Dear Heart, You Screwed Me(100)

“Connie,” my eyes began to tear up as I looked up at her, she was fussing with a few of the table decorations.

“Yup?” she smiled as she faced me.

“This is amazing, thank you so much,” a sigh leaving me as I marched towards her and wrapped my arms around her body.

“It’s the least I could do. You’re my best friend, you’re carrying my brother…”

“Or sister,” I laughed, still hugging her.

“Or sister,” she repeated, letting go of me and rolling her eyes. “But it’s your first birthday here, I wanted to make it special.”

“You have succeeded in that!”

“Good,” she nodded curtly, then clapped her hands together as she pulled a large bag out from under the tablecloth.

“Here,” she handed it to me. I lifted a brow, eyeing her suspiciously as I looked inside the bag and saw a tiara, a ‘mom to be’ sash and some goodies in there for me.

I lifted the silk sash and smiled as I put it over my head.

“I tried to get you one that said ‘mum’ but it was hard, and the stuff coming from the UK would never have turned up in time.”

“This is perfect, they will call me ‘mom’ anyway, so it makes sense.” I gently rubbed my bump as I felt her move around, smiling. I loved feeling her, it’s a sensation I will miss dearly once I have her.

I heard the big doors go to see Connie’s mums walk through with bags of presents.

“Mom!” Connie called out to the both of them as they embraced.

“Hey!” I smiled as they welcomed me with open arms, “Thank you so much for coming.”

“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Lara said as Connie and Katie walked over to the gift table.

“It means a lot, especially with my parents not being here…” my voice drifted off, I rolled my eyes at myself. Waving my hand in front of my face as I felt the prick of tears that were threatening to fall.

“Oh, darling…” Lara said as she threw herself at me and wrapped me in a motherly embrace. “It’s okay to cry, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed.”

I held onto her for a little longer, it felt good to be held like that. I was desperate for my parents to be here; I was desperate to cuddle my mum and for her to tell me that everything was going to be okay.

It wasn’t long before the room started to fill with my old work colleagues, Julianne burst through the door and she kissed both of my cheeks. Connie soon whisked her away to drop her gifts on the table. I tried to not focus on Killian not being here, but it was still early. We still had time. I tore my eyes from the door as I looked round the room at my nearest and dearest, but I couldn’t stop the ache in my heart and the wave of sadness that threatened to drown me.

I felt such mixed emotions about this all. It felt weird that I was sharing this moment with these people and that I was even pregnant with another man’s baby other than Elijah’s.

But I was happy. So incredibly happy.

Connie spoke to the room as she clapped her hands together to get everyone’s attention.

“First of all, I want to thank you all for coming to my girl’s special day,” she turned to face me, smiling as she flicked her long brown hair over her shoulder. “I’m sure you will agree that our Reese is one of a kind, and such a beautiful and caring soul. And not only is she my best friend and a wonderful friend to all of you, but she is also going to be an amazing mom.” Connie continued as her smile grew, “now before we get into the rest of her party, can we all take a moment to wish our main girl a very, very happy birthday.”

The small crowd erupted as they all shouted happy birthday. I blushed. I hated being the centre of attention.

“You all sounded great,” Connie laughed, “but before we do actually move on, I do have a little present for her that I am just bursting to give her.” She walked over to me and took my hand. She gave me a reassuring wink before leading me to a door in the corner of the room. I couldn’t still my heart, it was racing under my skin and making me nervous but excited. “Close your eyes,” she whispered.

I felt daft, but I done it anyway.

“No peeking.”

I heard the handle click on the door as she opened it, her hands gripping onto the top of my arms.

“Open your eyes,” she whispered in my ear. My eyes pinged open, moving from person to person when I saw my mum and dad standing there, their smiles so big, their eyes glossy and glistening from their happy tears. I heard the gasps, and ‘ahhs’ and the ‘oh my Gods’ echo around the room.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, “you’re here!” I cried out, throwing myself at them as they embraced me and wrapped their arms around the top of my shoulders. I don’t know how long we stayed like this for, but it felt so good to be near them. It felt like it had been forever since I had last seen them, and I hated every minute of it.

“Mi amor,” my dad’s voice was soft as we pulled back from our cuddle. His hand cupped my face as he wiped my tears away, “No llores en tu cumpleaños.”

“English,” my mum swatted him which made me choke out a laugh.

I heard my father tsk at my mother before he focused on me again. “No crying on your birthday,” he smiled, leaning in and kissing me on the forehead.