Chapter Text
February 3rd 1978
“John!”
A soft voice whispered quickly. A hand reached out and gripped onto Johns arm. The bassist blinked tiredly and furrowed his eyebrows. He slowly looked at Veronica and propped himself up on his elbows.
“Are you okay?” John whispered back with a deep groggy voice.
“I think I’m having a contraction or something that feels like it.” She breathed out, her grip tightening on Johns arm as the pain worsened.
“Do you think it’s the real thing or just another small contraction the doctor told us not to worry about?” John sat up fully now and brushed Veronica’s hair back from her forehead.
“I’m not sure.” She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. “Definitely feels like the real thing.” Veronica grunted.
“Okay make sure you’re doing the breathing.” John grabbed Veronica’s hands and kissed them. He began counting in his head to try and keep track of the contraction and how long it was.
Veronica nodded and breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. Taking Johns hands tightly into her own. Slowly the contraction came to a stop and Veronica relaxed against the bed, sighing and rubbing her stomach. John frowned sympathetically and placed a soft kiss to her temple.
“It was probably just another one of those contractions. Nothing to worry about.” Veronica tried to shrug it off and moved over onto her side.
“Maybe but if it happens again let me know.” John placed a hand on her stomach and peppered soft kisses to her cheeks.
- - - - - - - -
Veronica sat at the kitchen table, eating breakfast and reading the newspaper. She glanced up at John and Robert, smiling softly as the two of them ate breakfast. John wiped his hands on his napkin and got up to clean up the dishes. Robert ate his food happily, swaying his feet in his high chair. Veronica set her newspaper aside and began to stand up. The sudden sound of a gush of water hitting the ground made John look up from the dishes. Veronica gasped softly and placed a hand on her stomach, looking up at John in shock.
“Was that?” John gaped, his eyes growing wide as he stood frozen at the sink.
“Uh yeah.” Veronica breathed out quietly and blinked down at her stomach.
“Oh my god. Uhm-“ Johns mind began racing. He rushed over to Veronica and held onto her hands. It was obvious that he was panicked.
“Is mommy otay?” Robert spoke up with wide eyes, letting out a soft whine seeing his dad stressed.
Veronica and John shared a glance before they both looked at Robert. Veronica quickly nodded and bent down with a soft huff of pain. She cupped the little boys cheeks and kissed his forehead. John placed his hand on Veronica’s back and bit his lip.
“I’m fine sweetheart. You know the baby in my tummy. They’re about to be born and Nans going to come watch you while I go have the baby.” She explained softly with a small comforting smile.
“REALLY?!” Robert gasped and let out a squeal. “Yeah!!!”
John smiled and nodded as he saw Roberts face light. He picked Robert up and helped Veronica stand up straight. John couldn’t believe that her water had just broke and she was still smiling and acting completely fine. Veronica’s smile began to fade when a contraction crept up on her. She gripped onto the back of the chair and her face scrunched up in pain. John quickly wrapped his arm around Veronica’s waist and stroked her side.
“Okay okay.” John tried to gather himself and let out a shaky breath. “Veronica darling you should sit down. I need to call my mom and I’ll grab the hospital bag and Uhm…”
“John it’s okay. We’ve done this before. I’ll just have a seat and you take your time.” Veronica cupped Johns cheek and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
“Bleh. Let’s go get the bag dada!” Robert made a face as his parents kissed and wiggled out of Johns arms to find the bag.
“Right.” John smiled into the kiss and let out a light chuckle as Robert ran to find the bag. “Wait for me frog.”
- - - - - - -
“Alright. Call if you need anything. We’ll be home soon with another little boy or girl.” John smiled lightly as he began backing towards the door with the bag and his arm around Veronica’s waist.
“Will do! Good luck.” Johns mother smiled and waved goodbye to them.
“Bye Mum! Bye dad!” Robert hummed, waving goodbye to them as he held onto his Nans dress.
“Bye Frog and thank you again” Veronica smiled as she left the house.
