Adore me- the fourth novel

Chapter 76- women

"Jay my darling" shes saying and I smile standing in our kitchen tossing the salad.

"You look so well" she says and I can hear them approaching.

"This place is wonderful" she smiles entering the kitchen.

Claire Gilbert Scott, is smaller than her son as he towers over her in all of his glory. She's wearing her hair up on top of her head and she pulls her sunglasses up to assess me. A broad grin falls over her features as she paces through the kitchen to give me a hug. I watch Jay smile over her shoulder.

She pulls back still holding onto my little frame.

"How are you my darling" she asks smiling at me.

"I'm very well, how are you both" I say including Andrew, Jays dad in the conversation.

"Lovely, we're great we just came back from Dubai" she chuckles.

Andrew nods to me.

"Lovely to see you both, I presume you're enjoying settling into your new place" Andrew comments.

"We are, let me show you the BBQ" Jay says easing up the conversation.

They head outside to admire and I presume fire up the BBQ. However absurd it is Claire helps me to tidy my kitchen, Claire is a lady of luxury and I cannot imagine her cooking or cleaning for that matter.

"Taylor, I'm so happy that he found you" she says catching me off guard.

"I'm lucky I found him" I say sweetly.

The anticipation is killing me and I just want to blurt out that I'm pregnant. I want her to know that I'm carrying his child, her grandchild. But I wait. We are going to tell them together.

"Let's carry out the salads" I say instead.
I take out a board of cheese, ham and olives and she brings the salad. I set them down on our large patio set.

"Wow" I hear her gasp behind me.

"That is some view" she smiles.

"It's wonderful isn't it." I say softly.

The BBQ is alight and we watch Jay explaining how it works to his dad, I look over at Claire and see her mirroring my smile watching her son.

"It's nice isn't it" I say looking at Jay.

"It's lovely to see them interacting and talking together again" she smiles.

I take a seat under the parasol and she follows suit. Jay places the burgers, sausages and kebabs on the grill and comes to take a seat next to me. Andrew stays tending the meat with a beer in hand.

"We have something we want to share with you both" he says finally and I thank him because I can't wait any longer.
Claire looks at me gleefully and I try not to give it away.

"Taylor and I are expecting our first child" he says smiling down at me.

"You are" she smiles at me and tears stream down her cheeks. I knew this would be emotional.

"We are" I smile and take a glance up at Andrew.

"Congratulations" he says instantly coming over to the table.

"I did notice that you weren't drinking and you weren't smoking" Claire says glancing at Jay. She stands up and comes to hug both of us.

"We need to plan a baby shower" she smiles at me once she sits back down, wiping her eyes which are full of happy tears.

"How far along are you" she asks me as Andrew goes to check the meat.

"Make sure her meat is done" she throws the comment to Andrew and he nods.

"We are 8 weeks" I say softly.

"Wow have you had much sickness" she asks full of concern.

"No so far I've been lucky to skip out on that one" I smile.

"We've had checkups" Jay interjects. He places his hand around my waist, it feels nice to finally be able to do that gesture in front of somebody without worrying.

"Baby is fine and before you ask we're not sure about finding out the gender" he smiles looking at his mum.

"I want to know" I say looking at him.

"He doesn't" I laugh.

"But it's like what paint do we buy, what clothes do we get" I laugh.

Claire smiles and chuckles along with us.

"I want to know too" she smiles.

"Ohhh you are getting out ruled my boy" Andrew laughs from the grill, plating up burgers.

"I know tell me about it" he smiles looking over his shoulder.
Andrew places the sausages on the table and the kebabs. I place some salad on my plate and a few sausages suddenly feeling hungry. Jays arm is around my waist and I feel so comfortable and at home with him. I look out at the view of our glistening pool and the gardens beyond. The hazy sunshine shining through and the scent of honeysuckle and lavender floating in the breeze.

I cut up a roll for Jay and place some food on his plate whilst he's discussing nursery furniture of all things with his dad. Claire smiles at me and I can see the hope and glee in her eyes. She gives me a knowing look that can only come from a woman; one that says if you need me I'm here for anything. I acknowledge her and smile back.

"I'm starved" Jay smiles rubbing his abs. He begins eating the food I've plated up for him.

"I think it's a boy" I say with a sly smile on my lips.

Claire laughs and Jay sighs.

"Never doubt a pregnant woman." Claire says.

"It's true when I was pregnant with you, I said the same. I just had a feeling you were going to be a boy" she adds.

"How about we buy blue" I say teasing him.

"I think you should do a gender reveal" Claire smiles at me.

"Yes" I say smiling.

"Claire was right, when she was pregnant" Andrew says sitting down at the table.

"She said it would be a boy and well then we had Jay. Was the proudest moment of my life" he says briefly looking at Jay.

"And look what a man he's turned into" he chuckles.

"Thanks Dad" Jay smiles.

"You'll say the same one day" Andrew says to him.

We all eat in comfortable silence. The sound of the birds above us. I reflect on how far myself and Jay have come. From "frenemies" to an engaged couple expecting their first child together.

I gaze up at him and smile. Now that we've told his parents it somehow feels more real. Like we're actually doing this together. Like everything is going to be okay and I can stop holding my breath. He knew that this would help me; he smiles down at me as if he instinctively knows how I feel.

"Now, when's the wedding" Claire smiles looking at us.