our house req! maybe where she's overdue and they're trying everything... and i mean everything;) to make the baby come with no such luck. but then she goes into labor while running errands or something and its just super dramatic and thye end up having 2 perfect twin girls
ur a genius ily. i haven't watched friends in forever but i vaguely remember this with the surrogate in season 10, so if the 'two heartbeats' plot seems familiar, it is. i'm thinking for the next instillment of this series, i'll go from this point in the hospital where they're like "omg what are we gonna name them?" and "we only have one crib!" also thinking of having a real sweet moment with some of the friends
Our House - pt 5
WC: 3.4k
TW: allusions to sex, description of birth, mostly fluff, cussing, stressed out reader and steve
series masterlist
You were pissed. Like, absolutely fuming. And it was all Steve’s fault. Your due date was yesterday. Yesterday! As much as you enjoyed the whole spectacle, you wanted this baby out. Sure, it takes two to make a baby, but you couldn’t get yourself pregnant. That’s exactly what Steve did, though, and boy were you mad at him.
“Baby, please just tell me what I did,” Steve spoke into the crevice of the closed (and locked) bedroom door. You knew you were being dramatic, but you were pregnant, dammit! It was the only somewhat rational way for you to react. "Come on honey, I can't make it better unless you tell me what I did."
With a huff, you stormed up to the door, unlocked it, and flung it open. Steve's eyes lit up and his mouth pulled into a grin, glancing down at your huge belly.
"I was due yesterday," you point out, crossing your arms over the top of your belly.
"I know, baby, and I'm sorry it didn't happen. We just get a little more time to ourselves, you know?" Steve tried to ration, but you weren't having any of it.
"It's your fault."
Steve opened his mouth like he was going to respond, but then promptly shut it after realizing that fighting wasn't the way to go about this. "How about," he started, testing the waters, "I give the doctor's office a call and ask them how to naturally induce labor?"
Immediately, your expression changed completely. You nodded eagerly, motioning for him to go to the kitchen phone so you could listen. He hurried and got a piece of paper, a pen, and dialed the number.
"Hello, I'm Steve Harrington, I'm calling for my wife," he paused, nodding. "Uh huh. Yeah, that's her. No, no! There's no emergency per se, we just need a little bit of quick help."
You leaned in as close as you could, trying to listen to what the nurse who answered the phone was saying, but you just couldn;t hear. Steve did a lot of nodding and uh huh-ing. After a few minutes, your ankles and feet started to hurt so you opted to sit on the couch, instead.
When Steve came back, he still had the pen and paper in his hands while he was sitting next to you. Your hopeful expression made him smile, pressing a kiss to your cheek before starting.
"Okay, so, she gave us a pretty long list of things to try, you ready?"
You nodded once more, leaning forward to listen better.
"I'm just gonna rapid fire. Squats, up and down stairs, massage, raspberry tea, and sex." He gave a sheepish shrug at the last one. "Oh, and spicy food."
You scoffed and rolled your eyes. "I've been drinking the tea! And having sex!"
"And the squats," he added helpfully.
Your shoulders slumped as you let out a defeated sigh.
"Let's try spicy food," said to Steve. He was down for whatever made you feel better, not mentioning that the nurse said that specific practice didn't have much scientific research. "Let's try the new Indian place down the block. Ugh, their soups look so good."
"I'll call and see if they do take out. You okay here?" Steve stood up, leaving you with the list. You told him you were fine and watched him go back to the kitchen phone.
Almost immediately after he was gone from your line of view, you got off the couch. It was...well, a struggle to say the least with how big you'd grown. Your friends always joked that you were having twins, but the doctor said he only heard two healthy heartbeats -- yours and the baby's.
You got yourself into a pretty deep sumo squat, shifting side to side. It was a welcome stretch of your hips, giving you a moment of relief.
"Good news! They deliver," Steve sang out, walking back to where you were rocking in the living room. "They'll be here in 20-- oh my."
"Steve, I think I'm stuck," you groaned, trying to get up.
"Shit, baby. Here, let me help," Steve reached where you were in record time, supporting you with his strong arms and lifting you back to a standing position. You sighed like you'd just done some heavy lifting -- which to be fair, you kind of did.
"What'd you get?" You asked once you caught your breath.
