Falling For You [ Ryan Rees - Twin Paranormal ]

22

Six weeks later -

The day after their twenty-eight-week scan, Ryan, River, and Wyatt were preparing to head out for their next paranormal investigation. Winter would have the apartment to himself for the next twenty-four hours. As Ryan finished packing up, Winter decided to take a shower, relishing the warm water cascading over his body, easing the tension in his muscles.

Lost in his thoughts, Winter was startled by a knock on the bathroom door. "Hey, can I join you?" Ryan's voice came through the door.

Winter smiled, his heart fluttering at the familiar sound. "Yeah, come on in."

A minute later, the shower door opened and Ryan stepped in, closing it behind him. He wrapped his arms around Winter from behind, gently placing his hands on Winter's rounded belly. "Hey, baby," he murmured, his voice a soft caress.

Winter leaned back into Ryan's embrace, feeling the warmth and strength of his boyfriend's body. "Hey, you," he replied, a contented sigh escaping his lips.

Ryan reached for the body wash, squirting some into his hands before he began to gently wash Winter's back. The sensation of Ryan's hands moving in slow, soothing circles was comforting. Winter closed his eyes, enjoying the intimacy of the moment.

As Ryan's hands moved back to Winter's belly, Winter couldn't help but laugh softly. The baby had started kicking excitedly at the sound of Ryan's voice. "Looks like someone is happy to hear you," Winter said, placing his hand over Ryan's.

Ryan chuckled, pressing a kiss to Winter's shoulder. "I can't wait to meet this little one," he said, his voice filled with wonder. "I can't believe how fast time is flying."

Winter nodded in agreement. "I know, it feels like just yesterday we found out I was pregnant. Now look at us, only a few months away from becoming parents."

They stood there for a few moments, wrapped in each other's arms, savoring the closeness. The sound of the shower and the feel of the warm water seemed to cocoon them in their own little world, a world where their love and their growing family were all that mattered.

Eventually, they reluctantly stepped out of the shower, toweling off and getting dressed. Ryan had to leave soon for the investigation, but he didn't want to go without making sure Winter was comfortable and had everything he needed.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay here by yourself?" Ryan asked, a hint of worry in his voice as he buttoned up his shirt.

Winter nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine, Ryan. You go and do your thing. I'll be here when you get back."

Ryan pulled Winter into one last hug, resting his forehead against his. "Alright. I'll call you when we get to the location and before we start filming. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me or River or Wyatt, okay?"

"I will, I promise," Winter said, his hand gently rubbing his belly. "And we'll be right here waiting for you."

With one final kiss, Ryan grabbed his bag and headed out the door, meeting River and Wyatt outside. Winter watched from the window as they loaded up the car and drove away, a sense of pride swelling in his chest for the incredible man he had fallen in love with.

The apartment was quiet once they were gone, and Winter spent the evening reading and preparing some meals for the next day. He relished the quiet time, feeling the baby kick occasionally, reminding him that he was never truly alone. He smiled to himself, thinking about the future and the family he and Ryan were building together.

As night fell, Winter climbed into bed, feeling a peaceful contentment wash over him. He knew that their journey had only just begun, but with Ryan by his side, he felt ready for whatever challenges and joys lay ahead. Their love, forged in the shadows of their past, now shone brightly, guiding them towards a hopeful and beautiful future.

~

Winter had been asleep for a few hours when he was jolted awake by sharp pain and discomfort. He sat up quickly, panic rising as he saw blood down his legs. His heart raced, and his hands shook as he reached for his phone to call Ryan. His mind was a whirlwind of fear, the thought of a miscarriage looming over him.

"Ryan, please pick up," Winter whispered frantically as the phone rang.

"Winter? What's wrong?" Ryan's concerned voice came through the line.

"Ryan, I'm bleeding. I don't know what's happening. I'm scared," Winter's voice trembled.

"Hang on, I'm calling an ambulance. I'll be there as soon as I can," Ryan reassured him.

Minutes felt like hours as Winter waited, clutching his abdomen and trying to breathe through the pain. The paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital. Ryan, River, and Wyatt, who had been at their filming location, dropped everything and raced to meet him.

At the hospital, Winter was whisked away for an emergency scan. Ryan held his hand tightly, his face etched with worry.

"Please let the baby be okay," Ryan whispered, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The doctor, sensing their anxiety, spoke calmly but with urgency. "We're doing everything we can. It looks like it might be a placental abruption. We need to find the baby's heartbeat."

For what seemed like an eternity, the room was filled with the sounds of medical equipment and the hushed, tense voices of the staff. Winter clung to Ryan, tears streaming down his face. They both held their breath as the doctor moved the ultrasound wand over Winter's belly, searching for the precious sound they so desperately needed to hear.

"Come on, little one," Ryan murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

Then, finally, the rapid, rhythmic sound of the baby's heartbeat filled the room. Both Ryan and Winter let out sobs of relief, their tears mingling as they clung to each other.

"There it is," the doctor smiled, "your baby is strong. We need to monitor you closely, Winter, but you're both going to be okay."

Outside the room, River and Wyatt waited anxiously. When they saw the look of relief on Ryan's face as he stepped out, they rushed to his side.

"How's Winter? And the baby?" Wyatt asked, his voice thick with worry.

"They're okay," Ryan said, still trembling from the adrenaline. "It was a close call, but the baby's heartbeat is strong. Winter's being monitored now."

River let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank God," he said, pulling Ryan into a tight hug. Wyatt joined them, their collective relief palpable.

As Winter lay in the hospital bed, surrounded by the people who loved him most, he felt a sense of gratitude wash over him. They had faced an unimaginable scare, but their baby was safe. The bond between them all, especially between him and Ryan, had been tested and proven unbreakable.

Ryan sat beside Winter, holding his hand. "I'm sorry Win, I should have never left you alone."

"Hey... don't blame yourself it's okay, I'm okay and the baby is okay.", he replied placing his hand on his belly.

The next few days were a whirlwind of tests and monitoring, but Winter and the baby continued to show signs of recovery. Ryan never left Winter's side, holding his hand through every scare and every bit of good news.

As they sat together in the hospital room, Winter looked at Ryan with gratitude and love. "Thank you for being here," he said softly, "I don't know what I would do without you."

Ryan smiled, before placing a kiss to the back of his boyfriend's hand.