Marry, kiss or kill

Chapter 22

**Taylor's POV**

Morning came too soon. The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, and I found myself lying in Travis's arms, still wrapped in the warmth of our little cocoon. The scent of his cologne, the feel of his skin against mine, were little details I clung to more and more. I didn't want to leave this comfort, but today was a big day.

It was time. I knew the day would be filled with announcements, surprises, and a lot of new emotions. But I had never imagined that announcing our baby would have such an impact. I wasn't just sharing news; I was changing all of our lives. And it felt even more powerful when I thought of everything that it implied: family, friends, and all the changes that would follow.

I gently got up, careful not to wake him. Travis was snoring lightly, a soft sound that reassured me, as though the world could crumble around us and everything would still be fine as long as he was there.

I quickly got dressed, choosing a flowy dress—something comfortable but nice enough for a day filled with meetings. I wanted to feel comfortable, but also look good. I wanted this day to mark a new chapter in our lives, and I knew it would start with the announcements to our loved ones.

I headed to the kitchen to make a quick breakfast. The smells of croissants and coffee reminded me that, even in moments like this, life had to go on, and simple things still mattered. I poured myself a coffee, nibbled on a croissant, and waited for Travis to wake up.

A few minutes later, I heard him stir. He walked into the kitchen, a sleepy smile on his face.

"So, ready to announce the big news?" he asked, his eyes still half-closed.

I smiled, though I felt my hands trembling slightly. "I think so... It's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm ready."

Travis came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close. I instantly felt reassured, comforted by his presence. "You've got nothing to worry about. Our friends will be so happy. My family too."

I nodded, feeling a little calmer. After all, he was right. It was such a great piece of news, and everyone would support us. I felt a wave of emotions rising inside me. This was the beginning. A big beginning.

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**The Announcement to My Friends**

The phone rang, cutting through my thoughts. Seeing Gigi's name on the screen made me smile.

"Hi, Gigi, it's Taylor."

"Hey, Tay! How's it going?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm good... But I've got something really special to tell you."

"Ooh, you've got my attention now. Tell me!"

I smiled, a little nervous. "Well, I'm pregnant, Gigi."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. Then she burst out laughing with excitement. "What?! Oh my God, that's amazing! Congratulations! Does Travis know?"

I laughed, touched by her reaction. "Yes, we had our first ultrasound today, and everything looks great."

She kept asking questions, and for the next few minutes, it felt like we were talking about nothing but the baby. The conversation moved from the ultrasound to baby preparations, to whether I'd picked a name yet, and so on. It felt so real, and every minute was more exciting.

I made calls to the other friends as well: Blake, Abigail, Selena, Lana... Each call was just as enthusiastic, if not more. Abigail, ever the emotional one, started crying before I even finished telling her. Selena, true to herself, immediately asked if I wanted her to throw a party to celebrate. Every conversation brought joy and love, and as the day went on, I realized just how lucky I was to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

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**The Meal with Travis's Family**

After a busy morning full of phone calls, it was time to head to Travis's family's house. I knew this meeting was important. It was our way of grounding ourselves in this new phase of our lives. We arrived at his parents' house, a beautiful home that always smelled warm and inviting. As soon as we stepped inside, the air was filled with laughter from his family.

Travis's parents were already sitting around the table, and other family members had gathered too. It felt so natural. After the greetings, we all sat down to eat, and Travis gave me a knowing look. This was the moment.

I glanced around the room, observing the curious faces. It was a simple meal, but the kind where everyone talks and secrets inevitably come out. I knew this was the perfect time.

I took a deep breath and placed my hands on my stomach. Everyone was watching me, and suddenly the room felt heavier, like the universe was waiting for me to speak. I paused for a moment, letting the words come to me.

"Well, Travis and I have some big news to share with all of you. We're having a baby."

A sudden silence filled the room before Donna, Travis's mother, jumped up from her seat, her eyes wide with excitement. "Oh my God, Taylor, really?!"

His dad, more reserved, stood up as well and came over to hug me. "Congratulations, my dear. I'm so happy for you both."

Other family members, cousins, aunts, and uncles started asking questions. The room was alive with energy. We talked about the pregnancy, how it was going, our hopes and our fears. The support from his family was tangible, and I felt stronger, more ready to face whatever was ahead.

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**After the Meal**

The meal ended on a joyful note. Travis's parents were overjoyed, and all of his family congratulated us with warm smiles. After clearing the table and cleaning up, Travis and I slipped away for a moment in the kitchen. The buzz around us had calmed down, and finally, I could breathe.

I turned to him, my eyes full of gratitude. "Can you believe what we just did? That was a big moment, don't you think?"

He looked at me with a sincere smile. "Yeah, it was incredible. But this is just the beginning."

I snuggled up to him, feeling the safety of his arms around me. "I'm so happy, Travis. You're everything I need."

He kissed my forehead. "And you'll be everything I need, Tay. All we have to do now is enjoy every moment."

And for the rest of the day, we lost ourselves in the comfort of our life together, feeling each moment bring us closer to this future we had just begun to build together.

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