Short Kings Anthem

Part 45

"Do you think she knows something is going on?" Lauren asked as she watched Maple jump up on the sofa and snuggle into her belly.

"Definitely, she's been your shadow since we found out, maybe even a couple of days before," Chris replied as he was on his laptop.

"I guess. What are you doing?" Lauren asked seeing that Chris had his concentrating face on.

"I'm looking at prams, why are there so many and why are they advertised like cars?" Chris asked as he spun his laptop around showing the many tabs he currently had open.

"I'm only fourteen weeks it's a bit soon to be thinking about stuff like that isn't it?" Lauren asked, in the back of her mind there was still a worry something could go wrong. She was hoping in a couple of weeks she would start to feel some movement which would put her at mind at ease.

"It's probably not worth buying now but I didn't think there was any harm in having a look. Or thinking about side by side or a tandem one."

"Good point, there's a lot to think about really isn't there," Lauren mused. There was the nursery, furniture, prams, car seats, how she was going to feed, she wanted to try feeding but was it possible with two? How did giving birth to two babies even work? Should she try for a section just in case?

"Hey, hey. Everything's going to be okay we don't need to make any decisions now." Chris sensed Lauren's anxieties and placed a hand on her knee.

"That's just the thing we're going to have to make some of them soon. I keep saying oh I'm only this far along but the reality is they'll probably be here in five months." Lauren placed a hand on her now slightly protruding stomach out of instinct and started to rub it slightly.

"We've got an appointment with the doctor tomorrow, why don't we ask them what do we need to do and we prioritise stuff," Chris suggested moving his hand from Lauren's knee to on top of her hand which was on her stomach.

"Every now and again you really come up trumps, your it'll be fine attitude really balances out my stress head."

So that's what they did, the doctor was very accommodating and answered all of the questions the pair had, including some things they didn't think of.

Now reassured and thinking of a plan they were on their way to Chris's office. Chris was going to have a meeting with his time about filming dates for the rest of the year when he would and wouldn't available. Lauren was coming along too to double check important scan and appointment dates, Chris didn't want to miss any if he could help it especially as he had the luxury of picking his work hours to some extent but some appointments were more important than others and Lauren didn't mind if there was an odd one he missed. Especially considering she was at an appointment every fortnight due to the fact of carrying twins, as long as he was there for the scans that was the main thing.

"Hello Abi," Chris greeted the receptionist as him and Lauren walked into the office foyer hand and hand.

"Hi Chris, how are you?" Abi said to him enthusiastically.

"Hiya," Lauren added, being polite.

"Oh hi." Abi said bluntly, glancing at Lauren's stomach. She was wearing a pair of black trousers with white polka dots on and a white T-shirt. There was a small bump to be seen, exciting to people who knew she was pregnant but strangers probably wouldn't give her a second look, it was noticeable but not prominent.

"I heard congratulations were in order, how far along are you, five/six months?" Abi asked

"Three and a half," Lauren corrected, she knew what Abi was trying to do but wasn't going to rise to it.

"It's twins," Chris beamed. Lauren couldn't help but smile at how proud Chris was. Every time he told someone he was going to become a dad of two he absolutely shone, he couldn't smile any wider.

"Oh wow! That'll explain why you're showing so early," Abi commented. Lauren simply ignored the remark and sent Abi a smile. The pair made their way through the turnstile and up into the lift ready for the meeting.

"Oh hello guys!" Cal's voice rang through the corridor.

"Hi Cal," Lauren waved, she walked over to him and gave him a hug.

"Look at this!" Cal exclaimed patting Lauren's stomach lightly. He was the first person outside of Chris and a healthcare professional to do that, Lauren guessed it was something she was going to have to get used to.

"Ooo is it them? A muffled voice came from round the corner, soon enough Harry came into view and pointed at Lauren.

"Mate you're pregnant that is fucking weird."

"Why do you think it's weird? You've been saying this was going to happen for like a fucking year!" Lauren replied.

"I know but, you're properly pregnant. It's strange."

Lauren shook her head confused then turned to Chris.

"How does it feel being completely ignored by everyone now?"

"Not great, but I have to get used to it I suppose. You'll join me as an afterthought when they're born I'm sure."

The couple sat in a meeting with Chris's team and between them all hashed out a plan to also allow Chris some time at home where necessary. Once they were done they went upstairs and found Harry, Cal and Chip who had just finished recording a Podcast episode.

"We should get you guys on the pod before you pop," Cal suggested.

"Sounds good," Chris agreed.

"Speaking of popping, how did it all happen then?" Chip asked, not one to mince his words.

"It was planned if that's what you're getting at," Lauren replied, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah but when, where, how? Did you change things up a bit?!

"Sorry about him he had a couple of drinks," Harry apologised.

"I noticed. It's not like we did it only once in a two weeks period so we're not sure when exactly, late December or really early January if you must know," Lauren informed Chip. She knew that he wasn't about to drop the subject any time soon so wanted to give something. Chip then started laughing maniacally, everyone looked at him wondering what on earth he meant.

"Oh God please don't tell me you conceived your children in their spare room on New Years," Chip chuckled as he pointed to Cal and Harry. The prospective parents went bright red as Cal and Harry sat open mouthed.

"Wait, what?" Cal asked after some silence.

"I went to go grab my hoodie from the spare room at one point to find the room locked and heard some very familiar voices instead." Chip raised his eyebrows and Chris and Lauren looked over to Cal and Harry apologetically.

"I think that guarantees the kids being called Harry and Cal don't you think?" Harry asked and Cal nodded in agreement.

"First of all, we don't know if either or both of them are boys. Secondly we don't actually know it happened then." Lauren defended placing a hand on her small bump.

"I reckon it was that day but the one we did before we left," Chris joined in the lads talk, Lauren rolled her eyes not really wanting to discuss it so decided to humiliate Chris a little in order for the subject to be dropped.

"Could be, you were gagging for it," Lauren smiled and Chris blushed and scrambled to try and defend himself as the rest of the boys laughed. If they were going to be embarrassed by it she was going to throw some his way.