i’ve been watching a lot of interviews where dom says he wants to have a family n stuff and couldn’t stop thinking about dom x pregnant wife reader where he has to deal with her weird cravings, constant mood swings (from yelling to crying to laughing in the span of seconds), and morning sickness and how he’d be the most caring and loving husband during all of that 🤏
dominik mysterio x fem! reader
summary: when you started your hiatus, all you were expecting was rest but everything changes when you find out you’re pregnant.
A/N: OH WE ARE SOOO BACKKK. this is longer than I expected but I genuinely was in flow state anyway guys im rlly going to try to clear out my inbox so expect some old requests published!!
you’d taken hits harder than this.
you’ve been thrown from the top rope, the air being ripped from your lungs as you crashed onto the mat. slapped against steel steps so hard your vision blurred, ears ringing while the crowd roared like it was nothing.
you’d been slammed spine first into the canvas, pain blooming white hot across your back while you forced yourself to roll over, get back up, keep going and put on an entertaining performance.
pain was natural to you. after years of being in the industry it had become familiar.
nothing, nothing, had ever made your hands shake like they were now.
you stared down at the small plastic stick resting on the bathroom counter. it felt impossibly light for something that can change your entire world.
your heart can be heard in your ears, loud enough that it almost drowns out your own breathing.
your knees weaken, and you sink onto the closed toilet lid, your eyes trained on the test not believing this was real.
“no way.” you whispered. “no way, no way, no way.”
you’d known something was off.
for the past couple weeks, your body hadn’t felt like yours. you were tired in a way sleep didn’t fix. certain smells made your stomach turn. your emotions were… weird. unpredictable.
you hadn’t even told dominik. it felt silly at the time. irrational.
yet it had bothered you enough that, one afternoon, you’d stopped at the store grabbing not one, but two tests.
now you were sitting here, one positive test in your hand and the other still unopened on the counter, your entire life shifting beneath you.
your career flashes through your mind in pieces.
the sweaty ring gear, bruises that would form after hours of training, the rush of adrenaline when you walked out of the gorilla and heard the crowd. everything you had achieved.
you were on a hiatus. you had decided to step away for a bit. your body needed it, you needed it. years of pushing yourself, of sacrificing, of fighting through injuries that never fully healed.
and now, your body was doing something else entirely. something extraordinary.
you and dominik had talked about this quite a few times. It came up spontaneously sometimes as a joke or in times where it felt like it was just you and him in this world.
his hand tracing lazy patterns on your skin.
“someday.” he’d murmur against your shoulder. “when we’re ready.”
you’d smile, pressing a kiss to his collarbone, imagining it in soft, distant ways.
it had always felt far so away. but now it wasn’t.
a soft knock broke through everything.
“amor?” his voice came through the door, gentle but concerned. “you okay in there?”
you wiped your face quickly, staring at the test one more time.
you opened the cabinet under the sink, not really sure what you were doing.
your thoughts were moving too fast for you to keep up with.
and then your eyes landed on a small random decorative box. something you hadn’t touched in months. you didn’t even think about it, just grabbed it, your movements shaky and rushed.
you placed the test inside carefully, like it was something fragile and closed the lid.
taking a deep breath that didn’t quite steady you, you stood up and opened the door.
dominik looked up immediately from where he was, concern written all over his face. “hey- what happened? are you okay?”
“yea um..” you walked over to him slowly and held the box out. “here.”
he blinked, confused. “what is this?”
you shook your head a little, your eyes already glassy. “just- just open it. please.”
he hesitated, looking at your face, trying to read you. but something in your expression made him take it seriously.
but he took it, carefully. he lifted the lid his eyes confused for a moment then he froze. completely.
his entire body went still, like time had just stopped around him.
his eyes locked onto the test inside, his fingers tightening slightly around the edges of the box.
“no way.” he breathed. your heart was pounding so hard it hurt.
his gaze snapped up to you, wide and searching, like he needed you to confirm it. like he couldn’t trust his own eyes.
“are you serious?” his voice cracked. “is this real?”
you nodded, tears already spilling over. “yeah.”
his face broke instantly, his emotions hitting him all at once. a shaky breath left him, almost like a laugh, but it didn’t fully form before his eyes filled with tears.
