ROCKSTAR ⇒ jegulus

THIRTY EIGHT

The drive to the hospital is longer due to the cramps, or at least that is what James assumes.

Regulus both fills, and distracts, his mind with words of affirmation, reassurance, the whole journey.

"It's probably just practice contractions, hey, don't worry too much, it's alright, she's okay, she's gonna be okay, James,"

James feels frustrated tears burn at his tear ducts. He opts to gaze out the window, staring at the bleak sky above them as Regulus seems to race past each car on the road alongside them.

"And what if she's not?" James can not help but allow his voice to come out in some sort of hiss. He doesn't mean to snap, really; however his mind is not focused on ensuring Regulus feels comfortable with him right now. He can already feel his brown eyes growing damp.

Regulus pauses, perhaps taken back. "She will be," He eventually settles on, knuckles white as they grip the steering wheel. "Cause...cause she's our daughter, isn't she? You're her mama and she's going to be okay," He hums, his voice wavering slightly. "You're...you're both going to be okay, I...you know that I wouldn't let anything happen to either of you? You know that, right?"

James nods, sniffing a little as he does so. He turns to look at Regulus; eyes indefinitely rimmed red. He can't find the time to even care anymore about how Regulus might perceive him; vulnerable, anxious, scared.

All that he can think about is their baby girl.

Regulus takes his hand, squeezing a little. "Promise me that you know that, rockstar," He utters.

James doesn't even hesitate; although his voice comes out soft and hoarse; a mere rasp, he answers nonetheless. "I know that,"

Regulus all but swerves into the last remaining parking spot at the hospital. He pulls into the parking space, his knuckles never losing that ivory toned grip on the wheel.

James feels his belly cramp as he lets out a sigh of relief. Regulus turns to him with a soft, worried, smile. "Hey, we're here, rockstar," He mutters gently, his voice soothing. "It's gonna be okay," Regulus reassures. "We're gonna get you checked out, I...I'm here with you, you're going to be okay,"

Regulus opens the driver's door, exiting his car; and before James knows it, Regulus is opening the passenger door and offering James his hand. "C'mere, it's gonna be alright," Regulus utters softly as James takes his hand. "I've got you, hon, it's all gonna be okay,"

They slowly approach the wide hospital doors, James feeling shaken on his feet, Regulus' hand griping his own hand tightly; reassuringly, soothingly, gently.

The entire time, Regulus' voice remains soft, quiet, comforting. "Hey, you picked a great paint sample, rockstar," He says gently. "Stella's going to love her nursery, we can pick out some furniture soon, does that sound nice? And you can help me pick out things for when she stays at my apartment," Regulus rambles tenderly. "I...y'know, I won't have the slightest clue of what to pick out for her," He mutters.

James can feel Regulus eyes on him. He knows that he mustn't look well right now And so he aims at a mere moment of comedy. "Well, we'll have to pick out furniture that your pride of cats won't scratch and eventually ruin," He utters breathlessly.

"Oi, if I weren't insanely worried for you right now, rockstar, I'd clip you on the ear for a comment like that about my felines,"

When they reach reception, Regulus does all of the talking. And James, for once, simply allows for it. In fact, he is sure that he has never heard Regulus talk so much at once.