Chapter Text
Male pregnancies weren’t impossible but they were uncommon, especially in a tiny village in the north of England like Emmerdale. Neither Aaron or Robert had ever even heard of men getting pregnant.
The couple were newly married, had their big house and Aaron’s teenage sister to care for, children weren’t really a priority. Yes they had spoken about adopting or surrogacy being a possibility in their future but they never put a proper timeline on said future.
“Mate come on, we never go on nights out now.” Adam said from the bar in the pub, pint in hand looking at Aaron who was sat with a cheese burger and his husband and younger sister.
“He’s an old married man now.” Liv smirked from her seat, stealing a chip from Aaron’s plate despite having her own.
“Oi less of the old you” Aaron scolded her. “I’ll tell you what then Ad, why don’t we go into Hotten next weekend.” Aaron said to keep his mate from going on at him.
“Yes mate, knew you couldn’t say no. First rounds on Robert.” Adam laughed
“I’m not coming.” Robert surrendered.
“No but you can buy us a round in here before we go into town.” Adam smirked before walking over to his mum and Cain at their table.
“What my sister sees in him I’ll never know.” Robert muttered under his breath.
——
“Soft lad here had one too many.” Adam said as he bought Aaron to the mill, Aaron almost passed out on his shoulder. Their night out in hotten had gone Adam’s way and he may have had Aaron on all sorts of shots.
“Jesus Adam what did you do to him.” Robert said as he got off the couch to help bring Aaron in and lay him down on the couch.
“I forgot how he gets after a few tequilas. Or it could’ve been the jagerbombs” Adam giggled to himself “he just needs to sleep it off.”
“You’re well fit.” Aaron slurred at Robert. Yeah he was completely gone.
“Right you, sleep. And you” he looked at Adam “go home, you’ve done enough.”
Robert was in for a long day the next day of playing nurse for Aaron so he headed straight to bed himself, leaving Aaron sleeping on the couch with a glass of water and some paracetamol on the table. He may have left a bucket beside him just in case too.
He woke up to the sound of Aaron chucking it up. Better be in the bucket, he thought.
“How’s your head?” Robert asked him.
“It’s too bright in here” he complained. Robert laughed at him a bit.
“Drink up” Robert said as he handed Aaron that water and the medicine “small sips yeah.”
“Thanks doc” Aaron rolled his eyes.
Robert took the bucket to clean it out before giving it back to Aaron “try make it to the bathroom please.”
Aaron nodded “yeah, sorry.”
Robert made aaron some toast and Aaron pushed it away before dry heaving and running to the bathroom, his head throbbing from the quick movement.
“Shit Aaron you okay? You even got anything left to chuck up?” Robert asked, concerned.
“Don’t come near me with food today.” Aaron said.
“You’ve gotta eat something”
“I’ll try later but right now, absolutely not.”
Robert accepted that answer for now, he’s had his fair share of hangovers and can agree they’re not fun, and if anything they do get worse with age.
However, this hangover lasted longer than Robert’s ever known a hangover.
Him and Adam had gone out on the Friday night. It was now Wednesday and Aaron was still barely eating, laying in bed most of the day and would spend his morning hugging the toilet.
“Right come on you.” Robert said.
Aaron looked up at his from where he was laid in bed “what?”
“I’ve made you an appointment at the surgery. This ain’t normal Aaron. You might have some sort of alcohol poisoning or something. Hangovers don’t last nearly 5 days.”
Aaron reluctantly went with Robert.
The doctor took a blood test and a urine sample, tested his levels of hydration, he was a bit dehydrated but that was understandable as he had been in bed all week.
“Something interesting has appeared from your urine sample.” The doctor told them.
“Is it something we should worry about?” Robert asked. He took hold of Aaron’s hand.
“That depends how you see it” the doctor said and looked at Aaron “Aaron is there any way you could be pregnant.”
That caused Aaron to laugh. Literally laugh at the doctor. “Doc, in case you weren’t aware. I am a man, in a relationship with another man. No there’s no way I could be pregnant.”
“There appears to be levels of HGC in your urine sample, a hormone that is only active whilst pregnant. I will ask for the nurse to bring me the ultrasound machine to be sure.”
“How on earth could he be pregnant though?” Robert asked
“It’s not completely unheard of. About 1 in 800,000 men have the ability to carry a baby, most go without ever knowing this as these men don’t get the same monthly cycle you’d see in a woman, and only a small amount of these men are also in a same sex relationship.”
Aaron was chewing his lip and looked down at his belly, a small smile fought its way to Aaron face “so there’s a chance, I could be carrying our baby?”
