I walk to the back of the store with a spring in my step. Well, a metaphorical spring, seeing as I’m incredibly pregnant. I’m due any day this week. Technically on Friday, but babies don’t necessarily arrive at the perfect time.

I’m glad my life has come together. I followed up with Morty and he got me a job doing paperwork at his grandmother’s antiques store. The store’s in a slightly run-down neighborhood called the Paisley, but I don’t feel unsafe here. I usually see what looks like lots of immigrant families, with plenty of kids. I didn’t think Stell would have any lower-income neighborhoods because it had looked so shiny when I first saw it, but it does.

The people here seem reasonably happy, though it’s obvious that their lives are a little more difficult than those of the people who live downtown.

I toss the cardboard box into the dumpster, which is overflowing. Thankfully, it’s mostly just broken stuff from the shop and old papers—not gross food waste. I don’t think I could handle the stench of a regular dumpster in my state.

When I walk back in, Marie, Morty’s grandmother, gives me a smile, glancing down at my stomach. We’ve become fast friends, especially since she took an interest in the baby. In fact, she’s been a huge help. Like many other grandmothers I’ve known, she had all kinds of things in her house that she was willing to give me to help: baby blankets, baby clothes, old furniture, kitchen products… I felt bad taking them, but she insisted. She said they were just gathering dust in the attic.

With the stuff she gave me, some old stuff from the store, and things I found at thrift stores, I’ve managed to make a little home for myself and Hunter, and I can’t wait to go back.

It’s time for the shop to close. I gather my bag and head outside after saying goodbye to Marie, and make my way to the PubTran station. Stell has a fantastic public transport system, the first one I’ve ever encountered. I love that it’s possible to travel around the city without a car.

I step onto the platform, and the train arrives a minute later. It’s one of the new high speed magnetic trains. We never had anything like that back in Spruce Springs. As I get into my seat, I can’t help but marvel at the speed and smoothness of the ride, a far cry from the old freight trains we used to jump on back home.

The train platform is raised so I get a beautiful view of Stell on my way back to my neighborhood. It’s a relief to finally have my own place, even though it’s a little sparse right now. The incredible thing is that I’ve finally done what I set out to achieve—build a new life for me and Hunter.

The neighborhood I live in is called Silverbridge because it’s right next to the eponymous Silver Bridge, which carries a major highway over the river. It’s a little quieter here than it was downtown, but it still has good access to the other parts of Stell because there’s a transportation hub nearby.

I step out of the train and make my way down the stairs to the street. Silverbridge is a quaint neighborhood; supposedly there used to be factories here on the banks of the river, so there are a lot of loft apartments and old factories and office buildings turned into studio spaces and shops. I never could have imagined myself living in a place like this.

I live in one of the lofts on the bank of the river. I remember seeing TV shows set in places like Stell, and I know from those that this type of apartment in this type of neighborhood is usually regarded as a luxury thing. Not something someone like me can afford.

But with the advance Marie gave me, I was able to put down my deposit. And they’re paying me a lot more than I thought they would. It’s still going to be tricky when Hunter arrives, but now I know we’re actually going to make it.

I unlock the door and enter my home. My very own house, my own space that is all mine. It feels great to have the privacy.

I plop right down on the couch. I’m exhausted.

I keep thinking about Carson. But I’m too shy to contact him. Then again, if I want him in my life at all, I’m going to have to do it. I didn’t give him my number, so it’d be the only way.

Well, there’s no rush to make a decision.

Or is there? My mind is always wandering in his direction. I wonder what he’s doing, what is job is, who his friends and family are. If he’s attached. If he has kids. What he looks like underneath that suit.

I blush upon that last thought. I haven’t felt sexual in a long time, largely because of how tough life has been, but before that, because my ex was abusive to me. Hard to feel attracted to a guy who beats you.

Carson seemed kind. No, he was kind. I bet he’d be great in bed, a generous lover, gentle and caring, an absolute dream to sleep with. I sigh. Despite the fact that I’m incredibly pregnant, my cock twitches.

I guess Carson is just so attractive that I can’t help but respond to thinking sexually about him.

I haven’t really allowed myself to think sexually about anyone, mostly because I wouldn’t be able to follow up on it. I didn’t want to indulge my thoughts and then feel frustrated.

But maybe… maybe here in Stell, I can find a new dad for Hunter. Or, well, I don’t need to get that serious that fast. I could just try casually dating. I could meet new people, just go on dates for practice, so I can figure out what I want in a partner. I got with my ex too young, so I didn’t know what I wanted. I wasn’t discerning, and it came back to bite me.

Now I have a better sense of what I want. Someone kind. Someone put together, someone who has a job.

Someone like Carson. Sigh.

I think I pretty much have a crush on him at this point. That’s what a crush is like, right? You can’t stop thinking about the person? All my trains of thought lead back to Carson.

I should text him.

I pull out my phone, staring at the screen, but I get distracted by other notifications.

My stomach grumbles. I should eat something, for myself, and for Hunter. But I’m too tired to get up. Or rather, I don’t want to.

I like just being able to sit like this, in a space all my own. It’s a peace I feel like I’ve never known. And now it’ll just be a sanctuary for me and Hunter.

