Hayden wrapped up his producer duties in Los Angeles the following week and anxiously packed up his things.
Tove would be staying an extra week and was planning to fly to Toronto to see the family after wrap.
Hayden had explained to Tove the plans for the paternity test.
"That's great," Tove said genuinely. "I know you think I'm being a hard-ass about this...but I just think its the right thing to do...and in the end, it will be better to have a confirmation."
"I know, you're right," Hayden said. "You're always right, damn you."
Tove laughed, "Nah, I'm not always right...but I'd like to think I can be of some help to you, after all, I wouldn't be a very good brother otherwise now would I?"
Hayden laughed.
~~~~~
Kaylen picked up Hayden from the airport.
"Hey K," Hayden grinned, throwing his bag in the backseat of Kaylen's car.
"Hey!" Kaylen replied with a smile.
Kaylen continued down the road to exit the Pearson International Airport.
"So, you guys are going for the paternity test tomorrow?" Kaylen asked.
Hayden nodded in response.
He knew that everyone was curious about it but the truth was, he didn't really want to talk about it. It felt like a formality to him that didn't bring up any pleasant feelings whatsoever.
"I know its the right thing to do...but I had a talk with Kristen and I don't think she's lying," Kaylen said.
"Well neither do I," Hayden said a little too defensively.
Kaylen was taken aback, "I'm sorry...geez. You're kind of jumpy..."
Hayden shut his eyes. "I'm sorry...the truth is, I don't have any doubts that I'm the father. This is Kristen's way to prove to the family, so there won't be any doubts among them."
"Wow," Kaylen said. "I don't know that anyone would assume she's lying."
"Maybe not, but Tove was pretty set on the idea of getting a test."
Kaylen rolled her eyes, "well you know how Tove is....its nothing personal against Kristen. He's just a very technical- by the book person...you know that."
Hayden nodded. It had been a perfect trait of Tove's personality for their professional life with Forest Park. However, at times like this, it could border on intrusive and annoying.
"We're just going to take it and get it over with," Hayden said.
Kaylen nodded silently.
Hayden decided to change the subject, "So what's been going on for the past week since I've been gone?"
"Not too much...Kristen's fighting some weird cravings -- I got a call at 10:30 last night because she was dying for some peanut butter covered pickles."
Hayden cringed, "what the hell?"
Kaylen made a face and laughed, "I don't know...you'd have to be pregnant to understand that one I guess..."
Hayden shook his head and laughed.
~~~~~
"So are you coming over for dinner tonight?" Kaylen asked as she dropped Hayden off at Kristen's apartment.
"I don't know yet. I have to see how Kristen's feeling," Hayden replied.
Kaylen nodded and Hayden walked up the sidewalk as Kaylen drove off.
He knocked on the door and a moment later, Kristen answered it, wearing sweatpants, a sweatshirt and gripping a Kleenex.
"What's the matter?!" Hayden was alarmed at Kristen's tear-stained face.
"Nothing...damn hormones," Kristen sniffled.
Hayden walked in behind her and shut the door. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah...I've just been getting kind of moody lately. The doctor said that's completely normal though..." Kristen replied.
Hayden shook his head. That was clearly understandable after everything she'd been through with all of this.
"So how was your flight?" Kristen asked.
"Long, but not too bad," Hayden said.
Kristen nodded in response.
"Listen, my parents were going to have us over for a dinner tonight, but I think we should just stay here," Hayden said.
"Are you sure? You haven't gotten to spend very much time with them," Kristen replied.
"It's fine...I'm officially not working as of now!" Hayden smiled. "I'll have plenty of time to spend time with them....I'd rather spend some time with you."
Kristen smiled and sniffled again, her eyes red and puffy.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Hayden asked warily.
Kristen nodded. She was silent a minute too long though.
"Alright...what is it? I can tell something's bothering you...and its not just hormones."
"I don't want you to get mad..." Kristen said.
"What is it?" Hayden asked gently.
