Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

67

Christian's day was cut short by rain, and he was thrilled to be going home early to help Elizabeth. His wife's spirits had risen in the last two weeks since coming to Arizona, the sunlight doing her a world of good. She also had gotten new baby-safe medication to help with the pelvic pain, and the pool in their yard was providing her with a ton of relief.

"Ellie?" Christian called out, stopping in his tracks when he saw how spotless the house was.

"Elizabeth?" he called out again, this time a little angry.

"Hey! You're home," Elizabeth grinned and hugged him tight, her 28 week belly flush against his abs.

"I am. You should be lying down, Elizabeth. The doctor said bed rest, especially when you're bleeding," he wasn't angry, really, but he was worried and he was frustrated. He knew that her bleeding picked up again last night, and he didn't want her or their baby to get sick.

"I'm fine, Christian. Really, all I did was pick up the apartment. It was gross," she shrugged, wincing a bit as she picked up Reilly who'd toddled over to her. "We're okay, promise."

Christian wasn't convinced, but he dropped it. He didn't want to annoy his wife. "We should watch a movie and talk about baby names," he smiled a bit, guiding her to the couch and helping her sit.

"I have the perfect name, too. Put the kids down for their naps and come back here, ASAP," Elizabeth grinned, handing a sleepy Reilly over to his dad.

"Please stay seated, Elizabeth. For me," he said softly, gently running his hand down Reilly's back and tucking both kids in before going back to the living room. He sat next to Elizabeth and pulled her legs onto his lap before starting to gently rub her feet. "Tell me this perfect name," he smiled.

"Arlo Stephen Yelich," she grinned, happily running a hand along the sides of her bump. "Stephen is a family name for you, and I just like the name Arlo."

"Not Stephen," he said quietly, not looking at her. It felt like an icy knife to the chest, constricting his airways. "Anything but Stephen."

"Christian?" Elizabeth frowned, sensing the pain her husband was in. "No Stephen... We'll find something else. What's the matter?"

"Stephen is my father's name. He left us high and dry when I was 5. Our baby is too good to share a name with him," he sniffed, taking a couple deep breaths. "What about Samuel? After your dad. Your dad is a great man, Elles."

He was. He always supported and validated what Elizabeth was feeling, he never made Ellie feel inadequate. He never hurt Ellie. Samuel was the perfect name to bless their son with.

"Arlo Samuel... I love it, Christian. I can't believe he'll be here so soon," she smiled softly. Her smile always eased Christian's pain. Like magic.

They'd be meeting their boy soon.

...so soon.

***

Elizabeth was browsing through the aisles at Sprouts, grabbing some groceries for the next couple of weeks when she felt an odd sensation. When she looked down, her heart stopped and she felt tears well in her eyes.

"No no no..." she whispered and looked at the time. Christian was in the middle of his game. Shit shit shit. The wetness between her legs was growing and starting to collect on the floor beneath her.

This couldn't be happening. She was only 29 weeks and her water just broke.

"Sweetie? Are you okay?" a kind voice asked, careful of the light pink puddle on the ground.