Bliss || Reece Bibby

56

chapter fifty-six; real life

2022

I laugh at Blake, who had just plopped down onto the couch because of how embarrassed he was.

He had just flipped around an entire sentence, making it sound way worse than it actually was. He was trying to apologize for his hand accidentally brushing up against Emily's butt as he turned around, but wound up saying 'get your hand off my ass'.

I don't know how he managed to do that, but it was hilarious.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean it like that!"

"We know that." Olivia says, trying not to laugh. "Also, we have a minute until midnight."

I look over at the countdown, smiling.

"You guys have your New Year's kisses. George and I don't have one."

"Well you could always kiss George." Blake says seriously.

"What?"

"Oh come on! Don't act like there's nothing there! You guys have been at this weird stage ever since we were in LA and Leah surprised us. You guys hung out all the time until Leah got there because George wanted Emily to spend time with Leah!"

"Uh, Blake? That was over a year ago." I say confused. Emily never told me that her and George had hung out.

"My point!"

He sighs, taking another drink of beer.

"Look, I'm only looking out for you two. I can't stand seeing you both so helplessly into each other without even realizing it."

Everyone goes quiet.

"We have ten seconds."

Reece and I turn towards each other as everyone awkwardly begins the countdown, giving each other a look.

"I don't even want to know what that was all about."

"I mean, he's not wrong. I've seen it too."

We stop talking as they reach one, pressing our lips together the moment we hear cheers coming from the television.

We break apart at the sound of a mini confetti gun going off, the top of it hitting Reece's back.

"Sorry!"

"I can't believe it's a new year. What's going to happen?" Blake asks.

"Well Leah and Reece better have another kid." Emily says.

"You'll see."

"Wait, are you pregnant?"

"No! Why would I have multiple glasses of wine if I was pregnant?"

"Oh, right. I forgot you've been drinking tonight."

"Clearly." I reach over, taking the glass from her. "And you have had a bit too much."

"I have not!"

"Emily, you can't even walk right."

"You don't know that. I'm sitting down."

"Besides, your words are a bit slurred."

"Oh. Well then I'm stopping." She sighs. "You know what I hope this year?"

"What?"

"I want to find someone who doesn't want kids."

"Em, you don't have to talk about that." George says sadly.

"Why not?"

"Emily, what's going on? I thought you've always wanted kids?" I ask. "When did that change? And why haven't you told me?"

"I did, but now I don't. It changed before your wedding."

"Before my wedding? Emily! That's almost two years ago!"

"I know! I didn't know how to tell you!"

"Emily, you can't let that affect the rest of your life." George says, knowing full well what changed her mind.

"Well it already has."

George sighs, shaking his head and walking out of the living room.

What the hell?

I decide not to do anything about it, hoping that it was just the alcohol making them act like this.

I sit on the couch, laying my head in Reece's lap.

"You alright?"

I nod. "Just a bit tired. I feel like I haven't slept at all lately."

"Neither of us really have."

"You're not wrong."

My eyes slowly close as I lay here, surrounded by everyone I love and as happy as can be.

"What the hell?"

I look up at Reece, who was staring at his phone in shock.

"What?"

"Can somebody tell me why I just got a text from Anais?"

"As in Anais Gallagher?" Blake asks.

"Yes! What other Anais do we know?"

"Well, what did she say?" George asks.

"Happy new year! Hope to see you soon!"

I shrug. "Okay, it's not that bad. At least she's not trying to get back together with you."

"But what about the added wink?"

"She winked?"

I sit up, peering at his phone. Sure enough, there's a wink.

Well that makes me mad.

"Okay then. What are you going to say?"

"Just don't respond." George says. "She's just going to start crap if you do."

"We don't know what's going to happen if I respond, but I'm not going to." Reece says. "I'm not focused on any of my ex-girlfriends, I'm focused on my amazing wife, who I love very much."

"Aww, Reece. I love you too."

I sit up, putting my hand on his cheek and pressing my lips against his.

We pull apart, opening our eyes and staring at each other. I almost forget that it wasn't just the two of us. Almost.

"Would you look at those two." Emily says.

"Shut it Emily." Reece says, trying to be serious, but it fails when a small smile forms.

"Wow, I feel the love."

"Aww, come here." George holds his arms open, which Emily walks into and wraps her arms around him.

"Honestly? I could get used to seeing that." Reece says quietly.

"Let's just hope that they aren't too drunk so they actually remember it."

"You're referring to when that happened with me and Blake, aren't you?" Olivia asks, making me nod.

"I wasn't there, but the next day when neither of you remembered Reece called me and started laughing."

"Oh."

I lean into Reece, lifting my head up until my mouth was right in front of his ear.

"Im ready."

"You're only saying that because of the alcohol. Tell me again tomorrow."

"Reece, I've been thinking about it for weeks now. I want to."

"You really mean it?"

"I wouldn't be saying it unless I meant it."

"So then we're starting."

"Looks like we are."

Ooof it's late and I need sleep but like

I prefer to write