Robert squeezed Aaron’s hand, looking at Aaron’s face and the smile as he looked at his tummy. Robert would never admit that he felt his own stomach literally fluttering at the sight.
“Yeah, it’s a possibility. Let’s get you an ultrasound to know for sure.”
Aaron nodded and looked at Robert for the first time since hearing what they could have “you okay?” He asked as the doctor went outside the room to get an ultrasound machine bought in.
“Yeah.” Robert said and smiled at him “we really could have a proper little family, Aaron”
Aaron grinned and nodded.
“No wonder you couldn’t handle that drink eh?”
Aaron chuckled.
The doctor came back in and set up the machine for them, getting Aaron to lay down and have his abdomen and stomach on show.
Robert kept hold of Aaron’s hand the entire time the doctor was performing the ultrasound, turning the screen to the boys when he located the baby “you look to be around 8 or 9 weeks gone. Would that sound right to you?”
“We got married 9 weeks ago” Robert said with tears in his eyes “we’re really having a baby…”
Aaron squeezed Robert’s hand “this is insane. In the best way.”
The doctor printed them out a few copies of the scan before giving them some more information, prescribing prenatal vitamins for Aaron and plenty of rest due to the increased strain his body will go through as a male body isn’t specifically designed for pregnancy like a female body is.
When they got home Aaron settled on the couch with a glass of orange juice and his laptop to research male pregnancies.
“Is it too early to tell people?” Aaron asked Robert.
“Don’t people usually wait until 12 weeks?” Robert asked.
“Yeah but I don’t want us to have to whisper about this when Liv is home. And then if Liv knows, my mum should and if my lot know then we need to tell Diane and Victoria.” Aaron said.
“You’re right. But no Dingle party. We tell Liv, your mum and Paddy, Diane, Adam and Vic.” Robert said.
“Yeah okay, sounds like a plan. I’ll get them to come over later.” Aaron smiled and settled a hand on his slightly pudgy stomach.
They waited until Liv was home from college and settled back home before inviting everyone else round.
“This better be good, we’ve left Marlon and Charity in charge.” Chas said as they all walked in.
“Don’t tell me the marriage only lasted 9 weeks.” Adam joked as he looked at who had been invited.
“Actually.” Robert said, reaching into his pocket. “We have got some news.” He said, holding a tiny piece of paper. Aaron put his hand on his stomach “we’re pregnant, well, Aaron’s pregnant.” He said, showing everyone the picture “we’re having a baby.” Robert beamed.
Aaron doesn’t know if he’s ever seen Robert this smiley ever in his life.
There were a lot of confused questions, followed by congratulations.
“I’m one in 800,000 men that can naturally conceive.” Aaron told them all after their hugs “and probably the only gay guy that can.” He joked.
“I’m so happy for you.” Chas has started crying. Aaron hugged her.
“We’re only 8 weeks but we wanted to tell you lot first, we’re gonna try and keep it quiet until we get to 12 months and then properly announce it then.”
Everyone was in agreement of that.
Liv was practically bouncing off the walls, giving them both hugs, telling the group how she was going to be the favourite auntie, obviously.
——
At 10 weeks Aaron invited Paddy over and Robert invited Victoria.
“Thanks for coming” Aaron smiled as he popped a cup of tea in front of everyone, some weird ginger herbal one for himself that Robert had read helped with nausea and sickness.
“Formal” Paddy chuckled.
Aaron smiled and looked at Robert.
“We wanted to ask you guys to be god parents to our baby.” Robert said.
“We know it’s early but we just know you two are perfect for the job.” Aaron smiled at them both.
Of course they both accepted the offer and there may have been tears from Paddy because he didn’t think Aaron would ask him over Adam.
——
At 11 weeks they started planning their announcement, they thought about it and the easiest way would be in the pub, and whoever is there would hear it and whoever is not there, let’s be real would also hear about it. The village has enough foghorn mouths that their news would spread fast.
They still wanted to make it special somehow so decided that they’d also plan a gender reveal party for when they find out the gender. Robert booked a private scan for that so they could find out earlier than with the NHS.
They spent the week completely clearing out the spare room so they could start measuring it up for furniture for a nursery.
Week 12 came around quickly.
“I’m so nervous for this.” Aaron said as they were getting ready to go to the pub.
“People have babies all the time, people tell people they’re having a baby all the time.” Liv said “you’ll be fine.”
Robert knew his nerves were a lot more than just announcing a baby. It’s announcing you’re pregnant as a man which is the nerve racking thing.
