Junior Too

Author: Beth C

Fandom - None, based on the movie "Junior"

Summary: This takes place approximately 1 1/2 years after the film ended. Larry & Alex are contacted by Lyndon as there is a problem with marketing the Expectaine. More data is needed before the drug can be marketed to the US.

Rating: R for mild sex related material. M/M pairing, M/F implied in a few points.

Feedback: Trekie386@aol.com

Disclaimer: Not mine, all rights belong to the movie studios. I just couldn't see the movie ending that soon. Don't sue me guys, I just borrowed them for a bit. :)

*******************

"I've got it!" She exclaimed as she slammed the phone back down into the cradle. She then had to pick it back up again and untwist the cord from around her middle. She had been so excited she hadn't realized she had even wrapped herself up in it. Hastily she cradled the handset again and ran into the living room.

"What did you get this time?" Angela Arbogast questioned as she looked up from where she was tending the toddlers running amok in the room. Jake and Junior were playing hide -n- seek behind the chairs. Nearby Jenny was sleeping quietly in the playpen.

"The funding. I've got the funding." Diana Hesse peeked behind a curtain to see Junior hiding. Junior was getting prettier with each passing day. It was still so hard to believe that she was the mother, not having given birth to her. She dropped the curtain back down and came to sit on the sofa beside Angela.

Angela shook her head. The two women had become fast friends ever since the babies had been born. It was an experience that she hoped would never be repeated. Watching Alex Hesse being pregnant was definitely one for the record books. It was never reported, and on the birth certificate, Junior was just listed as having a mom and dad. No mention was made of her extraordinary conception. "What funding?"

"For my project. The cryogenics. The Pierre-Madrill Foundation in France wants me to come and lecture! They've promised to fund my research for a whole two years!" She was glowing with excitement. Her blond hair was once again pulled into a ponytail and she twirled the ends with one hand. "They promised to even pay airfare!"

Angela smiled. "Congratulations. When?" Jake had found Junior and both toddlers ran to their moms, squealing with happiness. Angela hugged Jake. He was so handsome for a 2-1/2 year old.

Diana hesitated. "Next week. They want me to come and tour the country, doing the circuit there." Her excitement vanished, as the reality set in. "I'll be gone for about a year." She bit her lip. "Do you think Alex will agree to come?"

Angela shrugged. "Can't say. He's pretty tied up right now with the Expectaine project. The FDA is supposed to grant permission at long last for US approval." She lifted Jake into her lap and kissed his head. "Remember, without Expectaine, Junior would not be here right now."

"I know, I know. But this is too big an opportunity to pass up." She got up and went to check on Jenny. The 1 year old was sleeping quietly. This one she had carried to term and was quite proud of it. "What would you do?"

Angela was saved from having to answer as the front door opened and Dr. Alex Hesse entered. Diana moved to greet him. "Hi, Hon." She kissed him. "How was your day?"

Junior ran to greet her dad. "Daddy!" She smiled up at him. He picked her up and twirled her around over his head. "Hello, Darling." He hugged her once again before bringing her gently down. He turned his attention back to Diana. "My day was busy. The Lyndon guys want to meet with Larry next week."

He removed his jacket and placed his briefcase down. He walked into the living room and Junior followed him. When he sat down, Junior crawled into his lap and laid her head on his chest. He nodded to Angela. "Larry said to tell you that he would be late today. Mrs. Jenkins is overdue and worried. He promised her a late appointment."

"He better not be too late. He knows we have to keep Jake on a schedule." She stood up. "Speaking of which, I'd better get the little guy home. I'll catch you later Diana." She picked up her purse and keys and Jake came running at the sound.

"I'll walk you out." Diana glanced once to Alex who just smiled. As the women reached the door, Angela whispered, "Just tell him. He'll figure something out."

"I'll call you later." Diana nodded and opened the door.

Angela walked out, Jake in tow. "You better."

Alex was busy talking to Junior when Diana re-entered the room. She was telling him all about her day. "We make cookies!" She had a grin that stretched from ear to ear. "Mommy let me lick spoon!" Her chubby hands clapped together.

"I'm sure it was yummy."

"Well, they kinda came out all right. I used a tad too much sugar, I'm afraid. But they are edible." Diana perched on the edge of the sofa. "I had a call today."

Alex looked up from his daughter. "Oh? From who?"

She began playing with the lock of hair again. "Jack." At his frown she continued. "From the Pierre-Madrill Foundation. I've told you about them."

"Yes, I remember. What did he want?"

"To fund my project."

He put Junior down. "That's great!" His eyes lit up.

"Not exactly."

"What is it?"

"They want me to tour with them. It's just for a year, then I'd be back. They promised to fund my project for the next 2 years if I did." She watched as his face fell. "I know it seems like a long time, but we really need this money."

"What about the kids?" He pointed to Jenny. "She's still a baby. And I can't stand to be separated from Junior for that long."

"Can't you come with us?"

"You know I can't. With U.S. marketing set to begin in the next few months, I can't stay away." He adjusted his glasses, and peered at her. "Can't you postpone it?"

"No. The new school year is starting there, and they want me now. What do I do?" She looked down at her slacks and picked lint off of them before looking up to meet Alex's eyes.

"You do what you have to do. You go." His expression was sincere. He really wanted this for her. "I'll do what I can to get this off the ground as quickly as possible and I'll meet you there. But there is one condition."

"What?" She asked, fearing the worst.

"That you take Angela with you. Larry is going to be pretty tied up right now, and I'd rather she was with you than home worried about him. There are going to be many long nights as we close up this part of the project."

"Okay." She got up and went to hug him. "Are you sure you're all right with this? I'd have to take the kids with me, you know."

"I know. But having you take them will make it all that much more urgent for me to get over there to be with them again." He kissed her slowly. "And you."

Her excitement returned at last. "Angela will be so happy!" As she jumped up, her elbow hit him in the chin. "Oh! Sorry." She kissed the sore spot then ran to the phone. "I can't wait to tell!!"

*******************

Dr. Larry Arbogast, MD, slowly placed the phone down. Damn. He cursed to himself. Damn, damn, DAMN. Alex was not going to be pleased. This was not a good turn of events at all. He stood up and got his coat. Time to go break the bad news.

As he walked out of his office he nodded to his assistant, Louise. "Hold all my calls and re-schedule my appointments for later. I'm going to meet Dr. Hesse." He stormed out and got in his car.

He arrived at the new lab they had built with the money they had gotten from Lyndon. He swore again silently. Lyndon Pharmaceuticals. A name he wished he hadn't heard of right now. He got out and stepped up to the doors.

It took him more confidence than he had to actually open them. He found Alex typing in data into the main computer. "Hey, big guy, how's it going?"

"Larry!" He stopped his typing to greet the shorter man. "It's nice to see you today. I thought you were busy."

"I had to cancel my appointments."

"Why?" He started to get up. "Is it the women? Did something happen? They've only been gone two weeks."

Larry put one hand on Alex's shoulder and sat the bigger man down. "No, they are fine, the kids are fine. It's Lyndon."

"Lyndon?" His brow creased in confusion. "What's wrong with Lyndon?"

"Alex, they are going to pull out. They say there are side effects to the Expectaine that we didn't document before. They want more data before they will grant any more funds our way." He sighed heavily. "Our bread and butter is drying up."

"Side effects? We observed none." He began typing into the computer bringing up all the data they had on the wonder drug they had designed.

"No, but apparently they did. Something about rashes, and miscarriages. They also want to see data on if it helps with a low sperm count pregnancy." He wiped his brow. "Now how are we going to keep this gravy train?"

Alex finished reviewing his data. "How else? We are going to give them more data."

Larry stepped back. "If you are even suggesting what I think you are suggesting..."

"You yourself said it was good science." Alex got up and followed Larry as he backed into the outer lab area.

"We barely kept our skins intact, Alex! I almost lost my license. Have you lost your mind?" He stopped walking when he backed into the wall.

"No, but I'm not losing out when we've come this far. You kept me from making the biggest mistake of my life, almost three years ago." He stopped right in front of, and looked down at Larry. "They want more data, give them what they want. Just this time, let's make sure the experiment is discontinued before it goes too far."

Larry sidestepped around Alex. "That was my original idea, remember?" He paused in front of some lab equipment. "What is all this for? I don't remember ordering this."

Alex just shrugged. "Diana wanted it for the cryogenics section. Her new dairy section is over there." He pointed vaguely.

"Alright, but tell her no more until we get this situation under control. Money don't grow on trees, you know." He sat in a nearby chair. "So what exactly are you proposing?"

Alex kneeled in front of Larry. "Simple. We fertilize a second egg, and implant it again. You know the procedure. Dose it again with Expectaine. This time we use your sperm, and see if the first trimester data is any different."

Larry looked skeptical. "Then what?"

"Then we close out the experiment. If they still want more data, we will just have to find other ways. At least we can try this."

Larry sighed. "I guess." He looked around the lab. "Where are you going to get the egg?"

Alex grinned. "Dairy section, of course. Diana harvested 7 more of her own for another experiment. I don't think she'll miss one."

"Are you sure about this?" Larry didn't feel right, something in his gut twisted at the thought of going through this experiment again.

"Perfectly sure." Alex's face was set, determined, and his mind was made up.

Larry sighed again. It was getting to be a bad habit. "Then let's go."

*******************

Alex paused outside the door. It had been at least an hour. He lifted a hand to knock but before his knuckles could touch the wood, it opened. Larry came out, looking all worn out, and carrying a sample cup in one hand. His face was flushed, and he looked tired.

Alex took the cup and glanced at the poor contents. "I can see now why you and Angela had a hard time conceiving."

Larry grabbed the cup back, all to aware of the lack of sample inside. "Yeah. Seven years, we tried, before she went and got knocked up to have Jake."

He followed Alex into the main lab. "Are you sure this is going to work at all?"

Alex began preparing a sample dish. "It has to. Lyndon needs the data."

Larry walked over and put his sample next to the dish. "How can I trust you to terminate this time?"

Alex removed the cover from the dish. "Do you have any other choice?"

"No, not really." Alex opened the sample cup. He prepared the pitifully small specimen. "Where's the egg?"

"I haven't gotten it yet."

"Do we have to use Diana's? Can't we use one of the others?" He felt a shudder run over his body.

"No. She knows how many there are."

"I just feel kinda creepy, using your wife's egg." Larry didn't try to hide his distaste for the idea.

Alex got up and walked to the large cryogenic chamber that held his wife's research. He carefully opened the top and waited as the container that held the eggs rose up from the nitrogen-cooled depths. He peered carefully over the specimens inside. After reading a few tubes, he selected one. The label simply read 'Juniors.' He closed up the dairy section and returned to where Larry was waiting.

Larry had his specimen under the microscope. "I don't think this is going to work. The count is low, the motility is almost non-existent. I think they have as much enthusiasm for this as I do."

"Think of it as an investment." Alex carefully extracted one of the eggs with a pair of tweezers and added it to the petri dish. He placed the cover on top and placed the whole thing under a microscope. He focused the image. "Take a look." He stepped aside.

The world through the microscope was magnified enough that he could see his poor sample struggling to even put forth an effort. He sighed. "If this actually works, I might consider trying this with Angela. If I can convince her to donate, that is."

*******************

Three hours later...

Alex was again lying on the examining table, his T-shirt hiked up to reveal his stomach and chest. He had unbuttoned his pants, and lowered the zipper a bit to allow full access to his ample belly.

Larry was using the ultrasound machine to locate the spot to implant the egg. He was more than surprised to see that it had actually been fertilized, but he knew that it took more than just the actual conception to make a baby. There was the fact of the host to consider as well, which is why many in-vitro or test tube babies took many tries, and multiple eggs.

He moved the device over Alex's stomach. There. That was a good spot. Very close to the first place they had implanted Junior. One finger traced over the scar left behind by the cesarean. He looked to Alex. "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Larry lifted the large needle and gently poked the epidermis layer. "Did you take the Expectaine?"

"Of course. The flavoring helped. It was much easier to swallow."

"Well here goes." He maneuvered past the abdominal wall, and into the perineal cavity. With a skilled hand, he depressed the plunger and watched as the fertilized egg was carefully given a new home.

*******************

Four weeks later...

Alex was in the lab, analyzing the results of the latest lab tests when he felt it begin again. He got up and ran for the bathroom, one hand clasped tightly against his mouth. After emptying his stomach's contents, he flushed and stood. Glancing in the mirror, he looked at himself. He was pale and his skin looked flushed. His face felt clammy.

He remembered that this was the part he had liked least about being pregnant. He rinsed out his mouth and wiped down his face. He left the bathroom and ran straight into Larry.

"Whoa, big guy. Where's the fire?"

Alex brushed him off and went to sit. "It's just the morning sickness again."

"Are you eating the crackers?"

"That's what just came up."

"Well, relax. It will pass." He looked Alex over with a careful eye. "How are you otherwise?"

"Fine, I think." He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. "Why are you here, Larry?"

"To check on you, of course."

"Thanks for the concern." Alex sat back up. "Only 8 more weeks of the protocol left."

"And hopefully the data we need." He paused. "You sure you're not having any side effects?"

"Nothing that is any different from the last time we did this." He ran his hand over his still-flat stomach. "It's been two 1/2 years, but I think I can remember what it was like."

Larry frowned. "And you're taking the Expectaine? The correct dosage?"

"Yes." Alex got up and went to the computer to bring up the data he had been working on. "As you can see, the results are nearly identical to the first set when we did this before." He scrolled through several screens to show Larry.

"Damn." Larry stepped away. "I'd hate to think we are doing this for nothing." At Alex's surprised look, he recanted his statement. "What I meant is that we are putting your body through hell for data we already had."

Alex put one hand on Larry's shoulder. "Maybe it just works different in a woman. There might be something, one of the ingredients that causes an allergic reaction in some people. I'll have to check the components one by one."

"You do that."

Alex nodded, then bent over. Larry skillfully stepped out of the way, just as Alex took off for the bathroom again.

*******************

Two weeks later...

Alex woke up in a sweat. He felt sharp pains in his chest. "Larry!" He called out into the darkness of the room. When nothing was forthcoming he screamed again. "Larrrrrrry!!"

A patter of footsteps could be heard coming down the hall. The door swung open and Larry snapped on the light with a flick of the wrist. "Alex? What is it?"

Alex reached out from the bed with one hand. "PAIN!" He grimaced as another shot through his chest. "ARRGH!"

"Lie still. Alex!" Larry had to shout over the other man's moans.

Alex was writhing on the bed. Larry ran to get his emergency medical kit from down the hall. He quickly returned and loaded a syringe with morphine. He pulled the sheet back and rolled the larger man onto his side. He pulled the waistband of Alex's pj's down and plunged the needle into Alex's right buttock.

Pressing the plunger down, he administered the narcotic, then withdrew the hypodermic and capped it. He released the other man and covered him back up again. The empty needle was then tossed into the bedside wastepail. He continued to watch as Alex began to calm down.

The morphine had the desired effect. Alex quelled his thrashing and released his grip on the bedcovers. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Larry was observing him with concern. "Better?"

Alex nodded slowly.

"You're going to feel light-headed like you just drank a six-pack very quickly. That's normal." He picked up a stethoscope from the nightstand and began to take Alex's pulse. A little rapid, but steady. "You are also going to feel drowsy. Don't fight it." He removed the instrument and put it back. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Alex licked his lips once before replying. "I was sleeping and suddenly it was as if someone just grabbed my heart and began squeezing it. I felt the pain, awoke and called you." He rested against the pillow as the room began to spin.

"Not heartburn?"

"No. This was a sharp pain. Heartburn is more of a slow, burning pain." His eyes felt heavy so he closed them.

"We will have to run a few tests in the morning, all right?"

When no answer was forthcoming, Larry checked Alex. The bigger man had fallen fast asleep. Not wanting to take any chances, Larry curled up in a nearby chair to be close should anything else happen.

*******************

Bright light. Extremely bright light. Stabbing into his eyelids. Slowly he opened one and squinted.

Daylight streamed into the room through a slat in the blinds. Alex moved away from the shaft of light and slowly sat up. He reached for his glasses on the nightstand and put them on.

As the room came into focus, he noticed Larry sleeping in one of the nearby chairs by the bed. Alex removed the blankets, intending to get up quietly and go to the bathroom but the noise roused Larry, who sat up quickly.

"Sorry." Alex apologized. "I was just going to go pee. I didn't mean to disturb you."

Larry rubbed his eyes with one hand. "Don't worry about it. How are you feeling?"

"A little groggy." Alex got up and went into the bathroom. When he returned, he started to lie back down, but Larry was waiting for him with thermometer in hand.

"Open up." He inserted the small glass instrument between Alex's lips. He again checked the pulse and waited a minute. He removed the thermometer and checked it. Normal. "I want to do an ultra-sound today. Just as a precaution."

"Okay." Alex stated quietly, a fact that did not go unnoticed by Larry.

"What's wrong? Nausea?"

"A little. Just tired." Alex grabbed at the covers and pulled them up.

"I'll bring you some crackers. Rest for a bit. We can do the tests later this afternoon. Did you take the Expectaine this morning?"

"Mum-huh." Alex mumbled into the pillow as he nodded slightly.

"Call if you need anything. I've got to go in for a few hours this morning but Louise will let me know if you call. All right?" Larry hesitated with one had poised on the doorknob.

Another mumble, followed by a slight nod. Larry sighed and left the room, wishing he didn't have to go in at all.

