Growing Together

Chapter 17

Kao didn't even know why he had become such a nervous wreck, even when Pete had done nothing but reassure him about wanting to be here with him. Maybe it was just because he was scared about a lot of things at that moment and Pete was one of them. He felt like he was just waiting for it this sweet moment to end, like if he was waiting for Pete to say this was too much to handle again. But he wasn't, instead, Pete was there holding his hand as they waited for the doctor.

"Are you always this nervous when you come with Mork?" Pete asked scooting his chair closer towards the observation table where Kao was sitting. He had smiled a little when Kao's grip had tightened around his hand.

"No..." Kao admitted, "Pete, I'm scared you'll leave." He said without thinking and instantly regretting it when the smile on Pete's face had faded with his words. "Pete, I didn't mea-..." he wanted to so desperately apologize but Pete had stopped him in mid-word with a single kiss to his knuckles.

Pete admitted, that he's failed him several times before, so it was natural that Kao couldn't fully trust in him. But, it hurt him nonetheless to realize just how deeply he had hurt the one person he truly loved. And it wasn't just Kao who he had hurt... Pete couldn't help but lower his eyes down to his belly. He had let his hand gently caress Kao's protruding belly, feeling the little flutters of his son's movements as a smile slipped back onto his face. They hadn't properly met yet, and he was already messing up with his own son. He was scared—he hated to admit it, but even with his resolve, the fear of screwing up again was still there. He wanted to be a good father to their son, just as much as Kao wanted him to be.

"I'm not going anywhere, Kao," He said gently letting his thumb caress the back of his hand, "I know you can't really believe in me, right now but I promise, I won't leave you both anymore. I want to be here more than anything in the world." He said sounding so genuine that it frightens Kao.

Pete was doing everything he could at that moment to reassure him that he would stick around for it all, but still, there was this little voice in Kao's head that plagued him with all those times Pete had failed to keep his word. Yet, the Pete staring into his eyes, had Kao's heart skipping a beat and made him feel every ounce of that immense love he had for him, and wanting to let him grip to that small strand of hope he's always had for Pete. But his head, being ever so logical, didn't fail to remind him of all those times Pete backed away from him. It chipped away at his heart more and more with every letdown. He didn't know if he could fully believe in him now... and moreover, it would be just him anymore who Pete would be letting down.

It was one thing for Pete to do this to him, but for him to subject their baby through it. He wasn't sure whether he wanted his son to know that pain.

"Believe in me, Kao," Pete begged gently tugging at his hands while giving him such a genuine look that made Kao want to believe him so foolishly.

"Pete, I-...."

They hadn't really had the chance to continue the conversation when they heard the knock on the door to alert them that someone was coming in. The doctor had pulled open the door and stepped in with a smile on his face, as per usual, as he greeted Kao with, "How's my favorite patient doing?" he said before turning towards Pete, "Ah, you've got someone new accompanying you today. Hi, I'm Dr. Im."

"I've been feeling much better," Kao had said turning towards Pete, wanting to introduce him but for some reason, he didn't know how to introduce him. 'My friend' didn't sound right, but again so didn't 'My boyfriend'.

Pete had stood up for a moment, if only to properly greet the doctor, "I'm Pete, Kao's boyfriend, and baby Mini's father. It's nice to officially meet you, Doc. I've heard a lot about you from, Mork." Pete said like it was the most natural thing to say—not to mention completely surprising Kao with how confidently he had said those words.

"Oh, well it's a pleasure to finally get to meet you, Pete. You both have a really good friend in Mork," The doctor said with a smile before he was turning towards Kao. It was obvious that the doctor had been confused, considering the one at Kao's side during these past few months had been Mork, though being the professional that he was, he had just turned his attention to checking on Kao's health and the baby's. "How have you been feeling? Have you had any discomfort since the last time I saw you?" he asked moving to sit in his chair.

"No, I think the bed rest helped," Kao said with a small smile as he gently rubbed his belly.

"That's good, you've given yourself the proper rest then," He said turning to him as he moved closer to him as he grabbed the blanket that had been prepared for him already. He gently unfolded it and held it up like a curtain as he asked Kao to undo his pants and pull his shirt up. "Daddy, if you want could you help me place this over his lap?" He said handing the blanket to Pete—who had been just looking at them quietly.

When Pete had taken it, the doctor had turned towards the monitor to turn it on and prepare it for the sonogram. Kao, on the other hand, had struggled a little in undoing his own pants that he had ended up looking towards Pete with this pathetic look that just begged for help. Pete couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as he moved forward to help him. "Let me," he said grabbing the waistband of Kao's jeans.