“It’ll all be great. And if anyone starts, there will be plenty of people in there to throw them out. You know there will.” Robert said and kissed Aaron’s head “let’s get going eh?” He put a hand on Aaron’s stomach, which was still just pudgy for now “yeah, yeah, baby wants chips and a cheeseburger. No DNA test needed” he smiled.
They walked over to the pub together.
“Everybody shut it” Chas said.
The pub fell silent as Aaron and Robert stood up, cheese burger and chips long gone.
“My boys got some news.” Chas grinned.
“We just want to let you all know.” Robert said as he placed a hand on Aaron’s stomach “Aaron and I are expecting our first baby.”
Aaron looked around the pub nervously. Many shocked and confused faces as to be expected. Rhona was the first to congratulate them, followed by Faith, Jimmy, Nicola, charity, Moria, Vanessa and a few other Dingles. Cain sat there with a straight face, slight scowl, slight raised eyebrows. Aaron gulped and sat down when he noticed Cain’s expression.
Aaron’s leg was shaking, Robert noticed as he too sat down.
“Hey.” Robert said putting a hand on Aaron’s leg “what’s wrong?”
Aaron looked back up at Cain, look of disgust and disappointment on his face. Robert followed Aaron’s gaze before marching over to Cain. Aaron tried to get him to stop but Robert didn’t listen.
“Cain” he said loudly “you got a problem or something? Except I don’t know why. You’ve just found out your nephew. Your one nephew for that instance, is having a baby. Atleast fake a smile for his sake.”
Everyone in the pub was staring at them both.
“Why would I fake a smile at something so disgusting, so unnatural.” Cain spat. Moria told him to leave it out.
Robert continued to shout at Cain. Aaron teared up hearing the words come out of his uncles mouth. He stormed out the pub through the back.
“Oh well done!” Liv exclaimed, looking in Cain’s direction before running after Aaron. She found him leaning against the wall of the pub, breathing heavily, rubbing at his throat.
They could still hear the screaming match happening between Cain and Robert, others including Ross were telling Cain to pack it in.
“Aaron, Aaron it’s okay.” She said before running back inside and getting Robert. Robert came rushing out and managed to talk Aaron out of some kind of panic attack before pulling him into his arms.
“I wanna go home.” He cried.
Robert nodded and asked Liv to go inside to get their coats and to thank Chas on their behalf. She did as she was told, not wanting to cause anymore trouble for Aaron today.
“Do you think it is, disgusting and unnatural?” Aaron asked Robert that night whilst they were in bed.
“No Aaron. I think it’s amazing, incredible in fact. You are rare yeah but not unnatural. I think it’s incredible that you’re able to carry our baby, give us a proper family. Cain was so wrong with what he said today. And I’m so sorry that he did, but I’m not sorry that I argued with him, not at all. I’d do anything for you” he said, and wrapped his arm around Aaron’s waist, hand laying on his stomach “for both of you”
“I love you so much.” Aaron started crying.
“Less of the tears” Robert said softly “I love you too.”
“Damn pregnancy hormones” Aaron sniffled.
——
They decided to still have a gender reveal, but just a small one. They invited Liv, Chas, Paddy, Faith - who claimed herself as head decorator, Diane, Doug, Victoria, Adam and Moria, specifically just Moria and no Cain.
Robert had planned to have a painter come in on the day of the reveal to start painting the nursery as a surprise for Aaron, so the reveal was being held on the pub.
Aaron was now 18 weeks gone and could feel the changes in his body, he had a proper little bump now that everyone always wanted to see and touch, he had this kind of glow about his skin but his back, his damn back felt like he was already 80 years old.
Robert was constantly having conversations with the bump “don’t listen to daddy, he’s just mad I forgot his ginger biscuits.” Robert said, pressing a gentle hand on Aaron’s bump as they walked to the shop, having to take a detour before they got to the pub due to Aaron’s constant craving of ginger nuts. “Pretty sure I just felt another kick.” Robert smiled at Aaron
“Yeah that was definitely a kick” Aaron smiled back “proper little active one in there.”
Liv was already at the pub helping everyone set up.
Aaron got really hot in the shop and decided to wait outside for Robert. And that’s when he saw Cain. Cain walking with Moria, towards the pub. Cain who ruined his pregnancy announcement, Cain who hasn’t been able to look him in the eye for the 6 weeks since. Yeah no chance was he ruining his baby’s gender reveal. Aaron wasn’t looking where he was going, he only saw red as he started walking across the street towards the pub. “Aaron!” Was all he heard before he was knocked down at quite some force by a car.
