Fire Starter

Andrew was leaning back in his chair at his desk. He had on his glasses and was reading through the New York Times. It was a slow time of year. Christmas had passed which meant any fires due to electrical shortages were long past. New Year’s was behind them as well so fireworks related injuries were also long taken care of. It wouldn’t be until Valentine’s Day when they’d receive their next uptick in calls. He relished these slow moments to get caught up in what he needed to do, but also take a moment for himself as he did now, reading the paper.

Sean was quick to disturb that quiet atmosphere, as he stomped into his office. “Do you know the city is running a new marketing campaign?” he asked.

Andrew didn’t even glance up, instead turning to the next page of the paper. “The city is always running some sort of campaign. What’s your point?” he grunted.

“Well,” said Sean as he took a seat, pouting slightly, “I volunteered to be one of their poster boys and they said I look like an underwear model and they’d have to pass. They didn’t think people would respond well if they thought the city’s bravest and finest looked like it was in the hands of some boyish captain.”

Andrew couldn’t help but look up at that, looking at Sean, his eyes moving over the man, as if trying to figure out if that was an accurate assessment. “They do have a point. You do have these boyish good looks and don’t look at all like you’re forty.”

“Forty-one,” corrected Sean.

“Oh fuck. God, you’re forty-one? And you have two-year old twins?” asked Andrew. He put the paper down as he held his head in his hands. “Jesus Christ, how are you not exhausted all the time?” he asked. “I’m exhausted just thinking about that.”

“You’re thirty-five with a one year old,” Sean pointed out.

“Yeah, but when I’m forty, he’ll be six and feels like we’ll be past the crazy years of him being a toddler,” Andrew pointed out.

“Okay, none of that is the point,” said Sean. “The point is, they’re passing up on me and instead they’re going with Feinstein in 45. Feinstein. He looks like he can barely lift a small dog, let alone carry a human out from a burning building.”

“That’s not very progressive and open of you,” said Andrew. “Why do you even care?”

“You know,” Sean went on, ignoring Andrew, “I even suggested you–”

“No you fucking did not.”

“--And they said you wouldn’t work because you look like a slacker gym rat who spends way too much time at the beach,” said Sean. “Do they not know this is New York City and it’s very progressive?”

“Apparently not,” said Andrew. “It’s all about optics, anyway. They need someone who appeals to as broad an audience as possible. You and I are only going to appeal to only a certain percentage of the city.”

“What would you have done if they had wanted to use you?” asked Sean.

“I would’ve said absolutely fucking not. I don’t need my face plastered all over billboards and shit. They’ll definitely have something in Times Square. Those are what my nightmares are made of,” said Andrew, shuddering.

“Funny, my nightmares are made of my family ending up dead,” Sean monotoned.

“Shut up,” said Andrew as he tossed a crumpled up piece of paper at him. “You know what I fucking mean.”

“You know what, it’s fine. There’s still the firefighters of New York City calendar they do every year and I will trick you into being featured one day,” said Sean. “Just you wait and see.”

Ava smiled widely at his compliment, four years into having Andrew in her life and still feeling bashful when he complimented her. “That’s because you loooove me.” She provoked, that smile turning into a smirk as he continued. “Well, good. Because I do love it when you suck on them and they’re going to need some special attention when I’m breastfeeding, some tender love and care.” She pouted teasingly, but she knew it would be true. Vivian had talked to her about that already, about some of the difficulties with breastfeeding, and how her intimacy with Wes helped even in those cases, whenever she had any sort of soreness, pain or even more serious issues like milk clogs. Having that intimate moment with care and tenderness with the love of her life had helped her not feel so desperate and lost in those situations.

That groan of his washed those thoughts away from her brain and all Ava could think of now was making Andrew groan like that again, maybe even a little louder soon enough. She continued to massage his balls, feeling the way his underwear was getting tighter and tighter and smirking against his skin, choosing a spot on his neck to latch her lips onto and suck on it, another mark left behind. “Oh?” Ava blinked, leaning back only a bit to look at him but just in time to feel his hand on her breast. Looking down at it, she could see it, her breasts were indeed a bit bigger just by the way Andrew’s hand felt fuller now. And her whole body shook instantly as he squeezed her, making her let out a soft, slow moan. “Yeah, that feel familiar.” She teased, eyes flickering shut for a moment when she felt his touch on her nipple, even if softly.

“Hm, I do love it.” She nodded, looking up at him again, letting her hand move to wrap around his cock, slowly pumping him now as her back arched into his touch on her nipple. She truly was more sensitive than usual, he had barely touched her and her nipple was hard under his fingertips, sending a shiver down her spine and making her clit throb. “It feels amazing.” Ava sighed, that tug making her quiver and smirk up at him, reaching her free hand to hold onto his neck. “I vaguely remember something about you pinching them too.” She provoked, looking into his eyes. “And kissing me, I remember there was a lot of kissing and me moaning just how much I love you into your lips.”

A grunt left Andrew as her hand was back around his cock, slowly moving up and down now. He could feel the way his blood flowed quickly, making him throb in her grasp. Andrew pinched her nipple gently. “Like that?” he whispered back to her. He pinched her again, this time a little bit harder, squeezing her breast in the process, feeling just how hard her nipple was already. They had barely begun the night and yet they were both in such a heightened state of arousal. It was insane that Ava had even thought for a moment that he might not be attracted to her, because even pregnant she still had that magic touch. She knew exactly how to get him hard, just as she always had.

His lips finally met hers. “Lots of kissing you,” he murmured, his mouth opening slightly so that his tongue could find hers, and wrap around each other, needing to taste her. Every time they kissed, it was like that first time, except now instead of just being drunk, they were drunk in love. It was better than that first time, really. There was so much more in their kisses, in their love making. There was enough to make a baby, and this time their baby would grow and be born, he would have a name. They weren’t meant to have that first baby, because they hadn’t been in love, but now? Now, they were ready.

“Fuck this,” said Andrew as he pulled away from her, but only so he could take off his underwear, feeling tired of the tightness that it created. He felt a huge sigh of relief as he finally freed himself of that last piece of fabric, his erection on full display. He also took this moment to pull Ava’s underwear off her, so this way they would have no more impediments in their way, they could simply be, able to love each other as much as they wanted. And as soon as he had removed her panties, he was back on top of her, kissing her, his hand on her breast again, his erection pressing against her. “Much better,” he murmured into her lips.

As he kissed her, he hooked one of her legs behind him, feeling the way her stomach pressed against his abs. Sex, admittedly, was almost like a new experience every time they did it. Her stomach felt bigger with each passing day, and they had to figure out how to make it comfortable, but they made it work. Nothing, not even their baby, could prevent them from being able to properly making love to one another. It was something they needed, sex. They could hardly go a day without it.

“Silk pajamas are a pretty great idea, babe.” She looked at him with a smile on her lips, like he’d just solved all her problems. “I think silk sheets are way too expensive and we don’t know how long this sensitivity will last, but the pajamas might be good, get a nice gown maybe, something comfortable but also sexy.” Ava smirked. If she could fix one problem and also look nice for her husband at once, why not, right? She’d definitely have to talk to the girls, especially Vivian. Ava simply didn’t know how to exist in the world as a woman with big boobs, with boobs in general really, she’d always been someone that could easily go braless forever but she knew that would change, at least while she was breastfeeding. “I’m not sure, I know some go back to having small boobs but I don’t think they come back to the exact state they were before. I’ll ask my mom, maybe some genetic component might tell me if I’m to be a big boobed woman in the future.” She chuckled.

Her lips curled in a smile as Andrew was quick to affirm he did still love her butt. “I love you too, babe.” Ava gently kissed his chin. “And I love your butt too.” She did, she loved every bit of him, always had and always will. And she’d love him more as time passed, she knew she would because that was what had happened since she moment she felt for him, her love only grew, bigger and stronger. She listened to him with the most loving smile on her lips. Andrew was right, they had grown, they had allowed themselves to love again, to be loved. And they had indeed accepted a little life into theirs, that very little life growing inside her. She looked into his eyes, her heart racing when she thought about the fact that in a few months she’d see that shade of blue on their son. “I’m so glad you put out the fire on my curtains four years ago.” She whispered, feeling her heart pounding in her chest like she was telling him a huge secret. “That we found each other, that we gave ourselves a chance on happiness, together. And that we’re doing this, parenthood, this little boy.” She grinned, stealing a lingering kiss from his lips. It would always be the two of them, only now it would be the two of them, together, facing whatever they had to face to raise their son with love.

“It is our thing.” She nodded, kissing the corners of his lips, grazing her teeth on his chin. “Oh, I remember our first time like it was last night.” Ava genuinely did and she didn’t quite know how, since they were indeed pretty drunk. But she did, every detail, every sensation. For a moment it crossed her mind that they had also made a baby that night. But a baby that, in her own beliefs, had been a prelude, a foreshadowing of what the universe had in store of them, of how powerful their union was. And back then Ava had already felt that if she was to ever have a baby, maybe Andrew’s baby wouldn’t be so terrifying. And now there they were, in each other’s arms, their son growing in her womb, against all odds. Happy, in love, and pregnant. “We are so going to traumatize him.” She laughed. She could not wait for that either, to just tease their boy with how much they loved each other and kissed and just spend so much time together. “He’s going to be so annoyed.” She giggled, way too excited about that idea but allowing herself to feel that way. 

Andrew’s groan had her walls clamping lightly like her body knew what that meant. And maybe it knew now more than it did before, the very consequence of hers and Andrew’s lust and love mixed together growing inside her. She kept on massaging him the way she knew he liked, watching the way he kept his eyes closed, the smallest of his reactions always arousing her beyond belief. “Oh, did I?” She smirked, giving him a soft squeeze and reaching down a bit to cup his balls now, massaging them carefully but firmly. “Was that the magic touch maybe?” She teased, burying her face in his neck to kiss him slowly, teeth grazing on his skin as she nibbled here and there, leaving tiny marks behind. “What else did I do?” She whispered in his ear, pulling his earlobe between her teeth gently.

“You’re right. If you have silk pajamas, we won’t need the silk sheets,” agreed Andrew as she pointed out that the sensitivity may not be permanent. “Believe me, you could make anything look sexy.” He meant it, too. Andrew had already seen Ava in all sorts of states. No make-up, first thing in the morning, flustered and tired at the end of a long day and no matter what, she always looked amazing. He didn’t know how she managed to pull it off, but she did. “Besides, I promise, no matter what happens to your body, I’ll always want to suck those boobs off,” he told her. “I don’t think there’s any size where I wouldn’t want to,” he admitted.

It was indeed their thing. Andrew was surprised it wasn’t every couple’s thing, really. It felt like there was no better time to have those intimate moment other than sex, but for Andrew and Ava, sex had always been different, almost more special, something more than just physical. He nodded at her words. He remembered their first time, too, even as drunk as he was. It had been messy, it had been a little sloppy, but it had still been amazing. It had opened the possibility for them to end up where they were right now. In fact, it was also the time they had also gotten pregnant. Despite the timing not working out then, it had still brought them together. They had gone through that incident together and Andrew knew that everything they had gone through since then, had been together and it all served its purpose, even that first baby they lost.

Andrew could no longer focus on any of that, though. Instead, he could only focus on the way his wife lovingly caressed and massaged his balls. He let out a long groan at the simple motion. However, being they were so sensitive, it meant with the right touch, they felt so good. “It might have been,” he murmured to her. She was moving her lips across his body now, able to feel the way she nipped and kissed him. It was still insane to him that Ava was worried about him being attracted to her, even while pregnant, because despite the bump, she still had all the right moves. She knew exactly how to touch him, as was obvious from the way he continued to grow.

