. Scatter blew out the lone candle then headed out the door with V behind her. They soon exited the building of their office. As the duo began walking in the direction of home, Scatter felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She fished it out to see Mr. Dalmatia's phone number on the screen. She swiped the green button and held the phone to her ear.

"Hello?" Immediately, Dal began screaming incoherent nonsense causing Ms. Scatter to pull the phone away from her ear.

"Is that Dalmatia?" V asked. Scatter nodded the placed the phone back on her ear.

"Mr. Dalmatia, please calm down," she spoke, "what are you saying?"

"Jack is in the hospital!" Dal exclaimed.

"What?!" This time, Scatter screamed. "Why?!"

"Apple said Jack's water broke so they called an ambulance. Apple said he's in the emergency room right now!" With that, Dal hung up. Scatter looked at the screen of her phone trying to process what she heard.

"What did he say?" V spoke.

"Jack is about to give birth." Just like that, V grabs Scatter's hand and runs in the direction of the hospital.