The Clinch

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Four

Stacks upon stacks of rolled diapers and other baby gift baskets litter the table in the centre of the sports hall turned baby shower party, and I gasp as pink and blue party poppers suddenly go off around me.

I flinch in surprise and hold a hand over my heart. "Oh my god, you could have induced labour!"

That comment receives several chuckles from all my family and friends, and Gabriel nudges me forwards into the crowd who all seem to be socializing. My mother and Gabriel's mother are the first to snatch me up into their hugs and litter me with kisses. "Oh sweet heart, less that two months to go. Aren't you excited?"

"Hmm... Excited. That's the one." I hum in agreement and gratefully kiss each mother on the cheek. "More like nervous out of my mind. Gabriel won't even let me walk down the stairs without taking my hand. And if I so much as lift the milk carton he's on my case."

"Hey" Gabriel interrupts defensively as he greets my mother with a kiss to the cheek "I'm just being cautious. I'm allowed to be cautious, right mom's?"

Both of them offer up stern expressions to Gabriel. "Cautious yes, but not overly protective. The woman still needs her independence Gabriel; following her every-time she goes to the bathroom is not necessary."

Gabriel glowers and holds his hands up in surrender. "Well excuse me for being slightly overbearing. I just when them both safe."

Our mothers coe at him and pinch his cheeks, much to Gabriel's protests, and I wander off to go and greet my father.

Daddy takes my shoulders and gives me a long appraising look up and down before plugging me into his arms; but not before I saw the tears developing behind his eyes. "My little girl's all grown up! Look at you making a go of happy families, it makes me sad to think only ten years ago you were this tiny, gangly thing with a floppy fringe who'd attack anything that moved. You've blossomed into a wonderful young woman, Darryl, I'm so proud."

I push my father away and flick away my tears. "Daddy, don't, you're gonna make me cry. And my hormones are so out of whack right now that I cry at the drop of a hat. You shouldn't be making a pregnant woman cry."

My father chuckles and dabs at my tears with a tissue. "But they're happy tears, Darryl. They're tears of joy."

I nod in agreement, and kiss my father's cheek. "Thank you daddy, for throwing this shower, for making friends with Gabriel, for supporting me. You're gonna make an excellent grandfather to baby face."

We part before either of us can inspire the other to tears and as I make my way through the crowd, I'm gobsmacked to see Cory, Ashleigh and Paige all there with beaming smiles directed at me. Ashleigh and Paige squeal as they come running at me. "Darryl you look so, so, so pregnant!"

A hand at my back tells me that we've been joined by Gabriel, and we both snigger as I throw my arms around the girls and give them hugs. "That may be because I am. This is my baby shower after all!"

Cory curls me under his arm and playfully ruffles my hair. "Ah man, it's so weird to think that just five months ago you were so little, and now you're so..." I give him a hard glare, preventing whatever it is he was about to say from coming out "so not!"

Gabriel peels Cory's offending arm from around me and gently arranges my arm about his waist whilst scowling at his bestfriend. Cory takes his turn to spin on Gabriel and land him a punch to the shoulder. "And dude, I didn't see you settling down; ever! And now this! Engaged, living together, loving together and with a baby on the way. Man you work fast."