Darren wasn�t surprised to wake before Daniel. Daniel had never been a morning person and now that he was pregnant he was less so. Darren smiled, gently running his fingers over Daniel�s messy hair. They really should have showered last night, but a shower at three in the morning hadn�t seemed a necessity. He sighed. He enjoyed promoting, but it was nice to be home. Especially now that Daniel was here for him.

The phone on the nightstand shattered the morning silence. The singer jolted and then grabbed the receiver. Daniel moved restlessly but soon settled, mumbling softly.

�Hello?� Darren answered quietly.

�You wanted me to remind you to make an appointment at the hospital for Darren.� Leonie�s acerbic voice sounded through the earpiece.

Darren moved the phone to look at the clock. Nine A.M. He yawned noiselessly.

�Thank you, Leonie.�

�I�m sorry, Darren,� her voice softened. �That was spiteful of me.�

�It�s okay. I would�ve had to practice my Diva role if you hadn�t.� He laughed quietly.

�You�re really happy, aren�t you, Darren?� she asked tenderly.

�Very much so, Leo. This is everything I�ve ever dreamed, and more.�

�I made the appointment for you.�

�Ah, thank you, Leo.� Darren�s voice smiled with him.

�And knowing how lively Daniel is in the mornings, I made it for 2:30 this afternoon. They said there were only two other couples scheduled, so Daniel won�t feel quite as uncomfortable, I�m hoping.�

Darren�s smile widened. �Thanks, Leo. I really appreciate that. I owe you.�

�Just trying to make up for that day in my office. Got to go now. Give Daniel my love. And same to you. Hugs.�

�Hugs, Leo. And thanks again.� Darren hung up the receiver, the smile still on his face. He stretched once more, then turned over and put his arm around Daniel�s sleeping form, letting the serenity fill him and lull him back to sleep.

�Oohh�� Darren woke with a moan. Daniel was teasing one of his nipples. Every lick and nip shot straight to his groin.

He brought his hand up to entwine with the ruffled blonde locks. Daniel�s teeth grazed just a bit harder in response. Darren gasped, his back arched and his cock jumped, hardening further.

The singer�s gaze was captured and held by brazen green eyes as they descended toward him, his release coming as they closed and his lips were ensnared instead. Both men swallowed the sounds of each other�s groans as their tongues writhed in an erotic dance.

The kick of the baby against Darren�s thigh prompted the liberation of lips as they struggled to breathe and laugh at the same time.

�Morning, handsome.� Daniel�s low voice radiated desire.

�Good morning, gorgeous.� Darren replied, his own voice quite low as well.

�I was hoping we could make mad passionate love this morning.�

�Really?� Darren couldn�t stop the sassy comment. �I thought perhaps you wanted to clean the toilet or something.�

Daniel arched a brow and poked Darren in the side. The singer squawked as the younger man continued. �Listen here, mister. I�ll be happy to check the plumbing, but not if you continue to act like that.�

Darren laughed as Daniel feigned a pout. He was getting better at it, and dammed cute as well. He pulled the younger man to him, intent on kissing the pout away. When he broke the kiss moments later he smiled. Daniel�s eyes were still closed, his cheeks were lightly flushed and his lips were swollen.

Darren pushed Daniel gently back onto the bed, rolling himself over as he did so, then began showering kisses over the younger man�s pliant flesh. Daniel�s back arched as the singer�s lips moved down. From smooth chest, to rounded belly and on down one firm thigh, the guitarist writhed and moaned from the actions of his lover.

�Pleaase� Daz� please� I need you��

The breathy plea brought Darren�s lips to Daniel�s again as his cock jumped. While lips, teeth and tongue tried to find new ways to taste and satisfy, the singer reached into the bedside stand to pull out lube and a condom. One last nip to the guitarist�s swollen lower lip, and Darren sat back on his heels.� Daniel grabbed the condom and tore the foil pack, his dark eyes on Darren�s as one long-fingered hand reached out to caress the singer�s hardness.� The older man�s head fell back as a groan pushed its way up from deep inside. Daniel deftly rolled the condom over the throbbing cock. Darren squeezed a generous amount of lube on his fingers and moments later he had Daniel thrashing simply by teasing the puckered opening.

�Turn on your side,� Darren urged softly.

