The Wedding of Andrew Joseph Mitchell & Charlotte Alice Kennedy
"I'm so sorry I missed Ash and Erin's wedding, it sounds like it was a wonderful event!" Rob Kennedy smiled apologetically at his heavily pregnant twin sister.
"Yes it was, so are you back for a while or..."
"Yes, yes I am back indefinitely! I have two announcements I wish to make!"
"Oh?" Charlotte's eyes widened as her brother blushed slightly with a broad grin.
"Yes, well three actually! Well, one is more of a question than an announcement if you like..." Charlotte groaned and spoke over him,
"Robert please will you get to the point?"
"Right, yes, well..." he cleared his throat as Charlotte rubbed her swollen belly impatiently. It had been a month since Ash and Erin's wedding and they had returned from their honeymoon glowing and excited, hoping that they would be expecting the pitter-patter of tiny Maloney feet soon. Well at least that was all Erin could talk about with Charlotte since she got back a few weeks ago. Rob's cheeks were flushed and he leaned forward in his seat to resume his speech, "...the first being a question that I would like to get out of the way which is can I stay with you until I find my own place?"
Charlotte nodded and waited for him to get to the real point. "Second, when you and Drew marry I wish to change my surname to Mitchell so that you and I won't be different! I can't bear us not having the same surname any more, is that silly?" Charlotte tried not to frown as she shook her head and did her best to reassure her brother.
"No that is reasonable, we shared a womb, it's understandable!" Rob sighed with relief and continued,
"The final thing is that, well...I...I can't stop thinking about Lainie!"
"Oh God..." Charlotte groaned and sat back in her chair rolling her eyes, not this again!
"You see she means everything to me!"
"Rob..."
"I just can't bear to think of her with HIM!"
"Rob..."
"He doesn't deserve her Lottie! He just doesn't!!!"
"Robert..." Charlotte's protests were falling on deaf ears as Rob rambled on, putting Dexter down at every turn, raising Lainie higher on that pedestal he'd placed her on the moment he met her a few years before.
"I'm going to win her heart Lottie, I'm going to give her the life she is most deserving of and I will dote upon her and cherish her, do all the things that HE can never do..."
"ROB!!!" Charlotte yelled, startled he stared at her with his big eyes, "Lainie and Dexter Maloney are soul mates, you know this, they have a little girl together and they love each other! He does deserve her, he does cherish her and he does dote upon her! Rob please will you let go of this fantasy and give Dexter Maloney a break???"
But Rob wasn't listening to his sister, his mind was made up, he had returned from working abroad more determined than ever to win Lainie's heart from Dexter who...in his eyes...had mistreated it and didn't have the right to it any more! The whole purpose of Arthur Kennedy sending his step-son away for a year was to flush this obsession out of him, but it seemed to have done the opposite considering Rob had returned home three months early and even more infatuated with the future Mrs Dexter Maloney than ever!
"He does not deserve her Lottie!" he repeated, "And I will prove to her that I do!"
Lainie awoke with a shiver and instinctively ran her hand over the empty space that should have contained her beloved Dexy. It was still dark outside and as she checked her phone on the floor for the time, it read 4:32am. She could make out a familiar figure looking out of the front window.
Dexter leaned on the wall with his back to her, she couldn't work out what he was thinking when she couldn't see his face. "Dexy?" he didn't move at the sound of her voice and this worried her, although he did respond to her with a short reply.
"It's okay freckles, go back to sleep."
"Dexy what's wrong? Can't you sleep?"
"No it's..." he sighed and shifted his weight slightly, "...yeah, yeah I can't...I can't sleep!"
"Is it about Rob? Because you don't have to worry..."
"No it's not that little weasel, he can text you all he wants, he can even ask you out for drinks if he wants and you can even accept..." Lainie didn't let him finish.
"And I wouldn't! I didn't! Dexy! That's hurtful!"
"Baby I didn't mean...ugh I...my head is all over the place and it's just..." Lainie wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him towards her, she pressed her body against his back and kissed his neck softly as his hair tickled her face, he smelled so good as usual!
"Dexy, I love you! You are my one and only, I don't like jealous Dexy, he's mean and he's no fun!" she nibbled his ear lobe as he let out an involuntary giggle while swatting her away.
