For Him (Tracob)

Troye's pov

I stare into the mirror, frowning at my reflection. The blue cotton of my jumper seems even larger over my frame than usual. It's Jacob's, actually, so it's supposed to he a little large, but even so...I look up at my husband as he walks behind me, toweling his wet hair.

"Do you think I lost weight, Jake?"

He glances over at me. "No, do you think you lost weight?"

I frown. "So you do think I did."

"I didn't say that." He sets down his towel and drapes his arms over me, looking at me in the mirror. "I think it doesn't matter because I love you no matter what size you are."

"Jaaacoob," I protest. "That's so cheesy and gross."

"Okay okay, but it is true. You look fine, baby. " He tells me, planting a kiss on my neck.

I touch my cheekbone where it juts out of my face sharply. "I don't know. I think I look ill."

He frowns at me in the mirror, moving his hands up to cup my face. "Troye, don't. You look so beautiful, every day."

I push him away. "You have to say that."

Jacob pulls me right back. "I do not! Listen, I'm not ever going to tell you that I don't like the way you look, because I always do, but if you think you lost weight, then put more carbs and fat in your diet. Eat a waffle. Finish that pint of ice cream. Binge on bacon."

I narrow my eyes. "I don't eat bacon."

"Right...so binge on something else. Do something. Don't stand in the mirror and tell me you look thin. You're wasting valuable time that you could use to be eating."

"That was...the weirdest pep talk I've ever gotten."

"You're welcome." He says smugly, and I roll my eyes. "Come on, we don't want to be late to the appointment."

The appointment goes smoothly. Charlie is 15 weeks along now, and she's really showing. She looks as adorable as ever in dungarees with the cuffs rolled up, and a cardigan over a big tee shirt that says "Save the Bees" in curly print. We finally get prints of our coveted ultrasound pictures, which Jacob handles like precious winning lottery tickets. We're a couple weeks into the second trimester now, which is when we decided to announce the babies, but we haven't decided quite how yet. The doctor tells us everything looks good and normal. Jacob has to leave a little early for a photo shoot. He puts a hand on Charlie's little belly (for she has been very adamant about us feeling free to hold her bump whenever we want) and gives me a peck on the mouth.

"I shouldn't be gone too long, I'll text you when I'm on the way home, okay?"

"Mmkay," I reply. "Love you."

"Love you too. Bye Charlie!"

"Adios, Jake."

The doctor finishes up and tells us we're free to go, and our next appointment is in 3 weeks, and then we have one the week after that for an ultrasound because the technician won't be in the first day. I start to gather my things and head out to catch a taxi, but Charlie catches up to me before I can.

"Hey, do you have plans for the rest of the day?"

If going home and watching Netflix with my dog counts as plans then yes. "No," I reply. "Why, do you?"

"Yep," she smiles, linking her arms through mine. "I'm taking you out for lunch and a good time."

I suppress a smile and agree. Charlie is so infectiously bubbly. We end up at a small, neat cafe tucked away in a side street. Nobody seems to recognize me or look twice. A waiter comes over to take our orders, and then we settle back into our chairs contentedly. Charlie watches me intently, a small smile on her face. Her expression sort of reminds me of Jacob in a way.

"What're you looking at?"

Charlie smiles. "Just thinking."

"Well...think out loud."

"Okay," she clasps her hands together and leans in. "I've been listening to your albums."

"I thought you didn't want to, because you're worried about hating the music?" I remind her, and she shakes her head.

"Got curious. Couldn't resist."

"Oh, I see. Well? What's the verdict?"

"I have some questions." She says with a smile, and I roll my eyes.

"Everyone does, that's the whole point. It's up for interpretation."

"Well...I want to see if my interpretations were correct."

"Oh fine.".

"Firstly, what's Bloom about?"

"Flowers," I reply instantly, with a sly smile.

"Bullshit." She says, scooting back in her chair and crossing her arms. "You," she points at me. "Are full of it."

"Fine, I'll ask you something...what do you think it's about?"

Now it's her turn to smile. "Jacob."

I shake my head. "Nah, it's Animal that's about Jacob."

"I surmised as much. Tell me though, Troye. Give me the real tea here."

"I reckon if you Google it you can find out ."

Her mouth opens just a bit. "I knew it, you sneak."

I scoff. "It was obvious."

"Oh hush, to you maybe."

I grin, and let silence fall for a minute. "Do you have a favorite?"

"Favorite what?"

"Song. Of mine."

Charlie cocks her head, considering. "Heaven," she says finally. "It made me feel calm, and sad but hopeful at the same time."

I feel warm and happy. I can tell by the way she speaks that she didn't just Google my music to appease me. She listened. She really listened.

'They kicked when I played it the first time, you know." Charlie tells me softly, and I look up at her.

"The babies did?"

She nods. My heart skips a beat. "Really? That's...that's amazing."

Those babies...my babies...they heard me. They heard my voice and my music. They're real. Suddenly I can't wait to tell Jacob. I can just see his face, probably telling me they have good taste.

Our babies kicked. They moved. I don't know why I find that to be such a revelation. The fact that they're semi conscious now makes my heart flutter. Moving is just them being one step closer to coming out so I can hold them and see them and touch them. In that moment I think it hit me hard for the first time that this is all so ...real.