Title: Live, Laugh, Love

Name: April

Disclaimer: The only ones I own are Amy, Ryan, and Charlie.

Nick Ryan located his brother and sister-in-law in their usual place, down at the horse barn. "Hey, Nick," Claire McLeod Ryan climbed down from the storage loft. "How is she?" She and Alex had been working all morning so when Nick offered to take Tess to the doctor, Claire didn't bat an eyelash.

"She's good. Wants to talk to you, in the house." With a worried look to Alex, Claire went back to the house.

"How is she?" Alex Ryan asked, worried about his sister-in-law.

Nick continued what Claire had been doing. "She's pregnant."

"WHAT?" Alex caught his brother's gaze and held it.

"We're going to have a kid."

"Wow." Growing up, Nick was the brother most likely to settle down and raise a family, not to mention the fact that his brother had been in love with Tess from the moment they'd seen each other, even if Alex had been too stubborn to see it at first. "Congratulations." He thought of Charlotte. "It's a great feeling."

Nick nodded. "I wasn't sure how you two would react." It was no secret to anyone that Claire and Alex had been trying to have another baby. Claire had been pregnant once, but suffered a miscarriage, much to the sorrow of both McLeod and Ryan clans.

"Oh, no, it's great. I mean, just because I can't seem to get Claire pregnant..."

Nick rubbed his forehead. "This is exactly why Tess and I didn't want to tell you together."

"Sorry if I'm not exactly thrilled at another reminder that my wife and I have been trying since we got married and lost the only shot we had, but you and Tess kiss and get pregnant." He stormed out and Nick sighed. He wasn't naive enough to think that Alex would be thrilled, but he'd been happy for Alex about Charlotte and the wedding. He just hoped Tess was having better luck.

Tess McLeod couldn't help but notice how tired her sister looked when she entered the room. "You should be in bed."

"I'm not the one that's sick."

"You work too hard."

"I'm fine, Tess." She sat in the chair in their father's office. "Nick said you wanted to talk to me."

"I'm pregnant."

"Really?" Claire smiled, hugging her sister. "Great!"

Tess looked at her sister, needing the approval from her so much. "Really?"

Claire thought about how much she loved being a mom and how much Tess loved Charlotte. "You'll be a great mom."

"Are you okay? Nick and I weren't sure...I mean, the last thing we want is to hurt you and Alex."

Claire hugged her sister loosely. "Tess, listen to me. I am happy for you and Nick. He loves you and you both deserve to be happy together. I can't wait to be an aunt."

"But...I know you guys are trying again..."

"And one of these days, we'll get pregnant again. And you'll be as happy for me as I am for you."

Tess nodded. "I will be."

Nick found Claire doing the evening chores, Alex still off on a rampage somewhere. "Do you have a minute?"

Claire put the hayfork down. "Sure."

"I can't say I'm sorry about the baby, but I am sorry about the timing."

"Nick, it's okay, really. Tess is a great aunt, you're a great uncle, you're going to make terrific parents. I'm happy for you. And Alex...I'm really sorry about Alex."

Nick nodded. "I can't say I didn't know he'd react like that," he said, helping Claire with chores, noticing, as they all did, how tired she looked. "But I might too. He's really hurting."

"But he loves you. Have you told Meg and Amy?"

"She's telling Meg. We're going over to Kilarney tonight; we're telling Amy then." He looked at her. "I actually wanted to ask you something. I know what your answer will be and I know this is kind of off-the-norm, but when have Tess and I ever done anything normal?"

"Nick...What is it?" Claire asked with a slight smile. They'd been friends for as long as she could remember, bonding over Alex first, then Tess. He'd never been this nervous before.

"Since Jack's not here, I can't ask him...I want to marry Tess. I want your permission."

Claire's green eyes looked into his face and smiled. "Yes. I'll give you my permission to marry my baby sister." He smiled and hugged her. "Now can I just say one thing?" He nodded. "FINALLY!" Both burst out laughing.