"...I guess I got to thinking...maybe its the hormones...I don't know....if your family wants this paternity test so badly....are things going to change once this baby is born?? I mean, am I going to....am I going to have a custody battle on my hands?" Kristen asked.
Hayden felt like he'd been slapped in the face. "What? You have to be joking....do you honestly think I would try to take this baby away from you?"
Kristen's eyes welled up again. "No....I mean, I don't really know what to expect ya know? I mean, I know you're here helping me and all...but, before all of this happened....you hated me."
"Kristen, if I hated you, none of this would have happened in the first place," Hayden responded as gently as he could. "I was angry and bitter about what happened. All of that pales in comparison to what's happening now though....and I would never try to take this baby away from you...you have to know that."
Kristen nodded. The truth was, she was just as confused as Hayden was.
Hayden leaned over and put his hand on Kristen's knee. "I'm not going to stop being here for you. I promise."
Kristen smiled through her tears.
~~~~~~~~~
Several hours later --
Hayden and Kristen were sitting on the couch, several boxes of takeout containers scattered around the living room table. They were watching one of those cheesy syndicated sitcoms and loving every minute of it.
Hayden couldn't remember a time he'd laughed so hard. It felt good to laugh.
Kristen was in much better spirits and was laughing right along with him.
Hayden could see that pregnancy was definitely agreeing with her. Hayden knew it sounded cliched, but she did have a glow about her.
Kristen noticed him looking at her, "What?" she asked self consciously.
"Nothing...I was just looking at you," he replied.
Kristen looked down, "I look horrible, I'm fat -- none of my clothes fit now...I've got these sweatsuits....that's about it."
"I don't think I've ever seen you look more beautiful," Hayden said in genuine admiration.
He got the overwhelming urge to kiss her at that moment but refrained. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. He knew she was very vulnerable and he in no way, wanted to take advantage of that vulnerability.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, Hayden and Kristen went to the doctor's office and the paternity test procedures were performed without any complications. They left with the promise of results from Dr. Bader within the next two weeks.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The next two weeks went by in a flourish.
Hayden and Kristen had begun a weekly lamaze class which proved to be very educational.
Hayden could tell that Kristen was a little uneasy and concerned about some of the stories she was hearing of the birthing process.
Hayden noted the scared look on her face. "It will be okay, I'll be there the whole time," Hayden whispered, squeezing her hand.
After the class, Kristen and Hayden had arrived at her apartment and Kristen was checking the voicemail messages.
There was a message from Dr. Bader on the machine.
"I guess the results are in," Kristen said.
She quickly called the doctor's office and spoke with a nurse who put her on hold. Hayden sat on the couch, listening.
"Yes, Dr. Bader? I just received your message. Yes....yes, thank you so much!" Kristen said.
She hung up the phone and turned to grin at Hayden. "Officially...you're going to be a father!"
Hayden smiled and jumped up to hug her. "Never a doubt...." he said, hugging her to him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first of September brought cooler temperatures to Toronto and the Christensen family was preparing for the new arrival to their family. The ultrasound had not been conclusive in determining the sex of the baby, so Kristen and Hayden were told it would be a surprise.
Despite his initial hesitation, no one was more involved in the planning process than Tove, who was now thrilled at the prospect of having a new niece or nephew to spoil.
Upon enthusiastic approval from his parents, Hayden had set to work converting his childhood bedroom into a nursery, complete with a playpen and a bassinet.
"Well, he or she has to have a place to stay when visiting grandma and grandpa," Hayden had grinned at his mother when first telling her about his idea.
Hayden had rented an apartment off Yonge Street to put his belongings, but was rarely there.
The majority of his nights were spent at Kristen's, sleeping on the couch- just wanting to be there when she went to sleep and when she woke up in the morning.
~~~~~~
Hayden and Kaylen were busy at work one afternoon, painting the nursery a seafoam color when Tove ran down the hallway.
"Hayden, we gotta go!" Tove said, practically throwing Hayden's jacket at him.
Hayden jumped back so not to get paint on the jacket being thrown at him. "Tove, man! What the hell?"
"We gotta go now!! Mom just called....Kristen's in labor."