“we’re-“ he paused taking a second shaking his head slightly. “we’re having a baby?”
you covered your mouth, nodding again as your shoulders started to shake. “yeah.”
he set the box down quickly, like he couldn’t hold onto it and you at the same time.
and then he stepped forward, his hands coming up to your face, holding you there for a second like he needed to see you.
“hey.” he whispered, even though his own voice was unsteady. “come here.”
he pulled you into him immediately, wrapping his arms around you tight, protective, and grounding.
you clung to him just as hard, your fingers gripping his shirt as the reality finally settled in.
you were both crying actually crying. no holding it back, no pretending.
“holy shit,” he breathed into your hair, his voice breaking completely. “holy shit… this is real…”
you nodded against his chest, your tears soaking into his hoodie. “i know.”
you pulled back just enough to look at him, both of you a mess- tear-streaked, overwhelmed, but smiling through it.
his forehead pressed against yours, noses brushing.
“you’re pregnant.” he said again, quieter this time, like he was grounding himself in it.
you let out a shaky laugh. “yeah.”
his thumb brushed under your eye, wiping away a tear that didn’t stop another from falling.
“we’re gonna be parents.” he murmured.
the doctor’s office is quieter than you expected.
soft beige walls, the faint sound of the lights, a muted TV mounted in the corner playing something neither of you are paying attention to.
you sit in the waiting room chair, your hands folded over your lap, foot bouncing despite your you trying your hardest to stay still.
dom sits right beside you, your knees are pressed against each other. he hasn’t let go of your hand since you checked in.
his thumb moving back and forth over your knuckles in slow, grounding strokes, like he’s trying to steady both of you at once.
“you okay?” he asks softly, leaning in.
you nod, then exhale a smile coming over your face. “just like super nervous.”
he gives a small smile. “me too.”
that alone makes you smile.
this is the same man, who walks into arenas with thousands booing and heckling him, and he looks more anxious here than before any match you’d ever watched him wrestle.
when the nurse finally calls your name, dominik stands immediately, then helps you stand. his hand tightening around yours.
the exam room is cool, the paper on the table crinkling beneath you as you sit back. dominik takes a seat in the chair next to the table, his hand finding yours again.
he watches everything, every movement the nurse makes, every word she says like he’s afraid to miss something important.
“first pregnancy?” the nurse asks kindly.
dominik nods along, like he’s the one being asked.
the doctor explains everything calmly, reassuringly, and then reaches for the ultrasound machine.
“alright.” she says. “I’m going to apply some gel. It might be a little cold.”
you barely have time to process that warning before you flinch slightly, a quiet gasp slipping out at the cold touch against your skin.
“sorry.” the doctor says with a small smile.
you let out a nervous laugh, your free hand instinctively tightening around dominik’s.
he leans closer immediately, his chair scraping softly against the floor as he moves in, his other hand coming to rest lightly against your arm. “you’re okay.” he murmurs, voice low and steady.
your eyes flicker to his for just a second, grounding yourself in him before looking back at the screen.
the screen flickers to life as the doctor moves the probe, and suddenly the cold you’re not even worried about the cold.
for a moment, it’s just static. a bunch of shadows and shapes you can’t quite make sense of.
your heart starts picking up again, your mind racing until the doctor tilts the wand slightly.
“there we go…” she cooed softly.
a small, flickering movement appears on the screen.
you blink. “what is that?” you ask softly, almost afraid to speak too loud.
the doctor’s smile widens. “that-“ she says gently as she turns the screen slightly toward you both. “is your baby.”
you feel dominik freeze beside you.
his hand stops moving against yours completely, his grip tightening just a little as he stares at the screen like he’s afraid if he looks away, it’ll disappear.
“and this-“ the doctor continues, adjusting one last thing on her end. “-is the heartbeat.”
you hear it before you fully process it a fast, steady rhythm fills the room.
your breath catches and your eyes instantly fill, tears spilling over before you can even stop them.
“oh my-“ your voice breaks, a soft laugh mixing with it. “dom…”
he doesn’t answer right away.
and your chest tightens all over again.
quietly, almost like he doesn’t even realize it.
his eyes are locked on the screen, glossy and wide, his jaw slightly clenched like he’s trying to hold himself together but failing.