“They’re definitely more sensitive, I feel like every fabric is making my nipples itchy and every little thing you do makes them hard in like, two seconds.” Ava reasoned, a tiny smirk curling the corners of her lips. “Which is not me complaining at all.” She added, teasingly pinching his forearm. Ava knew she wouldn’t get as big as Viv, but for someone who had small breasts her whole life, she didn’t even know how to have big boobs, the right bras to wear, how to exist with bigger breasts. She’d have to ask Vivian for advice and where to buy bigger and more supportive bras, since hers were starting not to fit her anymore. “You think I’ll be one of those moms that ends up having bigger boobs forever? Like, my boobs won’t go back to being small as they were before breastfeeding?” She asked him, an eyebrow quirked, because who in the world knew her body better than herself? Only Andrew, who could probably even pinpoint every single freckle she had with his eyes closed.

Ava listened to him, at first with a soft frown. Was he saying he wasn’t physically attracted to her anymore, just attracted to her personality? Which was a nice sentiment she deeply shared and understood, loving him so much that the things that attracted her about Andrew changed as time passed and her love for him was what truly made her want him more and more every day. As Andrew went on, her lips curled in a goofy, loving smile, and she scooted even closer in his embrace, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Andrew Hunt, are you saying that what makes you want to fuck me so bad every day is not my nice butt anymore, but my personality?” She provoked, kissing his neck gently, playfully nibbling on his earlobe. “We’ve changed, babe, damn.” She teased, leaning back a bit just so she could look into those blue eyes. “You’ll always be my DILF, no matter what changes about yours and mine appearances. I’ll always be dying to make love to you at the end of the day. And I do think the pregnancy is making me much stronger, so who knows how that could actually improve our sex life as time goes.” She grinned, kissing the corners of his lips softly, squeezing him in her arms when he wrapped his arm around her as well.

“You know what we could do?” She smirked back at him, letting her hand trail down his back and cupping his ass, squeezing it gently. “We could make love all we want and then we can talk all the baby names with you still inside me, just like we did when we shared our wedding vows.” That was almost three years ago, she could barely believe it. Three years of being married to the most amazing man in the entire planet, galaxy even, she’d dare. Waking up to that smile and those blue eyes, building a life and a home, going on adventures. “It was special.” She smiled widely. Maybe they didn’t know exactly the round that had made the baby, but they would never forget the night, the sheer happiness in their hearts while they celebrated Valentine’s Day and their new dream home, the love they had for each other, the euphoria of each round, each time they brought each other to their peak pleasure. “I always hear about those couples that know the exact moment, exact time, and just… We have so much sex, what if we forgot?” She chuckled, moving her hand so it gently sneaked inside his boxers, cupping his butt again and just holding on to him. “But I don’t think we’ll forget, it was too special of a night for us to forget. And we’ll tell him about it when he grows up just to embarrass him.” Ava laughed deviously, nibbling on his stubbled chin. “Would you kindly remind me what was it that you did that got me so pregnant, Mr. Hunt?” Ava provoked, trailing her fingertips inside his boxers up his hip bones and moving between their bodies so she could cup his cock now, gently beginning to massage him.

Andrew couldn’t help the snort at her brutal honesty. “We could always try different fabrics, you know. I hear people with fabric sensitivity recommend silk. Maybe get some silk bras or silk pajamas to start off with,” he said. “We could get silk sheets, for the nights we’re naked. Not replace your whole wardrobe or anything, but a few pieces here and there just so that while you’re extra sensitive during this pregnancy, it’ll make things a little easier on you. I also hear nipple cream can help with that. I could help massage it into you. Maybe Vivian has a few recommendations. Or Callie. Or Jenna. Or Rhi.” Andrew considered her next question, looking her up and down as if trying to assess. “No idea,” he answered after a moment or two. “I mean, don’t most women keep those breasts? Or do you suppose because you work out and exercise regularly, they’ll go down?”

Andrew looked at Ava as she moved even closer to him, her arm around his waist. “You know that I love your toned butt,” he said quickly, as if to correct any misconception. “But in a way, yeah, I am saying that. What I’m saying is that your looks are just an added perk, and that no matter what you look like, I’ll always want to fuck you because I love you.” Andrew shrugged. “I think it’s less that we’ve changed, and more that we’ve grown as people. We’re more mature, we’ve let ourselves love again despite our past, we’ve let ourselves invite another little life to be part of our lives. We’re just making more room in our lives for more people, and I think that’s just growth on our part. We had to go through everything we’ve been through together in order to get to where we are now. We were always capable of it, we just had to find the right person—each other—and let ourselves be open to evolving.”  He smiled at her. She was right, they would always be desperate to make love to each other no matter what. They’d definitely be the old couple that would break a hip in bed from going at it too hard because they couldn’t help themselves.

“What’s that, babe?” he asked, as he looked down at her in his arm, feeling the way her hand was on his firm ass, holding onto it. “That does seem to be how we get around to telling each other what is most important, don’t we?” he said. It seemed to be when they were always most vulnerable with each other was when they were naked and having sex. It made sense, sex was about being physical vulnerable and intimate with someone, why not also be emotionally vulnerable with that same person? It worked for them.

Andrew hummed gently as she agreed it was special. He closed his eyes for a moment, so he could listen to her. “We won’t. We won’t forget any of those times we did it. Not the first time when we were drunk, not our wedding night when we had our vows, not the time we made our baby,” he said. “Sure, the quickie we’ve had in the showers at the firehouse or anywhere else? We might eventually forget those. But the ones that matter? Impossible.” He chuckled as she mentioned telling their son. “Fuck, we’re going to traumatize him with how in love we are, aren’t we? He’s going to be so sick of us kissing and making out and telling him about the night he was conceived.”

Ava truly couldn’t be more thankful that Andrew was the one she was doing all of it with, doing life with. This house wouldn’t be the same without him, the dogs, that baby in her belly wouldn’t even have existed. She watched quietly from the stairs as he went to feed the pets and smiled. She had lucked out in ways she didn’t understand still, from a curtain on fire came a lifetime of love, respect, admiration and growing together, the biggest love she could ever have imagined and now legacy, a whole person growing inside her and made with that very love, made by the two people in the world that were so damn sure they would never live a love like that. 

She went upstairs and finished undressing, keeping her laced panties only and falling on the bed once her clothes were in the laundry basket. Her nipples were itchy as hell and she was so damn glad to be home and actually be able to get rid of that bra and itch away, the small freedoms of not being surrounded by people always being her favorite. She laid on her back, enjoying it while she still could and the bump didn’t hurt her, and stared at it, that mound forming right in the center of her body. It was way too insane, to know there was a person in there. Hers and Andrew’s little person. “You freak mom and dad out, you know?” She whispered, placing her hands on the bump. “But in a good way. We were also terrified of love and now we can’t live without each other. You’ll see. We’ll love you so much you’ll be tired of us by the time you’re one.” She grinned.

She’d heard the door opening and smiled when she saw Andrew, already getting rid of his own clothes. Of course she’d made a baby with that man, right on that very bed, how could she not? “Hi.” Ava smirked lightly, reaching out to run her fingertips through his chiseled jaw when he laid next to her. In many ways, Andrew was still that guy living across the hall from her, that firefighter with crazy work hours, a huge appetite, a preference for dogs over people and the most beautiful eyes - and body - she had ever seen. Only now he had those scars that made him look even more manly, the eyes of someone that had learned what true love was, the many dogs he had always wanted, and she didn’t have to cross the hall to kiss him anymore, just turn to the other side of their custom made bed. “You think?” She grinned at his words, having noticed her breasts starting to change but not much, and she was sure she was just imagining things.

Ava chuckled when he called himself her DILF, which he very much was, and she took his hand to put it right on the belly. “You still truly find me attractive, babe?” Ava looked at him. “With this huge bump in the way, my body getting bigger. You do think I’m your MILF?” She’d always been so lean, so small next to him, and Andrew had always been so attracted to her, sometimes she had a hard time believing he enjoyed all those changes her body was going through. “I’m torn between wanting to choose baby names now but also really wanting you to suck on my boobs and fuck me.” She admitted with a teasing pout, scooting a little closer to him and leaning against his chest, pressing her boob against his skin and the bump too. “Babe.” Ava whispered, her lips against his jaw. “You think we’ll ever forget the night we made the baby?” Her pregnancy brain was running a mile a minute, she knew, but she couldn’t stop it.

“I do think,” said Andrew with a nod. “I’m not saying you’re going to be as big as Viv, but you’ve definitely gone up. I would know. You spend too much time with your own body. You wouldn’t notice subtle changes happening slowly.” And it wasn’t as if Andrew didn’t already see her naked daily, but it was different when the body wasn’t your own. There were subtleties he noticed. She had also put on weight, not just from the baby, but some of her had filled out more, though it was always a good thing. From what the doctor told them and everything he’d read in baby books, the mother was meant to gain weight. It made for a healthy pregnancy, that she was eating sufficiently and that her body was doing what it was meant to in order to make sure their boy was healthy.

Andrew’s forehead wrinkled, almost confused at her questioning. He worried now that he might have said or done something to prompt the query. He reached out a hand to her face. “Of course I still find you attractive,” he told her in a voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t think there’s anything you could do to be unattractive.” The thing about being married, Andrew realized, is that attraction became less about the physical appearance and more about the person. It was nearly four years since they had met and almost three since they had been married. Three years might not seem like a long time to most, but it was enough for Andrew. “I think you’re hot because you’re my wife, not because you’re thin and flexible or blonde haired and blue eyed. You’re definitely my MILF. I’ll find you attractive no matter what. I’m finding the more I’m married to you, the more I don’t care about any of that. I care about the fact that you’re this beautiful soul, who finds beauty in the small things in life. I care about the fact that you love dogs and sharks just as much as I do. I care about the fact that you keep me healthy, that you keep our baby healthy. Those are the things that make you beautiful to me. I grant you, we started off based on physical attraction and lust, but now? Now, I just love everything else about you, and whether you gain a hundred pounds because of this pregnancy or get stretch marks, it doesn’t matter. You’ll still be all the things that I love about you.”

“Babe, I know! How in the world did that damn magic sperm, that one tiny little thing swim through the tiniest of cracks of a misplaces IUD and found my egg?” Ava still couldn’t believe that. She could not believe she was in the 1% of the statistics, that their baby boy would be born with a contraceptive device stuck to the placenta. Of all couples in the world, especially those trying so hard to have a child, Hunts ended up with a miracle, one in a million kind of baby. “And how mine of all bodies, a body that has been through so much, a recovered addict’s body, is now growing this huge healthy baby boy with these long legs and probably some blonde hair already growing it there?” It was all so, so damn surreal. If she wasn’t the one actually growing that baby, she wouldn’t believe it.

Andrew touched her bump and she immediately felt calmer, like when he touched her she knew it was all true, real, it was happening and they would be okay. Ava never liked being touched by strangers and pregnancies felt like magnets for inconvenient people to think they had the right to touch you, which was the only reason why she still tried to keep the bump concealed a bit with her flowiest of dresses. But Andrew’s touch had always been her medicine. And he touched the bump, she could swear the baby felt it too. She held onto his wrist gently, smiling up at him. “It’s because we made him with so, so much love.” She grinned. That had definitely been a baby made out of love. They had been celebrating their new home, a dream come true, a new phase of their life. Celebrating Valentine’s Day too, just taking time from all the unpacking to be together in their favorite way. 

