One week. Seven long days since they did the IVF procedure and it took. I’m sitting at the airport with a positive pregnancy test in my bag, a diamond ring on my finger, and Ryan beside me with the biggest smile on his face. We’re finally heading home. Since Dad wanted to stay to finalize all his affairs, he said he’d follow us out later. I knew he’d want to spend time in the home he and Mom lived in for most of their married lives.
The long flight home will give me time to figure out what we’re going to do once we land.
I haven’t told Tay or Emm about the baby, neither have I told them about getting engaged. We’ve both decided it would be much better as a surprise. One hell of a fucking surprise, but one none the less. I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when we walk into the house with all this news.
Excitement has my stomach fluttering. “You okay, Kiki?”
“Yeah, I’m just thinking about telling everyone about the pregnancy.”
“It will definitely be a bomb drop, but I think it’s been a long time coming. But I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember and the Hayes brothers know that.”
“Yes, that they do. Even the girls know.”
He reaches for me as the plane makes its way down the tarmac. “I want the world to know,” he affirms with a smile. When those full lips land on mine, the plane takes off and I’m sure the flurry in my stomach is more from the kiss than from being airborne.
* * *
The flight was an easy one, thankfully and when we touch down, the buzz of excitement flits through me. I’m going to see my girls. Even though I grew up as an only child, I always wanted a brother or a sister and life has now afforded me with Tay and Emma, as well as Cal and Liam. Technically, I work with all of them, but we’re more like a family than anything else.
“Ready to do this?” Ryan asks from beside me. His eyes a shining with the excitement I feel.
Nodding, I inhale a relaxing breath. “It’s now or never.” Disembarking the private plane, we head out toward the small hangar away from the paparazzi and journalists that I’m sure have heard about Ryan being out of the country.
Once we step inside the building, Emma comes bounding toward us. She pulls me into a warm sisterly hug, “I’ve missed you.” She murmurs into my hair.
“And I’ve missed you, every one of you.”
“Hey man.” Comes Liam’s tone from beside me. Before I have a moment to say anything, the cocky drummer grabs my left hand and starts chuckling. “What did I say?” He settles his gaze on Ryan who gifts him an eye roll. “Come here, little sis,” he smirks, lifting me up and spinning me around.
“What are you two on about?” I question while being twirled by Liam.
“I’m not saying it.” Comes the response from Ryan, yet Liam sets me down, not saying a word. The look on his face tells me the two of them either had a bet going, or something.
“I told him you’d be back here with a shiny diamond on that ring finger.” The man I consider a brother tells me confidently and I can’t help shaking my head.
“I’m so happy for you, love.” Emma smiles, offering me a quick hug before grabbing my hand inspecting the ring. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you, he surprised me. It came out of the blue.”
“Oh yeah right, like you didn’t know the man had blue balls for you.” The comment earns Liam a punch on the shoulder from Ryan.
“Shut it. Let’s go.” My man grunts in frustration. As we make our way toward the parking lot, I can’t help smiling at where I am right now. Life has taken a turn and it’s given me more than I could ever have asked for or imagined.
Once my dad arrives, my family will be complete. My heart aches for my mom, if only she were here to see me, I know she’d be happy for me. She’d be proud.
“Tay is going to go nuts, she’s been busy, but Callum has been driving her crazy with his overprotectiveness. I think having you both back will hopefully ease that.” Emma informs us as we get into Liam’s BMW X5.
It’s not far from the airport to the house and I’m anxious to finally tell them all the news. Especially about the baby.
“He’s never going to ease up, you do realize this? My brother is a pain in the ass when it comes to his woman.”
“And you’re not?” Emma quips him playfully, to which Liam can only grunt. He is as bad as his brother, but Ryan’s no better. He’s been overly attentive since the procedure and even though I haven’t experienced anything abnormal, and I’ve told him so, he’s still concerned. Until we have the test results in a month or two when we can finally see the baby, hear the heartbeat, get the all clear, I know he’s going to treat me like a fragile doll.
Once we reach Cal and Tay’s house, Liam kills the engine and we all exit the car. Ryan grabs our bags from the trunk and we head toward the house. Before we make it to the door, Callum and Tayla meet us outside, and we’re once again pulled into warm, loving hugs.
I wanted to wait a little while before telling them. Perhaps first settling in, but since all the crew are off today and it’s only the six of us, I think now would be the best time to come right out and tell them everything.
“Guys, we have something we need to tell you,” I say as we walk into the large modern living room. Tay glances at me with questions dancing in her beautiful eyes. She’s a gorgeous woman, her face that of glowing happiness when I offer her a wink.