“that’s…” he exhales, shaking his head faintly. “that’s ours?”
the doctor nods softly. “that’s your baby.” she smiles as she collects her clipboard. “everything looks perfect, your baby looks healthy. I’ll go fill out some paperwork so you guys can get on out of here, have a great day and congratulations.” she leaves closing the door behind her.
you squeeze his hand, and that finally snaps him out of it just enough to look at you.
the second his eyes meet yours, something in his expression just breaks open completely.
he lets out a shaky laugh, leaning forward until his forehead presses gently against yours.
“we made that.” he whispers, like he can’t believe it.
you nod, tears still falling, smiling so wide it almost hurts. “we did.”
he lifts your joined hands, pressing a quick kiss to your knuckles before bringing his other hand up to your face, brushing away your tears with his thumb.
“you’re doing so good.” he murmurs softly, voice thick with emotion.
you laugh quietly through your tears. “i’m literally just laying here-”
“yeah.” he interrupts gently, a small, breathless smile forming. “but still.”
his eyes flicker back to the screen again, like he’s already attached in a way he can’t explain. and he doesn’t let go of your hand for a second.
the first few weeks after that appointment feel almost unreal. like you’re living in something soft and glowing and slightly chaotic all at once.
like every little moment suddenly means something.
like there’s this quiet secret sitting between you and him, even when you’re just brushing your teeth side by side or watching TV with your legs thrown over his lap.
he looks at you differently now. not in a huge, obvious way-
just softer and more careful. he was aware of you before but now he’s constantly aware of you.
and every now and then, his hand will drift to your stomach without him even realizing it, thumb brushing lightly over your shirt.
the cravings hit first. and hard
it wasn’t gradual or subtle. they just… took over.
one night, it’s almost midnight and you’re standing in the kitchen, the fridge wide open, the cold light spilling out across the hardwood floors.
you’ve been standing there long enough for the motor to hum louder, for the air to start feeling too cold against your legs but you don’t move.
you’re staring like whatever you crave will appear if you just wait long enough.
dominik walks out of the room rubbing his eyes and leans against the doorway, arms crossed, one shoulder pressed to the frame.
his hair’s a little messy, t-shirt wrinkled, clearly pulled out of bed but he doesn’t look annoyed.
just mildly concerned. and amused.
“what are you looking for?” he asks, voice still thick with sleep.
you don’t answer right away.
your eyes scan the shelves again. leftovers. drinks. fruit. none of it right or what you wanted.
then, very calmly you spoke. “pickles.”
he squints a little, pushing off the doorway and stepping closer. “we have pickles.”
you shake your head immediately, not even looking at him. “not those pickles.”
he opens the fridge door wider, leaning in beside you now, inspecting like maybe there’s something he’s missing. “what’s wrong with those pickles?”
you finally turn to him, your expression completely serious. borderline offended. “i don’t know, they’re just not right.”
he blinks once then twice, really processing what you’re saying. “…okay.”
he straightens up slightly, rubbing the back of his neck as he tries to make sense of that. “what kind of pickles are right?”
you hesitate, like it’s obvious but also impossible to explain.
he glances back into the fridge. then back at you.
he pauses then sighs softly. a soft smile on his face as he reaches for his keys on the counter. “i’m going to the store.”
you nod, closing the fridge like the decision has finally been made. “thank you.”
he stops for a second before walking out, looking back at you. “do you want anything else while i’m out?”
you think, tapping your fingers lightly against the counter.
“chocolate?” you give him a sympathetic look.
“it’s okay.” he says as he moves toward you gives you a kiss on the head. “i’ll figure it out. sit tight ill be back in a bit.”
when he comes back, the door shuts a little louder than usual, like he’s juggling too many things at once.
you look up from the couch just in time to see him walk in with a grocery bag in each hand.
he sets everything down on the counter, slightly out of breath. “okay. so.”
he starts pulling things out.
he nods, very serious. “you said the cold crunchy ones, but you didn’t specify brand, so i got options.”
you can’t help the small smile forming on your face.
chocolate-covered strawberries.
even those little assorted boxes.
he shrugs, a little sheepish now. “you said you didn’t know what kind, so i just— got a variety.”
your chest tightens in that soft, overwhelming way it’s been doing a lot lately.