“We did, we made a person.” She nodded, gently pinching his forearm, stopping with him to wait for the cab to park. “I hope so, I hope nothing happens to him. Even if birth is difficult, which I know will be because it always is, that nothing happens to him. Now that we know he might be a larger baby, I’m going to review the birth plan, redo my yoga routine too for more hip opening movements.” Ava was going to continue with her new planning until she heard Andrew’s answer and she smirked up at him, stopping before she entered the cab. “Well, good.” She whispered back to him. “Because I’d very much like to be fucked by my very own DILF too.” She planted a kiss on his chin and then entered the cab with him, making herself comfortable.

Soon enough they were home and Ava was washed over by a huge relief just seeing that familiar door, their beautiful firehouse turned residence. They’d raise their son there, have more and more pets as time passed, have friends and family over and live even happier times in there. They walked in and the pups and T came to greet them, tails wiggling, cries of excitement, but no jumping. Animals truly were blessings, she knew this now even more. Andy had gotten a lot more protective of her and Vi, it was as if she knew more than the others, and she understood what Ava was going through so sometimes she’d just lay next to Ava and rest her head against the belly, one hand on Ava’s leg as if telling her it would all be okay. 

“Hi, hi, you’re all having a baby brother.” She smiled after Andrew’s announcement, leaning down to scratch their necks and give them kisses, and even give T gentle pats on her butt like she loved, her tail trembling and her meows low and welcoming. “You’ll take good care of him, won’t you?” She cooed at them, letting Oli and Larry lick her hands. “Mom and dad are going to go have some mom and dad time, okay? We’ll go play outside later, I promise.” Ava whispered to them, kissing their nuzzles before she pulled back and hung her purse on the hanger by the door, kicking off her sandals. “God I need to get naked right now, my nipples are so sensitive, this bra is killing me.” Ava groaned, already pulling the dress up her head and making her way to the stairs. 

Andrew smiled as he watched Ava give the pets a quick pet, all of them seemingly excited by the news. “You go and get undressed, I’m going to give them some food, so they’ll have that to keep them busy. Maybe nap afterwards.” He gave Ava a quick peck as she was already moving up the stairs and Andrew looked back at the animals who had stayed with him, seemingly understanding that the couple needed their alone time. Or possibly just hearing the word food and knowing they were being fed.

Andrew was quick to fill each of their bowls with their respective foods. Each dog had a designated bowl and area to eat in. It had taken some time to get their routine down, but it meant each dog knew which bowl to go to as well as leave the others alone while eating. T got her own food on her cat tree. After taking her in, they were quick to discover the dogs all loved cat food, possibly more than their own food, and had to feed T high up on her cat trees that she could get to, but the dogs could not. However, several minutes later, each animal was deep in their own bowl and Andrew was heading upstairs to find his wife.

As he climbed up the stairs, he was already taking off his shirt. New York, just like the rest of the world, it seemed, was getting unusually hot summers. Thankfully, though, they had managed to get their house ahead of the summer. No worrying about other units using too much electricity by running air conditioner units to then fry the building’s whole system.

“Hey, babe,” he said as he reached their bedroom, tossing his shirt into the hamper and then working on taking off his shoes, socks and pants. He put them all to one side, as he got into bed with Ava, examining her. Andrew was still in awe that he had gotten so lucky with her. He still remembered those few years ago and the rocky start they had gotten. He still couldn’t believe that she was still around and that they were married after all that time. Andrew truly felt like the luckiest man alive. And not only were they married, but she had that unmistakable bump, that bump that held their child, their son.

Ava looked at what Andrew was pointing and laughed. He was right, there was an unmistakable little penis there, they were having a boy alright. “God, we’re having a boy.” Ava’s eyed widened for a moment as she stared at the ultrasound, walking slowly next to Andrew. “We’re having a child, babe. An actual human baby is growing inside of me and is going to come out of my vagina and grow as tall as you one day.” She was both marveled and terrified at the same time, waving the picture for him to see like he hadn’t seen it before. “We made a baby. Do you think about that? That we created human life. Us. Andrew and Ava Hunt, the one couple in the world that was fully ok with not having children, we made a miracle baby.” Ava sometimes still couldn’t believe it, no matter how big she was getting, how different she felt, how things were changing. “How on Earth did we go from ‘wanna make out’ to teary eyed because we’re finding out we’re having a baby boy?” She shook her head, incredulous.

Life had thrown so many surprises her way since the day she met Andrew. It was impossible to list even, to count. Every single day with him in her life she learned something new, about the world, about him and about herself. Including, as it seemed, that she was major fucking excited to have a baby, to be a mom and to watch Andrew Hunt become a father too and made everyone baffled at how amazing of a father he would be. There he was, looking at his own arm, imagining their baby. And she knew he was right, the baby would fit right there, not only because Andrew’s arm was huge but because he would be tiny and blonde and cute. Her eyes filled with tears again. “I cannot wait to see you holding him.” She admitted with an embarrassed chuckle. “I feel so ridiculous, but I’m so excited, so fucking happy. I just want him to come out already so we can see how he is, hold him and know we made that person, it’s our little person that we made together with so, so much love. This impossible love we never thought we’d have and we’re here, four years later almost.” She sighed, shocked at how things had changed for them, how far they had come together, as a family, as the unit they were from the first time they kissed. 

“Not gonna lie, I kinda hope he’s a bit smaller.” Ava admitted with a chuckle. “For the sake of my body and birth. But he could be an average sized baby and then grow super tall in his teenage years, like you.” She pointed out. Andrew always loved reminding her he had once been a scrawny kid, maybe their boy would go through the same changes. “I definitely don’t think he’ll be as small as me, and he does have tall genes from both sides, my dad and my uncles were all as tall as you.” She added as they exited the building and she looked around. A nice walk could be good. At the same time… “Cab. I want to be home soon, just you and me, preferably naked.” She said like she made the most important decision of that day. His compliment caught her by surprise, if only because they were still in that baby haze and Ava smirked, leaning a little closer to him, palming her free hand on his chest.

“Can I be considered a milf already before my baby is even born?” She provoked, smiling teasingly at him and wrapping her arms around his waist. She would never not be amused and even more in love with much taller than her Andrew was. The bump was already getting in the way of their tighter hugs but she could still hold him a bit, facing him like that, and she would take any chance she could get. “I love you, you know that?” Ava whispered, gently pinching his back, eyes on his. She did love him, she loved him with a love there was out of this world, and she was even more sure of that now because only a love that big could create a miracle baby like their boy. “I wouldn’t do any of this with anyone else. It had to be you, killjoy.” She teased. “It had to be you, and only you.”

“Yeah, in just a few more months we’re going to have a crying and screaming little boy of our own.” It was actually endearing the way Ava couldn’t get over it. Andrew couldn’t either, really. It hit him at different times, in waves almost. “I think about the way that life is created out of these microscopic cells we can’t even see. The way my sperm somehow found your egg and how your body is building that baby for us.” He looked down at her bump, putting a hand on her, feeling the perfectly round belly. Ava being so thin, meant it was more prominent, protruding perfectly in a way that fake bellies did in movies. It made her glow, though. He couldn’t get enough of her side profile, knowing that she was slowly making their son. “To think that you’re able to make this baby out of literally nothing, something that starts out even smaller than a grain of sand is now as big as a piece of fruit and will be even bigger by the time he's born.”

Andrew chuckled. He still felt somewhat embarrassed by that moment, the drunken forwardness of it. The way he had spent months pretending like he wasn’t attracted to her and that he wouldn’t make a move until it all changed in a single night. Now, all of a sudden, they were looking at the prospect of being parents. It was so different from the two people who had gone into this relationship, their marriage even, agreeing they wouldn’t have kids. “That’s the least ridiculous thing you’ve ever said,” he told her. “It’s good that you’re happy. It’s good that I’m happy. We’re going to be fucking parents. We’re really going to do this.” He shook his head as he rubbed his temples. “We really made another human being.”

He was already stopping at a corner to hail a cab. “Well, I know that with all the yoga you do, your body will handle it,” he said confidently. “I know that, too, because I’ve seen what your body can do and what it can handle and I know that your body will do everything it can to adjust to being able to give birth to our son.” He gave her a quick kiss on the head, smiling at her words that she simply wanted to be naked with him. “We’ll get naked,” he promised. “You’re definitely already a MILF. You’re my MILF, and I definitely, definitely want to fuck you,” he whispered the last pair of words to her, like a secret that was only for the two of them.

“I wouldn’t do this with anyone else but you either,” he said. He was pretty sure that only Ava would be able to be the mother of his child. He doubted this would have worked had he ever gotten any other woman pregnant. He wouldn’t have been able to handle it. However, with Ava, he knew they could handle anything.

The cab pulled up in front of the pair, Andrew opening the door and allowing Ava to get in first before he followed her. He gave the driver their address. Everywhere they went, people made pleasant conversation about when Ava was due, especially now that she was very obviously pregnant. The driver was no exception as he asked and if it was their first, volunteering the fact that he had three of his own children. It was a short ride, so it was all that they learned, but Andrew paid and tipped him handsomely as they got out of the cab and were in front of their home, the house they would live in for years and years, their boy growing up there. “Home,” he announced as he hurried to the front door to unlock it, allowing Ava to enter first and then following her in, the dogs already running to greet them. Ever since Ava had gotten pregnant, it was like they knew and were much more careful with her, like they were conscious it was no longer just her, but someone else with her as well. It meant they didn’t jump up quite as often and they were much more tender with her.

“We’ll find him the best name.” Ava said with a certainty that filled her heart and startled all at once. She looked into Andrew’s eyes when he touched her cheek, those bright, shining blue eyes that she knew their son would have too. Would he look more like Andrew or more like her? Would he look like the perfect mix of both? She couldn’t wait to find out. That was what was incredible to her, how eager and excited they both seemed to be to get to know their baby, their son. Two people that considered having a children an absurd option for most of their lives now were both teary eyed learning they would have a son of their own. “Oh, it has to be an name with an A, no question there. We’re AHs, it’s how it goes.” Ava grinned, already imagining the cute monogrammed things their moms would find for their grandson. 

She sighed almost sadly when he let go of her to go call the doctor, even if she knew it would just be a moment of his absence in her arms. That pregnancy had made her all the more attached to Andrew and Ava didn’t mind that at all, even though working had become difficult for them, being apart and having different hours. She just wanted him to be with her for every little thing that changed in her body as their son grew in her womb, to share everything she could. Part because she had always thought that was the role of a father, to be just as present and responsible for the child as the mother, it was how she had been raised while her father had been alive. But also because she was afraid she’d do something wrong if Andrew wasn’t there, that she couldn’t do it without him.

“We’re having a son”. She repeated when Andrew came back to her, his hand on her stomach making her feel calm, protected, and she could swear the baby felt the same too. Ava looked at him, eyebrows perking up when Andrew said he wanted to keep that information between them. She was thinking the exact same thing. It wasn’t that they wanted a huge gender reveal event, she just wanted to enjoy that fact for a while, just her and Andrew, the love of her life, her soulmate, the father’s baby. “I think that’s perfect.” She smiled as she nodded. “This is ours, it’s our thing, our son. We deserve some time to have it be just ours, to just… Love each other and this boy we made together.” Her smile grew wider and she arched an eyebrow. “You think they can tell the gender just by the scent?” She didn’t really doubt, animals were incredible and all of them had gotten a lot more attached to her as well since she got pregnant, even T liked to lay next to her and rest her head on the belly. 