"I ordered Andhra chili chicken, whatever that is. It sounded good so I was like, let me get that. And then I got...Kohzi curry. Sounds interesting, we'll see. Anyone, I just said 'give me your spiciest stuff' and they were like 'okay!'" Steve explained, hands motioning around behind he took one and swiped it through his hair, still stress from your squatting fail.
"Oh, Steve, you're the best!" You rejoiced, trying your best to get a kiss from him, but your belly was in the way. You pouted at the fact, and he noticed.
"Hey, it's alright. You know why? Because soon enough, we not only get to kiss each other easier, but also our little girl."
You smiled so hard you almost melted, making Steve kiss the tears off your cheeks.
*****
At the end of the night, you and Steve lay on your bed, soaking in your last moments as just a couple. Throughout the evening, you and Steve tried every single thing the nurse recommended. While waiting for the food to arrive, Steve helped you with a few more suggested positions. When the food was delivered, you devoured it like you had never seen. To be honest, Steve had never been one to be able to handle spice that well. His mouth was absolutely flaming, bursting from the inside out. He smiled the whole way through, just so you wouldn't worry about it. You took the spice like a champ, not thinking twice before a second bite. Then, tea time. It was a nice ritual you and Steve had always possessed, tea at the end of the day to relax and catch up. Your other nightly ritual...
The doctor prescribed it afterall. It was precisely why you and Steve were so tired. And naked.
"How's my beautiful wife, huh? Feeling better?" Steve grinned, teasing you ever so lightly in his haze. He pressed slow, tender kisses to where he was resting his head against your shoulder, your chest being the main target.
"Yes, definitely better, thanks to your magic juice," you teased, knowing he hated that expression. He scrunched up face, shaking his head in disgust. You laughed loudly at the sight of it, closing your eyes from sleep. He only went back to grinning and kissing. "I don't feel any different," you sighed.
"Well let's see how tomorrow goes, alright?"
You nodded and he kissed your tummy then head, and off to sleep.
*****
When you woke up the next day - a Monday - life went on as normal. Steve made sure you were okay, while you stayed home, waiting to give birth. He taught SexEd and had a practice scheduled after school. You ate spicy leftovers and did more labor-inducing yoga. Around noon, you got the intense craving for the popcorn and slushy combo at the Hawk, so without question, you drove off to satiate yourself. One weird thing about your pregnancy was that your cravings were always epic food combos - popcorn and slushies, chocolate pretzels - chocolate strawberries, too.
"Hi, Jerry," you smiled brightly, still catching your breath from the walk to the snack counter in the theater. Everyone here recognized you, so you didn't have to explain to the ticket guy why you didn't have a ticket.
"Hey, Mrs. Harrington," the kid, Jerry, waved. As you waddled over to the register, he was already elbow deep in the popcorn machine.
"I'll take the gallon or however much the big one is," you ordered, rubbing a hand over the top of your belly. You felt a slight...shift? Cramp? You were really sure, so you just ignored it.
"Sure thing," he hummed, buttering up the mass amount of popcorn. You smiled and nodded your head, watching the melted butter trickle over the popcorn. You were practically salivating, looking at the popcorn in a way you weren't even sure you looked at Steve.
"I'll take an extra large slushy, too," you paused, feeling the slight cramp once more before adding, "please."
"How much longer till you pop?" Jerry questioned over his shoulder, getting you a giant cup and filling it to the top with that lovely slush.
You chuckled and shook your head, "I was due two days ago."
"Jeez," Jerry grimaced. He capped your slushy and handed you the popcorn. You were licking your lips as you stared, making him slightly uncomfortable. "You know what, Mrs. H? It's on me," the kid shoved the bucket of popcorn towards you, pulling out his card to pay for you.
"Aw, hun, you don't have to," you half-heartedly told him. While you didn't want to be taking away from this kid's pay, as it surely wasn't much, you also really wanted to dive into your snack.
"Nah, you deserve it," he smiled a little shyly. "You do have to buy your own movie ticket, though," he grinned.
"Ha! Yeah, right," you teased, hauling your popcorn and slushy to the main entrance. He laughed, too, and wished you a speedy delivery which you appreciated.