“you didn’t have to do all that…”
“i know,” he says simply. “i wanted to.”
he twists open one of the pickle jars, handing it to you like it’s the most important thing in the world.
you take one bite and instantly your whole face relaxes.
“those are the ones?” he asks carefully, watching you like your answer actually matters.
you nod, already reaching for another. “yeah.”
his shoulders drop in visible relief, like he just passed some kind of test. “good.” he mutters.
then, out of curiosity, he grabs one himself, taking a bite and immediately regrets it.
his face scrunches. “why is it so-“
you immediately burst out laughing.
and he can’t even finish the sentence before he’s laughing too, shaking his head as he tries to chew it anyway.
too early for the sun to be fully up, just that faint gray light slipping through the curtains.
you’re still half-asleep, curled into the blankets, one arm tucked under your pillow, the other resting loosely over your stomach.
then it hits you all at once. that sudden, overwhelming wave of your stomach turning, your throat tightening, your body going tense before your mind even fully catches up.
your eyes snap open. you sit up too fast, the room spinning slightly as you press a hand to your mouth.
beside you, dominik shifts a little, still asleep, his breathing slow and even, one arm stretched out where you were just laying.
you glance at him and he looks exhausted. then you remember, he has a flight later to go back on the road. he needs the sleep.
you just push the blankets off quietly, feet hitting the floor as you stand, one hand braced against the bed for a second while you steady yourself.
another wave hits, stronger than the last. you don’t waste another second.
you rush to the bathroom, barely making it before you drop to your knees in front of the toilet.
your body shaking slightly, one hand gripping the edge, the other pressed against your chest like it might help.
the sound echoes louder than you’d like in the quiet apartment. you squeeze your eyes shut, breathing uneven.
“okay… okay…” you whisper to yourself, voice weak.
even though it’s only minutes.
when it finally passes, you just stay there for a second, leaning your forehead against your arm, breathing slowly, trying to calm everything down.
you don’t hear him at first, not until there’s a soft shuffle in the doorway. “hey.”
his voice is quiet and gentle. you turn your head slightly.
he’s standing there, hair messy, eyes still heavy with sleep but wide with concern now.
“why didn’t you wake me?” he asks, already moving toward you.
you shake your head weakly. “you need sleep, you have a flight…”
he doesn’t even acknowledge that.
he’s already kneeling beside you, one hand immediately going to your back, rubbing slow, steady circles.
the other gently gathering your hair, holding it out of your face like it’s second nature.
“i don’t care about that.” he murmurs. “i care about you.”
another small wave hits, and he stays right there, not letting go for a second.
“i got you.” he repeats softly. “i got you, just let it out.”
when it finally eases again, he reaches for a damp cloth, pressing it gently to the back of your neck.
you exhale, eyes closing briefly at the coolness. “i was trying not to wake you.” you mumble.
“cute but don’t do that again,” he says quietly, not harsh just firm in that soft way he gets.
you let out a tired, breathy laugh.
he helps you sit back a little, his hand still resting against your back.
“this sucks.” you whisper.
he nods slightly. “yeah, i bet.” then softly he goes, “but you’re not doing it alone.”
you smile at him, “thank you baby.”
you’re at home, the apartment still in that mid-afternoon hush, sunlight pouring through the windows in soft gold streaks.
your hiatus has made everything slower. and your apartment had been so much quieter now that dom was back on the road.
your days were mostly spent with more time resting, more time just existing.
right now, you’re stretched out on the couch, a blanket draped over your legs, one hand absentmindedly tracing small circles over your stomach as you scroll on your phone.
a sudden, unfamiliar feeling flutters low in your stomach which makes you freeze.
your thumb stoping mid-scroll. “wait.”
you press your hand down a little more, eyes widening slightly.
and then it happens again. it’s soft, but unmistakable.
our breath catches. “oh my gosh.” you sit up slowly, heart already starting to race, your other hand coming to your stomach like you might miss it if you don’t hold it there.
another small movement. sronger this time and that’s when it fully hits you.
your phone is back in your hand before you even realize it, already tapping his contact, already hitting factime.
it rings twice before his face pops up on the screen.
he’s already backstage, you can tell immediately. the noise is faint in the background, voices, movement, but he’s tucked off somewhere quieter.
the second he sees your face, his expression shifts. “hey amor, everything okay?”
you’re smiling too wide, eyes already glassy. “the baby just kicked.”
