“So Tavi,” Vinyl started, staring up at the ceiling on her back, one arm splayed over the edge of the bed. “What do you wanna call our baby girl?”
Octavius placed a contemplative hand on his chin, rubbing his non-existent beard. “Well,” he said, sitting at the foot of the bed. “I figured we might do something musical, like ‘Carol’, or ‘Harmonia’.”
“Wow, you are such a music dork!” Vinyl grinned down at the cellist. “I was thinking something prettier, like ‘Serenity’.”
Octavius rolled his eyes, smirking. “Yes, love, your name idea is so much better.”
Vinyl stared at the ceiling quietly, then smiled. “Hey,” she said.
“What is it?” Octavius turned back to face her.
“What about ‘Key’? I know it’s weird, but hear me out,” Vinyl said as she struggled to sit up, eventually having Octavius help her. “Think about it, ‘Key Melody’. I mean, she would definitely be the thing locking us together as a family, right? The thing that will always keep us close, no matter what.” Vinyl smiled more broadly. “I think that’s the name that I want. Key Melody.”
Octavius thought about the name, then smiled back at her. “I like that idea, love.”
Vinyl opened her arms wide, inviting Octavius into a warm hug, which he gladly accepted. She gave him a light squeeze, then gently separated herself from him. “So how’s Flutters been doing since she’s been with Dash?”
“She seems to be doing better,” Octavius replied. “Scootaloo really likes having her around, and Flutters knows Dash won’t let Turner anywhere near her. For now, things seem to be looking up for Flutters.”
“That’s good,” Vinyl said, leaning back against the headboard. “God, I feel so swollen today. It really sucks.”
Octavius placed a hand on her stomach. “You feel really solid today.” He gave her a small grin. “You been doing sit ups?”
She playfully kicked the man, grinning. “Please, Tavi. You of all people should know I’m lucky if I can get out of bed on my own right now.” She gently rubbed her hand around her stomach in circles. “Any day now, we’re gonna meet this little monster.”
Octavius nodded, looking to Vinyl’s engorged stomach. “Are you nervous?”
Vinyl shook her head, smiling. “I’m excited, silly. I can’t wait to meet her.”
Octavius took Vinyl’s hand in his, smiling back at her. “I can’t wait either. I hope she looks just as lovely as her mother.”
“Pfft,” Vinyl scoffed. “No way. She needs to be just as good looking as her father, with that sleek black hair, and those sexy dark eyes, and those cute little blushes.”
Octavius rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Vinyl.”
Vinyl stuck her tongue out at him. “It is whatever I say. I see you’ve learned over these nine months.” She grinned.
“I’m definitely not going to miss this time,” Octavius said. “You were so mean to me some days.”
Vinyl looked down, frowning. “I’m sorry, love,” she muttered. “I know I can’t have been easy to deal with.”
Octavius placed a hand on her shin. “It was all worth it, my dearest.” He smiled warmly at her, and she smiled back.
Vinyl suddenly jumped, placing a hand on her belly. “Easy, girl,” she said, looking down to her hand. “Everything alright in there?”
Octavius watched as another jump racked Vinyl’s body. “You ok?”
“Yeah,” Vinyl said, trying to sit up once more. “I think I just –“ But her sentence was cut off by a loud groan. Octavius noticed a wet spot growing in Vinyl’s light colored pajama pants as Vinyl clutched at her stomach. “Oh my god, Tavi,” she groaned before suddenly screaming. “Tavi Tavi Tavi TAVITAVITAVIWEGOTTAGONOW!”
Octavius nodded quickly, picking up their pre packed bags and rushing them out to the car before running back in and grabbing Vinyl, helping her walk slowly to the car. He got her situated in the front seat, then hopped into the drivers seat, cranking the ignition and taking off down the road.
As he drove, he pulled out his phone, speed-dialing Dash. She answered on the second ring.
“What’s up, Tav-Tav?”
“Vinyl’s going to the hospital right now. The baby is coming.”
“I’ll be there asap buddy,” Dash said, sounding like she was already running to get her things. “Scoots! Let’s GO!” Then the line went dead.
Octavius hung up as well, then quickly called David, looking over in concern as Vinyl groaned very loudly beside him, still clutching her stomach.
“Hello?” David had answered on the fourth ring.
“Vinyl’s in labor,” Octavius informed the other man quickly. “We’re going to the hospital now.”
“Understood,” David replied, and with no further words, hung up.
Octavius put his phone down, then placed a hand on Vinyl’s stomach. “You still excited about this?”
Vinyl nodded, trying to take steady breaths. “You know it, Tavi.” She cried out again, and Octavius pressed harder on the accelerator. Before too long, they arrived at the hospital. Octavius threw the car into park, then jumped out and rushed around to the other side, opening Vinyl’s door and helping her out.
“Second floor, right?” Octavius looked to Vinyl for confirmation, who nodded hastily. Octavius helped Vinyl into the lobby, where he spotted a nurse behind the reception desk. “We need help over here please!” The nurse quickly ran over, along with a couple other nurses.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Her water broke about ten minutes ago,” Octavius replied. The nurse nodded and quickly got a wheelchair. Once they had Vinyl securely in it, they rushed her to an elevator, quickly pressing two and going up.