Page 73 of Only ever you-Ana & Byron
He fell silent, contemplative, eyes on his fingernails. Then in a softer voice, "So ya spoke to t'doctor in Walton?"
"Yes," Ana nodded. "I have an appointment next week."
"I wanna come," Byron said, voice low. "And I reckon we should take Gray or Cadi."
Ana whispered, "Okay."
Byron cocked a brow. "No arguin'?"
"Okay," she smiled faintly. "We listen to them and do what is best."
Then her voice quavered. "What if... what if I end up...?"
Byron cut in firmly, "Nah, it won't happen. I won't let it."
He reached for her hand. "Do you love me, Ana?"
"You know I do," she replied, voice steadier.
"I wasn't sure with the way you were... closed off," he admitted wryly.
"I love you so much," she said in a hoarse voice that shook, " I just didn't want to be a burden."
"And you want this baby, yeah?"
"Yes," Ana breathed, "So badly."
"We'll need to make sure it's safe fer you," Byron cautioned, his accent seeping through, "Promise me ye won't risk yerself. If the doctor says it is too risky..."
Ana muttered, "Alright," as tears streamed down in steady rivulets. She wiped her eyes and nose with her sleeve-she wasn't a pretty crier. When she cried, it was rare, and she bawled like someone was beating her. Her eyes were swollen and her nose red, like a clown'
She heard Byron click his tongue. Then his familiar weight settled beside her. Gently, like she was made of the finest china-he pulled heronto his lap. Her arms went around his neck and his around her waist. She cried against his neck, her shoulders shaking, chest heaving.
"Ana, you proper cry like a big baby," he teased, voice soft.
She lifted her head just enough to spit out, "Fuck you."
Byron let out a rumbling chuckle. "I'd love to... but dunno if we should risk all the bouncing!"
He pressed his lips to her temple. After a moment, he tilted his head back, a grin playing on his lips. "So...one of me swimmers made it, huh? Told you I needed extra-large, not medium king."
Ana blinked through her tears. She let out a startled laugh, the sound catching in her throat, and nestled against him.
Byron shifted, eyes dancing. "You look like you've been swallowed by a big pink Easter bunny."
She glanced down at her fluffy robe-bubblegum-pink, bunny ears drooping on the hood and those ridiculous matching slippers.
"Well... maybe a little?" she mumbled.
He leaned in conspiratorially. "Is this a new kink? 'Cause I'm game... only you'll need to keep perfectly still, what with your injury and all. Let me do all the work."
Ana rolled her eyes, half-smile tugging at her lips. "Byron, get your head out of the gutter. Here I am, worried-"
"Yeah, yeah," he cut in, winking. "Just sayin', A... I'm gonna put a ring on it. So, you hush and take it."
He gave a long serious look, "You know, you've used up all your free passes for fuckups in exchange for mine when we were kids."
Then he pretended to be thoughtful, "In fact, I think you owe me a few." He pulled her closer, forehead resting against hers.