“the baby just kicked.” you repeat, a small laugh slipping out.
he runs a hand through his hair, blinking like he’s trying to process it. “like right now?”
you nod quickly. “yeah- it like just- it happened-”
“can you-“ he shifts the phone, already moving like he’s about to leave wherever he is. “can i see it?”
you flip the camera positioning your growing bump in the camera. you poke your stomach gently, waiting.
but it doesn’t happen again, you both wait a few seconds.
you glance back at the screen, a small, apologetic smile forming. “i think it stopped.”
he nods slowly, trying to smile back but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. you flip the camera back to show your face. “okay.”
he looks down for a second, jaw tightening just slightly, like he’s trying to push something down before it shows.
“hey-“ our voice softens. “what’s wrong?”
he shakes his head at first. “nothing.”
you give him a look, it was the same one you gave him in the kitchen.
the one that means don’t do that.
he exhales quietly, leaning back against the wall behind him, running a hand over his face. “i should’ve been there.”
your chest tightens. “dom-”
“i mean it.” he cuts in softly, not angry but frustrated with himself. “i should’ve been there for that. that’s like- that’s the first time, you know?”
“i know.” you say gently.
he laughs a little, but there’s no humor in it. “and i’m backstage, worrying about a match when-” he stops himself, shaking his head.
you can hear it now. the guilt in his voice.
“hey baby.” you interrupt softly. “look at me.”
he does and you can see that his eyes are a little heavier now.
“you’re working-” you say. “we both knew that if we ever did have a baby, this is what it would be like.”
“yeah, but talking about it and actually living it are two different things.” he admits, quieter now. “i don’t want to be a dad that’s never there for things.”
that hits you hard, because that’s not him. not even close.
you shift a little on the couch, sitting up straighter. “you won’t be that dad.”
he doesn’t answer he just looks at you, like he wants to believe it but doesn’t fully.
“you’re doing what you love dom. what i love and most importantly it’s for us.” you continue softly. “for our family. that matters.”
his jaw tightens slightly. “yeah, but what if i keep missing things like this?”
“then i’ll call you.” you say immediately. “every time.”
he lets out a small breath.
“and when you’re here,” you add, your voice softer now, “you’re here. completely. you don’t half-do anything, dom. not at work, not with me. and you won’t do it with this baby.”
that finally gets through a little. you can see it in the way his shoulders drop, just slightly. “i still hate that i missed it.” he mutters.
you smile gently. “i know.”
there’s a small pause. then you place your hand back over your stomach.
he watches you for a second, then nods slowly.
“you promise you’ll call me again?”
“every single time.” you say.
the gender reveal was supposed to be small. that was the original plan.
when you and dom had started talking about the reveal it was just something simple, close friends, a little cake, nothing too overwhelming.
but the second you and dominik started naming people, it turned into something a little bigger and louder a little bit more you guys.
liv and austin had insisted on putting it together, which immediately meant it wasn’t going to be that small but you trusted them.
and when you and dominik pull up to his parents’ house, you already notice the cars lined along the street, the soft sound of music drifting from the backyard.
you glance at him, a small smile forming. “this is definitely not small.”
he huffs quietly, squeezing your hand. “yeah- i mean they didn’t even try to pretend.”
he comes around your side immediately, opening the door and offering his hand to help you out, one arm steady around your waist once you’re on your feet.
your stomach is big now. it’s noticeable and huge despite how early on you are- and dom he’s careful without even thinking about it, guiding you slowly toward the gate that leads to the backyard.
