Something Unexpected

Chapter Twenty

Laura's POV

"Oh Laura," My Aunt gushed, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. "You look absolutely beautiful."
"Thank you." Smiling I hugged her back before motioning toward an awkward looking Kaiden. "This is my boyfriend Kaiden, Kaiden this is my Aunt Chloe."
"Nice to meet you," Taking a small step forward Kaiden gently hugged her before standing back at my side.
"It's lovely to meet you Kaiden. I've got to go find your mother but I'll catch up with you later on ok?"
Nodding I slid my hand into Kaiden's, "Of course, we'll talk then."

As more people arrived, the bottom half of the house became crowded very quickly. People bustled throughout the lounge and kitchen, everyone stopping to introduce themselves to Kaiden or to offer their congratulations.
"What time are the guys getting here?" I whispered, smiling at cousins and family friends as they walked past.
"Connor just texted, they're five minutes away." He replied flatly. Tugging gently on Kaiden's arm, I motioned to the stairs. Once we were safely in confines of my room and out of the view of the families watchful eyes, I turned to face him.
"What's going on? You've been distant all day, haven't been speaking with anyone and you have literally said the same four words to every single member of my family that you've met." Crossing my arms I watch as he slumps onto the bed.
"I know, I guess I always thought that when I was going through something like this my Mom would be here to enjoy it." He admitted.
Taking a seat next to him, I held his hand gently in mine. "Then why didn't you invite her?"
"Because, for as long as I can remember my Mom has never been the supportive, loving mother everyone else seemed to have." Rolling his head back, Kaiden sighed sadly.

I knew that I couldn't help him. The issues that he and his mother have were forged long before I came along. Squeezing his hand gently, I offer Kaiden a reassuring smile.
"I don't know what to say to make you feel a little better but just know that we love you."
Casting a confused eye in my direction, he sat up. "We?"
"Yes, the baby and I. We love you."
Recognition flared behind his eyes, "As do I."

Bringing his lips to mine, Kaiden kissed me with a hunger that was a mix between need and want. As our lips danced, hungrily devouring one another, I could feel just how much he needed to be loved. How much he had wanted to be accepted by someone, and that someone wasn't me.
Breaking the contact, I held his cheek in the palm of my hand for only a split second before standing and waddling over to the closed bedroom door. Noise from the bustling party down stairs drifted up to the second floor of my childhood home.

As my foot landed on the wooden floorboards of the landing, I was engulfed with hugs and gifts from members of my extended family. I didn't wait for Kaiden to come back down and join the festivities but the slightest pressure on my back alerted me to his presence.
"Yo, Kaiden." Someone yelled from the front door. "Aren't you going to invite us in?"
Connor, Eric, Tyler and Kaiden's cousin Julian stood at the entrance to the house, eager smiles on their faces.
"Yeah come on cuz, let us in." Julian joked, pushing past the three school boys before walking over and grabbing Kaiden in a firm hug.
"Long time no see," Turning toward me, his smile broadened. "And this must be the miracle girl who has changed my baby cousin's life for the better."
Smiling awkwardly, I extended my hand. "It's lovely to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."
Batting my hand away, Julien wrapped his arms firmly around my shoulders, his muscles pressing painfully against my back.
"You're family now and in this family, we hug." He joked as he released his grip. "Is Liz here?"
Kaiden shook his head, "I didn't invite her."

My heart sank as Kaiden lowered his head, almost as if he was guilty about how things had gone. Julian shook his head but smiled slightly as if he understood in a way that I couldn't, and he probably did. Just as I was about to speak, the baby booted the underside of my ribs. Sucking in a deep breath I grabbed my side, smiling as both Kaiden and Julian rushed to my aid.
"I knew this was too soon, the doctor might have given the all clear but I don't believe him." Panicking, Kaiden tried to walk me into the lounge room.
Stopping him, I grinned. "It was just a kick, Kaiden."
"Yeah Kaiden, It was just a kick." Julian teased although the slightest hint of relief shone throughout his expression.
"Are you sure? Nothing like what happened before?"
Shaking my head, I placed his hand on my stomach as the baby gave another powerful boot. "See, everything is fine. Julien it was lovely to meet you and it's good to see you guys again," Smiling over at Kaiden's friends who had just joined our conversation.
"Wow Laura," Eric beamed. "You look good for a pregnant chick."
Laughing, I grabbed his arm. "Thanks Eric, you don't look too bad for yourself. I have to go socialize but I'm so happy you all could make it." Motioning over to Kaiden, I sighed. "Keep him entertained would you?"
"Will do, Laura." Julian agreed.

