Work Text:
Wilbur hummed as he tapped his fingers against his desk. His laptop sat in front of him, shining a list of patients at him. His eyes burned slightly from staring, so he quickly looked away. His eyes lingered on the hanging clock, listening to the quiet humming of his sonography machine.
Normally, he would be trying not to fall asleep right now. The constant drumming and ticking of the clock. The clacking of the lady at the front desk down the hall. It was all so soothing.
But today was different. Today was a special day.
Today he would be seeing his favorite client.
Wilbur glanced back at the schedule, smiling when he saw the patient name light up. The schedule had updated to say ‘arrived.’
Sally Soot.
Wilbur stood up, quickly checking over the room to make sure it was clean. The transducer was wiped so it was gel-free, the bed had a new sheet over it, and the pillow was as fluffed as it possibly could be.
The receptionist’s heels clacked as she walked down the hall, smiling as she appeared in his doorway. “Got a patient for you.”
Puffy was a wonderful woman. She had curly grey hair and had been working at this clinic for a long time. Longer than Wilbur had been working here.
Wilbur didn’t know where he’d be without her.
Wilbur grabbed the paperwork from her, smiling. “Thank you, Puffy. I’ll grab her in a moment.”
She nodded, mumbling something out about lovebirds before walking off.
Wilbur ignored her, instead checking over the paperwork and getting the exam prepared. He put in the name and date of birth and all the other information he already knew about her.
Then, he took a deep breath, trying to wipe the goofy grin off his face.
He was a medical professional. He needed to act like it.
Wilbur stepped out the door, walking down the hall as he made his way to the waiting room. With one final breath, he opened the door.
“Soot?”
He glanced around, pretending not the see the red-haired woman seated on the right. She giggled to herself, nearly breaking Wilbur’s professional exterior as she stood up. Keychains jingled from her purse as she stepped towards him, thanking him for holding the door open.
“My name is Wilbur. I’ll be doing your ultrasound today.”
He turned, walking down the hall and ignoring Puffy’s snickers. Sally followed close behind, repeating a thanks as Wilbur guided her into the room.
“You can just set your things down on the shelf,” Wilbur said, pointing at a wooden shelf pushed against the wall.
She put her purse down, smiling to herself.
Wilbur shut the door slowly, hearing it close with a soft click. He then turned around, the two staring at each other. Only to break out into grins. Wilbur rushed towards her, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her up.
She squeaked, barking out a laugh as she was spun around.
The two giggled to each other, pressing their foreheads together as Wilbur gently set her down.
“Well, hello there, my favorite client.”
She chuckled. “Your favorite client? I bet you tell all the clients that.”
Wilbur rubbed their noses together. “No, of course not. Only have room for one favorite.”
Sally giggled, pulling back and settling on the patient bed. Wilbur quickly finished setting up, filling out a short questionnaire before turning to the machine.
He grabbed his curved linear probe, clicking a button to ensure the machine was set on the first trimester. It gave him a bit more contrast in the greyscale, which helped him see the small baby easier.
Wilbur grabbed the gel bottle from the warmer, pouring it on the top of the transducer. “Ready?” He asked, smiling at Sally.
She nodded, teeth on full display as she grinned.
Wilbur had been working for about 5 years, so he had seen quite a lot of babies. But this was the first time he would be seeing his baby. His first look at the tiny thing that would eventually grow to become an adult with a job and a life of their own. Wilbur nearly cried at the simple thought.
His baby. A little human with a mind of their own.
Wilbur would be getting a view of the child. A little window into their child’s own world. The safe haven their little one was sheltering in, unknowing of the two giants looking over them with such awe and glee.
Wilbur quickly recomposed himself, trying to stay focused as he placed the transducer down.
And there, on a single monitor, was a view of a tiny grey blob. A small fluttering signified the heart, pumping much faster than an average adult.
Their little blob. They were so small. The arms and legs were only just starting to form. The brain was still developing, and the heart was already pumping.
“And there they are…” Wilbur breathed.
Sally cooed, small awes and giggles leaving her. “They’re so tiny. Are they normally that tiny? Is that okay?”
