Trauma At Its Finest (Lip Gallagher X Male Reader)

Ch 46. Quitting

After the new year, the couple had a feeling 2018 would be a better year than the last. The transition hadn't been exactly smooth — Y/N's PTSD still lingered — but he was certain the rest of the year would improve.

A few days passed. Lip's internship was about to start, and the couple lay asleep in bed on a quiet morning. Maksim, Kate, and Lyn were nearby in their bassinets, also asleep.

Suddenly, Lip's phone started buzzing, the sound of ducks quacking filling the room. Y/N groaned into his pillow.

"Pick up..." He muttered, but Lip just kept lightly snoring.

Y/N gave him a small kick. "Huh...?" Lip mumbled.

"Fucking pick up or turn it off... and change your ringtone. It's annoying."

"I like it..." Lip grumbled, fumbling for his phone in the dark.

"Oh my god..." Y/N sighed.

Lip finally found the phone and answered, his voice heavy with sleep. "Hello..."

"Hello, am I speaking to Phillip Gallagher?"

Lip yawned. "Yeah."

"I'm sorry to call so early, but a woman named Jessica Graham is giving birth to your son."

The words cut through his sleep like a jolt of electricity. Lip's eyes snapped open, and he sat upright, heart pounding. He tapped Y/N urgently.

"It's the hospital. The baby's coming."

Y/N was instantly awake. "Oh shit!"

-

Arriving at the hospital, Lip and Y/N step into the delivery room just in time—Jessica is already pushing. Both men quickly pull on surgical gowns and masks, moving to stand at her side.

Y/N reaches for Lip's hand, squeezing it, and he squeezes back. Their eyes meet, both nervous but hopeful. The air is thick with tension and the muffled sound of Jessica's breathing under the effort.

Minutes feel like hours until the sharp, sudden cry of a newborn breaks through the room. Both men lean forward, curiosity and awe in their faces, as the doctor lifts their son into view.

The dad takes the scissors when offered and cuts the cord with steady hands, his chest tight with relief. The nurse wipes the baby down, wraps him in a towel, and gently places him in Lip's arms.

Y/N steps in close, his arm wrapping around Lip's back as they both stare down at the tiny, red-faced child wailing in protest. The fathers exchange a tearful smile.

They had already chosen a name—Lip's suggestion, one that felt perfect.

"Hey, Fred." Lip murmurs softly. "Welcome to the world."

-

Around 8 AM, the couple drives back home. The younger man is behind the wheel, while Lip sits in the passenger seat, cradling Fred with a wide smile. The sight warms Y/N's heart, especially considering the last time they were in a car with a newborn.

"We should get a new car." Y/N says, glancing over. "One that can actually handle six kids."

"Holy shit, you're right." Lip turns to look at him, then back at Fred. "That's gonna be one massive SUV."

Y/N shifts his grip on the steering wheel. "Speaking of massive... we should probably talk strategy. You start your internship tomorrow, which means I'll be home alone with six kids. Like... how am I supposed to do grocery shopping?"