4 Months

Baekhyun's addiction to the sweet pickles is uncontrollable.

He's not a fan of cucumber since he doesn't like the smell, but now he literally drools over it, especially when it was pickled. He loves eating it with almost anything: he eats with his rice, crackers, sprinkle over the cheese, or even eats it as is with a glass of milk, and it grosses Chanyeol out that he felt nauseous every time he watches Baekhyun pigging out.

It amazes Chanyeol how the pregnant male can consume almost everything in the fridge yet the said male seems not gaining so much weight. So Chanyeol wants to make sure that the freeloader (as what he would like to call Baekhyun) under his charge is really complying with his appointment with the OB, and calls Jongdae to clear an hour or two of his schedule so he can accompany Baekhyun on his next prenatal visit.

"Ooh~ so you're concern now for him?"

"I'm concern about the kid?"

"Whose kid? The kid itself or the mother of the kid?"

"Will you stop it, hyung!" Chanyeol half scream-half whisper since the said mother of his child was currently on his siesta in the living room's couch. "I'm just wondering why he's not gaining weight when he scoffed almost the entire fridge."

"So you're really concern about him."

"I said I'm not so stop it already!" Chanyeol said, frustrated. He can even hear his manager's smirk on the line.

*

To sit inside a celebrity's van was already overwhelming, so how much more when the celebrity himself accompanies you to your monthly check-up?

"How do you feel right now, Baekhyun?" His OB, Dr. Zhang Yixing, asks.

I'm feeling stuffy that I find it hard to breathe!  Beakhyun thought. "I'm- I'm fine... I guess?"

"You guess? Why is that?"

Baekhyun kept mum, only side glancing at the guy beside him, armed withsnapback, RayBan, and face mask, as his arms crossed against his chest, every now and then. And it didn't miss Dr. Zhang's keen observation.

"Umm... can you remove those things on your face, Mister? I think my patient feels anxious with your terrorist-like stance." Dr. Zhang said, making Baekhyun felt relax when Chanyeol complies with the doctor's request.

After a few questions regarding Baekhyun's condition, he was now ushered to another room and ask to lay down on the bed for the ultrasound.

"Alright, let's see how's your baby doing." Dr. Zhang prod the tip of the doppler and from the monitor, they can see that the fetus somehow wriggles away from the blunt object that was slightly pushed against Baekhyun's tummy.

"I see your baby is active." Dr. Zhang said as a smile grace on his lips. "I wonder where did your baby inherit its good reflex?"He asks as he eyes the two soon-to-be parents.

Before the two were dismissed, Dr. Zhang advice them about what to expect during the second trimester of the pregnancy, what diet is advisable, and not to forget to take his supplements.

Once done, Chanyeol puts back his disguise and waits for Baekhyun in the van.

"Is your husband always like that?" Dr. Zhang asks.

"Umm... he's... we're not..."

"Oh... okay. Well, just take care of yourself, alright? Your's and your baby's health are more important. See you on your next schedule, okay?" He then bid Baekhyun goodbye.

*

Baekhyun was back at Chanyeol's penthouse alone, as Chanyeol still have his prior commitments.

Although Chanyeol treats him cold, he's thankful that the actor finally acknowledges the fact that he's carrying their child.

Their child. Baekhyun smile at the thought. But once the baby was born, what will be our set up then? The pregnant man's brows creases.

Will Chanyeol still allows them to stay at his penthouse? Or will Chanyeol let him stay with their baby? He might take full custody of their child from Baekhyun since he's not capable of raising the child alone, especially now that he's jobless. Him being Chanyeol's "assistant" was actually just for a show. He's only doing all the household chores because of his gratitude towards the actor for temporarily taking him under his wings. So what will happen once he gives birth.

Baekhyun sigh. "I'll just think about it once I get there. But for now," Baekhyun rubs his not so obvious baby bump fondly, "let's thank your dad for accompanying us to the doctor today, okay?" Baekhyun retrieves his phone from his backpack and types in his message to the giant, shyly smiles as he realized what did he address Chanyeol while talking to his baby.

