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Alex and Henry sat side by side at a luncheon celebrating Philip and Martha’s son’s christening at Kensington Palace. The event was much more casual than Philip and Martha’s wedding had been, and there was no cake in sight.
As they mingled with esteemed guests and members of the royal family, Henry's regal demeanor shone through, meanwhile Alex was sitting next to him, in what he thought just might be the worst pain he had ever experienced, starting in his back and wrapping itself around his abdomen. He breathed through the pain, doing his absolute best not to draw attention to himself and away from the celebration, but Henry was attuned enough to his husbands needs to see right through the performance.
Henry leaned into Alex’s ear, “Love, what’s going on?” He asked softly.
“I don’t feel good.” Alex says simply.
“I think we’ve shown enough face at this gathering, let me help you back to our room sweetheart.” Henry says softly. He’s scared when Alex agrees without any argument.
Henry stands, and Alex follows suit. Then Henry places his hand at the base of Alex’s spine, and leads him back to their room away from the celebration in the garden.
“What’s going on love?” Henry asks.
“My stomach.” Alex says. “I think I might just need to lay down.”
“That happens to be my favorite thing to do with you.” Henry says lightly. Alex smiles softly, unable to ignore the radiating pain. They get back to their suite, and Alex is only able to lay down for about thirty minutes before he gets out and goes to the restroom, locking the door behind him.
Part of him thinks he might vomit, and as much as he loves Henry, he knows he is a sympathy puker. Henry sits up in their bed, and then makes his way to the bathroom door.Henry can hear Alex sobbing through the bathroom door.
“Henry, it fucking hurts, fuck I think I’m dying Henry, I’m going to go out on the fucking toilet like Elvis.” Alex cries. “It fucking hurts Henry!”
“You’re not going out like Elvis. I won’t allow that.” Henry says softly. “Tell me what’s going on sweetheart.”
Alex screams then, and with the scream Henry bursts through the door, bending the hinges on it. He is nauseated at the sight of blood coating the inside of Alex’s thighs.
“Alex, I think we need to have you seen by a doctor. We need an ambulance baby.” Henry says as he gets closer. Alex’s forehead is covered in sweat, and his hands are gripping into his thighs, which are slicked with dark red blood.
Alex is groaning and Henry is terrified.
“Henry please tell me what the fuck is going on” Alex cries, “I don’t know what is happening to me.”
“You want me to look?”
“Please.” Alex cries. “It fucking feels like I’m dying.”
Henry looks between Alex’s thighs, and is shocked to see what he knows is a baby’s head, protruding out from Alex. He wants to faint, wants to panic, wants to scream. Instead, he takes a deep breath. There is a part of Henry, which he will never acknowledge to anyone, especially not Alex, that sincerely thought Alex might be dying. There is too much blood to not consider that as an option.
“Alex, you’re having a baby, I need to get Shaan or Zahra in here, Alex.” Henry says urgently. “We need help.”
“I can’t be pregnant Henry! I haven’t gained any weight and I don’t know if you’ve forgotten but I am a social drinker. I can not be pregnant.” Alex screams.
“Alex, I know I’m not an expert, but the thing sticking out of you has dark hair, and darling, I am certain, it is a baby. I need to go get us help sweetheart. I need to get someone who can help us.” Henry says as tears come to his eyes. Alex grips him.
“Please don’t leave me.” Alex begs.
“Alex, I have to go get us help. There are always people in these halls, I am going to get the first person I see to go and find Shaan or Zahra, and we’re going to get medical people here, and they are going to help you. I will not be gone more than one minute. I promise you that. I love you so much sweetheart, and I need you to know that.” Henry pleads. Alex lets go of him, and Henry runs from his quarters, and into the hall where he nearly crashes into Philip.
“Henry? What is going on? You and Alex-“ Philip says, surely asking why he and Alex had left the luncheon which followed his sons christening. Henry is quick to interrupt him.
