Outside, the late October air was cold, enough to make Roman shiver even through his hoodie. He spotted Cody hanging out by his truck, hands stuffed deep in the front pocket of a hoodie that was way too big except for the part where his belly stretched it tight. Even from across the lot, you couldn’t miss it, Cody was huge, the kind of pregnant that made people stare. Roman’s heart did a weird little jump when he saw his boyfriend.
Cody looked up, and his face lit up when he saw Roman, though Roman looked exhausted.
Cody: “Rough day?” His voice was kind of rough, like he hadn’t slept.
Roman closed the gap in a couple strides, kissed Cody on the side of his head, and let his hand settle on Cody’s belly. He could feel the babies moving. Babies, plural, he always had to remind himself there were five in there, which was just insane to him. He remembers when Cody told him they were expecting, but he remembers even more vividly him throwing up during the ultrasound when the doctor said quintuplets.
Roman: “Just tired.” He said it quiet, kind of under his breath. He was thinking about everything at once: recruiters, practices, trying not to flunk math, and then the fact Cody was nearly 7 months pregnant with his quintuplets.
Cody winced in pain a bit, his hand darting to rub a specific part of Cody's enormous belly. Roman rubbed his thumb over the curve.
Cody nodded, leaning into him.
Cody: “Like they’re trying out for the NFL.” He half laughed, but it sounded more nervous than anything. The air between them got thick, like both of them were thinking about the due date, the bills, all the shit about to hit the fan. Cody’s hand found Roman’s, and he squeezed ever so gently.
Cody: “We’ll figure it out.” He said it almost like he was trying to convince himself. He turned around and opened the door to Roman's truck and tried to get in unsuccessfully. Roman came up behind him and helped him into the passenger seat of the truck. Cody had been riding with roman for almost 2 months now, ever since his belly got too big for him to fit behind the wheel of his own car.
The next day, the cafeteria was loud as usual, trays banging, people yelling. Cody sat by himself at a corner table, poking at a salad he clearly didn’t want. The hoodie wasn’t hiding anything anymore, it hadn't for months now, his belly basically took over the table, pulling eyes from all directions. Three guys from the basketball team rolled up, with looks on their faces.
Basketball Guy 1: “Yo, you smuggling a whole soccer team in there or what?” He poked Cody's belly.
Basketball Guy 2: “Or just one giant-ass baby, probably a fat ass just like his daddy.” Cody hunched up, face hot, and gripped his fork so tight it looked like it’d snap.
That’s when Roman showed up, didn’t say a word at first, just stood there behind them. His shadow was enough that the guys actually backed up a step.
Roman: “You got something funny to say?” Voice was low, calm, but you could feel the threat in it. The tallest one started to mumble.
Basketball Guy 1: “We’re just messing around, Rivera, shit.”
Roman: “Walk. Away. Now.” He said it while squeezing the dude’s shoulder hard enough that the guy winced. They scattered, not looking back.
Roman crouched down next to Cody, helped him up, hand gentle.
Cody: “Thanks.” He didn’t look Roman in the eye.
Roman: “You shouldn’t even be here, man. You’re exhausted. And those guys.” He jerked his chin at the retreating jerks. “This isn't healthy for you or for them.” As he places his hand on Cody's belly.
Cody: “So what, I just hide at home? I’m not an invalid, Roman.” He tried to pull away, but Roman didn’t let go.
Roman: “It’s not hiding. It’s protecting our family. Doctor literally said stress is bad...”
Cody: “Stop using the babies against me!” He shoved Roman’s hand off, eyes wet and pissed. “I’m still a person! You don’t get to decide for me.” He turned and made for the exit, waddling, one hand holding up his belly. Roman just stood there, fists clenched, cafeteria noise suddenly way too loud.
The texts started before school was even out. Cody hadn’t just left lunch, he’d gone home. He was blowing up Roman’s phone with angry texts:
Cody: “You don’t get to control me.”
“I’m not just an incubator.”
“Stop acting like I’m glass.”
Roman texted back between classes, thumbs flying, pissed and worried:
Roman: “Protecting isn’t controlling!”
“Stress is bad for THEM!”
“Why won’t you listen?”