Daniel groaned, but did as bid. Ever so gently Darren pushed one well-lubed finger bit by bit into his husband. The first joint, the second, up to his knuckle. The guitarist shuddered and moaned. The singer pressed gentle kisses along Daniel�s hip, his side, his shoulder as he worked the finger in and out before adding another. Daniel keened as Darren brushed his prostate once, twice, a third time, and his breathing became ragged.

�Dare� please�� Daniel clearly had to force the words coherently.

Darren slowly removed his fingers and placed a final kiss to his lover�s brow. Then he quickly lubed his condom-clothed erection and slid up against Daniel. He lifted Daniel�s upper leg and poised himself at the entrance.

�Are you ready?�

�More than��

�If it hurts��

Daniel nodded silently and grasped the sheets tightly.

Darren pushed slowly and paused after the head entered the first ring of muscle easily. The guitarist�s breath hitched for a moment. The singer held steady, placing another flurry of light kisses on Daniel�s shoulder and upper arm.

�More�� Daniel implored.

Darren pressed in further and Daniel trembled as the hard flesh grazed his prostate. Darren groaned as the muscles caressed his cock. When he was fully sheathed, he lowered Daniel�s leg so that it lay over his own and put his arm around the younger man�s waist, careful to keep it well above the growing belly. When Daniel rolled his hips against Darren�s groin, the singer smiled and began a gentle thrusting movement. Daniel�s upper arm twined around Darren�s, fingers interlocking as their hands rested one on top of the other.

Darren continued placing kisses on Daniel�s shoulder as his thrusts quickened. All sounds from the guitarist were reduced to whimpers and unintelligible moans. He felt Daniel�s grip on his hand tighten a second before his husband�s back arched and he sobbed out his ecstasy. Darren thrust once, twice more, then buried his face in the back of Daniel�s neck as the rush swept him away.

Several minutes passed before Darren was able to move away. He placed a last kiss on Daniel�s neck, at the juncture between neck and spine, before he rolled away. The guitarist shivered again and moaned softly. Darren tossed the used condom in the bedroom trash before turning back to capture Daniel�s lips in a lazy kiss.

�Good morning, beautiful,� he smiled down at his sated lover.

The guitarist smiled languidly before his eyes opened slowly. Love and contentment shone from deep emerald pools. �Thanks.� His deep voice was still rough.

�My pleasure. Now, what say we take a shower and get some breakfast � well, brunch � before we need to get dressed and go to see the doctor?�

�How--?�

�Leonie made the appointment for us. Only two other couples.� He kissed Daniel on the nose, then climbed out of bed. �So come on!� The singer smacked his husband on the thigh, then held his hands out.

Daniel jumped at the contact and his eyes widened. �Oi! What was that for?�

�Get you jump-started� Come on� shower.�

The pregnant man rolled over a bit, then pushed himself to a sitting position before taking Darren�s hands and letting the shorter man pull him to his feet. After doing so, the singer crouched a moment. �And good morning to you, too, little one.� He placed a loving kiss on the smooth skin. �I hope you slept well last night.� He brushed his fingers over the spot he�d kissed moments before, then stood up. �Shall we?� He grinned to his husband.

Daniel nodded. They went into the large bathroom. Darren started the water while Daniel relieved himself, then got out towels and body wash.

�How does this feel? Okay?�

Daniel tested the water. �Yeah,� he smiled gently.

They got in, and Darren began tenderly cleaning Daniel�s back, making long strokes with a soap-filled washcloth. The humid air soon smelled of vanilla. He set the cloth aside and moved up close behind the taller man, chest to back, as his left arm snaked around the guitarist�s waist and his right hand gently spread the slippery foam around the bulge of Daniel�s stomach.

Daniel�s head fell back onto Darren�s shoulder as a long, plaintive moan slipped from his slightly parted lips.

�You like that?� Darren asked gently as he pressed a kiss behind Daniel�s ear. He continued to tease his husband, his soap slicked fingers sliding up the smooth skin to tease the hard nubs on the heaving chest.

The singer held the guitarist firmly but carefully as tremors shook his lean form. One of Daniel�s hands settled over the singer�s arm in a movement nearly mirroring the one earlier in their bed as a deep moan reverberated from the shower walls. Darren licked and nipped an ear as his right hand moved down once again, his fingers encountering the heavy hardness of his love�s arousal. He began to lick and suck the pliant flesh of Daniel�s neck as his fingers caressed and squeezed the firm cock. More shudders ran through the younger man as he put his right hand over his shoulder, pulling Darren still closer to him.