The doctor was coming in right then, a printed picture on her hand and a smile on her face. “There he is, your little man.” She handed the picture to Ava, which she took with a wide grin on her lips, looking at it, their boy! “Everything is going fine, ok? I want to see you only a month from now, maybe even forty five days.” The doctor let her know, turning off the ultrasound machine and leaning against her desk. “But of course, if you feel anything different, or if you have any question, just give me a call any time.” She reassured Ava and she nodded, carefully sliding from the slab and putting her shirt down to cover her stomach again.

“Thank you so much, doc.” Ava grinned, grabbing her purse on a hanger by the bed and hanging it on her shoulder, taking Andrew’s hand with her free one. “We’ll be back before you know it, thank you.” She waved her goodbye, shaking the picture in her hand and leading Andrew out of the room. “Look at him.” She showed him the picture. “He does have long legs, don’t you think? I don’t know much about babies but he seems like a big one.”

Andrew had a feeling Ava would be on board with the idea to simply allow themselves to sit on the information that they were having a son for a little bit. He and Ava had always enjoyed their bubble and this was no different. Of course, they’d be excited to share the news with their friends and family, but just a few hours to themselves was exactly what it felt like they deserved.

The doctor was quick to come back. She had the picture of their son (it was truly such a relief to not have to refer to him as an it anymore). “Thanks so much,” he nodded to the doctor. It was a relief to also be reassured that everything was going as it should be. Ava was healthy as was their baby boy. Despite any of Ava’s past health issues, included the miscarriage she had those couple of years ago, it seemed that her healthy lifestyle was all that was needed to make sure everything was running smoothly.

Andrew went ahead and walked out of the doctor’s office beside his wife, holding onto her hand as they made their way out. “He does have very long legs,” agreed Andrew as he looked at the ultrasound photo. “Which actually almost makes it easier to see it,” he said as he pointed at the tiny dot that proved their son was a boy. “No confusing that with any other body parts.”

He looked at the photo again. It was hard to stop looking at the picture, especially now having a clearer view and exactly who was in her stomach. “You know, I think he does look big, but I feel one he is born, he is going to feel so damn small,” said Andrew. He held up his arm as if trying to picture holding his son now. “You know, even Danny, who’s been the biggest baby so far of the ones we know, really only was the length of my hand to my elbow.” He looked at it. “You think he’ll be bigger or smaller than Danny by the time he’s born?” he asked Ava.

As they exited the building, “You want to walk or take a cab?” he asked Ava. It was feasible to walk, however given that Ava was steadily getting bigger and experience joint pains and other uncomfortable feelings, he knew it might be preferable for her to simply take the cab to their apartment. At this point, anything to make her life easier is the option they would take, after all, she was giving up her body to have this baby. Andrew knew that, despite what they had talked about, despite what they had said, if Ava had decided she didn’t want to have that baby, he would have also supported her decision. So, to have her be willing to put her body through everything it was going through just to have that miracle, Andrew would move heaven and earth for that woman. He truly couldn’t be more in love with his wife.

Ava listened to Andrew, knowing more and more by the minute that she would never be able to do this without him. It had to be him, she could only have his child. The universe wanted it and there they were, about to bring a boy of their own into the world and Andrew was right; that boy would know people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all colors, faiths, political views. And they’d raise him to be respectful, hard-working, gentle and strong. Ava nodded at his words, knowing her hormones were getting the best of her, but how could they not? Another thing that made her sure Andrew was the only one she could be doing this with, he was also a person that had never dreamed of children but now had to step into the mindset of a future parent, of someone that understood the responsibility of having a child even before he had one officially.

She could see it in his eyes, that shine of tears he wouldn’t allow to fall but it was there. They were having a son. She knew their emotions would be the same if they had found out it would be a girl, it was just the sheer peace of knowing, and how much more real it became now. “All the shark things, oh God.” She laughed through her tears, already picturing that blonde little boy with shark costumes, shark plush toys and everything shark they could find. “I love that we can just call him a he now, find him a name that we actually like. And his middle name will be Andrew.” Her lips curled in a wide, proud grin like she’d just gotten exactly what she wanted, and in many ways she had.

“Yes, yes.” She nodded, avidly. They had to tell their moms, their friends, his siblings. Everyone would be excited, she knew. Jenna would be thrilled that the boys would have another guy friend in their lives, that she was also going to have a boy and they could exchange even more experiences of motherhood. Vivian too, she’d love it, and Callie would be happy to be the only one having a girl, special as always. “Can we- Can we just first go home and be just us for a while?” Ava said, though, tightening her embrace around Andrew’s waist. Suddenly she felt the urgency to be alone with him, just him, just the two of them. Because in the end, it would always be just the two of them, raising that baby, going through the rough moments of parenthood. “Just the two of us, and our boy.” She smiled at him, gently pinching his sides.

His question had her laughing. “Well, we’re used to it already, it seems to be our destiny to be the only girls.” She grinned, pressing her cheek against his chest. “A son, babe. A son. I can’t believe it.” Ava whispered, closing her eyes, trying to picture that boy.

Andrew let out a watery chuckle at her insistence that his middle name be Andrew. Of course, they had already decided that, it was nothing new, and Ava made damn well sure that he wasn’t about to forget it. “We have to give him a good first name, though. We can’t both be called Andrew. That’d just be confusing,” he teased. He tenderly reached out a hand to rub her cheek for a moment, he was still in shock. They were really having a boy. It was definitive. Part of him, even wanted to keep that information to themselves for a bit. Not long, of course, but maybe they could wait until tomorrow to deliver the news to everyone else. Allow themselves to enjoy this, just the two of them for at least twenty-four hours.

“You know, this makes me think that we should find a good A name for him,” said Andrew thoughtfully. “You’ve always been AH—Ava Hunt and even your maiden name is Hawthorne. I’ve always been Aldous Hunt or Andrew Hunt—AH again. Maybe we could keep the tradition going and find him a good, strong name that also starts with A,” he suggested.

Andrew then nodded at her request that they just go home. “Of course,” he said. “I’ll go get the doctor.” He let smiled at her as she marveled again that they were having a son. “I know. It’s kind of crazy.” He let go of Ava, though, just for a moment so he could quickly flag the doctor, opening the door and looking both ways down the hall to see if he could see anyone. “Hey, just wondering if we could get the doctor back in here?” he said to a nurse who nodded and promised she’d do that immediately before running away.

Ava made a face at Andrew. How could he be so calm and level headed? Which she knew he almost always was and that also, deep down, he was still slowly trying to process the pregnancy just as much as she was. But her hormonal brain just wanted to shake him up and insist that maybe the baby did have two heads, maybe she was growing a creature inside her that would be scary. “What if it is a girl and we have to raise her in this god forsaken country? In this world where women suffer just for existing?” She pointed out, knowing she was spiraling, but she couldn’t control it. “What if it a boy and we do our best and he still grows up to be a jerk? Someone that says straight pride should be a thing?” Ava arched an eyebrow as she looked at Andrew. It was a possibility, wasn’t it? One that made her want to throw up everything she hadn’t in the first months of her pregnancy.

“Please don’t grow up to be an asshole.” She whispered to the belly again, realizing ever since they had found out the baby could hear them, both of them had been having conversations with that child. Yet another thing Ava never, not in a million years thought she would be doing. It was so difficult to control those urges to be a cliché parent. But at the same time, she knew how much her parents had talked to her when she was still in her mom’s belly, Erika told her that, and how much she’d react to their voices, how they could calm her down easy when she was born because she recognized their voices. Truth was, Ava couldn’t wait to feel the baby kicking when it heard her voice or Andrew’s. She couldn’t wait to hold that little one that would be looking between them because it recognized who they were, the parents, the people that were meant to protect that little human.

The doctor nodded at Andrew’s words and spread some of that gel on Ava’s belly. She was getting used to it, but she still hated it. It was cold and sticky and a nightmare to wash off her clothes. But it was for a good cause. She always forgot how much she hated it when she looked at the screen and saw the little Hunt there. She squeezed Andrew’s hand, looking up at him and smiling before her eyes were on the screen again. A full on spine was visible, little arms, little legs, a head. “Is that a nose?” She pointed and the doctor nodded. 

“Adorable, isn’t it? I’d say it looks like yours, at least for now.” The doctor teased, giving Andrew an apologetic look. 

“Look at the hands.” Ava sighed in awe, watching the baby move in there. It was crazy, she couldn’t feel it yet, but it was there, moving. Legs moving up and down like it was stretching them. “Already doing yoga in there.” She teased, tugging on Andrew’s hand. “Move those legs, Hunt, come on.” She encouraged, her free hand on the side of her stomach like she wanted the baby to feel her touch. 

“Let’s see.” The doctor moved the gun around, following the movements and the direction the baby was turned to, pressing some spots that made Ava wince mostly because it felt odd, but it didn’t hurt. “Oh, there we go.” The woman smiled excitedly when the baby seemed to stretch and then relax, legs moving in an odd angle that Ava didn’t understand shit of what she was seeing. “See, right here?” The doctor tapped the screen, moving the gun a little more, shifting the image a bit. “This little bump here in between the legs?” She pointed and Ava squinted her eyes, noticing it, a little protuberance that seemed to be floating between the mini Hunt’s legs.

“Babe.” Ava held tighter onto Andrew’s hand, her eyes immediately filling with tears.

“That’s a little man right there.” The doctor smiled widely at them, moving the gun just so she could be sure. “Yes, there it is, his little penis.” She chuckled. “Teeny tiny testicles starting to form right under here. That’s a boy alright.” She confirmed.

A boy. A little boy growing inside her. A little Andrew that would grow up to be big and strong and amazing just like his father. Another boy at the Hunt household, to be best friends with their dogs and T. A boy that would skateboard with his dad, that she’d teach yoga to, and they’d raise to be a feminist, a boy that respected all the girls and women in his life, a boy that would face his friends whenever they said something sexist, racist, disrespectful. A boy she knew her father would have loved to see and play with, and that Andrew’s father would be proud of, knowing his first born had raised an amazing man to change the world. The boy she had seen in her dreams so many times since she had found out she was pregnant. A boy she would raise to be different than every jerk that had ever crossed her path.

Ava looked up at Andrew, tears rolling down her cheeks. “A boy.” She grinned, letting go of his hand only to wrap her arm around his waist. “We’re having a boy, babe, a mini you.” She laughed, pressing her head against his chest, allowing herself to cry. They could finally name their child, and there was no “it”s anymore. It was now a “he”, a “him”, their son. A son. She couldn’t believe it, they were having a son. She was going to be a mother to a little boy, a man. 

“A perfect little boy.” The doctor added, still moving the thing around a bit and taking the screen shots to give to them. “Perfect formation here, he is developing beautifully. Whatever you have been doing with your eating habits, Ava, it’s working wonders. And he’ll be a big one, his legs are already much longer than they usually are at this stage.” The doctor announced, setting the gun aside and helping Ava clean the gel off her skin. “Which we could predict, considering you both got legs for days.” She joked. “I’m going to go print the ultrasound and give you two some time alone, ok? Be right back.” The woman patted Ava’s leg. “Congratulations on your little boy.” She told them both before she exited the room.

