3

Jack was pleased to have someone wanting to hang with him.

Jessica was happy to be a mate, meeting Jack at six in the morning in the tunnel system, her eyes widening as she took in the bikes Jack was holding.

"Spin cycles suck, I like real bikes. Do you?"

Soon they were moving on the ten speeds through the tunnels with the wind whipping around them, both of them laughing softly as they came to a cavern. Jack got off his bike "Right. Tai Chi."

"What?"

"Well, there is jazzercise, but I hate the way Marley screams… too early for all that energy" Jack said, ushering her in to find others in there ready to begin.

"Good morning, everyone" a voice said, and Nelly appeared, walking confidently to the front of the class, her little pigtails swishing around her head as she pulled at the leg warmers. She looked like a tiny Olivia Newton John. So cute.

"Right, let's begin with our starting stance" she said softly, her voice almost a song as she began the session, Jessica watching the others to keep up with the gentle dancelike movements. It was clearly something they did on a daily basis and could no doubt do in a dark room with a blindfold on and all still be in sync. But she didn't feel out of place, the soft laughter as one fell over, another farted loudly and then started to giggle.

It was fun.

.

.

Stan stood in the snow, letting his feet sink slightly in the soft powder as he watched Kev moving in the short distance ahead, the bow raised, and the man's form true. He was a good man; a good soldier and Stan was having a great day hunting with his friend.

He then heard the soft puff of release as the arrow shot from the bow, in the far distance a rabbit jumped into the air as the arrow hit it behind the ears and was still. Bullseye.

Kev turned back and gave him thumbs up.

Both men grinned like kids playing at one another.

Brilliant.

.

.

Patty was singing, the others singing with her letting their voices rise until they were belting out the song with vigor, the joy in her heart fulfilling.

.

.

"Wow, can you hear that?" Hope lifted her head, listening to the singing as her hands rubbed the now large stomach "they are really getting into Bohemian Rhapsody."

"Mum loved that song" Mica replied as she stroked her … well... cousin's hair "She used to dance to it while doing the housework. I remember her slippers flopping about, wow. Mum."

Mica had gone silent and Hope took her hand in her own, knowing she will never feel that sort of loss and she felt a little weird about that.

"Anyway" Hope decided to change the subject "This little shit is due soon and I might just kill someone if it's not sooner rather than later."

"The wedding is next week, surely you can cross your legs until then" Mica giggled, the lightening of the air making both women grin.

"I will be a big fat heifer."

"Stop it… come on. We all agreed that there will be a summer solstice party where anyone wanting to renew vows can. I know it's because Daddy Jack wants to have another wedding despite poor Uncle Taddy not really liking all the fuss," Mica laughed "God, that man loves cake and parties."

"I know. Poor Tad would rather a nice cup of tea and a book" Hope agreed.

"So, it's a boy?"

"Yeah. He loves the singing, I think he will be a singer too. Taddy and Daddy both have lovely voices" Hope replied.

"You do too… but I have to admit… the Twins are like angels on the rare occasions that they sing. I see the newbies are still a little reserved, I had hoped they would join the singing at least if not one of the fitness classes" Mica turned to find Owen behind her "Christ. You scared me ya beast."

"Just bringing the antacids she needs, Ifan says she needs some" he lifted a bottle and shook it "Here you go. Reflux can be a bitch but these should help. Keep them by your bed if the worst of it is at night."

"Thanks, Ifan said you would know what was best" she smiled, accepting them "I don't' know why he is being so hands off with this."

"Maybe he's scared" Owen said with a shrug like it didn't matter "I know with Toshiko I was like a real fuckwit, it's a wonder she didn't smother me with a pillow while she was having Ifan. I was insufferable. I know I was."

"Well, Gage here will be a real…." She started to laugh at Owner's face "No… we are not really calling him Gage. Ifan said you hate that name"

"A bully in school was called that and then a doctor at the hospital where I did my internship was a prick too. Never met a Gage I liked" Owen grumbled.

"Well… Paul is a nice name. I don't know, we are still chewing on that. Plenty of time." She let Owen help her with her coat, the tunnels a little colder today as there was a lot of venting on a Thursday for some reason. Who knows, the system does it's own thing and it usually works so… no one messes with it.

"Well, I am off to watch the Shitheads for a while, apparently one is trying to do haircuts and Marley is going to have a cow if she has to watch that" Hope said as she started to leave.

Owen walked her the whole way like she might fall and die.

So sweet.

Where Ifan gets it from.