Author's notes: Here's the new part. Its unbeta-d at the moment but I wanted to post since its been so long since I posted anything. I wanted a small tiny bit of angst but didn't want to upset Isabel and Alex's relationship so they aren't in this part much.
Also there won't be long to wait for Part 9 since I've already written it so for once I'm a head:)
hugs-
Ruby
Part 8
Confrontations and Celebrations
"Do you think Alex asked her last night?" Michael asked, "Or do you think he chickened out?"
The whole gang, minus Serena and of course Alex and Isabel, were sat in a booth at The Crashdown, waiting for the others to join them. It had been a sort of ritual for the ten friends to gather on a Saturday morning and have breakfast together before the guys went off to play some basketball and the women went shopping.
"Of course he did," Maria stated "If you can do then Alex can"
Michael stared at her blankly for a moment before replying "Then why has it taken him so long?"
"He wanted to be 'perfect' remember?" Sean said air quoting the word perfect in disgust. Alex's need to make everything romantic and perfect for Isabel had started to make the other guys of the group look extremely bad.
"50 says that he chickened out," Michael stated with a smirk at Sean and Max who had finally started to play attention to the conversation.
"it's a deal Guerin but shouldn't you be saving all your money for that dream wedding Maria and Aunt Amy have started playing," Sean said wiping the smirk of Michael's face.
"Don't remind me," Michael groaned causing Maria to narrow her eyes and glare at him.
"And what does that mean Michael Guerin?" Maria demanded in such a tone that Michael had to hold on to the table to stop himself running out of The Crashdown and getting as far away from his bride to be as he could get.
"What does what mean?"
The group quickly turned the attention to Serena who was hidden behind a large box much to the horror of Sean who insist stood up and attempted to take the box off her.
"You shouldn't be carrying heavy boxes," Sean scowled, "Not in your condition"
"And what condition would that be?" Serena asked in bemusement, a dark eyebrow raised questioningly as she stared at her boyfriend.
"Uh oh," Sean heard Michael, Max and Kyle mutter together.
Sean swallowed, what was it that Max had said when Michael had told them all about Serena being pregnant? Something about thinking before doing and not saying anything until Serena said something.
"Sean, what condition?" Serena asked again as she watched Sean's eyes drift down to her stomach.
"I know about the baby," Sean mumbled but Serena still heard as did the rest of booth.
Serena looked in bewilderment at her friends in the booth, whom were all trying to pretend that they weren't listening to what was going.
"What baby?" Serena asked and straight away wished she hadn't. Whatever idea Sean had gotten into his head wasn't going to make sense.
"Come on Serena, do you need me to spell it out for you?" Sean asked in annoyance.
"Obviously," Serena said, now glaring at him with her arms crossed firmly across her chest.
"Our baby!" Sean said running a hand through his hair. "I know that your pregnant!"
Serena gasped in horror, "I'm not pregnant!"
"You're not?" Sean asked
"No!"
Sean stared at her in astonished before pulling her into his arms in relief. "Thank God!"
"What the hell gave you the idea I was? Actually on second thoughts I don't want to know," Serena said pulling away from him. "You know you don't have to seem so happy,"
"I can't help it. I'm just so happy that you're not pregnant." Sean grinned "I mean don't get me wrong I like you a lot but…"
Another 'Uh oh' came from the booth.
"Maybe we should get…" Max started but was quickly cut off by Serena who was glaring menacingly at Sean.
"You like me? What are we in high school all of a sudden?" Serena said in disgust "We've been dating for two years and a half years and you like me!"
"He said he liked you a lot," Michael pointed out and received a hard poke in the stomach from Maria.
"Serena, I don't think…" Max tried to get Serena's attention but Serena continued to focus all her attention on Sean.
"I think you might be overreacting," Sean said, cursing his big mouth. Why did he always have to say the wrong thing. "We can talk about this later,"
"Later!" Serena demanded "Its always later with you Sean. Jesus Christ, what am I doing with you?"
"I don't know," Sean said simply, not really wanting to have this conversation in The Crashdown in front of their friends. In fact he didn't want to be having this conversation full stop.
"I have to go," Serena mumbled
"I'll come with you," Sean said reaching for his jacket.
Serena shook her head quickly "No! I need to be by myself."
"But…"
"Can you make sure that Alex gets this box and tell him and Iz that I'll see them later?" Serena asked Liz
"Of course," Liz said with a nod.
"Hey guys," Isabel said as her and Alex joined the group clueless to what was going on. "Me and Alex are engaged!"
"I should go…I just…" Serena rushed past Alex and Isabel with a worried Max following hot on her heals.
"What's going on?" Isabel asked with a frown, Serena and Max leaving hadn't been the reaction she had been expecting.
"I have things to do." Sean muttered before storming past the clueless couple.
"Anyone want to fill us in?" Alex asked after he heard the door to The Crashdown slam close.
"I'm so happy for you two," Serena sniffed and giving Alex and Isabel a watery smile.
"Its about time you married my sister," Max stated, giving Alex a pat on the back.
The four of them were currently sat around Serena's grandparents' kitchen table, eating ice cream and discussing Isabel's wedding plans since all topics related to Sean were banned.
"Have you set a date yet?" Serena asked, digging her spoon violently into the tub of ice cream.
"I've always wanted a summer wedding so I was thinking July," Isabel said
"July?" Alex began to choke "But…that's….."
"In three weeks. I know." Isabel said patting him on the back until he stopped the choking sound. "That is plenty of time to arrange everything. I mean its not as if I'll be doing it all by myself. My mom will help and Serena of course. Not to mention Liz, Tess and Maria."
"And what am I meant to do?" Alex asked when she failed to add his name to the list.
"Give me your credit card!" Isabel said with a 100 watt smile.
