stood up. All she heard were claps and cheers, and congratulations thrown back and forth.
“You’re having a baby!” Ally cheered.
A pain Stevie hadn’t felt in four years pierced through every inch of her heart’s surface. The darkness exploded and fed off her pain. She shook her head to remind herself of where she was. Instead of a white bed, she saw an oak table. She dug her nails into it to make sure it was real.
You’re okay.
You’re still okay.
Stevie took a deep breath and rose from her seat. She noticed Keira and Alex smiling and thanking everyone. Their happiness reminded Stevie of exactly where she stood.
“Congratulations,” she said to the happy couple. “Next round’s on me.”
Stevie smiled once and took a shaky step from her chair and away from the table. She fought against the memories as she made her way to the bar. She didn’t care who she bumped into as long as she got away from the table. The moment she got to the counter, she held it tightly and slammed her eyes shut. But the tears had already forced their way down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Miss Appleton. That pain and bleeding you experienced... I’m sorry but you miscarried.”
“If it’s a boy, call the champ Julian. And if it’s a girl, name her Juliana,” Julian said, pointing at both Alex and Keira.
Keira grinned. “Juliana is a pretty name, Alex.”
Alex breathed in deeply as he set his beer down. “Not happening!”
“Why?” Keira and Julian asked in unison.
The features of Alex’s face had hardened. “Because when you breastfeed our kid, Keira, I won’t stop thinking about Julian and how our kid has the same name.”
Keira’s shoulder sagged. “Julian’s mouth won’t be on my breast. It’ll be our son or daughter. You’re being ridiculous.”
Julian settled into his seat and let out a short laugh. “My Julian and Juliana will be doing it for me.”
“See!” Alex shouted, staring at his fiancée.
Julian peeked over at Noel and said, “So much better than the strippers.”
Noel chuckled. “You need to be around more often. Never seen Alex squirm so much in my life.”
Clara slapped Noel’s chest. “Please don’t encourage him. I don’t really like the topic of sex around my brother.”
Julian shook his head. “How am I meant to continue to do this if you lot are all now Yanks?”
“Hey!” Keira, the only American at the table, protested.
“You’re practically Australian now, Keira. I meant those traitors,” Julian said, pointing at Noel and then Clara.
“I have dual citizenship. I also work and have a house in Massachusetts,” Noel explained.
He turned his attention to Clara and glared at her. “And you?”
“I’m married to the guy who works and lives in Massachusetts. I go where he goes.” She gave her husband a chaste kiss and then ran her thumb across the bottom of Noel’s lip.
Julian rolled his eyes. “Can’t you do a long distance marriage or something so you can stay here, Clars?”
Clara’s eyelids fluttered several times. “You’re going to miss me?”
He pressed his lips together and then shook his head. “No! I just want to give Alex some peace. So he knows for sure his best friend isn’t shacking up with his sister.”
“Fucking hell.” Max laughed.
“Seriously? I thought we were over that?” Alex growled. “I get it! They have sex.”
“Hey, you got my friend pregnant!” Clara bit back.
Keira giggled as Alex wrapped his arms around her tighter. “She was my girlfriend first.”
Clara stepped away from her husband and stared down at her brother. “She only tolerates you.”
“Keira, darling, make sure my little sister has nothing to do with the pregnancy,” Alex instructed and then reached for his beer.
“Ooh!” Julian hollered. “Little one got told!”
Clara shot Julian a dirty look. “Take it back, Alex.”
“Or what?” Alex grinned at his sister.
“I’ll give you a play by play of my wedding night,” Clara stated.
Julian swiftly got out of his seat. “Best. Night. Ever! Oh, please, share!”
“Dude,” Noel said, shaking his head.
Julian waved him off. “Clara’s hot. Do you blame me?”
“The hell you’re telling me that, Clara. I’m going to pretend like you don’t even know what sex is. Can’t I have that?” Alex asked.
Her hands were on her hips. “The moment we got to our room, Noel had me on the bed. His hands were under my wedding dress, skimming up my thighs—”
“Fine! I take it back,” Alex roared, stopping his sister from continuing.
Clara smiled. “Actually, Noel was already naked by this time.”
The colour on Alex’s face faded once more.
Julian quickly rounded the table and hugged Clara, laughing into her