I feel a twinge of pain down there, which makes my heart beat faster. Is something wrong with the baby?

With great reluctance, I get up and go the bathroom, wondering if it’s maybe just gas. When I pull my pants down and see myself in the mirror, I spot something unusual.

There’s a thin red line under my belly button, over my dick. It’s curved under my rounded belly, with the ends pointing upward. I run my finger over it, causing another twinge of pain which seems to radiate from it.

This… this is what happens to men when they’re ready to give birth, isn’t it?

To my fascination and slight horror, the line turns redder, a deep, blood red. It starts to grow thicker, more raised, and I feel bloated. There’s another twinge of pain.

I feel like a chicken with its head cut off, because I’m starting to panic. I know I need to do something about this, but I’m paralyzed. This means the baby is coming. The doctor warned me about it. I need to call someone as soon as possible to take me to the hospital.

With trembling fingers, I pick up my phone, scrolling through my contacts. It’s becoming more difficult to focus as the pain becomes more frequent and greater in intensity. I can feel Hunter kicking occasionally—it seems like he’s getting agitated too.

As I scroll through my contacts, looking for the hospital’s number, I pause over Carson’s. I have Marie’s number, and Morty’s. They’d take me to the hospital. But they’re farther away, in the Paisley. They might not get to me in time. There’s an emergency hotline for the city, but I don’t know if I should call it.

I don’t know what to do. I know the doctor gave me some suggestions, but I can’t for the life of me think of them right now.

Without thinking twice, I press Carson’s name in my contacts list, and the phone starts ringing.

“Hello? This is Carson Fleur.”

“C-Carson,” I say, my voice trembling like my fingers. Another twinge of pain racks my body and I gasp. “I… The baby…”

“Is something wrong?” he asks, his voice suffused with concern.

“The baby’s coming,” I manage to say. “I need to get to the hospital.”

I decide belatedly that I need to sit down, and plop myself on the floor of my bathroom. Not ideal, but I’m not thinking straight.

“Harley,” he says. “I’m coming. Sit tight. What’s your address?”

After I tell him, he promises to be there within ten minutes.

It’s going to be the longest ten minutes of my life. Despite the increasing pain, I manage to get myself to the door, unlocking it. I had taken the doctor’s advice to keep a bag ready with my things, so I can grab it and go to the hospital.

By the time I hear thumping footsteps coming up the stairs, I’m flat on my back on the floor, groaning. The red line has become raised. Even though I can’t see it, I run my fingers over it, noticing how it’s getting bigger by the second.

Hunter’s ready to come out.

Carson pushes the door open, sees me, and scoops me up into his arms. It becomes clear to me just how much bigger he is than me, and I sigh with relief, though the pain is still throbbing inside me.

“Th-the bag,” I say, gesturing with a flail towards the duffel bag near the door.

He expertly grabs it while holding on to me, locks my door from the inside, and heads out. I don’t have the energy to care whether it’s locked or not. My main priority right now is Hunter, and it’s becoming harder and harder for me to stay alert as my body begins to devote all its resources to the birth.

The birth. I can’t believe it’s finally happening.

Before I know it, I’m in Carson’s car, and we’re speeding to the hospital, weaving through traffic. I know I’m in good hands with him. Good arms, really. His arms are thick with muscles and strong, and I can smell him. He smells good. Comforting, almost. I feel safe in his arms.

This isn’t going to do anything to help my crush. He swooped in like my savior and, well, saved me.

We arrive at the hospital and he carries me inside. I’m aware of bright lights, white walls, and people in blue uniforms. They whisk me away to a room, where I’m laid down on a hospital bed. Staff members hover around me, preparing goodness knows what. I’m not in control of this anymore.

“C-Carson,” I say, wondering where he went. I feel safe with him around, and I don’t want to be alone here.

“I’m right here,” he says. He’s wearing his suit, and I see his dark form coming towards me. His facial expression is full of concern for my well-being, but he also seems happy. Happy that he can be here for Hunter’s birth.

I’m happy too. It feels right. I don’t know why, but it feels right.

He takes my hand, holding it tightly, letting me squeeze as the pulses of pain wash over me. I don’t let go. With his other hand, he brushes the hair, damp with sweat, out of my face.

I whimper as the pain grows worse. But I get instant relief in a wash—they must have just shot me with painkillers. They have high quality anesthetics here, I think. I’ve never experienced anything like this.

I hear nurses talking to me, but I can’t really listen. It’s like all my mental energy is co-opted to helping deliver the baby.

I start to push in time with the pulses of pain. My body just does it naturally. I don’t even know what I’m doing.

My legs are spread slightly, to help the doctors better read the red line. I reach down and draw my hand back in surprise; the line has split and fear finally trickles into me.

I turn to look at Carson. His face looks so calm.

If he’s calm, it must be okay. This must all be okay.

As if reading my mind, Carson soothingly whispers, “It’s gonna be okay, Harley. It’s gonna be fine.”

I keep pushing, letting my body do its work, holding on to Carson’s hand. More than anything, I want Hunter to be safe and healthy. That’s all I want. All I want in the world…