“Alex is having a baby. We didn’t know, but he’s in the restroom, and there is a head coming out of him, and Philip, fuck I need you to go find us help because I need to get back to Alex.” Henry says quickly.
“Fuck, get back to him. I’ll bring you help. I’ll get Shaan and Zahra, and fuck, the doula Martha and I used when Arthur was born, she’s here and I’ll grab her too. Get Alex to focus on his breathing. Go Henry. He needs you.” Philip says, running back to the luncheon, as Henry turns back and rushes back into the restroom.
“Philip was in the hall coming to see where we’d gone. He’s going to get us help sweetheart.” Henry says, kneeling down in front of Alex who is still sat on the toilet with his fingernails dug into his bare thighs.
“It hurts Henry.” Alex cries.
“I know sweetheart. I don’t know how this is supposed to go, I won’t lie to you, but part of the baby’s head is out so I have to assume you can push.” Henry offers. “Fuck, I think in Call the Midwife, they say to push with the pain?” Henry says, not far away from panicking. He takes Alex’s hands in his own, to prevent Alex from continuing to dig his nails into his thighs, and then he kisses his forehead.
It’s another twenty seconds before Zahra, one of the palace medical staff, and the doula which Philip and Martha used to help deliver their son weeks prior enter the room. The doula, despite being the only one of the three who has never met Alex is the first to approach him.
“Mr. Fox, my name is Susan, I am a doula, which means I help people through childbirth. Is it okay if I look at what’s going on?” Susan asks kindly, at which point Alex nods.
Susan gently guides Henry, so that he is off slightly more to Alex’s side, so that she can get between his legs. “Alex, I can certainly see the top of baby’s head, which means you don’t have long to go. I know you’re probably terrified, but now is when you need to be pushing with contractions. This is also your last chance, where we can move you just a little, so that you don’t have to be on the toilet if you don’t want to. If you’d like, we can help you off it, so that you’re squatting in front of it, if not, you can certainly stay there.”
“Don’t want them ending up in the toilet water.” Alex says in a small voice.
“That’s okay Alex. Zahra, can you get Shaan in here so that he and Henry can lift Alex off the toilet?” Susan asks. Shaan enters the room then, face composed as ever as he helps Alex from the toilet with Henry so that he is instead knelt on his knees. Henry quickly takes his instinctual place knelt in front of Alex, where Alex wraps his arms around Henry’s shoulders, giving everyone else much better access to everything going on in the backend. Another contraction comes nearly as soon as he is settled.
“Push Alex. Push and hold it for ten seconds.” Susan says gently, as she places a gentle hand on his back. Alex is crying into Henry’s shoulder, but does as he is told, not screaming, just putting his all into the unexpected task at hand. He pushes for the duration of the contraction, and his muscles are shaking by the end of it.
Alex is completely and entirely terrified.
Susan looks back at the others in the room. “Michael, can you please make yourself useful and go grab a few fresh soft towels?” Susan says to the member of the palace medical staff. He nods, and quickly takes the opportunity to leave the room as soon as it is presented to him. Shaan is still in the bedroom attached to the bathroom, on the phone with paramedics who everyone knows will not arrive before the baby is born, but regardless, still need to get Alex, Henry and their baby to the hospital as soon as possible once Alex has delivered the baby.
Zahra, as the only person in the room Alex knows well aside from Henry, stands behind he and Henry, and runs her fingers through his hair. Henry’s hands are occupied in making sure Alex stays upright, wrapped under his arms, rubbing at his back. “I’m so fucking scared.” Alex says once his contraction eases away.
“You’re going to be okay kid. We’re all here to help you through this, and as soon as it is over we will get you out of here and to the hospital. We’ve got you right now.” Zahra says gently.
Another contraction comes, and Alex lets out a wild scream as the baby stretches him wide.
“Their head is out Alex. Give me one of your hands love, feel this. Feel what you are working towards.” Susan says gently, guiding one of Alex’s hands between his legs. She sets his hand on the baby, which is protruding from him. “Alex you can feel their heartbeat through their head. They’re okay. We just need to get them here the rest of the way, and I know you can do that. Once you’ve got their shoulders it will be almost done. You’re almost done Alex.” Susan says.