******************

Alex slowly removed his shirt, noticing for the first time the red bumps on his arms and chest. He ran one finger over some of the larger ones. They felt slightly itchy but he refrained from scratching them, although the temptation was there.

Larry entered the exam room carrying a clipboard loaded with papers. As he noticed Alex, he put it down and came over to the table.

"What do you make of these?" Alex asked as he pointed to the array of bumps covering his arms.

Larry put on a pair of rubber gloves before touching them. "I don't really know. It's not hives but it does seem to be some sort of rash. How long have you had it?"

Alex had to think for a moment. "A few days if at all. This is the first time that I've noticed it at all, but if I think back, I'd say the itching began a few days ago."

Larry prepared the ultra-sound machine. "Lay down. I'll give you something for the rash, but I want to check our experiment first."

Alex lay on the bed. Larry placed the device over his stomach. For a man, he was getting pretty used to this, and it seemed almost natural. It took only moments before the picture came up on the screen.

"Hmm" Larry was murmuring. "Growth is a little slow this time. The embryo should be further along than what is showing." He maneuvered the picture some. "Are you doing anything different from the last time?"

"No. I'm doing everything the same."

"Then we might have a problem. I'm going to up the dosage, by 10ml and increase the hormones some. Let me know what happens. You can continue to stay with me, but I need to know if there are any other complications, okay?" He shut the machine off.

"Sure. Do you think these are some of the results the Lyndon guys were getting?"

"It's possible, Alex. Maybe Expectaine isn't all it's cracked up to be." Larry made a few notes in his laptop system that he had set up for this visit. "I've got a few more appointments, so I'll be a bit late tonight."

"Okay."

Larry left the room but couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something. Unaware to both men, and still invisible to the ultra-sound at this time, the embryo had attached itself to the internal organs of its host, Alex.

*******************

{The next few weeks passed easily for Alex and Larry, with no other major problems developing. The rash even cleared up after adjusting the balance of chemicals in the Expectaine mix. The embryo continued to develop, even flourish. The first trimester was nearing its end. However, Mother Nature has a way of biting those that dare to tamper with her.}

Larry entered the lab to find Alex turning the main computer system off for the night. "How are you this wonderful evening?"

"Achy. My back hurts." He stretched and the slight bulge in his stomach could be seen. "You seem happy."

"I am. I called the Lyndon guys to give them our updated data. They took one look at the new results and have agreed to re-establish our contract." He pulled a bottle of champagne out of a bag. "You and I, big guy, are going to celebrate tonight."

Alex frowned at the bottle. "You know I can't..."

"Alex, we're quitting the protocol. You can drink all you want right now. Just stop taking the Expectaine and the pregnancy will break down and be re-absorbed back into your body. We've discussed this before." He did a little dance step. "So let's go PARTY!"

"I still can't, Larry." Alex sat heavily on the computer chair.

"Why not?" He looked over Alex as a thought occurred to him. "Is there something you're not telling me? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts about quitting the protocol now."

Alex waved one hand in the air. "No, it's not that."

"What is it then?" He placed the bottle down on the desk.

"I miss Junior and Jenny." He reached one hand up under his glasses to wipe a single tear that had formed in his eye at the mention of his children's names.

Larry rolled his eyes. "Hey, hey, calm down. As soon as the protocol is over and the experiment is officially closed, you can catch the first plane out. The contract will be back in place and we will be loaded again."

Alex tossed him a skeptical look.

"I miss Jake too." He put one hand on Alex's arm. "It's the imbalance of hormones that's bringing this all out. It will be over soon."

At the warm touch on his arm, Alex broke down. Tears flowed down his face. "I just wish you could experience this. How wonderful it feels to have a life growing inside you." He removed his glasses and placed them on the table. The tears continued to flow. "Just doing this again, reminded me of how great the connection between me and Junior was. I miss her." His voice broke into full-blown sobs.

Larry reached into his pocket and took out a handkerchief. "Here." He handed it to Alex, who took it gratefully. He waited until Alex had some form of control back. "Okay. We won't celebrate tonight. But I do want you home early. We close the experiment out tonight. I want to make sure it's done right. I have a stake in it this time." He picked the champagne back up. "Maybe when you are feeling better, we can share this."

Alex blew his nose. "Maybe." As Larry headed for the door, Alex tossed a sentence after him. "Have you ever wanted... no, never mind."

The tone of voice used stopped Larry. He turned back to Alex. "Have I ever what?" In his haste to turn he had dropped the bottle and it rolled to a stop by Alex's feet. "Don't you dare. Don't you dare reconsider now. I can see that look in your eyes. The experiment ends, Alex."

Alex put his glasses back on. "Don't get bent out of shape. I was just wondering. I'm not changing my mind. We both have families to consider. Having another baby in the mix of it is not a good idea."

Larry bent over to pick up the bottle. "Don't even let the idea enter your mind." With that, he turned and left, letting the door close quietly behind him.

*******************

Three weeks later...

Larry poured over the latest lab results from Alex's blood work. The numbers were not adding up, no matter how he tried to add them. The first test was fine. There were no longer any traces of Expectaine components in Alex's system. It was the second test that was bringing the strange results. It showed that there was an excess of waste in the blood. Something that could only be caused by a still developing fetus.

They had agreed not to check the breakdown each day, somehow that seemed better than documenting the actual date of 'death' of the experiment. The blood work had been taken on the second week and the results were just coming in now. Something was terribly wrong here. The experiment was not ending.

Larry picked up the phone and dialed Alex's lab. The phone rang off the hook. On a hunch, he called his house. Maybe Alex had gone home early? No answer. His frown at hearing the phone ring and ring did not do much for his mood.

He stepped out of his office. "Louise? Have there been any calls from Dr. Hesse?"

She glanced up from the filing she had been doing of the day's patients. "Yeah, he had called earlier. You were busy with Mrs. Sayers and told me to take a message." Her reply was prompt.

"Well? What did he say?"

She picked up a post-it note pad. "Tell Larry I will be home late. Errand to run. Not to worry." She put the pad down.

"That's it??" He would have pulled his hair out if he had any.

"That's all he said." She went back to her filing. "Is everything okay, Dr. Arbogast?"

"No. Nothing is okay. Nothing is ever okay." He took down his jacket from the coat rack. "I'm outta here. Anyone asks, I'm on an emergency delivery." He left the building as fast as his short legs would carry him.

*******************

Larry opened his seventh beer. It had been eight hours since he had gone looking for Alex. He couldn't locate him anywhere. He wasn't at the Lab, or any of the usual restaurants, stores, or even his house.

Frustrated, Larry had stopped and picked up a 12 pack of Budweiser bottles, then headed home. Alex wasn't there either. It was really unusual for Alex to be gone this long.

The beer had begun to relax him, somewhere around the fourth or fifth bottle. His anger had dissipated into a more mellow feeling. He knew he was getting pretty drunk, but was to sloshed to care. He wondered if Alex knew what was going on. Kids. They didn't need another kid. Neither of them did.

Larry was on the verge of falling asleep, the still full bottle in one hand, when the sound of the front door opening woke him. He didn't bother to move, but looked at the bottle he had opened, then brought it to his lips and took a long swallow.

Alex entered the room, carrying a large shopping bag and an even larger smile, which quickly faded as he saw the beer bottles strewn across the coffee table and the floor. He put down the bag he had been holding. "Larry?" He questioned carefully.

At the sight of Alex, Larry's temper had returned, even through the haze of being drunk. As the object of his anger approached, he struck out. "Where the HELL have you been?"

Alex picked up the few bottles that had rolled on the carpet and stood them on the table. "I went for a walk down by the beach. Then I had dinner, and did some shopping."

"You could have told me where to find you." He looked Alex in the eye, his tone even, but the anger smoldering just beneath.

"I left a message with Louise telling you I'd be late. I didn't leave a place because I didn't know exactly where I was heading when I left. I just wanted some fresh air, it's a beautiful night out." He sat in the chair near the sofa. "Is something wrong?"

"You bet your sweet ass there is." With one shaky hand he picked up the stack of lab reports. He tossed them at Alex where they landed in a messy pile.

"Take a look at those." He took another swig off the bottle.

Alex sorted the pages then thumbed through them, not really grasping what Larry wanted him to see. "So? These basically verify that I've stopped taking the Expectaine. That's what we agreed."

"Look again."

Alex did so, still missing the point. "I don't know what you want me to look for Larry." He squinted at the numbers in the different columns. It didn't help that the light wasn't exactly the best where he was sitting either.

Larry was so fed up and drunk that he lost it. He took the bottle he had been drinking and heaved it at the nearest wall. It smashed into shards of glass leaving a wet stain in its place. "You're still fucking pregnant!" He hollered. "The experiment didn't terminate!"

Alex looked in surprise from the paper, to Larry, to the wet stain dripping down the wall. "Calm down. There is no need to get violent." He checked the pages again and this time saw the unmistakable conclusion. "Can't we manually terminate this ourselves?"

Larry fumed. "I won't know that until I do an examination. Which I wanted to do today, but you conveniently disappeared." His words were becoming slurred from the alcohol, but he continued. "Now we gotta wait till tomorrow. You are in the second trimester and it's not a simple procedure anymore."

Alex placed the papers in a neat pile. He got up to pick up the remains of the broken bottle. "Well I won't go anywhere, okay?"

Larry stared at Alex. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Picking up the glass."

"Leave the glass alone. I don't want you to cut yourself." Larry stood and started towards Alex, but he wobbled and fell onto the carpet.

Alex dropped the shards in favor of picking Larry up off the floor. The combination of too much to drink, overwork, and stress had cased the smaller man to pass out.

Alex carried Larry back over to the sofa. He laid him down on one of the pillows, not surprised to hear snoring already. He retrieved a blanket and covered him. He left Larry to his snoring and cleaned the remainder of the mess up before he retired to his room to consider what he had just found out.

*******************

"This is impossible," Larry whispered as he observed the results on the screen. This time the ultrasound was showing things he hoped he would never see. His head throbbed from the hangover, and even thinking was difficult. "Without the Expectaine, this amount of growth should not have taken place."

Alex pointed to one area on the screen. "What is that?"

"The placenta. It shouldn't be over there. It should be over here," he pointed with one finger to the other side of the screen as he shifted the probe he was sliding across Alex's stomach. "That's odd. The fetus seems to have tapped directly into your vital organs." He pointed to some web-like filaments coming from under the placenta. "It has connected to your heart, lungs and kidneys." He slid the probe further across. "That must have been why you were in extreme pain that night."

Finding no further data, he turned off the machine and cleaned Alex's stomach of the gel with a paper towel. "I don't think we can terminate this thing." His voice was sullen, moody, and quiet.

Alex waited a moment before responding. "I had no idea, Larry."

"Do you realize just how much trouble we are in this time?" He raised his voice then winced at the pain it caused. A stampede of elephants would have been quieter. Damn hangover.

"At least this time we don't have Noah Baines breathing down our necks." Alex responded half in jest.

"No, this time it will be our wives."

Alex sat up and refastened his pants. "Yes, it will be a bit difficult to explain."

"A bit?!?" Larry yelled at Alex, not caring about his head for a moment. "That is MY sperm and YOUR wife's egg you are carrying in there. Angela is going to FREAK!"

"I don't think Diana is particularly going to like it either." He put his T-shirt back on. It was still loose enough to hide the growing bulge. "Are you sure you can't just take it out?"

"I'm not completely sure of anything at this point, Alex." He moved to his laptop and began typing in data. "We are still treading untested waters, even with your first pregnancy being successful. The way that it has connected with you vitals makes removing it dangerous. I could end up killing you in the process. That's one step I'm not willing to take." He stopped typing and raised his hands in front of him. "What started out at good science and an experiment has quickly turned deadly. I'm not going to be a responsible party to death. That's not why I became a doctor."

Alex didn't reply. He just sat on the edge of the exam table, one hand thoughtfully resting on his stomach. A stomach that was once again going to support life.

The tension in the room grew as the silence stretched on. Neither man could find the words necessary to break the growing barrier between them. Each man thought about his part in this test gone awry. Alex knew he was guilty of conning Larry into it this time, but Larry knew he was just as guilty for letting it even happen at all.

Both men jumped when the phone on the wall rang. Larry walked over to it and picked it up. "Hello?"

A pause. "Hey, Angela. How are you? How's Jake?"

Alex hopped off the table to stand next to Larry. "Ask about Diana," he whispered.

Larry motioned him away from the phone. "Darling, there have been a few problems." Pause. "No, nothing major. Just some Lyndon bullshit. We won't be coming right now." Pause.

Alex bent over to whisper in his ear. "Ask about Jenny and Junior please."

He again shooed Alex away. "Dear, Alex is here." Pause. "What is he doing here? He's bringing me papers to look at. He wants to know how his kids are doing." Larry waited a bit longer then covered the mouthpiece with one hand. He turned to Alex. "Diana is fine, having a blast, but the kids are driving her nuts. She will call you later." He then removed his hand. "Angela, I've got to go. My next appointment will be showing up soon. I'll call you when I get a free minute." Pause. "I love you too." He hung up the phone, as the connection was broken.

He rested his head against the wall, letting the cool texture of the wallpaper support him. He didn't know what to do now. He turned his head slightly and could see Alex watching him with concern.

He had to see Alex through this. No one else could. But another child? He shook his head. The weight of the world felt like it had just landed right on his shoulders.

Alex walked over and put his hands on Larry's shoulders. "Larry." He said the name quietly.

Larry couldn't turn around. He didn't have the strength necessary. He was mostly angry with himself for agreeing to the experiment in the first place.

"Larry?" Again, softly, quietly.

"What?" He used the same tone.

"I'm sorry."

Silence greeted the apology. Larry reached up and removed Alex's hands. "I can't handle this right now. I need time to think. I'll see you at home later. We can discuss what little options we have then." He walked over and closed up his laptop.

As he was leaving he ran into Louise. She took one look at him and backed away. He passed her in the hall and left the building. The last they heard was his car tires squealing away. Louise turned to Alex. "What was that all about?"

Louise had been one of the two other people that had known about Junior's real conception. The only other party was Ned Sneller, Larry's partner in the practice. Alex knew he could trust her. "Sit down, Louise."

She entered the room and sat on the small stool. "He has been moody lately, canceling appointments on a whim. Is something wrong?"

Alex took Louise's hands in his. "You could say that. I'm only telling you this because we may need your help later on. This is completely confidential."

She nodded. "My lips are sealed."

"Remember Junior?" At her nod he continued. "Well, I'm pregnant again." He released one of her hands and lifted his shirt.

Her eyes went wide as she eyed his midsection. "What? Are you crazy? Why?"

He shrugged. "Lyndon needed more data on the Expectaine. This time it was supposed to break down. But somehow it didn't"

She opened her mouth once, then closed it. "I'll do what I can to help, of course. And I won't tell a soul unless you instruct me to."

Alex smiled faintly. He was more worried about Larry right now. "Thank you, Louise."

*******************

Larry didn't come home that night. Or the next one either. Louise had begun calling Alex at the lab looking for him. Dr. Sneller was covering the best he could but they really needed Larry back. After he had been missing a week, Alex began to worry.

He had called Diana and told him things were just too busy here for him to leave right now. Hearing his kid's voices in the background had made him homesick for them. Angela had asked about Larry, and Alex had made some excuse then had hung up.

He wanted to call the cops, thinking the worst, but knew he couldn't. All they would need right now was cops on their backs. No. He would wait it out. Larry had to come home sometime, right? After the second week with no sign of him, he began to reconsider those thoughts.

He spent his days in the lab, analyzing as many of the different samples as he could, trying to find a reason why the experiment never terminated like it should have. He spent his nights near the phone, hoping Larry would call. He started to feel sick, and hoped he wasn't coming down with something. He sure could not see a regular doctor right now.

His worry increased exponentially at the end of the third week. If it went a full month with no word, he was going to have to call in the cops, like it or not. He couldn't lie to Angela and Diana forever. Nor could he have this baby by himself. He could feel the bulge now; he was well into the second trimester. He knew Louise and Ned would help him, but how much could they do alone? They needed at least one more physician, and Alex did not want to tell anyone else what they had been doing behind the government's back. If the media got word of the unauthorized experiments, the publicity would never end. All hope of a normal life for his family would vanish. He would be considered a freak or at least a tabloid headline. He shook his head. He had to keep this under wraps.

He had lost his appetite about a week ago, and whenever he tried to force something down, he threw it back up. He figured it was worry and nerves, but he couldn't overcome the fear something bad had happened to Larry. Dark circles grew under his eyes, and he began losing weight instead of gaining it.

He slept fitfully, frequently having nightmares that drenched him in sweat and made him cry out. If Larry was trying to frighten him into a miscarriage, it might just work yet. The few times he had gone in to see Louise, she had expressed her concern over his appearance. She had suggested that he have Ned check him over but he had refused. He wanted Larry and only Larry to deal with this incident.

He was almost five months along now, and each passing day brought more anxiety. If he thought the first pregnancy was stressful, he was wrong. The amount of stress brought on by Larry's disappearance had tensed his muscles into a tight knot. His lower back was aching to the point that it hurt to bend and sometimes even sit, the slightest try brought gasps and moans.

He was taking frequent naps now, he was always exhausted even after just waking up. The night terrors combined with his lack of rest and weak body was wearing on him. Some mornings he didn't even bother to get up, he would roll over and lay facing the door, hoping that it would open and Larry would walk in to relieve him of some of the burden he was carrying. When that didn't happen, he would eventually drift off to sleep again, letting his days and nights blur into one big nightmare.