“A boy.” Ava repeated, holding tighter onto Andrew, allowing herself to simply cry and cry loudly. Everything about that was unbelievable. A perfectly human child growing inside someone that had once hurt her own body so much. Two people that never dreamed of being parents now excited about it, having a boy! Sometimes Ava wondered if she deserved it, that miracle, that responsibility. And then she looked at Andrew and new, the universe had never given her something she couldn’t handle, something she didn’t cherish and fight for, like she did his love. “A little boy, babe.” She grinned between her tears, pushing her top down and sitting up, turning to face Andrew and wrap both arms around him while she wasn’t big enough to do so. “We have a son.” She whispered, looking into his eyes, those big blue eyes she knew their baby would have too. 

Andrew looked at Ava as she voiced her concerns. He knew exactly what she was referring to when she mentioned raising a girl here. Every day that marched forward, felt like things were moving backwards. “Then we teach her to be a badass. Just like you and like my sister. Like our moms. I mean, look at them, raising families all on their own. If we have a girl, maybe she’ll be the one to change the world. And if we have a boy, guess what, he’ll have a lot of females in his life. Our moms, my sister. You. He’ll have all these women to teach him how to respect women. He'll have plenty of diverse people around him to show him all sorts of religions and backgrounds. Wesley being blind. Jenna being Latina. The guys at the firehouse all from different walks of life, too,” he reminded Ava. “Hell, same goes for a girl. She’ll get to see all sorts of people. All sorts of races and religions and sexualities. See, the nice thing about babies—so I’m told—is they’re born without prejudices and without judgement. As long as they see that, they’ll grow up being loving and open.”

He watched Ava whisper to her stomach. He knew that wouldn’t be their baby because of that right there. Ava so worried about that baby being an asshole would be the very reason their child wouldn’t be. There would be too much love and openness there to be otherwise. If anything, their kid might be too much into animals to be worried about having biases against other people.

The doctor got straight into the ultrasound. Something Andrew was thankful for, as he knew both himself and Ava were anxious to finally find out which one it would be. He pulled out his glasses so that he could better see what was happening. He watched as the screen lit up, the baby coming into view immediately. He had learned how to make out its features, seeing the head and its limbs moving around. It was getting easier and easier every time they did this.

“Yeah?” said Andrew as he looked at the doctor, when she pointed out the nose. He could see the small bump on that large head, slowly growing into its features. The doctor shifted the angle now, moving to try and get nearer to the legs. He had heard that it was easier to tell if it was a boy. Girls were harder if only because it was easier and more definitive to see something there than to try and conclude the absence of it. “My nose, but definitely your yoga abilities,” he agreed with Ava.

Andrew suddenly felt his breath catch in his throat. The doctor didn’t even need to point it out. He had seen it even before she had said anything. It was impossible to miss. Those baby books were right, it was much easier to see that they were having a little boy. “It’s a boy,” he whispered under his breath just as the doctor confirmed it for them. Andrew brought his free hand to his face, running it down his chin. That was it, they were going to have a boy. He didn’t even hear the doctor as she was pointing something else out. He felt like all he could focus on was the fact that they had a son. It already made the picture look clearer. He could see that blonde hair, the square jaw and bright blue eyes.

Even without looking at her, he knew Ava was tearing up. Andrew doubted the reaction would still be different if it was a girl, but there was something about knowing and being sure in the knowledge that they were going to be parents to a son. His mother would have her first grandson.

He only looked at the doctor now that she was talking about the baby being healthy. He was developing as he should be, and Ava was also doing everything to make sure they were both in perfect health. He nodded as the doctor mentioned going to print the ultrasound before she left them both on their own.

He looked at Ava now, finally seeing the way she was crying. “You know what this means, babe, there’ll be so many shark things to buy for a little boy,” he teased. Although Andrew wasn’t crying the way Ava was, there was a shiny quality to his eyes, a sure sign of the moisture that had formed as he held back letting any kind of tears fall.

He also realized, this meant they could talk more seriously about names. They had held off on too many ideas, mostly throwing around more neutral names, but none of them really felt right. They could finally give him more of an identity. “We’re having a boy,” he nodded to Ava. “A real boy. God, we’ll have to tell our moms. Mom will be so excited she gets one of each, a granddaughter and now a grandson,” he smiled. He went ahead and took off his glasses for a moment, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand, before replacing them. “Oh man, Sean and Jenna will be excited, too, you know. Matt and Tony get a new friend. Danny, as well,” he said. This also meant, they’d have plenty of baby clothes courtesy of their friends, too, since most of them had boys already.

Ava truly had no particular preference on the gender of their baby, and how could she, when only a few months ago their preference would be to just not be pregnant? What she did have was an absurd amount of curiosity, if only so she could picture more and more perfectly how their kid would be like. And for the next few weeks after that amazing night with their friends, her curiosity ate her up. Ava was even dreaming about it, about the appointment when they’d find out if the next Hunt to exist in the world would be a little Andrew or a little Ava. 

Some night the baby was a girl, sometimes it was born a puppy, one time it was a lizard. Most of the time, though, it was a boy, and she had the same dream a few times, that they’d look at the monitor and the baby would be a perfect little copy of Andrew, adult Andrew, only as a baby, which was kind of creepy. But the app did warn her that she would be having weird dreams. Damn that app. Vivian had told her it was terrifyingly accurate and she hadn’t believed her, but now she was proven wrong every week when the app predicted the exact new symptoms she started noticing as she moved further along into that pregnancy. Little baby Hunt was doing everything by the book too, growing steady and big just as the app predicted. 

Ava moved her feet anxiously as she laid back on the slab, waiting for her doctor to come into the room. “Last night I dreamed that the baby had two heads.” She told Andrew, squeezing his hand over and over again, feeling that anxiety she hated feeling, but she knew it would go away the minute the doctor said anything about the baby’s gender. “One puppy head, one kitten head. And they were both blonde, like… Like Andy. The cat was yellow too, full on yellow.” She shuddered, looking down at the bump that had grown considerably in the past weeks. It still shook her, to think there was a person in there. Even if she knew that little person only had one very human head. “You’ll owe me some mother’s day cards just because of those dreams.” She told their kid. The app had also said the baby now was able to hear them and they had started talking to it more and more lately.

The doctor stepped in with her usual smile, holding Ava’s chart in hand and that pregnancy little card thing with all the information of her stages, anything any other doctors would need to know if she felt ill. “Ready to find out if you’re having a baby boy or a baby girl, Hunts?” She greeted them just like that, putting everything down on her desk and moving closer to Ava, taking a seat on the stool next to the slab and already pulling that ultrasound gun, gesturing for Ava to lift her top.

“Oh, we better. I did all the tricks every mother I know had told me to do so the baby will be moving its legs and we’ll be able to see.” Ava nodded firmly, pushing her top up to her breasts with her free hand and pulling Andrew closer too, feeling more and more anxious by the minute. 

Despite being several months into the pregnancy by now and Ava starting to show, it was still a feeling that Andrew felt he had to get used to daily. He would wake up and suddenly remember that he and Ava were going to be parents in just a few short months. At this point, they were still waiting to find out if they’d be parents to a little boy or a little girl.

Did Andrew truly have a preference? He didn’t think so. However, there were some days he watched Sean and Jenna with their twin boys and he definitely thought a girl would be easier. Although they were only a few months old, the twins were clearly a handful, one or both constantly on the move or causing trouble in one way or another. Sean had clearly come to expect it as he was almost always intuitively removing obstacles and small items that one or both boys would try to grab and put in their mouths. And then of course, Andrew would offer to babysit Jolene for his sister, taking on his niece for the day or a few hours when he was off work. He figured that it would make good practice for when he and Ava would have their own baby to care for, and then as soon as Rhiannon would leave, Jolene would start screaming bloody murder. Her high-pitched shrieks would fill the room, even the dogs would run off as their ears were tired. Jolene turned out to be a big crier. She was just a couple months shy of a year now and was walking, though wobbly on her two feet. She often preferred to crawl still. She crawled everywhere and fast.

It was hard to tell, though, if any of these behaviors had anything to do with gender or if it was simply in the personality of the children. He was sure it was simply the latter, but it was hard not to think a girl might be better when the twins were around and then it was hard not to want for a boy when Jolene was in his arms. At the end of the day, Andrew supposed there was a chance it was going to be one of the two, though. And today would be the day they’d find out.

“At least we know there’s definitely only one baby in there, otherwise I’d say that’d mean you were having twins.” Andrew gently poked at her swollen belly, giving her a small smile, his other hand she was holding onto. He listened as she went on about her strange dream. It turned out, it wasn’t even a human baby she was referring to. “Probably because we’re already such good parents to our brood at home,” he nodded. After all, their dogs and T had turned out to be their only children for the past few years now. It made sense, in a way, that the dreams might manifest themselves in that way.

He smiled at the way Ava spoke to her stomach. It was endearing to watch. Both of them had taken to talking to their child now that they learned the baby should be able to hear. “Yes, she’ll be expecting Mother’s Day cards every year. No slip ups,” he said as he shook his finger at her stomach. Andrew always thought it was ridiculous and looked ridiculous when other parents talked to the mother’s belly, but he suddenly saw how easy it was to get caught up in that. It really did change everything now that he was expecting his own baby.

Callie took the picture from Colin and gasped loudly, immediately pushing herself up and launching herself towards Ava, giving her a hug (as best as she could, with her belly on the way). “Aaaah, I can’t believe it, this is incredible!” She shook a laughing Ava in her arms. 

“It’s an ultrasound, pucci.” Vivian told Wes, gently touching his arm so he could feel the picture in her hand. “Oh, this is amazing, you two, I swear I had a dream about it the other day, didn’t I?” She urged Wes to confirm her words, Danny reaching out to get the picture. “Look, amore mio, you have another best friend on the way.” She showed him the picture and Danny looked with wide eyes, most definitely having no idea what he was looking at bu still amazed by the imaged, grabbing the picture and bringing it close to his eyes. “It’s a baby, my love.” Viv told him.

“Baby?” He asked, confused, and his mother nodded.

“In Aunt Ava’s belly.” She pointed just as Callie was letting Ava go and hugging Andrew now. 

Ava touched her stomach, showing the bump to Danny and he grinned.

“Baby!” He cheered, wiggling the picture in the air and waving it like a flag.

Ava chuckled, nodding at Colin. “It is great news.” She couldn’t believe it, but it was, they were genuinely happy about it, about a child. She held her hands over the belly for a moment, taking a deep breath like she was channeling all the love they were receiving from their best friends into their baby. That kid would be loved beyond words, she knew it. It would grow up with a huge and accountable support system and she couldn’t ask for anything else. “Yeah, we just wanted to be sure everything was okay. And also take some time to process everything as best as we could before we shared with everyone. It was a huge surprise, so we needed some time to understand what was going on.” She admitted with a small, shy smile.

Vivian stood up, going to her and giving her a hug that Ava could feel in her soul almost. A hug of someone that knew what Ava had been through, that knew how motherhood could change the life of a woman, and also someone that believed Ava would be the best mother in the world. “Thank you for sharing this with us.” She whispered in Ava’s ear and Ava held her back tight, eyes filling with tears ever so quickly like it seemed to happen too often these days. “Anything you need, any help, just a conversation, anything at all, you can call us, ok? Both of you.” Vivian said, reaching out to give Andrew’s hand a supportive squeeze. “Danny grows out of his things so quickly, I have a million things he barely even touched that you can take if you want.” She assured them.

“Thank you, thank you so much.” Ava grinned, drying her tears when Viv kissed her cheek and went back to seat next to Wes, behind him on the touch, Danny climbing on his father’s shoulders to get to her and hug her. “I’ll take an iced tea.” Ava told Colin, stepping back to take a seat on one of the big lounging chairs, patting it so Andrew could come join her.

