Through Me (The Flood)

"Wow. I had high expectations but this really surpassed them all." He pulls at the neck of the shirt, trying to stretch it out a bit so he can breathe better.

"You're bloody lucky I love you."

"Aw come on." You're wearing a colorful patchwork dress and a wig, stitches drawn all over your joints with make up, smiling up at him. This torture is well worth it, if only for that fact alone. You're thrilled, and he'd do it ten times over just to see that grin. "I don't think Jack was this big though. He was more like a stick." You pass Orion into his arms, and he sighs.

"What's she done to you little man?" He's wearing a white sheet with cutouts for arms and head, and a white hat with floppy dog ears. The big red dot on his nose is the most important part, or so you've told him.

"He's spot! Jack's dog. You know?" No, he doesn't. He has no idea, but here is, in a full skeleton costume. The irony is not lost on him. You suggested the balaclava to top it off, but he refused. Ghost stays packed away when he's home. No exceptions. "I can't wait 'til Johnny sees you. He bet me too much money that I wouldn't be able to get you into a costume." You laugh, but it's cut short by a wince.

"Y'okay?" You shift your weight with a huff.

"I'm uncomfortable. And huge. I'm a whale." His lips find your forehead as he rubs hard circles into your back.

"You're not a whale mama, you're pregnant." You've been self conscious lately, and anxious, reminding him he didn't see you when you were pregnant with Orion, that he has no idea how bad it will be. He's gotten adept at soothing you through it, reminding you how much he loves you, how happy he is. He says he'd love you if you turned into a frog tomorrow, and that usually gets a laugh.

He has to admit, it's not been easy. This is his first time navigating a pregnancy with someone, and it has its ups and downs. It's not uncommon to catch you crying in Orion's room about how he won't be your baby anymore, how there will be a new baby and what if Orion doesn't understand? There are moments when he wakes up in the middle of the night to find you in the kitchen eating pickles and crackers, or sitting up in bed reading because the baby is kicking you in the ribs. Some days you cling to him, wanting to be touching him, near him, hugging him all the time, and then some days you tell him if he tries to touch you one more time you'll chop off his hands.

It's been a rollercoaster. One he never wants to get off.