When he could manage to get up, he would try to face the day as if the world wasn't sitting on his shoulders. Diana's calls were getting more frequent, she wanted him to join them, and it was so hard to keep up the charade. He wanted to run to her and hold his kids, have her forgive him for the mistake he had made again. His worst fear was that she would not be able to this time. He could almost predict how she would react once she found out and he kept putting off telling her.

He was in no shape to travel, and if he told her that, she would rush home to him, therefore losing her grant in the process. He knew that money would be the most important thing in the world now. This baby was going to be an added expense to his already strained budget.

He was in the middle of another nightmare, this one vividly clear, of him trying to deliver this baby alone. He was calling out, tears leaking from his eyes as terror overtook him at going into labor and being unable to find anyone to help him. A gentle touch on his arm made him jerk up, hollering out as he awoke.

Through bleary eyes, he could make out the shape of a person. He backed away, up against the headboard, not wanting anyone to touch him and find out his condition. He had a death grip on the covers, and pulled them up higher, covering his chest.

With one shaky hand he reached for his glasses on the nightstand and put them on. The room swam into focus. Larry was standing next to the bed, his tired face filled with concern.

Emotions overwhelmed Alex at the sight of his missing friend. Relief was the first and strongest, followed directly by a fierce anger at being abandoned for a time. He wanted to both hug and strangle Larry in the same instant.

Larry shifted uneasily as he watched the play of emotions across Alex's gaunt face. He was beginning to regret waking him now. He had entered the house at daybreak and heard a faint moan from the upstairs bedroom that Alex had been using. Fearing that Alex was in pain or worse, he had hastened up the stairs taking them two at a time.

He had found the other man tossing about and moaning in his dreams. Tears were leaking from his clenched eyes. Larry had placed on hand on the other man's shoulder and Alex had jumped awake with a cry.

Larry waited another minute to see if Alex was going to calm down on his own. He was relieved to see Alex take a series of calming breaths and move back towards the middle of the bed.

"Where have you been?" Alex asked quietly, his face now showing no signs of the torment he had just been experiencing.

"I had to get away. I needed time to think this out. I'm sorry I didn't call, but I knew I would not be able to deal with this if I stayed. I drove for a while, just drove out of town. Kept on going until I ran into a small motel in Washington. I stayed there for a while to think this out." Larry knew his excuse sounded feeble even to his ears.

Alex arranged the blankets over his lap as he settled himself more comfortably in the center of the bed. He was holding back some pretty powerful emotions still and was afraid if he answered Larry, they would all break free. He swallowed once, twice and took another calming breath.

Larry sat cautiously on the edge of the bed. He considered leaving and coming back later when Alex was able to handle things better, but from the look of him, it wasn't going to get any better. He held out one hand to help Alex and spoke. "I know it was very unfair to you..." he waited, hoping that Alex wouldn't chew him out.

Alex looked away from the proffered hand as if the sight of Larry was just too much to bear. He sighed a deep, frustrated sigh. "Louise has been looking for you."

"I'll call her later. Alex, please, I didn't mean to hurt you." He smoothed out one edge of the rumpled blanket. "I still don't know how we are going to explain this, but I'll be here for you. I came back."

Alex's strength was waning, any adrenaline from the nightmare was leaving his system and a great weariness was beginning to overtake him. He didn't want to argue, didn't want to fight, just wanted to roll over and go back to get what little sleep he could. "I just want to rest right now. We can discuss this later." He slid down under the covers, trying to find a comfortable position.

Larry's concern was raised a notch at the fact that Alex couldn't even keep up a conversation for five minutes. From what he could see, Alex had not been taking very good care of himself. "Have you been eating?"

Alex pulled the covers up over his shoulders and closed his eyes. "Some."

Larry pulled the blanket away from Alex and looked at the other man's body. Alex reached down for the blanket but Larry kept it out of reach. "Roll over. On your back. I want to look at you."

Alex curled up into a ball, refusing the order. "No."

Larry reached over and tried to pull Alex's legs away from his body. "Come on, Alex. I need to check you over. You don't look very well. I want to make sure you are alright."

Alex wasn't sure why he was protesting. Hadn't he been wanting Larry all this time? But something in him rebelled and he clenched his body tighter. He wasn't going to let Larry check him until he felt ready. "I'm fine. Let me rest."

Larry surrendered after hearing just a note of pleading in that statement. "All right. For an hour. You can get a nap while I call the office and talk to Louise and Ned." He pulled the blanket back up. "But when I come back up, you are going to let me check you or I'll knock you out and check you anyway."

Alex didn't answer. He had already fallen back asleep.

*******************

It had actually taken two hours to get things straightened out with Louise, Ned and quite a few angry clients. By the time he had hung up with the last of them, he had a headache. However he did manage to keep his clientele intact so he figured it was worth a little pain.

His temples pulsed in tune to his heartbeat as he closed his schedule book. He massaged them momentarily as he thought out his day. He would start seeing his regular clients starting tomorrow, so that left today free for him to check over Alex.

His thoughts wandered back to the other man and his current condition. From what he had briefly observed, Alex was weak and badly in need of medical care. He felt terrible that he had left Alex alone so long. Couldn't the man keep his health up a few weeks without being fussed over? He sighed and left his desk to head back up to Alex's room, taking his black bag with him.

Alex was already awake when he opened the door. If you could call laying and staring at the door awake, that is. The man had made no other movements. "Feeling any better?" He approached Alex carefully.

Alex shrugged, barely lifting and dropping his shoulders, as if the full effort would be too much. "Feel about the same I have been for the past week."

Larry took his pulse and temperature, noting that both were in the normal range. He then moved the blanket. Alex didn't fight for it like he had earlier. He began probing Alex's slightly swollen middle. He could make out the shape of the baby easily as Alex had apparently lost quite a few pounds. The normally fit man looked caved in and Larry could make out the shape of Alex's ribcage easily. Not a good sign. "Any unusual symptoms?"

Alex was now staring up at the ceiling, making a point not to look at Larry. "Some cramping, aches, fatigue, nausea, breathlessness..." He began to tick of a multitude of symptoms one by one.

Larry continued to probe with his fingers and watched as Alex winced as he touched the lower part of his abdomen. "That hurts?" A nod. "How about here?"

Another wince and nod. That didn't bode well. "Have you felt the baby move?" He put on his stethoscope and listened to Alex's midsection.

Alex reluctantly shook his head no. "But then I haven't really been awake much to notice." He felt his stomach drop to somewhere in his nether-regions. "Is there something wrong?" He knew there had to be, for him to feel this lousy.

Larry finished his checkup and put his instruments away. "Alex, I'm not going to lie to you. I can pick up the faintest heartbeat, so we know the baby is still alive." He stopped what he was doing to catch Alex's full attention. "But I have a bad feeling that something is terribly wrong. Most of the symptoms you have described are associated with miscarriage. You should not be experiencing pain and nausea at this stage. Or cramping, or fatigue. I think it's best if I take you to the office and we get a peek as to what is going on inside there."

Alex looked hurt and stunned at the news. "I'll get dressed." He stated quietly.

Larry nodded. "I'll get changed and wait for you downstairs." He put one hand on Alex's shoulder. "I'm here for you, we'll get to the bottom of this."

*******************

Larry had definite cause to worry now. In the brief trip from the house to the office, he had to pull the car over to the side of the road twice as Alex was overcome with severe nausea. He had only vomited stomach acid, but the ferocity of the heaves had left the pregnant man sweaty and shaken. Larry had heard the phrase 'barf up a lung' before, but this was the first time he thought he might actually witness it.

Alex had practically vaulted from the car as it slid to a halt the last time, barely reaching the edge of the grass before the heaves had begun. Larry had gotten out of the car, and ran to Alex's side. Alex's shoulders where shaking, and he attempted to empty what just wasn't there. Without realizing what he was doing, Larry held the other man, offering what comfort he could and speaking soothingly to him. It was only minutes, but felt like hours underneath the hot, midday sun.

After the waves had passed, Alex had climbed back into the car and slumped into the seat, as close to unconsciousness as one could be and still be awake. He had to close his eyes, as the motion of the car made his head swim and that didn't help his condition any. He wanted nothing more than to be back in bed.

Larry was starting to think that Alex might need hospitalization. The other man, usually strong and vibrant was as weak as a child. He was definitely malnourished, which didn't bode well for either father or child. Alex hadn't said much on the trip and Larry didn't press him for any conversation. If they did have to hospitalize him, how would they explain his condition?

They finally arrived at the office, and with some careful sweet talking of Louise, had gotten Alex upstairs and into the exam room. Louise had expressed shock as seeing Alex so weak. She felt guilty for not pressing Alex to see Ned sooner. She helped Alex settle on the exam table before leaving the two men alone.

Larry had immediately proceeded with the ultra-sound after placing a garbage pail near the exam table, should Alex feel the need to vomit again. What appeared on the screen disturbed Larry. The tiny fetus was barely clinging to life. The placenta had begun to separate from its spot in the abdominal wall. The sore areas that had caused the pain was where it has already detached. Some slight swelling was already visible. The pregnancy was breaking down after all.

He moved the probe back over to the baby. Small and fragile, it struggled to live. Larry could make out the tiny hands and feet, small head, and backbone. He could see the flutter of the heartbeat as it struggled to hang on. A tiny life that would cease to be if he didn't do something to intervene.

With all the thinking he had done over the past few weeks, having to lose something he has just come to terms with was not on his agenda. He was at a loss as to what to do, however. On one hand, wasn't this what they had wanted from the beginning?

It was the other hand that was the problem. The baby, *his baby*, he corrected mentally, was almost fully formed. Didn't it deserve a chance to live? He might never have another chance for biological offspring of his own. That was the decision he had struggled with for weeks.

He looked from the screen, to Alex, and back to the image of his child. He didn't know if he could stop it now, but he had to try. If Alex would let him. He couldn't let that baby die. He sighed and switched off the machine. "Alex, you *are* in the early stages of miscarriage. If we don't stop it, it will terminate sometime within the next week." He paused and waited for Alex to digest this bit of information.

Alex looked down and placed a hand on his belly. He could feel the slight movement inside if he concentrated hard enough. Was he reading the other man right? Was Larry leaving the decision up to him? He had seen the fear and pain

in Larry's eyes when the other man was looking at the screen. It would have been a difficult decision if he hadn't already come to terms with being pregnant again. He looked up and caught Larry's eyes. "Do what you can to save it."

Larry could feel the relief wash over him in a giant wave. He wasn't sure what he would have done if Alex had decided the other way. He took a breath of fresh air. "Ok. First thing, back on the Expectaine. Hopefully we can nip this thing in the bud." He hadn't broken eye contact yet. Looking in those eyes was like looking in two mirrors. He could see his own feelings reflected back at him and realized that Alex wanted this baby as much as Larry himself did.

He finally looked away as he began to clean up the room. "You are also to stay off your feet. Complete bedrest." He ordered.

Alex didn't protest. He didn't have the strength to. "Can we go home now?" He really wanted to be back in bed.

Larry looked him over again. "How are you feeling? Think you can make the trip back?" Truth be told, he didn't think Alex could.

"I think so." Alex sat up slowly, willing his stomach to stay settled. If they could make it home, he would rest for hours.

Larry went over to the sink and brought back a cup of water. "Drink that. Slowly. It'll be better for you if we have to pull over again, if there is actually something to vomit up. Just vomiting acid will give you an ulcer."

Alex sipped at the water, while watching Larry. Larry was standing by the window in the room and gazing out at the street. "What are you thinking?"

"Have you considered what we are going to tell our wives if we pull this off?"

Alex finished the water and waited a minute to see if it would stay put. It did, for now, and he answered. "I've thought about it. I don't think either of them is going to be happy."

"I was just thinking about Angela. We just got back together not that long ago. I'm hoping this doesn't push her away." He turned away from the window. "Right now, all that speculating is moot. Let's get you home and back in bed where you belong." He helped Alex down off the table. "You feeling dizzy or nauseous?"

"No."

"Good, let's go."

*******************

The ride home had been easier than the ride to the office. Larry had to only stop once, for Alex to vomit up the water. The rest of the trip had been as quiet as the first one, with each man left to his own thoughts.

Larry had gotten Alex back into the bed, and with a slight prick of a needle, into a deep sleep. If anyone needed rest, it was Alex. They had agreed to start the Expectaine first thing in the morning, and then start to treat the other symptoms, mostly the nausea and vomiting. Larry knew he needed to get Alex back on a regular diet, before his body ate itself from the inside out. He had seen pregnant women before go into fits of starvation, afraid of gaining too much weight and watched as their bodies used whatever they could to keep the life they were sustaining alive. It was much the same way with Alex. Male or not, the life inside came first. Nature would do what it could to protect its own.

He had given Alex the medication to calm him, and force him into a deep sleep away from his nightmares. It wasn't enough to harm the baby, but was enough to relax him. Alex had dropped off immediately, and Larry had left the room, leaving the door ajar a bit should Alex awaken and need him.

He was now in his own bedroom. He had changed into a pair of sweatpants and T-shirt. He lay on his own bed, thinking of Alex, the baby, Angela and his life. He was tense, and he hated to admit it, scared. Afraid this time that they had messed around with nature too much and Alex was going to have to pay the price. Afraid that this time, it could actually kill Alex. Oh he had been in the practice too long not to have seen everything. Even in today's day and age, women could still die from a miscarriage if not treated properly. Too many toxins and too little time usually resulted in death of the mother. He would have to get the portable ultra-sound machine away from the office and bring it home. To keep taking Alex out was not an option.

He rolled his neck from side to side, trying to loosen up the tense muscles. He wanted away from his pain, and his tension. He needed a release that usually Angela could provide. However she wasn't here, and no one could help him but himself. He reached over and took a swig from the beer he had swiped from the fridge. It was cold and soothing, the velvety fluid washing his doubt away momentarily. He replaced the bottle on the night table and ran the back of his hand across his lips. Hoo-boy. It was going to be a long evening.

He closed his eyes and focused his thoughts on Angela. The last time they had made love, it had been quick, and hurried. He hadn't been completely satisfied but hadn't told her that. She had been too excited with the upcoming trip, and he didn't want to spoil it for her, telling her that she had done anything less than her best in the bedroom.

He concentrated his mind again, conjuring up her naked image. She was still beautiful, and always brought desire to his nether regions. He could feel himself becoming aroused, and began fantasizing about when they had first met. He remembered the passions they had shared the first week of making love, how he could never keep his hands off of her. Or she of him.

He was quite aroused by now, his cock pressing tightly against his briefs, begging to be let out of its restraint. With his eyes still closed, he reached down with one hand, and pushed his pants down to his knees. Freed from it's restraint, his cock sprang upright, hard as a rock. He opened his eyes momentarily to take another swig from the beer bottle, then put it back and closed them again.

His right hand closed around the base of his cock and stroked lightly, just a touch, up then down. God, it had been too long. He hadn't felt the need to masturbate in such a long time. He didn't count the sample he had donated as really masturbating, the experience had been without pleasure at all. This was different. This time he wanted pleasure. Wanted the release of the tension he was feeling.

His hand ran up and down the shaft, over the top, then back down to caress his balls. He continued to imagine Angela, walking nude, bending over nude, making love to him. His breathing began to quicken as his pace picked up. His strokes became firmer, more focused, and he worked his body towards it's release.

As he was nearing his climax, his thoughts for some strange reason, turned to Alex. Suddenly the thought of seeing another man, his best friend, naked and sweaty seemed exciting. And forbidden. As his hand worked over his cock, his mind ran away with the idea of stripping Alex of all his clothing. Of seeing the other man's hard penis, of touching it. When that last thought entered his mind, his climax overtook him and he came with a gasp and a small cry. His fluid shot out and ran down his hand. Waves of pleasure overtook him and the tension left his body. He sank back into his pillows and sighed contentedly.

After a few minutes, he peeled off his T-shirt and cleaned up the mess. He was surprised to see quite a bit of it. Usually there was a few small spurts, but never enough to really make much of a mess. This time there was plenty. He cleaned it up, then put the T-shirt into the hamper and put on a clean one. He climbed back into the bed and finished off the beer, wondering what in the heck he had been doing, fantasizing about Alex like that.

He was as straight as they came, preferred women, but here he was jacking off to thoughts of a naked man. What had come over him? He wasn't sure, but didn't want to dwell on it. He dismissed it for now, told himself he would think about it later, then rolled over, and fell asleep.

*******************

The next few weeks passed in a blur of work at the office and taking care of Alex at home. The Expectaine was working, it had stopped the progression of the miscarriage, but it was too risky to do anything but keep Alex on complete bedrest. Larry did the ultrasound tests three times a week, and continually charted Alex's progress. Alex was gaining some of the weight back that he had lost, and the nausea had vanished. All in all, he was looking and feeling better.

Which made him restless. Larry had come into Alex's room more than once to find the other man looking bored. Larry had provided a small TV and some magazines, books, and even a laptop computer but none of those things seemed to help much. Alex was restless and it showed. He snapped at Larry frequently, and brooded often.

On this particular night, Alex was once again trying to get Larry to let him out of this prison. He had tried asking nicely but the argument was quickly forced down. Then he had tried pleading, whining, and pouting. Still a negative reply. Now he was resorting to anger.

"You don't give a damn about me, Larry!" He verbally spat, anger coloring his tone.

"That's not true and you know it, Alex." Larry had finished his examination and was entering the new data in the laptop. "You already know why you have to stay in bed. Getting angry at me isn't going to change my mind."

"You try staying in bed for weeks and weeks. This is driving me crazy. All I want is to take a walk in the fresh air outside tomorrow. What harm is that?"

