Chapter Nine

Noah's breathing gradually improved. However, the doctor requested that he continue to use the portable breathing machine. Noah grumbled, "I wish I was normal," as they laid in bed. "Not some sickly person," he muttered.

"Babe, you are normal," Reed protested. "Normal and beautiful," he replied, gently kissing Noah on the lips. Noah shed a tear as he heard that. He didn't feel gorgeous because of the pregnancy, but the praise warmed his heart.

"You seem to know what to say to cheer me up," Noah said, smiling slightly.

"It's because I love you," Reed explained.

"I love you, to," Noah replied.

The due date was quickly approaching, so the three of them sat in the living room, looking at everything baby-related. The preparation work began once all details had been decided.

"You need to stay away while we paint," Reed instructed Noah, who was standing at the door. Noah's hazel eyes were full of sadness and sympathy.

"I'll go back to our room," he remarked before returning to their bedroom. Reed caught Jonathan's sideways stare.

"What?" Reed asked, shrugging.

"Once this project is finished, you'll be pampering my brother big time," Jonathan told him.

"I'll make it up to him tonight," Reed said, smirking.

That evening, Noah was propped up against several enormous pillows when the door of their bedroom opened. Reed entered, holding a box of chocolates in one hand and a crimson rose in the other. Noah looked at him, shocked.

"What's going on, Reed?" Noah inquired, perplexed.

"Apologizing for making you feel lonely," Reed remarked as he placed the items on Noah's lap. The bedroom fell silent for a few seconds. "Do you forgive me?" he moved in close, asking seductively.

"Yes, I forgive you," Noah said, nodding. Reed smiled as they kissed fiercely. The gifts were left on the nightstand while they had their intimate session.

The nursery was finished a week later. "I love it," Noah said cheerfully as he sat in one of the comfortable chairs.

"Here, let's get your feet elevated," Reed said, putting down a lever to raise the footrest.

"Aw, that does feel good," Noah said, letting out a deep breath. Reed then began to massage Noah's feet. "That tickles," Noah laughed. Reed stopped stroking Noah's feet and kissed him. Noah jumped up to go into the kitchen, but he felt a gnawing tightness in his stomach. He immediately returned to his seat at the kitchen table.

"Babe, are you alright?" Reed inquired.

"It hurts," Noah said, groaning in pain.

At the hospital, Reed waited while Dr. Newburry examined Noah, who was in excruciating pain. Noah's arm was fitted with an IV containing pain medication. Noah's gentle snores filled the room.

"His labor pains began early," the doctor stated as he drew Reed to a corner.

"But he's got two weeks," Reed said.

"The baby has other plans," she informed him.

"Ow!" Noah awoke suddenly and shouted out in anguish as a contraction struck him. The screaming persisted as the contractions became more intense. Noah was drenched in perspiration and breathing loudly as the doctor instructed him, "Push hard when the next contraction comes."

A few hours later, a baby's piercing cry filled the hospital room. Noah had the respirator attached as their newborn baby, Michael, rested on his chest. The infant had Noah's black hair, and his eyes were green even when closed.

"Our son is beautiful," Reed murmured, holding Noah's hand. Noah's cheeks showed a tinge of pink. Reed attended to Michael's needs while Noah rested. Over the next four days, Jonathan and Reed alternated seeing Noah and Michael.

"I'm going to be the best uncle," Jonathan declared as he held Michael.

"You already are," Noah said with a smile. "And he loves you."

A few days later, Noah and Michael were released from the hospital. They walked inside, Reed beside them.

"Welcome home," Jonathan exclaimed, smiling and clutching a blue balloon as they entered the nursery.

"Thanks," Noah said softly as he placed Michael, who was sleeping in the crib. Noah took a nap in his and Reed's bedroom as the baby napped. The bedroom door opened, and Reed stepped inside. He crawled into bed and nestled against Noah. Noah groaned softly as Reed kissed his neck. Michael's crying stopped their make-out session.

"I'll take care of him," Reed replied. He gave Noah a quick kiss on the lips before leaving.

Six months later

Michael was chattering on his playmat in the midst of the nursery, while Noah was drawing on his laptop. When he heard a knock, he picked up the infant and went to the front door. His jaw fell as the door opened.

"Hunter," he squealed.

"Hello, Noah," his former pal said.

"What are you doing here?" Noah asked in an annoyed tone.

"I wanted to see you," Hunter explained. Hunter's gaze turned to the child. "Is the child yours?" he inquired.

"That's none of your business," Noah said coldly. "And I do not want to see you," he said firmly.

Hunter unexpectedly leaned in and kissed Noah. "What the fuck are you doing?" Noah yelled, slapping Hunter across the cheek. Reed came seconds later and asked, "What's going on here?"

"Hunter was just leaving," Noah fumed. Hunter rubbed his reddening cheek and strode away.

"Did he hurt you?" Reed inquired as they entered the home and locked the door.

"No, but he did kiss me," Noah explained, dropping his gaze. Noah immediately responded, "I slapped him for doing that."

Reed relaxed and grinned when he heard this. Michael began fussing, so they both attended to his needs. They then had a family night just relaxing.

Reed held Noah close that night, after Michael had fallen asleep. "Thank you for being honest with me," Reed murmured, kissing Noah's cheek.

"He upset me, and you needed to know the truth," Noah said. "I don't like keeping secrets because I've done it for so long," he told me. Reed chuckled and hovered around Noah. He softly kissed Noah's lips. The kisses gradually escalated into a full-fledged makeout session.