I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Doctor's Visit

Tommy and Paul left the girls with Bruce so they could go to the pediatrician. Tommy was wearing a long sleeve shirt to hide his bruised wrist. Bruce had noticed but didn't say anything. He just raised his eyebrows and looked at Paul. 

Paul texted Bruce as they left. Looking at the four girls, Bruce could tell Hannah looked completely different. He had also seen her half brother. Shaking his head, he hoped Paul and Tommy told her before school started. 

At the pediatrician's, Tommy sat slightly behind Paul because so his bruises were hidden. He  had hoped to be able to talk to his own doctor at a point. He wanted to know if he was pregnant but getting false readings. He had been feeling under the weather for three weeks.

"Tom, what do you think about the procedure being done in early spring?" asked Paul. He had to snap his fingers in front of Tommy to get his attention. 

"What? I'm sorry." 

Paul repeated the information. Looking at his husband, he could tell Tommy was off in space somewhere. "Is that okay with you?"

"Will they be in pain?" asked Tommy. 

"Not much. There is a chance that it won't work."

Tommy hesitated to answer because he didn't want his babies to suffer pain. "Could we discuss this further and get back to you?"

"Of course."

As the two of them left the doctor's office, Paul had so many questions for Tommy. "Baby?" 

"I don't want them to be in pain. That's all. If it's not 100% then I'm not sure."

Paul couldn't disagree on that point. He took Tommy's good arm and gently pulled him to his chest. "Are you sick again?" "Did....do more than kiss you?" "Are you feeling sad again?"

"A little to the first question. No to the last." 

"And the second question? DID.....HE DO MORE THAN KISS YOU?"

Tommy shook his head and looked towards the sidewalk. "He wanted to but I said no." he whispered. "He...touched....me....down...." "I quickly ran away though."

"Oh baby, come here. Why are you afraid of telling me?"

"I don't want you to be mad."

Paul led Tommy to the car and had him sit down. "Thomas, don't ever be afraid to tell me anything, okay?"

Tommy agreed to tell Paul everything from then on.