It was Robert who screamed his name. Robert who had walked out the shop with his 3 packs of ginger nuts and box of herbal tea in the small shopping bag. Robert who saw his pregnant husband being knocked out cold by a car. Robert screamed as he got to Aaron, alerting those inside that something had happened. The driver was a random guy they’d never seen before who sped off straight away.
“Aaron, Aaron, Aaron wake up. Yeah come on that’s it.” Robert said as Aaron started coming round, his head on Robert’s thigh. “The ambulance is on its way. It’s okay. Does it hurt anywhere?”
Aaron started sobbing and nodded to Robert’s question.
“Where does it hurt?” Robert asked.
Aaron curled up on himself sharply as if he was getting cramps. “My stomach… Rob… it hurts…”
Robert teared up and kissed Aaron’s head, leaning over him slowly to rub his bump “you’re okay in there little one aren’t you, you’ve just gotta let daddy know so he doesn’t worry.”
People were starting to come out the pub to see what the commotion was. As soon as Chas saw, she had everyone go back inside to give them both some space.
“I can’t feel anything Rob… no kicks…” Aaron squeezed his eyes closed in pain as he started cramping again.
They soon heard the sirens wailing louder as the ambulance reached them. Aaron screamed in pain as he was moved onto the stretcher bed. Robert climbed in the ambulance and sat beside Aaron, holding his hand tight.
Robert saw the paramedics face when she noticed the blood pooling on Aaron’s jeans on the way to the hospital.
Robert reached to put his hand on the bump. Still no movement.
In the hospital, Aaron had to have his head and eyes checked for a concussion before they even mentioned doing an ultrasound. He squeezed Robert’s hand at every cramp, they were just getting worse.
Robert knew the news to expect. He knew deep down that Aaron already knew too.
They were told that they had lost their baby. Robert climbed into the bed Aaron was on and they just held each other and cried together for their life that should’ve been.
They were told that because of how far gone Aaron was this wasn’t like a regular miscarriage and that he would still have to give birth to their baby. Robert held aaron close as possible as they got that news, knowing that he would have to go through the labour process essentially for nothing was going to be one of the hardest things for him to ever do.
Aaron asked Robert if he could ring Chas to come in.
Robert called Chas, who turned up with herself, Paddy, Diane, Victoria, Adam and Liv. Liv had raw red blood shot eyes. Robert left the room so Chas could have time with Aaron. As soon as he saw Livs face he pulled her in for a hug.
“Is he okay?” Liv sobbed. Robert shook his head.
“And you?” Vic asked.
“I’ve gotta be Vic” he said as his voice broke. He looked through the window into Aaron’s room, Aaron sobbing in Chas’ arms. “This is breaking him and I can’t do anything to help. He’s gotta get induced tomorrow to give birth… he’s gotta give birth to our baby that we’ll never bring home.” That’s when it all hit Robert and he started sobbing. Diane pulled him into a hug whilst Vic fell into Adam’s arms and Liv into Paddy’s.
Aaron was put on medication that night that started off the labour process ready for the next day. Chas had told them it was a baby boy as they did want to know before they got to meet him and hold him.
“Me and daddy are gonna give you lots of cuddles when we meet you, I promise you son.” Robert said that night, rubbing Aaron’s bump with tears in his eyes.
“We’ve gotta name him” Aaron said and put his hand over Robert’s on the bump. “The deal was I name a girl, you name a boy. What should we call him, Rob?”
“Jacob?” He asked Aaron, testing the waters about his family name.
“It’s perfect, Jacob Sugden-Dingle”
“No middle name?” Robert asked softly.
“Jacob Patrick Sugden-Dingle” Aaron corrected. “Patrick because Paddy”
Robert nodded “I love it” he smiled sadly and reached for Aaron’s hand.
“I’m sorry Rob” Aaron said “should’ve seen there was a car coming… it just came out of nowhere… and I saw Cain going into the pub, didn’t want him ruining the gender reveal… I’m sorry…” he sniffled.
“It’s not your fault Aaron. That driver was going far too quickly down that road.”
Aaron nodded and was trying to convince himself that Robert was right.
The labour pains started at 7am.
Aaron woke Robert up from his uncomfortable sleep on the stupid blue chair. Robert knew exactly what was happening and rushed off to get help.
Aaron cried through the contractions and sobbed as he pushed. Robert was encouraging him and cradling his head in his arms to try comfort him.
“Would you like to cut the cord, dad?” The doctor said.