�Dare� I�I��

Daniel�s body trembled, then his back arched as he cried out. His knees gave, but Darren�s grip held him steady, and the singer feathered kisses over the guitarist�s shoulder as his hand slowly ceased its attentions to the rapidly softening cock. Daniel gasped for breath as Darren slowly turned him and began to rinse the soap from his body.

�Being pregnant seems to have made you extremely horny.� Darren quipped as Daniel gave a huge sigh.

�I know�� he managed, continuing to lean heavily on Darren.

Darren held him close, rocking him slightly until the younger man�s movements indicated he could stand on his own again. He reached out and shut the water off then and helped Daniel safely out of the shower. He would have dried Daniel as well, but the taller man took the towel with a wave of one hand.

�Darren, we�ll never get downstairs if I let you touch me again right now. And I�m actually hungry today.�

Darren pouted for just a moment, but it was quickly replace by a huge grin. �Well, now I have another way to get you to eat, and another pleasurable means it is.�

He threw his hands up in front of his face as Daniel threw the other towel at him.

�Sod.� Daniel grumbled before he turned to walk back into the bedroom.

�Wonder if I should mention how cute his waddle is?� Darren realized that Daniel�s pace had changed. He chuckled. �Perhaps I�ll wait until later.�

�What?� Daniel asked, seeing the smirk on Darren�s face as he entered the bedroom and began pulling out clothes.

�It�s nothing, Love. What would you like for breakfast?�

Darren studied the directions again. California Pacific Medical Center was actually a huge complex divided into a number of clinics and hospitals over a wide area of San Francisco. After a few more turns, they parked in the patient lot of the main hospital. It looked quite impressive on the outside. He looked at Daniel and gave him a calming smile.

�All set?� He smiled reassuringly.

Daniel nodded and smiled back.

They got out, and walked into the hospital. The receptionist directed them to the prenatal wing. They were mildly surprised when they arrived. Of the other two couples waiting, one was also male. They walked up to the desk and checked in. The woman seemed quite at ease with them.

�Just need you to fill these out while you wait. Dr. Medwyn will be with you in a bit.�

They took seats a bit away from the other couples. Even though Darren was dying to meet the other male couple, Daniel�s uneasiness curbed Darren�s curiosity. While they were filling out the paperwork, the traditional couple was called, leaving the four men in the waiting area.

The other two men got up and walked over.

�Excuse me,� the redhead started hesitantly. �Jackson Philips. This is my husband, Derek Johnson.� He introduced the brown-haired man at his side. �Couldn�t help noticing, since there aren�t a lot of us around, you�re expecting, too.� He smiled as his hand caressed his own stomach. �How far along are you?�

Darren grinned and stood up. �Darren Hayes.� He shook both men�s hands. �You�ll have to forgive Daniel. He doesn�t like hospitals.�

�I told you.� Derek declared to Jackson, smacking said man�s arm with the back of his hand. �Now let�s go back and leave them alone.�

�Please join us.� Darren broke in. �Daniel�s about five months, give or take a week. We haven�t been good boys when it comes to seeing the doctor, but this hospital was recommended.�

�It is good, and the staff is great as well. This is our second.�

�Really! Wow. Congratulations!�

�Thanks.� Jackson smiled as they sat down on the other side of Darren. �Our first was a bit of touch and go. I got toxemia. High blood pressure. Had some ble�ow!�

�They might not want to hear that right now, Jack. Ever think of that? I�ll bet this is Daniel�s first. He doesn�t need to hear that stuff.�

Daniel had paled a bit. Darren squeezed his knee reassuringly. �How old is your first?�

�He�s three. Jase. He�s with his grandmother at the moment. Too much energy for the hospital. I�m four months myself.� He smiled brightly.

�Does he have your red hair?�

Jackson laughed. �Yes, he does.�

�And his stubborn streak, too.� Derek added with a nod.

Darren chuckled.

�So, Jackson and I have a bet going, and I would love to have him pay for dinner.� I need your help, though� You are the Darren Hayes, aren�t you� and you guys used to be Savage Garden, didn�t you?�

Darren nodded, still smiling, his hand rubbing Daniel�s leg.

�See? That will be dinner. Tonight. Seafood!� Derek poked Jackson in the arm.

