My Bargain With The BadBoy

•• Chapter Nineteen ••

Chapter nineteen: Christmas Spirit 🎄

"Alex, sweetie. Could you please grab the box that says 'Xmas Decor' from the shelf please." Beth asked, I nodded. It was Christmas Eve and we were setting up all the decorations. Beth didn't believe in putting up the decor early, she said "it is up late and it goes down early". Good parenting tip too.

Ryder and I had become closer recently, we hadn't discussed anymore of what had happened between me and him. I didn't feel the need to. Ace had also been taking up my time recently...

That's not something we need to get into. I might glow bright red again. I was still a little bummed that I couldn't tell who I liked, Ace was being awfully loving and kind. We haven't done anything official per say. Neither have me and Ryder. The last thing I wasn't is to be dating two boys at a time. Ace hasn't actually event said he "likes" me. But, that solves one issue doesn't it?

The house looked magical as it was getting decorated, lights were strung up everywhere, literally everywhere. Ryder and I messed around and broke a few of them accidentally. We managed to hide them behind the back of the tree or just pulled them off altogether to prevent suspicion.

I was partway through packing up boxes when Kath ran towards me, "Alex, Alex!" She shouted, charging at me with a piece of folded card in her hand.

"What?" I said, I held back my giggle at Kath's attire, she has been hiding the pregnancy for nearly three months and she is doing and excellent job. NOT. She sports oversized t-shirts and massive jogging bottoms to hide the bump that is generously showing. I'm surprised that Bennett hasn't questioned her. But hey, you don't question the woman you love right?

"I got the gender..." she said softly, her eyes were rimmed with red, she'd been crying clearly, I dragged her into my room and shut the door.

"What is it!!" I whisper shouted. She shut her eyes tightly and took a deep breath.

"IM HAVING A BABY BOY!!!" She screamed, jumping up and down. I felt tears prick my eyes and I let them fall. Bennett is going to be happy, him being a rugby coach and all. I hugged her tightly as she sobbed on my shoulder. "I can't even wait. I'm telling everyone now. Come on." She dragged me into the lounge. Jeez, for a pregnant woman, she can run.

She called everyone into the lounge. Beth was clutching Logan to her as he fiddled with her necklace, Ryder was throwing and catching a tacky looking bauble and Harriett was fighting with Bennett over a stocking.

Kath got everyone's attention and pushed me in front of her, I sat on the arm of the chair that Ryder was perched on. Kath giggled and smiled widely at me before she started, "I was going to wait until Christmas Day to give Benny his present... I suppose it's a sort of collective gift but-" she gasped, "I can't wait!" She jumped up and down. Everyone looked at her with confused expressions, even Terri, who was tugging at her dads laces.

"Bennet, Bethany, Ryder, Harriett, Terri bear," she giggled at her daughter, "I would say Alex but she already knows," Ryder nudged me and lifted a brow, I placed my finger on my lips and turned back.

"I'm pregnant." It was silent for a moment before the room erupted into a chorus of laughter and cries. Bennett was hugging Kath tightly, after it quietened down Kath spoke again, "Its a boy!" That undid Bennett. He lifted Kath off her feet and spun her around.

Ryder was smiling, still he remained seated. "How amazing!?" I said, hugging Ryder without thinking. He stiffened, didn't hug back, I pulled away and blushed. "Another baby!!" I shouted to him and he laughed.

"Someone has baby fever." Ryder said. I smirked.

"Ryder...." I dragged out. His eyes widened.

"The fuck? NO!" He shouted, I laughed and shoved him playfully.

"I'm teasing you dick." I paused, "why wouldn't you let me have your baby huh?" I played.

"I didn't say I wouldn't ever..." he shrugged. His face was serious, I didn't laugh. He walked off to give Bennett a bro hug. Never looking back at me.

What?