"I'm sorry freckles, you're the only girl who has ever brought it out of me, I never did jealousy before I fell in love with you believe me! And that's because I was never in love before! None of the others mattered, not like you!"
"Dexy please come back to bed, I hate sleeping without you next to me it blows!" Dex laughed softly at her use of the word blows in a sentence, he was a bad influence on her it would seem.
"I will I promise, just gimme a minute!"
"Come back to bed!" she moaned and resumed her nibbling of his ear. It drove him crazy and she knew it!
"I said I will! Stop or I'll deal with you! I will punish you little girl!" he chuckled and tried to release from her firm grip. She softly sank her teeth into his shoulder in response as he shook free, it sent a shiver down his spine as he spun around and scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed.
He threw her down as gently as he could and laughed at the shocked expression on her face. "I did tell you I would punish you, you bitey little minx!"
"Dexy...tell me what's really bothering you! I know you're keeping me at arm's length again, so stop it! Talk!"
Dexter groaned and caressed her cheek, "It's our wedding, or our lack of wedding to be more specific!"
"Dexy..." she wriggled and blinked her eyes at him, they had discussed this. He let go and climbed over her, lying on his side. She rolled onto her tummy and caught his eye again, there was no escaping her interrogative stare.
"Well?" she continued to stare him down, waiting patiently for him to spill his guts.
"Well, I am a mixture of devastated and delighted. I'm devastated that we can't get married when we planned, but I'm delighted that Drew and Charlotte have their date booked. Drew's my best friend, I can't not be happy for him it's just selfish of me to be upset with him for stealing our thunder. That night at Ash and Erin's welcome home party, I was so mad at him for standing up and announcing it like that, it was a real gut punch!"
"Oh Dexy..."
"But the babies are due in a couple of weeks, Char wants to get married shortly after, and we have all the time in the world don't we?" Lainie smiled proudly at her fiance and replied,
"Yes Dexy my darling we do!" but her smile was short lived as she thought of something that she had been keeping from him.
"Dexy how do you feel about...having another child?" Dexter smiled broadly at her as he wrapped a strand of her hair round his finger.
"You know how I feel..." Lainie interrupted him with a long sigh,
"What if I told you that I might be pregnant?" his cheeks grew red as Lainie studied his expression.
"I...well it would explain a lot! You've been kinda moody these last few weeks freckles, not gonna lie!" Lainie laughed softly at the wrinkle in Dexter's nose as he thought about her recent changed behaviour.
"Would you...be happy if I was? Because I know you have your heart set on getting married, but now with Drew and Charlotte and everything I...well I'd understand if you feel it's not the right time..." Dexter gave her a raised eyebrow and kissed her on the forehead.
"Freckles I would be over the moon!" he finally replied as Lainie let out the breath she'd been holding with relief.
She sat up with her back to him and subconsciously rubbed her belly as Dexter traced circles on her back with his finger. "We were always destined to make more babies, so if you are...you know...well I can't wait to tell mum, she's been so down lately!" Lainie nodded and sighed heavily.
"I know, it can't be easy for her seeing both her sons get married and start new families of their own, that's why I suggested moving in with her for a while. You're still okay with living here aren't you?" Dexter wrapped an arm around her waist as his fingers brushed her belly, it gave her goosebumps.
"Yes freckles!" he mumbled as he buried his face in her back. He cradled her belly lovingly as she could feel his lips against her spine through her nightshirt. It had been her idea to move into his childhood home so that Avril could spend more time with Keira and feel more involved in her youngest son's life now that Ash and Erin were buying their first home together on the outskirts of town.
"Dexy..." Lainie breathed, "Please stop that or you'll make me do bad things!" she mumbled, feeling him laughing against her back.
Dexter may not have been marrying Lainie on the date they had initially chosen, but spending the early hours of the morning holding her more than made up for that disappointment. And the possibility of another baby on the way made him giddy with excitement. Not only was he loving their closeness that morning, he was feeling a weight lifting from his shoulders as they talked about what was bothering them, and if they could continue to do this then their marriage would be a strong one.
"Dexy will you be there when I do the test?" Dexter's heart leaped, he wasn't there the first time, sharing this with her was a dream come true. And this time, unlike with Keira, he would know from the beginning that this baby was his!
"Yes freckles, I wanna be there for you this time! This time I'm gonna be there right from the very start!"