Wilbur chuckled, freezing the picture and clicking ‘measure.’
“Yes, it is normal. They’re so small right now, barely more than just that heart.”
Her cheeks squished up, the smile giving her crow's feet. “So small and their heart is already so big.”
Wilbur chuckled, turning on the motion setting and putting it over the heart. He watched as a timeline of the heart's movement appeared on the screen, quickly measuring the beats.
“157 beats per minute,” Wilbur read aloud, taking the image.
“That’s good, right?”
Wilbur giggled. “Yes, that’s very good. Right at where we like to see it.”
He then clicked on ‘pulse wave’ setting it above the tiny heart.
Ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum.
And wasn’t that the most beautiful sound Wilbur had ever heard. Sally held her hands in front of her mouth, eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Wilbur could see the heartbeat. He measured it and all. But hearing it was something entirely different. So small and yet so strong. Pumping with such conviction and fighting to survive.
Wilbur hoped the fighting ended with that. He hoped the only fight their child would ever have to face was simply keeping their heart beating. He knew that it was an unrealistic wish. Their child would have to fight many battles like any human did. Sickness, bad days, and hurtful people. So much danger out there that they knew they’d never be able to protect their child completely.
But they would fight as hard as this little one was now to keep them safe.
Wilbur scanned through again, the two giggling together as Wilbur printed out picture after picture.
One of the little arms and legs that were starting to form. One of the start of the head and brain. To think something so small was already developing such huge things. They had only been in existence for a few weeks, and were already growing despite the odds. Something so tiny would grow into a wonderful person one day. One that Wilbur and Sally would love until the ends of the earth and beyond.
“Look! They’re moving,” Wilbur breathed, watching as the blob wiggled back and forth. Sally laughed, wiping small tears from her eyes.
“We’re really having a baby. Look at them! They’re right there! I’m growing a whole human being!”
Wilbur placed the probe down, grabbing her hand and squeezing it. “I see them. We’re having a baby.”
She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “You’re probably used to all this, huh?”
He pulled her hand to his face, leaning on it. “I will never get used to it. Especially when that baby is ours. We get to see them growing and developing all on their own? You and them are working so hard. I’m so happy I get to watch.”
She sat up, leaning over and hugging her husband. “Do you think we’re going to be good parents, Wil?”
Wilbur hugged her back. “I know it.”
They pulled apart, Wilbur quickly wiping the tears from his own eyes before ripping the pictures off the machine. He handed them to Sally, letting her pack them into her purse.
Wilbur clicked the report button, grinning. “They’re about 7 weeks and 3 days. So that’s going to give us a due date of July 4th, 2020.”
She sighed fondly. “Already about 2 months in? That’s so soon.”
Wilbur chuckled, grabbing her hands. “We’ve got time. We’re going to do great. Get everything set up. I’ll help with all the chores and whatever else we need. You’re going to do great.”
She ran a hand through her hair. “I hope so.”
The brunet kissed her forehead. “I know so.”
Sally rolled her eyes, waving her hand. “Such a sap.”
The man squawked, going to argue but she was already waving goodbye. The door shut behind her, leaving Wilbur in his room alone. She was the last appointment of the day, but he still needed to send off these reports to a radiologist and clean up.
-/-/-/-/-/-
It was time for the 20-week ultrasound; also known as the anatomy scan. These always took the longest. Wilbur had to check over each organ: lungs, kidneys, brain, heart, stomach, and more.
Wilbur did this gladly, of course. These scans always gave him the most time with patients. He got to talk with them and show them every part of their child. And typically, would be able to tell them the gender.
Today, Wilbur would get to tell Sally if they were having a girl or a boy. They already had names picked out. If they were a girl, Tallulah. If they were a boy, Thomas.
They didn’t particularly care what the gender of their baby was, though they hoped to have at least one of each in the future.
Wilbur called Sally back, getting everything set up before placing the transducer down. Sally gasped, sitting up slightly. Wilbur just giggled fondly, gently pushing her back down.
He never judged any parent for getting excited, but the movement always did make his job a little bit harder.
“That’s them?” She said in awe, looking at the TV screen.
