Walking Fragile Lines

The New Normal

The morning of his third child's first ultrasound scan, Brian had a meeting with the Tru TV guys, but he was thankful that the meeting was scheduled to end at least a half hour before he was supposed to meet Liv only a ten minute drive away. The meeting had been heavy with plans for their latest season, filming schedules for the After Party episodes and public appearances, and Brian had spent most of his time with his eyes firmly on the large clock that hung on the wall. He had told the producers he had an appointment he had to get to after the meeting and they understood, but the meeting had already gone over by 5 minutes and Brian had begun to grow anxious.

"Can we wrap this up please guys?", he asked.

"Just a sec Q, we need to discuss locations for next weeks challenges", Pete told him.

"Can't you just send them over in an email? I'm sure we're all gonna be fine with wherever we end up throwing toilet paper in shopping carts, right?", he looked between his three best friends desperately, who all nodded in agreement. Pete sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Do you not remember Murray almost being tackled by some angry dude from the supermarket because of a bra? These are health and safety precautions Q! I don't think you understand how important this is", Pete told him. Brian had had it at those final words as he shot up out of his seat.

"No Pete, I don't think you understand!", he snapped. "I'm supposed to be meeting my pregnant wife in 20 minutes time so she can have her first ultrasound scan and the probability of my attendance could be the make or break of my whole damn marriage! So forgive me for thinking that my family is more important than your health and safety bullshit!", he roared angrily, not caring what he said or who he said it to. Brian watched Sal and Murr's eyes widen at the news as he put on his jacket and made his way towards the exit. Joe had been the only person he had told about Liv being pregnant, and that had only been because he had been in a state of shock.

It was still pretty early in the morning and Brian was already having the worst day ever. After blowing up at the Tru TV meeting, he then found himself stuck in traffic, making him late to meet Liv, and after realising he had left his phone back at the office during his blind rage, he began to panic as he floored the gas pedal the moment he could.

As he finally arrived at the hospital, Brian ran as fast as he could to the waiting room, making it before the appointment with just minutes to spare, but that wasn't the point and he knew that. He had promised Liv that he would meet her 15 minutes before, knowing how anxious hospitals made her, and he could tell by the look on her face alone that she was upset with him. He had tried to explain, but it was no good, she shrugged off his apology and before he could say anything more, the pair were called in for the scan.

Brian sat by Liv's bedside nervously as the OBGYN began to mess around with a bunch of machines Brian wasn't even going to pretend he knew anything about. The relief he felt when the OBGYN confirmed that Liv's placenta previa had not returned was indescribable as he felt his whole body momentarily relax and then, his heart began to race as she turned the screen towards them.

"Wow", he gasped, unable to remain silent. Even though they already had two children together, Brian felt as though he was becoming a father for the first time all over again and, without thinking, he took Liv's hand within his own, his eyes still glued to the screen. He was happy when she didn't pull away, but he was struggling to think of anything else in that moment other than the image of his and Liv's child...

"I'm - I'm saying that I don't think we can be together anymore". Liv's words echoed in Brian's ears as he felt his heart sink in his chest. He barely heard another word that she said as he took in what was happening, managing to utter to her that he understood, and he did. He should have seen it coming. She had said it herself - the only way he could possibly make this right was by turning back time.