Nicole sat on the beach looking at the want ads. She was desperate for a job now and she would do anything. Well, almost anything, she amended crossing out a telesales job that sounded ever so slightly sleazy. The current plan was that after the wedding they would move in with Irene, but if as she suspected Annie was returning home for good, then it would be great if they could move out and find their own space. It would seem a bit cruel to inflict newlywed behaviour on Annie if she were to split form her husband.
Once she had a shortlist of jobs to apply for she packed up her things and made her way home. As soon as she was inside she looked at her phone and noticed a text message from Ruby. She must have been too lost in thought whilst down on the beach not to hear her phone beep. She clicked open the phone and read the message.
"Happy to be BM. Now in Japan but Bk Sn. Let u no when cu sn luv rubes" Nicole deciphered the text speak and texted Geoff to let him know.
She went upstairs and took a quick shower before sitting down at the table to phone about the jobs. Out of a list of twenty that she phoned up for she only got one interview and it didn't sound too promising.
She put away her notes and pulled out her wedding planner. She had to review the list of things to do. She and Geoff were drawing up separate invite lists and would look at them together tonight, before making a final selection. She needed to choose a cake and see who were the best people to organise the catering. She'd had an idea regarding the cake. She thought she would get Colleen to make a chocolate cake that would be for the kids and Belle; and would go as the middle tier. Then a large square one on the bottom for the adults and probably also Belle and then the top one would be a smaller version that she would keep. Mental note, remind Belle not to touch the top one.
Then there were the gifts. She knew that she and Geoff had both discussed people making donations to charity rather than formal wedding gifts but they would need so much stuff if they were to set up a home together. She chewed on a fingernail while she pondered it and on a separate piece of paper she wrote a shortlist of items, Kitchen stuff, towels, bedding, furniture, microwave (or they'd starve). There was no need for a full set of saucepans, (as they wouldn't ever be used!) but things like cutlery and plates and cups would be good.
Of course, she nagged herself, if she had a job then she could start buying some of this stuff herself! She was still doodling when Roman and Ella came in.
"Hey!" she called. "Ella, how are you? What did Rachel say?"
They walked into the kitchen and looked at each other. Ella nodded at him.
"Nic, We have something to tell you?" Roman began.
Nic looked at them.
"Its serious?" Nic asked with a gasp.
"Nothing like that love," Ella told her walking over to her and sitting on the chair next to her. Nicole sighed.
"Are you sure because Geoff and I can postpone the wedding? We don't want to add anymore stress." Nic said.
Ella looked up at Roman and saw how proud he was of his daughter. Of course he'd told her of all the stunts Nicole used to pull but he said she's grown up into a lovely young woman. And Ella could certainly agree with that.
"Well Nic it's like this, you're about to be a big sister." Roman said at last.
"Get out!" Nicole screamed and launched herself at Ella. She enfolded the other woman in a bear hug. "I can't believe it!" she whispered. "Congratulations!" she then flushed as the realisation that for Ella to be pregnant it meant that her Dad had actually had sex. "Congratulations Dad!" she said not quite meeting his eyes. She stood up and gave him a brief but embarrassed hug.
Ella smiled at him.
"So when are you telling Mike? And can I tell Geoff? Oh you'll want to turn my room into a nursery. " Nicole said without pausing for breath.
"Telling Mike this weekend when he comes home. Yes you can tell Geoff but no one else please. And we might start looking for a new house with a bit more room." Ella answered. "Oh and Nic?" Ella said.
"Yes?" she said.
Ella held out a copy of the scan that Rachel had taken.
Nic looked at it and burst into tears.
"What's the matter?" Roman asked quickly.
"Nothing. I'm just happy!" she told them, grinning too. Roman opened his arms and Nic went into them. He kissed the top of her head.
"You'll still be my Princess you know!" he told her.
Nic lifted her head and looked up at him, then held out her hand to Ella.
"Com'on Step-mama Family hug!" she said with a laugh.