Wilbur nodded. “Yep.”
Her head hit the pillow. “You weren’t joking. They really do grow so fast.”
Now, the baby had every organ. They went from a tiny, basic form, to one with limbs and tiny toes. Wilbur moved the transducer, twisting it so the indicator was towards Sally’s head. A profile began to form. Sally giggled, watching as a small nose and lips came into view.
Wilbur grinned to himself, propping his elbow up on his machine and leaning into his fist. “Well, hello there, Tommy.”
Sally’s head snapped over, Wilbur’s eyes sparkling with mischief. “Tommy? Does that mean—“
Wilbur giggled, nodding rapidly. “He’s a boy!”
Sally grinned, looking back at the TV. “We’re having a boy. We’re having a boy!”
“We are!” Wilbur agreed, nothing but fondness dripping from him. How lucky they were to be able to see their little one so soon? Their little Tommy growing up so fast. Already halfway there. Wilbur couldn’t wait to hold him, to hear him laugh and cry, to find out if he’d be brunet or red-headed. Would he want to become an astronaut or a doctor? Or maybe a teacher? Or maybe he’d want to play video games for a living? Would he get married or decide to stay alone?
A future full of so many possibilities packed into a womb so small. Completely unaware of the world beyond. So unaware of just how much he is loved. He had no idea there were people just waiting to meet him. To kiss his forehead, and rock him to sleep, and to wake up in the middle of the night to his cries. To deal with temper tantrums and breakdowns. To sing to him and teach him. To cry when he eventually moved onto a life of his own.
Wilbur turned away from the screen for a moment, wiping at his eyes. Sally was right. He was such a sap. But from the sniffles and small giggles to his right, she was too. The idea of bringing life into the world was so grand. It felt bigger than either of them.
Wilbur turned back to the screen, readjusting the transducer to be back over Tommy’s profile.
The hand sat right in front of their face, thumb in their mouth.
“Is he… sucking on his thumb?” Sally asked, awe in her voice.
Wilbur nodded, printing out a picture. “He is.” Wilbur had seen countless babies over the years he had been working. So many doing flips and turns. Sucking on their thumbs, grabbing their feet, pulling on their tongue.
But none compared to this. This feeling of seeing his little one with a personality all of his own already. Wilbur saw him. His baby. Once again, they get to peer into Tommy’s habitat, Tommy completely oblivious.
Tommy shifted, turning over and away from Wilbur.
Wilbur barked out a laugh. Okay, so maybe he did know.
Wilbur was fairly convinced that babies could feel the sound waves in some way, they always did like to make him chase after them.
“He hid his face from me. Might not be able to see him again if he doesn’t turn around.”
Sally giggled. “He is gonna be a stubborn little guy, isn’t he?”
Wilbur moved on to continue the rest of the scan, making sure everything looked normal. He took some measurements of the head and femur, took a few more pictures of the fingers and toes, and then went to the heart.
He put the pulse wave over the organ, pressing ‘update.’
Ba-dum ba-dum ba-dum ba-dum.
Once again, it had the same effect. Wilbur pledged his life all over again. Promises to hold and to protect. To hear that heartbeat until the day he died. To protect and cherish it everyday of his life.
It truly was the most beautiful thing. Wilbur knew Tommy would leave him awe-inspired once again when he met him for the first time in person.
He knew that this feeling would be dwarfed by truly holding his boy. Yet, he felt as though this was the greatest moment in his life. This was the highest he had ever been and he felt as though he’d reached the limit.
He was afraid he’d break down into sobs when Tommy was born. He probably will.
Wilbur finished up the scan, setting the probe down and giving Sally a kiss to the cheek goodbye. He cleaned off his probe, ignoring the tears still lingering in his eyes.
Only 18 more weeks. 18 weeks until he’d get to hold his little one.
-/-/-/-/-/-
It was happening. It was actually happening. Wilbur’s arms were shaking, eyes bouncing across the road as he drove towards the hospital. Sally was in the passenger seat, breathing heavily as she gripped the side of the door.
