He Who Conquers Others Is Strong, He Who Conquers Himself Is Mighty

Kicks

We woke up the next morning and for a brief moment I had forgotten all about what happened last night. That was until I looked to the foot of our bed and found Clay curled up on Julian's feet. A feeling of dread filled my chest and I turned to reach for my phone off the night stand. I scanned my notifications, seeing texts off Amelia, Nick and a few missed calls from Jamie. My heart pounded in my chest and I frantically tapped her name to return the call. Hoping she'd answer, not really caring if I was waking her up, I just wanted to know how they were. 

"Hey Pen" she yawned as she answered. "Hey, how is he?" I asked her in a slight hushed tone, Julian was still fast asleep beside me. She sighed before answering and my heart thudded in my throat. "He rebroke his ribs....and i-it punctured his lung" her voice cracked. "shit..." I gasped, I knew it looked bad on the field and from the state of Julian on the phone, but fuck. "I-I don't know how long we're...Clay..."

"It's okay Jame, don't worry, he's sleeping soundly on J's feet as we speak" I giggled a little, hoping it might cheer her up even just a tiny bit. "he's quite happy here with Winnie. We'll take care of him as long as you need" 
"a-and w-work...I got all the emails to send out to OSCORP. A-and Amelia's paperwork..." she rambled in a flustered panic. "it will all be taken care of. Don't worry. I can go in later on, or tomorrow and sort it out. Just look after Dola for us." I assured her. "But Jame, how are you feeling right now?" I asked her quietly, glancing over at Julian, to check he was still asleep. She sighed again and I could just picture her shrugging on the other end of the line. "well, right now, I'm trying to push it all to the back of my mind. Guess it'll have to wait." She said, "I've been so fucking stupid" I could hear the pain in her voice. My heart broke for her. "stay strong Jame. It'll be alright. I promise" I said, knowing how little comfort my words were giving her right now. "if you need anything, we're here okay?" I said to her, "just make sure Clay is okay" she said. "I will. You know that" I gave her my word. "thanks." she sighed, "I'll keep you posted" she added, "oh - the doc is here now Pen. I'll talk to you later" 
"okay, talk soon sweetie" I said before she cut the call. I placed my phone back on the nightstand and shuffled down into the covers. 

"babe?" Julian groaned beside me, turning to face my way. His hand automatically moving to my belly as his crumpled up face looked up at me from his pillow. "you okay?" I asked him, moving my hand through his fluffy hair. "uh huh, were you just talking?" he asked me, squinting his eyes at me. "yeah, I called Jamie. I missed her call earlier."
"How's Dola?" he asked, as he lay rubbing his hand across my stomach. I sighed an shook my head, looking at him with worried eyes. "The doctor was there when she called, not sure when he'll be home, she didn't say" 

"but then out for the rest of the fucking season!" Julian practically yelled. Win darted her head up at the volume of his voice, "calm down" I soothed him. "He'll be healed before the last game of the season" I told him, "just relax. Worry about that if and when the time comes" I said, starting to feel the urge to shuffle a little more, "now, you've got more pressing matters on your hands dear husband" I began to smile, looking from him to my stomach, "I can feel him" J beamed a smile as he looked down at his hand on my belly. "Holy Hell boy!" He hollered as he broke out into laughter, feeling our baby almost turning somersaults in there. "ease up little man" Julian chuckled as he smoothed his hand over my skin. "you're gonna break your mama's tummy" he said with a smile. I giggled as I watched him talking to our little baby bump. Tears threatening to come at the sight before me. "you remember the first time that he kicked?" 

.....Flashback.......

PENNY'S POV

I was channel surfing trying to find something to watch whilst Julian and Gronk were up in his game space playing on God knows what. It was pouring with rain and neither Win nor I was in the mood to go for a walk. I decided on watching Stranger Things so I got a little more comfy and began chewing on a bagel- Win layed beside me, with her head lovingly resting on my developing bump.

About half an hour in and I started getting a weird sensation in my belly...then a 'pop'. I jumped, just as Win's head darted up, ears pricked and tilted her head to oneside. "you feel something too huh?" I asked her in a whisper. 

"Julian!" I yelled up to him. Nothing... "JULIAN!" I yelled with a frown, knowing he'd hear me perectly well. "what babe?!" He yelled back. "get down here!" I called, grinning down at my belly. "In a sec babe, I'm pummelling Gronk right now!" 

"JULIAN FRANCIS! GET YOUR BLOODY ARSE DOWN HERE THIS SECOND! YOUR BABY IS KICKING!!!" I yelled and no more than a second or two later, Julian came hurtling down the stairs as gracefully as Bambi on ice -"I-I'm coming baby! I'm coming I'm coming I'm coming I'm coming!" he repeated in a panic as he slid across the polished floors in his socks. 

His calloused hands cradled my belly tenderly-his eyes wide as he anticipated the first kick...'pop!'  The smile on that man's face was priceless, and he looked up at me with tears in those big blue eyes. "b-babe! He kicked! I felt it! he kicked!" he gasped excitedly. "I know I-

"Gronk!" He yeleld, cutting me off. "Gronk!" he yelled again "He just kicked! Come feel it!" he shouted up to him. "Julian, I don't think-" I started, but heard Rob shout back, "I-I'm good thanks Jules..." awkwardly, making me want to giggle, but J was having none of it. "My baby just kicked for the first time! Get down here bro!" he shouted again but more excitedly than angry.  

Then seconds later Rob came trudging down the stairs and I broke out into a more amused smile. "C'mon feel this!" Julian whispered excitedly. Rob's dark eyes looked at me and I gave him an apologetic look, but he still hesitated, waiting for my say so. "it's okay" I smiled gently and Rob slowly put his hand onto my bump. 

Nothing.

I could feel Julian was a little disappointed but then 'Pop!' and both he and Rob gasped, laughing in joy at the feeling coming from my stomach. "woah, dude, that's insane" Rob grinned at his best friend. "it's fucking awesome!" Julian laughed back, looking back down at my belly. "Thank you" Rob said, looking down at me. I felt msyelf blush at his words but I smiled, "I guess you're welcome" I laughed, "but it's not really down to me" I said, "it's all Edelman Junior right here" I laughed, making the guys chuckle. 

"babe," Julian looked up at me wide eyed "we gotta start thinking of a name"