He barely remembered his last class, just stared at his phone. It was Cody’s last message that hit the hardest:
Cody: “Maybe you just want an excuse to bail when things get real.”
Roman sat in the locker room before the game, staring at that line. Bail? Like he was ever gonna do that? He typed out a pissed-off reply, deleted it. Tried again, slower:
Roman: “You know that’s not true.”
Nothing. No typing dots, no reply. He slammed his locker shut, the noise echoing throughout the room. Fine, Cody wanted space, he’d get it. Roman shoved his phone in his bag, put his helmet on, and tried to push it all out of his head.
Out on the field, Friday night lights lit up the field, crowd roaring. Roman scanned the bleachers during warm-ups, trying to spot Cody. Nothing, he couldnt find Cody anywhere int he stands, he really didn't come, to one of the most important games in Roman's football career. He off and it was noticeable, he missed obvious passes, his coach yelling at him on the side line after having one of his half hearted passes intercepted by the other team and allowing them to score. Meanwhile the scouts scribbled note after note. By halftime, they were down 14-3, Roman just kept his head down, ignoring everyone.
The third quarter started and the crowd groaned. Roman tried to focus, "Run the play, and don’t screw up." He thought to himself. He rolled out, hit his receiver for a touchdown, and the crowd finally woke up. As he jogged back, he caught movement by the tunnel, the silhouette undeniably Cody who was Leaning on the railing, hand on his belly. Roman felt relief that hit so hard it almost knocked him over. He gave a tiny nod to Cody before turning his attention back tot he game.
After that, Roman played like a different guy. Every throw hit, every run worked. He saw Cody again, watching, out of the shadows of the tunnel, a little smile on his face. Roman launched a sixty-yard bomb for another touchdown and the scouts started getting serious. They all started making calls. Roman wasn’t just playing football anymore, he was playing for Cody, for the babies, for all of it, like he had to prove he wasn’t going anywhere.
When the fianl whistle was blown, they won, 31-14. Roman got mobbed by his team, then by guys in collegiate polos, he was handed business cards and hats, phrases like "Full ride scholarship", and “You’re the future, son.” filled the air around him, but Roman just nodded, his eyes searching the stands for Cody.
Finally, as the crowd thinned. Roman stood near midfield, his helmet in hand as he scanned for Cody, and finally once again he saw him leaning against the edge of the ticket booth. They made eye contact and Cody began moving slow, hand pressed to his belly, walking toward Roman. Roman seeing the love of his life struggle so much, hurt him, and he knew he was the one that had done this to Cody, that's why he is so protective over him now, his guilt was compelling him to.
Roman: “You okay?” He could see how wiped Cody looked, but Cody leaned into him, forehead against Roman’s chest.
Cody: “You played… incredible.” He sounded choked up.
Roman just held him, hand splayed over Cody’s belly, feeling the babies kick. They stood like that, everything else fading out.
Roman: “They came.” He pulled out the business cards, let Cody see the logos—Duke, USC, Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, even as far as Texas.
Cody: “Roman… that’s everything you wanted.”
Roman: "No, you are everything I want, you and our babies, everything else is just icing on the cake."
Cody: "I know how hard you've worked for this for year now, don't let me or the babies stop you from pursuing your dreams, and by the way, it's not your fault, I know why you are so protective of me and why you care so much about this, I figured it out a little late though. It's not your fault that I'm this way, we both created these babies together, but i get why you have been acting like this these past few months."
Before Roman could answer, a girl with a camera came up, looking nervous.
Photographer: “Um, Mr. Rivera? Could I get a picture? You and, uh…"
Roman: "Me and my reason for everything I do."
Cody who usually shies away from the camera due to how big he is just stands there beaming as the words Roman just said filled him with a renewed sense of profound love.
Roman stepped behind Cody, arms wrapped around him, hands over Cody’s belly. Cody leaned back, finally letting himself relax a little. The camera flashed as they both smiled brightly.
As the photographer walked off, the guys stood there. Just a guy, his exhausted boyfriend, and five little lives kicking between them. They enjoyed a moment of bliss, that is until Cody speaks up.
Cody: "Romie, I think my water just broke!"