"Okay, time's up!" Lainie exclaimed as she grabbed the pregnancy test from the counter top. Dexter pulled her into him from behind to get a better look at the result, his heart racing in his chest. Lainie could feel it beating madly against her back as she raised the test up to their eye level. She squeezed her eyes shut and yelped. "Oh I can't look!!!"
"Baby I think you really should!" Dexter mumbled and rubbed her stomach with encouragement.
"Oh Dexy I don't know about you but I want this, I really want this!" she whimpered.
"Then open your eyes!" he soothed.
Lainie opened one eye, then the next gingerly, "Dexy I am, I am pregnant!" she squeaked almost dropping the test as Dexter's hand steadied hers.
"Yes freckles, yes you are! I'm gettin' good at this huh?" he chuckled and squeezed her waist playfully.
She turned to face him, taking hold of his hands and placing them on her stomach, "We're having another baby!"
"I know freckles, we'll tell mum together, she'll be so happy!"
"But are you happy Dexy?" Dexter smiled and winked,
"What do you think?"
"I want a boy, a little mini Dexy!"
"Well I already have my mini freckles so it's only fair!" Lainie huffed,
"Pfft she's her daddy's girl and you know it, Kee is a Maloney through and through!"
"Ah yes, but she has her mother's heart and her blonde hair! That's a deadly combination for any man!" he winked again and chuckled.
"Come on, let's tell Avril she's going to be a granny again!" Lainie grabbed Dex by the hands and pulled him towards the bathroom door, Avril was going to be thrilled.
"So you decided to come home then?" Ashton Maloney greeted his wife sadly, after Dexter and Lainie's announcement that morning, Erin had excused herself and had only just returned...it was now 5pm.
"I needed some space, I didn't mean to be away so long!" Erin replied defensively.
"I was worried that's all, I tried calling your mobile but it went straight to your voicemail!"
"Ash what part of I needed some space don't you understand?"
"And what part of I was worried don't YOU understand?" Ash retorted as Erin grumbled and sat down on the couch opposite him.
Ash gave her a moment before speaking again, "So do you want to talk about this morning or..."
"Is Lainie upset?"
"What?" he was rather taken aback by the question, "No she was fine, I don't really think she noticed or Dex, mum did though!" Erin nodded, of course Avril noticed, she noticed everything!
"I'm happy for them, really I am! It just...hurt a bit. I think we should see the doctor and have ourselves tested."
"You think it's me don't you?" Ash squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stop himself from crying. "Because I'm older, you think I'm firing blanks!"
"No, Ash no! I do think that there's something not right, and it could be either of us or even both! We've been having unprotected sex since we got engaged! We agreed that if it happened before we got married then so be it, then on our honeymoon we were too tired to even leave the hotel we were at it so much...Ash we should have conceived by now! Don't you want to know why we haven't?"
"How can you even question...Erin I want to have a child with you, you know that! Seeing Dex with Kee has made me want it even more, I want what he has with Keira and Lainie, I want it so very badly! I just don't want you to resent me, if I can't get you pregnant..."
"...is that it? Are we over?" Ash's voice cracked as he tried to study Erin's expression.
"I thought you knew me better than that Ashton Maloney! Let's just make an appointment with the doctor and take it from there. We have a lot of options, lots to explore and with the money coming in from your new album and the tour coming up, we can explore IVF."
Ash nodded in agreement with his wife, but he could tell that she was irritable, and he had a sinking feeling that she was regretting ever marrying him in the first place.
Avril Maloney was enjoying her time with her granddaughter that early evening. Keira was babbling away to herself as she played with the blocks in her play pen.
And there was another on the way, a bittersweet moment for Avril. She knew all about her oldest son's trouble with his wife. She understood perfectly why the atmosphere between them had been strained since they returned from honeymoon, she knew straight away the minute Dexter and Lainie announced that they were expecting their second child, Ash and Erin were struggling to conceive.
But how could she tell Dexter that? He was blissfully happy over becoming a father for the second time, how could Avril tell him that his brother wasn't as lucky as he was? The answer was that she couldn't, so when he came to collect Keira and put her to bed she kept her mouth shut. But nothing got past young Dexter, he could read his mother like a book! "What's up?"
"Oh, tired. I'm old Dexter, you forget that I'm not as fit as I once was!"
"Pfft, you're amazing mum, and I won't hear anything different! How's Kee Bee?"
