Older || Sequel To SOS

Nine

18 Weeks

"Home sweet home." Luke sighs, dropping the handle of both the large suitcases he'd pulled into the house. His arms move forward as he takes a step, wrapping around Elodie's middle, cradling her stomach.

"I am so tired." El chuckles, leaning back into Luke's chest. They'd talked after the interview the day before, before heading for their flight. Although still upset, Elodie had apologized for pushing Luke away. And Luke had repeatedly apologized for his slip up, as well as bought a six month supply of Violet Crumble Bites to bring home with them since El had been craving them through the tour. It wasn't perfect again, but they were both trying to show it would be, and they both knew with a little time hidden away from the world that it could be again.

"Your body thinks it's like three in the morning, baby Hemmo probably needs a couple hours nap and so does mummy. Then at about two o'clock mummy and daddy need to head to the doctors for the appointment where I finally get to see this little bean, and hear their sweet little heartbeat."

"A nap sounds perfect, but I shouldn't sleep too long or I'll screw myself up with jet lag." She nods.

"I won't nap, so I can make sure you aren't out too long. What time do you want me to wake you up by?"

"Noon." She yawns, pushing out of his hold and heading for the stairs.

"I'll have lunch ready when I do. And some of this laundry done, or at least started." He chuckles.

"Thanks, Lu. I love you." She smiles back at him sleepily as she stops a couple steps up the stairs.

"I love you too, pretty girl. Go tuck that cute butt of yours in bed and nap, you and baby Hemmo deserve it."

Luke watches Elodie go, smiling to himself at the prospect of what their day will include. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't practically jumping out of his skin with excitement for the doctor's appointment this afternoon. To hear the baby's heartbeat, to see their little figure on the screen, to find out if he's getting a daughter or a son...

With that thought in mind he takes the suitcases through the kitchen to the laundry room near the garage, slowly sorting through the piles of clothes inside, setting the other items into baskets to put away after. Tossing a basket of sorted laundry into the washer he stops for a moment, thinking of when he'll get to do laundry for the baby. Washing socks that barely fit on his fingers, and shirts the size of his palm. Maybe with baby Hemmo strapped to his chest, letting El get some much needed rest as he takes care of their precious little one and the chores as well.

He heads upstairs with the other items after fitting the luggage back in their place in the basement. Walking quietly into the master bathroom, smiling as he sees Elodie passed out on the bed, her arm draped softly over her growing stomach. He'd never admit it aloud to Elodie, but he's secretly hoping the baby is a girl, with her bright green eyes and that infectious giggle she only lets out at her happiest. A perfect little girl he can adore as much as he adores her mother. Fitting their toiletries into their places in the bathroom he sets the electronics on the nightstand quietly before leaving the room again, pulling the door almost entirely closed before padding back down to the kitchen to figure out something for lunch.

***

"We should probably hit up the grocery store on our way home." Elodie speaks up, her hand in Luke's over the console, eyes watching north LA pass out the window.

"I have an order placed already, it is supposed to be dropped at the house tonight at six. I did that as soon as I ordered lunch, when I realized we didn't have anything good in the house, just a couple boxes of stale crackers." He chuckles.