Chapter 8: Rainbow Effect

"It's your turn Troy." My mom said, nudging me out of my deep thoughts.

Stealing a glance at the clock above the nurses' station, I saw that thirty minutes had gone by. I took the smallest steps I had ever taken in my whole life. But it still took almost no time to arrive at Ryan's room.

I found his room exactly like I imagined. The walls were an off-white color. The smell was that odd hospital sanitary smell. Looking at Ryan, he was awake and looking better. The color was slowly returning to his cheeks.

I rushed to his bedside, glad to see him feeling better. "How do you feel?" I asked as I pulled a chair right next to his bed.

"Better now that you're here. But next time I wake up can it be at home in our bed and not in a hospital bed." Ryan answered, reaching for my hand.

"Whatever you say, Ry." I said, gladly giving him my hand to hold.

"Before you make any plans we need to have a chat." The doctor orders standing in the doorway with Ryan's chart. "It seems like you found a cure, for the toxin Ryan was injected with, a mixture of anaerobic exercise and the addition of a protein cocktail."

"Do most of this is flying over our heads. I know what anaerobic exercise is but how does that apply? And Ryan doesn't even drink."

"Anaerobic exercise is a strenuous workout that leads to a period where the body doesn't get proper oxygen flow. It only lasts about a minute or two but in this case it was exactly what your body needed Ryan to accept the said protein cocktail. In essence, your raging hormones saved your life." The doctor explained.

"What does …what we did have to do with the poison?" Ryan asked, his voice cracking from his nerves. I squeezed his hand, waiting for the doctor to continue.

"That injection created a symbiotic womb in its host. Should certain conditions not be met then the womb would liquefy into a harmful poison that would absorb into the blood flow and kill the host."

Noting that Ryan looked more withdrawn and scared, I asked, "So what will that do to Ryan?"

"Well according to the research and documents we found that means that the womb will be removed naturally in about 6 months."

"Why so long? I mean… won't that make it liquefy or something?" I asked now clearly panicked.

"No, because inside said womb is a fetus that will control the hormone and chemical levels."

"I'm pregnant!" Ryan exclaimed at the same time I questioned. "We're pregnant?"

"That's a much different reaction than I expected." The doctor chuckled, thumbing through the file on Ryan. I stole a glance at Ryan and he looked so much like a frightened child.

"Can you give us a minute?" I asked the doctor, squeezing Ryan's hand in comfort. I caught his weak smile as the doctor nodded and left.

I scooted my chair as close to the hospital bed and I could manage. "Talk to me, babe." I comforted, my eyes focused on Ryan. He gripped my hand tighter, as I watched his chest rise and fall in staccato waves.

"I'm scared and oddly excited…but mostly scared." A single tear ran down his face. He removed his hand from mine long enough to wipe it away.

"Hey, nothing is going to happen to you. I will do everything in my power to protect you. Right now we know that you won't die like the others." I tried sounding as positive as possible.

"Troy we are having a baby. I've never been around babies. As far as I know men can't have babies. What if something goes wrong?" By now Ryan was in tears, he scooted himself to the edge of the bed and laid his head against my chest.

"Calm down. Let's take deep breaths." I rubbed circles on his stomach, imagining the baby inside. "We'll talk to the doctors, find out everything we need to do to keep you and this baby safe."

"I love you Troy, and I'm glad we're having a baby. I'm glad I'm having your baby."

"Keep that in mind when the hormones rage and you blame me." I laughed, lightening the mood.

"Will do. You should probably get the doctor now. We've got lots to learn." Ryan ordered, swatting my ass as I walked to door.

"Okay. But don't think that this will keep our hands off of each other." I said, watching him blush. Although we were apprehensive, we both felt this surge of love and lust for each other.

Once in the hallway, I caught sight of my mom at the nurses' station. Her head snapped up as I got closer. "How's he doing, Troy?"

"He's scared…We both are." I explained, my shoulders slumping as if the weight of the situation bore down on me.

"Let me get Dr. Rourke to come and meet with you and Ryan. She is going to handle all of the OB/GYN duties for Ryan." She said gathering a couple pamphlets from the desk. "Here take these and go over them with Ryan."

Taking the pamphlets, I browsed through the titles, "Pregnancy and You", "9 Months 'til Baby", and "Becoming a Dad". Looking sat the multi-colored leaflets suddenly made the situation that much more real.

Walking back to Ryan, I thought about what type of dad I would be. I certainly hoped that I didn't turn out like Mr. Evans. Not that he's not a good dad or anything; he does give his kids the best. He is just absent a little too much for my taste.

Approaching the door, I heard Ryan talking to someone. I held back wondering if this was a private conversation. "…and you'll learn how to play basketball just like your dad. He's the greatest. I just…I just hope he stocks around long enough to meet you. And know that I love you so much already."

He whispered the last part when he caught me walking in. I'm sure my thoughts and emotions read on my face because he gave me a confused look as I sat in the seat next to his bed. "I'm sorry Ryan." I began, taking his hand on mine. "I really am sorry."

I could feel the tears well up in my eyes. It would be impossible to describe what I'm feeling because I've never felt this way before and have never heard of such an emotional rush.

"Why are you sorry? Are you breaking up with me?" As he said the words, my heart broke down. I don't know what I was doing or how I was acting to make him think that I wanted out of this relationship.

"No…absolutely not. I heard what you said before I came in and I know what you just asked me. But know in my heart that I love you and I love our child. Ry, you are carrying my child and that makes me the happiest man in the world." I held Ryan's hand in mine, rubbing circles on the back of his hand with my thumb.

Ryan tugged at the blanket or nervously tugged at his hospital gown. A part of him seemed upset that I heard him and another was hurt by the fact that he upset me. "It's just that you seemed upset to find out I got pregnant. I mean that is a major perk to being gay, the fact that you can't get the other person pregnant.

"Of course, I was shocked. But I love you and the baby. I'm in for the long haul.." I had to stop midsentence, because Ryan looked like he was about to tell me off. I could see his thought read across his face. He thought I was only staying with him because I felt like I had to. "And yes, I'm here because I want to be."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to come off like that." He said removing his hand from mine and instead re-positioning his body so that he could lay on my chest. "I figured it would be easier if I gave you and easy out." He immediately put his hand up to interrupt me before I could say anything. "I know you didn't want to break up. I've been hurt before, and deep down inside I know that you won't follow in their steps. It was a moment of weakness that I don't want to repeat."

"We all have those moments. And I don't mind you coming to me about them. Just know that I love you, and that I'd do anything to make this work." I whispered, running my hands up and down his arm.

Instead of responding, Ryan snuggled into me. I brushed the stray hairs out of his face and continued rubbing his arm. Soon the slight snore could be heard as Ryan fell asleep in my arms. It was a moment of simple perfection.