"Oh she's been playing away, amusing herself as her old granny stared into space!" She laughed weakly.
"Are you really happy about the baby mum?"
"Darling I am elated!"
"But..." Damn him and his knack for knowing his mother!
"I'm just a little concerned about your brother, he's been a little down since he got back from his honeymoon, maybe you could take him out and have a brotherly chat?"
"Sure mum, of course!" he wasn't buying it, and knowing Dexter he wasn't going to let it go either.
"I think he needs you right now, I think he feels...Dexter darling just talk to him!"
"Is it...is it Erin?" Avril wanted so badly to say more but she bit her lip and shrugged.
"I think he'll talk to you better sweetheart!"
"Did you think that..."
"What?" Lainie encouraged Dexter to finish his sentence.
"Nothin' I..."
"What Dexy? Come on talk to me!" Dexter sighed and his breath tickled her neck.
"She's so cute isn't she?" he changed the subject as they watched Keira play with her bear on the nursery floor, Lainie growled and stood on his foot as he yelped and gave her a look like a wounded puppy.
"Dexy come out of that shell and speak!!!" she insisted.
"Okay! Do you think Erin was a bit...off this morning?"
"How so?"
"Well, she took off pretty quick when you told everyone about the baby!" Lainie gave him a puzzled look and shook her head.
"I can't say I noticed but now that you mention it, Ash is very quiet. Do you think they've had a row?"
"God I hope not, Ash is crazy about her and it was a big deal for him to commit to her!"
"Well something is not right sweetie!" Lainie smiled sadly.
"Funny, that's exactly what my mother was trying to tell me earlier!"
"Well, she would know, she watches everything and sees all!"
"She said I needed to talk to Ash, that he'll tell me what's up."
"She could be right, I agree you need to find out what's going on." she nodded, "And this little one needs to go to bed, does daddy want to do the honours?"
"You're a vixen! You know full well mum has fed her chocolate all afternoon and she'll be a nightmare to get down!" Dexter growled and kissed her on the cheek.
"You got me!" she laughed sweetly.
"Come on Kee Bee, be gentle with daddy okay?"
Dexter was trying to find the right moment to have a heart to heart with his older brother. Ashton kept waving him off and telling him he was fine. It wasn't until Dex decided to kick a ball around in the upstairs hall that there was finally an opening for the two of them to be alone. "Dexter William Maloney!" his mother had grunted, "Take this outside, and you too Ashton James Maloney!!!"
"Yes mum!" both boys had nodded like naughty school children, Avril winked at her younger son as they both headed outside to the front garden.
"So..." Dexter mumbled as he tried to start a conversation, he was no good at this! Lainie had told him to just be normal around Ash, talk about everyday things that they usually talked about. But when there was an important subject to broach, Dexter got cold feet!
"Ash is everything okay?"
"Why do you keep asking me that???" Ash grunted as Dex passed him the ball.
"Because I know that it's not!" Dexter could hardly believe that he had the guts to actually tell his brother that he knew there was something wrong. And he knew that by telling him that, there was a chance Ash would retreat even more.
"Dexter don't...you really don't wanna know trust me!" was the rather calm reply.
"Ashy please, talk to me!" Using his childhood pet name seemed to do the trick as Ash sighed and stood on the ball with one foot, their kick about was over, but their conversation was about to go to the next level, Dexter was finally going to find out why Ash had been so down since he returned from his honeymoon.
Dexter followed his brother over to the garden bench and waited for him to speak. After a lengthy silence, Ashton finally let out a long sigh. "Me and Erin, we..." he squeezed his eyes shut, as if saying the next sentence was painful for him, "..we can't conceive!"
"You mean..." Ash cut Dex off.
"I mean..."
"I can't get her pregnant, and I've been trying for months!"
"Oh!" Dexter's cheeks flushed, usually this kind of conversation didn't bother him with Ash, but for some reason this one did.
"Erin wants to go and see a specialist, go through some fertility tests and...y'know the drill!"
"Well that's good, when he gets to the problem he can sort it and you'll be changing nappies in no time!"
"Nah!" Ash mumbled, "I have a feeling that there's nothing much to be done."
They sat in silence for a little while more, as Dex went over his silly little speech the other day when he and Lainie announced their pregnancy. Suddenly out of nowhere, Ash spoke again.
