Erik has wanted to be a father for as long as he can remember -- but now that the day is finally here, he's terrified. Surely a ham-fisted Viking of a man like Erik shouldn't be allowed to handle things as tiny and delicate as his new baby girl?<br><br>But it's not just his daughter that's come into Erik's world. His partner has finally returned too. After nine months of watching Andreas struggle with the mental and physical toll of being a man and being pregnant at the same time, the birth of their daughter is both a beginning and an ending.<br><br>Erik is a father for the first time -- but not everything that comes next is new.

Erik the Pink

Of course, that had been before the baby.


Andreas had been pregnant for Erik’s last birthday, but still at the manageable stage. He’d just looked fat, frankly. But this year, he wasn’t entirely sure of Erik’s plans. He wasn’t convinced a steaming drunk husband in the house with a new baby was the best of ideas.


So he was surprised the morning of the big day when Erik got up at six for the morning feed like it was an ordinary day.


“It’s Friday,” Andreas said stupidly.


“So I took the day off work,” Erik said, “and I want to spend my big day with my family.”


“Nope. Well, Jo did send us a text about eating out. I fancy that Mexican place in town, but do you want to get a taxi instead of wrestling the buggy back on the evening bus?”


Then he unfolded his arms, stepped forward, and reached up to loop both arms around Erik’s neck. Beatriz, balanced on Erik’s shoulder, cooed happily.


Chapter 39