Lucy has done this once already, though her nerves were no more steady in that moment, because she was now telling Chris as well as their closest friends. Just a few days ago, she had sat both her parents down after luckily finding them in the house together and told them what was going on. The news was immediately taken as some kind of plague and disloyalty to those who had brought her up to be a lady, but in firing back at them both, the room had fallen into a swift silence. Both her parents knew deep down that she was not raised right at all, so their outburst had no defense to back it up and she had called them on that with such haste and anger, that they only responded by saying nothing at all. Some hours had passed after that, but when the two had finally calmed to levels where she could get through to them, they were told a second time that she was going to be a Mother, and they, surprisingly, took it a lot better than they did before. Now, it was everyone else's turn.
Being familiar already with the weight in her chest for how heavy a subject this was and how you shouldn't really spring it on anyone so quickly and without warning, she felt that her friends needed to know, but more so, Christopher. All were seated around the table in the kitchen, but Chris refused to sit because he was paranoid that something was terribly wrong. He stood against the counter, arms folded and fighting against the urge to start rambling before she could even find the time to speak, but he didn't have chance. The blonde was filled with anxiety and every so often, chewed on her lower lip out of fear that this wouldn't be the kind of news he would want to hear, but was hopeful that their friends might understand and be supportive no matter what. Taking a seat herself for fear of collapsing in fright as she began to fidget with her hands, the young woman brought them up to rest on the table as her eyes were fixed downward, reluctant to look anyone in the eye.
' ——we're expecting, ' was all she offered, still uncertain as she near ripped the skin of her lip before lifting her gaze to look at the reactions of everyone around her. ' I found out two weeks ago . . and it's twins, ' she added, turning her head enough to meet Chris' gaze, only to find that he was standing directly at her side before crouching down.
Lucy couldn't read the expression on his face because it was so complex, there was neither a hint of happiness or sadness over the information he had just been given, and she feared the worst. Her breath caught in her throat and eyes pooled with the beginnings of a downpour that would soon threaten to fall if he didn't say something. Chris leaned forward then, brushing his lips gently over her own and then her forehead, lingering long enough to let her know that he wasn't angry with her. How could he be? It takes two to make a baby, or in this case, the plural; it took him a second to come back down to the real world, but once he had, that infamous grin she knew so well lifted his features and he stood, pulling her up from the chair on which she sat and spun her in a small circle, laughing as he did.
' I can't believe we're going to be parents, ' he said, setting her down on her feet and pressing another kiss to the top of her head, pulling her in close to him and heaving a content sigh. ' How did you keep it to yourself for two weeks? ' he quizzed, a look of wonder about him as he reached for her hand and held it tight whilst both turned toward their mutual friends.
Hel and Col both were their own buckets of tears as they sat huddled close to one another, tissues out and all manner of mumbles about the infants that would be gracing everyone with their presence soon enough. Cage and Joey were up and out of their seats as soon as Chris had set Lucy back down and were congratulating him, as well as the blonde. Cage pulled Chris to one side and with a grin and pat on the back, filled him in on all the details and the odd bits and pieces he might find useful in the future, whilst Joey wrapped the girl in his arms and near lifted her off the floor himself. The other two ladies eventually hit pause on their overwhelmed response and stood as well, making a bee-line for whoever was nearest to them as they moved away from the table.
Embraces, kisses and non-alcoholic beverages were shared between the six of them for well over four hours that afternoon, the odd shuffling from the kitchen to the living room and back again, sometimes ended up dotted between the two rooms as they all chatted animatedly with one another. Helene finally caught Lucy on her way back into the kitchen for another refill and smiled, pulling her in for a tight hug and brushing away the happy tears that rested on her the girls cheeks.
' Have you decided on any names yet, or is it too soon? ' she asked, curious in stance as she was in her words and she waited patiently, but a chuckle and shake of the head from the blonde was all the answer she needed.
' It's too soon, but we've spoken about it before. We like Elijah for a boy —— but because we're having twins . . I'm not sure. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens, ' she gave a gentle shrug and another warm smile.
' Hey——you tryin' to lose me or somethin'. You keep wanderin' off, ' Chris came up behind her, arms coiling around her middle as he nipped playfully at her neck, which Helene took as a sign to scamper off to collect another drink for herself and Col, who was also running low.
' Slow down you two . . don't want more than you bargained for, ' Cage was highly entertained by his own joke as he called to them from the sofa, raising his glass with a nod of the head in their direction and a wink, suggestive of the fact that he was merely jesting and the young couple flushed in time, faces a rosy pink as they laughed awkwardly and made their way back into the living room where everyone else sat, talking amongst themselves.
Helene returned no more than a few moments later, claiming her spot beside Joey after handing Col her second drink. It being free of alcohol, no one seemed to care how many glasses they had that day and even though it was as such, all of them ended up three sheets to the wind from all the laughter that filtered about the room. Memories of their adventures together drifted around the group and stories were shared, turning swiftly into talk of plans and trips for a future involving their kids, as and when they could each find time off or actually afford to take off somewhere for a two week long break.
Cage reached over for Col and yanked her onto his lap so Lucy and Chris could sit beside them on the sofa and the green eyed irish lass didn't protest; too caught up in the beauty of the news they had all been given to care. Helene was busy watching Joey as he spoke to Chris, making plans so soon for their children to start up a band and finding that the younger male simply shook his head as he laughed it off. Given the mutual ability to sing, between Lucy and Christopher, there was every chance that their offspring would be blessed with the vocal chords their parents had, too.
' Hey, ' Hel rasped, gently thumping his arm as he reclined back against the cushion of the sofa and grinned. ' They don't even have names picked out for both of them yet and you're trying to get a band together, ' she chuckled, playing idly with the chain bracelet he wore on his right wrist.
' Oh, yea . . what kind of names do you both like? ' Col piped up, grin lessening from moments before as she turned her attention to the expecting couple and smiled, noting the gentle peck to the back of her neck that her other half offered.
Lucy and Chris turned to look at one another, her folded into his arms as she rested her head back against the cushion and his eyes seemed to light up at the mention of there being a choice, because there would be two of them, so perhaps they could share in naming them. If the young man knew her well enough, though, he would have to meet her in the middle, because she likely already had a whole list of favourites and there would be a compromise either way.
' I think we might wait until they are born, so we know what we're dealing with, ' she answered for him, noting the immediate smile that lifted one corner of his lips as she pecked his nose. ' I'll let you pick one, don't worry—— ' she added, giggling as he went for her sides until said gentle amusement turned into her trying to swat him away.
The six of them settled soon after, though the conversation hadn't fully died down just yet. It was a little after nine in the evening and though they hadn't done much but sit around and chat, everyone looked the very defition of worn out.
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