“So, you play huh” I cock my brow.

His brows draw close in confusion — Then shoot up in realization.

“I'm not, exactly, good ... I just play around the keys.” he scratches the back of his head, with a boyish smile on his face.

“That wasn't just playing around mister!” I quip.

“Okay Mrs Morgan... You caught me.” he raises his hands in mock surrender.

I shake my head.

“What do you want to do now?” he asks.

“Make out.” I grin.

His brows shoot up in surprise.

And before he can say anything else — there's an incessant rapping at the door.

“Expecting anyone?” I ask with a small frown.

He shakes his head.

“Stay here, I'll go check it out.”

I walk to the living room space and sit on one of the couches. I can hear indistinct chattering, and muffled laughter, next thing I see my mum, my dad, my brothers and their wives — sans my nieces and nephews — and my sister, walking in, with bright smiles on their faces and one grows on my face too, as I stand to meet them halfway.

I'm soon engulfed in bear hugs.

“What are you all doing here?” I ask them, the smile never leaving my face.

“What now? You don't want us here?” Jax says feigning a hurt look.

I roll my eyes.

“That's not what I mean!... I just — wasn't expecting you all.” I say.

They laugh.

“Well, that's the meaning of a surprise.” Octavia quips.

I shake my head.

They make themselves comfortable. Soon enough, we are all talking about different topics.

Eric is so engrossed in the conversation and it makes me happy, that he's so at peace and relaxed around my dad and my brothers as they talk animatedly about sports, finance and business, while the ladies look totally lost and try on many occasions to change the topic unsuccessfully.

I listen to the banter on which sports team is the best and why they support them.

After a while, I move everyone to the balcony. The view from here, is amazing. They continue with their conversations while I go to get drinks for them and my mum joins me.

“Is everything okay between you two?” my mother quizzes with a concerned look on her face.

“Yes ma... We spoke about everything and we are good.” I smile.

She nods and hugs me.

We take the drinks out, and they're still talking about the sports teams — well the ladies are talking about the good-looking players and the men are disagreeing because, sports is not about their good looks but rather how good they play — that's the summary of the entire argument and it makes me laugh.

It then occurs to me that this — this right here — is a good omen, just seeing how happy they are together, arguing about irrelevant topics.

Octavia gets a call and while she's talking, her face falls and that gets everyone's attention. Suddenly, as one, everyone stops talking and look at her expectantly with concerned looks, trying to understand why she looks so worried — but her gaze is on me — why?

“What's wrong Via?” my dad asks.

“Uhm — it's Kyle...” she says in a clipped and quiet tone.

My eyes widen as I wait for her to finish her sentence.

My scalp prickles and my heart starts beating, fast.

“What's wrong with him Octavia?” my mum asks in a panicked voice.

“He — He — He's been in a fatal accident and has been rushed to the hospital.” she says still in a panicked tone.

“Who called?” Noah Asks.

“Amrita... It's on the news.” Octavia says.

My heart is beating frantically and my legs feel like jelly.

I slowly turn to look at Eric, and his eyes are wide, and he blinks rapidly as he shakes his head. He looks up and our eyes meet. He mouths an 'are you okay' and I shake my head, the first set of tears roll down my cheeks, and he hurriedly makes his way to my side.

I'm not crying because I still have feelings for him — cos I don't — but rather because, he's a friend and irrespective of everything that has happened, the father of my child.

“Hey, he's going to be fine, okay?” he says in a calm tone.

“Please take me there.” I plead.

“Are you sure?” his eyes searching mine.

I look at the rest of my family, they're all on their phones, making calls — trying to reach Kyle's wife or anyone who could tell us anything.

“Yes Eric... P-please.” I plead.

He nods and runs into the house to get his keys.

Octavia comes to my side and tries to calm me.

Once we get to the hospital he was rushed to. I see Vivian for the first time in 10 years, and she looks the same, cold and void of emotion.

Géorgie is sobbing by the side, with her head between her hands. William is pacing and barking orders into the phone. Carol is sitting, not moving and no clear emotion on her face.

I find a place to sit as my parents try to talk to the Sanders — keyword 'try'.

I'm aware of hushed voices, many hushed voices. People pacing back and forth, doctors and nurses scampering in their scrubs and White lab coats.

Eric talks to one of the many doctors, and they assure him that Kyle will be fine. Does he really care, or is he just concerned because I'm worried?

I wrap my arms around myself, and I try to imagine how he must have felt in the last seconds during the accident. Was he scared that he won't make it? Did he even see it coming? I can't even bear to look up, at the television screen, because all the channels are filled with the news of the accident and describing the scene and I can't bear it.

“Baby... Here, drink this.” Eric says gently, as he hands me a bottle of water.

I take the bottle from him and mutter a thank you, that's when I notice my shaking hands.

I open the lid and take a big gulp to soothe my dry throat from all the crying.

My whole life, this year has been the most trying... I've shed so many tears, it's enough to fill an ocean.

Octavia sits on my other side and rubs my hand slowly.

My head is on Eric's shoulder, as we wait for any news at all, from the doctors. But they've been in there for hours, and my anxiety is growing by the second.

I glance towards Vivian, and she hasn't shed a tear, not a single tear. I know people have different ways of reacting to bad news, so I don't blame her. But, I'm dying to know what she's thinking, how she's feeling. That's her son, her only son and I know she must be hurting the most.

She has pushed everyone away, there's no one to comfort her, not even her husband — who seems more interested in knowing how Carol is doing — which by the way is also important, even though I don't like her.

“Excuse me.” I tell Eric and Octavia, as I stand and make my way towards Vivian.

When she notices me walking towards her, she sits up and watches me with her usual cold demeanour. Trying not to give anything away, but I know beneath that, she's hurting.

“Vivian.” I nod.

“June.”

“Can I sit?” I ask her.

She shrugs.

“He's going to be okay.”

She just stares at me.

“Kyle's a fighter, and he has so much to live for... And even if you're not my biggest fan and neither am I yours, we both know he loves you so much... He will fight for his life, and he'll be fine.”

Her eyes soften.

“My son is a fighter.” she murmurs.

I nod.

Surprising both of us, I pull her into a tight hug, with my round bump in between. I don't want to tell her, I'm carrying her grandchild, but I want her to feel the connection — and she does, because the baby moves, and she feels it.

“It moved.” she says with wide eyes and a small smile.

“Yes.” I say.

“I'm sorry for how I treated you in the past June. I really am ashamed of myself, but I'm glad you turned out great — and congratulations on your baby.” she says with a smile, which reaches her eyes for the first time.

“It's fine Vivian — you did what you felt was good for your child, like every mother would. Keep being strong for your boy, he's going to be fine.” I say.

She nods.

“Thank you.”

She bites her lower lip in an attempt to hold the tears in — but one rolls down, and she wipes it away and smiles at me.

I nod.

“Kyle Sanders' family?” a doctor calls.

Guys do you know that underneath this chapter, there is a star button, and do you know when you click it, it turns orange 😲? Cool right?, you should totally try the magic 😉! 😚😚😚