Love Is Our Chance | DreamNotFound

| 37 |

TW!

February 2002

"Okay, everyone quieten down." Niki smiled and looked at the couple happily, "Obviously my brother and Louise invited you here because they had something to say."

The house was loud, music playing from the speakers and tapping from the people who were dancing.

"Guys, if you could just-,"

Everyone ignored Niki as she tried to get their attention. She turned to Clay and Louise, looking at them with a shrug.

Drista sighed as she walked up to her sister and patted her back soothingly before covering her ears.

"Everyone shut up!"

The whole house immediately stopped making noises. Everyone stopped dancing and the music stopped playing in an instant.

Drista looked at her siblings with a proud look on her face before motioning for Niki to continue.

"Uh, hi. My brother and Louise invited you today because they had very special news." She looked at the couple and smiled excitedly, "If you would...,"

Clay and Louise looked at each other before walking forward and smiling at their audience.

"Well...," Louise said and rubbed her stomach.

"We're expecting."

***

"There's the Father to be!" Luke smiled as Clay joined their table.

The man sat down, smiling at his friends and shaking his head happily, "Ahaha, I can't believe it. It's unbelievable."

"You're a lucky man." Sam said and patted his friend on the back, "That child is going to bring you so much joy."

"I can't wait to see you as a Father." Ant exclaimed and danced excitedly, "We'e all known you since we were so young and now that you're having a child is such a blessing to witness."

"It's crazy that you have a kid on the way, George and Sam both have kids already and Callahan still is one." Luke smiled.

Callahan stopped midway of taking a sip of his drink and put it down. He glared at the man and stuck his finger up.

Luke laughed and shook his head, "I'm joking man, you're probably the most mature one here."

"Anyway, steering away from Punz-," Sam chimed in, "I don't mean to sound...rude, but what made you want to have a kid? I think we can agree, we're all so old." He paused, "Was it an accident?"

Clay chuckled quietly to himself, "No, not an accident." He sighed, "I know that we're all older than what we'd like to be, but Louise has always wanted a child." He shrugged, "And I don't know, I used to always think that it would be pretty cool to have one."

"It is." Sam confirmed, "It's hard work at first, but watching them grow and develop is just so worth it."

Ant scoffed and drank his beer, "I could never-,"

Clay laughed at his friend before continuing, "I mean, it doesn't seem all that bad. Besides, we're financially stable." He smiled sadly, "The timing is a bit difficult, my Mom has always wanted to see me as a Father...but it's better late than never."

"Oh Dream." Luke sighed, "How long's it been?"

"Nine years."

"Fuck-," Sam mumbled and slumped in his chair, "I think her death hit me harder than my own Mother's."