"It's fine little brother, I'm happy for you and Lainie, don't feel bad about it! Please!" As if he had read his mind, Ash nudged Dex playfully, knocking him out of his guilt ridden trance.
"If I'd known..." Dex began as Ash stood up and once again didn't let him finish.
"You'd what? You'd have kept it quiet until Lainie was popping out of her clothes? Don't be daft bro! Even if I can't have my own kid, I've got plenty of love for yours when he or she arrives! It's all good, you know I love you both and this is great news, really!" Ash's speech was convincing, but Dex still had his doubts about just how well he was taking everything. He began kicking the ball again and called to Dex, "Come on bro, keepy uppies challenge!"
Dexter stood up to join him and laughed, "Okay but you know I'll beat you down!" Ash didn't reply, he merely grinned as he counted his score. Dexter grew serious again and added, "Don't give up Ash, you were meant to be a dad, you will be!"
Ash nodded and passed the ball to Dex, "112! Beat that kid!" Changing the subject was his forte, and deep down he had already given up on the idea of having kids. But he would go through anything Erin wanted him to, he'd do anything for her despite not holding out much hope of a good result!
Three weeks after Lainie announced her pregnancy, Charlotte finally gave birth to the twins! Rosie Kennedy Mitchell was born first, she took after her father and was a quiet baby who rarely cried. Her sister however, Daisy Tara Mitchell was a very needy baby indeed. But both girls were sweet and brought much joy and happiness to their parents.
Drew was delighted when Charlotte announced that she wanted their middle names to honour his mother Tara and her step-father. The twins were now six weeks old and Charlotte was halfway through planning her wedding, which was only a week away. She'd managed to shed what little weight she had gained through her pregnancy and had picked out her bridesmaid dresses.
Lainie was feeling a bit rough, morning sickness was taking its toll, but she knew she had to be happy for Charlotte who had also chosen her as head bridesmaid. Lainie wondered why everyone kept doing that, it was a big responsibility. Drew had chosen both Maloney brothers as his best men, so seeing Rob was making Lainie feel uneasy! Dexter was growing angrier every day as new texts would come in from Charlotte's deluded brother. He was still asking Lainie to give him a chance and she was afraid that Dex would do something they would both regret at the wedding.
The big day had finally come, Charlotte was excited as she fussed with her dress, until a familiar voice echoed behind her, "Lottie! Lottie! Oh make way, I am mother of the bride!" Temperance huffed.
"Oh no!" Charlotte muttered as Lainie gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Lottie, what are you wearing? Dear why didn't you ask me for help?"
"Because she doesn't need your help Tempy, she never has and never will..." Another familiar voice answered her irritating mother.
"...she's a strong, independent woman with common sense, dignity and beauty! She is an individual with her own unique taste, and she may not be my child by blood...but good golly she is my daughter and I am proud to be her father!" Arthur Kennedy smiled broadly at his step-daughter as he wiped away a stray tear, "Darling you are simply radiant!"
"Thank you daddy!" Charlotte wept as she embraced him.
"Ugh, please!" Temperance squeaked and rolled her eyes.
"Tempy go and sit down with the guests, I have a precious cargo to deliver to a very lucky young man!"
"Art she is not your daughter she is mine!"
"MOTHER DO AS YOU ARE TOLD!" Rob suddenly yelled from the doorway as everyone gasped in surprise, "This is Lottie's day! Get your butt in here!" he winked at Lainie as she blushed. "Save me a dance little Miss!"
"OMG Dex will kill him!" Erin whispered as Roxy grunted.
"He'll have to get past me the irritated pregnant lady first, I mean what is he thinking? He's gonna get pasted by one or all of us if he keeps this up!"
"He means no harm!" Lainie tried to convince herself more than anyone else, but Rob's behaviour was frightening.
"I've been thinking..." Rob began as Lainie passed him.
"What's that then Rob?"
"We need to have a long talk you and me, but not here, meet me tomorrow at the bakery at noon. I've got so much to tell you!" he smiled into the distance as Lainie shuddered.
"Rob you have to stop calling and texting, my fiance doesn't like it...and neither do I!" Rob chuckled and shook his head.
"Yeah well he won't be a problem for much longer!" Lainie couldn't find a response so she decided to just ignore it, even though it gave her chills. Rob wasn't a violent person, and it wasn't him she was afraid of...it was Dexter and his hotheadedness!
