The familiar, uplifting bars of a Meatloaf hit filtered around the room as she entered, taking a seat on the sofa right beside the redhead, the words of the song filling her heart and offering all the courage she needed in that moment.
The radio playing did more for her confidence than her own beliefs, but she rose her hands to rest her chin atop them and found a spot on the floor to stare at before opening her mouth to tell him the news.
‘ Axl— ‘ she begins, clearing her throat immediately as crackle follows the sound of his name and he glances toward her, the bottle in his hand lowered and he placed it on the coffee table, spotting the struggle she seemed to be having. ‘ I’m pregnant, Axl, ‘ she continued, raising her gaze to meet his as she turns.
For a moment or two there is nothing but silence between the pair, the only sound being the end of the track that had played when she entered the room, now making way for another very well known hit from the late seventies.
Axl was glad he placed the beer down before she said those words, else they would’ve found a new location on the carpet as his hands trembled and he rose one to cover his mouth in pure shock.
‘ You.. really? we’re gonna have a baby? ‘ he exclaims, only joy and pure excitement appearing in his response, along with the vibrant, toothy smile that takes over his face. His hands shake still as he reaches both across the sofa to grab her own.
‘ Yes, Axl—you’re gonna be a daddy, ‘ she nods just to confirm her words all the more, quite taken by his reaction despite her being aware for a while that he has always wanted a family. ‘ I just took a test.. so we found out together, ‘ she laughs, bright and cheerful eyes staring up into his own as he leans closer to steal a kiss, which she is more than happy to return.
‘ I’ve always wanted.. to be a Dad.. a better Dad than, y’know, ‘ he shares, brushing away the tears that were spilling from his eyes in that moment, then enveloping her in his arms. It is an embrace so tight she feels almost as though she will crumble from the pressure of it, but she clings just as tightly.
‘ I know, darling— I know exactly what you mean, ‘ she is well aware of his past and the not so wonderful upbringing he had, while also being reminded of her own childhood with a much less than satisfactory parent. Her father was wonderful, but it was her absent mother who made Helene strive to be a better one for her own child, whenever she was graced with one.
‘ Thank you, Hel, ‘ he states, pulling her to stand with him and tugging her into his arms once more, only this time he wants to dance while holding her at close proximity. ‘ You’ve no idea how happy that makes me.. to finally get a chance to be a Dad and.. to do that with you. It’s a blessing, ‘ his words are hushed as they move slowly in place, swaying and turning.
‘ Oh, it was in the stars—you’ve craved for so long, to be given a chance at fatherhood.. and I, motherhood.. it’s almost like a miracle baby, ‘ she chuckles, enticing a laugh from him, too. A tender kiss is pressed to her forehead then, as he hugs her so close, tighter than he has ever squeezed her before, but also in a manned that lets her know how safe and protected she and their child would be.
‘ I’m the luckiest man alive right now, ‘ he shares his thoughts very openly with her, not even embarrassed this time by these tears he is crying or the exposed emotions on display that he’s so used to hiding from the rest of the world. ‘ You’ve given me so much over the last few years and now you’ve given me a child, too. I can’t thank you enough. You’re an angel, Helene, ‘ he tells her, brushing her brown locks away from either side of her face so he can kiss her again, this time more heated.
‘ I know it’s too soon to know if it’s a boy or a girl, but it would be fun to come up with some names beforehand, so we have one for a boy and one for a girl, when the time comes, ‘ these are the next words out of her mouth after she’s had a moment to catch her breath again.
‘ Shiloh Blue is a favourite of mine, for a boy, ‘ the redhead is a quick bullet with that one, seemingly have prepared the name all his life for the time in his life when he would become a Dad and Helene couldn’t lessen the smile on her face is she tried.
‘ Shiloh.. that’s beautiful, ‘ she says, testing the name he gave and seeing the delight on his face warmed her heart so much she almost burst into tears herself. ‘ I’ll try think one up for a little girl, then we have both covered, but I’m praying for a boy just so you know, ‘ she adds.
Axl beams at her when she says that, having wanted a boy all his adult life so he could be the perfect father to him. There’s no chance at all that either of them would be disappointed if they were gifted a daughter, but with a name choice already a very certain Shiloh, they felt that it would all come down to the stars once again and only time would tell.