“you okay mi amor?” he murmurs.
you nod, already feeling that soft warmth build in your chest. “yea baby, I’m great.”
he smiled at you. “let’s do this then.”
you smile back nodding. he pushes the gate open and the second you both step out into the backyard, cheers erupt.
clapping, laughter, voices overlapping as everyone turns toward you.
you freeze for a second, completely surprised.
the backyard is decorated beautifully with soft pink and blue streamers hanging along the fence, balloons tied to chairs, tables set up with food and drinks, string lights draped overhead even in the daylight.
it’s not overdone or overwhelming. it’s simply perfect and full of people you love.
liv and austin stand front and center, both grinning, rhea and tiffany nearby already waving you over, nattie and maxine smiling wide, dom’s friends calling out to him, and his family- his parents and sister as well as your family. all of them standing close together, watching you with so much love.
your hand comes to your stomach instinctively as you take it all in.
“oh my gosh.” you breathe.
dominik’s hand tightens around yours, the other still secure at your back. “you like it?”
you turn to him, eyes already glassy. “i love it.”
he smiles instantly, relief flashing across his face.
before you can say anything else, liv is already making her way over, barely containing herself.
“okay, i might’ve gone a little overboard!” she says, laughing.
you shake your head, pulling her into a careful hug. “no no- it’s perfect. i love it so much.”
austin daps up dom, bringing eachother in for a short hug. “thank you guys for doing this seriously.”
austin nods proudly from behind her. “told you they’d like it.”
and he’s right. because standing there, surrounded by everyone you two loved it.
you move slowly around the backyard, talking, laughing, hugging people one by one.
rhea pulls you in first, careful but firm. “you look good.”
you laugh. “i feel huge.”
“you are,” she teases lightly, then softens. “but in a good way.”
tiffany compliments your dress immediately, nattie checks in on how you’re feeling, maxine talks excitedly about baby clothes and names like she’s already planning everything.
on the other side, dominik gets pulled into conversations with damian, jd, austin, and grayson—but even while he’s talking, his eyes keep flicking back to you.
and eventually, he makes his way back over, slipping his hand into yours again like it belongs there.
“you okay?” he asks quietly.
“yeah,” you smile. “this is really nice.”
he nods, glancing around. “they did good.”
after a while, austin claps his hands together loudly. “alright, alright- let’s get to it!”
liv points toward the center of the yard where two small smoke canisters sit ready.
people start forming a circle around you and dominik, phones coming out, voices buzzing with excitement.
your nerves kick in again instantly.
you look at him. “okay… now i’m nervous.”
he squeezes your hand, stepping closer so your shoulder brushes his. “me too.”
you laugh softly. “great.”
liv hands you one canister, austin hands dominik the other.
“on three.” austin says, grinning. “you both pull.”
“okay…” you mumble, staring down at the canister in your hand like it might explode any second. “okay, okay-”
dominik lets out a quiet breath beside you, his shoulder pressing more firmly into yours. his free hand comes up for a second, brushing against your arm in a small, grounding touch before finding yours again.
“hey.” he says softly, leaning just enough so only you hear, “whatever it is… we’re good.”
you look at him, and the nerves don’t disappear, but they loosen. “we’re good.”
the crowd quiets just a little, anticipation thick in the air.
you tighten your grip on dominik’s hand, your heart pounding so hard it feels like everyone can hear it. he squeezes back instantly.
“three!” you both pull and for a split second, nothing happens leaving you both confused.
and then smoke bursts out, thick and fast, curling into the air between you.
everyone bursts out cheering. you blink, trying to see through the haze, your brain taking a second to catch up-
you gasp looking up at the pink smoke, your hand flying to your mouth as tears instantly well up in your eyes. “oh my-“
you don’t even finish the sentence before you’re turning to him, laughing and crying at the same time.
he’s already looking at you, eyes wide, something soft and almost disbelieving breaking across his face before it melts into pure happiness.
“we’re having a baby girl?” he breathes, voice shaking just a little.
you nod quickly, tears slipping down your cheeks. “yeah- yeah, i-”
he pulls you into him immediately, arms wrapping around you in a tight, almost bone-crushing hug yet still careful, one hand instinctively coming to rest protectively at your back.
you bury your face into his shoulder, laughing through your tears as you cling to him just as tightly.
“i know,” he murmurs, pressing his cheek against your hair. “i know, baby… i know.”
he pulls back just enough to look at you, both of you smiling like you can’t stop, even as tears keep falling.
