Fractured

One Year Later

The first anniversary of the Academy talent show also marked the end of Blake and Kayli's trials. They both received a substantial amount of time for the role in everything that had happened. Doyle had his sentence extended and all privileges revoked.

Life was finally back to normal and we were able to put everything behind us. There was no more meetings with lawyers, no more court appearances, and no more constantly looking over our shoulders to make sure no one else was coming after us. Shortly after the talent show, and the arrest of Blake and Kayli, the Toma team and I took some time away from Academy life, and our day jobs, to really spend some quality time together.

We were able to work through our issues and bond and grow as a family unit. Phil and Rose enjoyed rubbing in the fact that they had been the ones to bring us together. They had started with the questions about kids immediately and had been relentless ever since. They were determined to be grandparents - there was no way they would be known as anything else by any future children I may have. After all, they had raised me.

Following the sentencing hearing, Corey and Brandon took me home and told me to get ready to head out for a romantic dinner. They said I needed to be ready by 7, and left me to decide what to wear. It took me longer than I care to admit, but Gabriel had done an amazing job of stocking my wardrobe. They hadn't given me much of a dress code to go on, aside from telling me it was a romantic dinner.

I ended up deciding on a black, off the shoulder, floor length gown, complete with a split rising to the top of my left thigh. I had something to talk to them about , and was hoping the extra skin might just distract them enough to avoid any negative reactions. I washed my hair and let it curl naturally, it seemed to be a favourite of the guys, and finished the look with some light makeup with a smokey eye.

True to their word, I was picked up at 7 by Marc and Raven. They told me the others had to run an errand and were meeting us at the restaurant. Their immediate reactions to my outfit was all the validation I needed that I had made the right choice with it.

The drive to the restaurant consisted of non-stop flirting and suggestions of things that could be done when we got home. It had become a kind of game between us all. Flirting and pushing the boundaries to see how far we could tease without pushing someone over the edge. Unfortunately, when you have five incredibly handsome men willing to gang up on you at any chance they get if it involves dirty talk, you usually end up being the frustrated one.

Arriving at our favourite italian restaurant, I was surprised to see that the parking lot was empty. The only people inside were Axel, Brandon and Corey, and the chef, a bartender, a waiter, and the quartet that plays in the restaurant every weekend.

"Why is there no one here?" I asked them as they lead me to a table set in the middle of the room.

"We hired the entire restaurant out for the night.," Axel answered.

"I helped them out with some technical upgrades, and Brandon helped the owner with some custom works on his sons motorcycles. When we told him what we wanted to do, he was more than happy to help out," Corey finished.

"You look incredible, by the way," Brandon added.

I groaned. After the ride over, I really wasn't ready for another round. As if knowing what I was thinking, Raven chuckled. Marc pulled out a chair for me to sit, before the others all took their seats around the table. Someone had taken the liberty of ordering us all a glass of wine, which was quickly deposited on the table in front of us, along with water. I noticed a couple of quizzical eyebrows raise when I drank from the water instead of the wine, but no one mentioned anything.

We enjoyed a nice meal, and before too long, the meal was over. The band were still playing softly in the background, and the guys all asked me to dance. It was a little unconventional, and there was really no way the six of us could all waltz together at the same time, but they had worked it out and one by one I danced with each of them while the others watched. After I had danced with all of them, they spun me. When I stopped twirling, I turned to face them.

They were all five on their knees, eaching holding a matching piece of jewellery - earrings, a necklace, two bracelets and a ring. They didn't have a chance to say anything before I answered yes and threw myself at them all. It wasn't until they called for another bottle of wine to celebrate that I remembered I had something to tell them.

"Before we get to that, there's something I need to tell you guys. I had an appointment at the hospital today. Before you all panic, everything is fine. You all know I have been feeling somewhat under the weather lately - like I had a bug I just couldn't shake. Well, turns out, that it's a bit more than just a bug."

I waited, hoping they would piece together what was going on, but their emotions seemed to be ranging from confused to concerned. I spotted the bartender turning around, taking the wine back. He had caught on to what I was saying. After another moment, I gave in and told them what I meant.

"Guys, I'm pregnant."