“Yes, yes, tell us everything.” Callie was jumping, excitedly, going back to her place on the couch. “God, I can’t believe it. I mean, I can actually. That day we were talking about it and you said you’d be okay if you two had a baby.” She pointed out.

Ava looked at Andrew and smiled. It was true, she would be okay because she knew the baby would be his, just like she had been when they lost their child years ago, even if it had been painful. “Well, I actually passed out.” Ava began telling him, snorting. “I had no idea, I mean, it truly is a miracle baby. Because of the move and forcing myself too much, apparently my IUD moved barely an inch. Valentine’s Day happened and then a month later I passed out teaching a yoga class at the firehouse.” Ava told them, taking Andrew’s hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. “We actually thought the doctor was pranking us.” She admitted. “But then she did an ultrasound and there it was, that little dot.”

“The most beautiful little dot in the world.” Callie said, sighing, dropping her head on Colin’s shoulder when he was coming back to seat with her, having handed all the drinks. 

“It was. Just a little dot but I don’t know… It’s so odd to think that dot is now a person. It has legs already.” She pointed at the ultrasound Danny was still playing with, trailing the baby’s spine with his fingertip. “I freaked out. Andrew was washed over by the peace of the universe.” She laughed, gently nudging him. “And with the odds of it, it just felt like it was meant to be. How many kids happen out of the same situation, you know? Barely an inch and still, it went through, found the right place and here I am, swelling more and more daily.” She grinned, sipping from her tea.

Wesley felt the ultrasound that Vivian was holding. He could feel the familiar shine of the photographic paper that it was printed out. “She did have a dream,” confirmed Wesley. “All of us here with our children. Of course, I just assumed it was because with Callie pregnant, she was just projecting a child onto the two of you but turns out it was more true than we could have thought.” He smiled, though. It seemed that they were all growing up, having their families. He could hear Vivian showing Danny the ultrasound. Danny might never have his own younger brothers or sisters, but he would have plenty of other little friends that he could play the role of big brother to. Wesley couldn’t wait, either. He knew Danny would be eager to take on the role and help care for his friends like they were part of the family.

Andrew smiled at the way Vivian was already offering up Danny’s old baby things. At least he knew Wesley and Vivian were done with children (Sean and Jenna felt like they might have more). “Thanks, we’re gonna have a baby shower when we finish up the house. Probably when we find out the sex of the baby, and definitely bring anything you think will be useful then. Don’t feel like you have to, of course, but if you did, that’ll be the time.”

“This is brilliant,” smiled Colin. “We’ll have to do play dates as often as we can. Once the kids are big enough, of course,” he added.

“Oh believe me, I was freaked out as well,” said Andrew when Ava mentioned peace had washed over him. “I mean, you know, in part because Ava did go to the hospital in the ambulance and had passed out and I was still dealing with that and then all of a sudden they say they think she’s pregnant and that they want to do an ultrasound.”

“You’re definitely in the small percentage of people when they warn about that 99.99999% effectiveness,” nodded Wesley with a grin. “But, it’s good you’re both happy about it. Besides, as Viv said, you both need anything, even if it’s just advice, you let us know. We’ve got lots of equipment and Vivian has all the tips about breast feeding you could ever want and I even mastered being able to get Danny to sleep on nights he’d just cry for no reason. All the ways to rock them that soothes them best.”

“Bet you’ll have the middle of the night crying down, though,” Colin added as he pointed to Andrew. “You know, being a firefighter and used to weird calls at all times of the night.”

Andrew nodded. “Yeah, maybe. I dunno. Is it the same when you have to wake up two hours later because they’re crying again?” he asked.

“Maybe not,” smiled Wesley. “It’ll pass quickly, enough, though. They grow out of it in just a few months and then they’re sleeping through the night.” Wesley then tilted his head. “You two think you’re going to try other forms of birth control now?” he asked curiously.

“Actually, kind of wanted to talk to you about what you did to get that vasectomy,” said Andrew. “But we can talk about that later. I think this will be the one for us.”

“Not gonna try to aim to get one of each other sex?” asked Colin, though from the look on his face, he was clearly just teasing the couple. “Any particular sex you both are hoping it is?” he asked.

Andrew shrugged as he looked at Ava. “I dunno, feels the same, doesn’t it? Raising a boy or girl?”

“Well, whichever one it ends up being, I can tell you one thing, it is going to be the most beautiful baby in the world. That blonde hair and those blue eyes that you both have. You’re both basically supermodels, so you’re bound to have a child who’s going to be just as gorgeous. Baby might rule the world one day with their looks from the two of you.”

“God, I hope not,” said Andrew with a chuckle. “I’m already dreading having to deal with puberty and having to deal with the sex talk and all that.”

Ava looked at Andrew a bit dumbfounded for a second. He was right, even that had worked out perfectly, they had the extra room without even having been looking for a baby room. It was just there, waiting for the little human growing in her womb, they wouldn’t have to worry about moving again or something like that. And they were still working on decorating and getting settled, they wouldn’t even have to change an entire section of their house later to welcome the baby, they could just do the baby room while they did the rest of the spaces. She let her lips curl in a loving smile, leaning against him almost involuntarily. “The universe really wanted us to reproduce, huh?” She teased, gently pinching his arm and giving his chest a soft kiss before Vivian was opening up for them and they walking into the building. 

“Sure, go ahead, most people don’t even ask.” Callie snorted when Wesley so gentlemanly touched her swollen stomach, Athena possibly asleep in there since she wasn’t kicking much, which she usually did. 

“You were, and mama was as big as a balloon.” Vivian held her arms on a round shape around her body, smiling from ear to ear when Danny laughed out loud, throwing his little arms around Poe’s neck and half laying on Wesley’s lap with the dog, those two attached to their father at the hip as always. It filled her heart with love, to see her family smiling, happy, lounging on their rooftop and having friends over, something that would rarely be happening if they hadn’t come to New York two years ago. And Danny was growing so fast, such an intelligent boy. He looked more and more like his father every day and Vivian couldn’t be prouder. 

Callie sighed, feeling her heart squeeze in her chest and looking back at Vivian, eyes filling with tears, those pregnancy hormones hitting her harder by the minute. “I cannot wait to see my little girl with Colin.” She said, pressing her lids gently not to burst into tears. 

Ava smiled when Colin opened the door, the smell of the food instantly reaching her nose and making her hungry as a lioness. She could swear the baby was hungry too, that her stomach was growling and everyone could hear, though she knew she was probably wrong about that. “Hi, Colin!” She greeted, eyes widening at his wording and she glanced at Andrew. Did they already know? Did everyone know? She waved off those thoughts and walked in, nodding along at Andrew’s comment. “It does, it smells like an actually pizza place, it’s amazing.” She agreed, hugging Colin back and rubbing his back gently as he kissed her cheek. “Oh, did she make the sauce? I love her sauce.”

“It is my sauce.” Vivian heard the question and smiled at the couple and Colin coming out just as she was finishing up the table setting. “Hi, beautiful.” Viv went over to hug Ava and the blonde hugged her back tight. It felt like they hadn’t seen each other in a million years, even though they had met not long ago. “Love the dress.” Vivian said sincerely.

“Love yours too, I always love your clothes.” Ava teased, though it was true, Vivian had a natural elegance about her that was hard to achieve. Ava moved over to greet Callie, bending down to plant a kiss on top of her head. “You look incredible, this girl is doing wonders to your skin.” Ava pointed out, hoping her own pregnancy was doing the same to hers, Callie looked like a fairy in her skirt and silky top, her bright red hair cascading around her shoulders. 

“I know, she’s a blessing.” Callie teased, leaning back to smile at her friend and then chuckling at Andrew’s comment. “Hi, Andrew. She’s really making herself known, isn’t she?” She grinned, rubbing her round belly.

Ava moved over to greet Wes, reaching down to plant a kiss on his cheek and then one on Danny’s head. “You two look like twins, separated by a few years.” She laughed, Danny blowing her a loud kiss. “Hi, Poe, hello.” Ava scratched his chin for a moment, loving the way he closed his eyes for it just like Andy, his father, did. “It all does look amazing.” Ava stood up again, dropping her purse on one of the chairs and looking around. The view was mesmerizing, and the set up, the lights, the pizza oven, everything was so very Vivian and Wes. She could only hope everyone would heel that welcome at their place. She looked at Colin when he asked his question and then grinned at Andrew. No more hiding, she thought, reaching for the envelopes in her purse and then handing one to Colin, who was closer to her, and one to Viv. “We’ve been tricked by the universe.” She snorted. “We have some news. A bit visual there, sorry about that Wes, but I’ll let your wife’s reaction be your hint.”

Vivian frowned, a bit confused, pulling back from Andrew’s hug and moving closer to her husband, opening up the envelope. The moment she pulled out just the edge of the picture she was gasping, covering her mouth with her hand. “I knew it!” She laughed. “I knew it, I had a dream about it!”

Colin took his chance to take a seat next to Callie. He smiled at her, seeing how she looked with her growing stomach. He had never been more in love with his wife than he was seeing the way she grew with their first child. Although they, of course, hadn’t really talked about it, Colin wanted at least two. He had come from a large family, with his own siblings procreating in large numbers, and didn’t think it would feel right to bring a baby into this world without siblings. It had have at least one other sibling to keep it company. He put a hand to her stomach, rubbing it lovingly as he took the envelope that Ava had passed to him. He looked at it curiously, before he was pulling it open, Vivian was already reacting to it, but in a second he could see why.

“Bloody hell, is this for real?” he asked, wide eyes as he looked back at the couple. He passed the ultrasound image over to Callie so she could look at it. “Going to have another little friend, aren’t you?” he whispered to her stomach now.

Wesley shook his head at Ava’s words, waving her apology away. It was how most things in this world worked, cues that were based on sight. He had grown used to it. He did listen in, though. His eyebrows furrowed as he tried to figure out what was happening. He could hear Vivian beside him, seemingly gleefuly and Colin was quick to follow up with his own incredulous reaction. It wasn’t until he finally heard that whisper, that he simply knew was for the child Callie had inside of her that it suddenly clicked. “Hang on, you’re pregnant?” he asked the question out loud, as he was the only one without a visual to help him out.

“Yeah,” said Andrew with a smile and a nod. “She’s pregnant. She’s about three months along,” he said as he glanced at Ava and then looked back at their friends. “We don’t know the sex yet, but I think next time we head over they’ll be able to tell us and we’ll let everyone know when we know. No weird gender reveal parties, though,” he added just for good measure. “Just an announcement, probably like this one to let you all in.”

“Congratulations, both of you! Oh, I would have never thought, but you both look well chuffed over this—I mean, it is good news, right?” added Colin as he looked back at them both, but the answer was easy to see as they both seemed to be beaming over the news.

“Did you two just find out?” asked Wesley.

“No, we’ve actually known for a few weeks,” said Andrew. “We just wanted to make sure everything was good with the baby before telling other people. Follow up with a few doctor’s visits. Our mothers have known, of course, but it’s a pregnancy that shouldn’t have happened at all, so we wanted to make sure there weren’t going to be any complications and doctor assures us everything is on track and she and the baby are healthy, so felt like a good time and you can actually see a baby now, too,” he added as he pointed to the pictures each of them had in their hands.

“Well, well, well, who would have thought the Hunts would be joining in on the club of parenthood,” said Wesley with a slight smug smile on his face. “I knew it would happen to you both one day. I’m sure your mothers are happy, too,” he said. “Especially yours,” he added to Ava. He knew that she was an only child and thus this meant it would be the first grandchild for her mother.

