Warning: In this chapter there will be disturbing situations that result in a death. Heed this warning!

Many thanks to Kat for ALL her help and beta.

One Time � Chapter 8

�Who was that on the phone?�

Darren looked up and smiled. Daniel had just come into the living room in his usual sleeping attire. Even though the singer adored sunlight, he had hung extra heavy drapes for Daniel�s sake. Somehow Daniel�s being there had leaked out. Rather than him having to change a lifetime sleeping habit, it was a simple matter to just hang heavier drapes and keep them closed.

�Leonie called to gripe. She didn�t believe me when I told her I wasn�t doing any interviews. If my career can�t take a break and survive�� he shrugged.

�Daniel, do you have any idea what you�re doing to me?�

His breathing hitched as he gazed at his naked husband. The swollen belly called to everything male in him. Daniel had stopped just inside the archway of the living room to stretch. Darren�s pants tightened uncomfortably. He had to have Daniel, and he had to have him NOW.

He slid from the couch and crawled over to Daniel. The pregnant man got a funny grin on his face.

�Dare, what are you doing on the floor like that?�

�You drive me crazy�� the singer growled, his voice thick. He came to his knees in front of Daniel and ran his hands slowly up the outside of Daniel�s legs, his hands cupping the firm globes of the younger man�s arse as he placed gentle kisses over the expanse of stomach.

The baby kicked several times and Darren chuckled throatily. �Am I tickling you, little one? Do you know how much I love you? Do you?� He asked between kissing and caressing the soft skin with his cheek. �I need you, Daniel. Now� please�� he begged breathlessly.

He climbed to his feet and pulled Daniel�s lips to his, his tongue thrusting in before the taller man could think, let alone speak. When the heated kiss broke, Darren took his hand and pulled him toward the couch.

�Lay down, please.� His voice was rougher. He looked into Daniel�s eyes and saw the fire of need burning in them, as he knew it was in his. He almost felt bad, using Daniel�s heightened sexuality for his own needs, but he knew he�d make it good for Daniel.

�Lube?� Daniel�s own deep voice was uneven from sleep and sudden arousal as Darren helped him lay back.

The singer shook his head. �I don�t need you that way, Daniel� I need to feel you� taste you� you�re so beautiful. Please� let me do this?�

Daniel swallowed nervously. Darren hadn�t meant to scare him. He leaned down and ran his tongue down Daniel�s breastbone as one hand gently massaged the soft skin of the taller man�s the inner thigh.

Darren�s tongue teased the sensitive area of Daniel�s bellybutton, no longer a depression now that his belly was extended with the life of their unborn child. A deep, plaintive moan washed over him as he brought his head back up to suckle on Daniel�s nipples. They were already peaked and he couldn�t stop his own moan at the sight.

As he sucked the closer nub, his hand gently moved up from the soft thigh to caress the smooth belly. Daniel�s fingers found their way to his hair as they both groaned. He moved his lips to the other nipple as one hand gently ran through the strands of his husband�s blonde hair and the other stroked up and down, touching everywhere it could reach. Side, thigh, arse, legs, belly; he couldn�t get enough of the feel or taste of Daniel.

The prone man began to wriggle under his touch. Moans and sounds of love spilled from his lips as he struggled for air.

Darren captured those parted lips, his hands moving to cup Daniel�s face as the kiss deepened. He was burning, being consumed by the passion he held for this wonderful man who�d finally become his. When he broke the kiss they both gasped deeply. Daniel�s chest rose and fell rapidly, and a mournful sob escaped as Darren moved away.

�Shh�� he put a finger on his husband�s kiss-swollen lips. Placed a tender kiss on the belly and then moved to kneel on the couch between Daniel�s legs. His hands gently ghosted over the swollen belly before moving to brush the outside of Daniel�s legs. Daniel�s hips moved uncontrollably and his back arched as he mewled softly. Darren smiled lustfully. He could never get enough of seeing Daniel like this. Aroused. Passionate.