“I can’t fucking do this! I’m not ready for this, I’m not ready to be a dad.” Alex cries.
“Alex love, you are the strongest person I know, and you can do this. You are kind and loving, and I know we don’t have a lot of time to prepare, but I know you’re going to be the greatest father.” Henry says.
Alex screams again with the next contraction, the baby’s shoulders beginning to tear him.
“Take a deep breath, just breathe through the next contraction, take a break.” Susan says.
Alex buries his head into Henry’s shoulder, and he breathes deep, in through his nose and out through his mouth. Henry exaggerates his own breathing, pulls back only slightly from Alex and kisses his forehead.
“You’re absolutely incredible Alex.” Henry says softly. Alex nods again, too far gone for conversation, and soon enough he is pushing again.
“Baby is almost here. Are you okay with me catching them?” Susan asks.
“Zahra.” Alex says simply, making the choice based on not wanting Henry to let go of him. Zahra makes no argument, and moves towards Susan, where she can see everything. There is so much blood soaking Alex’s legs, and the baby’s head is out, with dark hair.
“I’m going to move out of the way, so you’re ready to catch the baby. Rub Alex’s back, right above his hips; it will make him feel better to have some counter pressure, and then once the baby starts coming out more, just hold their head, and guide them out and into your arms.” Susan instructs.
Zahra nods, and does as she’s told, and after spending the last few years being stressed by all of Alex’s shenanigans, being around him at his best and worst moments, this feels like the most peaceful and near holy experience, as someone who has no belief in god.
Alex starts pushing again, and Zahra moves her hands so that she’s cradling the baby’s head, and as the baby inches out, she holds more of them, right up until they are in her arms alongside a rush of fluids. Susan moves on instinct then, and rubs the baby, only for five seconds at most, before the most beautiful sound Zahra has ever heard fills the room. The baby’s cry is loud, and Alex and Henry are crying alongside it.
Henry helps Alex to sit against him, and he unbuttons Alex’s crisp white shirt before Zahra places the wailing infant against Alex’s chest. Zahra isn’t sure how the baby managed to fit inside of Alex without making their presence known, because they aren’t that small, and look normal as far as Zahra knows.
“Baby looks full term. Congratulations to both of you.” Susan says gently. “You’ve got a beautiful daughter here.”
Shaan peeks his head in then, to announce the paramedics arrival. The bathroom isn’t big enough to fit a gurney inside, so Henry gently picks Alex up, who is still holding the baby. They walk to the exit of the bathroom, and then Henry helps Alex onto the gurney, where he continues to hold their little girl.
“My name is Laura. Baby looks great. We need to get you both to the hospital, to make sure everything is okay with both of you. They are still connected to the umbilical cord and your placenta, which you’ll be delivering in the ambulance. It won’t hurt.” The lead paramedic explains. “You’ve done all the hard work Alex, now it’s time to let us take care of both of you.”
An hour later, Alex, Henry and their daughter are inside a recovery room. Alex has more color in his face, after having been provided with some donated blood to replenish what he had lost during the impromptu delivery. Their baby is perfect, weighing in at seven pounds and 9 ounces, or 3.43 kilograms, she is laying on Henry’s bare chest for his turn at skin to skin time, while Henry sits in Alex’s bed with him. Alex is resting his head on Henry’s shoulder, running his thumb along the baby’s face. She’s beautiful with dark hair, and Alex’s olive skin, shes got Henry’s mole to the side of her nose, which also mirrors Henry.
Alex’s nurses had explained that not everyone presents with pregnancy the same, that sometimes a uterus can show backward, so that a baby nestles more in someone’s back, instead of going straight out like someone having swallowed a basketball. It’s easy enough to pass off a baby kicking as gas, and their baby simply hadn’t been particularly active, regardless, she’s healthy, and for that Alex and Henry are glad.
