The Best Years

13

Holland lifted her shirt and stared back at the reflection of herself she saw in the mirror. She held the shirt between her forearms and side and dropped her hands to run over the growing pudge that sat at the base of her stomach.

Rationally, she knew it was simply the baby. The same way the four extra pounds on the scale were just the baby but that did little to stop the rapid thoughts that filled her head as she saw herself.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Calum asked stepping into the bathroom with her, his voice and eyes tired, they'd been out late the night before. "Aww, look at how cute. You're finally starting to show." He said, softly pressing his hand to her stomach.

Her eyes flashed upward to his and his face fell as he saw the panic on her face.

"Aw no, Holls...that's not what I meant...baby." He tried desperately to meet her gaze again but she couldn't look at him. His finger found the base of her chin and he softly lifted her head until he could see her eyes, watery but focused on him.

"You are healthy. You are strong. Every extra ounce is what our baby needs to grow, to survive." He said gently.

She held back a sob, as a set of tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I think you might need to get in a session with a new therapist. I know you've been hesitant since the old one moved but I think you need it, Holls. This is a lot of change we're dealing with here, it would be overwhelming for anyone."

She sniffled but nodded against his chest as he held her close.

"Sierra had recommended one when I told her yours had moved. Her name's Dr. Malen. Si can give you her info."

Holland nodded but said nothing further.

Calum slowly pulled her shirt down, taking her hands and pressing kisses to the back of each before squeezing them tightly and stepping back into the bedroom to let her collect herself.

•

"Oh my gosh, Cal! Best news ever!" Holland said rushing into the studio space of their home where Calum and the boys were finishing up their tour preparations, they left in only four days.

"You found a way to make Duke invincible?" He said seriously.

"No. No, but we do need to get him to the vet for his checkup soon. Tough guy is getting old."

"I don't wanna talk about that. What's the best news ever?"

Luke and Ashton gave sarcastic hellos, playful jabs at her for ignoring their presence, and she waved at them before returning her attention to Calum as he sat his bass down and walked towards her.

"I found a way to possibly work out the fostering situation!"

"When did you have time for that? You had practice with the girls all morning and then your therapy appoint—" his words trailed off. "You didn't go did you?"

"No, but it's fine. I'm fine. I went to see Elise instead and guess what? We can do it the way they did during the COVID-19 pandemic. An hour a week over video call whenever you can fit it in your schedule."

"They said we could do that?" He asked, distracted from his concerns over her unwillingness to attend her therapy sessions by this revelation that perhaps this fostering thing could really work out for them.

"As long as we are consistent and willing to foster they seemed pretty open to meeting our needs however necessary." She beamed at him.

The grin that overtook his face was wide, his cheeks adorably chubby as he took her in his arms and pulled her against him, kissing first the top of her head and then her lips.