[bhdire8]

They were too far apart, and Noah was hiding his discomfort well, so Dave wasnt aware of any of it. It took amother 20 minutes for the old lady to target another young man, some distant cousin of Dave's, so that he could escape her surprisingly strong grip. Just then, the bell for dinner rang and everyone hurried to their table to settle down.

Dave returned to the side of his husband and took a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat forming on his forehead. "Are you hot? Shall i ask them to bring a fan closer by?"

[secretsparrow]

Noah blushed slightly, he hadn't realized how hot he actually was until now and he nodded slowly. However, Noah wasn't very hungry he did eat, but it wasn't very much. He could tell others at the table were looking at him oddly for it but he just brushed it off and pushed the remaining food around on his plate until everyone was done.

[bhdire8]

Dave was exchanging conversations quickly with the prime minister on his side. He paid attention to Noah when he disocvered he wasnt eating too much, and found his hand under the table, squeezing it lightly as an unspoken question of whether he was ok. When he did that, he could feel Noah tensing up slightly but he didnt know the reason why. It wasnt like he didnt do it often in formal occassions.

[secretsparrow]

Noah was uncomfortable but he noticed Dave and gave him a small smile. He felt another small pain move through him it wasn't too strong but lt was enough to make him tense up. Noah brushed it off after a few moments just as he had before and relaxed again smiling lightly. He didn't think Dave would think anything up it and there was no reason to be worried just yet.

[bhdire8]

Dinner was a formal one with 5 courses, and it's dragging on long. The foreign ambassadors and ministers were discussing heatedly, making use of this rare chance of reaching agreeements. Dave's opposite side tried to make contact with him and Noah had to step up as a translator. At first its just casual chichats, then later they really started to discuss certain state affairs and more of Noah's skill is required.

[secretsparrow]

Noah was focused on the words standing next to Dave as the two talked. He was trying to stay focused but as he felt another small pain move through him he tensed. he stumbled slightly on his words, However, it would seem more that he had gotten momentarily confused then much else.

[bhdire8]

(Oh i assumed they were all still having dinner, but still discussing about serious issues during the meal.... so they would be still sitting? Oh anyway, that isn't importatn)

Dave casually hang an arm around Noah's waist. It would seem too casual in any other occassions, but it was understandable provided how protruding his belly was. Had the wasitcoat not been so form-fitting, the couple would have noticed the belly was dropping, but as it turned out, the waistcoat wasn't helping. It was holding the baby higher up than it should in this stage, and it would prove to be problematic very soon.

The conversations continued with everyone dismissing the slight falter in Noah's words as a momentary hesitance in his choice of words. Though it came again. And this time, there was a slight tensing up of his belly that even Dave could feel it.

[secretsparrow]

Noah's words faltered and he tensed. He attempted to make it seem like he was only thinking but he knew Dave would know and soon found himself gripping Dave's hand a bit tighter. It hurt, but thankfully it didn't last too long and he relaxed again finishing his sentence and then tossing a look at Dave, he was starting to get a bit worried, and he knew DAve probably wouldn't let what just happened to go unnoticed.

[bhdire8]

That look. Dave knew something had to be wrong. He looked at Noah with worry. "Noah......? Please, is it... time?" His voice was even trembling a little, his hand landing on the tuxedo wrapped belly and asked, quite sure the man he was conversing with wouldn't have a clue what he was saying. He weighed his options and considered if he could call off the banquet and retire early with his husband, already glancing around wanting to find the prime minister.

[secretsparrow]

Noah nodded slowly. "I think so." He spoke back to Dave in the same language, it was times like this he was really glad he was a translator, quickly, Noah made up something to cover there small conversation then looked back at Dave. He hoped they would be allowed to be done early, he didn't want any sort of repeat of last time. The whole thing made him nervous.

[bhdire8]

Dave's clenched his jaw tight. That's his worst nightmare and now it's happening. He frowned hard and thought of his options. Looking pass the man he was talking with, he pretended to be waving at someone he recognised and muttered an apology. Before he could react, Dave was already dragging Noah to a quieter corner.

While they navigated through the crowd, Dave got closer to Noah, opening the way for him. "How long have it been....? We could always call this off." He said, voice filld with worry.

[secretsparrow]

Noah thought for a moment, he was just glad to be somewhere with fewer people. "probably since this morning it wasn't that bad until now." As he spoke he began weighing the options, could they just call it off? Could it be that simple, it was honestly what Noah preferred but he knew all of this was important. "Might be best if we did." It take awhile for everyone to leave anyway.

[bhdire8]

Dave nodded solemnly. He knew Noah wouldn5 have consent to this had this been any chance to be a false alarm. He was about to get back to th3 crowd and announce it when th3 hall light dimmed. The MC had taken the stage and was announcing for their host to come give a short speech, i.e. Dave and Noah. At this point, there was really no way of turning down. As the spotlight was searching for them, Dave quickly asked "noah stay here. I would just give the speech. You wouldnt need to come up and we are leavig right after this." He said, even though they had planned for both to get on stage.

[secretsparrow]

People would ask questions if Noah didn't go up. Plus Dave needed someone to translate. "Hey, you can't go up there by yourself." If he did, half the people wouldn't understand what was going on. Either someone else had to to do it or Noah had to come with and he was pretty sure he was the only one here qualified. "Will make it quick, It'll be ok." At least Noah hoped so.

[bhdire8]

Dave hesitated but knew Noah did i5 for him, so he nodded. "Yea I would make it quick. Just skip the first few cards." They had cue cards prepared together and it would be easy to cut ir short with their prior understanding of the speech.

Dave and Noah appeared under the limelight and everybody was applausing for them. Dave took steady but slow steps, guiding Noah carefully through the hall.

[secretsparrow]

Noah didn't like this any more than Dave did but what could he do? He knew this had to be done. It would be fast, and then they could go. Stepping on to the Stage Noah was careful he stood close to Dave and waited for him to start speaking, He kept up pretty well actually considering everything However as a new pain started shortly after they took the stage Noah stumbled slightly with his words. He knew Dave would notice but the others probably wouldn't.

[bhdire8]

Dave couldnt help with the worry. There was a stand in front of them that thankfully obscured the guests' vision on them. Had they been able to see, tbey would have noticed how Noah's knees wobbled from the new surge of pain. Dave could.only xlutch onto Noah's waist tighter so he could lean against him for support. They had rehearsed over and over again so the stutter was minute and most wouldnt notice, but Dave npticed the contravtion seemed to be hitting.closer together.

[secretsparrow]

Noah's body tensed he leaned on Dave the best he could without giving away the fact that anything was wrong. He didn't want anyone to worry. When the pain let up he relaxed. The speech wasn't that much longer, Noah reminded himself. It would be fine. At least, he hoped that it would be.

[bhdire8]

Dave was trying hard to take care of all thibgs at the same time. He knew his speech well, but he needed to edit it shorter while he talked, but didnt want to deviate from it too much that Noah would have to spare effort into doing new translations. He quickly marked how far apart the contractions were, and tried timing his part so it would be between contractions that Noah needed to speak.

[secretsparrow]

Dave was doing pretty well at it, Noah was glad the timing seemed to do well when the next one hit he leaned onto Dave slightly just as he had done before and continued trying to listen to what Dave was saying. His jaw clenched tightly and he tried to keep himself still. He was good at faking it. Noah was a pretty good actor thankfully.