Give Me Your Heart

“You’ll call me if something happens, won’t you?” Gerard posed as he peeked at Cassidy, his expression slightly uncertain. It had been a few weeks, after Riley had moved in, things between the two of them had been remarkably calm and settled, but with Riley’s due date approaching, the defender was slightly apprehensive.

It couldn’t be avoided, after a hiccup in their season, Barcelona needed to keep up their winning momentum if they were to retain their title and Gerard knew that that meant there was no missing games unless it was necessary, even if he was worried that Riley would go into labour without him around, he doubted he could skip the home match against Sporting Gijon on the off chance.

Cassidy, who was stood in hall with him, smiled. “You’re really worried that she’ll go into labour without you around, aren’t you?” she teased.

Gerard offered her a look before he sighed. “I just worry” he mumbled gently “I’ve waited 9 months for this, Cass, and I would hate to not be there when he came along. I just want to be sure that if something does happen…”

“Then you will be the first person I call” Cassidy smiled gently “Everyone is going to do everything they can to ensure that you’re there, Gerard, and I don’t doubt that you will be. Besides, Riley’s not due for another 3 days, I highly doubt that bump will decide to appear whilst you’re not around” she enthused.

“I hope not” Gerard noted “But if she starts to have contractions…”

“I am to phone you and if I can’t get through to you, I have the number for a member of the backroom staff who can pass the message on. You’ve made yourself very clear, Gerard” she teased.

Gerard rolled his eyes a little before he ducked into the living room, smiling a little at the sight of Riley who was sat on the couch, flicking through the television channels. It was still a little strange, even despite the fact that they had lived together before, it had taken a little time to get used to having one another around all of the time, but Gerard was happy with the results, even if he knew that Riley still intended to find her own place, a small part of him was hopeful that they could make it into a more permanent arrangement. Admiring her for a second, he spared a small grin to himself before he stepped towards her, pressing a soft kiss against the top of her head.

Riley, who’d been staring at the screen, startled a little at the feel of the kiss, something which made him smile. “I didn’t meant to scare you” he noted gently.

Riley shook her head. “It’s fine” she mused “You’re going now?” she posed.

“I am” Gerard confirmed “But Cassidy is here to keep an eye on you while I am gone and I shouldn’t be gone for too long. Enrique’s promised that my post-match can be kept to a minimum until he arrives” he enthused, his hand gently brushing over her bump.

Riley watched his hand for a moment before she tilted her head, pressing a soft kiss against his lips. “Good luck” she enthused softly.

Gerard quirked a small smile before he pressed another kiss to her lips, ducking back to take his bag which Cassidy held out to him. “You’ll call me?” he noted, looking at the blonde woman.

Cassidy nodded. “You’ve got my word” she enthused “The slightest hint that she’s having contractions and I will call” she promised.

Gerard offered the two women another glance before he nodded, moving to pad out of the room, leaving them alone.

Riley watched him out of the room before she shook her head, resting it against the back of the couch. “He worries too much” she mumbled.

“He does” Cassidy mused as she moved to sit beside her friend “But it’s cute, Ry. You’re a lucky girl” she enthused.

Riley smiled a little at her friend’s comment and nodded, wordlessly agreeing that she was lucky to have him around.

~#~
Shifting a little in her seat, Riley let out a small groan, her hand gently rubbing at her bump. It had been happening for a little while, every now and again, a hit of pain would pull through her stomach, but she didn’t want to alert Cassidy who would almost certainly start fussing. It was still early, the contractions were easily 8 or 9 minutes apart, and Riley didn’t want to alert her friend until it was absolutely necessary. The last thing she wanted was to cause a fuss before she needed too.

Sparing a small sigh, she gently rubbed her bump for a second longer before Cassidy stepped back into the room, stowing a bottle of water on the table ahead of them. “How much longer is left?” she quipped with a look towards the match which played on the screen ahead of them.

“A little over half an hour” Riley quipped, trying to keep her voice calm.

Cassidy lifted her eyebrow a little, not missing the slight strain in Riley’s voice, but she quickly dismissed it, flicking her attention back towards the match.

Riley watched her friend for a second before she moved to lean forwards, attempting to collect the bottle of water that Cassidy had bought for her. Shifting a little, she leant towards the table, only to let out a surprised squeak, something which caused Cassidy to turn and look at her. “Riley?” she posed.

Riley, who’d stilled a little, shook her head. “You’re going to need to call the number that Gerard gave to you” she noted softly.

Cassidy blinked. “What?” she posed.

“The number that Gerard gave you, for the member of staff?” she pressed.

“I know what number you mean” Cassidy noted “But…you’re in labour?” she squeaked.

Riley shook her head. “My waters just broke” she corrected, leaning back slightly to show off the wet patch which had appeared on her trousers.

Cassidy blinked a little before she scuttled away, chattering about needing to get to the hospital.

Riley watched after her for a moment before she flicked her attention towards her bump, shaking her head a little. “You couldn’t wait until your papa was here?” she posed softly.

~#~
Listening to the sound of the crowd, Gerard turned towards the touchline, watching as the fourth official held up his board. It had been a tense hour, despite holding the lead, Barcelona had struggled to control the match, but Gerard was certain that they’d get there in the end, even if it did take a little longer, he was sure that they’d end up with the 3 points. Eyeing the board the official held up, the defender frowned, not missing the red number 3 which illuminated it.

Offering a look towards Javier who looked equally confused, he shrugged his shoulders a little before he padded towards the touchline, high fiving Marc Bartra who’d moved to take his place on the field. Padding past the other man, he moved to make his way towards the bench before Luis Enrique stepped ahead of him, directing him away from the bench. “Get down the tunnel” the coach noted.

Gerard frowned a little. “Coach?” he posed.

“We’ve just got a call from a woman named Cassidy?” the coach noted “She told me to tell you that Riley’s waters broke and that they’re on their way to the hospital. You need to go” the older man explained.

Gerard blinked a couple of times before he nodded his head, taking a few shaky steps towards the tunnel.

“Piqué” the coach mused “Go” he added with a warm smile.

Gerard nodded his head slightly before he walked towards the tunnel, knots in his stomach.