Stay With Me - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 45

Karla smiled when she saw DJ come through the door. "Hey, honey." She greeted, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "How are things?"

"Everything's set up and perfect," DJ said with a grin. "How's Kath?"

"I think she was a little unwell during the night, not that she'd admit it but I heard her. She should be down soon, I heard her shower running before." Karla said and DJ sighed. He knew Kath was still struggling with morning sickness even though she was eighteen weeks pregnant.

"I wish she'd say something," DJ mumbled and Karla nodded her head.

"I know, but she's getting better... she was on her own for six years, DJ. She's been through so much, but she's getting better." Karla assured him, rubbing his back and DJ knew she was right. She was gradually coming more and more out of her shell, thriving as they kept making videos together. He loved making the videos for their vlogging channel, he loved watching her speed drawing videos and even though she had an art exhibit to prepare for, she still gave away the artwork that she did in those videos - she sent them to the fan that suggested what she chose to draw and she sent it for free. He couldn't wait for her exhibit, for her to get the recognition he knew she deserved.

"She has no idea what's happening today at all?" Rommel asked and DJ shook his head, a smile on his face.

"Nope, she's gonna hate me." DJ chuckled but he turned his head when he heard footsteps and he grinned when he saw his girlfriend coming down the stairs and he smiled impossibly wider when he saw her growing bump. "Happy birthday, baby." He beamed and Kath grinned.

"I told you not to make a big deal out of it."

"I don't listen when you tell me stuff like that, you should know that by now," DJ said simply, chuckling when she rolled her eyes and he kissed her lips softly. Kath kissed him back instantly, wrapping her arms around his neck as he held onto her around her waist but he pulled away from her after a moment and pulled her through to the living room and her eyes widened when she saw all the decorations.

"Oh my Gosh." She managed to get out, looking around her.

"You told me you've never had a proper birthday before like they have in movies, so... we went to the party store and bought everything," DJ said, chuckling at the amazement on her face. There were banners, bunting, balloons, all to celebrate her birthday - she never had that before, not even at home with her parents.

"And surprise!" Miles beamed as she poked her head around the door and Kath squealed, rushing to hug her best friend and Miles hugged her back tightly. "You didn't think I'd miss your special day, did you?" Miles teased, pulling away from her and she smiled when Kath gave Marco a hug too and he hugged her back. It meant a lot to everybody that she was accepting of him and trusted him after all she'd been through. She trusted Marco, he'd been good to Miles so far - she was going to be moving in with him when DJ and Kath moved into their house.

"Happy birthday." Marco smiled and Kath returned it.

"Thank you."

"Now!" DJ exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Kath from behind and kissing the back of her head. "I have a very special surprise planned, so we have to eat breakfast and then we can go," DJ said, kissing the back of her head and Kath groaned, breaking away from him.

"I already hate it." She complained, making DJ and the others laugh.

"Trust me, sweetheart, you won't hate this," Karla assured her and they all headed to the kitchen to eat together as a family. There were still moments where Rommel and Karla thought of JC, but it was getting easier to not think about him at all. They hadn't seen him or even attempted to see him since the day he was arrested, they didn't open any letters he sent and he eventually stopped sending them. They were moving on with their lives as a family and Kath's birthday was a day for celebration.

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Kath grew nervous when she heard the car engine turn off, her vision blocked by a blindfold. It was only the two of them in the car - Miles and Marco were following along behind with Rommel and Karla in Rommel's car. "Where are we?" Kath asked.

"Stay there, I'm gonna come around and get you," DJ said, racing around the car and he opened the passenger door, making her jump but she let him help her out and he led her to her surprise. "Hold your hand out."

"Why?" Kath instantly retreated, making DJ laugh.

"Just trust me, you'll need something to access your surprise." He grinned and he watched as she hesitantly raised her hand but she gasped when she felt what he handed her - keys.

"No fucking way." Kath pulled off her blindfold and she burst out crying when she saw that they were in front of the house.

"Happy Moving In Day, baby girl." He beamed, catching her as she threw herself at him in tears.

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