I Can't Ever Get Enough Of You
Part 9

Twenty minutes after I ended the phone call with Todd, we’re walking down a corridor in the maternity ward heading towards the waiting area.

"Can you believe how Todd's been acting?" I ask him as we pass a heavily pregnant woman who could have been stretching her legs between contractions.

"Actually I can," Dawson begins. "The person you love more than anyone else is about to give birth to your child and for one fleeting second after that first contraction it enters your mind 'what if something goes wrong'?"

I stop walking and placed a hand on his arm so he has to turn to face me.

"And after it has entered your mind once, it's like the seed has been planted and the thought occurs with more and more frequency." He continues with his eyes on mine and I am able to read a note of sadness in those pools of blue. "It doesn't matter that these people deliver so many babies, doesn’t matter how far technology has come because something could still happen. You believe it could happen and until it's all over...you can't rest easy."

I'm speechless for a few moments, stuck just looking at him. "I never knew..."

"You females may have the difficult job. It's physically and emotionally draining, but it's not entirely easy trying to get through those thoughts." Dawson finishes and there was sadness in his voice. "All the while trying to appear composed, trying to remain strong."

"Why didn't you tell me that?" I finally ask him.

"You had enough to worry about."

Overcome with a wave of love, a need to comfort him for something that I wasn't aware of, I move forward and wrap my arms around him. “I love you.” I tell him, the emotion evident in my voice.

Dawson kisses the top of my head. “I love you too.”

We walk to the waiting area hand in hand and as I take a seat he asks, “Do you want a cup of coffee or something?”

It suddenly hits me that neither of us has had breakfast. “Yeah, but I’ll come with you.” I reply standing.

“No, it’s okay.” Someone should stay here in case Todd comes looking for us.”

Silently I nod my head and sit back down as he walks away.

A guy comes bursting through a set of swing doors and calls to someone sitting behind me. “It’s a boy!” And as people congratulate the proud father I find my mind wandering.

Arching my back off the bed, my pelvis pushing against his, I bit my lip, holding back. Holding on.

It had already begun for both of us, no going back.

There was something major I had to tell him, but I was unsure of if it would be best to hold off until I knew for sure. What if I was wrong?

“Dawson…” I managed to say as I brought my hands up to touch his face. “Dawson…” I began again, the words unable to come forth but something in my tone made him slow down.

“Are you okay?” He asked and I nodded still biting my lip. “Joey?” He said questioningly and stopped moving altogether, his body still above mine.

We were both pretty breathless and for a moment the room was filled only by the sound of our breathing again.

“Jo…” He began as he stroked my cheek still inside me, his eyes searching mine. “What is it?”

He was going to find out sooner or later, I had just wanted to be certain before I told him. “I think we’re pregnant.” I whispered, seeing the beginning of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Maybe it’s not so bad telling him.

“You think we’re…really?” He asked, a tinge of excitement creeping into his voice before he turned serious. “Why didn’t you tell me, why were you holding that back?”

“Because there have been other false alarms. I didn’t want to build your hopes up this time.”

“I still want to know.” He assured me. “We’re in this together, when will you accept that?”

“I know, it’s just I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

“You wouldn’t be disappointing me.” He replied before leaning closer to kiss my forehead. “The doctor said after you came off the pill it could take anything up to a year to get pregnant. It’s only been seven months…”

“Three weeks and two days.” I cut in.

“The doctor said it was common for people to take a while to get pregnant and we’ll just keep trying until it happens.”

“You like the sound of that don’t ya?” I replied slyly, moving a little beneath him. “I bet that’s a big turn on for you.”

“In case you weren’t paying attention, I’m already pretty much…” he began to withdraw himself slowly. “Turned on.”

“I hadn’t really noticed anything.” I retorted, wrapping my arms around his neck.

I was pulled from my thoughts by Dawson giving my arm a slight nudge. “Are you okay?” He asks with concern evident in his voice.

“Yeah.” I reply taking the cup from him. “Just a little tired.”

“Then you should have gotten some sleep and not had your wicked way with me.”

“Oh, because you would have let me sleep…”

“That’s a whole other matter.” Dawson grins at me.

“Do you remember the day Ana was born?”

“Yes, it was one of the happiest days of my life. You hear a lot of people saying it changes your life but it still doesn’t prepare you for when it happens.”