"Plenty if the walk results in internal hemorrhaging. You want a walk to be the death of you?" He closed the laptop with a click. "I've said it before. I'm sorry Alex. Complete bedrest it is. No chances."

"What the hell am I supposed to do for the next 12 weeks? TV is dull, reading is boring, and the laptop doesn't compare to my full system at the lab."

His eyes were blazing as he sat in the bed and steamed.

Larry paused by the door. "You are only frustrating yourself. You need to calm down and relax. It seems like a long time, but it really isn't. Bringing up your blood pressure isn't going to persuade me either. Now take a nap or something. Stop asking to get up. I'm not going to let you." That said, he walked out the door, closing it behind him.

Alex grabbed the nearest thing to him, a book on baby names and threw it at the door. It hit with a thud and landed with the pages split. "Damn him," he muttered.

Larry entered the kitchen and began foraging for something for dinner. It was getting harder and harder to keep Alex entertained. Every suggestion he made was met with a rebuff and an angry rebuke. Alex wanted up and out and nothing else would suffice. He knew later, when Alex had cooled down some that the other man would apologize, but it was just getting to much to keep putting himself through it all.

Finding nothing appealing, he closed the fridge door, and headed up to his bathroom. He turned on the shower and stripped off his clothing, laying his pager on his dresser. Mrs. Parkins was due this week and he was on call. He had three deliveries already over the past four days. It seemed like as soon as one had started, they all decided it was time to give birth. He was getting worn out with the work and Alex combined. He would give just about anything for a break now.

The water had steamed up the bathroom and he climbed into the hot spray. It felt good on his back and he relaxed into it, letting some of the anger he felt wash down the drain. Angela had called today too, but he had missed the call. It was too late to call her now, he had to wait until morning to put her off yet again. She would definitely get suspicious, and pretty soon nothing would work. It was just another problem he had to add to his already full plate. He sighed and picked up the soap.

As he began washing his body, he thought of Alex, and how best to handle him. Maybe a short walk wouldn't hurt, if he was accompanied. Not alone. No. But maybe, a short walk outside, in the fresh air, or Larry could surprise him and take him to that little park...

He smiled as he imagined the look on Alex's face, and the pleasure it would bring to just be allowed out. Yeah, he would do that. As his plans took shape, so did his desire. He had taken to masturbating on a nightly basis, something he hadn't done in years, to release his tension that had built up over the course of a day. It had surprised him at first the thoughts he had, but after the past few weeks he had convinced himself that it was normal, just a phase he was passing through, and after the birth of the baby, his thoughts would return to normal.

But in the meantime, he continued to fantasize about Alex while he jacked off, making sure the other man had no clue what was going on in his mind. To fantasize was one thing, to let the object of his fantasy know about it was another.

He was so busy with what he was doing that he hadn't heard the other man enter the room. Alex had decided to get up and talk with Larry, no matter what he was doing. He was tired of getting pushed aside and made to feel like the freak behind a closed door. He was going to have it out with Larry once and for all.

He had approached the bedroom, expecting Larry to be in the bed, watching TV or even sleeping. He had heard the shower running, had paused a moment to wait for Larry to come out, but decided that the best way to get the upper hand was to confront him when he was most obviously at a disadvantage. Catching him off guard might be the only way to get what he wanted from him.

He had entered the bathroom quietly, and the sight that confronted him took him by surprise. Larry had a slightly transparent shower curtain, alright it was considered opaque, but the silhouette behind it was clear to the view. Larry was leaning against the wall, jacking off, and obviously enjoying it.

He had brought that subject up once, had blatantly asked Larry if it was harmful to the baby if he were to do it himself. Larry had even denied him that simple pleasure, stating that the contractions of a climax could result in fetal distress. So Alex was forced to live with his sexual frustration as well as his forced confinement. Now he caught Larry doing the one thing he was denied. Anger washed over him in a fresh wave.

He stepped forward and moved the shower curtain aside, scaring the crap right out of Larry, who dropped the soap and immediately slipped. He landed with a loud thud and a scream of "Damn it!" His eyes flashed at the intruder. After realizing it was Alex, he calmed some. He stood and turned off the water,

and reached behind Alex for a towel. "What the hell are you doing in my bathroom?" He wrapped the towel around his waist and stepped out of the tub.

"We need to talk." Alex's tone was borderline, Larry could hear the undercurrent of anger bordering on hatred.

"You could have waited until I came out. You shouldn't be out of bed." Larry attempted to walk past Alex but the larger man blocked his way, closing the door with one hand.

"We talk here. NOW." Fury smoldered in the green eyes.

Faced with either forcing the issue or letting Alex have his way momentarily, Larry chose the latter. He didn't know exactly what Alex was capable of in this state of mind, but he hoped bodily harm to another wasn't on his mind. He sat down on the toilet, his pose one of submission. "What do you want to talk about that can't wait until I get dressed?"

"I want to talk about you and your restrictions. How I can do nothing but lay in a bed, like some freak of nature, while you get all the *pleasures* out of life." He crossed the small space to stand directly in front of Larry, forcing the smaller man to look up to him.

Put in this position, Alex towered over him, and Larry became a bit frightened. "Calm down, Alex. I was thinking tonight and had come to the decision that you were indeed correct. I was going to surprise you tomorrow and take you out personally to that little park that just opened the next town over."

Alex blinked a moment, caught off guard. "You were?"

"Yes I was. I understand how frustrated you must be getting." He stood now, and waited as Alex took a seat on the edge of the tub. "It's not easy, but I have only your best interests at heart, Alex. Both yours and the baby's." He reached over and placed one hand on Alex's stomach. The baby obviously wanted in on the argument as it kicked a few times.

Alex had been prepared to fight for what he wanted. He was unprepared for Larry to have given in on his own. He sat there, at a loss for words, looking in those dark eyes of his best friend. When Larry had reached over and touched the baby, Alex had felt the tiny kicks. All the grief of the recent weeks, the frustrations and angers he had been harboring broke free. He began to cry softly.

"Hey, hey. You don't need to cry." Larry soothed. "It's going to be alright. Shhh." He pulled the other man close and let Alex cry on his shoulder. He had gotten pretty good at dealing with Alex's emotional outbursts in the first pregnancy, and knew what to do. "I'll make it better for you."

Alex continued to cry. "It's just..." he took in a hitching breath, "not fair. I want to be able," another breath this time with a sob, "to do normal things. Even something simple as bathing is too much of a chore!" He sobbed into Larry's shoulder.

Larry let him cry a moment longer, to let most of the grief out. "Is that part of what is bothering you? Alex, all you have to do is tell me, I'm here to help you." He pulled the other man's head up and placed one finger under his chin. "Contrary to what you believe, I'm not trying to punish you at all. If you need help with something, just let me know."

Alex's chest hitched as he held back another sob. He reached around Larry and took some of the toilet paper to blow his nose. His eyes were swollen and red from crying. He supposed he sounded like a little child having a temper tantrum, but that was how he felt at the moment. Small and helpless.

"I've got an idea that'll help relax you some. Go into Angela's bathroom. The one with the big tub. Fill it with warm water and get inside. I'll be along in a minute to help you wash up." He held Alex's gaze for a moment. "That is if you'll let me?"

Alex nodded. A nice hot bath would feel good. He just had problems with getting out of the tub and washing while sitting. He had no objections to Larry helping him. "Okay." He blew his nose again and threw the wad of paper into the wastebasket. He stood and hugged Larry briefly before leaving. "Thanks, Larry."

Larry sighed once Alex was gone. He barely managed that one alright.

*******************

Alex was bent over the tub, adjusting the water to just below boiling. He wanted it hot and relaxing but not hot enough to scald sensitive skin. The tub was now filling nicely and beckoned to him. He removed his clothes and was preparing to get in when the door opened. Larry entered, dressed only in his bathing trunks.

Alex had to stifle a small chuckle at the rubber ducky print on them. Larry just rolled his eyes. "Angela bought them one year as a gag gift. Laugh all you want." He looked at the tub. "Ready to get in?"

Alex nodded, not the least bit embarrassed to be naked in the room with another man. Nothing embarrassed him around Larry. This was the man who had delivered his first, second and would be shortly delivering his third baby. He cautiously began to step into the tub.

Larry hesitated a minute, waiting for Alex to settle in. Then he climbed in after him. The tub was spacious enough for three people, Angela had insisted on a large tub for herself, telling Larry it was necessary for total relaxation. Larry had caved in that year, it was easier than battling her on some points.

Alex looked in surprise at Larry. "I wasn't expecting you to get in!"

"How else am I going to help you wash? Use the Force?" He smiled at the small joke.

Alex shrugged. "Guess not." The tub was full enough so he reached over and turned off the water. He began to lay back against the cold porcelain but Larry had other plans.

"Come here, big guy." He had his legs stretched out in the tub. Quickly he spread them apart. "Lean back on me." At Alex's protest, he gave him a stern warning. "Just do it."

Alex slid back and placed his head and shoulders against the other man's hairy chest. Once he was settled he allowed himself to relax. "Am I hurting you?"

"No. Now lay still and let me take care of you." Larry reached over to the shelf of supplies that Angela kept nearby. He grabbed a washrag and wet it. He used it to wet Alex's hair and after removing the glasses, the face. "Does that feel good?" At Alex's slight nod he continued to slowly relax the other man.

They were quiet for a time, the only sound being the sloshing of the water. The sound both soothed and comforted Alex. Larry was taking his time, wetting the rag, passing it across Alex's hair, then pausing before repeating it. It felt good to be the one providing the comfort another was seeking. He finished with Alex's hair, the placed the rag on the side of the tub. One of his hands returned to Alex's neck and gently began massaging. Larry heard a long sigh of relief as he worked a very tense muscle loose.

He had known all along that forcing the bedrest issue was not going to be an easy one. However seeing the effect it had on Alex was not what he had planned. He didn't want his best friend plagued with this tension. He finished the shoulders and hesitated, not sure where to go next. He wanted to work more on Alex's back, but that would mean that he would have to force Alex to sit up. Alex looked so relaxed right now, that Larry didn't want to disturb him. He lay his arms down on Alex's shoulders and placed his hands loosely on the broad chest in front of him. He was surprised to feel Alex reach up and take one of them in his own.

"I thought you might be falling asleep." Larry whispered.

"No, but I'm enjoying this immensely. Thank you, Larry."

"Anytime, big guy." Larry responded automatically. He looked over the body of the man laying atop him. He had never really noticed just how firm it was. Even with the larger than normal belly protruding from it, the lines had a, well, well-defined look to them. Muscles were definitely prominent, bulging from biceps, and quadriceps, and Larry couldn't help but wonder what they would feel like in motion. He felt a part of himself twitch and harden at the idea and quickly backed off from such thoughts. No. That was not a good idea at the moment. He praised his thinking momentarily at having the foresight to put on the bathing trunks.

They continued to soak a bit longer, until the water began to cool. Alex sat up then, and Larry broke from his daydreams. "Ready to wash?" he questioned.

Alex nodded and began soaping up his chest while Larry washed and loosened the back muscles. The upper torso was completed pretty quickly and rinsed easily. Alex lay back again and began to try to work on his legs but found it hard to reach around his belly to clean them. He sighed.

"Turn around." Larry instructed, and watched as Alex turned his body so that his legs were now in Larry's lap. Larry pulled them out of the water one by one and carefully soaped them up to the thighs. He stopped there, then rinsed them off, watching the bubbles disappear into the bathwater.

"The baby is enjoying this." Alex noted as he watched his midsection. Tiny kicks of the protruding skin were visible if you looked closely enough. Larry reached for the washrag and soap and proceeded to wash the baby. Carefully up and over, around the prominent area. He didn't feel in the least bit put out, knowing it was his child in there. He took some of the water and gently rinsed the bubbles away. It wouldn't be too long now. As he finished he looked up to find Alex watching him strangely.

"What is it, Alex?"

"I want to apologize for disturbing you earlier. I didn't mean to really interrupt you while you were..." he paused a moment trying to come up with a delicate term and failed. "I mean, when you were busy in the shower..." again he paused at a loss for the correct words.

Larry had already dismissed the incident, and was puzzled that Alex was bringing it up now. "Forget about it. You had your reasons. I'm not holding it against you or nothing."

Alex just nodded but didn't elaborate. A comfortable silence fell across the room a few moments, then...

"Do you do it often?"

"What??" Larry sat up a bit in the tub and gaped at Alex. "What kind of question is that?"

Alex reached over and retrieved his glasses. "An honest one." He put them on and tried to get Larry to look at him. Larry however was busying himself with the washrag, wringing it out then hanging it over the side of the tub.

"It's also a personal one."

"Are you going to answer it?"

Larry considered it for a moment. "No."

"May I ask why? Larry, I'm the one naked here in a tub while another man washes me. I don't feel that any personal questions are really out of line at this point." He sat up in the tub and crossed his legs as best as he was able.

"What does it matter whether I jack off once a week or 10 times?" Larry wondered just where this discussion was heading and why now of all times.

Alex turned away, shame evident in his face. "Because I can't." he admitted in a quiet voice.

"You're not supposed to... the baby, remember?" Larry tapped Alex's tummy lightly.

"You're not the one living with the urges." Alex reminded quickly. "It's hell waking up and knowing you want to but can't. I'm having a hard time reaching it even to pee, Larry! I mostly have to sit now even to take a leak!"

Larry could see the frustration starting to build again. However he was at a loss for what to do about it. "Well, what do you want me to say, Alex? Or do for that matter?"

"I don't know... It's just.. I'm very aggravated to know you can and do while I can't and need to." He bit his lip as he watched Larry across the tub.

"Well I don't know what you want me to do about it!"

Alex reached behind him and flipped the switch to drain the water. "Just forget about it. Let's get out. I'm turning into a prune." Alex waited as Larry climbed out first then helped the other man to stand and exit the tub. He handed Alex a towel which was wrapped quickly about the waist.

Larry could see that this bath had only a partial effect on the tension of the man leading the way out of the bathroom. He grabbed a towel for himself then trailed after Alex. Twelve more weeks of this and the man would be climbing the walls.

He found Alex sitting on the edge of the bed, making no motions to get dressed. His head was in his hands and he was staring at the carpet under his feet. A pang of disappointment flashed through him as he realized that no matter how hard he tried, Alex still wasn't happy. There had to be more he could do to make Alex more content, and the confines of the bed not so confining. "Anything I can help you with?" he offered.

"No. I have to deal with this myself."

Larry walked over and sat on the bed next to Alex. "Come on, it's not that bad. It will be over before you know it."

Alex raised his head up and looked in Larry's eyes. "You try living with sexual frustration for more than a month. I wake up sometimes with a hard-on that aches to be touched. When I can't provide the necessary release, the ache soon fills my whole body. *You* try living with that for weeks on end."

"I can understand what you are saying, Alex. I just don't know how to help you this time." He searched the eyes staring at him for an answer, any answer that would suffice.

They both knew the solution. However neither was able to provide the unasked question with a voice. Finally Alex stood up and walked away. He stood by one of the windows in the bedroom and looked out over the backyard. Night was falling and the first stars were coming out.

Larry watched from his place on the bed. It was killing him inside to see his best friend at such odds. It would only take a few words and a little help to set this situation right. Why was it bothering him so much to say them? With the new doses of Expectaine in Alex's system, the imminent threat of miscarriage wasn't as bad as it could have been. Certainly a release of tension wouldn't cause a miscarriage, so why was he putting Alex through this?

It had to be his own feelings on the matter. Ones he had just now come to realize meant more that he had previously let on. It was wrong to put Alex through this. He needed to make this right again. He stood up and placed his towel on the bed. He was dry enough in his trunks that he didn't need it. He walked over to where Alex was standing and put one hand on the larger man's back. "Alex, I've been thinking," he began in a soft voice. "As long as you don't overdo it, I don't see any reason to keep you from a sexual release if that is what is really bothering you."

Alex turned and looked down at Larry. "You are giving in to me?"

Larry nodded. "Your condition has improved over the past week. I hadn't noticed just how much things were bothering you until now. In my medical opinion, you should be fine if you don't overexert yourself. Go on and indulge your body if that is what is required to get you some relief."

Alex stood quietly for a moment, then turned back to the window. "Thanks for the go-ahead, but the point is moot."

"Why?"

"I told you before, I can't reach it."

Damn, Larry thought. "What did you do the last time you were pregnant?"

"I had Diana's help."

Right. Larry had forgotten that part. He dropped his hand back to his side and closed his eyes. What he was going to suggest next was totally out of character for him. He just hoped that Alex didn't think him weird for offering.

But there was no other way, and he was not going to put up with his bedridden patient's complaining for the next 12 weeks if a simple thing as helping a friend would stop it. He took a breath, then slowly released it. "Would you allow me to help you then?"

Total and complete silence met his offer. Larry was beginning to rethink his offer and retract it when Alex finally answered. "If it doesn't really bother you, then yes." The larger man turned away from the window and went to sit on the bed. "I don't want to put you out, Larry, or have you think I would ask this from you for any other reason."

"Alex, I understand, that's why I offered." Larry came to stand in front of Alex. "I don't think it's in any way inappropriate. You need help that I can give you."

Alex held Larry's gaze for a moment, then he removed his towel. Larry was surprised to see that Alex was already ready, his erection peeked out from under his oversized belly. Larry smiled. "You waste no time," he joked.

Alex scooted back on the bed, leaning against the pillows. "Diana says that a lot."

