I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Doctor's Visit

"Tom, are you ready? The doctor's appointment is in an hour. This is your first one since we've been back." called Paul up the stairs.

"Yes, I'm tying my shoes. I'll be down in about five minutes. " "Who's watching the girls?"

"Geneie and Eric. They're attempting to  take  all five kids to the park."

Tommy came down in a short sleeve shirt and no jacket. His arms were beginning to heal slowly. "I hope we get our girls back in one piece." 

"Baby, after the appointment, let's go out to lunch. Just us, okay?'

"Sure, that sounds great."

At the doctor's office, Paul held Tommy's hand and asked questions. "What are the chances of us having another girl?"

"50/50."

"Do you want to schedule a sonogram for next month?'' "You'll be five months by then and far enough along to be able to tell."

"Paul?" asked Tommy.

"Yes, that's fine."

As they left, Tommy grabbed Paul's arm. "Do you want another girl?" "What if we have  a boy?"

"As long as the baby is born healthy it doesn't matter. " "Tom, what's wrong?"

"I-I-I'm afraid of disappointing you." "I-I-I have up to this point."

"When did you stop taking your meds?" "Before or after Madrid?"

"I-I-I stopped after Christmas." admitted Tommy. "I wanted to heal on my own."

Paul lifted Tommy's chin and looked him in the eyes. "I love you. Please let me help you. Do you want to be locked up and forced to talk to people and take pills every day?!" "You're headed that way."

Tommy refused to cry but his lip quivered. "No." "I refuse to do that!"

"Then do what the damned doctor tells you to do!"

"So they can take away my freedom like you have!" yelled Tommy. "You don't love me! You just need a warm body to get your rocks off with occasionally!"

Paul laid a hard slap to Tommy's face and walked away. "I do so love you!"

Tommy stood there rubbing his cheek before walking towards the bus stop. He still refused to cry even though it was hard. Climbing on the bus, he stared out the window until his stop came up.

Paul was at home, waiting. he knew he had reacted too quickly and should have never slapped Tommy. He had to make it up to him.