Baekhyun was beyond embarrassed, he's actually mortified, pulling his hair as he paces back and forth in his room when he read the sent text message on the screen: "Thank you for today, daddy!" It reads.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! What have I done?" Baekhyun shakes his phone frustratingly. "That is so gross! Oh my god, oh my god, OH MY GOD!!!"

*

Chanyeol's phone vibrated during their story reading for their upcoming drama.

From: Freeloader
11:27 am

Thank you for today, daddy!

What the-?

From:Freeloader
11:27 am

The baby was the one who sent that!

Not from me. Definitely not from me!

Chanyeol stares at his phone for a while. What in the world is he doing? He thought. But somehow a small smile manages to creep on his lips as he reads the baby's message over and over again.

"...yeol? Chanyeol!?" The director calls for his attention. "Mind to read your lines now?"

"Oh, sorry! I was busy reading some baby's message, so... where are we now?" Chanyeol clears his throat, dodging the director's judging looks towards him. Unknown to the actor, a very observant manager was grinning from ear to ear as he watches the giant smile.

***

5 Months

Baekhyun now's showing his small baby bump. Although he can now feel the pain in his lower back, his legs cramps, and his feet and ankles start to swell, it doesn't bother him not even once. Dr. Zhang was a good doctor since he tells him what to expect and what he should and should not do, every time he visits the clinic.

And speaking of visit, Chanyeol allows Tao to visit and stay with Baekhyun for a while in the penthouse while he's out of the country for two weeks, with the condition of not telling people around him that he knows where Chanyeol lives. Tao was also the one who accompanies Baekhyun to Dr. Zhang's clinic since Chanyeol was busy filming in China for his new drama.

One night, Baekhyun's having a hard time sleeping since he can't breathe when he's lying down. He envies how Tao snoring in his sleep beside him. Leaving his room silently, Baekhyun went to the kitchen to make himself warm milk when his phone vibrated.

Mr. Baby's Daddy Calling

"H-Hello?"

"Why you're still awake?"

So that's how his voice sounds like over the phone... Baekhyun thought.

"I can't sleep."

"Why?"

"I can't breathe when I lie down."

"Where's your friend?"

"Already snoring like a bear." There was a pause between them before Baekhyun breaks their silence. "What are you doing right now?"

"Talking to you."

"Aside from that!" He hears him chuckle.

He? Chuckles?

"Just finished memorizing my script. You?"

"Making some warm milk."

"Oh. Um... I stashed some cookies in the cupboard, you can eat them if you're hungry. I-I mean if the baby feels hungry." Baekhyun suddenly felt butterflies in his stomach. Or maybe that's how it feels when his baby does somersaults.

"Thanks, but the baby says she's not in the mood for cookies."

"Oh... I see." Chanyeol pause for a while when he can literally hear Baekhyun gulping continuously. "Are you drinking your milk already?"

"Mm. How did you know?"

"Well, I thought you're drinking water and not warm milk. As if you're in a hurry." Chanyeol laughs.

Oh! His laughter sounds good...

"Well baby said she's thirsty, that's why."

"Whatever. How's the baby then?"

"She's doing good. She's very active, turning every now and then, especially at night. Waking me up at wee hours."

After Baekhyun places his glass in the sink, his phone still close to his ears. He noticed Chanyeol's vacant room at the corner of his eyes, then opens the door to Chanyeol's room and sits on the edge of the bed.

"Can I sleep here in your room?" Baekhyun asks. "Tao's snoring so loud."

"I'm only allowing you just this time, but I swear no more next time."

"Sure. No more next time." Baekhyun then settles in the middle of the king-sized bed and lays on his left side. "Hey, can I call you Chanyeol? I mean, yeah that's your name but I don't think I ever called you by your first name."

"Good to know you actually know my name."

"Well, I used to be a fan of yours."

"Used to?"

