42. Chapter 42

Chapter forty-two

3rd May 2023

S itting around the table in the fanciest Indian restaurant in town, I take in my surroundings: white tablecloths draped over each table, cutlery arranged neatly atop crisp napkins. Six large windows line one wall, letting in a gentle glow, while the rest of the room is adorned with tasteful wallpaper and elegant decorations.

The tantalising aroma of spices wafts through the air, mixing with the sizzle and crackles of dishes being served to nearby tables. My stomach growls with anticipation' I've spent the entire day deliberately starving myself to make room for tonight's feast. After all, we're indulging in a three-course meal with the option—more like a requirement for me—of dessert.

For starters, we have poppadoms with a vibrant chutney tray. I've chosen onion bhajis for my starter, and for my main course, it's chicken Rogan Josh, boiled rice, and a Peshwari naan. Laelia, on the other hand, keeps things simple with her Indian food preferences. She sticks to a chicken tikka starter and a chicken Korma with boiled rice—a bit too mild for my adventurous taste buds.

This restaurant feels like a second home to me. It's our go-to spot for special occasions and Christmas Eve dinners, a tradition I've cherished since childhood. Saturdays were always reserved for Indian takeout, and over the years, I've sampled nearly the entire menu, excluding the notorious Phal and Sondia—two of the hottest curries on offer. My mum, on the other hand, loves to test her limits with fiery dishes. I once took her up on a dare to dip a chip into the Phal and paid dearly. The experience was nothing short of volcanic, and the memory of my desperate attempts to cool my mouth with endless milk still makes me shudder. No amount of money would convince me to try it again. I'd rather eat a donkey's testicle than dip my chip into hot curry again.

As time passed, our Saturday nights expanded to include Ethan after his parents' passing. We began exploring various cuisines, ensuring that no weekend was ever the same. Whether we ended up sick from bad food or simply didn't enjoy a dish, every experience was an adventure. Yet, Indian cuisine will always hold a special place in my heart.

Tonight, however, is different; it's a celebration of us. Laelia and I have dressed up for the occasion—joggers and sweatshirts simply won't do. She looks radiant in her long, off-shoulder dress, her skin glowing with what I suspect is a pregnancy glow.

After a month of keeping our news to ourselves, we're finally ready to share it with our family and close friends. We've invited my mum, Lloyd, Ethan, Jasper, and Laelia's two friends, Ada and Maxine, who she doesn't see often due to their busy schedules.

Laelia had considered telling her dad but decided against it. Their relationship is already strained, and she's concerned about the potential impact on our baby. Her dad's lifestyle—marked by drugs, alcohol, and gambling—is something we want to keep far away from our child.

As our drinks arrive, Ethan glances at me with a knowing look. I down my drink quickly, trying to steady my nerves. Ethan's curiosity is palpable as he nudges me under the table. I shoot him a sideways glance, giving him a small smile in response. Despite my attempts to deflect, he kicks me again, prompting me to kick him back and for him to mutter something under his breath as he gives me a stern look.

A soft laugh escapes me as I take another sip of my drink, my attention drifting back to Laelia. She's gazing at us with a hint of amusement. I set my glass down, lean in closer, and am greeted by her sweet, fruity scent. She's like a taste of paradise.

"What have I missed?" I whisper.

She lets out a gentle laugh, rolling her eyes with a playful shake of her head. "I was asking if you were okay, but you ignored me and ended up kicking Ethan instead," she whispers back.

I chuckle, amused. "As if you saw that. He kicked me first."

"You're both children," she teases.

I smirk. "At least it keeps you on your toes." She shakes her head, still smiling. I offer her a more sincere smile. "Honestly, I'm a bit nervous telling them, and Ethan's giving me that look—I'm starting to feel like I'm slipping."

"Tell who what?" Ethan's voice comes from behind me, startling me. I turn to find him leaning in way too close.

Of course, Ethan's eavesdropping. It's one of his specialities. He has this knack for finding out everything, even when you'd rather he didn't. His curiosity knows no bounds.

I nudge him with my foot, making him sit back with a wince as he narrows his eyes. "You're a pain, Ethan. You're also intruding on private conversations…for now."

His eyes widen. "For now?"

I shake my head, grinning. "You'll know when I'm ready to share."

"What's all this commotion about?" My mum's voice cuts through, drawing the attention of everyone around us.

I give her my best innocent smile. "Nothing, Mum."

She turns her gaze to Ethan. "Are you causing trouble again?"

Ethan's eyes go wide, and his mouth drops open. "Why do you always assume it's me causing trouble? Your son kicked me under the table," he says, giving me a smirk that's pure mischief.

Two can play at this game.

I turn to my mum, smiling sweetly. "You always said if someone hits you, hit them back"

She nods approvingly and then looks at Ethan. "Ethan, don't start what you can't finish. You're a grown man now. I suggest you behave. I wouldn't want to get angry."