Larry hesitated a moment, thinking. He turned and entered the bathroom, grabbed a bottle then came back into the bedroom. He placed the baby oil on the nightstand, then climbed back into the bed with Alex. "Now you know I've never done this before, so let me know if I'm doing anything right or wrong, okay?"

Alex nodded. "You will know. Trust me."

Larry nodded and picked up the bottle. He uncapped it and placed a few drops in the palm of one hand then capped the bottle again, replacing it on the nightstand. "Okay, here goes." He smiled weakly trying to cover his nervousness. He had been imagining himself doing this in his own daydreams, now he was doing it for real. It made him feel kinda silly, and yet it was erotic as hell. He placed the oiled hand on Alex's shaft and began to stroke.

At the first touch, Alex took in a sharp breath and let out a moan. He hadn't been sure that Larry would actually do this, so it surprised him at how good it felt. A lot better than when Diana had first touched him.

Larry looked uncertainly at Alex and paused.

Alex shook his head no. "Keep doing what you are doing."

Larry resumed his stroking, taking care to keep his hand oiled enough that the skin slid easily through his grip. He closed his eyes and pretended that he was stroking himself. Up and over, down and around, his hand kept up a steady pace. He heard Alex's moans and pants to his ministrations and tried to keep his pacing in step. He felt Alex begin to slowly thrust into his fist and let the other man help. Hell, this was turning out to be fun. Larry knew he was becoming aroused himself, but he let that go for the moment. He would take care of himself later. Right now it was Alex's turn.

Alex could feel himself building to his climax. God it felt so good, so tantalizing good, to be getting what he had needed for so long. The pressure started to build at the base of his spine, it wouldn't be long now, not if Larry kept stroking like that. "Faster," he panted, so close to his release.

Larry could feel Alex tense beneath his touch. His body was practically putty in his hand. He gripped that warm shaft and gave a couple of quick strokes. Alex moaned once more then grunted as his body convulsed into orgasm. Warm fluid was released in long spurts to coat Larry's hand as Alex bucked into the fist. Larry slowed his hand now, giving only a couple of short strokes as he milked the other man dry. Finally he stopped and looked at Alex.

Alex was flushed, breathing heavy and glowing. "Ohhhhhh god, Larry," he panted.

Larry smiled. "I think that means I did something right?" He reached for the abandoned towel and cleaned his hand off, and Alex as well.

Alex simply nodded. He was too overcome to speak.

Larry got off the bed. He tossed the towel into the bathroom, then lifted the covers over Alex. "Rest now. After that, you need to sleep. It will be better for the baby too."

Alex rolled over to one side, "Thanks, Larry. You have no idea how much I needed that."

"You're welcome." Larry made his retreat into the hallway before Alex could notice that Larry had an erection of his own. The last thing he wanted right now was for Alex to be concerned with him. He strode down the hall towards his own bedroom and his own release.

*******************

The next few days passed easily for Larry. Alex was more calm now, willing to stay in bed without complaint. Larry had kept his word and had taken Alex out a few times for walks in the park. Life was settling to an easy routine.

They never spoke about what had happened in the bedroom that night, but it was on Larry's mind quite a bit. Did that mean something? He couldn't help but remember Alex's face just before the release, straining, wanting, needing, that look of pure helpless desire. He had enjoyed making Alex climax, and strangely enough, he wanted to do it again. Then he would realize what he was thinking and blush, and try to turn his thoughts back to something more normal.

He was just coming home today from a hectic day at the office. Louise had three new clients waiting for him today and the initial exams had taken forever.

Larry was beat. He felt stressed, overworked and cranky. He climbed the steps to Alex's room, intending to check the other man, then go relax in his own room. He was still loosening his tie as he opened the door.

He found Alex laying in bed as always, typing on the laptop. "Hi, Larry." He greeted with a smile. "I've been working on names for the baby, would you like to see?" Alex turned the laptop around a bit to try and show the names to Larry.

Larry waved one hand at the screen. "Not really. I'm not up to it tonight." At Alex's hurt look, he continued. "Bad day. Three new cases, one that is going to require careful monitoring." He sighed then picked up the stethoscope that he kept near Alex's bed. "Speaking of monitoring, let's have a look at you."

Alex closed down the laptop and put it aside. He pushed down the covers and raised his T-shirt. While Larry began poking and listening, Alex began to wonder if he should tell Larry what was on his mind. The due date was fast approaching, and decisions had to be made. He sighed once as Larry finished up.

"What's wrong?" Larry questioned, feeling like his bad mood had rubbed off on Alex.

"It's nothing." Alex said, not wanting to bother Larry if he could help it. They could discuss it at a later time.

"If something's bothering you, I want to know."

"Maybe later, when you're in a better mood." Alex pulled down his T-shirt now that the exam was over. "How's the baby?" He tried to change the subject.

"Baby's fine." Larry answered, getting off the bed and walking around to the other side of the bed. "Can I get you any dinner?" He longed to just get out of the room now, his back and head were throbbing from the stress.

Alex shook his head. "I already had something a bit ago." He pointed to some empty plates on the nightstand. "Cravings." He shrugged.

"Alright then. I'm gonna go grab a bite and relax. Holler if you need me." Larry said as he left the room.

Alex watched the shorter man leave. He wondered briefly if there was anything he could do to cheer his friend up. He didn't like to see Larry in such a despondent mood. He counted on Larry for a lot lately, and realized that was wrong. Maybe he could give him something to look forward to. He smiled as a plan came to mind.

Larry fixed a sandwich and ate it quickly, washing it down with a beer from the fridge. His mood didn't change much after eating, he still felt stressed. He finished the first beer and took a second up to his room.

Once inside, he closed the door and clicked on the TV to cover what he was about to do. Even though Alex now knew that he occasionally jacked off he didn't need to announce it to the other man. All he wanted now was his release and then a long night's sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a better day, he told himself.

He took a few more swigs of the beer before stripping down to his underwear. He tossed the clothes in the hamper then sprawled out on his bed. He was already hard and aching. He slowly removed his briefs and tossed them onto the floor as he laid a towel beside himself. His penis was as swollen as he had ever seen it. With one hand he began stroking and fantasizing about the other night, about Alex thrusting into his hand, the strength of his friend's desire, and how hard that shaft had been.

Alex had gotten up and was coming down the hallway, a big smile on his face. He would tell Larry of his plan for tomorrow and maybe the other man would cheer up. Maybe they could talk some and ease some of the stress. As he approached the other man's room, he could hear the TV on, and was about to knock. The door was open a crack, yet Alex couldn't see inside.

But he did hear. He heard Larry panting and moaning. Alex blushed furiously, knowing immediately what was going on inside the room. He turned away to leave Larry to his privacy when he heard a single word.

"Alex."

Fear washed over him. He was afraid he had been spotted and was now going to catch hell for getting up. Then he realized that Larry couldn't have seen him. Not from his spot on the bed. He turned back now, intensely curious why his name had been spoken. He waited a moment.

"Alex." The name was spoken again, this time with breathy desire. He pressed one hand against the door lightly to widen the crack. He saw now exactly what he had expected to see. Larry lay upon the bed, his cock in his hand and stroking like a desperate man. He watched as the other man licked his lips and pressed his flesh harder into his own hand while panting. Larry moaned again.

Larry still had no idea now that he was being observed. His mind was full of lusty images of Alex naked on the bed, his erection throbbing, his body glistening with sweat. He was so close now, so near to the much needed release.

He turned his desire up a notch as he imagined those green eyes, looking his own short body over with longing.

Now he imagined Alex, leaning closer to him, his full lips coming closer to rest on Larry's. The kiss would be warm, his tongue would be inviting, the intensity of it would be...

He never got to finish the thought as his orgasm washed over him. He grunted once and moaned a name in response to the image. "OOOhhhhh, ALEX!" Wave after wave of pleasure sped through his body as he released the tension of the day onto his hand. His body spasmed and his toes curled.

Alex was frozen at the door. He still hadn't been discovered, and now knew he definitely would catch hell, if not worse, if he didn't get out of there right now. Yet he couldn't move. He needed to understand exactly what he had witnessed, and why the hell Larry was fantasizing about him. He was caught between the fear of being discovered and the fear of what this all meant.

Larry was now reaching for a towel that should have been next to him on the bed. When he couldn't locate it right away, he opened his eyes to find it, and found Alex starting at him from the doorway instead.

To an outside observer, it would have been funny to see the exact same expression on each man's face. Both held the look of - *Oh SHIT* - and total fear. The situation would have been comical had it not been so downright serious.

Larry was the first to move, finding the towel at last and cleaning himself off. He then got up off the bed without a single word and got a clean pair of underwear from the dresser and put them on. His heart was pounding a mile a minute while he did so. Just how much had Alex seen or heard? He was afraid to find out.

Alex watched as his friend dressed. He didn't know what to say or do next. He should just turn away, walk down the hall and go back to his room. Larry evidently wasn't going to talk about it, and it would be safer if he just left. Yet he couldn't make his feet move.

Once Larry was dressed in a simple pair of pajama bottoms he finally turned and faced the man still frozen at the doorway. He sighed once, knowing that he would have to explain or Alex would stand there all night. He went to sit on the bed. Taking a deep breath, he began. "Alex..."

Alex jumped lightly upon hearing his name. Now he really wanted to run, more so than ever before. Larry was beckoning him to come into the room with one hand. He took one step, then another until he was standing in front of the bed.

"I think we need to talk." Larry was saying.

Alex finally found his voice. "I think what I witnessed was self explanatory."

"But I don't want you to get the wrong impression." Larry said as he reached for the beer on the nightstand. He took a swig and swallowed.

Alex raised both eyebrows. "Just what *is* the wrong impression?"

Larry had to think that one over for a moment. He came to the conclusion that there really could not be a wrong impression, what Alex had seen, even if it was just the last few seconds said it all. He had witnessed his best friend masturbating and calling out his name in ecstasy. Where could there be a wrong impression? He sighed and placed the beer bottle back down. "Ok, you got me on that one. I don't know what to say, or rather what I *should* say, or.. aw hell, Alex, you're not making this easy for me!"

Alex had rested his hands on his belly while waiting. "How am I supposed to make it easy? I don't know what to say any more than you do." His voice was calm but inside he had a turmoil of emotions going.

Larry was resting one arm atop one bent leg. He held out one hand. "Then come sit here on the bed and we will find a way to discuss this."

Alex wasn't sure he wanted to be on the bed, yet his back was killing him from standing so long, and his knees felt like they were about to give out at any moment. He sighed himself, and went to sit on the bed opposite Larry, making a show of not taking the proffered hand. "All right. I'm sitting. Where do we start?"

"What is the first thing that comes to mind?" Larry figured he better just jump in with both feet. They had to live together for the next eleven weeks. They certainly could not go around avoiding one another. Besides, Alex deserved the truth, didn't he?

Alex shrugged. "The obvious of course. Were you fantasizing about me?" He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer to that one. He knew what it would be though.

Larry blushed a bright red before answering. "Yes." He said it honestly, even though he felt like his skin was on fire.

The next question was not unexpected either. "Why?"

"I don't really know, Alex. I've been asking myself that very same question." Larry looked at Alex's ample belly. "I keep telling myself that it has something to do with the baby you're carrying, but I can't rule out that it's more than that." He brought his eyes up to rest on Alex's face.

Alex could hear his own heart hammering in his ears. What was Larry trying to tell him? That he was in love with him? He shook his head to clear it. That was ridiculous. Yet it answered a lot.

"Alex, say something, I'm feeling like a damn fool here." Larry stated quietly.

"I think I better go to my room and lay down, I'm not feeling very well." Alex said as he got up off the bed.

Instantly Larry jumped up to follow, but Alex motioned him back. "I'll be fine. Just leave me alone for a little while." He left the room then, leaving Larry staring after his departing form.

"Brilliant, that was just brilliant," Larry said to the empty air. "Now he thinks you're a freak or something. Damn, I should have locked that door." He kept muttering to himself, now very angry that he didn't have the foresight to do just that.

Alex had made his way back to the bedroom, hoping and yet fearing that Larry would follow. He needed time to think about what he had just found out. Larry was fantasizing about him. That thought in itself didn't bother him as much as the fact that he *wanted* Larry to fantasize about him. He had realized some time ago, that it was Larry that made him feel safe, and Larry that took care of him when he wasn't well.

Oh he loved Diana, but not the same way he was beginning to realize he felt about Larry. The other night when Larry had placed his hand over Alex's hard shaft, Alex had realized that he had been longing for just such an occurrence. He could have climaxed just from the very touch alone. The idea that he was attracted to Larry in such a way frightened him.

He kept hoping Larry would do it again. That Larry would touch him, and stroke him again. He wanted Larry, *had* wanted Larry all along, and thought Larry would think him crazy. Now it turned out that Larry did feel the same way and was embarrassed about it.

What did he do with that amazing revelation? He had left the room. Too much in shock and surprise, he had left the room. Lord knows what Larry made of that little action. Alex grabbed one of the pillows off the bed as he sat down. He wrapped his arms around it, and rested his head on it. This whole night was getting complicated. He couldn't go back there and just tell Larry how he felt, could he? He felt the baby kick roughly a few times for an answer. "A lot of help you are," Alex spoke down to his stomach. Nah, his best course was to just roll over and go to sleep.

The baby kicked once more as if to argue the point, but Alex won out. In the end, he fell asleep on top of the covers, pillow clutched tightly in hand.

*******************

Both men were uncomfortable around each other the next couple of days. Alex was hesitant to let Larry touch him and Larry was afraid to get too close to Alex. It was as if some fine line had been crossed, yet neither one wanted to talk about it.

"You know, we better start preparing for the baby," Larry said over one afternoon examination. "You know, get diapers and stuff."

Alex was sitting on the bed, one magazine open on his lap. "I'd be more worried about telling our wives." When he spoke the last word, he looked Larry right in the eyes, as if to challenge that the word meant anything to the other man anymore.

"I've thought about that too, but do you have any way of breaking it to them gently?" Larry crossed the room to the window and looked out at the setting sun. "Can you imagine the phone call, Alex?" He pantomimed picking up a phone. "Hi, Angela, how are you? Things are fine here, the FDA gave it's approval and Alex is pregnant with mine and Diana's child. How's Jake doing?"

Alex closed the magazine and placed it aside. "Have you given any thought as to who gets to raise the child?" He moved the covers off and was about to get up when Larry crossed the room and perched on the edge of the bed.

"Yes, and I can't answer that either. Of course I want the baby, it's my first and only biological child." He sighed and looked at Alex. "Yet Diana is going to want it too, I think."

Alex nodded. "She won't give it up without a fight." He removed his glasses for a moment and put them down on the end table as he rubbed at his eyes. "Time's running out."

Larry snorted. "This whole situation would give Dr. Freud nightmares." He picked up the clipboard that was sitting on the edge of the bed. "I figure we have about 8 weeks of safe time, then we have to get serious about the delivery," he stated as he thumbed through the papers.

"That's not the only thing we need to get serious about."

Larry looked up to find Alex putting his glasses back on. He found the other man looking at him with the gravest of expressions. Larry sighed, knowing that this was coming. He got up off the bed and walked around the room. "I'm guessing you want to talk about the other night, right?" At Alex's nod, he continued. "Would it make you feel better if I told you I would stop doing it? We can make like it never happened."

"Now why would I want you to do that?" Alex stated slowly and carefully. "It's obvious you have feelings for me, what would denying them accomplish?" He had been thinking long and deeply on his own feelings lately. Like when Larry had gone missing and had worried day and night. When Ned had offered to check on him and he had refused, wanting only Larry. He had come to terms with his feelings and now was a good a time as any to tell Larry.

"It would give us a sense of normalcy around here." Larry said finally giving up the pretense of pacing. He stood about two feet away from the bed, still holding the clipboard in one hand.

"What is normal?" Alex asked. He tried to think of a good way to bring about his confession, to work it into the conversation. "Pregnant men are not normal, yet here I am. Who is to say that you having feelings for me is not normal?"

Larry shrugged. "Society?" He suggested with a small smile.

"To hell with society. Or in case you didn't notice, I'm a social outcast." He began to stroke his stomach lightly. The baby was wide awake and letting him know that fact. "Larry, what you feel is not wrong." Alex said hopefully.

"It is so wrong." Larry stated clearly. "Especially when it's a one-way street."

"Who said it was?" Alex saw his opening and jumped in. "Who made that rule up?"

Alex saw the clipboard fall from Larry's hand and hit the carpet, spilling the papers off of it. "What did you just say?" Larry replied, utterly shocked.

Alex shrugged. "I'm only human too." He got up then and went to pick up the papers off the floor. Larry finally came to his senses and bent down to help. One of his hands brushed against Alex's and Larry felt a spark of excitement at the touch. He looked up at the same time Alex did.

"Are you saying..." he began just as Alex spoke.

"Larry, I've been meaning..." He stopped, realizing that Larry was speaking. "Go ahead." He nodded for Larry to continue.

"No, you first." He took the remainder of the papers and placed them haphazardly on the clipboard.

Alex swallowed. "Larry, I'm sorry I ran out of the room the other night. I needed to think about what I found out, and sort through my own feelings on this matter." He tried to stand, but was having difficulty. Larry held out a hand and Alex took it, brining himself to his full height. He looked into the eyes of the smaller man, but did not release the hand. "I mean we are both married men, with families to consider. Yet the way you made me feel, the way you always make me feel, completely eclipses what I feel for Diana." He began to walk now towards the bed, bringing Larry with him. He sat down carefully, Larry's hand clenched tightly.