John shut the door behind them and quickly began helping Veronica to the car. It had taken Johns mom a while to get there and the contractions were starting to grow closer. Veronica stopped halfway to the car and breathed out through her mouth, her hands gripping onto John tightly. The bassist frowned and rubbed her back. He helped her into the car and as soon as they both got in the car he made his way to the hospital as quickly and as safe as possible. Veronica wasn’t nearly as nervous this time as she was the first time. As a matter of fact she managed to be a little excited through all the pain. Once they arrived at the hospital and made their way inside they got adjusted into a nice hospital room.
“Are you excited?” Veronica whispered as she laid on her side, breathing deeply.
“Of course I’m excited. I’m a little nervous though. Are you excited?” John grabbed Veronica’s hand and held it up to his lips.
“Im very excited!” Veronica chuckled softly and gazed lovingly at the brunette.
“I can’t believe you.” John grinned and squeezed her hand.
“What?” She furrowed her eyebrows.
“You’re about to give birth to a baby and you’re as cool as a cucumber!” He laughed and stroked her hair.
“Well I am a little nervous. I’ve done it before though so I know what to expect” Veronica shrugged.
John pressed a peck to her temple and smiled. Veronica leaned into Johns touch with a hum. Another stronger contraction made a whimper be pulled from her lips as the pain overtook her. She clenched her jaw and tried to take deep breaths. John tutted sadly and pressed a kiss to her hair.
“I’ll be glad when I don’t have to deal with these contractions anymore.” Veronica huffed in annoyance and rubbed her stomach.
“Me too for your sake.” John agreed with a frown.
Unfortunately the contractions didn’t seem to be coming to an end any time soon. Veronica went through three hours of worsening contractions. She was beginning to grow exhausted. Finally after the third hour was when Veronica began to push but even after an hour of pushing there was still no sign of the baby just yet. John grew more anxious by the minute. Seeing Veronica growing weaker made his heart ache terribly. Veronica collapsed against the bed after yet another exhausting push and shook her head.
“I can’t. I don’t think I can.” Veronica sobbed quietly, her forehead covered in sweat and her body trembling.
“You can Ronnie. I know you can. It’s going to be over soon I promise.” John swallowed hard and his lip quivered as tears filled his eyes.
Veronica let out a whimper and shook her head. John grabbed her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. Veronica clenched her jaw and began pushing again. Although she felt extremely weak she knew she had to. Push after painful push was made and finally they were close. Veronica huffed as she stopped to take a breath, trembling in pain.
“Just once more.” John encouraged her and bit his lip.
With one final whimper of pain as she pushed. That familiar crying sound flooded the room. Veronica immediately broke down into a puddle of tears before she even felt the baby. Just knowing that the baby was here and that they were safe was such a relief. John sighed shakily and sniffled as tears fell down his cheeks. Having kids was one of the strangest most scary yet rewarding things you could ever experience. As the crying baby boy was laid on Veronica’s chest her motherly instincts kicked in.
“Shhh Shh oh mums here. You’re okay.” She cooed and kissed the baby’s forehead.
John took a closer look and pressed his hand on the baby’s back, wiping his eyes as he gazed lovingly at his wife and new child. He rested his hand on top of Veronica’s head and ran his fingers through her hair.
“Another little boy.” John whispered and kissed Veronica’s cheek.
“He’s absolutely perfect.” Veronica sniffled and smiled down at the baby.
“You’re incredible.” John whispered to Veronica and sighed shakily.
“Thank you sweetheart.”
Once the baby was weighed and given the routinely check up Veronica laid with the baby on her chest. Her eyes were heavy as she cuddled her new child, utterly exhausted. The little boy was peaceful as he laid against his mother’s chest. Veronica slowly opened her eyes and looked up at John.
“Here. You should hold him.” Veronica sat up and glanced down at the baby boy, kissing his cheek.
“Okay.” John took off his shirt so he could have skin on skin contact with the baby and reached out for him.