He had to focus. He couldn’t get in an accident right now or get pulled over. That would be terrible. Wilbur’s mind flashed with images of them wrecking. Of cars swirling into their lane and sending them flying into the railing.
Wilbur shook his head. Now was not the time to panic. He had to stay calm, if not for himself then for his wife. Sally’s hand landed on his arm, Wilbur’s eyes snapping towards her for a moment. She gave him a pained smirk, rubbing her thumb into his arm.
“It’s alright. We’re gonna make it,” Sally said.
Wilbur sputtered, changing lanes carefully. “You’re the one giving birth. You do not need to be calming me down.”
She laughed, wheezing out as she grinned only to cringe in pain. Wilbur focused back on the road, pulling into the hospital. Once he was parked, he jumped out of the car and opened Sally’s door. He helped her out, limping towards the entrance.
His thoughts were flying past him before he could even grasp them. A simple string of this is real this is happening this is real this is happening this is—
Wilbur was about to see his son. Wilbur was about to see his son.
The doctors quickly took them to a room, getting Sally some medications. Wilbur sat down in the chair next to Sally’s bed, twiddling his thumbs. The woman laid her hand out, palm up on the bed. Wilbur quickly intertwined their fingers, squeezing.
9 months of waiting. 9 months of throwing up, emotional highs and lows, going out at midnight to get whatever it was Sally craved, setting up cribs and buying baby clothes, all for this moment. To sit in this room and watch a human being be introduced to the outside world.
Sally squeezed his hand, tears brimming at the edges of her eyes. Wilbur rubbed his thumb up and down her hand, trying to control his own breathing as the doctor told Sally to do the same. In and out, slowly.
It felt like hours, but Wilbur knew it was only minutes. Nurses and the doctor all rushing about, telling them to stay calm and that it would be alright. Wilbur knew it would be, but that didn’t stop him from feeling like passing out.
Then, an earth-shattering cry.
Sally’s hand relaxed and the nurses quickly took over, quickly washing the baby in record time before placing him in Sally’s arms. Wilbur stood up, leaning in. Sally cradled the disgruntled boy, smiling down at him with pure, tired, fondness. Tommy’s face was squished up, nose trying to bury into Sally’s chest. She chuckled, rubbing the boy’s head. Wilbur reached over, brushing his thumb across a tiny cheek. And just like before, Tommy tried to turn away. But the poor boy couldn’t turn any further.
The two chuckled wetly. Sally leaned forward, pressing a long kiss to Tommy’s forehead. The boy’s nose scrunched up, lips pulling up just slightly.
“I love you,” Sally professed, love dripping from her voice. She turned to Wilbur, smiling with exhaustion. “Do you want to hold him?”
Wilbur’s breath caught in his throat as he nodded, holding his arms out. Sally gently set Tommy inside, Wilbur quickly adjusting to cradling the tiny boy. He didn’t even cover his whole forearm.
Wilbur bounced up and down, smile pulling up to his eyes. His eyelids scrunched up, making crow’s feet as he spoke.
“Hello there, Tommy. It’s so wonderful to finally meet you.” Wilbur scratched under the boy's chin, giggling breathlessly as a tiny hand wrapped around his finger. It couldn’t even fit around his finger. Tears began to drip down his chin, lip quivering as he started to hiccup.
This was his baby. His little boy. That little blob they saw on the ultrasound. He was here. Wilbur was holding him. Wilbur leaned forward, pressing their noses together. Tommy cooed, bright blue eyes opening to stare at big brown ones.
The man giggled, brushing their noses together. “I love you. I promise to love you every single moment. I’ll keep you safe. And protected. And I’ll never let anything hurt you. Tommy. Hello. Hello, Tommy.”
Wilbur hiccuped once more, ignoring the tears that blurred his vision. Sally tapped his arm, Wilbur hastily setting the boy back in her arms. Wilbur wrapped his arm around Sally’s shoulder, leaning against the bed and his head against hers. They glanced down at the boy, giggling to each other as the boy yawned.
Wilbur cooed, cupping Tommy’s whole head in his hand. The two proud parents looked at each other, then back to their baby as they spoke in unison.
“Welcome to the world, Tommy.”