Surrogate in Love - Richard Madden

Chapter 7: Getting the Band Back Together

 *Iris P.O.V*

"Jess, I do like him but right now just isn't the time to tell him. I'm gonna wait until these are out of me and see what happens" I said as I sipped from the cup in front of me. It was a week after the call between me and Richard and to say things had moved forward was an understatement. We spoke every single day without fail and had even met up on Wednesday to go out for lunch. He had told me that I had been working too hard and that I needed to remember to eat and then ten minutes later showed up at my door to take me to lunch. He was so sweet and I felt like myself again every time I was with him. I was falling hard for him which was dangerous. I hadn't had the best luck when it came to love so I was scared to even think about a guy for the last 5 years and then when I'm in a position where it would be hard to start a relationship the perfect guy comes into my life.

"It's clear he really likes you to Ris so I wouldn't worry. I've seen the way you two are together and I think that you would be perfect together. I get why you would want to wait until this is over" she came over and placed her hand on the bump "but I do think that you should talk to him and let him know how you feel. You could be good together." I sighed knowing that she is probably right, as always. I did want something with Richard and after the late-night call when he told me he liked me it did seem like he liked me but I didn't want to jinx something good happening between us by forcing it.

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*Jess's P.O.V

"by the way the people who I asked to come for Christmas have said yes. I was planning on telling you but I've decided to keep it a surprise because trust me you are going to love it!" I said to her. I knew she would be mad and from what I could see of her face through the fridge I knew she was but I know she will love the surprise I have planned.

"come on jess just tell me you know I hate having to see new people!" she was practically whining as she said it so I gave her some of the surprises.

"okay fine so Taron is gonna be coming since he can't go home for Christmas this year. Working on Rocketman means that he won't have enough days off to get to wales and back. I asked Richard as well but he's managed to get a flight Christmas eve so he's going home for the 3 days then coming back" she perked up at the sound of Taron's name and then as soon as I said Richard wasn't coming she practically started to mope again. I laughed slightly at my best friend who was very clearly falling for the man.

"well, it will be nice to have Taron there. Won't have to deal with Tom and you Snogging the faces off each other. I'm guessing Harrison will be coming as well?" I knew she would be annoyed but at the end of the day, Harrison is Tom's best friend so I cant invite her for Christmas and not him.

"he will but I thought you two were okay with each other now?" I knew they had made up after the break up 5 years ago but I also knew there was a lot of bad blood for the years after since Harrison was dating the girl he had cheated but after she left him for another guy they had started to be able to be in the same room as each other. She shrugged and replied quietly.

"yeah we have but ya know it's still kinda awkward. Especially since I am caring both his godchildren" she rubbed her belly again.

She looked lost. Had done for a while and it broke me to see. She was my best friend and all I wanted to do was protect her especially now that she was carrying my children. Before I could ask her how she was doing the front door opened and 2 voices could be heard booming getting louder and louder until the kitchen door opened and Tom and Harrison walked through.

"Ris I wa-wasn't expecting you to be here" tom stuttered concerned that both Iris and Harrison were in the room together without being warned of the other being there.

"it's alright Holland. I don't know how many times I have to tell you pair. Haz and I are fine now. We talked it through and considering everything else I've been through do you think that I'm going to hold a grudge with him? Were back to how it used to be friends" Tom laughed and so did Ris so I knew that the bad blood was gone. I knew she had said it was many times but I hadn't seen them together since they spoke so it was unclear if they were.

"exactly what the fat one said," Haz said and I held my breath for a second until I heard laughter coming from Ris.

"oh, how I have missed you Osterfield. Come here" Ris said through the laughter. At this point, we were all laughing and Haz pulled Iris in for an awkward side hug. It was just like it had been back in high school before relationships got in the way. Tom and I had always thought that they were better off as friends and now it was clear to see.

We all sat and talked for a few hours, we ate and the conversation once again fell on Ris and Richard. Iris continued to deny that anything could happen between them before the twins were born or even after and even Harrison, after being filled in, agreed that they should be together. It was so nice to just have the four of us together that we lost track of time and Harrison and Ris both took off to get home.

"I'm glad the 4 of us are back. It's like year 7 all over again" Tom said as we sat on the sofa that night.

"yeah except your now hot, I got thin, Ris is now pregnant. The only one who is still the same is Haz. He's still a player" we both laughed at the truth that had just come out of my mouth. We both settled for the night even more excited now for the next few months ahead.