Veronica very carefully handed the little boy over and smiled. John took the baby into his arms and slowly leaned back so the baby could lay comfortably against his chest. The little boy began to whine while he was being handed off but once he felt his dads warm embrace he calmed down. The bassist smiled, tears falling down his cheeks. Veronica blinked tiredly and reached up to wipe Johns tears.
“We need to come up with a name for this little guy.” Veronica chuckled lightly.
“Hm yeah I guess we do. What about Andy?” John shrugged.
“Eh I’m not sure about Andy.” Veronica hummed and tilted her head to look at the little boy. “I don’t think he looks like an Andy.”
“Yeah okay. What about…… Michael?” John smiled and rocked the baby back and forth.
“I like that. Michael. He looks like a Michael.” Veronica kissed both John and Michael’s cheek.
“You should get some rest you have to be exhausted.” John whispered.
“I’m alright I don’t think I could sleep even if I tried. I’m sure he’ll get hungry soon anyways.” She shrugged.
Almost as if on cue the little boy began whining and crying out, his little arms and legs stretching out. John frowned and tried rocking the baby to calm him down. Veronica chuckled lightly and carefully held out her hands. She took Michael against her chest and began breastfeeding him, rubbing the baby’s back gently. John smiled down at his wife and got up to call his mum so she and Robert could come visit. After Michael was fed Veronica rocked him to sleep and handed him off to John so she could try to rest as well.
Robert and Lillian walked into the hospital room quietly. Robert looked up with wide eyes as he tiptoed inside. Veronica sat up when she heard the door open and smiled down at Robert. John smiled as his mum and Robert walked inside. He glanced down at the baby in his arms and leaned back in his seat. Robert walked over to John and leaned up to look at the baby.
“This is your little brother, Michael.” John whispered, letting Robert get a good look at the baby.
“The baby in mummys tummy is gone?” Robert asked softly and began to reach his hand out to Michael.
“This was the baby in my tummy. I just had him so he was in my stomach and now he’s here.” Veronica hummed and leaned up to peck Robert on the cheek. “Be gentle.” She reminded softly.
Robert gently placed a hand on the blanket that swaddled Michael and leaned up to place a gentle kiss to his cheek. Veronica smiled lovingly and looked at John. All the pain was immediately forgotten seeing her perfect little family. This was everything she had wanted and more. John smiled at his wife and sat up in his seat.
“Why don’t you crawl up on the bed with mummy so you can hold him but you have to promise to be gentle and not move a muscle.” John looked down at Robert and raised his eyebrows.
“Okay! I promise.” Robert whispered excitedly and quickly climbed up on the hospital bed with Veronica’s help.
Veronica helped Robert sit down and get his arms adjusted so he could hold the baby securely. John slowly lowered Michael into Roberts’s arms and leaned forward. Both Veronica and John stood close by in case they needed to intervene. Robert looked down at Michael and smiled, giggling softly.
“He looks funny.” Robert spoke quietly and giggled up at his dad.
“That’s what you looked like when you were born.” John laughed.
“His face looks weird and wrinkly.” Robert began poking at the baby’s face.
“Let’s not poke his face. He wants to sleep.” Veronica gently took Roberts finger away.
John helped Robert hold the baby and nodded when Veronica took his finger away from Michael’s face. Soon enough the baby began crying, lip trembling as he cried. Robert whined and reached to cover his ears. Veronica took Michael quickly and held him close, rocking him back and forth. Robert frowned and slowly uncovered his ears when he stopped crying.
“Did I hurt him?” Robert whispered and leaned against his mums arm as he looked at Michael.
“No no you didn’t hurt him. Baby’s just cry a lot.” John explained and patted Robert on the back.
John and Veronica shared a look and they both chuckled lightly. It was pretty evident that having two little boys would be a challenge but they couldn’t have been happier. Everything felt right now. John finally had a stable job and they had an adorable perfect family.