He bent down and teased the weeping head of Daniel�s cock with the tip of his tongue. The hips thrust in response. He continued his torture for a few minutes, his hands again lightly kneading the soft flesh of the inner thighs. It was the only way he could watch the emotion play across Daniel�s features. Lick, massage, watch the trembling of Daniel�s body as his hips rose and he moaned. Softly, loudly, roughly, meekly, begging for more with the sound of his voice, the movements of his body. His husband�s body glistened softly now, damp from the heat of fervor. Darren drank in the sight of it. The glow was his manna now.

Daniel�s head thrashed as he struggled for breath. Moaning, whimpering, pleading. �Dare� Daz� please� oh, god, please��

Darren needed him, too. He couldn�t hold off any longer. Lowering his head, he took all of Daniel deeply. As hips pushed in response, he sucked in his cheeks and drew his lips up the hard shaft. His tongue pressed the underside firmly, just as he knew Daniel liked it. When he reached the end he swirled his tongue over the head before pushing back down again. This time when he drew back up the thick hardness, he grazed lightly with his teeth and was rewarded by another thrust of hips. He continued his attentions to the hot muscle in his mouth, his rubbing of the inner thighs, and Daniel�s body shuddered.

�Daz� oh, god� oh, god�.�

Daniel stiffened momentarily before he screamed hoarsely and his back arched. Darren greedily swallowed everything offered him. He moaned almost sadly when Daniel�s cock began to shrink. He made sure to lick it clean and watched it twitch after each stroke of his tongue. When he finally forced himself to admit there wouldn�t be any more, he slowly unkinked slightly stiff muscles and climbed off the couch.

He crawled up and took Daniel into his arms, placing a tender kiss on his lips. The younger man�s tongue moved languidly, tasting himself in Darren�s mouth. The singer brushed damp locks from his lover�s forehead and pressed his lips to the sweaty skin.

�I love you so much.�

Daniel gave a short, breathless laugh. �Good morning to you, too.� He gasped, still weak in the grip of post-orgasmic ecstasy.

Darren chuckled throatily. �It�s noon, Daniel, and we�re supposed to go over to the Anderson�s for Miko�s birthday party today, remember?�

Daniel nodded but made no effort to move. He seemed quite happy to remain in Darren�s embrace a bit longer. �So what exactly did Leonie want?�

�Enough random people have apparently thought they saw you and raised enough questions in the right places that I�m wanted for a couple of interviews.�

�We knew that would happen sooner or later.� Daniel responded, his hand rubbing aimlessly over one of the arms that held him.

The other hand moved instinctively to his stomach as the baby began moving. He smiled and Darren kissed his head.

�I know, I know. I just don�t feel like answering their questions. I told Leonie to do whatever she liked. Tell them you�re here, tell them you�re not, tell them we�re newlyweds and want to be left alone��

Daniel laughed. �I imagine that went over well with Leo.�

��Not bloody likely�, were her exact words.� Darren chuckled. He gave the man in his arms a little squeeze and sighed. �We should be getting ready. And I believe I cleaned you well enough that you won�t even need a shower.�

�I don�t want to go over there smelling like sex.�

�Daniel, baby, I hate to tell you this, but a shower won�t change that. You exude sexuality right now.� His hand barely touched one of Daniel�s nipples. It peaked instantly and the guitarist gasped at the touch. �See what I mean?� Darren whispered and licked the sensitive area behind Daniel�s ear before he gently nipped the lobe.

Daniel�s hand gripped Darren�s arm as a shudder ran through his body.

�I�I see.� He panted. �Okay� le�let�s� get dressed.�

Darren kissed the side of his neck. �Whatever you say, Daniel.�

He nipped the long neck teasingly.

�Do you� think� they�ll understand� if�if� we�re late�?�

�Darren! Daniel! Come in! I was beginning to think you boys were going to disappoint my grandmother!� Paula exclaimed, smiling brightly.