"I need to know how deep your feelings go as well, Larry." Alex continued. "Is it just sexual lust or do you love me?" There he had said it. He had come out and said what had been on his mind, driving him wild both night and day.

Larry glanced down at the hand he was holding, and realized his own was sweating. He knew Alex was awaiting his answer. He desperately wanted to free his hand and wipe it on the leg of his pants, but he resisted the urge.

Did he love Alex? Yes, he did. It was very different from what he shared with Angela, but it was love all the same. As he brought his dark eyes up, he knew what his answer was.

"Yes, Alex. I love you."

Larry saw Alex's expression change from hopeful anticipation to relieved happiness. He brought his other hand up in a gesture to wait. "Hang on a second. Before you get yourself all worked up and overjoyous, we need to think about how this is going to affect our wives and the kids."

At the mention of his daughters, Alex's face fell. He was going to miss Junior's third birthday, and if he didn't get to see Jenny soon, he would miss her second. "I've been thinking about that."

Larry let go of Alex's hand. He snorted once. "I have too. I guess that is part of the reason I've been resisting these feelings." He wiped his hand on his slacks to dry it before placing it on Alex's shoulder. "We need to think how this one thing may change how they feel about us."

Alex got up off the bed and walked to the dresser where a picture of Jenny, Junior and Diana sat. He picked it up and stared at it lovingly. It had been taken shortly after Jenny's birth. "I don't want to hurt them."

"As I don't want to hurt Jake or Angela. We have all had enough hurt in our lives." Larry turned on the bed. "Listen Alex, it's enough right now that we've admitted to having feelings. Don't stress yourself out any more over what to do about them. Let's just take this one day at a time."

Alex looked once more at the faces of his children. Larry was right. This only had to go as far as they were willing to let it go. He put the picture back. "You're right," he admitted.

"Of course I am. That's why I'm in charge," Larry joked. "Hey why don't we go out for a bit. You know, get some fresh air and maybe an ice cream?"

Alex smiled glad to have the tension between them lifted. "You know my cravings too well."

Larry got up and went to the closet where Alex stored his clothes. "Well, get dressed," he said as he tossed a set of oversized sweats at Alex. "Tonight's my treat."

*******************

The next eight weeks passed quickly for both men. Angela and Diana had called repeatedly trying to find out what was holding up their husbands. Larry had taken to fielding the phone calls and reassuring the women that they would be along sometime in the future if they could only get the bloody red tape sorted out.

FDA approval and been finally granted, and the Expectaine was heralded as one of the greatest miracles in recent medical history. Larry had to put off many interviews and conferences to stay near Alex. He didn't want to leave the other man alone. Last time he had done that, Alex had gone into labor. He wasn't taking any chances this time.

One of the days of note during the 8 weeks was the passing of Junior and Jake's third birthday. Alex had insisted on being allowed out to pick out a present for his little angel and have in hand sent to her by Federal Express. He wanted so much to be holding his little girl, and for a week after the birthday he sulked and brooded over missing out.

Diana also sent frequent pictures and videos now of Jenny. The baby was walking and doing all sorts of stuff that Alex should have been there to witness. His heart broke as he got to see how much fun they were having while he was stuck in a room still.

Larry had Alex back on complete bedrest now. The baby was still growing fine, however there were a few incidents of blood in Alex's urine that concerned

Larry. He told Alex to let him know if it increased or if any pain was felt.

There had also been one major stupid fight as well. The fight was over who would get to choose the name and whether to disclose the sex of the unborn baby. Alex argued that they didn't know the first time he was pregnant, why should they ruin the surprise for this one?

Larry argued that seeing how it was his baby, he wanted to know and prepare. The argument had lasted a week with both men realizing later that it was silly to fight. It had ended in Alex's favor and the sex was kept unknown. No decisions had come yet as to who got to choose the name.

Their relationship had grown slowly. They spent quiet moments in each other's company and had progressed to showing some affection with more handholding and reassuring hugs. There had been another instance of sexual activity between them. This time, it had been shared with Larry initiating and Alex insisting on having a turn at getting Larry off. No actual intercourse had yet taken place, just mutual masturbation but both men were perfectly happy in that aspect of their relationship.

So things settled and the weeks passed, each one bringing the due date closer and the time of having to tell their wives just what had occurred during their absence.

Today Larry came home with his arms full of bags to find Alex in the kitchen, checking on one bubbling pot and adding ingredients to another pot, stirring occasionally.

"Alex!" Larry yelled, dropping the bags. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Alex countered calmly. "I was hungry and there wasn't anything to eat that was appealing." He walked over and set a strainer in the sink.

"Besides, I haven't been up long, and I needed to stretch my legs. Sitting all day hurts my back." Alex added as he stirred the pan with pasta in it. "What's in the bags?" he asked while pointing with his other hand.

"I want you to get back in bed the minute that food is done." Larry ordered. "You need to stay there." He picked up the bags. "These are things for the baby and you aren't going to see them until you are back in that bed where you belong." With that he turned away and climbed the stairs.

Alex shook his head. Larry could be so bossy at times. He knew that Larry had only the baby's best interests at heart, and with a little talking to, Alex knew he would get Larry to change his mind. It was great that they connected on so many levels.

He was stirring the pasta and preparing to drain it when the ache assaulted his back again. He had been having backaches all morning and afternoon. They had been mild and nothing to concern Larry over. Alex chalked it up to sleeping wrong, he had fallen asleep sitting up with the laptop in his lap.

Larry was muttering to himself all the way to Alex's bedroom. "I tell him to stay in bed, does he do it? No. Betty Crocker down there decides to cook! Cook! He's gonna drive me insane one of these days." He kicked open the door and placed the bags on the bed.

He was heading out of the room and on to his room to change when he heard a loud crash and a scream of pain.

Larry shook his head. "He probably burned himself trying to do too much." Still, not taking any chances, he took the stairs two at a time. He ran to the kitchen to find Alex bent in half, the pasta spilled on the floor and Alex's hands cradled across his middle.

"God, Larry - it * HURTS *!" Alex moaned and nearly fell down on the next wave of pain.

Panic raced through Larry. It couldn't be time! They still had three weeks left! "Alex, calm down." He ordered as he helped his friend to the living room couch. He had to get Alex calm, that was the first step.

"When did this start?" Larry asked, trying to decide whether to throw Alex in the car or not. If it had just started then they would have plenty of time to get Alex down to the clinic. Ned might still be there, and they could call Louise. He got up and got his black bag from where he had left it at the front door.

"This morning," Alex panted his reply. "After you had left."

"This morning?" Larry nearly screamed as he fished out the stethoscope. "Why the hell didn't you call me?" He checked Alex's vitals then listened to the baby. The heartbeat was faint and slow.

"Alex, listen." He paused as Alex screamed and grunted through another contraction. "The baby is in distress. If we don't get it out, it's going to die."

"Well, let's go." Alex said at he tried to stand.

"No, there isn't time. This has to be done right here and right now. There is no time to argue." Larry got up and pushed the coffee table out of the way. The floor would have to do. "Come on, down on the floor with you."

He half-rolled, half-pushed Alex to the floor. "Stay there, I'll be right back!" Larry ordered, taking off for the linen closet at a short sprint. He grabbed a bunch of towels, blankets, some alcohol, and some gauze from a shelf.

He brought the items to the room where Alex was moaning in agony.

As he prepared the area, he picked up his cell phone and shot off a quick call to Louise, who promised to grab Ned and get over to his place stat to help.

Larry propped Alex's head on some pillows. "I don't have any anesthesia, but I will give you something to help with the pain." Larry explained as he pulled out the Demerol from his bag. He had already stripped Alex of his pants.

He located a vein in one thigh and injected the narcotic.

While waiting for it to work, Larry got up again and got the last of the supplies. A large bowl of warm water and an empty bowl. He now had everything he hoped he would need. He rolled up his sleeves, poured the alcohol over his arms and hands, then donned a set of rubber gloves from his bag.

Alex was now laying quietly, but his face would scrunch up in pain every minute or so. "Are you going to be able to do this alone?" He managed to ask at one point.

"I'm not going to be alone long," Larry answered. "Ned and Louise are on their way over. Now I need you to lay as still as possible. You are going to feel a sharp pain in a minute when I make the incision. Bite down or grunt or something, but don't move." Larry cautioned.

Larry swabbed the area with alcohol, then took a small emergency scalpel out of his bag and sterilized it. This would be so much easier with help, he thought. He was completely responsible for two lives now. The pressure of it was tremendous.

He took a deep breath and said a silent prayer. His hand was poised over Alex's swollen and distorted abdomen. "Brace yourself." Larry warned as he made his cut into the tender flesh.

Blood welled up and Larry sponged it away with the gauze. He had to be fast here, they didn't have any packets of blood to replace what Alex was about to lose. Hell, they didn't even have an IV.

Alex was gripping the blanket he was lying on tightly. Larry could see the knuckles turning white. "Hang on a bit longer, big guy. The worst part is just about done." He located the sac that held the baby and cut into it. Amniotic fluid poured out onto some of the towels.

He could see the baby now. He reached past the layers of muscle and tissue to lay his hands on it. He was in the process of bringing it out when a knock came at the front door.

Helluva time, he thought. "Who is it?" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Ned and Louise," came the reply in Louise's voice.

"Get in here," Larry yelled back. "We're in the living room." He heard the door open and footsteps enter the room.

"My God!" Ned exclaimed, as he removed his coat and prepped. Louise did the same and they were ready in record time. They each donned gloves from a bag Louise carried.

Louise went up to hold Alex's hand and monitor his vitals. She wiped away beads of sweat on his face with a washcloth dipped in the water. "It's going to be fine," she reassured him. "We're all here for you now."

Ned was helping Larry extract the baby. The head came out first, and Ned suctioned the nose and mouth.

The baby was not breathing. It lay limp in Larry's arms. "Oh dear God," he whispered. The umbilical cord had wrapped around the baby's neck and Ned had to cut it free.

Larry removed the baby completely. "Damn, we need oxygen over here." They all looked at each other realizing that no one had thought to grab the portable tank at the clinic. Ned cut and clamped the rest of the cord. The first Apgar score was low. No breathing, blue color, faint heartbeat and unresponsive.

Alex tried to sit up now, not caring about anything except the baby. Louise had to keep pushing him down. Ned looked to Larry, "I'll close him, you do what you can for the baby." He reached into the bag for a needle and sutures.

While Ned was busy removing the placenta and closing the incision, Larry worked on reviving the tiny baby. Tears were running down his face as he started CPR.

He checked the mouth and nose, then covered both with his mouth and gave four quick breaths. He checked the pulse. It was fading.

"No!" he cried and continued. Blow, check, blow, check. "Come on, breathe," Larry ordered the limp baby. Ned had now finished with Alex and had given the bigger man a sedative. Alex had not wanted to lay still, so Ned solved the problem by knocking him out cold.

Now Ned turned his attention to Larry and the baby. Larry was still trying to breathe life into the tiny body. "Larry," Ned said gently. He handed over the suctioning device. "Try to clear again."

Larry took the aspirator and suctioned the tiny nose and mouth again. Some more fluid came out and then a miraculous thing happened. The baby began to breathe and then cry.

Larry watched as his son took in his first deep breath and let out a loud cry. If he hadn't been crying already, that sound would certainly have made Larry start.

The second Apgar score was quite high and Larry collapsed against the couch in relief. He was sobbing harder than the baby now, and Louise had to take Larry in her arms to try to calm him down.

Ned took the baby and cleaned him up some, then wrapped him snuggly in a blanket. He checked his watch. "Congratulations." He told Larry. "It's a boy."

The last thing Larry remembered before he passed out was the baby's healthy cries.

*******************

Cold. Something cold was on his face. It was wet too. Larry reached up and pulled the damp rag off his face. Where was he? He looked around. He was in his living room and on his couch.

"Good, you're up." It was Louise's tired voice. Larry sat up and searched the room for her, he found her slumped in one of the chairs.

"How long have I been out?" he asked while rubbing on hand across his chin. The stubble there spoke of at least six or more hours.

Louise shrugged. "About eight hours. Ned thought it best to just let you sleep."

Larry could see the faint sign of daybreak outside the window. "Did you stay here all night?" He got up fully now and stretched his cramped legs.

She nodded. "I didn't want to leave you alone."

"Thanks." He looked around the room, especially the floor where all the commotion had taken place. It had all been cleaned up and put in order. "Where's Alex and my son?"

"Ned took them back to the clinic so he could check them over properly. Last I heard they were both doing fine. Alex was resting comfortably and so was your son." She sighed a tired sigh, one of those that spoke of a long night with little rest.

Larry came over to her. "I owe him and you a big favor for helping last night. I want to thank you for cleaning up." He placed one hand on her shoulder. "Why don't you go home and get some sleep? You can take today and tomorrow off."

She covered his hand. "You're welcome, Larry. I'm glad I was able to help." She smiled up at him and then stood. "Will you be okay?"

"I'll be fine. I'm going to shower and change, then go see Alex and the baby." He watched as she gathered the rest of her belongings then headed for the door. He waved at her once then she was gone.

Larry whistled a happy tune as he headed for the stairs. Today was going to be one of the best days of his life. He had a son! A biological child of his own! It was one day he was never going to forget.

*******************

Sunlight streamed in through the window and onto the bed where Alex was lying. He was still sleeping when Larry entered the room. It was a general recovery room, one that was used on occasion for emergency deliveries, or private clientele that didn't want to use local hospitals.

Larry quickly checked on Alex's vitals, noting that Ned had started the other man on painkillers and general antibiotics from the notes on the chart. Alex was in good hands. Ned had taken charge of the situation well.

Larry replaced the chart and turned to leave. He had been given the basic vitals on his son, and now he wanted to see him. He was almost out the door when he heard the rustle of sheets. He turned back to Alex. "Hey there, big guy. I didn't mean to wake you. How are you feeling?" he asked as he returned to the bedside.

Alex moaned lightly. "It's okay. I've been up and down all night. I feel like I was run over by a truck. I'm not sure what hurts worse, my stomach or my head." He tried to sit but groaned in agony.

Larry adjusted the controls for the bed, raising the head to a semi-sitting position. "Better?"

Alex nodded. He licked his lips which were dry and cracked from the medications fed thorough his IV. Larry left the room momentarily and returned with a p itcher of water and a small glass which he filled and handed to Alex.

Alex sipped it slowly. He was relieved to have the whole ordeal over with, but he still did not know the status of the baby. Only Ned had been here last night and he wouldn't tell him anything, except to rest. He had to know now, and he hoped Larry would tell him. "How's the baby? I know there were complications, so don't lie to me."

Larry took Alex's hand in his own. He traced the spot where the IV was inserted, thinking just how much Alex had gone through for him. "Alex," he said seriously, taking a moment to look deep into those green eyes behind the glasses. "You're right. There were complications. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. Upon delivery, the baby wasn't breathing."

Alex looked down and gave Larry's hand a gentle squeeze. He knew from the amount of commotion going on last night that the birth hadn't gone well at all.

He partially blamed himself for not calling Larry earlier when the backaches had started. "Did the baby..." he felt tears well up in his eyes and he couldn't say it.

Larry waited a moment then answered with a single word. "No."

Alex looked up, not sure if Larry understood what he was asking. "No?"

Larry smiled, the edges of his eyes crinkling up. "The baby is fine, Alex. You gave birth to a healthy baby boy!"

Alex gave Larry's hand another squeeze and let the tears fall. "A boy?" He felt his heart lift. "When can I see him?"

"Soon. He's got to go through the normal series of tests so you should get to hold him shortly." He released the hand he had been holding and used his own to wipe away Alex's tears. "Don't cry. You'll get me started." He lifted the covers and checked on the incision for infection and found none.

He quickly changed the dressing, and ordered more pain meds as Alex winced at the slightest touch. He was just covering Alex back up when Ned came into the room. "Dr. Hesse," he addressed Alex. "Just how is our patient today?"

"I'm a little sore, but fine. And you know you can call me Alex."

"Would you like to see the baby?" Ned asked, knowing both men were already anxious.

"Yes." They both answered in unison.

Ned had to laugh. "Just a little anxious, huh?" He turned to Larry. "If you will accompany me, we can go get him from the nursery."

"Excuse me, Alex," Larry said as he followed Ned out the door and into the hall. Once he was safely out of earshot of Alex's room he stopped and turned to

Ned. "I'm assuming you wanted me out of the room for a reason?"

Ned had taken a few steps before he realized that he was walking alone. He turned back to his partner in the practice. "Yes, Larry, there is." He paused, trying to find an easy way to break the news. "Although your son is doing fine now, there is some cause to be concerned." He took a breath and continued. "The lack of oxygen to the brain during the crucial minutes following birth might have..."

"Caused brain damage, either temporary or permanent. I know all this, Ned." Larry said. "Are you telling me my son is affected?"

"We did have some instances last night where his breathing was either unusually slow, or very rapid. Both are caused by the brain not being able to control the diaphragm. It's common in children with brain disorders." He watched Larry's face fall, and put out an arm to steady the smaller man. "It's too soon to tell if it's permanent, but to a slight degree, your son has been affected." He hated this part of his job the most, it was the hardest, especially when the person you were telling was a friend. "I just wanted you to know so you would not be expecting everything to be 100% perfect. You have been lucky twice not to have any stillborn children."

Larry sighed. The news wasn't totally unexpected. "Thanks, Ned. I really appreciate everything you've done for me and Alex. If you ever need a favor, I'll be there for you."

Ned smiled. He already had one picked out. "Do me this one favor now then."