Leaving the boys to their conversation I met Mom and Lexi out on the patio, drinks held loosely in their hands.
"Laura, there you are." Mom exclaimed. "When did you want to do the present opening and the reveal?"
Taking a glass of punch off Dad, I shrugged. "I think the reveal should be done before present, don't you?"
"Couldn't agree more," Lexi replied as she shovelled a devilled egg into her mouth.
"Well should we do it soon?" Mom questioned.
Nodding I started moving back inside. "Might as well call everyone together, I'll go and get Kaiden."

As I stepped over the threshold to the kitchen I could hear Kaiden's laugh before my eyes even landed on him. A large smile spread from one end of his face to the other, his friends laughing and joking beside him. This was a side of Kaiden I hadn't see in a long time, if ever. He had always been so serious around me, like if he was his true self it would scare me off. The dimples that I loved so much danced on his cheeks as he told a story that had them all in fits of laughter.
"Kaiden," I called out. "We gonna do this?"
Turning his attention away from his friends, Kaiden's face lit up as he bounded over to me, kissing me gently on the lips. "This was such a good idea, I'm sorry if I was acting weird before." He apologised.
"Weird, how?" I didn't want to bring his mood down by replaying what happened before, so instead I smirked and linked my fingers through his. "I know this year had been more on the crazy side, but it's only going to get better from here."
"I couldn't agree more." Kissing my cheek once we both walked into the lounge room, followed closely by our friends and family.

Taking our position behind the large cardboard box that we had propped up on the coffee table, my eyes scanned over the dozens of smiling, happy faces of the people we loved.
"Thank you all for coming out today to share in this joyous occasion." Kaiden started, our hands not once unlocking from one another's.
"To kick of today's festivities we've decided to do the gender reveal first," Smiling down at my belly, I sent a beaming smile over at my family. "I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has stood by, supported and loved both Kaiden and I through this process. We know it didn't happen the way we had planned but we are so thankful for this little miracle none the less."

Without another word both Kaiden and I grabbedthe plastic tape that held the two flaps of the cardboard box shut. Everyonesat with bated breath as the tape gave in. As soon as we had lifted thecardboard, blue helium balloons of all shapes and sizes rushed out of the boxand floated into the air. I supressed a smile as the room erupted into cheersand congratulations, everyone just as excited as I was. Kaiden stood still, ahuge grin on his face as he watched the balloons.
"You said it was going to be a boy," Ireminded, smiling up at him. "Are you excited?"
"Excited?" He asked, his smile so wideit was almost blinding. "I'm having a son!" As he kissed my roughly I felt theslight dampness of tears as the realisation became real.
"Thank you." He exclaimed.
Grinning, I replied. "Why are you thanking me?"
"For giving me the best gift that anyonehas ever given me."
Kaiden placed a hand on my belly as he stared into my mist filled eyes. "Forgiving you a baby?" I asked, puzzled.
"No," Shaking his head he crouched downin front of me, placing one single kiss on my swollen stomach. "For giving me afamily." 

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ITS A BOY!

THE GENDER OF THE BABY IS REVEALED!! I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS CHAPTER AND REMEMBER TO LIKE AND COMMENT, I LOVE HEARING ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK. 

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MESSAGES FROM PEOPLE I HOPE THIS CHAPTER DOES JUSTICE TO THE AMOUNT OF ANTICIPATION ITS HAD!!

MUCH LOVE EVERYONE!!!!!!!!