They smiled, muttering apologies for their tardiness. Miko appeared from the back of the house and greeted them as well.

�Easy enough to see why you boys late.� She nodded knowingly.

�Oh? And how is that?� Darren asked smartly.

�Your cheeks, Dare,� she patted one of them briskly. �Might not have known, looking at Daniel. Lots of women flush when pregnant. But you not. And I don�t think you make Daniel run over here, so only one answer��

�I think that will be quite enough, Miko.� Darren interrupted as his flush deepened.

Daniel laughed. �Happy Birthday, Grandmother Miko.� He handed her a thick envelope then gave her a hug. Miko smiled at his easiness.

�Aw, you boys didn�t have to get me anything� so what did you get me?�

Darren and Daniel both laughed. �Open it.� Darren urged.

Miko slid her finger under the flap and undid the tape there. She opened the envelope and pulled out a thick card. A simple �Happy Birthday� on the outside, with balloons and confetti. She smiled and opened the card. A Qantas ticket envelope was stapled inside. The card read simply: �You�re as young as you think you are, and you�re an inspiration to us both. Thanks for all your loving support. D+D�.

She pulled the ticket envelope off and looked inside. Four first-class tickets to Cairns, Australia, with a coupon for four paid 14,000-foot sky dives. All had a one-year use-by date. There was also a check for a thousand dollars.

�Oh, boys, I can�t take this.� She stammered.

Darren grinned. He�d never been able to make her blush over anything until now.

�Yes, you can.� He put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently. �This is nothing compared to what you�ve done for me, especially where Daniel is concerned. That money is for hotel expenses. Couldn�t reserve a room for a year.�

A tear ran down the old lady�s cheek. Both boys leaned down and kissed her, one on either cheek. She grabbed them and hugged them tight.

�Thank you, boys. Been a dream of mine, to see Australia, �specially since it�s the homeland of two such wonderful boys. Thank you.�

�There you all are!� Naomi entered the living room then. �David�s had the grill ready for a bit now. Is anyone hungry?�

Miko nodded and patted their shoulders. �You boys go on out. Relax. Daniel, take a load off while we get ready.�

�Grandma, it�s your birthday. You go sit with them. I�ll help momma.� Paula hugged her grandmother.

�Okay, okay. Let me just put this in my bedroom. Don�t wanna lose it.� She scurried off, absentmindedly wiping a tear from her face.

�That was wonderful of you,� Paula praised. She grabbed each of them by an arm and kissed them on the cheek as she lead them through the house and out to the back yard.

David waved to them from the grill as Paula showed them to the thick cushioned love seat. Daniel blushed.

�Go on, we don�t mind.� She urged with a wink. �Would you like anything to drink?�

They smiled bashfully and glanced at each other before Daniel sat down.

�I�ll come help.� Darren offered. �Soda, Danny?�

Daniel nodded. �Yeah, please.�

He watched as Darren put his arm around Paula�s shoulder, chatting merrily as they went back inside. He blushed again and wondered what Darren was saying.

He looked up as David began to pull the picnic table over to the canopy covered lawn area. It was a nice redwood table. Round with attached seats. He got up and walked over.

�Would you like some help?� He offered.

�I can manage, Daniel. It�s heavy. Not something you should be doing.�

�I�m only pregnant, David. It�ll be easier with two of us.�

�Daniel, no, I�m not ready!�

Daniel had already begun moving. The table slipped from David�s grasp, his end digging into the ground. Daniel fell against the edge of the table.

�Are you okay, Daniel?� David asked, running around to help him up.

Daniel grimaced and rubbed his stomach gingerly. �Yeah, I think so.�

�Come on, let me help you back to the bench.�

Darren and Miko had just come back outside. When he saw David helping Daniel and the pained look on Daniel�s face, he nearly dropped the glasses he held. He put them down as quickly as possible and ran over to them.

�What happened?� He asked anxiously.

