If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

Helen was crying as well, something that she knew would become commonplace over the next few months. “I love you more.” she whispered, still in awe. She was going to be a mother. The idea wasn’t all that far-fetched - she’d mothered her sisters and close friends for as long as she could remember. Holly joked and called her the ‘mama hen’. Always trying to take care of everyone. And now it would be real. She felt like her face would split in two from the force of her grin, and she laughed out of joy. “A baby.” she whispered, sighing as she settled into his embrace.

Will held her for a moment, still grinning from ear to ear, and then he stood and took her hand. Without another word he pulled her out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, settling down on the bed next to her. “God, it’s just…it’s so unreal.” He propped his head up on one hand and the other went to her abdomen and rested there, where their baby would grow in the months to come. He watched his hand rise and fall with Helen’s breaths and broke out into a smile again, looking back up at her face. “I bet it’s a girl.”

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

She blinked at him, staring wide-eyed before the emotion in his eyes and voice and words got through to her. She matched his wide grin, throwing her arms around him with a squeal. It was finally happening. They were really pregnant this time. “I love you so much, baby. We did it.” She whispered, sniffling before laughing out loud.

Will laughed as it finally hit him, pulling Helen into his lap so he could hug her properly. A baby. They were going to have a baby- him and Helen were going to be him and Helen and a baby. Their baby. A little boy or girl to angst over and be proud of and….well, he was crying. Happy crying, and only a little, as he chuckled along with her, showering her neck with kisses. “I love you,” he told her. He could feel her heartbeat and it occurred to him then that eventually when he held her he’d be able to, if he concentrated, feel two heartbeats. That there was a literal little being inside of her right then and there. Something they’d made together. It kept hitting him- again and again, and each time he was more excited.

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

Helen was busy at work, lining up the tests on the floor. Nine in total. She’d rounded up every last test she had in the house and took them all. She jumped slightly as she heard his voice, trembling as she heard him approach. “Come in…” she said, biting her lip.

“Okay…um. This one…” She started, lifting one and the corresponding box as she knelt on the tile. “This one says two blue plus signs is positive, but this one says two pink lines and then this one actually says ‘pregnant’, but I don’t know if I have the right boxes and um. Yeah.”

He didn’t like the shakiness of her voice, not at all. He flung open the door, only to get even more confused by the sight of her on the floor, which took up most of his attention until he actually noticed the nine pregnancy tests in front of her. 

He knew what had happened before she even started speaking, but he listened anyway, half because he wasn’t really able to speak quite yet (his heart felt like it might be blocking his throat) and half because she didn’t seem like she wanted to be interrupted. But when he heard what Helen had to say, he couldn’t help his splitting grin. She was blushing and shaking and just….adorable. He knelt next to her on the floor and looked hard at each of the tests, switching two or three to the right boxes before he looked over at her, his grin widening with every second.

“Helen,” he breathed finally, “you…we…we’re gonna have a baby.” 

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

Her expression changed from one of happiness and hope as he spoke of wanting a little girl with her eyes, to one of confusion when he revealed his insecurities. “Baby…” she breathed, nuzzling his nose with her own. “You could never be a bad dad. You’re man enough for me.” she whispered, grinning.

Weeks passed and Helen resisted the urge to take a test every day. She did as Will suggested, relaxing and not overthinking it. But one day upon returning home from work, she just didn’t feel right. She’d been fatigued all day long and couldn’t keep anything down. “Must be that stomach flu going around.” she thought to herself, plopping down on the couch. But wait. She sat up quickly, counting the days in her head. Could it be? She ran to the bathroom, a huge grin on her face.

He came home a few minutes after Helen did, exhausted and ready for a nap. But when he opened the door and took a quick look around, it seemed like she wasn’t even there. That was until he saw the light coming from under the door to the bathroom and frowned, puzzled. “Babe?” he called out, approaching the door, brows knit together, “Helen, are you okay?” He wasn’t sure why he felt like something was happening, but he did. Probably just a stupid premonition, right? Right?

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

She giggled uncontrollably, rolling over and snuggling against him. “I just wanna make a baby.” she whined, grinning. “I want a little boy or girl with your curls. And my eyes. And your musical abilities.” she sighed.

He rested his chin on his arm and watched her speak, loving the look on her face as she drifted into that familiar daydream. “I know,” he agreed, rolling to face her and taking one of her hands. As his fingers intertwined with hers, he smiled, his mind wandering. “I do, too. Or…well, they have to have your eyes, there’s no contest,” he thought aloud, “but I want a little girl that’ll beg me to read to her and tell me I’m embarrassing her all the time,” he admitted, blushing slightly. “I don’t know why. I’ve always wanted a girl. I feel like I’d be a really bad dad to a little boy, you know? I’m not very manly. I wouldn’t be good for…teaching him how to throw a ball, or anything like that.”

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

“Shh…” she admonished gently, closing her eyes and massaging her temples, trying to relax yet concentrate all at the same time, thinking positive, conception-friendly thoughts. She was fertile ground, a willing vessel….

She snorted at herself, shaking her head. “I feel stupid.”

He had to bite back laughter at the look on her face. She looked…like she was physically in pain. There was no way that was making a baby come any faster. If anything it was gonna do the opposite. When she finally snorted at herself he burst out into laughter, burying his face in his arm.

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

She groaned, smiling weakly as she felt his release, holding him tightly to her until he moved away. “Quick, hand me that pillow.” she murmured, waving her hand. She chuckled at him confused expression, sliding the pillow underneath her lower back. “I, um….I read that if you elevate your hips after intercourse, it helps aid in conceiving…”

He did as she asked, though confused, watching as she lifted her hips. It made sense, in a weird sort of super-literal way. Because he was exhausted and not taking anything seriously anymore, he snorted, then chuckled, rolling onto his stomach and watching her concentrate. “I think,” he said after a moment, “we might be trying too hard.”

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

“Baby…let go.” she murmured, moving her hips more quickly as she felt her release rush through her, gradually building, causing her to moan his name, clenching around him and urging him to come apart as well.

All it took was the sound of her voice, coupled with her body clenching around his, and he was done for. His lips rested just below her ear as he stilled inside her, groaning loudly and breathlessly, shuddering, her name falling from his lips again and again. When he could function once more, he rolled off of her, afraid to suffocate her as his arms were too weak to hold him up. “Jesus christ,” he exhaled harshly, his eyes slipping shut as he fought to catch his breath.

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

She didn’t realize that her face was wrinkled slightly in concentration until she looked up and saw her expression mirrored on his face and she giggled quietly. She took his face in her hands, willing herself to relax as she kissed him slowly and deeply. “Mmm, love you.” she whispered, panting softly.

He wasn’t sure why she was giggling, but he didn’t really have the capacity to think about it right then and there. He’d ask her about it later- then the thought was gone from his mind as she kissed him and he kissed her back, his hips still moving against hers. “L’vyou too,” he murmured, knowing he was near the edge.

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

hollidayhelen:

She couldn’t help but laugh gently at his enthusiasm, but the sound was quickly swallowed by a moan once they were joined completely. She clung to him tightly, placing wet openmouthed kisses against his neck, breathing his name like a prayer as she held herself still, savoring the moment. If their efforts were successful, she knew languid moments like this would be few and far between.

He moaned at her scattered kisses and did exactly as she had wordlessly asked him, letting out a breath as he continued to move at the deliberate pace he’d set. He couldn’t help but concentrate, couldn’t help but wonder if this time would be the time that it worked or if they’d have to keep trying. She wanted his child and he was determined to give that to her- to them- whether or not he could actually the control the situation at all.