Something you want to tell me?
WHO: Elaine & Harry WHAT: Pregnancy scare, Elaine takes a test, they talk about the future WHEN: A day or two after this WHERE: Elaine's WARNINGS/RATING: PG13ish for subject matter
When Cora had come to her with the news that she'd become a woman, Elaine had realized that she hadn't really been keeping track of her own cycle lately. Life had just been so crazy for the past few weeks. Months. When was the last time she had remembered to mark the calendar? Had she skipped a month? Was her count just a few days off? When was the last time she and Harry had made love?
She'd bought a pregnancy test while she was out replenishing the household supply of feminine hygiene products, just in case; but since it was already the middle of her day by the time she got home, she decided to wait until at least the next morning before using it. The only question was, should she try and hide the test from Harry until she had seen the results, or should she inform him of her concern so they could sit up all night and worry together?
What if it was positive?
Harry remembered the last time he and Elaine had made love. Very, very well. Mmm. He liked to encourage them to do so every few days. Sure, some weeks had gone to heck because of reasons, but he tried anyway. And he tried to help keep track of things. But this was something he had not thought of. Not even when Cora became a woman. Of course, he was pretty sure they thought he didn’t know that one. And he was fine with that.
Today, was in fact, a day when he was hoping to snuggle after dinner and maybe encourage ideas in that direction. Yessss.
“Hello, love.” He slid out of the kitchen from where he was cooking, and came to greet her and kiss her. He had taken a day to pick Cora up from school and then take her to a local spa and have her given the full treatment, so she would feel better, hopefully, some, anyway.
Elaine wouldn’t necessarily object to snuggling and intimacy, if Harry was still interested by the time she got done saying what she needed to say. But nothing said she couldn’t snuggle a little bit before, too.
She wrapped her arms around his waist as he came out of the kitchen, and rested her head on his chest. He’d been so wonderful, so supportive and involved in everything since he’d moved into town. Just like old times, only better. “I love you so much, Harry.”
“I love you too.” He hugged her tight. Harry felt like he had missed so much, all because he had not fought for her and had not worked harder to make something work way back when. Now, he was determined to make their lives better, and make a future for them.
“How are you holding up?’ He knew this thing with Cora aging up had to be eating at her even more than it did at him.
Elaine promised herself that she would never, ever hold back from telling Harry how she felt, or being honest with him, even if it was hard. “I...don’t know,” she said, sighing. Her baby was already growing up too fast, and now the dreams had pushed her years and years ahead of the game. It was like watching 13 Going On 30, but all too real. “Do you think she’ll be able to handle it? Being an adolescent?”
Harry nodded, listening, and he felt his breath slide out. He took a moment to truly consider it. “Yes. I think so. She’s not alone, Besides us, she has Billy and Nate for two, and the Summers et all, for a second rank, not to mention Mac has been nice to her and she even found a friend in Thor. A lot of people will be there for her and I think she can make it.” He hugged Elaine tight. “The real question is will we make it watching her have to deal with all of this years early.”
Elaine nodded, sighing softly in the shelter of Harry’s arms. The house had four walls and a threshold, but moments like this were what gave those things meaning. What filled the space with power. Part of her was ready to drop down on one knee and as him to be her husband then and there--but she also kind of wanted to do something special leading up to the big moment. And she didn’t want him to think she was only asking because she thought there might be another baby on the way.
“You want kids, right? Not that they will replace our little girl, because she’ll always be that, even when she’s grown, but...you’re not opposed to having more, are you?”
"I do, yes. I was hoping for one more." Harry smiled and stole a kiss. "I would even not be opposed to more. A few anyway. As long as we're-" Harry's voice cut off as his brain caught up. He was slow sometimes, but not stupid.
He pulled back and favored Elaine with a wondering look. "Something you want to tell me?"
"I bought a test, the other day," she said, taking a deep breath. At least she knew that they both wanted a bigger family, someday. "I didn't use it yet, but with everything that's been going on...I think I might be late."
Harry nodded and he hugged her close. “Oh.” Then he smiled and kissed her, heart pounding. He swallowed. “If... if it is true, then we will love the child, and I’m not going anywhere, dear.” He kissed her again.
“Hm.” Elaine returned the kiss, relaxing a little more. Whatever the results, she knew they would be okay. “I just thought you should know, now, rather than later.”
“Thank you.” He nibbled on her nose, then kissed it and hugged her tight. “I want to be here and know these things to share them with you. We can snuggle tonight and talk.” He nudged her with one hip smiling knowingly. “Or I can try to exhaust you somehow?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Well, I would not be opposed to that,” she said, letting her hands slide down his butt and groping. She was sure there would be snuggling and talking before, during, and/or after, so it was all good. “I’ll take the test in the morning, first thing. They say the results are more accurate that way.”
Harry nodded and kissed her again and returning the grope to her own rear. “Good.” They could take an evening to hold each other, love each other and then together, face the results in the morning. He liked that. “Good. I’ll be here.” He hugged her tight.
And he was there, all through dinner, and a beautiful evening together, and into wake-up snuggles. Elaine was reluctant to get out of bed, but eventually, she excused herself to take care of business--then dashed back into the bedroom to snuggle some more while they awaited the test results.
Harry rose and smiled as she came back in, snuggling her to his lap and hugging her tight as she returned. He was nervous, and anticipation ran through him. “You feel good.”
She sighed, nestling against Harry’s chest, and running her fingers over the scruff of his jaw. She was nervous too, but not anxious. She’d had to do this alone, last time, and she was just grateful that he was there with her, now. Whatever happened, they would celebrate. Together.
“I’m so glad you’re with me.”
He stroked her belly lightly, and held her close. “And me too. I wouldn’t be anywhere else for the world, love. Not anywhere. This is where I belong. With you.” He kissed her neck and her hair and hugged her tight.
Elaine nodded, resting her head on his shoulder, and softly closing her eyes. She wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, with anyone else, either. There was only Harry. She gave a contented sigh, still curled up in his arms. “Are you ready?”
Harry nodded and kissed her hair, and her lips, then. “Yes. And no, but yes. It’s us. No matter what, we’ll deal with it, good or bad. I’d be proud to raise another child with you, to raise one as far as you raised Cora, and beyond.” He kissed her again, then and smiled.
She kissed him back, looking into his eyes for a moment before she leaned over to grab the test-strip. She held it up so Harry could see, and peered into the little window...
Harry peered in, then sighed as he felt both relief and sadness course through him, side by side. He kissed her on the temple, hugging her close before he spoke the word they both knew. “Negative. No baby this time...” And he hugged her tight. It was good and bad, both.
She sighed, feeling her muscles go slack as the tension drained out of her body. She was almost disappointed--but she knew there would be other chances, and this way they would have time to plan. Time to help Cora adjust to not being the baby anymore. “Not this time,” she said softly, “But when we’re ready.”
Harry nodded. “I like that plan.” He smiled softly and kissed her lips and her nose and her forehead, tender kisses, loving kisses. Then he smirked and pressed her to the bed. “And now that I know that is so... “ He knelt between her legs and nipped at one thigh. “I think it’s time I reminded you of how lucky I feel...”