David waited until Daniel was seated comfortably. �He was trying to help me move the picnic table. My hands slipped. I�m sorry, Darren.�

Daniel shook his head. �Not his fault, Dare. I was foolish. I�ll be okay. Just got the wind knocked out of me.�

Darren sat down on the seat beside him and pulled him back to rest against him. Miko brought their drinks over.

�You should know better, Daniel.� She tisked. She placed her hand on Daniel�s stomach. He flinched.

�Danny, are you sure you�re okay?�

He nodded stiffly and the baby kicked then. He smiled and laughed weakly. Miko nodded.

�Baby kicking is good sign. You rest till food ready.�

He nodded and lay back against Darren again, his head against the older man�s neck. Darren brushed his fingers against the younger man�s temple in a soothing manner. Daniel sighed lightly. When his head lolled slightly, Darren realized he�d fallen asleep.

He smiled and continued the motion, letting the sun warm his husband while he watched the others prepare for the party.

�Oh, he looks so sweet,� Paula crooned as she came over to get them. �We�re ready.�

�Danny, baby. Wake up. The party�s about to begin.�

Daniel looked up slowly and smiled softly. Darren got up and then helped Daniel up.

�You still feeling okay?�

�Little sore, but I think so.�

They gathered at the table. Naomi said grace. Veggie shish kabobs and grilled corn with a green salad. A light, pleasant meal.

�Hey, Daniel.� Miko poked his arm conspiratorially. �Guess what my favorite cake is?�

Daniel laughed. �I�m guessing that�s a rigged question.�

Miko chuckled and nodded. �You bet. Devil�s Food Chocolate! So save room!�

Daniel nodded.

�Nearest neighbors far enough away they won�t hear, either.� She winked and Daniel flushed deeply.

�Momma!� Naomi said, a smile in her voice. �You�re impossible.�

�I right, too.�

Even Darren chuckled at that. He rubbed Daniel�s shoulder reassuringly. Daniel looked at him and pouted.

�Go ahead and laugh at my expense. You just plan on having to get back in my good graces when we get home.�

Darren smiled. �I�d like nothing better.�

When they had finished eating, Naomi went in to get the cake and Paula brought out her grandmother�s presents.

They all sang Happy Birthday when the cake came out. Miko made a show of blowing out the eight candles on her cake.

They began cutting the cake and dishing up the ice cream. Darren noticed Daniel�s head was resting against one hand, his other on his stomach.

�Danny?� he asked softly.

�I�m� Ohh�kay.�

�Danny, what�s wrong?� Darren�s voice rose with concern.

Chatter stopped. Miko put her hand on Daniel�s temple.

�Skin clammy. Let me look at you.�

�Don�t want� to spoil� your party.� He spoke slowly, but Darren could hear the pain.

Miko put her hand on his chin and firmly raised his head. His complexion had turned ashen. Sweat beaded his brow.

�I think maybe I should take you home.� Darren said, standing up.

�No� Miko, I�m sorry.�

She gave him a hug. �Silly boy. Go home and rest.�

Daniel nodded weakly. Darren took his arm to help him up. He doubled over in pain.

Miko gasped. Paula screamed Daniel�s name as Naomi ran for the house. Darren kept him from hitting the ground, lowering him slowly. It was then Darren realized what everyone else had seen.� When Daniel had stood up, he had begun to bleed. Heavily. And it was bright red.

�However, if it�s bright red I want you to come right in so we can be sure there�s nothing wrong�� the doctor�s words rang in his head.

�Oh, my god! Danny! Danny!� He called frantically, shaking his unconscious husband.

Darren paced, tears streaming down his face, his hands clenching and unclenching. He wanted to scream his fear, his pain, but he was in a hospital. He couldn�t do that here.

The Andersons watched him. Finally Miko stepped in front of him, her sadness intense on her face. He halted uncertainly. His eyes blinked, unable to stop the tears. She held her arms out and he fell into them. Her arms wrapped around him and his body shook as he gave in to his anguish.

