Ok guys so you know the drill. Let me know what you think, even with all the sappy fluffy stuff. There's at least one more fluff chapter that I'll probably get up tomorrow. Plus it's the last chapter before the rest of the guys come home.
Over the next month, things start to fall back into place. I go back to work and Filip with ease. Gemma avoids the two of us all together, no longer throwing Kozik at me. He seems happy enough to be free to hook up with random crow eaters again. Sick of keeping our secret from everyone, we plan a cookout to share the news. Tara helps with all the planning which only further irritates Gemma.
The morning of the cookout, I'm awake early and begin getting everything ready. Filip has an errand to run with Opie. Just as they're getting ready to leave, Tara pulls in with the kids. Opie rushes to help her while I hang back and talk to Filip.
"Your ass better be back in time to cook the steaks. I'm not listening to all these hungry assholes yell at me." I tease him, leaning over his bike for a quick kiss.
"Aye, we'll be back. Just gotta take care of a couple of things." He winks at me and instantly I know he's up to something. Before I can press him for more information, my brother joins us.
"We gotta go if you want us back in time." Opie crosses his arms over his chest with a sneaky grin. I put my hands up, giving up on the argument with a grin. "Lyla will be here later, she had a late shoot."
"Be good and don't hide just cuz you don't wanna tell my dad." I call as they pull out of the driveway.
The prospects are busy in the back yard setting up tables and chairs. Tara and I head into the kitchen and start prepping the food. Lyla pulls in an hour later, flying through the front door in a blur.
"Whoa, what the hell?" I ask, dropping the potato I'm cutting up and standing in the doorway, open mouthed.
"I told Opie to wake me up before he left. I'm so sorry." She rushes into the kitchen, throwing her purse in my room first.
"Don't worry about it. He said you had a late shoot, brought the kids over so you wouldn't have to worry about it." I laugh at her. "Not like this is Gemma's party."
"Yeah, where is she?" Tara realizes the absence of stress.
"No clue, we barely talk. Filip invited her today, not me." I shrug as I finish my prep. Neither of them knew about the woman's involvement in Fiona's reappearance. They left the subject alone, happily turning it to the upcoming wedding arrangements. Opie planned on getting married the night that the guys were released from Stockton as a combination party.
With our new disclosure policy, I knew that the reason my brother was so involved in the planning is because of the Russian club business they were negotiating. Lyla thought it was cute and I almost laughed each time she said so.
Everyone starts filing into the backyard when Filip finally pulls in with my brother. He looks giddy when he jumps off the bike and runs for the grill. The guys heckle and joke with him about his romantic afternoon with my brother. Apparently some of them know more about what they were up to than I did. The two men give me apologetic looks when I meet them at the grill with a plate full of steaks.
"I'm sorry baby girl. It took a little longer then it shoulda. It'll be worth it though. I promise." Filip leans in and gives me a sweet kiss, grabbing the platter from my hands.
"It better be or you're both in big trouble." I turn back to help the girls bring out the other food.
Gemma marches in as the first round of steaks hits the table. The look on her face is pure irritation. She stands off to the side with Kozik, barely interested in whatever he's talking to her about. I ignore the angry glares and have fun with my dad and the rest of our family. Lyla, Tara and I watch the kids playing in the yard, chasing each other and including Abel. Piper and Kenny have really grown close since the engagement. It was good to see the kids smile.
When the food is served and we're all seated together, Filip stands up at the head of the table and clears his throat. Tara reaches out for my hand and smiles at me. Everyone stops and watches him.
"We got some good news." He announces proudly. "Bree's pregnant. We're havin a baby."
I couldn't turn to look at my dad, worried about his reaction but a loud holler rose up and he stood up, clapping Filip hard on the back. Lyla rushes over to me, squealing her congratulations. Filip takes it all in, any fear I had about the reactions is gone in their celebratory attitude.
"Hang on, hang on ya loud bunch of assholes." Filip yells out over their cat calls. "That's not all of it. I gotta surprise for Bree." I turn to stare at him, wondering what the hell he's up to. "This place ain't gonna be big enough pretty soon. We're gonna need some more room."
He hands me an envelope with a giant grin. I flip it over, nervously peeling open the flap. I carefully take the packet out and read through the front page. There's a photo of a gorgeous three bedroom house, ranch style. The address is close to Tara and Jaxson. Filip's arms tighten around my waist and he looks over my shoulder, pointing out the specifics he thought I would like.
"I love you Filip." I turn to him, giving him a deep kiss which just urged another round of cat calls from our guests.
"Let's eat." Opie calls as we all pull up to the table, enjoying the togetherness of our family.
Despite the missing part of our group, it's nice to have these moments. The conversation flows easily and we're all laughing and talking. Gemma sits at the opposite end of the table; she looks uncomfortable, almost guilty. When we all start to clear the table, she stops me on the way to the kitchen.
"Congratulations baby girl." She tries to pour on a look of innocence.
"Listen Gem, I know you brought Fiona stateside. I get it sisterhood and all that right?" She doesn't answer. "Just be happy for us hey? We're good."
"A baby?" She puts both hands on my face. I try not to flinch away from her. I can play nice with her but I just don't trust her anymore.
"Yeah, four months now." I place my hand over my small bulge protectively. Her mood instantly lightens.
"You're gonna be such a good mom." She follows me into the kitchen, taking the dishes from me.
"Anything's gotta be better than my mom hey?" I joke.
"Oh baby, she tried. Your mom was just a little . . ." She starts, letting the through trail off.
"Just a little psychotic, just a little absent? I mean really she didn't even try. Anything's gotta be better than that." Filip joins us.
"Hey love; I wondered where ya ran off ta." He leans in, kissing me on the forehead. "Am I forgiven?"
"I'll think about it. It depends on how much I actually have to do for this move." I tease him, curling up into his chest.
Gemma watches us with an odd prideful expression on her face. At least we had peace for the time being. She wouldn't be working against us anymore. Maybe now our family could start to heal.