"You good?" Dexter mumbled to the groom as he swayed from side to side, a nervous thing that he did.
"Cool as a cucumber!" Drew replied, a little more high pitched than usual.
"Well, one more hour and Charlotte will be Mrs Andrew Mitchell, just keep hold of that thought dude!" Dexter tried to calm his best friend, why he was so on edge he had no idea, he and Charlotte were the epitome of couple goals.
"I'm scared I fluff my vows Dexter, what do I do if..." Dexter chuckled softly.
"Dude relax, if you do we'll all get a good laugh out of it, you included! The most important thing is that you're gonna get your girl!"
"When did he become the sensible one?" Drew laughed shakily at Ash.
"He always was, he just hides it well!" Ash smiled at his younger brother.
Drew's worries all melted away as he spotted his bride-to-be enter the room behind her three bridesmaids, arm linked with her step-father.
"He's looking rather nervous!" Arthur commented.
"Oh he's just...he gets like that! I wonder how many times he's had to go to the bathroom this morning, his bladder always plays up at times like this."
"TMI, as the young folk say, darling TMI!" Arthur laughed loudly as the guests all looked at him in confusion.
When Arthur delivered Charlotte safely to the altar, Drew had the biggest grin on his handsome face. "Hey there!" he greeted his soon-to-be wife.
"Hey there yourself young man!" Charlotte stifled a giggle over her groom's goofiness.
As they stood for a moment, just taking in each other's appearance, the best men and bridesmaids took their seats. A small voice from the guests seats called out to Charlotte and everyone laughed.
"Auntie Shaarlut! Pretty princess!!!" Keira announced sitting next to her grandmother Avril, who had been given the role of mother of the groom. Drew had asked her to sit where his mother would have if she had still been alive, he felt that Avril was like his mother growing up anyway and she was honoured to take Tara's place.
As the ceremony was underway, Arthur could barely conceal the pride and emotion that was bubbling away inside of him. His ex-wife on the other hand, showed very little emotion at all. It was no secret that Temperance was not a fan of her daughter's chosen partner. Arthur however got on very well with young Drew, he couldn't have asked for a better son-in-law!
Charlotte and Drew exchanged rings while making their vows. Drew could hardly conceal the grin on his face as Charlotte placed the wedding ring on his finger and recited these words, "I, Charlotte Alice Kennedy, take thee, Andrew Joseph Mitchell, to be my lawful wedded husband. I promise to love, honour and cherish you. To stand by you in sickness and in health, and to be honest and truthful throughout our time together. I give you this ring as a token of my devotion and commitment."
"I, Andrew Joseph Mitchell, take thee, Charlotte Alice Kennedy, to be my lawful wedded wife. I promise to love, honour and cherish you. To stand by you in sickness and in health, and to be honest and truthful throughout our time together. I give you this ring as a token of my devotion and commitment."
The minister announced, "Let all who are present witness the joining of these two souls, by the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife..."
"...you may kiss the bride!"
While Arthur jumped out of his seat to congratulate them, Temperance finally let go of her suppressed emotions and began throwing confetti excitedly at her daughter and new son-in-law.
Charlotte and Drew headed over to the special venue to have their wedding photograph taken, of course Charlotte was not one for the conventional and insisted on posing her way!
As darkness fell and everyone made their way over to the reception, Arthur and Temperance had a moment alone. "Our girl is finally married!" Temperance beamed.
"Our girl???"
"Hmm?" she sniffed back a small tear, and realising what she had said, tried not to make a big deal of it.
"You said..." Arthur felt a lump in his throat as he said the words again, "...OUR girl!"
"Yes, yes I did Art! What do you want from me? A birth certificate? She's your daughter, as you said maybe not by blood, but who am I to take that away from you? I'm not a monster!" Arthur chuckled softly and took her by the arm escorting her indoors.
"Oh Tempy, you're not a monster, no! A misguided little girl?" he bobbed his head from side to side, "I'd say so!" Temperance punched his arm softly and grunted with a sly smile on her face.
When the newlyweds finally arrived, there was tension between some of their awaiting guests. Lainie, feeling rather nauseous, could sense that Rob was getting on Dexter's nerves. What he had said to him was a mystery, but it was obvious that something had happened. As Charlotte mingled with her wedding party, Drew sensed the tension too.