You sat in your car, literally stuffing the popcorn in your face. When the salt and butter worked together to make you unbearably thirsty, you chugged your slushy. It was euphoric, and easily your favorite part about pregnancy. All was well as you stuffed your face, until you felt the cramping again, this time much stronger. You set the popcorn down in the passenger seat, planting one hand on the center console and the other on the wheel. You breathed through it the best you could, and it went away relatively quickly. With a one track mind, you immediately went back to the popcorn.
It just kept happening, though. Not only did it keep happening, it was getting worse. The thought that it might be time didn't even cross your mind until your slushy was all gone. Suddenly, all at once, you panicked.
"Oh no, ohhh no," you rambled, looking down at your belly. "Hang in there, baby, mommy's...mommy has to get daddy," you realized, your eyes widening. You didn't have one of those fancy car phones, the middle school was a few minutes away, and you really didn't wanna walk into any establishment begging to use their phone, feeling overly self-conscious. You weighed your options and decided that going straight to Steve would be the best idea.
So, you booked it for middle school. About halfway through the drive, you felt a warm gush coming from between your legs, getting all over the seat.
"Aw, shit," you pouted, looking down. A combination of speeding and swerving led very quickly to you being pulled over.
"Ma'am, do you know why I pulled you over?" The officer asked. He was a beefy guy with a beard that was going gray. His face was like stone and expressionless as he strolled up to your window.
"Hi, officer- ooh-ah!" you whimpered, feeling an even stronger contraction. The officer's face immediately twisted in surprise. "Sorry! I'm just...I think my water just broke."
"Honey, we need to get you to the hospital." He was already opening your car door, trying to get you out.
"No, no! I need my husband, I need-- please, can we get him?"
The officer paused but nodded, escorting you to the front seat of his cruiser.
"What's gonna happen to my car?" You asked as the contractions cleared.
"Don't worry about it, I'll handle it." His voice was gruff, but you could tell it was a mask for the panic he was feeling. After getting you strapped in the seat, he used his cute little walkie talkie, presumably telling his fellow officers he was taking some chick to the hospital. Or maybe he was telling them to take your care off the side of the street.
"Where is your husband, ma'am?"
"He- oh, shit!" You paused your speech to focus on your breathing. "Middle school," you whispered through your breaths.
The officer turned on his lights and sped off to the school. It didn't take long to get there, but you were rapidly progressing. One of your hands was gripping the handle at the top of the car for dear life, and the other was soothing the curve of your belly as you silently willed your baby to hold on just a little longer.
When the cruiser pulled up to the school, it was still blaring its lights and sound. Outside, there was a class walking the field, presumably Steve's class or another one of the health / PE teachers. All of the kids rushed to the fence, trying to see what was going on. You could only imagine what they were saying.
One of the receptionists rushed out to the car, worry and fear written over her face.
"Officer! Is everything okay?"
"No ma'am, this young lady is looking for her husband. She's in labor," the cop explained, motioning for you to stay inside the car. The two of them went back and forth before the receptionist led the officer to the field. He called over Steve and quickly explained the situation. Even from far away, you could see each expression he made. He was panicked, worried, and so, so happy. The receptionist took his spot as a temporary sub, and the officer ran back to the car with Steve right behind him.
"Steve!" You cried, so relieved to see him. You were in sort of flight-or-fight mode until that point, and seeing your husband - your safe space - running to you made you break down with emotion.
"Honey, hey, hey," he knelt from the open door, grabbing the hand that had been holding onto the handle. You squeezed him hard enough for him to stifle a pained grunt, and the tears began to fall.
"Steve, it's happening," you sputtered through your tears. The officer started the car back up.
"I know, baby. You're doing so good already. I'm so proud of you," he kissed your head. "I have to go sit in the back, okay? But I'll be right there, I promise."
"No, don't leave me," you tearfully begged, a strong contraction wracking through you. You breathed to the best of your ability, but your body went tense and you gripped Steve's hand with a ferocious intensity.
"Contraction?" He guessed, rubbing a hand down the side of your arm, letting you squeeze his hand as hard as you needed. You nodded, moaning from the pain.
"I don't have the bag!" You cried, the unexpected delivery throwing you into a pit of anxiety.
"It's okay, honey, we have to get you to the hospital," he reasoned. Looking up at the officer, he was silently told that it was time to get moving. "Listen, I have to sit in the back," he attempted to leave again. This time, you let him.
