More Than Us (Ianthony)

Chapter 10: Letting It Go

"My husband has an appointment with Dr. Goodin." Anthony said to the woman behind the desk. After seeing Dr. Goodin for about five years, you would think that Ian and Anthony would've remembered the name of the desk lady, but they still haven't. Probably because she was a pretty dull and unlikable person, but Ian and Anthony didn't really like to judge.

"Ian Padilla?" She asked in her usual dull voice. Anthony nodded. "Sign here, please." Anthony signed the paper and handed back to her, taking a seat closest to corner. Soon after Anthony sat down, Ian returned from his trip to the restroom. Ian walked over to where Anthony was sitting and slowly slumped himself down into the chair next to his husband. Anthony snickered a little.

"S'not funny." Ian grumbled. Even though Ian's baby bump is still pretty small, he's already starting to have a difficult time sitting down like a normal person. Instead of just being able plop down onto seats, he now has to take his time and slowly make his way down so he doesn't hurt himself or the baby. When Ian got comfortable, Anthony took Ian's hand into his and caressed the side of it with his thumb.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ian bit his lip in thought and nodded.

"Yeah... I mean they do these kinds of tests all the time, right?" Anthony nodded.

"Right. Besides, Dr. Goodin knows what he's doing. I trust him."

"I do too. I just pray that everything goes smoothly." Anthony placed a small kiss on Ian's hand.

"Everything will work out, baby."

"Ian Padilla!" Stella called. Anthony jumped up from his chair and started walking over to her. Anthony then looked back to Ian to hold his hand, but Ian wasn't behind him. He was still in the waiting chair trying his best to get up. Anthony felt like smacking himself for forgetting that Ian couldn't sit down and get up as fast as he used to could. When Ian finally got back on his feet, he walked over to Anthony and gave him a mean look.

"Ass hole." He muttered. Anthony laughed.

"Sorry." Ian and Anthony followed Stella to the vitals room. After she got Ian's vitals, they then followed her into the ultrasound room hand in hand. When Ian sat down on the bed, the nearby table of medical tools caught his attention, particularly the long needle encased in sterile wrapping. Ian knew that the procedure required a needle, but he didn't think it'd be that big.

"I-Is that the needle he will be using?" Ian asked Stella, pointing over to the medical tray. Stella nodded.

"Mmhmm." Ian's eyes widened. "I know it looks intimidating, but it won't be that bad. I promise." Ian swallowed a little.

"Y-Yeah. Sure." As soon as Stella finished setting up, Dr. Goodin came into the room.

"Hello, Ian. Are you ready for your amneo?" Ian looked over to the needle and then back to Dr. Goodin.

"Well I was until I saw your 2000 foot needle." Dr. Goodin laughed.

"Not a fan of needles?"

"If you had a needle that big going into your stomach, would you be?" He laughed again.

"I guess not. I promise I'll be gentle, though. Go ahead and lie down on the bed and pull your shirt up." Ian did as he was told, grabbing onto Anthony's hand and holding it tightly. Dr. Goodin put some of that nasty gel onto Ian's stomach as usual and started the ultrasound, handing the tool to Stella to keep it in place once he had found an entry point. As Dr. Goodin prepared the needle, Ian looked over to Anthony and gave him a terrified glare.

"It'll be okay, honey." Anthony whispered, kissing Ian's head and squeezing his hand reassuringly.

"I need you to take a couple of deep breathes and relax all of your muscles, okay?" Ian nodded, laying his head back onto the pillow and breathing deeply. "Here we go. Three... Two... One" Ian squeezed Anthony's hand as tight as he possibly could as Dr. Goodin injected the needle into his stomach. It hurt, but not nearly as bad as Ian thought it would.