Ethan gulps, quickly focusing on his drink as he scans for the waiter to order another round.

Satisfied with my small victory, I look back at Laelia and see her grinning. "You're both acting like children, playing the blame game."

I place my hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her smile softens into something truly beautiful—one I know I'll cherish forever. I get lost in her eyes, the rest of the world fading away, until Ethan's nudge brings me back. I glance up to see a waiter arriving with our poppadoms and chutney.

As soon as the waiter sets the trays down, I dive in eagerly. Just as I start enjoying my snack, another kick lands under the table. I choke on my poppadom, glaring at Laelia, who's trying to suppress her laughter. She grabs her own poppadom and chutney, pretending not to notice.

In the past week and a half, Laelia's eaten through half the fridge, mixing some truly odd combinations—pickles with chocolate, peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches, sardines with tomato sauce, cheese with honey, and more. The only combination I've found surprisingly delightful is pretzels with ice cream, which I tried and actually enjoyed.

Life with Laelia is a delightful adventure, and every quirky moment with her makes me love her even more. Tonight is only the beginning of a truly wonderful life.

As I sit back, basking in the afterglow of a delicious three-course meal—dessert having vanished almost as soon as it arrived—I rest my hands on my comfortably full stomach and savour the last lingering sweetness on my lips. I take a deep breath and exclaim, "That was incredible. I'm so stuffed."

Hearing Laelia's light, melodic giggle, I glance over to find her already looking my way. Her giggles grow into full-blown laughter, a sound so infectious and joyful that I can't help but smile.

"You've got a little something on your face," she says with a playful tone. I reach up to wipe my mouth, but she shakes her head and rolls her eyes with a mix of amusement and affection. "Let me," she insists, leaning in close.

Her touch is gentle and warm as she wipes the corner of my mouth with her thumb. "Much better," she murmurs, her eyes twinkling with affection. In that tender moment, as she remains close, I can't resist stealing a soft kiss. I feel her smile against my lips, and it fills my heart with joy so profound I can hardly contain it.

"I love you," I whisper as we pull apart, gazing deeply into her eyes. Her cheeks flush a delicate pink, a sight that makes my heart swell with adoration.

"I love you too, Killian. Always," she replies, her voice filled with sincerity.

My heart skips a beat as I take in the sight of her beautiful face, still marvelling at how I got so incredibly lucky. "Ready for the big news?" I ask, a playful grin on my lips. She nods, her smile unwavering and radiant.

We interlock our hands, resting them gently on the table, and turn our attention to everyone. They all exchange curious glances, clearly wondering what's about to unfold.

"So," I begin, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "We have some news."

Laelia looks at me with a mixture of encouragement and anticipation, and I turn back to our friends and family. Ethan, unable to contain his curiosity, chimes in," Are you going to tell us, or are you going to make us wait forever?"

With a gigantic smile that lights up her face, Laelia announces, "We're having a baby!"

A collective gasp of surprise and delight fills the room. My mum's eyes widen in shock, and she clutches her chest. "Oh my god!" she squeals, her voice trembling with emotion. "Are you serious?"

I nod, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me. "You're going to be a grandma," I say, my voice filled with warmth.

"Nana," she corrects with a beaming smile "I'm going to be a nana!"

Ethan jumps up, his excitement palpable. "I'm going to be an uncle!" he exclaims, his enthusiasm infectious. "I'm going to teach this child everything I know—how to pick up women, every swear word, and even get it its very first tattoo."

I roll my eyes playfully, murmuring, "Oh, for fucks sake." While Laelia giggles beside me.

My mum, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, stands up, and the rest of the table follows suit. She walks over and wraps me in a heartfelt embrace. "I'm so happy for you, Killian. You're going to be an amazing father," she says, her voice choked with emotion.

I hug her tightly, my own eyes misting up. "Thank you, Mum. Hearing that from you means the world to me."

She pulls back, her face glowing with pride and love. "I'm forever going to be proud of you, Killian. You're my boy, and hearing that you're going to have your own child is a dream come true. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Mum," I reply, my heart overflowing with gratitude and love.

As I look around the table, filled with our friends and family, their faces lit up with joy and excitement, I feel an overwhelming squeeze of gratitude. The love and support surrounding us is a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to have such wonderful people in our lives. Each smile, each tear of happiness, and each cheer feels like a warm embrace, wrapping us in a cocoon of shared happiness.

Laelia's hand, snugly clasped in mine, feels like a lifeline, connecting us to this beautiful moment and to each other. Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the same awe and wonder reflected there. In this perfect, golden moment, I know that our journey ahead will be filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

The table buzzes with conversation and laughter, a harmonious symphony of joy celebrating the new chapter we are about to embark on. As we all gather together, sharing in this unforgettable happiness, I realise that the true magic of life lies in these moments of connection and love, surrounded by those who matter most.

Our family, our friends, our baby and the love of my life.