A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Ana, it appears you're about five weeks along.", Dr. Barrett says, finishing up her exam. "I'm assuming you're going to want multiple copies of the ultrasound?"
"As many as we can get.", Christian answers while helping wipe the gel from my stomach.
"I'll let you finish up in here and will meet you back out front."
"Thanks.", I tell her as she leaves the exam room. "Christian, isn't your face hurting from smiling so much?"
"It's a risk I'm willing to take.", he shrugs. "I feel like announcing to the world that we're having baby number two." Shaking my head, I place my hand on his arm.
"I'm just as excited about the baby as you, but I don't want to tell people just yet. It's nice having the secret just between us. Elliot and Kate are going to announce their engagement tomorrow night, and I want them to get the attention they deserve." Last Sunday morning, we weren't sure if Elliot and Kate's relationship would survive, but thanks to Elliot's revelation he and Kate are now happily engaged. They swore Christian and I to secrecy until tomorrow night when they tell both the Grey and Kavanagh families at Elliot's birthday party.
"I can wait. I'm looking forward to everyone's reactions when they find out about the engagement. They're going to be shocked."
"Almost as shocked as we were when we learned Elliot's lie about not wanting marriage was actually a cover."
"He had all of us fooled.", Christian sighs.
"How are the newlyweds?", I ask my parents who have had their hands conjoined since the moment they arrived at the house for dinner.
"Perfect.", they answer at once, making them laugh.
"You look perfect.", Christian says. "Are you getting excited about your honeymoon?"
"We're very excited about it. We didn't go on a real honeymoon the last go around.", my mom replies somberly while cutting into her chicken.
"No we didn't, but we shouldn't reflect on it.", my dad says. "We should only put our focus on the wonderful honeymoon we're going to have in one week. It's going to be the time of our lives."
"You could go earlier if you want.", Christian tells them. "All you have to do is give me the thumbs up, and I'll make it happen."
"We know you would, but we're going to hold off one more week. I've already put the time in at work.", my mom answers.
"Lucky for you I happen to know your boss's boss and could call in a favor.", Christian winks.
"It would be a nice gesture, however, I don't want my boss's boss to do any special favors for me." She takes a sip of her water and stares lovingly into my dad's eyes while Christian and I follow suit. Finally, my dad breaks the love trance and speaks up.
"I suppose Elliot's excited about his birthday party."
"Very. Mia's baking his cake which is going to be a double layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Needless to say he's going to be hyper. The two of you are going to be there, right?"
"Of course.", my dad answers.
"Oliver, I know you can't tell anyone so it's ok to let you in our little secret." The sound of Christian's voice brings me to a stop just outside Oliver's nursery. I ease closer to the room but keep myself from hidden from view. "You're going to be a big brother. That's pretty big news, huh?" I hear Oliver cooing in response to his dad. "I feel like I'm dreaming. Here I am holding the sweetest baby boy, married to the most beautiful woman, and expecting another little miracle. I owe it to your mommy. Your mommy is the most amazing woman ever, and it's because of her love that I have this perfect life." A small tear falls and lands on my hand as I decide to join them.
"Hey. I see he's still awake." Oliver is fighting sleep while Christian's holding him.
"Yeah, but he's on his way to getting to sleep." Christian smiles down at Oliver and then brings that smile to me. "How long were you listening to me?", he smirks.
"What makes you think I was listening?"
"Just a hunch." I gently touch Oliver's tiny hand as he closes his eyes. "I meant every word I said."
"I know you did."
"Guys, thank you for coming.", Elliot tells Christian and I as we arrive at his birthday party which is being held at Studio SIx Ballroom.
"There's no way we'd miss this party.", I smile while taking Oliver from Christian. Kate pads over to us and wraps her arms around Elliot's waist. "I've got a feeling tonight is going to be a night to remember."
"You might be on to something.", Kate giggles.
"Babe, do you want something to drink?", Elliot asks Kate.
"Sure. I'll have a water with lemon. Ana, do you want something to drink?"
"I'll take a water with lemon.", I answer. Christian kisses my forehead and heads with Elliot to get our drinks. "By the end of the night everyone will know about your engagement. Are you excited?"