Leaning against his shoulder I reply, “I know. I still remember the first time you held her. She clutched your thumb and that made me cry.”

“I think my favorite memory from that day was when you first held her.” He says as he lightly strokes the back of my hand that is now resting on his knee. “We had the start of our own family, not just the two of us anymore.”

“Do you ever think we waited too long to have kids?”

“I don’t think so.” He began. “We got to enjoy married life for a few years, not having to worry about kids so soon after the ‘I do’s’. Do you think we waited too long?”

I just shake my head. Glancing at my watch I see we’ve been here for twenty minutes already. “I’m going to go call Gale, let her know where we are. Maybe see if she’ll look after Ana for a bit longer.”

“Okay.” He replies squeezing my hand. “I’ll stay here.”

Five minutes later I’m back sitting beside Dawson, my hand in his again.

“Still no Todd?”

“No, but he’s probably having some time with...”

“It’s a girl. It’s a girl.” Todd states as he comes bustling through the swing doors. “Hey, you’re here.”

“Congratulations.” I tell him standing up and hugging him. “Daddy.”

Todd looked me up and down. “Calm down Joey, the missus just had my baby. I’m not in the market for a girlfriend.” He turns to Dawson. “Audrey had a girl.”

“Really? I hadn’t heard.” Dawson replies mock surprised.

“Smart ass.”

“What ya gonna do about that?”

“So did you guys pick a name?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

Dawson and I both look at him expectedly.

“I assume you want to know?” He grins at us and he’s a far cry from the guy who called in the middle of the night panicking because Audrey was in labor.

“That’d be nice Todd.”

“Kirthia.” He gushes. “Audrey wanted you both to come see her before she went to sleep; she’s kind of out of it.”

“How is she?”

“Audrey’s pretty beat but trying to fight it.” Todd said rubbing his own eyes as we walked down the hallway. “She says she just wants to stay awake and look at our baby.”

“Believe me Todd that feeling will go.”

“What about Kirthia?”

“The doctor’s said she’s fine, just big, weighs in at 7lb 3 oz. She’s got blonde curls and a good set of lungs.” He’s glowing and I have a good feeling that fatherhood will agree with him.

Entering Audrey’s hospital room, I see she’s sitting up in bed, with the baby in her arms, cooing. It reminds me of when Audrey first held Ana. She hears us enter and looks up with a big smile on her face.

“Look Kirthia, Daddy brought Aunt Joey and Uncle Dawson to see you.” Audrey tells the baby as she looked back down at her. “Hey you two.”

“Hey.” I say as Dawson leans down and kisses her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired, sore. I think the drugs are wearing off.”

“I didn’t like that part.”

“It’s not really that fun.” She replies scrunching her nose. “Do you want to hold her?” She asks Dawson.

“Yeah.” He answers. She hands Kirthia to him and Dawson kisses her forehead.

“You look good for someone who has just given birth to a baby.” He says.

“Oh I know.” She assures him with a smile.

“I’m assuming you guys got here okay.” Dawson laughs, the comment directed more at Todd. “Nice to know Todd’s great to have when crisis strikes.”

“This was a one time thing.” He retorts.

“Sure it was honey.” Audrey smiles. “I know you’ll be great when it comes to changing diapers.”

“I thought maybe we’d get someone specifically for that job.” Toss replies with a serious look on his face and off of Audrey’s look he replies, “We’re not?”

“No.” She laughs. “Todd, can you get me some more water?”

“Sure.” He replies moving towards the exit.

“I’ll come with you.” Dawson tells him. “No doubt you women want to talk babies.” He finishes as he hands Kirthia to me. “You’re turn.” Before leaving he kisses her forehead again.

Like Todd said, she has blonde curls already but she’s sleeping, so not sure about the lungs.

“I’m sorry about Todd calling last night.” Audrey says after a moment.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s not your fault.”

“I know, who knew Todd would panic like that?”

“Not me.” I reply as she yawns. “You should get some sleep.”

“Soon, once Todd and Dawson come back. How was last night?”

“It was good.” I reply grinning and she rolls her eyes.

“I can’t believe you two act as though you’re still dating. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, I hope Todd and I are still like that when we’ve been married for five years.”