Leonie came in a short time later. Paula thought she recognized her and walked up to meet her.

�Leonie?�

�I�m Leonie Messer. Is that Darren? What happened?�

�I�m Paula Anderson. I called you. Daniel is in surgery. He had a small accident at our house and started bleeding heavily. I got your number from Darren�s wallet.�

�Darren has mentioned you. He thinks very highly of you and your family. What about the baby?�

�They haven�t said. It�s almost five months, so they may be able to save it.�

Leonie nodded, looking at Darren. �Who�s that with Darren?�

�My Grandmother Miko. They were helping us celebrate her eighty-sixth birthday.�

�Do you know if their folks have been called?�

�I don�t know their numbers. I didn�t see them in his wallet and he�s not been in any condition to call anyone.�

Leonie nodded again, pulling out her cell phone. �I�ll be right outside. Please come and get me if you find out anything. I�ll be back after I call them.�

Paula nodded with a sad smile. Leonie seemed just as efficient as Darren had said she was. She turned and went back to stand with her parents. Miko had managed to get Darren to sit down. She watched her grandmother gently rock the distraught singer.

By the time Leonie returned, he had cried himself out and was simply clinging to Miko for comfort. They were sitting to one side of the waiting room, Paula and two others standing. Paula made the introductions quickly in a low tone. Leonie went to Darren�s side and touched his shoulder gently.

�Daniel�s parents are taking the next available flight here. Your mother sends her condolences.�

Darren nodded, but refused to leave the refuge of Miko�s embrace.

Leonie rubbed his shoulder, not knowing what else to do.

A doctor came out then and introduced himself. Darren stood up to hear what he had to say.

�Craig Medwyn.� He nodded to the others. �Darren, we�ve stabilized Daniel. He�s still critical, but I think he�ll pull through.�

�Where is he? Can I see him? What about the baby?�

�I need you to come with me immediately.�

�Oh, no� what?� the last word came out as a hoarse whisper.

�Darren, your baby has what is known as anencephaly. If we had known sooner, we could have aborted��

�What are you saying? The baby�s alive! It�s been active.� His voice rose with his panic. �Why would we abort it?� he asked in a broken voice.

�Darren, there�s not much time. Are you sure you wouldn�t rather hear this privately?�

Tears spilled again. Leonie put her arm around his shoulder.

�Tell me,� he whispered through the tears.

�Darren, your baby only has twenty, maybe thirty minutes to live. I�m sorry, Darren. There is nothing that can be done. If you�ll come with me, I�ll take you to Daniel.� His voice was sympathetic, but firm.

Darren shivered. His tears stopped suddenly as everyone around him began to cry.

�Many parents prefer this time to be private. But given the circumstances, if you�d like visitors?�

Darren barely registered the doctor�s words. His baby was dying, and Daniel might not live.

�Darren? Would you like to hold your son for the time he has?�

�My� son?� He smiled sadly. �Yes� I�d like that.�

�Come with me then, please.�

Darren let the doctor guide him to Daniel�s room.

�Sit here. I�ll have a nurse bring him right in.� Dr. Medwyn was at the door when he turned back. �I�m truly sorry, Mr. Hayes. The odds of this happening are one in a thousand. I wish we could have done more.�

Darren nodded silently and wiped futilely at his face as the tears began again. He looked at his husband. Daniel�s face was so pale. He�d nearly lost them both tonight. Daniel was still in danger, still critical. He picked up one of Daniel�s limp hands and held it in both of his, pressed his lips to the ends of the fingers.

�Dear God, I know you have your reasons� but please� please� don�t take them both from me� I�I don�t want to seem selfish, but� I�I couldn�t live if you do� please� please�� his body shook from silent sobs.

The nurse entered then, her smile compassionate as she handed the tiny bundle down to him. Dr. Medwyn followed.

Darren smiled as he looked at his son� so small� they hadn�t even discussed names yet.

