You were laying on the sofa with your legs dangling off the armrest and the back of your head cushioned by Killer's lap as the blond soothingly ran his fingers over your scalp. You'd had a migraine for three days now and the regular over the counter stuff the doctor said you could take a limited dose of was not helping at all.

"Killer?" You hummed eyes closed, absentmindedly running your hands over your belly.
"What's up?" The blond murmured.
"Have I ever told you that you're my favorite?"
"Many times, but I like hearing it." He chuckled.
"Get a room." Kid groaned from the lounge chair across from you.
"Stop being jealous." Killer scolded.
"I'm not." The redhead grunted betrayed by his indignant tone.
"If it bothers you we can stop." You offered opening your eyes slightly to squint at your boyfriend.
"It's fine really." He muttered, "Better than you being in pain."

If Killer wasn't his best friend he'd kick his ass. In the last five months you'd grown even closer to the blond. It wasn't in a romantic way of course, you just felt like you needed his company. You liked to tease that the baby just wanted their uncle. Now that your body was changing there were tons of aches and pains that came along with it. Kid tried to help you he really did and even though he was capable of being gentle with you, massages were not his forte. Killer on the other hand was like some sort of healer. You often went to him when your feet, head or back were hurting.

Kid hated it.

He loved you and his unborn baby and just wanted to do the best for both of you but unfortunately for the time being that meant letting Killer help comfort you. And you didn't help always showering him in compliments, not that you didn't make up for it by giving Kid all of your love and affection, but still.
Kid looked on, mind wandering while you rubbed your rounded belly to keep yourself from scratching the itchy new stretch marks that covered it. He chuckled inwardly at how adorably embarrassed you were when they started popping up, magenta splotches that resembled the marks on a watermelon. You refused to be shirtless in front of him for a week.

You finally started to doze off in Killer's lap. He had been prepared for that; both men knew you were too uncomfortable to get a full nights rest at this point and allowed you to nap wherever and for however long you could. If that meant he had to sit on the sofa for another hour with numb legs then so be it.
Kid stood taking the blanket off the armchair to cover you as he passed. You caught the wrist of his right arm startling him as he spread the blanket over you.

"Check it out." You murmured placing his palm flat on your belly.

This had happened many times, the baby would kick or move vigorously but the moment Kid touched you all movement would cease. All this time he still hadn't known what it felt like, though the baby kicked for Killer and Trafalgar all the time. He watched your hand gently resting on his, trailing his amber orbs up to your face as something round but still sort of pointy, an elbow maybe, pushed his hand back. You winced in discomfort which gave him mixed feelings. This weirdly solidified the whole pregnancy for Kid, this was real. Not that it wasn't prior to, but he couldn't experience what you could. He'd been there for every sonogram and heard the baby's heart but this was tangible. At the same time he didn't like that it seemed to pain you. He was not prepared for labor at all.

His eyes shot back to your belly in surprise as a flurry of kicks assaulted his palm. You rubbed his forearm while his hand lingered waiting to see if the baby had anything else for him today. Killer chuckled forcing Kid's eyes back up.

"That's an amazing expression." He commented.

Kid realized his jaw had slacked and his eyes were a little misty.

"You really live up to your name." You laughed looking up at the blond while your redhead collected himself.
"Born to kill every moment." He shrugged smirking cockily at you.

_______________

"I didn't expect to see you today." You called to your boss as he strolled through the front door of the book store.
"Just thought I'd check in on my baby." He chimed.
"It's a little slow today but business is good." You replied leaning over the counter on your elbows.
"I meant you!" He chuckled patting your head.
"I'm not your baby." You flushed lightly, "Don't say that where people can hear you."
He only laughed and leaned over the counter with you, "Still don't know the gender huh?"
"Well this kid is as difficult as their father. Every sonogram we just aren't in the right position to tell. It's a little frustrating because Law's mom wants to get things monogramed and we can't lean on a name." You frowned.

This was the second most exciting thing for you aside from the fact that you'd be cuddling the little monster in a couple of months. Being pregnant was uncomfortable and tiring, needless to say you weren't a fan of the process, so having this little surprise revealed midway was one of the few upsides and the kid just wouldn't let you have it.

