Into The Unknown

Chapter 23

Abigail's POV

How could Nick be so fucking stupid? My heart is racing as I walk down the hall towards the lounge. What sort of idiot would tell her something like this, give her something like this, how dare he tell her something so private. My hands are shaking, tears are burning eyes, I just want to scream.

I knew telling Ryan to leave it didn't mean he would. I heard his footsteps behind me "What happened?" I felt Ryan's arms loop around my waist. I didn't need to speak as soon as I unlocked the screen of my ipad I saw the email link to a newspaper article "Oh my god" Ryan's reply was staggered as we simply stood and stared at the images that had been used in the article.

"Why would anyone do something like this? How could she use her grandchild, her own flesh and blood to hurt me and Nick like this" it was getting harder to read the article as my eyes clouded up with tears "These were private photos for me and Nick to cherish, the hospital gave us them to help us grieve. Not for Nick to give to his Mom so she can make a mockery listen to this 'Nick and Abi made it clear I was not welcome at the hospital, or the funeral. As her family gathered to say goodbye to my grandson, all I was given was these few pictures. I couldn't even say goodbye properly, they stole that privilege from me" I could hardly breathe as I read out loud to Ryan what had been written "Abigail has a lot to answer for, she stole that little baby's life away from him when she chose to take drugs" I broke down as I continued to read, Ryan snatched the ipad from my hands and threw it across the room. The screen shattered into a thousand pieces against the wooden floor.

"That's enough" Ryan pulled me and held me tightly against his chest "That is the last fucking time she does this to you" as I looked I noticed Leroy hovering in the doorway, he must have heard Ryan throwing the ipad. Leroy's face fills with concern as Ryan pushes me away gently and reaches for his car keys.

"Ryan where are you going?" I follow him "RYAN" to my relief he meets Eddie and Zach at the front door.

"Hey Man what's going on? We can hear you outside" Eddie frowns when he sees the tear's streaming down my face "Ryan"

"I am so sick of their bullshit, I need to fix this" Ryan snaps "That woman is beyond words"

"Please Ryan come back inside" I try to plead with him as he rushes out onto the drive.

"She can't keep getting away with this" he spits, I manage to get close enough to wrap my arms around his waist.

"And she won't, first thing tomorrow we will talk to the police and find out what they can do" I look up into his eyes "But we have more important things to do today remember" I put my had on my stomach, I can see Ryan thinking about it "I won't let her take this day away from us, it's your birthday and we are about to reveal the most amazing news to our family. Don't let her taint it with her poison"

To my relief he nods reluctantly "Alright as long as you promise me we will deal with it tomorrow"

"I promise" I lean up on my tip toes and kisses Ryan's lips "I love you so much"

"I love you too baby" he replies as he kisses me back harder, I feel his hand grab a handful of my hair as the kiss intensifies.

We hear Zach fake cough from the door "Sorry to interupt guys but Eddie is about to demolish a chocolate cheesecake out of the fridge"

"Thanks Zach" I turn to Zach "We'll be in, in a second, I meant what I said. I can't live my life in the past, we need to keep moving forwards. We can't let her win" I feel Ryan's fingers against the skin on my cheek.

"She will never win" Ryan smiled "Come on let's go and rescue that cheesecake" he takes my hand and leads me back inside

X-x-x

Most people had arrived at our house by 4pm except my Mom and Dad of course, they were well known for being fashionably late.

Drinks were flowing and me and Ryan had started to get excited about telling our families about the babies. Ryan's Mom and Dad were here, Harriet, Tony, Zach, Drew, Brent, Eddie, Leroy and Lex.

"Of all the days to be late my parents choose today" I moan as I feel Ryan's arms close around me from behind, he rests his head on my shoulder "Hey I've been thinking, how would you feel about making this our only home?"

"What?" I turn round in Ryan's arms and look up at him.

"When I moved to LA it was a fresh start for me away from Nick and that was great" I stumble over my words "But now I want this to be a new start with you and our babies, I want us to make new memories...just me, you Freya and the twins"

"HELLO HONEY" My Mom's voice rattled through the lounge "I'm so sorry we're late, we had to pick up a little something along the way" as my Mom stepped aside I was stunned to see Freya.

"Oh my god baby" I squealed with excitement I noticed Ryan wasn't surprised "You knew didn't you?" I frowned at him and he nodded. I squeezed Freya tightly enough to cut off her blood supply.

"Mom I can't breathe" she gasped as she wriggled free. I looked down at her, she seems so grown up now.

"I'm just so pleased to see you, when you said you couldn't make it I..."

"I know but Ryan said I should be here and it would be a nice surprise for you" Freya walked over to Ryan unprompted and hugged him "Happy Birthday Ryan" My heart melted instantly.

"Thank you princess" Ryan smiled he looked towards me and then at his parents, who were also smiling.

"So you made such a fuss about getting us all down here to tell us some news what is it?" Ryan's Dad laughed jokingly "I hope it's not just to show off this incredible new house"

"Well yeah actually..." Ryan teased "No honestly you're right we did bring you all together to tell you something. We figured it would be easier if we told you guys together"

"Okay spit it out the curiosity is killing us" My Dad chuckled.

Ryan and I glanced at eachother before facing our families and friends "Obviously you're not just here to see our new house, or just for Ryan's birthday. We wanted to tell you while we have the luxury of telling you ourselves...I'm pregnant"

The excitement in the room is overwhelming "That's not all" Ryan quickly interrupts "During the scan we discovered we were expecting more than one, it's twins"

"Oh my god congratulations" Our Mom's squeal with glee as they rush forwards to hug us. Each person takes a turn to hug and congratulate us, it's amazing to feel so much love in one room especially after my phone call from Nick earlier.

After we had spoken to everyone I was surprised to feel Ryan pull me close to him "What?" He is looking down at me with a goofy smile on his face "Ry, what are you thinking?"

"Check mate"

"What?" I bit my lip as soon as he said it, I remembered the conversation we had during the time he wrote Au Revior.

"You got me at check mate" he smirked "You had me when I first laid eyes on you, but I didn't want to admit it"

"I knew it" I laughed "You had me too baby, always have always will"