�Okay, okay� you win. I buy. Jeeze.� He shook his head. �He gets so carried away when he wins an argument.� Jackson loudly whispered behind his hand to Darren. �But I had to let him have the easy one� I knew who you were the moment you walked in. I�m holding out for the due date bet. Then he feeds me, for two weeks.�

�Could get expensive.�

�At home� in bed� by mouth�� Jackson grinned at Darren, just a bit lewdly. �Well, the steak anyway� so yeah. A bit expensive. But I�m worth it�� He turned to grin at his spouse who reddened a bit, but smiled. �Yes, you are.�

Their foreheads touched and Darren looked at Daniel. The younger man was a bit flushed himself.

�Would you like that?� Darren leaned forward a bit. �For me to feed you steak in bed?�

�Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones-Hayes?� a nurse called then.

�Nice meeting you.�

�Same here.�

�Good luck.�

�You too.�

They followed the nurse into a small room similar to the one in Hawaii. They answered similar questions and were shown to an examining room.

�If you�ll just help your husband to lay down on the examining table, Mr. Hayes, Dr. Medwyn will be in momentarily.�

�Thank you.�

Daniel had no trouble getting onto the table. Darren grasped his hand and helped him lie back. It was fairly comfortable, although the table wasn�t long enough to accommodate his lanky form.

Very soon there was a knock at the door and a gentleman entered. He looked to be mid-forties. His brown hair had been fashionably dyed at the temples.

�Hello, gentlemen. I�m Craig Medwyn. I�ve been wondering when I�d have the pleasure.� He walked over to the table, pulled out a short extension and smiled. �Well, Daniel, I see you�ve gained eight pounds since your visit with Dr. Jamilla five weeks ago. I�m pleased. He said you lost five pounds the first three months. Has your appetite returned?�

�A bit, yeah.� Daniel nodded nervously.

�And you�re feeling okay?�

Another nod.

Dr. Medwyn pulled a tape measure from his pocket. �If you�ll just pull your shirt up, and push your pants down a bit��

Daniel did as asked, and the doctor measured along the center of the curve. The baby kicked the tape measure several times and all the men chuckled.

�Very opinionated, I see.�

�Yeah, especially when we�re mak��

�Darren!�

�Daniel, we�re all grown men here.�

Dr. Medwyn laughed. �That�s okay, I get the picture. I�d say you�re right between 17 and 18 weeks, Daniel. I want to schedule you for an ultrasound. I�d also like to do an amniocentesis. And I need to run a blood test and get a urine sample. These are all standard tests. A bit overdue in your case, but better late than never.�

�Amniocentesis?�

�We use a large needle to draw some of the fluid the baby is in to test for the possibility of deformities. The patient is given a local anesthetic. Almost completely painless, and fairly safe.�

�Isn�t there some other way?�

�We could do just the ultrasound, but there�s a better than ninety percent certainty if we do both tests. There�s nothing in your history to indicate problems, but we just don�t get that many male pregnancies.�

�But��

�The Philips-Johnson�s? We have learned a lot with them, true. But there are only two other viable males in the United States. The tests would be wise.�

Darren rubbed Daniel�s shoulder understandingly. Daniel nodded mutely.

�Good. I�m guessing from the earlier conversation that you�re having normal sexual relations?�

Daniel blushed as he nodded.

�He�s actually quite��

�Darren!� Daniel growled threateningly.

The singer laughed but stopped the conversation.

Dr. Medwyn chuckled and shook his head. �You should be able to safely continue up until your seventh or eighth month. As long as you feel comfortable with it, Daniel. Sometimes there is a bit of bleeding, but as long as it�s just a small amount and doesn�t continue, there�s nothing to worry about. However if it�s bright red I want you to come right in so we can be sure there�s nothing wrong.�

Darren moved his hand down to clasp Daniel�s. He squeezed gently.

�Any questions?�

They looked at each other a moment, then back at the doctor and shook their heads.

�Okay. Let me just check the fetal heartbeat,� he picked up a small portable unit from a shelf. �We know the baby is active, I just want to compare the rate to what Dr. Jamilla got. Then a nurse will come in and draw blood for the blood tests. I�d like you to do the urine sample before you leave and I�ll tell them to schedule the ultrasound for two weeks from now. Your tests should all be back by then.� He rubbed some cool gel over Daniel�s stomach. �When you come back, the ultrasound will be done first and we can discuss all the test results. We can do the amniocentesis right after the ultrasound. That way we know how the baby is sitting and the best way to move it before drawing the fluid.�

Daniel paled but nodded weakly.