“Okay, but you have to tell us everything,” said Colin. “Hang on, I’m going to get some drinks here so they can tell us an get us all situated.” He got up. “Beer?” he asked looking at Andrew who nodded. “Beer? Wesley?” Wesley nodded as well. “And, of course, we have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for our ladies here, and some wine if Vivian would like it,” he added as he went about getting everyone their preferred drinks, as Colin was always the sort who took care of his guests, even if it wasn’t even technically his apartment they were at.

“I’m strangely excited to have people over too once we finish the house.” Ava said as she stepped out of the taxi, following Andrew and taking his hand so they could head to the entrance of Wes and Viv’s building. “God, this child is changing me.” She chuckled, gently rubbing the bump on her stomach before the pressed the intercom. Deep down Ava knew that feeling came from simply wanting to share with the people she loved all those things she never thought she’d have: a loving marriage, a house to call her own and make it as cozy and perfect as she and Andrew wanted and a child, a whole little human made from her and the love of her life, a child of soulmates. She looked up at Andrew and smiled, giving his hand a gentle tug. “I can’t believe we’re actually meeting our friends to share news like this.” She pointed at her stomach, chuckling.

Upstairs, Viv perked up her head when she heard the intercom buzzing. She’d been on food prep with Colin behind the counter, making sure everything they’d need for the pizza night would be ready as soon as the Hunts arrived and Viv was just about to bring the last plate of ingredients outside. “Must be Andrew and Ava.” She smiled excitedly, feeling like it had been ages since she and Wes had hosted their friends. “Pucci, keep Poe outside, please. I’m opening up for Andrew and Ava.” She called out to Wesley, balancing a bowl of mushrooms in one hand while answering the intercom. “Yes?”

“Hey, it’s us.” Ava announced.

“Come on up.” Viv pressed the button to buzz them in and headed outside to find Wes sitting on the floor with Poe on his lap, Danny’s toys all around them while Callie and Danny were on the couch, Danny’s hands on her six months pregnant belly.

“Hi, baby.” Danny tapped the belly happily, making Callie giggle. “Papa, baby!” Danny called for Wes, reaching for his arm to try and get him to touch the belly.

“Yes, buddy, there’s a baby in there and she’s going to be your best friend just like me and your mama.” Callie tousled his hair playfully and he giggled. “Will you teach her how to speak Italian?” She asked him and Danny nodded, smiling widely.

“Babin.” He gurgled, still learning his words and how to use his voice.

“Bambina, yes, my love.” Viv grinned, putting the plate down on the table. “Aunt Callie ha una bambina in her belly.”

“Yeah, and the timing kind of works out, too,” said Andrew. “We’ve been able to set aside the baby’s room and add that to our to-do list.” It was just one of the many things that seemed to add to the idea that, just maybe, this baby was always going to happen. Instead of needing to figure out what they might do with the spare room, having to find a function to figure out colors and décor, it was now simply the baby’s room. Their little one already had a place to fit into their lives, there was no shuffling of rooms or needing to make the space. It would simply fit. Andrew always hated the idea that people needed children to be complete and whole. He still didn’t think it was true, but he could understand the idea of a child being something more to enhance an already full life. He felt that’s where Ava and Andrew fit, it was simply an addition to their family, not something they were lacking. “I think they might believe it even less,” he chortled. 

Wesley could already hear the intercom buzzing, even from where he sat outside. He could feel Poe lift his head with interest, but didn’t move. He always stayed with Wes, even when he wasn’t necessarily working. “He’s here, don’t worry,” he shouted back to Vivian and smiled as he turned to his head, hearing Danny speak from the couch where he was with Callie. He knew she was well into her pregnancy by now, expecting her and Colin’s first. He had a feeling it wasn’t the only child they’d be having, if only from the way Colin spoke. “Yeah, that’s a baby alright,” he smiled as he felt Danny reaching out to him, his fingers brushing his arm. He moved slightly, letting Danny guide his hand. “I hope it’s okay,” he added to Callie, before placing his hand on her belly. “You know you were once in mama’s belly, too,” he told Danny. 

“Wow,” whispered Danny as if in awe.

Wesley took his hand back as he could hear Vivian had joined, helping him out with the word for baby in Italian. He was picking up both English and Italian so fast. Not only that, but Danny was already adapting to Wes’ own need to have things described to him. Of course, Danny could hardly speak in full sentences just yet, but he would offer helpful things to Wesley. Instead of shaking or nodding his head, he’d say yes or no. He would point but then add the direction he was pointing: up, down, floor, ceiling. And when he couldn’t vocalize, he would simply take Wesley’s hand to guide him. Somehow, their little boy, just shy of two was already learning so much. Every time he thought about how smart he’d be, his heart swelled with so much love and pride for the son he and Vivian had brought into this world.

Colin was still in the kitchen. He loved being able to get together and cook for his friends. It was nice, too, to have Vivian alongside him, especially when they had anything that was Italian in nature, always showing him more authentic methods. He could hear the knock on the door of Ava and Andrew arriving. “I’ll get it,” he called out to everyone outside.

He made sure to grab a towel to clean off his hands, before he moved to the door to open it up for the couple. “Andrew, Ava,” he greeted with a smile. He ushered them inside. “You’re both glowing.”

Andrew looked amused at the wording. He doubted it was in the same way Sean and Jenna had been pointing out Ava had been glowing for weeks now, but rather a simply compliment that had more meaning than even Colin likely knew. “Hey, man,” he said with a nod as he reached out his hand, clasping it and then giving Colin a hug. “Smells amazing in here.” 

“It’s all Vivian’s own recipes,” he nodded. “All fresh ingredients, though, and made from scratch.” He then turned to Ava and also gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “Come on, everyone’s outside,” he added as he ushered them forward so they could join the group. 

Andrew moved with Ava to the area outside which had been set up so they would be able to sit and hang out comfortably, a perfect view of the New York City skyline. “Hey, everyone,” he greeted. He went over to Wesley, grabbing his hand to shake it from where he was on the ground. “What’s up, buddy, Mr. Poe,” he added to Poe on his lap. He could see the dog’s tail wagging energetically. “I’ve got a nice little treat here for you,” he added as he went ahead and took out a Milkbone from his pocket, letting Poe take it from his hand to devour it. He patted the dog on the head before he moved onto Danny and Callie. “Hey, little man, put it there,” he said as he then went ahead and held out a hand for Danny. Danny giggled as he put his small hand in Andrew’s palm. Andrew went ahead and closed his hand around his, shaking it and tousling his hair. He let go. “Callie, you’re looking ready to give birth there,” he nodded with a smile, as he then quickly greeted Vivian as well, embracing her before he let her go. “Everything looks amazing, by the way. This set up.” He let out a low whistle, impressed by the way they had pulled this area together, a perfect paradise in the concrete jungle of the city.

Watching Andrew around babies had always shaken something up inside Ava’s heart, but ever since finding out she was expecting his baby, it had gotten a lot more pronounced. She couldn’t help the skipped beat in her heart when Andrew was smiling at Tony and letting the baby hold his hand and then when Sean passed Matt on to him, Ava held her breath without even noticing. Other people’s babies were still uncertain grounds for the both of them, but she couldn’t wait to see Andrew with their own child, holding the baby, taking care of it like he took such good care of Ava and everyone he loved. She reached out a hand and gently pinched his arm, smiling up at him when Matt was grabbing his nose. 

“It’s hard to resist it, isn’t it?” Jenna grinned at her, tilting her head towards Andrew and her son. “First time I saw Sean with both of them in his arms I thought my heart was going to explode.” She said, resting her head on her husband’s shoulder and squeezing him in her embrace.

“Yeah, nature is a crazy thing.” Ava chuckled, looking up at Andrew. She loved that man so damn much, it was surreal. But she knew only a love like that would produce a miracle child like theirs, and with their love they would raise that child right, just like their parents had done with them. She chuckled at Sean’s shark comparison and shrugged, passing Tony back to Jenna after kissing his cheek. “Seeing it’s us, I might be growing an actual baby shark within me, and this baby it’s definitely taking swimming lessons since day one. It is a Hunt, after all.” She smiled proudly, rubbing little Tony’s back and smiling when he finally let go of her hair. “Thanks, buddy.” 

“Listen, you two let us know if you need anything, ok? You are amazing godparents, let us be helpful like you were during the pregnancy and still are.” Jenna insisted, pointing a finger at both of them. “And don’t buy anything yet, we got a bunch of doubles on the baby shower because it’s two of them, but end up using only one, so let me list what we have and we’ll just pass it on to you.”

“Thank you, we definitely appreciate that.” Ava nodded avidly. “Anything we can get instead of buy, we’re taking it.”

“Are we allowed to start buying present, though?” Jenna gave her a cheeky grin.

“No, no, you’re already saying you’ll give us a bunch of stuff.” Ava shook her head.

“Not even shark themed presents?” Jenna arched an eyebrow and Ava made a face, trying to hold back a smile.

“Fine, shark themed things we’ll allow.” She gave up, shaking her head at her friend and giving her a side hug, kissing her cheek. “You two want to have lunch tomorrow? We can talk baby stuff and eat because that’s all I’ve been doing.” She admitted with a snort.

“Yeah, I’ll give you a call tomorrow morning.” Jenna kissed her cheek back and went on to give Andrew a hug while Ava was hugging Sean goodbye. “You’re still grumpy, but I do love you and I’m glad this is happening for you two.” Jenna said to Andrew as she pulled back. “Take good care of my sister and my nephew or niece.” She gave him a menacing look and Ava rolled her eyes, looking up at Sean. 

“How do you survive in a house with her, two babies and two dogs?” She teased, patting his arm before she was moving closer to Andrew and taking his hand. “We’ll see you two tomorrow then.”

.

“Yeah,” piped up Sean as Jenna mentioned having doubles of a lot of items. “We have so much stuff, and by the time your baby comes, we may not even need a lot of it anymore. The boys will almost be a year old, so we can definitely afford to part with a lot. And I mean, anything else, too. You need recommendations for good cribs or baby supplies, we’ve tried so much stuff, we can make sure we give you the best recommendations for supplies,” he nodded. 

Andrew smiled at both their friends, so eager to help them with this new endeavor. No doubt they also both knew how hesitant Ava and Andrew had always been about children and were happy to help make this go as smoothly as possible for the both of them, no matter what it took. “Yeah, we appreciate this a lot,” he agreed with Ava. “We definitely want to get as much as possible if we can avoid buying it.” After all, they had just spent money on a new house and Ava’s studies were still happening, so any little thing that would help with their finances. 

“Good, there is so much shark themed stuff for babies,” said Sean with a grin. “You guys will own it all by the time we hit the stores.” 

“I guess we know the theme of the nursery for the baby,” said Andrew with a grin, looking at Ava. “Girl or boy, it’s going to have to be sharks.” 

Andrew gave Jenna a hug as they said their goodbyes. “And I’m glad you and Sean have twins to keep you both nice and busy,” he teased back to Jenna. They were probably the only two people who could truly handle a couple of twin boys, anyway. They had the energy to keep up with the undoubtedly busy years that lay ahead of them. 

Sean shrugged at Ava’s words, and smiled. “Because I love them and would do anything for all of them,” he said as he looked at Jenna with that loving look in his eyes, putting his free arm around her now that he had Matt back in his arms. “See you both tomorrow,” he added and nodded. He went ahead and took Jenna, guiding her from the office so they could head off. 

