Pregnant and Alone

Week 27

"So this glucose screening is to check for diabetes, right?"

It's been an hour since Luke's appointment started with Doctor Harper and Luke was still confused. She had Luke drink this weird sugar drink that tasted a lot like flat orange soda. It wasn't a pleasant taste to him. Dr. Harper said he had to wait an hour, so with a few pillows and a clean hospital sheet, Luke took a nap in the room. It was a pleasant little nap and the girls seemed to have enjoyed the quick energy saver. Doctor Harper was now preparing Luke for a blood test.

"That's right, Luke. Since you are pregnant, you don't move around as much as you used to and you eat those weird cravings pregnancy brings. Not as much exercise and more food could lead to diabetes."

Luke began to panic, his breath becoming heavy. "What if I do have diabetes? Will I die?" Doctor Harper laughed. "No, you won't die, Luke. I'll send you to a nutritionist who will give you a diet plan. You have no need to worry."

Luke sighed in relief. That means he can still have his left over pizza when he gets home. "Do I get results right away?". Luke winced when Dr. Harper started to draw blood from his arm. He looked down and started getting dizzy from seeing the blood. It reminded him of things. Bad things.

"Your results should get back to you in at least a week. That's all I need from you today. You've been keeping your little ones well. Good job, Luke." Doctor Harper smiled and opened the door for the blonde boy. Outside the door, Michael was waiting in his business suit, on the phone with a client. Luke tapped his shoulder and smiled when Michael pressed a kiss to his forehead.

The two began their walk out of the hospital and to their car in the parking lot out front. Michael continued to talk on the phone with his client but Luke didn't mind. It was his boyfriend's job and it seemed very important. Luke was very proud of Michael getting the job he was training for in college. At first, Luke thought Michael was a bit boring for being in college for business but Michael never left him bored.

There was always a surprise around every corner.

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"Hey Luke!" Ashton called from the front of the bakery, "Michael dropped something off for you! Come take a look!"

Luke looked up from his pan of pie crust and sighed heavily. He really didn't want to get up from his chair but heaved himself up anyway. He wiped his flour covered hands on his apron and made his way to the front counter.

On the counter was a small vase of five roses and a note attached to it. Luke smiled gratefully, his cheeks turning red. He gently untied the ribbon off the vase so he could read the note. It said:

Dear Lukey,

I got you some roses for an apology. I'll be coming home late tonight from the office so you are gonna have to walk home. I'm so sorry baby but I hope I can make it up to you. Here are some roses from Janet in the flower shop down the street. I had Dave stop by the apartment to drop off his famous lasagna dish from his restaurant downtown. Ashton finished the nursery too. I love you, babe.

- your pretty awesome boyfriend <3

Luke smiled at the note and retied it around the vase. His boyfriend was truly awesome. Yes, he would have been disappointed if Michael got home late from work but he didn't need all this to makeup for it. He could tell Michael was trying so hard for Luke's full trust since the Clifford parents incident.

"Hey Luke?" The blonde looked up at Ashton with a smile, giving him his full attention. "After work I was wondering if you would like to come upstairs and see my living space. I also have a few things to show you." Luke smiled.

"Of course. I'll be there."

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"Here it is! My humble abode!" Ashton opened the door to his bedroom in the Vanbünz's apartment above the bakery. Luke looked around and was surprised by Ashton's decorative skills.

The walls were a deep navy blue with white trimming. Gray curtains covered a small window that was next to his twin bed. The duvet matched the walls and the sheets were black. Ashton polished the dark hardwood floors of his room and placed a neat grey rug over top. He had a small wooden desk in the corner that was stained black. A few band posters were scattered across the wall and a ratty calendar hung above his desk. A beaten up white dresser stood in the corner, a small lamp on top. Everything was neat and in its proper place.

"I also have an adjoining bathroom but that's messy so we won't look in there." Luke chuckled and responded back to Ashton. "I'm more than impressed on how nice it looks in here. You did a good job, Irwin."

Ashton chuckled and sat on his bed. "Come sit, I have something to show you." Luke happily obliged kicking off his shoes but with a bit of struggle. He grumbled. "Downsides of being pregnant. Everything swells up." Ashton chuckled. "Even your feet?" Luke smiled up at Ashton. " Even your feet."

Luke sat down on Ashton's bed and awaited him while he got a small shoebox out of his dresser. "What's in it?" Ashton looked up sadly at Luke.

"Closure."

Ashton handed Luke the tattered shoebox and sat beside him. Luke's eyebrows were furrowed as he lifted the box lid and saw the contents. All of it was about Calum.
Calum's silver dog tags laid in the box, Luke brushing his thumb over them, remembering how Calum said that once he got back, they would be Luke's to keep. The next item was Calum's tag that seemed to be hurriedly torn off his uniform. Hood. No Calum but just Hood. Luke looked at Ashton, confused on how he got it.
"I cut it off with my pocket knife. I knew I had to bring a few things back for you." Ashton replied, quickly wiping a stray tear from his hazel eye.
Luke looked back down and something caught his eye. A picture of Luke at prom. It was a picture that caught him mid laugh. He wore his suit and his hair was styled back in that quiff of his. Teenage memories. The most significant thing about the picture was the bullet hole that went right through the middle. Blood stained some parts of the picture and Luke began to sob.

Gunshots rang in Ashton's ears as he ran to a rock on the beach. It was able to protect him from some flying bullets and grenade blasts but he knew he had slim chance of staying alive in this battle. His partner, Calum, was a few feet away behind another rock. He was reloading his gun and winced when he heard a bullet hit the rock he was hidden behind.

He looked at Ashton with tears flooding down his face and shouted, "If I die now, bring something back for Luke!"
Ashton cried back to him, "You won't die! I won't let you!!"
Calum smiled sadly and looked down, taking the picture of Luke out of his pocket. He kissed the picture softly, placing it back in the pocket that was right above his heart. Calum took a deep breath and gathered all the courage he had and scrambled up, shooting a few bullets out at the enemies just before the bullet went right through his heart and his love.

________________

Dear little flowers,

Boring texts. Boring checkups. Boring work. Lots of checking on you two rascals.
I got to keep Calum's dog tags from Ashton's house. Actually, I got to keep all of Calum's army stuff that Ashton was able to get. It pains me to have a reminder of him but I need to try and conquer the pain so I can remember the happiness Calum brought.
Oh by the way, when you guys get older, be extra nice to Uncle Ash.
He finished your room.

I love you, Smol beans.

Love Daddy