Robert nodded and kissed Aaron’s head softly before going round. Seeing his tiny baby boy broke his heart. He cut the cord and allowed the nurses to wrap Jacob in a blue and white blanket.
“Can we have some time with him?” Robert asked them.
“Yeah of course, take as long as you both need.” The nurse nodded and gave Robert a small, sad, smile.
They laid baby Jacob in Aaron’s arms after they had checked Aaron over for any additional bleeding.
“Hey…” Aaron whispered “I’m so glad I got to carry you… our sweet baby boy…” Aaron said, getting himself upset. Robert placed his hand on top of Aaron’s that was on Jacob’s arm.
“Our boy” Robert said softly.
——
“You wanna hold him?” Aaron asked Robert after an hour of having Jacob to himself.
“Yeah, yeah I do.” Robert nodded as he stood up and scooped Jacob up in his arms. Robert hated how tiny the boy was. He walked Jacob around the room for a little while “I love you and your daddy so much” Robert told his son. “You’re both the best thing that ever happened to me.” Robert choked on his own tears.
“Rob…” Aaron said softly.
“I’m okay” Robert sniffled, peeking through the blinds that were closed to see Paddy, Chas, Victoria, Diane, Adam and Liv.
“They’re all out there…” Robert told Aaron “do we get them in here to meet him or something? How does this all work… we just have to decide when to hand him back to the hospital? Aaron I don’t think I can do that…”
“I know…” Aaron nodded “we can let the family meet him, then have some more time just with him and us… yeah? Before we have to…”
Robert nodded “yeah. Yeah okay.” He said and rocked Jacob gently “you’re about to meet the rest of the crazy family” he whispered to him before laying him back down in Aaron’s arms. He gave Aaron a quick peck before leaving the room.
Everyone stood up, Liv hugged Robert. “You wanna meet your nephew?” Robert asked her, holding her close and kissing her head, she nodded with a sniffle.
Robert let her, Chas and Paddy go in first.
“Mum?” Aaron’s voice cracked from here he was laid holding his son.
“Oh my boy” Chas rushed over to him, cradling his face “I’m so proud of you my boy. I’m so sorry this had to happen.”
“How are you doing?” Paddy asked, walking over with Liv.
“I think I’m okay, like I’m coming to terms with the fact he’s not coming home with us…”
Liv perched on the edge of the bed and looked over at Jacob.
“He’s so little…” she whispered.
“You wanna hold him?” Aaron asked.
She hesitated at first but nodded, Chas helped her settle down on the chair beside the bed with Jacob in her arms.
“Did you decide on a name?” Chas asked. Aaron nodded.
“Meet Jacob” he paused and looked at Paddy “Patrick” he said and looked back over at Liv holding Jacob “Sugden-Dingle” he smiled softly watching his sister with his son.
Paddy started welling up and choked on tears “I… I don’t know what to say…” he said before walking a tad closer and giving Aaron a hug.
“You’re my dad and I want your name in my sons” Aaron said.
“It’s perfect love, he’s perfect” Chas said.
——
They all met Jacob and stayed for a few hours that day but left Aaron and Robert to have their own time that evening with their son.
They knew they’d have to give him back to the hospital staff soon so we’re just soaking up the feeling of being a three.
Victoria had bought in a little preemie baby sized outfit for them to change him into instead of the bodysuit they were given by the hospital. They dressed him together and held each other whilst Jacob was laid in their arms.
Robert kissed Aaron’s head “I’m so incredibly proud of you.”
“Rob…” Aaron sniffled.
“I know, I know” Robert nodded.
They gave him back the next morning as Aaron was being discharged. It was an awful feeling for the both of them. They got picked up by Adam from the hospital.
——
A couple of weeks later they held a small funeral service for Jacob with just close family and friends. Cain didn’t come to the funeral service however did come to the pub after.
“Cain, we don’t need any trouble” Chas warned from behind the bar as she saw her brother look round for her son.
“I’m not here for trouble.” He said before approaching the table Aaron sat at along with Robert, Liv and Adam.
“Cain…” Robert said.
“Robert” nodded. “Aaron” he said to catch his nephews attention “Aaron I’m so sorry” Cain said. “I didn’t mean what I said at all.” He sighed “I guess I put my big foot in it again didn’t I.”
Aaron nodded at him.
“Can I buy you all a drink atleast? I know it won’t make up for what I said but I just wanna start to make it up to you.”
Aaron nodded “yeah.. okay. Cheers” he said.
Cain nodded and went off to the bar to get another round in for the table.
——