*****
"Big push for me, mama," the doctor called from your feet. You were too far into labor to get the much desired epidural, so you were quite literally in hell right now.
Steve was still holding on to your hand as you squeezed it for everything it was worth. He was excited for his baby to be born, but right now, he was focused on you. His eyes stayed on your face, reading each expression. Your hair clung to your face, your entire body wet with sweat. Your face was red and veins were popping through the skin, but he thought you were so, so beautiful. And strong. He'd never seen such strength, not even in the Upside Down.
"You got this, baby, you're doing so good," he praised, brushing hair out of your face as he leaned down to kiss your head. "You're so strong, you got this."
It was hard and you were exhausted.
"Steve, I'm so tired," you panted, head lolling to the side he was on. Your eyes fluttered closed in between the contractions that were getting closer and closer together.
"I know, but you're doing so good. You only have a little more left, okay?" he spoke against your sweat-slicked skin. If he loved you before, this was a whole new realm of admiration.
"One more push and I think we'll be there," the doctor spoke, smiling up at you. You looked at Steve who was already staring down at you, his eyes soft and comforting. He gave you a quick nod and you closed your eyes, feeling another contraction plague you.
You screamed and writhed, pushing as hard as you could. Steve, the doctor, and all of her nurses spoke word after word of encouragement, and for the first time since you realized you were in labor, you felt like you could do it. You felt the sting of the baby as they pushed through you, entering the world with a high pitched cry.
"Oh," you whimpered, looking down to try and catch a glimpse. The doctor smiled and stood up, setting the baby on top of your chest. Steve was still holding your hand, watching you with clear admiration as you put a hand on the crying baby's back. You were also crying. As happy as you were, you didn't feel any relief.
"Okay, time for number two," the doctor announced as one of the nurses took your baby from you.
You shot your head up to look at Steve, who gave you and the doctor a very confused look.
"Two?" He asked as your head flopped back against the hospital bed.
"Uh huh, twins, right?" It was now the doctors turn to be confused.
"No, we're the Harringtons, only one baby," he told the doctor, shaking his head. Right after he said that, you got another extremely intense contraction. The grip of your hand around his effectively told him how very wrong he was.
"Why don't you come look, dad," the doctor smiled, waving him over. He tentatively let go of your hand and went to stand behind the doctor's shoulder. Sure enough, there was a dark head of hair, pressing at your opening. He stood there, mouth agape.
"Steve!" You screamed, snapping him out of his haze. He rushed back to you, this time giving you his opposite hand.
****
Before long, you had your twin girls atop your chest, cleaned up and snuggling into you. Riddled with emotion, you and Steve took turns staring at them, then at each other. Steve was crying, silent tears streaming down his cheeks as he watched you with your girls.
"Wanna hold them?" You quietly asked as the doctors headed out of the room, giving the new family privacy. Steve nodded immediately.
You scooted over with help, and he climbed into the hospital bed. He picked up the baby closest to him and adjusted her over to be in the crook of his arm instead of yours. You carefully placed the other baby on his chest.
"I can't believe it," he chuckled, resting his cheek on the baby's head.
"No wonder I had such bad heartburn. Both of them have their daddy's hair," you smiled.
Steve smiled too, looking up from the babies to you. It was obvious that you were exhausted, who wouldn't be?
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice stricken with sincerity that you couldn't fake.
"Oh, please," you tiredly smiled. You knew better than to believe you looked like a catch right now. Sweaty, exhausted, and crying.
"No, I'm serious. I don't think I've ever seen anything as beautiful as you or these girls," you nudged the baby on his chest with his chin. She stirred slightly, her lips opening and closing before she went back to sleep. You both huffed out quiet laughs at the sight. "I'm so happy you said yes."
"Said yes to what?" You murmured in confusion.
"To marrying me," he whispered against your forehead.
"Well, I'm pretty lucky to have you as a husband," you smiled tenderly at him. He saw how desperately you wanted to sleep, and as much as he wanted to keep you up to tell you how much he adored you, he knew it was time for you to sleep.
He leaned his head down, and you leaned yours up, catching his lips in a sweet, tender kiss.
"Go to sleep, mama," he whispered. You didn't need to be told twice.
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