Chapter Text
The mall was crowded, Christmas lights hanging from the tall ceiling, holiday music blasting from the speakers. You’d think that since there were so many people in such a small space, they’d be recognised. But capitalism had plans and those plans involved people trying to buy the perfect gift for their close ones at the beginning of December.
“Jesus Christ! Why are all the clothes in this store sizes XS to M?” Milly asked, shuffling through different clothing racks. “How are chubbier people supposed to find clothes?”
“Milly, I think we both know that you are not chubby, you are pregnant.” Matt sighed, trailing after her like a lost puppy. “What if we went to a maternity store?”
“Matt, I swear to all that is good that I will crack your skull open and sew your mouth shut if you ever mention maternity wear in my vicinity again.” she stated, walking around to the same rack she had looked through around five minutes ago.
“And why is that?” he asked, eyebrows quirked and a small smile on his lips.
“Because the shit they sell there is ugly as fuck! Have you seen that dumpster fire? Like just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean that I don’t want to be cute or sexy.”
“My love, you are always cute and sexy.”
“Matt… I can’t be cute and sexy at the same time, they are almost in antithesis.”
“I wouldn't be so sure if I were you.” he mused “You look adorable in this cable knit sweater and I mean this in the most chivalrous way possible, your tits are looking fantastic. So, cute and sexy.”
“Oh well if you mean it in a chivalrous way then…” she giggled. “What do you think of this?” she picked up a loose black jumper from the rack “I think it could hide the bump if I get it in an L.”
“If you want it, try it on and we’ll get it.” he said, picking up the fabric between his fingers, feeling the softness of the knit.
“Ok, but be prepared to witness a fashion show!”
After two whole hours trying on jumpers and dresses and hoping to all that was good in the world that they would fit (most didn’t because beauty standards were horrid to pregnant women) they got out of the mall with three bags filled to the brim with clothes that would ultimately become too small for Milly and her growing bump. Matt paid, always the gentleman, even though she had argued with him that the clothes were going to be hers and that he had no business spending his money on her, to which he argued that she needed more clothes because of him and his carelessness.
And you know what? Fuck him for being so kind…
(She did when they got home. Never in her life had she felt more beautiful.)
Milly started getting ready two hours before they left the house. She started with a hot shower to loosen her tense muscles (and rinse off the sweat and other bodily fluids off of her), continuing with drying her hair and putting on concealer and mascara. Matt was on the balcony, smoking a cigarette and looking intently at his pregnant girlfriend while she was dressed in mismatched underwear and putting on mascara, opening her mouth slightly, as if it would help her get closer to her waterline. Fucking hell… she was incandescently beautiful.
She put on the loose black jumper that kind of hid her belly. Ugh she was getting bigger by the day! She took out an oversized cardigan from her suitcase and put it on. Now it’s better! Her happy little accident was now invisible to the naked eye. Matt came into the bedroom smelling of cigarettes and his leathery cologne, looking dashing as ever, smirking at her.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, putting his hand on her belly “Little girl isn’t giving you too much trouble, is she?”
“Oh, I’m fine, but how do you know if it’s a girl or not?” she questioned, brows raised.
“I may have found out that I’m going to be a father less than 24 hours ago, but I have an inkling that it’s going to be a little girl as beautiful and witty as her mother.” he smiled “And aren’t there scans to tell you the gender at 16 weeks? I could swear one of my mates found out he was going to have a boy around that time…”
“Oh no, you’re right. I could have found out as soon as 14 weeks, but umm, I kinda wanted you to know that I was pregnant before I found out the gender, so you could be there if you wanted to…” she admitted, biting her lip.
“Thank you.” he whispered, bringing his lips to hers.
The drive to his mother’s house was a short one, seven minutes spent going over what they would say, how she would introduce herself, how they were going to break the news of the pregnancy. Milly was playing with her gold ring that rested on her forefinger, fidgeting in the front seat until Matt took her hand and brought it up to his lips. (I love you.)
When they arrived the table was already set and Lynne Smith was greeting them at the door.
“I saw your car pull up, dear.” she said as she ushered them inside “I’m guessing you’re Milly, I’m Lynne, no need for formalities hun!” she smiled at the girl her son brought home, the first one in ages!
“Yes, that’s me!” Milly smiled awkwardly, not knowing what to do to make a good first impression.
“Oh come here, sweetness! You’re so cute!” the older woman’s smile widened and she hugged the girl before Milly had time to react. Of fucking course that is how her mother-in-law(?) would find out that she’s pregnant! The wide eyes and shocked face said it all.