“i’m so happy.” you say, breathless.
“me too.” he answers instantly, softer this time. “so much.”
he leans his forehead against yours for a second, like he needs to stay right there-
before the noise of everyone else comes crashing back in.
liv is the first to reach you, literally bouncing as she throws her arms around both of you.
“oh my god!!” she shrieks. “i knew it, i knew it!”
austin’s right behind her, clapping dominik hard on the shoulder before pulling him into a quick hug.
rhea wraps you up next, squeezing you tight but careful. “you’re gonna be amazing!” she says quietly, and you can hear how real she means it.
you nod against her, still smiling. “thank you.”
tiffany hugs you right after, rambling excitedly, nattie follows with something softer, grounding, maxine practically vibrating as she talks about everything at once again.
on dominik’s side, damian pulls him in with a proud grin, jd and austin hyping him up, grayson shaking his head with a laugh but smiling anyway.
and through all of it he keeps reaching back for you.
every time you drift even a step apart, his hand finds yours again, fingers lacing together like it’s automatic now.
eventually, you end up back next to each other again, a little overwhelmed, a little emotional, but completely happy.
you lean into him slightly, your head brushing his shoulder.
“this is crazy.” you murmur.
he huffs a small laugh, still looking at you more than anything else. “yeah… it is.”
you glance up at him, smiling. “i love you.”
he smiled back squeezing your hand again. “i love you too.”
the kitchen smells like garlic and butter, something low and soft playing from your phone on the counter as you stand over the stove.
you shift your weight again, one hand pressing into your lower back. you’re huge.
like actually about to pop.
your stomach is round and heavy. your cropped merch tee is riding up just enough that your belly’s fully on display. your sweatpants sit low beneath it, loose, comfortable but nothing really feels comfortable these days.
your hair is thrown into a messy bun that’s barely doing its job, pieces falling out. you’re exhausted and very, very pregnant.
from the living room, the tv hums quietly. “babe-” his voice carries from the couch. “do you want me to come help or you got it?”
you smile a little to yourself, shaking your head as you stir the pan. “don’t worry, i got it. just relax.”
“you sure?” he calls back.
you huff out a quiet laugh, glancing toward the doorway. “yes, dom. just sit down.”
“alright, alright.” he mutters, but you can hear the faint smile in his voice.
you turn back to the stove, stirring slowly, shifting your weight again as your lower back aches.
you adjust your stance, one hand coming down to rest under your belly for a second, lifting it just enough to ease the pressure.
“almost done.” you call out, mostly to yourself at this point.
a strange pressure builds low in your stomach, it was sharp, sharp enough to make your brows pull together.
and then your water breaks. a sudden, warm gush that hits the floor before you can even react.
you freeze, eyes dropping instantly. “…oh-”
from the living room, there’s immediate movement.
“what was that?” dominik calls, already getting up. “you drop something?”
he rounds the corner, looking around then at you. you watch as his expression changes instantly. “wait.”
“baby.” you look back up at him, your voice unsteady but clear. “my water just broke.”
you swallow, your heart starting to race. “my water broke.”
there’s a split second where he just stands there. “dominik!” you say snapping him out of it.
“sorry! okay, okay-“ he starts moving immediately, running a hand through his hair. “we need the bag- where’s the bag-?”
“by the door.” you say, gripping the counter as your breathing starts to shift.
“right- right- um okay.” he nods quickly, then comes right back to you, hands hovering before settling on your arms. “you okay?”
“yeah, just-“ you’re unable to finish your sentence as a contraction hits and hard.
you inhale sharply, your body tensing as your grip tightens.
“shit- okay- hey, hey,” he’s right there instantly, one arm around you, the other rubbing your back. “breathe, yeah? just breathe.”
you nod, trying to focus as the pain rolls through you.
everything moves fast after that.
one minute you’re in the kitchen, the next you’re being guided out the front door, dominik talking a mile a minute while trying to keep one hand on you at all times.
“watch your step- careful- okay- okay-”
“dom.” you exhale, but it cuts off as yet another contraction hits.
it steals the rest of your breath completely, your body locking up as a low, involuntary groan leaves your chest.
“mm-” your head drops forward, grip tightening on his arm.