"Anything." Larry replied.

"Stop testing the Expectaine on Alex. I don't think his body can take another pregnancy." He continued to smile, yet his tone had a serious undercurrent.

"Oh, I promise." Larry said with full sincerity. He didn't think Alex could do another one either. "No more testing."

Both men then continued to the nursery where Larry got to pick up his son for the first time since last night. "Hi there, little one," he cooed to the infant. "How's my boy?" With Ned's approval, Larry bundled the baby up and took him to see Alex.

He opened the door carefully, and walked in to place the baby in Alex's waiting arms. "Larry, he's so beautiful," Alex said as the tears trickled down his face for the second time that morning. "He's got your eyes."

Now Larry's eyes misted up, he was on the verge of tears. "You think so?" He held one tiny fist with a finger.

Alex nodded. "We need to give this little guy a name."

Larry looked up, wiping he corners of his eyes dry. "I bet you've thought of quite a few."

"Well I have, but really it isn't my place to name him. He's your son." Alex stared at the tiny life that was a combination of his best friend and his wife.

"You carried him for nine months. In my book that gives you a say-so." Larry pointed out.

"How about a compromise?" Alex suggested. "One of us picks out the first name and the other one, the middle name?"

"That sounds good to me," Larry agreed.

It took a lot of discussion but they finally settled on Jason Alexander Hesse-Arbogast. Jason was chosen for Diana's father, and hopefully would be met

with her approval. Larry had insisted on Alexander, even under Alex's protests that he didn't want the baby named after him.

Larry had stood his ground, and said if the middle name wasn't going to be Alexander, then the first name would be. Alex had relented then and agreed to let it stand as the middle name. Larry could tell that even through all the arguing, Alex was touched but the gesture, regardless of what he said.

Larry informed Alex what Ned had said about the baby's difficult birth and what to watch for in the coming weeks. Even though Jason was three weeks premature, he still topped the scales at 5 pounds 6 ounces and was 17 inches long. It would help that he was not to small, Larry had stated.

They took him home the following week. Now that it was all over, the men planned at long last to join their wives in Paris. The only thing holding up the trip was Alex's health. He would not be given clearance to travel for 6 weeks by Ned. They had to make sure the incision was completely healed and no complications would result.

It wasn't long enough for Larry. Every time he thought about facing Angela, he got cold chills. She was not going to be happy.

Today Larry lay in Alex's bed, his head resting on the broad chest in front of him. Jason was sleeping in the other room after his mid-day feeding. Larry had cleared Alex for a return to sexual activity and was surprised to find Alex still wanting him. They had spent the past hour exploring their sexuality until both of them were exhausted.

Larry caressed the pinkish scar on Alex's lower abdomen. "Alex?"

"Hmmm?" came the sleepy reply.

"Do you regret anything that has happened up to now?"

"Not a thing." Alex responded with a gentle hug to his lover. "Do you?"

"Not yet. I have a feeling that I'm going to regret telling Angela what we did while they were gone that resulted in Jason." Larry moved further up the bed and pressed a brief kiss on Alex's lips. "But do I regret anything I've done with you? No."

Alex turned the brief kiss into a full one then released Larry. "No matter what happens next, Larry, remember today and that I love you." He then brought his lips down for another kiss.

Suffice it to say, they never made it out of bed that day except to care for Jason.

*******************

Nerves. Larry was completely full of nerves. Butterflies danced in his stomach with free abandon. Their plane had landed and every time he thought of seeing Angela, they acted up. All the other passengers had already disembarked.

Alex and Larry waited until last, taking care to make sure Jason was settled and ready to meet his new moms. The baby was six weeks old now and healthy enough to travel. There had been no further signs of any damage that Ned had been concerned about and Jason was deemed able to travel.

"Last chance to chicken out," Larry said while picking up the baby carrier with Jason while Alex picked up their carry-on bags.

"You know we can't do that." Alex stepped towards the front of the plane and waved good-bye to the stewardess. "We've discussed this and now is the time to face the consequences of our actions." He stopped at the top of the ramp. "Remember, I'll be right beside you all the way."

"Yeah to pick up the remains," Larry added in a low voice.

Both men took a deep breath and stepped down the ramp with Alex in the lead. They found the women looking anxiously at the entrance, wondering what had taken so long.

Diana saw Alex first, and ran to him, tripping over the strap on her purse and almost falling. Angela rolled her eyes then looked at her own husband.

Angela was the first to notice the new baby. "Lar - What are you doing with a baby?"

Diana was almost to Alex when she stopped with a jerk. "Baby?" She peeked around her husband to the smaller man holding the carrier.

Alex looked to Larry and they both looked to the women. "Surprise?" they said in unison.

*******************

Diana was pacing in front of the sofa in the small apartment she had shared with Angela for nearly a year. Her face was red with rage and most of it was directed at Alex. "Let me get this straight," she fumed. "That baby in there, that sweet innocent baby is my * SON *?"

Alex nodded. "Yes."

"And the father is Larry?"

Another nod.

Angela was sitting nearby, not nearly as angry as Diana, but not happy by a long shot. "What the hell were the two of you thinking? Didn't you learn your lesson the last time?"

Larry opened his mouth to answer but didn't get a chance to say a word. Diana was yelling again. "Of all the unbelievable, totally horrible things you two have ever done, this has to be on the top."

She flashed her husband a grim look. "All the times I called you, you never once told me the truth about what was going on!"

"I thought that if I told you, you would leave here and lose your funding. I figured it would be better that you stayed here." Alex tried to explain.

"How DARE you presume what is best for me when it involves a child. My child." Diana picked up one of the throw pillows and heaved it at her husband, wishing it was something a little more solid. "I am beyond furious with you at this point."

She turned her attention to Larry who was sitting just an arm's reach of Alex. "And you. The fact that you were a party to this is beyond forgiveness."

She was about to launch into a tirade against Larry but the sound of a newborn crying stopped her.

Angela looked at the men. "Who's gonna go shut him up?"

Larry got up with a polite 'excuse me' and went to tend to Jason. The other children were still in daycare for the day and had yet to know their fathers had arrived. The original plan the women had was to meet their husbands at the airport and have them pick up the children. That plan was had been completely blown away once the men had revealed their deception. Alex had yet to see his daughters. Jason was laying in Jenny's crib.

"Diana, will you please calm down." Alex said quietly. "Give us a chance to explain."

"There is no explanation that I wish to hear at this point." She was running out of steam and sat down on one of the chairs. She began to cry, her slim shoulders shaking with grief.

Angela got up and went to comfort Diana. "I hope you both are ashamed of your actions." She looked up as her husband walked into the room, the small baby held close to his chest. The infant was still crying.

Larry carried him over to Alex. He passed the baby over. "I think he wants you."

Alex rocked and soothed the baby with a tender touch and gentle words. Soon Jason settled and fell back asleep.

Angela got up and retrieved a box of tissues, then handed Diana a few, who mumbled a thanks.

Larry took his seat again next to Alex. "We can argue all day and night over his conception, but the fact remains that he is here now and he is ours." He looked at Diana as he said this. "Like it or not, he is your son."

Angela now picked up where Diana had left off. "Have you given any thought as to just who has legal claims to this child?" She stared at Larry. "Which family is he going to live with? Did you think of that?"

"Yes, we did, Angela." Alex said, still keeping calm. "We talked about it and discussed it into the ground. We even fought over it." Alex said looking to Larry, who remembered that particular fight vividly. "We decided that we would do what ever is in the best interest of Jason. He is to be our main concern, not how much we can fight."

Diana looked up at her husband. She blew her nose then gathered up her courage. "I think I can make this all easier on everyone." She looked at Larry. "Congratulations on your new little boy. I want no part in his upbringing." With that declaration, she stood and marched to the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Angela sighed. "You two are not out of hot water yet." She got back up and went to try to calm her friend down.

Larry glanced to Alex. "Gee, and it wasn't as nearly as bad as we thought it would be." He said sarcastically.

"She will come around," Alex assured his companion. She just needs time to think it all over.

*******************

Two weeks passed and Diana did not come around. She refused to speak to anyone except Angela and her children. Of which she did not consider Jason to be. She was barely civil to Alex, and ignored Larry outright.

Angela was stuck in the middle, of watching her friend be torn apart by the situation and deciding who's side to be on. In the first place, she had no right to judge her husband, who had accepted Jake as his own baby from the moment of birth, even though he was not the biological father.

In the second place, she wanted to back up her friend because it was morally wrong what the men had done. So she found herself treading a thin line. The stress was wearing at her.

Alex still remained close to all the children, and the first time he had seen Junior and Jenny he had cried happy tears. At least his children didn't judge him, they loved him unconditionally.

The time in Paris was just about over, and preparations had to be made for the return home. Alex was looking forward to the return and hopefully a settlement to the tension that was plaguing his marriage.

Larry's marriage was once again deteriorating to the point of a second divorce from Angela. He was confused, for he knew if Angela left she would take

Jake with her. He loved Jake as his own son. She had accepted Jason into the family, for to do otherwise would seem bigoted. Yet they had frequent fights over the situation plaguing Alex and Diana.

Jenny's second birthday was celebrated in a grim mood. No one really felt up to celebrating the birth of any child, so therefore the party was small and was limited to a cake with presents. Diana had conflicting emotions, for this was the child she herself had carried to term and tended to favor.

Another two weeks passed and the flights home were booked. Preparations were made for the Pierre-Madrill Foundation to fund the rest of Diana's research upon her return to the States. The occasion should have been joyous, but like everything else, was met with a simple smile and gratitude.

Alex looked out at the stars this night, from the balcony of the apartment. All the children were already in bed, the women were watching TV. Alex had tried once again to talk to Diana but she had turned away from him, and focused her attention on the TV. Alex had sighed and gone outside.

Knowing what was bothering his friend, Larry got up and followed. He found Alex looking at the night sky as if the stars held all the answers but would not speak. "Hey, big guy. Is there anything I can do to help?" He placed one hand on Alex's arm for moral support. Neither man had been inclined to show how far their relationship had progressed. The women had enough to worry about for the moment, yet Larry wished he could offer a comforting hug. He hated to see Alex like this.

"Not unless you can get Diana to see that I didn't mean to hurt her." He kept his back to Larry while he spoke, keeping his hands on the balcony railing.

"I look at Jason and all I see is another miracle child. She looks at him and sees a burden." He sighed once, then turned around. In the dim light, Larry could see the glistening shine of tears in his friend's eyes.

"Well you know I'll never see him that way. What you have done is beyond anything I could ever thank you for. You've given me something to leave behind in the world, once I'm gone. You've given me a legacy." He knew his words were far from adequate to express his true feelings on the matter.

"Diana thinks I'm a monster." Alex removed his glasses and wiped at his eyes.

"Nah, she's just hurt. I seriously doubt she thinks that." Larry looked into the room and saw Angela say something to Diana that caused a small smile to play across the other woman's lips. "At least she stopped throwing things at you."

Alex left the railing and went to sit in one of the chairs nearby. He rested his glasses on the small table provided. "I can't continue to live like this, Larry. I love my kids with all my heart, but being near Diana and how she treats me is unbearable."

Larry walked over and stood by his friend. To hell with it, he thought. He put his arms out and brought Alex's head to rest on his chest. The women can think what they want. "I'll still be here, always, to help."

"Thank you, Larry." Alex said quietly, making no move to sit up.

Larry stole a glance into the other room. From this angle the women would not be able to see them, the curtain blocked the view. He bent down and placed a kiss on Alex's forehead.

Alex looked up, surprised. It was the first time either of them had shown any affection at all since arriving. Larry just shrugged. "You looked like you could use it."

Alex sighed. "I could use more than just that." He knew Larry would und erstand what he was referring to. "This tension's killing me."

Larry reached over and massaged Alex's neck gently. "I know, I know." He snorted. "I'm in the same boat as you, remember?"

Alex let some of the tension drain from his body. There wasn't much anyone could do for the situation right now. They had to get back home and on familiar turf, to finally settle things once and for all. It was just very difficult for everyone. He sighed again and waited until Larry was done.

"Feeling better?" Larry asked.

"Some." Alex reached over and put on his glasses. "At least now my back doesn't feel like the weight of the world is upon it." He smiled up at Larry. "Thanks for cheering me up."

Larry offered one final hug, which Alex accepted gratefully. "Anytime. Just come to me, and I'll do what I can for you."

Alex stood now, ready to face the rest of the night. He smiled once more then went back into the apartment.

*******************

Diana tossed and turned in her bed. They had been home now for nearly a month, and things were not looking any better than before they had returned. If anything, things had gotten worse. Alex and her now shared separate bedrooms and were barely civil to each other. It seemed they were only together now for the kids.

She had contemplated filing for divorce, but each time had backed down, not sure if she could actually go through with it. She couldn't stand to give up Junior, but knew if she tried to divorce Alex, he would fight for custody of the children. If Junior's conception got out in the court, the she could possibly lose her daughter.

She wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. That much she knew. She got up and threw on a robe. She was going to have to talk to Alex. There was no other way out.

She found him in his room, staring out the window. She wondered what he thought of when he looked out like that. He did that a lot lately, she had noticed it many times. "Alex?"

He jumped slightly, startled at her appearance. "Oh, Diana. I didn't hear you."

"You can't sleep either?" It was more of a statement than a question, yet she tried to poise it as a question.

He shrugged. "Not really. Sleep eludes me most nights." He turned his body so he would be facing her now. "Why are you here?" His face held confusion over her appearance.

"Well, I think we need to talk." She said at last as she entered the room.

He indicated for her to take a seat next to him. "What would you like to talk about?"

She sat down and tucked one leg under her. "About us. About Jason. About what happens next."

Alex sat up then, tucking the pillows behind his back. It was a habit that had started during his first pregnancy, to relieve his lower back pain. Now it just seemed comfortable to lean against them all the time. "Well, I'm all ears."

She toyed with a strand of her hair, "It's been very rough for the both of us since we returned. All we have done is argue over everything from money to little things with the girls. Neither one of us has had anything nice to say." She dropped the lock and began playing with her engagement ring, twirling it around her finger with her thumb.

He watched as she avoided looking at him. "I've tried very hard to apologize and to make you see..."

"Yeah, I know, how sorry you are for what happened," she interrupted him. Finally she dropped her hands in her lap and looked him in the eyes. "I don't know if I can ever forgive you for what has happened. I know Jason is the innocent one in all this, but I can't find it in my heart to accept him as mine."

He felt his stomach sink. "What are you saying? That this whole situation can't be resolved?"

She licked her lips, feeling her previous bravado slip away. Now she didn't want to tell him, didn't want to say the next words that would take away any chance they had of ever being a family again. She felt suddenly very young and very scared. "Alex, I have been thinking very hard on this whole thing."

"Don't." He said softly. "Don't say that you are going to leave me, please Diana." He reached out to put one hand on her shoulder but she moved away and stood.

"It would be better for the girls, you know that, Alex." She said as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Maybe I just need the time to get to accept it all." Her voice cracked as she spoke to him. "I know as long as we are together, it's not going to get any better."

"Well, I can't just let you walk out the door with the girls." He stood up now to confront her. "I'll fight for them."

She nodded. "I figured you would. Is that what you really want? To put them through all that? To have them witness how horrible their parents can be to each other?"

"No, of course not." He ran one hand through his close cut hair. "You know how much they mean to me, both of them. How can you do this to me?" The thought of losing his girls really terrified him. Being without them for almost a year had been hard enough, to only have visitation was beyond anything he had ever dreamed of.

"Well you should have thought of them before you went experimenting." Diana knew that was a low blow, but the words slipped out before she could stop them.

Those words stung Alex like no others could. He wished she would have slapped him instead. Physical pain he could have handled, the emotional impact sent him reeling. "Fine then," he said bitterly, knowing she would win no matter what. The court would rule in her favor, and unless he brought up the whole truth about Junior and Jason's conception and birth, he didn't have anything to base his case on. "Go if that is what you want." His eyes slid shut as he felt his heart break.

Diana watched as she shattered the heart of the man she had once vowed to love till death did they part. Part of her wanted to take the words back, to try to make amends, but she knew she would never be able to if she didn't take the time necessary to work on her own troubled feelings. "I'm sorry, Alex. So sorry it had to come to this."

His eyes opened, and she could see nothing but her own anger mirrored in them. "Leave me alone." His tone was icy cold, and hard as steel.

She did the only thing she could do, she turned and left the room, heading for her room to pack. Come morning, she would take the kids and go. It really was in the best interest of everyone, she kept telling herself as tears started trickling down her face. Alex would be fine, he would manage for a while. So why did it feel like her world was ending?

*******************

Larry got up for the fifth time and stumbled his way towards Jason's bedroom. The baby was howling at the top of his lungs, and the sound made Larry's head throb. He had fed the baby twice, changed him twice and still the child would not stay asleep. Angela had relegated the nighttime duties to him, saying that if he had wanted the baby so bad, he could get up at night.

Jake had never been this bad. Jake had been the ideal infant, eating and sleeping on a regular schedule. Jason had his own ideas on what a schedule was, meaning that there would be no schedule.

Larry approached the crib and picked up the baby, resting the infant over one shoulder and rubbing his back gently. "Shhh, shhh." He walked the length of the room then back again. "Jason, shhh." It didn't work as the baby kept on crying. Larry checked the diaper, it was dry. He picked up a pacifier and placed it in the baby's mouth. That seemed to work for a bit, so Larry sat down in the rocking chair in the room and began to rock slowly.