"Well it has let us get a nice pool going." Shanks smiled.
"Don't bet on my baby." You punched his shoulder.
"What about the baby?" Kid asked catching the end of your sentence as he entered the shop with your lunch.
"This asshole has a bet going on the gender." You jabbed your thumb at the older redhead.
"He put money in the pot!" Shanks laughed.

Kid glared at him, that was supposed to be a secret. He was hoping to win and surprise you with a little extra cash.

"Eustass." You grumbled.
He threw his hands up, "Sorry mouse. I thought it would be fun."
"I'm too tired to care honestly. But you better win." You smirked tugging him around the counter for a hug.
"Go take an extra-long break. I'll watch the register." Shanks grinned sliding over counter, "Where's the new guy?"
"Barto!" You called.
"Boss?" The tall greenette emerged with a now empty cart.
"I'm going on break. Keep an eye on Shanks for me."
"Aye aye!" Barto chuckled watching Shanks pout behind the register.

"So, what did you bet on?" You asked easing into a chair at the table.
"Not tellin'." Kid replied plopping down across from you.

He wanted a boy of course. Someone that wouldn't eventually ditch him for makeup and dresses, someone he could leave the shop to, someone not afraid to get dirt under their nails. He would grow into an impressive strapping man. Girls were a hassle, he'd have to worry about dating and periods and the pill. He shuttered at the thought. It was completely irrational and sexist, after all it isn't like you were overtly "girly" you wore makeup and stuff sure but also your first interaction was you punching him in the face.

He chuckled watching you have to hold your container to eat because the table was too low and your belly wouldn't allow you to bend down.

"What are you giggling about." You pouted.
"How small you are." He continued to laugh knowing you hated that.
"I'm enormous." You sighed.
Kid frowned, "You're far from it mouse."
"Sure, sure." You smiled up at him, "Ready for this appointment tomorrow?"
"Of course. Maybe this time my little brat will cooperate."

The next morning you woke up early because your back was bothering you. Kid woke up and watched you roll forward stretching on your yoga ball.

"Come here mouse." He sat up and patted his lap.

Carefully you rose and sat between his knees on the mattress. He began rubbing gentle circles into your lower back. You hummed in appreciation, it wasn't great but wasn't as bad as he was in the beginning.

"You know it's kinda sexy when you stretch like that." He rumbled.

"I feel far from it." You chuckled.

"Trust me you definitely are." He assured kissing the nape of your neck.

After all this time and feeling as big as a house he could still make your skin heat up.

"Thanks babe, that feels much better. You should shower so we can get going." You giggled as he tugged you up with him.

"Or we can shower together."

__________________

You almost arrived late for your appointment. Finally it was time for the sonogram. The technician squeezed the cold gel on your tummy and began applying pressure with the wand, roaming all over your stomach in search of a decent view of the baby.

"We might be in luck today." She chimed, "Looks like we're sleeping so hopefully we'll get a look ..." She trailed off in concentration rolling the wand over the same spot a few times and tapping some keys on the station in front of her.

You never liked when they did this, usually it was nothing but it never stopped fear from pricking your heart.

Kid kept his eyes on you while your brows began to knit in the uncomfortable silence of the exam room.

"Huzzah!" She chuckled finally, "Are you ready to find out the sex? I've got a clear view there's no mistaking it."

You sighed.

"Yes." Kid replied, probably sounding a little too eager.

The technician glanced at you as you nodded and smiled widely, "Baby Eustass is a miss."

Kid's world melted away for a brief moment. Dresses, makeup, periods and dating didn't matter so much. He would love her completely and teach her everything he could. She would be her mother's daughter; picking fights with boys and protecting those she held dear.

"Sorry babe, I'm sure you were really wanting a boy." You cupped his cheek bringing him out of his thoughts.

"It really doesn't matter she's already tough." He pressed his forehead to yours, "There's always next time."

                                                                                                       ~Fin~

A/N - Thank you so much for all of the support for this book!!

** Kid won the bet by the way