The Plan| Reddie

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy

The most frightening day of Richie's life happened on March 7th 2001. It was his 25th birthday and he'd been woken up at 3am due to his fiancées waters breaking.

"Richard! Richard, the baby's coming!" Was the first thing Richie heard on his 25th birthday. He yawns and sits up, fluffing his hair. It was getting long. He'd have to cut it soon. Baby's had grabby hands and he didn't want his hair to be tugged at.

"Wait like right now?" Richie asks and Isla frowns at him. They'd only been together for nine months." Oh. Oh I'm stupid, sorry."

"Richie it hurts!" Isla gasps out in pain. Richie sits up, holding her hand." Don't leave me."

"I won't, I promise." Richie states as she squeezes his hand, wincing and gasping in pain." Are they contractions? I don't know anything about pregnancy. I literally only lost my virginity nine months ago."

"Richie?" Isla gasps out, he looks at her." Shut up."

"Right. Sorry." Richie states as Isla groans in pain." We should get you to a hospital. I'll pack you a bag-

"You need to time the contractions." Isla sighs as one passes. Richie stares at her, his sweatpants wet from the amniotic fluid. He needed to shower and shave and he could feel a panic attack. He jumps as Isla starts groaning again, rubbing the bump in pain.

"I can't do this." He breathes out, feeling sick.

"Do not...have a panic attack...now, Rich!" Isla gasps in pain." Call your mom and dad! Once they get here, they can time the contractions and pack a bag and you can shower."

"Okay." Richie says, getting out of bed, sliding on his glasses before shaking his leg slightly like a dog, a little grossed out. He goes out into the hall and calls his mom.

"It's three in the morning!"

"Isla's gone into Labour. Can you come over and time her contractions and stuff and then pack a bag so I can shower? I'm covered in the fluid shit." Richie explains.

"Yeah. We're on our way, sweetheart."

"Momma I can't do this!" Richie says, the knowledge of the fact he's about to be a father sinking in. He was still at college. He couldn't raise a baby. He could barely look after himself." What if I mess up? What if the baby doesn't like me? What if I'm a shit parent?"

"Don't say that. You have everything under control. You will be the best dad in the world. You just have to try your best and follow your gut instinct. Your father and I didn't have a clue on how to raise a child but I think we did a pretty alright job with you."

"You have a point." Richie chuckles, Isla groaning in pain again in their room.

"Richie?"

"Yeah, mom?"

"Happy birthday, honey."

Richie had a head ache from the screaming Isla was doing as her contractions got worse. Richie holds her hand and she squeezes it tightly. It hurts but he doesn't mind. He wants to be supportive. Maggie and Wentworth are waiting in the waiting room, along with Stanley and Patty- who was seven months pregnant herself.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THIS TO ME!" Isla groans in pain as a contraction happens. Richie winces as she squeezes his hand tightly.

"I know. I'm sorry. You're doing a really good job, though." He says as she calms down." You've got this. A strong, independent woman!"