Feels Like the First Time

Chapter Three - The Garden Party

"So you are coming this weekend, right? I've received about five texts every day from Tamaki. It's driving me crazy. I don't think he's met someone new in a while." Mei asked from next to me on my sofa while I typed away on my laptop.

"I need to get 3000 words done before then and I'll be able to. I'm on 1583 now so as soon as you shut up I can finish." I grumbled, I hated being interrupted when I was in the middle of a flow. Mei glared at me and pinched my arm lightly. I flipped her the finger while I finished my paragraph.

"See, you shut up and I got to over 2000. Don't worry, I'll be there this weekend. I'll be surprised if I don't get this finished tonight. Besides, I really need to relax so I plan on getting us drunk." I winked at my friend after saving my work and placing my laptop down. I knew that Mei wouldn't leave until I gave her my full attention for a little while.

"I won't be drinking this weekend," she said with a soft chuckle.

"Why? Are you pregnant?" I asked, half joking but half serious; I'd been thinking since I saw the way she looked at Ritsu. She turned and gaped at me and slightly nodded her head. I shrieked in excitement and threw my arms around her neck.

"I'm so happy for you! When did you find out? That's so exciting! Are you getting married before the baby's born? Have you told your families yet? Oh, I'm so happy for you!" I blabbered, my grin stretching from ear to ear. I leant back to look into her face to find a watery smile plastered across it.

"I was so worried you wouldn't be happy."

"Why would I not be happy for you? You told me the other week that you wanted this."

"Well, since then, when you told me that you thought you and Nick were going to get married and, you know, have a family. I thought you'd be really upset about it. You were so sad when you spoke about it."

I froze at her words. She was right, Nick, the man I had planned to spend my life with, had promised me everything. "Mei, I was sad because-" I paused searching for the right words. "because the life that I had wanted and expected was not available anymore. I'm still mourning the life that I lost but I also love this life, Mei. If Nick and I hadn't separated, then I would never have met you and certainly wouldn't be doing my PhD in Japan. And, even though I'm sad over losing that life, I could not be happier for you and Ritsu! I do not and could not ever resent you for what you have, or will have. You're my friend and I love you. I want you to be happy."

Mei burst into tears at this and crushed me in a hug. I patted her back and let her cry on my shoulder, understanding completely how tense she had been about my reaction. I waited for her to calm down then informed her that she hadn't answered my questions yet. She chuckled and leant back, wiping her eyes.

"We found out a month ago. Well, we went to the doctor for the first scan a month ago. I'm two months along now." She said with a grin.

"Wow!"

"Yeah. We are going to get married, Ritsu proposed to me a couple of weeks before we found out. We just haven't decided if get married before the baby is born or after. He wants before but I want after." I nodded my head at this, of course Mei would want to wait until after, she wouldn't want to be pregnant in a wedding dress. I could also see where Ritsu was coming from though. "If you wait until after then you'll more than likely have to take the baby on honeymoon with you or have to wait for the baby to be old enough to be away from you for a few weeks. But then again, you can't fly in the last three months so it would have to be sooner rather than later."

"You make some good points. I hate the idea of waiting for months planning the wedding as well. I know I'll go crazy."

"Well, why don't you have a quick wedding and get married in the next couple of months. It's October now so you could get married in December, you more than likely won't be showing then and there won't be any issues with flying. Two months is plenty of time to plan!" I assured Mei, every word making her eyes sparkle just a little more.