“You will be.” I assure her. “He’s still crazy about you.”

“Are you sure he’s not just crazy? He’s gonna drive Kirthia crazy, isn’t he?”

“If nothing else Todd will be good entertainment for her.” I reply and she starts laughing.

“Oh Joey, don’t make me laugh it’s too painful.”

“Sorry.” I reply. “Would you like your daughter back?”

“Yes.” She replies as she fixes her pillow. “You know, I always wondered what it’d feel like to finally have this baby and you know; I never expected to feel this great and like crap at the same time.” I pass Kirthia back to Audrey and she keeps her eyes on the baby. “I’m just so taken with her already.”

“I know.” I reply.

It reminds me of when I had Anastasia. All I wanted to do was stay awake and look at my beautiful baby, the creation born from my love with Dawson.

Dawson and Todd return and we stay for a few more minutes before we decide we should let Audrey sleep and Todd will probably go home to sleep or stand watching Kirthia all day.

On entering the house we’re both still quiet, just like we were in the car.

“I’m gonna go put on something comfortable.” I tell him as I move towards the stairs.

“Okay.” He replies walking towards the living room. “I’ll check the machine and then go start the washing up.”

“What idiot’s idea was it to leave the washing up until today?” I groan walking up the stairs glancing at Dawson out of the side of my eye.

I quickly change into a pair of sweat pants and tank top before straightening up the comforter on the bed.

“Jo, mom called.” Dawson says entering the room to find me looking at a picture of him and Ana.

Looking up from the picture I ask, “Why did she call?”

“She said Ana could stay again tonight, in case we were going to go back to the hospital to visit Audrey. Save us from having to take Ana.”

“That’s good.” I reply putting the photo back on the nightstand.

“What are you thinking about?” He asks when I look back at him.

“Nothing.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Because I thought that maybe you were thinking of telling me you wanted to have another baby.” He says as he moves to sit on the bed beside were I stand.

Looking at him quizzically I ask, “How did you know?”

“I thought it too.” He replies. “Seeing how happy Audrey looked, the way you looked at the baby…” He takes my hand and I sit beside him. “I read the want in your eyes and saw the way you looked at me when I was holding Kirthia.”

“I though if I told you that you’d say it was too soon after Ana.”

“I don’t think it’s too soon.” Dawson begins stroking my wrist. “And even if I did it could easily be rationalized by saying it took almost eight months for us to be pregnant with Ana and with you being on the pill again…”

“It may be a while before it happens.” I finish for him.

“Yeah.” He replies.

“So, do you want to make a baby with me Dawson?”

“Hmm, yeah alright.”

“What about the washing up?” I ask him.

“It’s not going anywhere.” He replies as he kisses my hand. “What about the no sex for a week thing?”

“Hmm, there will come a time when I’m with child when I won’t want to.” I lightly shrug my shoulders. “Just change it to then.”

“You know, I should be arguing that that’s gonna be cruel to me then, cuz you won’t want to but I will.” He says moving closer.

“You know we could do both.” I respond scooting away from him.

“No, no, no.” He replies moving closer. “There’s no need for that!”

“Didn’t think so.”

“Joey?” He says as he kisses me.

“Hmmm.”

He pulls me into his lap. “Shut up.”

“Okay.” I reply as I place my hands on his shoulder, straddling him. “Anything else?”

“I don’t think so.” He replies as he kisses me again and we start to undress one another.

“You know Dawson; I took my pill this morning while you were in the shower.” I say as he discards of my bra. “You know what that means?”

“There’s not a hope in hell of this ending up with my bun in your oven.”

I laugh. “Exactly.”

“Well what should we do?” He asks before kissing the valley between my breasts. Stop?”

“No!”

I hear him chuckle. “Didn’t think so.”

Running my fingers through his hair I reply. “We can call this a practice round.”

“Only if you feel the need to put a label on it.” Dawson replies as he kisses his way towards my lips. “Personally, I don’t feel the need to call it anything.”

Moving my hands down his chest to the top of his jeans I ask, “Why’s that?”

“Because being honest,” he begins as he places his hands on my ass and rolls over so he’s on top. “I can’t ever get enough of you.”

“Me either.” I say before he devours my lips with his own and things start to heat up. “Me either.” I mumble again against his lips.