Chapter 6

Kevin drove for this trip, Todrick's hand on his thigh as he sat beside him. He was sure to get coffee/tea for everyone before they were even ten minutes into the drive, knowing Avi needed some caffeine as this stressful week trudged on. Suddenly, Todrick leaned over and kissed a spot on Kevin's neck, staying close to his ear to whisper to him. "I love you." "I love you too, T."

Kirstie was staring at her wedding ring with a frown, and Avi noticed immediately. He took a quick sip of his coffee and then set his hand on top of hers. "Are you okay, Princess?"

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm really emotional today. And yesterday. And the day before." Avi smiled a little, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "That's okay, honey. It's all for our future, right?"

"Of course. But.. I'm sorry you have to deal with my mood swings." Avi scoffed. "Oh, please. Of the two of us in this situation, you are carrying a child in your body that makes you sick and moody. Your ankles are swollen, your stomach hurts, you have trouble walking and moving around... Sometimes you're just plain miserable. So if I have to deal with your emotions sometimes, I consider myself lucky." Kirstie smiled at his attempt to make her feel better.

Avi continued, giving her cheek a light kiss beforehand. "Don't ever worry about me, baby. I'm fine. And you know if I wasn't fine, I would tell you. Or you would figure it out, because you're amazing like that." Kirstie looked down at their hands, and although Avi was smiling, Kirstie's smile fell and she looked like she might cry again. "Can you promise me 'forever'?"

Avi frowned too, leaning into her side and pressing a kiss to Kirstie's neck, and speaking only loud enough for her to hear. "Forever isn't long enough."

**********

Alex was on the phone with Todrick, having Todrick talk him through changing Scott's bandages and disinfecting the wound again. He was being as gentle as he could, but at some point Scott jerked his leg away, making Alex jump. "Are you okay? I'm sorry, did I do something?"

Scott shook his head, eyes squeezed shut. He put his leg back in front of Alex and apologized. "I'm sorry. It just stung a little." Alex hesitantly went back to work, finishing wrapping the wound, before smiling up at Scott. "Good as new!" Jake was washing the dishes from breakfast, and Alex decided to join him. Meanwhile, Scott stood from the couch to help Mitch limp down the hallway. Mitch wanted to shower, but Scott knew it would be too hard with both of them slightly impaired, so he recommended a bath instead. After stripping down without even the slightest falter in confidence, Mitch sat in the warm water that Scott had prepared for him. Scott kneeled down beside the tub, holding Mitch's hand in the water, and setting his chin on the edge of the tub. "Does the water help your ankle at all?"

"Sort of. It feels really nice, thank you..."

"You're welcome, baby. I'm sorry you got hurt."

Mitch shrugged, lifting both he and Scott's hands out of the water before gasping. "Oh no, I left my ring on! Is that bad?"

Scott just chuckled. "No, it's fine. It's just water, honey. And it's not like you'll be wearing that engagement ring for long. I'll replace it with a different one soon enough." "You don't have to get me a second ring."

"Don't be silly. I already have it."

Mitch's jaw dropped open, but quickly turned into a smile. "You're ridiculous."

"I guess I am." He replied offhandedly, accidently looking down to Mitch's body, which he could see through the clear water, and getting a bit distracted. Mitch laughed and brought one hand down to cover himself as much as he could. "Stop that, you pervert."

"I can look at my fiancé's body as much as I want, thank you very much." Scott quipped. Mitch giggled and leaned over to kiss him, pulling away and smiling. Scott smiled back at him. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

"Yes. You have... But tell me again." Mitch replied with a cheeky smile. Scott leaned forward again, first kissing Mitch's neck and then his jaw. "I love you more than anything in the entire world, baby." He kissed Mitch's cheekbone, and then dropped back down to Mitch's lips. "And I will tell you that every single day of the life we spend together."

Mitch smiled at him. "I love you too, Alpha... I like when you kiss my neck..." He whispered the last part, only slightly embarrassed. Scott chuckled and leaned forward to kiss Mitch's neck again. "I know you do, baby boy. That's why I do it." Mitch closed his eyes and relished in the feeling of Scott kissing his neck, bringing one hand up and setting it on the back of Scott's neck so he wouldn't pull away. Scott flinched at the water that was now on his neck from Mitch's hand, but continued to kiss his neck anyway. He pulled away finally, after Mitch let out a breathy moan, and smirked at him. "I have to pee. Don't go anywhere." Mitch giggled after he ran away. "Where could I possibly go?"

*********

Alex was watching some television, and accidently fell asleep on the couch. Jake walked out after cleaning the entire kitchen, (he got a bit carried away.)

He smiled at Alex's sleeping form on the couch, and kneeled down in front of his face, to gently kiss his nose. Alex tried to pretend he was still asleep, but he couldn't suppress the smile that took over his face. Jake chuckled quietly. "Sorry, babe. Didn't mean to wake you." Alex didn't say anything, but he turned on his side and pushed himself as close to the edge as he could. He mumbled sleepily. "Cuddle?" Jake smiled and pressed a kiss to Alex's forehead, before standing up and crawling over to lay behind him, his back against the back of the couch, and an arm over Alex. He pulled Alex into his body, to be sure he wouldn't fall off of the front of the couch. Alex smiled and closed his eyes, letting out a content sigh. "You're so warm..."

Jake grinned, nuzzling his nose into Alex's neck. "Thank you, baby. You're sweeter than sugar." He put on a fake accent as he spoke, knowing it would make Alex smile. And it did. Alex giggled tiredly and set his hand on top of Jake's arm. "You're funny." "Thank you." Alex felt Jake slip his hand under Alex's shirt, and feel the muscle there. Alex giggled again. "I need to do more sit ups..."

Jake scoffed. "Ugh. Rude."

Alex's eyes shot open, and he craned his neck to look back at him. "What? I was rude to you? I'm so sorry."

"I'll answer that, when you answer me this;" He paused for a second. "Why do you think you need to do more sit ups?"

"So my tummy will be flatter." Alex answered quietly. "Okay. Now I'll answer your question. If you think your tummy needs to be flatter, how must you think of me? You must see me as gigantic."

Alex gasped loudly, and he turned over as much as he could. "That isn't true! You are very handsome. Very, very handsome."

"But if you think you have a big stomach, you must think I am humongous." Jake responded, not in a self conscious way, but more trying to get his point across. Alex frowned deeply. "I'm sorry. I won't say it ever again."

"Good. Because it isn't true. You don't need a flatter stomach, and neither do I. Agreed?" Alex hesitated a second, but nodded. "Yes, Alpha. Neither of us need flatter stomachs." Jake smiled and pecked Alex's lips quickly. "I'm really glad to hear you say that." He looked away for a second, and then smiled wider before looking back. "Hey, want to pig out on some cookie dough?"

**********