The doctor quieted, then pushed a button on the handheld device and the sound they�d heard nearly a month ago filled the room. The steady whoosh-swoosh sound. Dr. Medwyn turned one wrist and studied his watch as the sound continued. Darren smiled down at Daniel. The guitarist swallowed nervously and managed a small smile back. A sudden thump broke the rhythm and the heartbeat was lost.

The doctor chuckled again then wiped off the monitor and handed Darren a couple of towels to do the same for Daniel.

�Obviously your little one likes privacy.�

Darren chuckled and placed a quick kiss on Daniel�s forehead. �We know where that comes from, don�t we?�

Daniel grinned shyly.

�You�re all set, gentlemen. There will be an order at the pharmacy for prenatal vitamins. I suggest you do whatever you can to keep eating, Daniel. Your baby will be growing at a tremendous rate over the next months. Have a good day and I�ll see you in two weeks.� He smiled and left.

Darren finished wiping Daniel�s stomach and tossed the wipes into the trash. He turned around and bent down to capture his husband�s lips in a kiss. Sweet and tender, he broke it after a few moments, mindful a nurse would be coming to draw blood.

�I�m proud of you,� he said softly. �And the baby sounds good, too.� He smiled.

A short knock, and a nurse entered. Daniel started to sit up, but she waved him down.

�Be just as easy if you stay where you are.� She explained as she placed her basket on a table and rolled it up beside the examination table.

She tied a rubber tube around Daniel�s upper arm.

�Make a fist.� She slapped her fingers sharply on the joint of Daniel�s elbow. �Oh, you�ve got a nice vein here. Won�t take long at all.�

She opened an alcohol swab and cleaned the area, then opened the needle-and-tube combination.

�There�s going to be a pinch��

Daniel had gone completely white. �I�I don�t��

Darren did the only thing he could think of to take Daniel�s mind off what was happening. He leaned down and kissed him again. Harder. Thrusting his tongue into Daniel�s mouth while his hand gently ran through Daniel�s hair.

�You can relax your fist.�

Daniel didn�t hear her as he whimpered into Darren�s mouth.

�All done!� She announced brightly, pulling the tourniquet from Daniel�s arm.

Darren broke the kiss and Daniel moaned softly, his eyes still closed.

�Could you hold this, please?� the nurse asked as she pressed a folded piece of gauze to the spot the needle had been moments before.

Darren pressed a finger against it. The nurse deftly placed the used needle in the bio disposal bin and placed the tube of blood in her tray. Then she opened a band-aid and placed it over the gauze, Darren removing his finger as she pressed it down.

Daniel was still pale.

�Are you going to be okay?� her voice held concern as she checked his pulse.

Daniel nodded weakly. �Hate needles��

�A lot of people do. You just lay here and rest for a bit. We won�t be needing this room again today. I need to take care of this specimen, then I�ll come back with some juice.�

�Thank you.� Darren smiled at her. She smiled back, her brown eyes alight with humor.

�Not a problem.�

She left then. Eventually she did return with the juice. She and Darren both helped Daniel sit up, and she watched him closely while he first sipped and then drank the juice. She checked his pulse again.

�Well, you have some color now.� She teased gently. �The doctor still needs a urine sample. Feel up to it or do you want to sit in the waiting room for a bit?�

�I think I�d like to do that so we can go.�

�Follow me then.�

She led them out, and handed Daniel the sealed cup. �Restroom�s right there. Be sure you follow all the directions.�

Daniel blushed. A few minutes later, still red, he handed her the sealed cup.

�Be sure to get your vitamins on the way out. Pharmacy is to the right of the main entrance.�

�We will. Thank you.�

Ten minutes later they were headed home.

�You okay?�

Daniel lay back against the seat. �Yeah.� He sighed weakly.

�How about I whip up some pasta for dinner tonight, and we can play Lady and the Tramp.� Darren grinned.

Daniel turned his head toward Darren and a small smile played at the corners of his mouth.

�And I seem to recall two containers of chocolate pudding that are going to feel ignored if we don�t eat them.� Darren added.

Daniel�s smile grew wider.

�tbc