"Mm... back when... when we're still both strangers." Baekhyun said carefully.

"I'm sorry."

"Come again? Did I heard it right?"

"I said I'm sorry! Fo-for... you know... making you... like that."

"You mean making me pregnant?"

"Yes. I honestly can't remember how did that happen. I just wanted to drown myself into somberness, literally, then the following day, something happened."

Was it... my fault... coming into your life?

"I didn't even know if the person who's carrying my child right now we're in a relationship or not." Chanyeol chuckles.

"Oh, no... the guy who's carrying your child was not in a relationship." Baekhyun refers to himself as a third person, trying to play Chanyeol's game.

"Really? As in never?"

"Well, he had one but that was way, way, way back in middle school."

"Ohh~ sounds interesting. Tell me about that."

"Nah, it wasn't really interesting. Plus the guy whose carrying your child doesn't want to talk about it anymore."

"But why?"

"Because his baby is listening."

"So he wants to look like a clean slate to our child now?"

Our? Could there really be an us?

"Maybe~ How about the father of the baby that the guy is carrying? I'm pretty sure he has his reasons why he's 'drowning his self into somber'?"

"Should the father of the baby that the guy is carrying trust you?"

"Why of course!"

"How can you prove it to me?"

"Umm... I'm not going to tell the baby that the guy is carrying about her father's secret."

"You really think the baby is a girl?"

"Of course! Now stop diverting the topic before the guy who's carrying your child gets mad!" Baekhyun slams his fist on the bed.

"Fine, fine! But you have to promise--"

"I already freaking promised, Park Chanyeol! Now spill it!"

"Alright, alright! I can see the steam in your head coming out from my receiver, gosh!" Chanyeol rolls his eyes. "Well, umm... actor Park Chanyeol looks like he could have anything he wants, but that's not true. Because the normal Park Chanyeol guy couldn't have the only guy that he likes."

So someone has a heart...

"Is... is he a colleague?"

"No. He's a friend actually."

"Should we give him an alias?"

"No, it's alright. I think it's enough information so I'm not going to say his name anymore."

"Alright..."

"Are you sleepy?"

"Mm..."

"Okay, go to sleep now. Could you please tell the guy who's carrying my child to say good night to my baby for me?"

"Noted. The baby says good night too to her father."

"Good night, Baek." Baekhyun was surprised to hear Chanyeol calling him with a nickname.

"Good night to you too, Yeol."

Will your heart say my name as well in the future?

*

"Hyung," Tao calls for Baekhyun while he peels an orange for the pregnant male, whose busy watching some music show. "Aren't you... you know? Felt anything for Mr. Park?" The younger asks as he looks at Baekhyun's reaction. "I mean, you've been with him for quite a while now so-"

"Waah~ look at those abs, Tao! Xiumin's abs are my definition of sexy! I used to dream to have those chocolate abs but mine's more of like a Nutella. And then now it has a baby inside! BayMax's figure is probably easier to achieve than those abs!" Baekhyun laughs.

"Hyung~ you didn't answer my question!"

"Huh? What was that?"

"I said-"

"Yah~ look at BTS Jimin's abs! That's hot! I'd tap that! What was your question again?" Tao scowls at the pregnant male

"Nevermind. I think I already know the answer." Tao goes back to peeling oranges again.

***

6 Months

Baekhyun is glowing. At least that's what people around him say.

They said pregnancy made him look more glowing. His skin looks supple, his hair looks soft and his overall looks radiant. Plus the fact that Dr. Zhang says that he's having a baby girl, it adds up to make his aura looks brighter.

Mother's knows best. Or in his case, Father's knows best!

Jongdae told him that he'll be attending some class - a childbirth class to be exact and that he could shop for his baby girl's dresses and toys after since Chanyeol lend him his credit card. He feels excited, ecstatic actually that he smiles all day, puking rainbows and sunshine to everyone he passes by.

