the photographer [c.h.]

thirty-two

"Okay, just a few more pushes." Doctor Shepard said and I nodded, preparing myself.

Calum held my hand and squeezed it, so I sat up in the hospital bed, pushing, a scream falling from my lips. Calum rubbed up and down my back and I fell back, breathing hard. The doctor said that his head was out so I just needed one more push. Tears filled my eyes as I did what he said and it felt like I was being ripped in half.

Cries filled the room and Calum pressed a kiss to my forehead as I released a heavy breath, leaning my head back. Calum cut the umbilical cord and they wrapped up the baby, handing him to me. I felt a tear fall down my cheek as he looked up at me and I rubbed my finger across his cheek.

"We need to take his weight but I will be back in about fifteen minutes." Doctor Shepard smiled and I handed him over to her, watching them leave the room.

The nurses finally finished up on my lower body and I was allowed to put my legs down. Calum sat down in the chair next to my hospital bed and grabbed my hand. I finally slowed down my breathing and put my hair into a ponytail, turning to face him.

"You good?" He asked and I nodded. "And I thought I made you scream pretty loud."

"Calum," I laughed, swatting his arm and he just laughed.

"Have you two thought of a name?" One of the nurses asked and I looked over to Calum.

"Are we still going with Travis?" He asked and I nodded. "Travis Barker Hood."

Soon enough, Doctor Shepard came back with Travis and she took all the information for his birth certificate. Calum held Travis and smiled over at me and I noticed tears in his eyes. The door opened and Leah, Ashton, Peri, Mali, and Joy walked in, all smiling at us.

"I'm an auntie." Leah squealed and gave me a hug.

"Can I hold him?" Joy asked and Calum nodded, carefully handing Travis over to her. "Oh, he's so precious." She smiled and I did too when she looked at me. "What's his name?"

"Travis Barker Hood." Ashton gasped and repeatedly hit Calum's arm.

"You did not name him after one of the best drummers in the entire world." He said and I laughed, watching him make grabby hands towards Travis.

"How are you feeling?" Peri asked and I shrugged.

"Just a little sore." I gave her a smile.

"Your dad would be really proud of you." She said quietly, pulling me into a hug and I smiled against her shoulder.

"Thank you for being here." I said before pulling away and Peri smiled at me.

Travis was passed around the room and after a while, he began yawning so Leah handed him back to me. I held Travis in my arms and he cooed up at me, his eyes beginning to droop. Everyone left the room with a promise to talk to us tomorrow and Calum took Travis when he fell asleep. He put him in the crib and sat back down next to me in his chair.

"You good?" I asked him and Calum nodded, taking my hand in his. "You better sleep now because you will not be getting any in the next few months."

"It'll be worth it." He smiled and I scooted over in the small hospital bed, letting him sit down with me. "Are you tired?" He mumbled and I nodded.

"Well, a baby came out of me so I'm pretty exhausted." Calum laughed and combed his fingers through my hair, making me even more tired. "You're gonna be a really good dad, Calum." I whispered.

"You think so?" I nodded, closing my eyes and he continued to comb through my hair, slowly putting me to sleep.

+Calum+

Katie's breathing slowed and I quietly slipped out of the bed, standing up. I walked over to the crib looked down at Travis, watching him sleep. I couldn't help but smile to myself and I finally left the room, finding Ashton and Leah in the hallway.

"Hey, dad." Ashton laughed and I smiled, sitting down with them.

"Is Katie doing okay?" Leah wondered and I nodded.

"Yepp, her and Travis are both sleeping." I said, running a hand through my hair.

"How are you doing?" Ashton asked me after Leah had went to find something to eat and I looked over at him.

"I am actually freaking out, Ashton." I admitted and he frowned. "I don't know how to do this. I don't even know how to change a diaper."

"Don't worry. When Leah had Anna, I had no clue what I was doing. You'll learn. Nobody knows how to be a parent until it actually happens. Just don't freak out and you'll be fine. And, Katie knows what she's doing." He said and I looked over at him, nodding after a minute.

"Thanks." I sighed and Ashton gave me a hug.

"Aww," I looked over to see Leah walking back towards us. She tossed me a cookie and I ate it in like three bites.

After a while, I went back to the hospital room and noticed Katie still asleep. She deserved to sleep for a week from what she did today. It hurt me to see her in so much pain, but the end result was worth it. I sat down in front of Travis's crib and he stirred in his sleep so I adjusted his blanket so he wouldn't wake up.

"Calum," I turned around to see Katie watching me.

She waved me over and I smiled a little, standing up. I walked over to the bed and laid down next to her, watching as she moved herself closer to me. I wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close to my body, rubbing up and down her back under the hospital gown. Katie sighed and closed her eyes.

"Quit worrying." She whispered and I hummed in question. "You always have a look on your face when you worry. Everything will be okay."

"You know me too well." I couldn't help but laugh and she looked up at me.

"You're already great with Sophie, you will be okay with Travis. I promise." Katie reassured and I ducked my head to kiss her. "Now, quit worrying so I can sleep."