Chapter 11: Announcement

Evening was warm and Meg, Jodi, Tess, Nick, Terry and Becky were chatting in the yard. They promised to Meg that they will help her clean up so she also relaxed.

They were having wonderful time laughing a lot and talking. Tess was in good mood and full - time talking mood so she told jokes out of her sleeve, Nick could only look at her, smiling happily that she was his...He held her on his lap and Tess put one hand around his shoulders and he hugged her around waist. Tess's other hand rested on Nick's arm.

Meg was sitting beside Terry with her face on his shoulder and Terry hugged her.

Becky and Jodi were sitting on the blanket on the ground, drinking beers and having great time.

They were just laughing like crazy to another Tess's joke when Claire and Alex showed up. Alex was holding Charlotte on his shoulders and it was obvious that child adored it; she was clapping her little hands giggling happily. Just one look at three of them made all others realize that they are looking at new created family. Tess looked to her sister; Claire had such a big smile on her face that was hard to see on her.

Since Alex and Claire spent whole day in Claire's room, everybody knew what that meant. They were finally together!!

Jodi put "Xelkina Mia Psaraobul La" from "My big fat Greek wedding" as everybody clapped their hands with smile on their faces.

Tess pulled Nick for a dance, Meg ran to bring some food and drinks for Claire and Alex as Jodi danced with Terry.
Becky came toward Claire and Alex, tickling BOM's tummy which made child giggling sweetly. Alex took her down from his shoulders and pretended that he will eat her which made Charlotte crack up from screaming and laughing; it was her favorite game that she played with Alex.

Claire watched two of them with happy smile on her face.

Becky smiled to Claire and asked, pointing her eyes toward Charlotte:

"Shouldn't she be in bed already?"

"Nah, it's her night off. We have a little announcement to make and I want Charlotte to be here as well", said Claire, warmly smiling. Becky's eyes filled with tears of joy and with smile on her face, she hugged Claire tightly.

"I'll get the camera", whispered Becky and ran to get camera.

Song was put on repeat option by Tess. Meg came back with food and drinks, and Becky came back with camera.

Alex took one little sandwich while Charlotte wrapped her little hands around his neck, still giggling 'cause they played until Meg came back with 'real food'. Claire slightly smiled at the sight of her daughter who hugged Alex around his neck, pressing her little cheek on his shoulder. He was sooooo great with her! Claire couldn't believe that she can be soooo happy...he loves BOM like she is his real daughter! And for Charlotte, Claire thought, there was no doubt; if she could talk, she would pronounce Alex as her Daddy without second thought!

Becky gave sign to Claire that camera is ready and Claire stamped her feet on the floor.

"Oi, everybody!!"

Tess, Nick, Terry and Jodi stopped with dancing and turned toward Claire and Alex. Meg looked up to them. Song was still playing.

"We have a little announcement to make", he said with such a happy smile that Nick never saw on his brother's face. But, before Claire or Alex could open their mouths to say big news, Charlotte tightened her hold on Alex's neck and with her face leaned on his shoulder, she said first word in her life:

"Dad - a."

Everybody looked surprised at Charlotte, including both Claire and Alex. Charlotte put her little thumb in her mouth and sucked it. Claire saw tears of joy in Alex's eyes as he looked down at Charlotte. Claire smiled through her own tears of joy.

"Becky, did ya recorded this?", she asked her friend and Becky nodded smiling and wiping her eyes in the same time.

Claire could see that Alex is too much overwhelmed with happiness, so she said in her Claire's way':

"Aaaw, Charlotte told ya all! We will just make it official!", with smile on her face Claire put her hand up and diamond ring shined on her ring finger causing everybody to jump from joy and rush toward them, almost knocking them down 'cause of hugs. Claire laughed and yelled at Alex:

"Ya know on what does this reminds me? When all those women rushed to stage after five of you done striptease!", she laughed, still remembering their stunned and shocked faces while her and Tess were dying of laughing!!

Alex laughed replying:

"Don't remind me! How come you didn't ran on the stage? Don't tell me that ya didn't liked it!", he teased her and

Claire bursted to laugh.

"If I got on the stage, lots of things would happen to ya, much sooner!"

By the time, everybody let them go after congratulating them. Alex pulled Claire closer to him and whispered:

"You should have done it."

They both laughed connecting their lips in a kiss full of love that they felt for each other...