**********
Everyone else left us in the room whilst I had my mini breakdown. As I finally pull away from my dad, I notice him rubbing his eyes, and I smile softly at him. There is no point in dwelling on the past; what happened cannot be changed. I can either spend the rest of my days hateful and wishing things had been different, or I can accept they happened and be thankful that fate has given us another chance to make things right.
We walk downstairs to find everyone standing together in the kitchen. Cole notices me first, somehow he always does, and comes over to me. With one hand on my stomach, cradling Peanut, he kisses the top of my head before murmuring, “Is everything okay?”
I smile up at him and nod.
“It’s perfect.” Then I remember the crib and look around for Nate. “Where’s Nate gone?”
“Uh, he was here a minute ago.” Cole trails off when he looks towards the back sliding doors. Just outside, Nate and Hayleigh are engaged in what looks to be a heated discussion.
“HOUSE WARMING!” Emmy shouts across from the other side of the kitchen, and our attention is dragged away from the scene outside. She gives me a look that tells me to play along; clearly, whatever Nate and Hayleigh are going through is between them only.
“Yes! House warming! That’s a great aarrggghh…” I trail off as my stomach tightens. The feeling isn’t painful but surprising.
Everyone stops what they’re doing and stares wide-eyed before all hell breaks loose. All the men start talking over one another, buzzing around.
Archie stands right in front of me, flapping his hands up and down. “Okay. Okay, okay. Just stay calm, it’s all okay! MUM, GET SOME TOWELS AND HOT WATER!”
If I weren’t so stunned, I’d be laughing my backside off. I feel Cole’s presence behind me, calming and strong. He wraps his arms around me and lifts my stomach, allowing me a moment to breathe and much-needed rest for my poor back.
He growls down the side of my ear, “Archie, calm the fuck down. It’s just Braxton Hicks. Perfectly normal for twenty-eight weeks.”
At his words, everyone calms instantly, and I roll my eyes. “God help you lot when I actually do go into labour. We need some test runs ifthisis how you all react.”
The only ones unfazed by all of this are May and Emmy; they watch on in silent amusement as Archie rubs his sweaty hands down his top.
Family. I love them all so much. I just hope the other shoedoesn’tdrop.
Chapter 28
Cole
32weekspregnant.Babysize – Squash
Four weeks of silence from Ted.
Four weeks of looking over our shoulders.
Four weeks of Lacey’s nerves being fried.
Four weeks of me losing my mind and her begging me not to pay him a visit in case I make the situation worse.
I’ve never been one for violence – I genuinely believe it doesn’t solve anything – but I’ve never wanted to take my anger out on someone as much as Ted. Lacey has been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I’ve not wanted to admit it, but so have I. Last week, we had a meeting with Clive, and we gave him everything we had on Ted, including everything he’s done and suspected of having done, such as the information about his past that Vik dug up and the threat he made about sending someone afterLacey. Clive was disgusted and said he would do everything in his power to make sure Ted wasn’t allowed near her, and the first step was a restraining order. Admittedly, it’s just a piece of paper to someone like Ted, but in the eyes of the law, it’s a deterrent and another notch in our favour.
The plan. To make sure he can’t exercise any rights over Lacey and Peanut.
The past four weeks haven’t been all doom and gloom. The house is almost complete. Lacey has been spending her days furnishing it or working at the Aquarium, and this weekend we plan to move in just as she finishes for her maternity leave.
This morning we’re going into town for her first antenatal class, and I have no idea what to expect. She told me they talk about the birth and birthing plans, what to expect, techniques to use and a whole host of other things. I’ll admit I’m nervous just thinking about it. There are going to be real dads there, and part of me feels like I’m the one pretending.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, dragging me out of my negative thoughts.
Rafe
Heard Lacey has her first antenatal appointment today. Good luck, brother
Arch