“okay- okay, i got you,” he says immediately, shifting closer, one hand firm on your back. “breathe, yeah? just breathe-“
all you can do is ride it out, your body tense, another strained groan slipping out before it finally eases.
you suck in a breath like you’ve been underwater.
“okay.” you manage weakly.
“yeah.” he nods quickly, guiding you the rest of the way. “c’mon, almost there.”
he gets you into the car, helping you sit, adjusting you as carefully as he can.
he barely makes it around to his side before another one builds.
you grip the seat, a broken groan leaving your throat as your eyes squeeze shut.
“shit- i’m here, i’m here-“ he’s reaching for you instantly, his hand finding yours. “breathe with me- c’mon-“
you shake your head, trying, but it’s hard when it feels like your body is being pulled tight from the inside. it fades slowly.
you slump back, breathing uneven.
“just drive- please.” you murmur.
“i am.” he says quickly, already pulling out, his voice tighter now. “we’re going.”
and you do. a loud cry rips from your throat, your body trembling with effort and your fingers digging into doms hand.
this is nothing like you’d ever experienced before this was your body taking everything from you and demanding more.
“don’t stop.” dominik says, gripping your hand tighter. “i’m right here- i’m not going anywhere.”
you push again, a loud groan leaving you. tears stream down your face as your body shakes.
“you just need one more-” the nurse says.
you sob out a breath, shaking your head. “i can’t- i can’t.”
“yes, you can.” he says immediately, not letting you fall into it. his forehead presses to yours for a second. “one more. you got this- i’ve got you.”
something in his voice, maybe the tone or his words but whatever it was pulls you back just enough.
you nod your eyebrows knitted together. just then you feel another sharp pain in your stomach signaling it was time to push.
and you do. you push with everything left in you, a raw, broken cry tearing out of your chest.
the room is filled with a tiny, trembling cry.
your head falls back against the pillow, your chest rising and falling hard as you try to catch your breath, your entire body going limp with exhaustion.
dominik doesn’t even look away from you at first.
he’s still holding your hand, gripping it tight, his other hand immediately coming up to your face.
“hey, hey, i got you.” he says softly, his voice completely different now gentle, shaky. “it’s okay. it’s over. you did it.”
your eyes flutter, still trying to process everything, and you lean into his touch without even thinking.
he brushes your hair back, his thumb wiping under your eye where tears are still falling. “you did so good mi amor.” he murmurs, voice thick. “so, so good… i’m right here.”
you turn your head slightly into him, your body instinctively seeking him out, and he leans in without hesitation, his forehead resting against yours.
“i’m so proud of you,” he whispers, pressing a soft kiss to your temple. “you hear me? so so proud.”
your fingers tighten weakly around his, your throat tightening as emotion catches up to you.
“alright.” the doctor says gently. “you ready to meet her?”
your breath hitches. as you turn to look at the doctor.
dominik pulls back just enough to look at you then at the doctor, his eyes already glassy, overwhelmed in a way you’ve never seen before.
“yeah.” he says softly, even though his voice almost breaks.
they bring her over and the moment they settle her on your chest you fall apart.
a broken sound leaves your chest before you can stop it, tears spilling over as you look down at her.
“hi…” your voice barely works, soft and shaky. “hi, baby…”
she’s so small. so warm. so real. and so so precious and beautiful.
and it hits you all at once that erything you just went through, every second of it, led to this.
beside you, dominik exhales like the air’s been knocked out of him. and then he’s crying and not trying to hide it, not holding it back he’s just there.
his hand hovers for a moment before he carefully places it over yours, over her, like he’s grounding himself in it.
“hey…” his voice softens as he looks at both of you. “that’s our little girl… she’s perfect.”
you look up at him through your tears, smiling even as you cry.
he shakes his head slightly, almost in disbelief, a quiet, overwhelmed laugh slipping out.
“…just look at her,” he says, voice soft and full of emotion. “i can’t even process this right now…”
his thumb brushes gently over your hand where it rests near her.
he leans down carefully, pressing a kiss to your forehead, lingering there for a second.
“I love you.” he murmurs, voice thick with emotion. “both of you.”
you let out another soft, overwhelmed cry, holding your daughter just a little closer.