But when he enters the childbirth class and noticed that most of the attendees are female (although there are some male couples too) with their husbands, the bubbly and excited Baekhyun awhile ago was now replaced by an awkward and apprehensive Baekhyun.

"Okay class, we have a newcomer today, he's also a first-time parent and I think he'll be the maknae of this class. Let's all welcome, Byun Baekhyun." Everyone claps as they welcome him in the class, with Jongdae whistling to cheer the boy.

"H-Hi! My name's Baekhyun. Please take care of me, everyone." Baekhyun gasps, startled when he felt his baby's first kick.

"Something's wrong?" The instructor asks.

"Oh, no. Just my baby. She also says hi!" Baekhyun smiles sheepishly.

"Wow! I think she's excited about your activity today!" The instructor exclaims then looks at Jongdae. "So would you like to call your husband here so that we can start now?"

"Oh no, he's not my husband. He's a friend actually, my hu-husband's-"

"Sorry, I'm late." A deep voice enters the room and Baekhyun knows who owns that voice. "I got lost after I bought some face mask since I have a sore throat and wouldn't want to spread my virus to everyone, especially my partner." Chanyeol tries to explain.

Jongdae wants to laugh at Chanyeol's 'knight in shining armor, saving the damsel in distress' drama because seriously if he really wouldn't want to accompany Baekhyun in this Lamaze class that he himself sets, then he should've stuck to his original plan and just stay in the penthouse and rest like it was his last day on earth, just like what Chanyeol had told him.

I think grandma Byun would really beat the daylight out of this giant kid once she knew that Chanyeol had already touched her precious grandson. Jongdae thought.

*

Chanyeol accompanies the tiny pregnant boy in his shopping, and Baekhyun was back to his happy aura as soon as he saw baby dresses for girls. He smiles fondly at the pink elastic hairband attached with a cute puppy head.

"Can we get this for her?" Baekhyun smiled at him ever so sweetly.

Thump thump

"S-Sure..."

"Look! Isn't that beautiful?" Baekhyun points at the white Rilakkumma overall that was worn on a mannequin with the size of an infant. "Can we get that for her as well?"

Thump thump

"Uhh... yeah. Sure..."

"Oh my gosh, I should've made a list of what should we buy--" Chanyeol looks at the boy as he silently walks towards the white wooden crib with lace canopy.

Chanyeol watches Baekhyun who was in a trance, smiling so fondly as he felt the lace with his dainty fingertips. The crib was so beautiful, and it's perfect for his little princess's use.

Thump thump

"D-Do you want to also get this for her?" Chanyeol asks. Baekhyun only gave him a small smile.

"Look at this sweetheart!" A pregnant woman gasps as she gets near the crib. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes. Perfect for a princess. Our princess." Her husband said.

"Oh! Are you guys going to have this? We're so sorry we didn't mean to-"

"No, it's okay. This is too much for our baby." Baekhyun said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"But, are you sure you don't want this?"

"N-No. Just take it."

"Thank you!" The couple smiled at Baekhyun, which the latter also return before he turns his back and walks away.

"Hey! Hey!" Chanyeol runs after him. "Where are you going? I thought you liked that crib?" Chanyeol was surprised to see Baekhyun's tears fall. "W-Why are you crying?"

"Just... just hormones..."

Thump thump

"Can we just go home now? I'm tired and my legs are aching already."

"Are you sure?" Baekhyun only nods at him. "Okay. Let me just pay for this hairband. Just wait for me here then we'll go backhome." Chanyeol walks towards the counter, leaving Baekhyun standing near the escalator.

Home? Do we even belong there? Baekhyun thought as he watches the same couple who wants to buy the crib that he also wants for his little princess.

"I'm so sorry, my little princess. Appa wanted to give you everything that is best for you, it's just that, I don't know if your crib would even have space in your daddy's home. I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..." Baekhyun sobs.

Chanyeol stops on his track as he hears Baekhyun weeps as he keeps on saying sorry to no one in particular, and it made his guts twist and tumble.