He picked up a blanket nearby and covered the baby. While he rocked he began to think about the past month. Everything was tense now, from taking care of both children to trying to keep his practice afloat while being tired as hell. He hadn't missed this much sleep since his days in medical school.

Angela helped as much as she could, but Larry could tell that she was definitely not happy with him adding on to their family. She kept most of her feelings to herself, taking care of both kids when necessary, but definitely showing a preference to Jake over Jason.

He couldn't fault her. Yet their marriage was hanging on to a thread, it was only because of the children that she even stayed. She had gone through a divorce once, and had promised herself that she wasn't going to ever do that again. So she fought to save what was left of the marriage, even if that meant trying to accept Jason as her own son.

Everytime she looked at the baby, she felt hurt that he wasn't biologically hers. It should have been her to give Larry his much wanted offspring. Now she felt like a rift was forming between herself and her husband as they now had between them two children, yet none conceived by them both together. Angela couldn't be mad at Diana as the other woman was in the same boat, and her own marriage was on the rocks.

Larry looked down at the sleeping child. So much like him, yet he could see the faintest traces of Diana's features in the small face. He continued to rock the baby, knowing if he got up too soon, the infant would awaken and begin to howl again.

It was in this position that Angela found him hours later. He had rocked not only the baby, but himself to sleep as well. She had awoken to a knock on the door, and found Diana with both children and suitcases at the front door. Her friend had an expression of desperation on her face. After setting her friend up in the spare bedroom she had gone in search of her missing husband and found him fast asleep in the chair.

She reached down and picked up the baby, which caused Larry to jump awake. "Oh! Angela, I'm sorry, honey." He rubbed at his swollen eyes while Angela placed the baby in the crib. "I didn't meant to fall asleep here."

She shrugged. "It's okay. Just so you know, Diana's here."

"Diana?" He got up off the chair and checked his son once more. "What's she doing here?" Satisfied that the baby would continue to sleep a bit longer he headed for the door with Angela on his heels.

He heard her sigh behind him. "Lar- She's left Alex."

"What?" He was sure the lack of sleep was affecting his hearing.

"She's left him. I'm sure you remember what that is." She had to grab his arm to turn him around and steer him towards his own bedroom and away from the one where Diana was now unpacking the few things she had brought. "I told her she could stay here for a bit until she decides what she wants to do next."

"And yes," she continued before Larry could ask. "She's got the girls."

"Oh man. Alex must be heartbroken." He closed the bedroom door behind his wife. "We can't let them do this."

"What choice do we have?" Angela countered. "We can't force her to stay with him if she doesn't want to."

"What about how this affects Alex?" Larry demanded, letting his exhaustion do the thinking for him.

"Of course, take his side." She now began to dress for the day, knowing it was going to be a long one. "You always take his side lately. It's like you don't even care what he did to her!"

"Ang- it's not like that. But it's not right for her to take Junior and Jenny either. He loves those girls." Larry was now trying to get dressed, fumbling his way out of his pajamas and into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. "I'm going to have to go over there and make sure he's okay."

"Yeah why don't you do that?" She snarled at him. "And while you're at it, bring that baby over to him. He's probably the only one that can get him to stay quiet." She was fully angry now, being both tired and stressed. Now her husband was choosing sides, and the wrong side at that.

"Why are you yelling at me?" Larry asked. "I'm just concerned for him. He has feelings too, you know." Larry entered the bathroom and came out with his electric shaver.

Angela ran a comb through her short hair. "I know. I'm sorry. This is tough on all of us." She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. "I really wish you two had thought all of this through before you decided to experiment." As she watched the image of her husband shaving she sighed. "Look at all the trouble one little baby has caused. Did you really think that we both would be happy?"

Larry ran one hand over his chin and cheeks. Satisfied that he was done, he switched the shaver off, and placed it on the dresser where he exchanged it for one of Angela's hands. "Hon, this time it really was not our fault. We needed the data to keep the funding from the FDA. It really was supposed to terminate after the first trimester."

"So why didn't it?" She asked, confused. "Without the Expectaine, he shouldn't have been able to carry the baby to term."

"That's what we couldn't figure out. By the time we realized that it was not breaking down, it had tapped into his vitals, and to abort it at that stage could possibly meant death for Alex." Larry searched her eyes to see if she understood what the other choice had been. "I had to help at that point. I couldn't let him die."

"You should be telling this to Diana." Angela said while giving her husband a small hug.

"I've tried, she won't talk to me." Larry broke the embrace. "Now, I hope you understand more about how Alex feels in all this. It's not even biologically his child and he's paying the price the most of all."

Angela nodded. "I'll try to talk to her. You're right, go see Alex. He's going to need a friend now."

Larry reached over and kissed his wife. "You're a saint, Ang."

"Oh no I'm not. You're still taking Jason. I think having him around right now would only upset Diana. Give me time to talk to her without him howling in the background." She smiled at him.

"Alright." He conceded. "I'll take him." He released his wife and headed for the door. "I'll be back later this afternoon."

As he stepped out into the hall he ran into Diana who was chasing Junior down the hall towards the main bathroom. "Diana," he greeted her. "Sorry to hear about you and Alex."

Her eyes were swollen, it looked like she had been doing some serious crying. "Yeah, me too." She then stepped around him and ran after her daughter without another word.

Larry went to collect Jason from his room. He mumbled to himself while he got the baby ready. Surprisingly the infant stayed asleep while being dressed.

"This whole thing has gotten out of control. We need to find a way to make amends, Jason." He readied a diaper bag and picked up the baby. "Somewhere, someway there has to be a way to keep the peace."

*******************

Alex could not go on. He had watched as Diana packed the last of her things and walked out the door, taking Jenny and Junior with her. The last sight he had of his girls had been their tiny heads in the car as she drove away.

He returned to the house and slumped in a chair, feeling like his life had ended. What did she expect him to do now? Just go on, and pretend that his family had not just dissolved? He couldn't go to the lab today, nor could he face any of his colleagues.

He was still sitting there hours later, when a knock came on the front door. "Go away," he hollered out.

The door opened and Larry stepped in, bringing the carrier with Jason with him. "I can't do that, Alex."

Alex looked up at the sound of the voice then back down. "She's left me, Larry. She really left me."

"I know," he said softly. "She's at our house."

"Is that why you are here? Did you get kicked out too?" Alex stood up now to help Larry with the baby and the diaper bag. He lifted the infant out of the carrier and rested him on one broad shoulder.

"No, I came because I knew you would need someone to talk to. Just like Diana did." He placed the diaper bag down and sat next to Alex on the sofa. "I've been down the road that you're on now, and I know how much it hurts."

"How can she do that, Larry? How can she take my girls and go? I feel so empty without them." He lowered the baby down into the crook of his arm and traced the small face with one finger. Jason cooed happily, and reached up to take the finger.

"Angela will talk to her today. I think she just needed some space." He rested one hand on Alex's shoulder. "I'm here for you, big guy. I'll stay as long as you need me to."

Alex turned to look at Larry and found the other man's face very close to his own. He licked his lips once, then kissed him deeply, seeking the comfort that his wife had denied him. He found it there, in those soft lips, and the warm hands on his shoulders as Larry held him.

He broke the kiss and sighed lightly. "I needed that."

"I could tell," Larry answered. He tried to press his thoughts away from what that kiss had aroused in him, yet it was hard to do. Just being near Alex had awakened the familiar urges, yet he knew he couldn't press Alex for anything more.

They both sat and talked for a while, discussing everything from wives to babies, to divorce. Alex let out his frustration and confusion while Larry listened and offered advice. They both took turns feeding and changing the baby, until he fell asleep for his afternoon nap. Alex had put him down in Jenny's crib and then both men were alone for the first time that day.

"I want to thank you for coming over, Larry." Alex said as he came back into the living room. "I was lost before but now I think I understand more about what I can do to help the situation some. I don't feel so lost anymore."

"You're more than welcome, Alex." Larry said while shifting uncomfortably on the sofa. He still had a lingering desire to just drag Alex into the bedroom and... no. He had to stop thinking those thoughts. They weren't helping much.

Alex chose to sit down right next to Larry, and he noticed his friend had a most uncomfortable look on his face. "Larry, what's the matter?"

"It's nothing, Alex." Larry lied. "It's been a long night. Jason doesn't know yet that nighttime is for sleeping."

"Do you want to take a nap in my bed?" Alex offered.

"No, no. I'm okay." Larry stifled a yawn. He didn't want to be in Alex's bed without Alex nearby.

"You look exhausted." Alex stated with absolute certainty. "I insist that you lay down for at least an hour. I've been talking your ear off all morning."

"I'm okay, Alex. I'm not so much tired as overtired. It would take a lot more than laying down to get me to fall asleep." Larry tried to steer the conversation away from beds. "Did you know that Noah Baines finally got another job? I read about it yesterday in the paper. It seems he had to go as far away as Washington to get hired."

Alex wouldn't be discouraged that easily. "I don't want to think about Noah right now. And I'm taking you to the bedroom whether you like it or not. You need rest, Larry." He stood and offered his hand to the smaller man.

"Alright, alright. I give up. I'll lay down for a few, however I'm warning you that I will not be able to sleep." He took the proffered hand in his own and let himself be led to the bedroom.

"Leave that to me." Alex said mysteriously.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Larry asked. Had he been so transparent that Alex had known what he was thinking?

Once inside the bedroom and the door closed, Alex bent down and kissed Larry firmly. "Just this," he said between kisses.

Larry felt his body break out in goosebumps as the warm breath coasted over his neck and ears. "Alex, you don't have to do this."

"I want to, Larry. It's been too long for me as well. Diana won't touch me anymore." He stopped momentarily and searched the eyes of the man shuddering with desire in front of him. "Go on and tell me to stop and I will."

"You know I won't do that." Larry said while pulling off his T-shirt. "I just didn't want to seem insensitive, that's all."

Alex scooped the other man up easily and deposited him on the bed. In seconds he had stripped Larry of the remainder of his clothes. His own soon followed and then he was laying naked on top of his lover. "Larry, I've missed being able to do this to you." His lips searched out places to suck and lick.

Larry had to hold back a lot of gasps and moans, while Alex explored every inch of his body. "It's not like Angela is giving me any either, Alex." Then he had to release a loud sigh as Alex's hand wrapped itself around Larry's throbbing erection and began to stroke. Larry almost came just from the touch, but he forced himself to hold back. He didn't want this to end too soon.

Alex took out the tube of K-Y lubricant from the nightstand drawer. Diana knew he kept it there, and she hadn't cared that he had to pleasure himself as of late. He smeared it on himself, quite liberally, and used some of it on Larry's aching shaft as well. Both men were covered in sweat now, and panting heavily.

Alex let Larry thrust that hard shaft between his tightly closed legs, creating a slippery, yet soft channel. On every stroke, he would make sure that his own shaft slid along Larry's sweaty stomach. One hand reached down and caressed his lover's balls, and one finger slid into the warm opening below.

Larry moaned at the insertion of the finger, as it slid along his sensitive prostate. "Alex," he panted the name. "I can't hold out much longer." His eyes slid shut in desperation to hold back a bit more. He was so close, needing and wanting to thrust harder until he would come in a climax that begged to be released.

Alex bent over and kissed Larry. Thrusting his tongue into the warm mouth below his. "Then don't."

That was all the encouragement that Larry needed. He stopped holding and began thrusting, using his hips to give more power to each pump. Alex held him tightly and continued to guide the other man. With just a few more strokes Larry was gasping loudly, "Oh God, Alex..." then his body climaxed in a series of powerful spasms.

As the body below his convulsed in waves of pleasure, Alex felt himself spiraling out of control. He relaxed into the feeling and let his own climax overtake him. He grunted and then released his desire onto his lover. He literally coated Larry's lower regions with his ejaculate.

Both men collapsed after it was over, yet neither one really releasing the other from the embrace they found themselves in. In just a few short minutes, both men were fast asleep.

*******************

Meanwhile over at the other house, Diana was sipping from a cup of lukewarm coffee, and keeping one eye on her two girls that were playing with Jake in the middle of the living room. Angela had taken a seat in a nearby chair, her own coffee cup long since drained.

"I don't know what to do, Angie." She said softly. "I can't seem to find a way to reconcile my mixed emotions."

Angela regarded her friend closely. "Well, I said you could stay here for a while, and I mean it. Let Alex see that you need your space." She shrugged. "I've been down that road you are on and I know how bad it can get."

"It's not so much the space issue as it is the acceptance problem." She brought her attention up and away from the kids to focus completely on the other woman. "Do you know why I came here?"

"I'm your best friend?" Angela answered with a frown.

"Besides that."

She paused, thinking, then nodded knowingly. "Jason."

"Correct." Diana finally put the coffee cup down, giving up all pretense of drinking it. "I thought that if maybe I was near him, I could learn to accept him." Now she looked away to the kids again. "I know he's mine, and I need to get to know him. I want all the children to feel loved."

Angela got up and crossed the small space between them. She sat next to Diana on the sofa. "Hon, I know you do." She bit her lip, not sure if she should say anything about what Larry had told her this morning. "It's going to work out, we both are going to get through this."

Diana didn't say anything, just watched the kids play. Her mind was full of muddled thoughts, and she knew that this was the right thing to do for now. She would not have been able to handle a motel nor the kids on her own. Junior put down the toy she had been playing with and came over to her mother. "Mommy? Why you so sad?" She asked with the innocence of a child.

Diana gathered up the child and perched Junior on a waiting knee. "Mommy is just trying to find a way for everyone to be happy, darling." She placed a kiss on the small brow. "It's nothing for you to worry about, okay?"

"We go home soon?" She asked, rubbing a small fist over one of her eyes, signaling that it was past time for her nap. "I want to see Daddy."

Diana sighed into the small child's blonde hair. "Come, I'll get you settled down for a nap. We can discuss Daddy later."

"No!" The toddler announced. "No, nap. Big girl now." She pouted and climbed down from her mother's lap.

Angela sensed the impending tantrum and intervened. "Ok, honey. How about some television in my room then? I'll put it on, and you can watch it from my bed."

The little girl pondered a moment. Then nodded and yawned. "Okay Auntie Angie." She put one hand up and allowed the other woman to take her into the bedroom upstairs.

Diana went to tend to Jenny who was now crying loudly at something Jake had done. It was past time for all the kids to have a nap, she realized. It didn't take long to get Jenny to settle in the spare room, and Angela returned to put Jake down.

Once all the kids were settled, Diana busied herself with straightening up the playroom. Angela was returning from the kitchen where she had brought the coffee cups and other assorted dishes. "Diana, you don't have to do that right now."

"It's keeping me busy."

Angela took a seat in the chair. "I need to know something, that is if you don't mind answering."

The other woman shrugged, "Ask."

"Did Alex tell you why Jason is here? I mean did he tell you why they continued the experiment, rather than terminate it?" She knew Diana knew the basics, but she had to find out if the other woman knew the details.

"They needed the data for the FDA approval." She finished picking up the toys and turned to face her friend. "Once it was started, they couldn't quit."

"Were you told why?"

A small shake of the blonde hair was the answer.

"Alex would have died." Angela told her quietly. "It may have been his body's reaction to being pregnant again, but the baby had tapped into his vitals after the first trimester. Larry knows all the details, but he said that to terminate after they had the data would have killed Alex."

"They shouldn't have been messing around in the first place." Diana said quietly.

"Of that you won't get any argument from me." Angela said. "But take a moment to see from his view, if you can." She patted the couch next to her and Diana joined her with a small sigh.

"I try to, really I do, but they had so many chances to tell us what had happened and they continued to lie. I guess, that's the part that hurts the most. Not the fact that they went and got into trouble, but that they couldn't manage to find the courage to confess to us just what had happened." Tears were starting to form in her eyes and she blinked them away. "I felt so betrayed when I saw that baby, Angie."

The older woman put her arm around her friend to draw her into a small hug. "Yeah, I know what you mean." She ran her hand up and down the other woman's back in a gesture of comfort. "I know what you mean. Just answer me this, if you had known and they hadn't lied what would you have done?"

Diana sat up sharply, breaking the contact. "I don't know."

"Knowing his life was in danger, would you have gone to him?" Angela asked while reaching for a nearby tissue box. She plucked two out and handed them over to where Diana was sniffing miserably.

"Probably." She accepted the tissues and blew her nose, then wiped at her eyes.

"Would you have felt any differently about the baby then?"

"Possibly, if I had the chance to see it grow and had the time to learn to accept it." She shrugged again. "All this is hypothetical, Angie. They didn't tell us and that is the basis for my anger."

"But consider who you are hurting the most by keeping that anger going." Angela told her friend knowingly. "Jason is here, he's not going to go away, and he's only going to get bigger. I know it's difficult to accept, but he's your son and he's my husband's son. He deserves a right to get to know both his parents, doesn't he?"

Angela got up at that point and headed towards the kitchen to give her friend a chance to think it over. "I'll go clean up, I want you to sit there and relax. Consider this time, as time you need for yourself."

Diana just nodded and sank into the couch cushions, thinking. Who was really to blame for the breakup in her marriage? Did she really try everything she could to save it?

She sighed and shook her head. Another baby. Just what she really didn't need at the moment. Yet he was her son after all. Now could she just accept him as such?

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Author's Note: Ok, this is all I have done so far. I think I had backed myself into a corner and wasn't sure who was going to end up with the baby. I'm still looking for my notes, but I'll gladly take any suggestions. Who belongs with who? Should Alex and Larry end up together? What about Diana and Angela? You tell me what you like and I'll see if I can get this done once and for all!

~Beth C