I'm really proud of this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it as well! Happy reading!
About 2 weeks had passed before Hannah finally returned from her hastily departed family leave. It was obvious from the expression on her face that she took that time to process Chris' news.
He sits at his desk. Steel blue eyes narrowed at the screen. He hears the sound of a woman lightly clear her throat and looks up. It was her.
"Chris..it, it was wrong of me to react the way I did. Just a lot happening at the moment.."
He simply continued sitting there, silently. Observing her, though it did seem she was genuine.
"I get it though. Percy was scared too when I told her about Clara. But it all worked out in the end"
Hannah gives a small smile and nods lightly. It was then she said something that threw Chris completely off track.
"I know this wasn't something you or I foresaw happening. But, I'm glad it did"
This brought Chris a sense of ease. Knowing now that he and Hannah had come to a sort of common ground.
Pride was now dawning upon month 6. It was almost amusing to Chris how his senior agent was trying to adjust to all the classic hallmarks of this stage. Appetite increasing, his feet were starting to swell. Heartburn.
He also took pity on him, as it couldn't of been easy to hop back into the baby game. Not only at his age, but considering there was more than 2 decades separating both pregnancies. Suffice to say, Pride would be closing up shop after this.
"Almost made it through the whole day. But a certain someone just had to have her barbeque chips"
Chuckled Pride as he popped another potato chip in his mouth. Chris gets up from his desk, shaking his head, letting out a light bit of laughter as well. What was once a small, almost indiscernible abdomen, certainly wasn't as easy to overlook now.
"I know how that goes. So Laurel's visiting for a few days, huh? She must be excited with the news she's gonna be a big sister"
Creases in the corners of Pride's eyes deepened as he let out another light-hearted chuckle.
"She was certainly surprised. Well...both of us are, honestly. Didn't think at my age this'd be happening again. But she is looking forward to the big day"
"That's good, King"
Chris gives a small, crooked smile and pats his boss on the shoulder. It was a sort of gesture of reassurance. Not that he needed it, but considering all they'd been through. And now with double pregnancies. It was comforting to know they had each other to confide in.
It was during Hannah's leave the entire team was briefed of both agents conditions of the family-way ilk. It was also during this time, Pride discovered at his 20th week ultrasound that he was going to be welcoming another daughter.
Naturally the response was nothing but positive. There was, of course, the same level of disbelief concerning their superior. But perhaps the biggest shock, was the fact his Doctor had labeled Pride's pregnancy as low risk.
Of course this didn't completely rule out there wouldn't be concerning factors. He was advised of bed rest once he reached his eighth month. Everyone knew this wasn't going to be followed to the T.
That wasn't to say he was careless towards his daughter's well-being. Quite the opposite. But like Chris, he was bullheaded. He would still be directing his team, but more from the sidelines. That's where Hannah took over.
"So, as appointed uncle for a second time. Can at least one of you have your kid's middle name be Thor?"
Came a sudden, rather giddy inquiry from Sebastian. Pride and Chris exchange amused, yet dubious looks before turning their attention towards the resident nerd. Responding in resounding unison.
"NO!"
It was winding down towards evening. Laurel had arrived at her father's home some 15 minutes prior. If Dwayne had a nickel for the amount of times his daughter hounded him to lighten his workload and get a temp to help Jimmy at True Tone. He would be amongst Forbes 400.
"Glad to see you, dad"
She smiled as both wrapped each other in a hug. She was careful not to be too intense with the pressure of her arms. Honestly, she was astounded he had made it past the 'precarious' stage. Not that she would ever admit this to her father. However, was a very reasonable concern.
"Glad to see you too, sweetheart. How's school treatin' ya?"
They both take a seat at the small dining room table. Laurel cupping a mug of freshly brewed tea whilst Dwayne, of course, had his trusty snacks on standby. She smiles once again before taking a sip of the hot beverage.
"Oh, y'know?..it's Uni life. Stress, tests and a steady diet of Cup 'O Noddles"
They share in a bit of laughter before Laurel rather hastily diverts her attention to her perspective sibling.
"Is she kicking yet, dad?"
Once again, the creases at the corners of his eyes are accentuated with that warm smile. He peers down briefly at his stomach, running a hand gently over the warm fabric. He swore he could feel her move just ever so slightly.
"Still early days. Probably won't hone her kickboxing skills until another several weeks or so (chuckles softly)..unless she takes after her sister, of course"
Laurel then gets up from her chair and makes her way around the table. Kneeling beside where her father sat. She then proceeded to place a hand lovingly on his stomach and just above a whisper, jest.
"This' what you'll have to look forward to, sis. You're stuck with us"