Kao had only laid back against the seat trying his best to suck in his belly while pulling his shirt up as told by the doctor. He couldn't help but look at the ceiling trying to let the feeling and motion of Pete's hands tell him just when Pete loosens the knot. "Did you get it?" He asked reaching a hand to feel the best that he could.

"Yeah, I got it," Pete said pulling his hands back to place the blanket just below his belly to cover the sight of his exposed underwear. It was one thing for Pete to see Kao's belly over his clothes, but to see it bare had him reaching unknowingly to feel the roundness of it. Which had Kao whining a bit in discomfort. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." Pete had said pulling his hand away a bit frightened.

"No... it's not your fault," Kao said rubbing just under his belly as if easing the pain. "He's just very active today," Kao said finally letting the smile come back onto his face, which was all it took to ease Pete again.

The doctor couldn't help but smile at him and say, "It's normal, you're getting close to your due date so you might be feeling the baby moving into position." The doctor said before he was bringing a bottle to Kao's belly, "I know, you know what this is, but since this is daddy's first time here with us, I'll explain. What I'm doing is going to put this gel on Kao's belly, it'll help us see the baby." He said explaining everything to Pete as he showed him the wand and how it worked.

The entire time, it was like he wasn't even there. Pete was just asking questions and getting information from the doctor on how to better accommodate him and their baby. He asked him about the things Mork had told him—which had Kao a bit confused on when he even had the chance to talk to Mork about these things.

"Pete...you're asking too much," Kao had said at one point blushing from embarrassment.

"it's alright, Kao, it's normal that your partner wants to know these things. In fact, I'm impressed, wished more dads were this interested in getting involved with mommy and the baby." The doctor said patting Pete on the shoulder. "Just don't panic on him, during the delivery."

"Gee, thanks," Pete said rubbing the back of his neck. This doctor really was teasing him, just now, wasn't he? "Just how bad can it be?" Pete asked rhetorically. He hadn't really asked San nor Thada about the actual delivery. Sandee had only taught him about clothes sizes and not more, maybe he will ask once he got the chance.

"Alright, why don't we check on the baby, now," The doctor said to the two before he was placing the wand over Kao's belly. He slowly glided it over his belly until he got a good view of the baby. "There he is," The doctor said with a smile as he turned towards the two.

"That's him?" Pete said with an ever-growing smile as he scooted closer to Kao.

"Yes, and from the looks of it, he's looking perfectly healthy." The doctor said turning to Kao when he noticed that worried look on his face. Which seemed to be all Kao needed to hear to relax onto the bed, before turning his attention to Pete.

He didn't think Pete would have been like this during the visit to the doctor. He was so ecstatic being able to see the image of their son on the monitor, and even more so to receive that same picture of their baby. Pete, surprised Kao, to say the least. He wasn't sure how today would have turned out, but just seeing him hold that picture like it was the most precious thing he had had Kao feeling so much lighter. Pete, really wanted this, didn't he?

The doctor had turned the monitor off and grabbed a clean napkin to give to Kao so that he could clean the gel off his stomach, while he addressed his attention to Pete. "It seems it's been helping, so I'd like Kao to remain on bed rest until it's time. I want to make sure we aren't hit with any surprises during delivery, so I'd like you to keep things as they have been." He said before he was quickly adding, "Oh and say 'hello' to Mork for me," The doctor said leaving them with the nurse that had walked in moments ago.


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It really hit Kao, when Pete had helped him into the car and with strapping the seatbelt for him. He didn't know why but that gentleness he was suddenly showing him—so much care he was giving him, and those sneaking touches to his belly had Kao just letting out a "You're really going to stay?"

Which had completely surprised Pete—who at the moment had been buckling him in. It took him a moment to realize what Kao had asked, but once he had Pete couldn't help but smile at him, "I am," Pete said bringing his hands to cup Kao's chubby cheeks as he leaned his forehead against his. "I'm staying for good if you let me."

"I want you too," Kao said feeling his eyes begin to blur with tears. "Pete, if you're serious, then don't leave us again." He said wrapping his arms around Pete's neck.

Pete hadn't expected him to cry, so it had him pulling away from him if only to try and calm him, and just as he was going to whip away his tears, Kao's belly began to grumble. Which had turned their worries into laughter. "How about you get some food in you?" Pete said pressing a small peck to his nose.

"Yes, please." Kao had simply said as the smile soften once again onto his face.

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A/N: Hello! It's been a while, hopefully, you guys are still interested in this story. I finally got some vacation time so, I'm hoping to upload a couple of chapters before I go back to work. -A- ♥