"Very. I woke up this morning and looked over at Elliot as he was sleeping. I thought to myself, "That's my fiance, the man I'm going to marry." She glances at Oliver and smiles. "Oliver, I love your uncle so much." Before she can become more emotional, she waves at Ethan and Max who have arrived with Mia and Nicholas. "Mia, is the cake here?"
"I placed it in the kitchen where it's going to stay until we're ready for it.", she answers. "I was a little shocked when Elliot said his party was going to be here. I almost expected it to be at Chuck E Cheese."
"I thought it would be nice to have it somewhere else this year considering I had it at Chuck E Cheese the last two years.", Elliot chuckles while joining us. He hands Kate her water but not before kissing her. "Mia, would it be ok if I had a glimpse of the cake?"
"Not way. You're not getting near the cake until it's time to serve it."
"Uh...have you forgotten that it's my birthday, meaning you should honor my requests. All I want to do is look at it. What's so wrong with that?"
"Your idea of having a look at is by shoving it into your mouth.", Christian teases. Carrick and Grace make their way over and look at us with curiosity. "Elliot's trying his best to convince Mia to look at his cake."
"I really don't seem the harm in it.", Grace replies as Mia's jaw drops. "Mia, it's his birthday."
"I realize it's his birthday, but I thought we could bring the cake out while room sings Happy Birthday to him."
"There's no need to sing to me.", Elliot says, waving his hands in the air. "Save your voices." Christian takes Oliver back into his arms, and I take a seat in a chair at one of the tables. Watching the banter between the Grey siblings makes me look forward to that between Oliver and his brother or sister.
"You're not getting off the hook that easy.", Mia scoffs. "Every year you make it a point to sing the loudest redition of Happy Birthday, and now it's my turn to do the same."
"Mom, Dad, will you tell her I don't want anyone to sing to me."
"Children, play nice.", Carrick sighs.
"Fine. We won't sing, but we'll still wait a bit for the cake. Deal?" Mia holds her hand out to Elliot who appears to be taking her compromise into serious consideration. He finally nods and shakes his sister's hand.
"Deal. One of the reasons why I agreed is because the cake isn't the big thing for the day."
"What does that mean?", Max asks. He moves to his left so Ethan can snap a photo of the birthday boy.
"It means you're going to have to wait and see."
"Here come my parents.", Kate tells Elliot. Mr. and Mrs. Kavanagh place their gift on the front table and then pad over to us. "Mom, Dad, hi."
"Hi sweetheart.", Mrs. Kavanagh says. "Elliot, happy birthday."
"Thank you and thank you for coming."
"We woudn't miss it for the world.", Mr. Kavanagh replies with an almost knowing grin. After most of the group disperses, Kate raises a brow at both her father and Elliot. "I might have had a visit from Elliot a few weeks ago."
"What took place during this visit?", Kate asks.
"I told your father that I was wanting to propose and would really like to have his blessing.", Elliot answers. "I've never been more nervous in my life, but I was able to get through it."
"I naturally said yes.", Mr. Kavanagh says. "Afterwards, I accidentally let it slip to your mom, but she promised not to say anything."
"And I've kept my word.", Mrs. Kavanagh adds.
"At the time, I told your dad I wasn't sure when I'd propose, but after you said yes last week, I called and told him the news. I also asked if he'd keep the secret until tonight." Mr. and Mrs. Kavanagh turn their heads to Christian and me.
"Elliot explained what transpired last Sunday.", Mr. Kavanagh tells us. "It definitely wasn't the way I thought the proposal would go, but we're still very happy for them."
"So are we.", Christian says.
"With that cleared up, I'm going to go and welcome everyone and then make my special announcement.", Elliot grins as he tugs Kate with him towards the front of the room. He clears his throat to get everyone's attention, but when it doesn't work, he whistles loudly. "I should have brought a microphone. I'd like to thank all of you for being here tonight. Having the people who I love and care about the most surrounding me on my birthday makes the day very special." He smiles at Kate and continues. "This woman standing besid me is very special. She's been with me through both good and bad times, never giving up on me or us. I love her more than words can describe. I noticed there are many gifts on the table, and I can't wait to find out what they are. However, my best birthday gift came in the form of one word. Yes." Gasps flow through the room. "Why the word yes? Because I asked Kate to marry me, and she said yes."
"I said yes!", Kate shouts over the cheers and clapping.