Thump thump

*

Baekhyun's lower back feels sore, his ankles and feet are swelling, and he feels like he hiked for ten straight days that his legs will give up anyminute from now.

"Here, let me help you." Chanyeol carries him, bridal style, as they get inside the elevator, going up to the penthouse.

"You don't really have to do this, Chanyeol."

"It's okay. I'm doing this for the baby anyway."

As soon as they went inside, Chanyeol carefully sits Baekhyun on the couch as he gets some pillows in his room and places them behind Baekhyun then drags the coffee table and put the pillow on top of it before he places Baekhyun's tired legs on it.

"Wait here, I'll just get you some milk."

"But Chanyeol, you don't really have to bother-"

"Remember, I'm doing this for the baby."

A few minutes after, Chanyeol gives him a cup of warm milk, before he adjusted Baekhyun's position and places his tired legs on his lap.

"I'm going to try those massage that they taught in the class. Tell me if it hurts." Chanyeol then starts massaging his calf muscle.

"Chanyeol, I know you're doing this for the baby, but-"

"No, I'm not doing this for the baby. This time, I'm doing this for the guy whose caring for my baby." Chanyeol said.

Baekhyun was baffled. Did he hear him correctly? Maybe he's wiping off some of his hormonal changes to Chanyeol that the actor was being kind to him.

"T-Thank you..."

"You're-- why are you crying? Did I put too much pressure? Did I hurt you?" Chanyeol panics.

"N-No, no... just... just hormones..." Baekhyun sniffles.

Thump thump

After giving him some massage, Chanyeol then noticed that Baekhyun keeps scratching his sides.

"Stop scratching."

"But it's so itchy!" Baekhyun complains.

"Just wait here and stop scratching." Chanyeol retreats back to his room before he comes out again with lotion on his hand. "Let me see."

Baekhyun raised his shirt just above the fundus of his tummy, to bare his sides.

"You have stretch marks now that's why it feels itchy." Chanyeol mindlessly spreads the lotion over Baekhyun's side that is near to him.

"Hmpf!" Baekhyun pouts as he hears the word stretch marks.

"Let me see the other side." Chanyeol took notice of the pregnant male's pouting lips. He glances at Baekhyun tentatively as he gently smears the lotion on his skin.

Thump thump

Suddenly, Baekhyun feels conscious of the proximity of their faces. Chanyeol's hand still running over Baekhyun's smooth skin, gently, when he experimentally leans a little towards Baekhyun.

Slowly, slowly. Litlle by little, Chanyeol's face are getting closer and closer as his eyes keeps on looking on his slightly opened lips, then to his eyes, then back to his lips, then repeat the process. Their noses are almost touching each other's when all of a sudden, they heard someone clear his throat.

"Uhh... wow!" The manager remarks, as awkward as it sounds. Baekhyun lowers down his shirt and Chanyeol tries to act normally.

"What are you doing here?"

"Uhh... you forgot your script? I thought you might be looking for this, but then I guess you're not..." Jongdae smiles sheepishly. "So, ah... yeah! I-I'll be leaving now... and oh, please.. do continue what you guys are doing before I came in." Jongdae laughs awkwardly as he runs towards the door, leaving the two soon-to-be-parents alone, sharing an awkward silence.

"Uh... let's- let's just go to sleep."

"Ye-yeah! Let's just go to sleep - separately! Wooh! I feel so sleepy all of a sudden!" Baekhyun said, exaggerating his cheerfulness, as he stands up slowly.

"Yeah, me too! Good night!" Chanyeol runs towards his room and closes his door with a loud thud.

Thump thump

Baekhyun holds his chest while leaning against the door with the thought of how he and Chanyeol's action was like of those straight out of the romantic movies. Totally cliché! Baekhyun's cheeks are dusted with pink with his thought.

a/n: any guess whose heartbeats belong to?

*****

To be continued.

Originally posted in May 7, 2016 under the "My EXO One Shot Collection"