Andrew smiled as they walked off. “I’m so happy they found each other,” he said to Ava. He remembered how desperate Sean had been for that life partner just a few, short years ago, and now he had a wife and sons, the family he had always dreamed of having for as long as Andrew had known him. “They really found each other, those two.” He gave Ava a quick peck. “Come on, now we’ve got all our friends to tell. Wes and Viv said they’d have the rooftop set up for the party by now.” They had volunteered the space. Now that it was almost summer and the weather was warming up, it was the perfect time to be doing outdoor activities again and the Kulina-Eyres had the perfect set up to get together and have a nice time. It was also the perfect environment for them to pass out the envelopes with the sonogram revealing their news.

Steering Ava out of the firehouse, he waved as they passed some of the guys, wishing them a good weekend. Brooklyn was starting to come alive again nowadays. Now with decreasing restrictions and winter being gone, people were out and about and the streets filled with people. Some had masks on, some didn’t. Others had one on but only halfway. It was a weird time to be living in, that much Andrew was sure about. 

However, despite the bustle, they made their way to their next stop in a taxi, just a few minutes was all it took and they were heading into the apartment building Wes and Viv lived in with Danny. It was one of the nicer buildings in the area, too, making for spacious living for the residents who did live there. 

“Oh, it will be the happiest baby, I’m sure. It’ll have two best friends right off the bat. Three, with your baby niece too.” Jenna reminded them, leaning baby Tony closer to Ava when his attention was caught by the blonde hair. “Ugh, looking at baby things is so much fun, it’s hard not to buy every little thing. If you two are having a girl, you’ll go insane with the little clothes.” She said with a smile on her lips.

Ava chuckled, picking up Tony when he launched himself in her direction and holding him close to her. “Your mom already wants to give you a baby sister.” Ava whispered to the baby, still a bit unsure if she was holding him correctly but she was gaining more practice with all those babies in their lives now. “No more surprises, God forbid. The minute we can find out, I want to know to be fully prepared. Or as best as possible, we know nobody is every ready.” She pointed out.

“Nobody is ever ready.” Jenna wrapped an arm around Sean, her other hand gently rubbing up and down Matt’s back. “But it’s like Sean said, something about you two… You’re both caring, selfless. You take great care of us without even noticing.” She smiled at them, Ava smiling back while Tony tried to eat her hair, amazed by the golden colors. “But it is, it’s instinctual, it will kick in sooner than you expect.” She reassured them.

“Andrew thinks it kicked in for me the moment I passed out that day.” Ava chuckled. “That my body was already telling me it was time to take better care of myself.” She smiled up at him, rocking Tony gently and letting him reach his hair-free hand to touch Andrew’s arm, eyes wide with how much there was for him to look. Matt was still hypnotized by the ultrasound, smiling his toothless smile. “That’s what the dogs are good for, they’ll be the nanies, like the one in Peter Pan.” Ava teased, giving Tony’s cheek a kiss. 

Jenna laughed wholeheartedly when Andrew said he was ready for the birth. “You are so not. It’s completely different.” She nodded, pointing at Sean. “This one almost passed out. The moment Ava starts screaming and you see your wife in that much pain, all that blood, the head popping out… All your training is gone.” She chuckled, ignoring Ava’s disgusted face.

“Thanks, you’re making it sound beautiful, the miracle of birth.” Ava looked at Andrew with wide, terrified eyes. “We’ll take all the classes we can. I’m already adapting my yoga practice to help with birth preparing and everything.” 

.

Andrew watched Ava take Tony into her arms, the baby immediately grabbing her long, blonde hair and putting into his mouth like it was a tasty snack. There was something about seeing his wife now, holding that baby. He felt his heart swell as he looked at her. She looked so natural. It would only be a matter of time before it would be their baby, no doubt with blonde hair, trying to grab her hair and eat it. He held out a hand to Tony as he reached out with his other hand, watching the way he grabbed onto one of his fingers. “Hey, buddy,” he smiled. Andrew still wasn’t sure how he felt about other people’s kids, but he felt when it came to his own baby, he would be okay. People always said it was different when you had your own kids. Andrew supposed there was some truth to that. There was that inherit connection in their DNA, their blood. It was the reason why cave people had survived to procreate and eventually lead humanity to it where it was today, there was something in that instinct that bonded parents to their children in ways that couldn’t be recreated elsewhere.

“Yeah, and Danny will be the oldest, watching over all the kids,” Sean added as he then gave the ultrasound picture to Jenna so that she could tuck it away, now that Ava had taken hold of Tony. “You going to tell the guys soon?” he asked Andrew now as he passed Matt to him. Matt saw all the attention Tony was getting and now wanted some of that too.

Andrew took Matt in his arms. “Might wait another few months until Ava can’t hide it anymore,” he said. “Maybe when we get the new trainee on the team, I’ll formally announce it so that way everyone knows that I’ll be out when she gives birth. But they’ll know soon enough.” Matt was already reaching out to Andrew’s face to grab hold of his nose. “They really just want to hold onto anything, don’t they?”

“Well, yeah, you can understand why touch and feeling are so important for kids and why a lot of baby books really push bonding, especially between mother and baby, holding them and making sure they get that contact and warmth from parents. It’s pretty much how they get to know the world. It’s why they also put everything in their mouths.” He gestured to Tony who was still chewing on Ava’s hair. “You know, like how sharks will bite things to try and figure out what they are. Babies kind of do the same and when they’re tasting things. You know, especially since a lot of their first months is all about what’s food and not food.”

“Really just compared your children to sharks, huh,” said Andrew, raised eyebrow but a grin on his face.

“Just trying to speak your language,” said Sean innocently as he held up his hands defensively. “Though the metaphor might translate better that way.”

“This is incredible.” Jenna squeezed Ava in her arms and then pulled back just a bit. “I knew it, you’re glowing even more than you already do and I could see that belly, that was not just food.” She insisted, looking down but knowing better than to touch Ava’s stomach without asking. As intrusive as Jenna could be sometimes, she knew Ava almost as well as Andrew. Ava knew what she wanted though and she smoothed down the dress over the little bump forming on her stomach, making Jenna squeal. “I’m so happy, oh God.” Jenna laughed, giving Andrew’s arm a tight squeeze. “I can’t believe it, McGrumpers, you really did it, you gave her everything.” She provoked, pulling back and rocking Tony in her arms as he laughed.

Ava shook her head, laughing lightly, and hugged Andrew’s back when he wrapped his arm around her. She gave him a thankful smile, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand. “Yeah, we just wanted to wait until everything was out of risk, after everything…” She didn’t need to mention the miscarriage to Sean and Jenna of all people. “So we’re being careful and also trying to learn as much as we can on our own. I feel like if this happened after we were so adamant on not having kids, it’s a sign.” She nodded.

“It definitely is.” Jenna nodded along avidly, reaching out to gently brush Matt’s hair back and away from his eyes, such a natural motherly move that Ava felt her heart squeezing in her chest, wondering if she’d ever have that same instinct. “How in the world did that even happen?” She asked, looking confused now.

“I don’t know.” Ava shrugged. “We think my IUD moved out of place during the exertion of moving and carrying the boxes. Then Valentine’s Day happened.” She added with a cheeky grin. “Baby Hunt will be born with an IUD stuck to their head.” She chuckled.

“Hear that, boys? Baby Hunt!” Jenna cooed at them, kissing both their cheeks. “You have a best friend on the way.” She smiled widely at them and they just mimicked the motion, not even sure why they were smiling, surely. “Seriously, anything you need, let us know. I’m definitely helping you with the baby shower, planning, decorations, everything.” Jenna was already in her duties as godmother, just as Ava had been for her, in the best way she can. 

“Thank you, we appreciate it.” Ava smiled, leaning in even more into Andrew’s hug. “It’s just one, just one and more than enough.” She assured them with a nervous look in her eyes. “And now that you two already know, don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated on gender, baby shower, names, everything Baby Hunt related.” She smiled at them. It was actually quite nice having told them now, having more people celebrating this insane moment of their lives. 

“Are you prepared for how big this baby is going to be?” Jenna was looking at the ultrasound more closely now, Tony trying to grab it from Sean’s hand and then Matt joining. 

“Not in the slightest.” Ava admitted without hesitation, shaking her head. “I’m also not thinking about it for another month on my birth plan so it will all be fine. Let’s hope they’re born tiny and wait to grow into their father’s height after they’re at least two.” She patted her stomach like giving the baby a hint there. 

.

Andrew looked at Jenna and nodded with smile at her words. Despite their rocky start and mutual dislike, they had developed a respect for each other, both realizing they were incredibly important people in Ava’s life. It had come down to each of them simply wanting what was best for her, and in a way it was the only connection they had ever needed. “Just hope the baby comes out as happy and healthy as those boys,” he said as he gestured to Matt and Tony. He hoped their baby would be so happy. It would definitely be completely loved, already surrounded by people excited to meet them.

“Yeah, it seems this baby is coming one way or another, and we’re happy about it, really,” said Andrew. “It’s been fun talking about it and reading all the books we can and looking at baby things online to see what we like. Of course, we don’t want to do too much until we learn the sex of the baby.”

“So, sounds like you guys are definitely going to want to know when they can tell you,” said Sean. “No surprises?”

“No, definitely not. I think the surprise of Ava being pregnant in the first place is all the surprise we needed,” said Andrew, shaking his head. “We definitely don’t want anything else to come up. So far, though, it’s been smooth for her, I think.” He glanced at Ava. Of course, she had gone through the usual motions of a woman who was pregnant, but nothing they couldn’t handle together.

“Even an IUD couldn’t stop the inevitable from happening. I knew you two were always going to be parents,” said Sean. “You both have such caring natures, I don’t think even either of you know it. But, the fact that you both chose careers that involve helping people and that you both kept all those dogs and have a cat that you found. You’re both made for having a baby.” Sean always understood neither of them never wanting the responsibility, however that didn’t negate the fact that they were still very caring and mindful people who would always have made great parents.

“I only hope it’s as instinctual as you make it sound,” said Andrew.

“Well, you know, the crying at night is always the hardest. But, if you’re both off from work, the trick is to sleep whenever the baby is sleeping and a couple months in, the baby won’t be crying anymore. At least not at night. And at least you won’t have twins. The worst thing was having one of them start crying only to get the other started crying like a chain reaction. And then Jenna would cry because she was tired and I would cry because I was tired,” said Sean as he shook his head.

“Stop. You’re making it sound like too much fun,” deadpanned Andrew. “And yet, even with all that crying and lack of sleep, you two somehow always looked so awake and refreshed, enough so that you always had time to bother us about whether or not Ava was pregnant.”

“Babies cry, and listen, we always have time to see what you two are getting up to, including whether or not you’re going to have a baby,” said Sean as he moved the ultrasound out of reach of the twins as they were trying to grab hold of it. “Look at that, that’s your new friend,” he said as he held it in front of the boys, so they could see the image. “In about six months, you two will have a best friend to play with.” Both boys were still trying to grab hold of the image, reaching for it, but never quite able to get at it. He looked at Ava. “Well, at least Jenna can give you everything you ever want to know about labor,” he nodded. He looked at Andrew. “You ready to be in that delivery room?”

“I’ve seen people lose limbs and have their limbs sawed off, and every other horror scenario imaginable, I think I can handle a birth,” said Andrew as he gave Sean a pointed look. Their jobs weren’t for the squeamish.

Sean shook his head. “No, you absolutely cannot. It is an entirely different experience than anything we’ve ever seen before. I’m telling you. Just be prepared is all I’m saying. You planning on taking Lamaze classes? Jenna can recommend a good one, you know.”