Zahra and Shaan are in the room with them, there to bring Henry and Alex the things they will need for Alex and the baby’s hospital stay, Alex’s pillow, their phone chargers, and both of their phones, which they hadn’t grabbed in the chaos which had taken place.
“Do you want to call your mom?” Zahra asks gently.
“Have you told her?” Alex asks.
“Have to be honest with you kid, communicating with her hasn’t been my top priority over the past couple hours. I didn’t even think about it.” Zahra says.
“Yeah, let’s call her.” Alex says lightly. “Do you think you could step out and explain what happened? I am not quite up for reliving it.” Alex asks Zahra. The chaos of the baby being born had somehow not made it to the media.
“Of course.” Zahra says. She steps out of the room with Shaan, and pulls out her phone, and calls Ellen Claremont.
Ellen answers quickly, “Zahra? Is everything alright?”
“Yes, I am sorry to call suddenly. I am at the hospital, with Henry and Alex.” Zahra says.
“What are they doing at the hospital? You just said everything was alright?” Ellen asks.
“Ellen, are you sitting down?” Zahra asks.
“You’re scaring me.” Ellen says. “I’m sitting in the living room. June and Oscar are here for dinner with me and Leo.”
“Ellen, Alex had a baby about an hour ago. He didn’t know he was pregnant, and delivered the baby at Kensington. She is safe, and he is okay after getting some fluids and a blood transfusion.” Zahra says. “He wants to talk to you, hell, honestly that boy needs his mom now more than ever, but he didn’t want to have to be the one to tell you what happened.”
“A baby?” Ellen asks.
“She’s beautiful Ellen.” Zahra says.
“Let me talk to him. I’ll get us to London, and we will be there as soon as possible.” Ellen says. “He’s okay though?”
“He’s okay. The doctors are taking care of him, and Henry has him. I’ll go and give the phone to him.” Zahra says.
She walks back into the room, and hands the phone to Alex. Alex puts the phone on speaker and sets it in his lap.
“Mom?” Alex asks.
“Hi sugar. Sounds like congratulations are in order?” Ellen says lightly.
“Thank you.” Alex says.
“Are you okay?” Ellen asks.
“I was in a lot of pain, but the doctors have fixed that with whatever they have put into my IV.” Alex says.
“They have him on zofran for nausea, and morphine for the pain. He’s also been given blood.” Henry says.
“Do you want to see a picture of her?” Alex asks. “She’s beautiful mom.”
“I’d love to.” Ellen says through happy tears. Henry pulls out his own phone and snaps a selfie of the three of them, and a picture of the baby. He sends both photos to the family group chat.
“Oh she’s absolutely gorgeous Alex.” Ellen says. “I’m so beyond proud of you sweetheart.”
“Do you think you and everyone can fly out to meet her?” Alex asks.
“Leo is booking all of us flights. We will be there tomorrow morning sugar. I can not wait to love on you.” Ellen says. “And I can’t wait to meet my grandbaby. Have you and Henry come up with a name yet?”
“Lucia Bea Fox.” Alex says. Zahra is still in the room, and she gasps.
“Lucia?” Zahra whispers at Henry. Alex nods and smiles at her.
“Zahra was the first person to hold her, and that’s her middle name.” Alex explains, looking at Zahra as he talks to his mother on the phone. “We’re going to call her Lucy for short, like the Beatles song.”
“That’s a beautiful name sweetheart. We can’t wait to meet Lucy tomorrow. Get some rest sugar.” Ellen says gently before Alex ends the call.
“Do you want to hold her?” Alex asks Zahra.
“Please?” Zahra asks. She sits gently on the edge of the bed, and takes the baby after Henry carefully passes her to her.
“Happy birthday Lucia.” Zahra says gently. “I think with the two dads you have, that you might just be the luckiest girl in the world.”
Zahra holds the baby for a few minutes before she passes Lucia back to Henry. She stands from the bed, and walks over before hugging Alex gently.
“Please, never do that again.” Zahra says.
Alex laughs.
“I promise.”