�Some people leave their children John or Jane Doe, in cases like this��

�No�� he shook his head. �It�s just�� he looked toward Daniel. �We never had time� but he deserves a name� he�s so beautiful�� Darren brushed the tips of his fingers over the baby�s forehead, touching the fine hair that poked out from under the knit hat on his head. �His hair is so soft��

Tears dripped onto the delivery blanket as he held his son to him.

�Kevin� Kevin Hayes� I love you so much�� He placed a kiss on his son�s forehead. Rubbed his cheek gently against the soft, warm cheek of his son.

�He seems so perfect� are�are you certain?�

Dr. Medwyn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. �Darren, the hat mercifully hides the defect. A baby with anencephaly has no forebrain. It�s only a matter of time.�

�He�s not in any pain, is he?�

�No, Darren. His death will be painless. He�ll just go to sleep.�

�I wish Daniel could see him� he�ll be devastated� he�ll blame himself�� Darren caressed his son in awe, while his mind wrestled with the certainty of what the doctor had told him.

�Would you like the others to see him?�

�Yes, if�if they feel they can.�

Dr. Medwyn nodded and left. The nurse that had brought him returned. He started to hand the baby back, but she shook her head.

�I�m not sure what the doctor has said but your son can stay with you until the end.�

�Oh��

�I have a small camera. I was wondering if you wanted pictures? Some families find them a comfort.�

Leonie, Miko and Paula came in then.

�You don�t mind?� Darren asked, and sniffed. Leonie offered him a tissue.

�It would be my pleasure, Mr. Hayes.�

It was a small instant camera, one of the better single-use cameras. She took every shot. Some of Darren holding Kevin and smiling. Some of Kevin beside Daniel, with Darren smiling beside them. Pictures with all of the others. She gave him the camera before she left. Dr. Medwyn returned and stood silently to the side.

Twenty minutes later, Kevin�s lips began to turn blue. Darren held his baby to him and trembled as he tried to hold his misery in. Leonie, Paula and Miko all stood around him, their hands rubbing his back, their presence the only comfort they could offer. He held his son as the baby slowly grew cold. Dr. Medwyn came over.

�Mr. Hayes, there is a way to give your son�s life more meaning��

�What do you mean?� Leonie asked harshly.

Dr. Medwyn stood patiently.

�What?� Darren�s voice was a mere whisper.

�We have another baby right now. He was injured in an auto accident. He�s going to grow up blind. The corneas from your son could change that.�

�But how? He�Kevin is dead.�

�The corneas can still be safely transplanted. I realize this is not an easy decision. I�m sorry to ask you now, but I thought it might be better if I asked you rather than the attending physician of the other baby.�

Leonie bristled.

�Could you go, Leo? All of you, for a bit, please? Give me a few minutes��

�Darren, I��

�Not right now, Leo, please.�

She nodded brusquely and then left. Paula hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving. Miko placed a kiss on the baby�s tiny forehead.

�A part of him will live on, Darren.� She said as she hugged him. �With all of the love you have shown him, his spirit is already in the heavens looking down on you.� Miko kissed his cheek and left.

�You won�t do anything else to him, will you?� Darren�s raw voice was plaintive.

�I promise you, Darren, he�ll be treated respectfully.�

�You�re sure it will help the other baby?�

�Absolutely positive, or I wouldn�t have asked.�

�It won�t� show, or... or��

�There will be no scarring.�

The nurse who had brought Kevin in returned then. She waited quietly at the door.

Darren placed one last kiss to his son�s forehead. The blue-tinged skin was no longer warm.

�I�m going to miss you, Kevin. I love you.� He looked at his son a moment longer, before handing him to the nurse. �Go ahead.�

�Thank you, Mr. Hayes. I�ll return after the operation.�

Darren nodded silently. After they�d gone he turned his chair toward Daniel. He put one arm over Daniel, the other on the bed, lowered his head and wept.

�tbc