Omnia Causa Fiunt

6

"We spent the next four months living and working together. If there was a social occasion we attended together. I was more than happy with my work but I still missed writing on occasion. That's when I applied for the online job. We sat and came up with an alias. That night was the most relaxed we had been in a long while. We ate. We drank and we laughed freely. I think the realization of 'this was becoming more than friendship' happened that night. We spent the night curled up on the outdoor seating out on the balcony. Seeing the sunset is one thing but sat talking all night and watching it rise is something out of this world."

"I knew I wanted Rory in my life. I knew who she was and together we had not only been through a lot but we had achieved a lot.  I never wanted to let her go. So it was another few weeks before I finally took a step. We had been to a gala and when we got home I hugged her and thanked her for a great evening. When she looked up at me I took the chance and we shared our first kiss. The electricity that jolted me was very unexpected but we both felt it. We took baby steps at building a proper relationship. Our day to day lives carried on as normal and word of us broke in Australia two months after we started dating. It was all going really well. We worked together, lived together and thanks to our solid friendship were building a relationship together. We had been together for seven months when Rory gave me the biggest scare of my life. I realized as the paramedics arrived that my world was her. She had passed out. Nothing we had been doing on a day to day basis was different. But two days in hospital gave us the answers we had been looking for."

The door bell sounded. Rory untangled herself from Finn and went to answer it.

"So why was she in hospital?" Logan asked

"Well that was the thing we weren’t expecting. The curve ball life threw at us."

Finn got up and met Rory.

"Everyone I'd like you to meet our little curve ball. Kiera."

Finn emerged holding a little girl in his arms. The group sat stunned at the 14 month old. She was the image of her mother apart from the smile which was all Finn.

"It turns out that the reason for me being in hospital was dehydration. I was just over a month pregnant and didn't even know. Then 8 months later our world turned upside down and we entered the terrifying world of parenthood."

"We've taken each day as it comes. The office is baby proofed so we can still both work although she has my troublemaker tendencies so it's becoming more difficult." Finn laughed.

"Wow." Logan sighed. "I wasn't expecting that. I thought hearing you had a girlfriend was shocking enough. But you have a daughter together. This is a lot to take in."

"There might be a smidgen more." Rory said "Knowing we were seeing you all last night we decided to keep surprises to a minimum before today. When Kiera was three months old we visited one of our new resorts for a break and to see how it was shaping up. While we were there...."

"I asked Rory to marry me."

"So your engaged?" Logan asked

"No. She said yes. And we were married the next day at sunset on the beach."

"Actually next week is our first wedding anniversary and on Tuesday my grandparents are hosting a reception for us and announcing that I will be heir to both Gilmore insurance and Hayden law."

"Wait what." Colin said surprised.

Rory smiled. "Surprise I'm your new partner. After the merger last year they wanted to make the announcement then, but we still weren’t ready. It's been one hell of a ride and a new baby and new marriage with all the media attention over here was just a bad idea."

"We're complete partners." Finn stated. "Everything and all three companies are in both our names. Nothing is split and no pre up is in place. We work as a team and hold no surprises."

"Except for your friends surprises" Robert laughed.

"Well I may have a small surprise for you Finn." Rory whispered in his ear and kissed him on the cheek.
His face went from shock to wide grin in a matter of seconds.

"I stand corrected. My wife did hold a surprise." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close. "It would appear that we are expecting again."

Steph squealed and jumped up to hug them.

Kiera was happily asleep head resting on Finn's shoulder. Rory was pulled into his other side.
"You know guys. They really do have the perfect family look." Steph pulled out her phone and captured the scene before them.

"So now as we are caught up. You guys are more than welcome to come stay with us in Australia whenever you want. We will be coming over more frequently now. Or until Rory can no longer fly apparently."

"Plus I really want you guys to join us Tuesday at the party."

The evening drew to a close. Kiera had woken up and had settled herself between Logan and Colin. She fell asleep again with her head on Logan’s lap and feet on Colin's. Although new to the concept of their friends having a child.  Kiera had instantly captured the hearts of all three men. Finn scooped up his daughter and carried her to bed returning moments later to say good night.

As the door closed Finn wrapped Rory in his arms. "Another child. How the hell did such a bad situation give me more reasons for living." He said wistfully kissing the top of her head.