"If Lainie wants to dance with me Dexter, then you can't stop her!"
"Rob, seriously, if Lainie wants to dance with you I will most definitely NOT stop her! Do you honestly think a dance means she wants to be with you?" Rob didn't even bother to turn around and face him, he simply stared head on and replied,
"I am the better man, you're not worthy of her! You don't deserve her!" And normally Dexter would smack a guy in the face for trying to take his freckles away from him! But it was Drew's wedding, Rob was brother of the bride...and he was right! Dex didn't deserve Lainie! So he left Rob to think about the two little words he hoped would put an end to his fantasies,
"Lainie's pregnant!"
Everyone gathered for a group photo, as each couple struck a pose Rob wasn't too far away from Lainie, but Dexter tried not to let it bother him. The way she was nuzzling into him was proof enough that he was the one she really wanted. Rob's smug expression had been replaced with a frown, he was obviously unhappy about Dexter's news.
The girls all got together, taking a memorable photo of the day. Roxy was putting on a brave face, but her discomfort was getting the better of her. "Seriously, I need to get out of this dress! I've put on a few more pounds since the fitting I swear this baby is going to be huge!" she muttered to Lainie, who was trying to take her mind of of her morning sickness that wasn't exclusively left for the mornings.
Matthew could sense that his wife was a little uncomfortable and offered to remove her dress for her, it got him a laugh but an emphatic NO!
"Come on babes, we can go home, I'm sure Char would understand!" Matthew whispered in her ear.
"I'm a bridesmaid Matty, I can't just up and leave besides when did I ever bail on a party first?" Roxy laughed softly as Matthew took hold of her and pretended to take her away undercover.
"Quick let's go, nobody's looking!"
"Matty!" she shrieked with laughter.
"Oh no, Char's scary mother just spotted us, abort abort!"
"I see you eyeing up my Art!"
"Excuse me?" Avril was startled by a shrill and scratchy voice behind her, realising it was Charlotte's mother, she sighed impatiently. This woman was a pain, she remembered her from one of the Sweet Cacophony album launches, all she ever did was complain and find fault!
"Hands off ya hear?"
"I hear madam, I hear very well!" Avril groaned, "I am not interested in your Art I assure you! My husband died quite some time ago but I have no intentions of replacing him!"
"Well good!" Temperance shoved by her, "Consider yourself warned off!"
The wedding reception went on until the wee small hours, unbelievably Keira was still wide awake and wanting to dance with her daddy at every opportunity. "Hey Kee Bee, don't you think we should head home huh?"
"Noooo, more dance daddy, more dance!" Keira giggled as her father swung her around playfully.
Charlotte and Drew were so happy to finally be married. As they said farewell to their friends and family, Drew couldn't wait to get back home to his little girls, who were with a special babysitter Arthur had arranged for them. He wasn't sure which moment was the best, his wedding or the birth of his twins.
Lainie didn't meet up with Rob the next day, in fact she ignored his calls and texts for a good couple of months. It wasn't until he turned up in the back garden of Avril Maloney's home that she felt she needed to do something. So she agreed to meet him at the bakery on the other side of town.
When he arrived, she couldn't believe what he was wearing! "Hello Lainie, I'm so happy you finally decided to come, we have much to discuss!"
"Hi Rob, I like your...er...outfit?"
"Do you? I'm trying to be more of a man, the kind of man you could love!" Lainie sighed impatiently and just came out with the truth as brutally as she could.
"Rob I already love a man and he's not you! I'm in love with Dexy remember?"
"But...he's not worthy of you!"
"Yeah so you told him!" Lainie sighed again and looked down at her growing stomach.
"Rob, you have to stop this!" he studied her eyes for what felt like a long time, but in reality was probably only a matter of seconds.
"He doesn't deserve you, you do know that?"
"Who's to say what any of us does or doesn't deserve? I love Dexter Maloney! I always have and I always will, we have a daughter and a baby on the way and..." Rob scoffed and cut her off.
"And you honestly think he didn't plan it?"
"What..."
"He knew I was coming back, he trapped you! He doesn't want us to be together, he's a conspirator of the greatest degree! It is unfathomable that he would go to such lengths....he..." As he rambled on with his nonsensical speech containing a mountain of big words that didn't go together, Lainie wanted to hit him to shut him up. But instead she used her usual, more friendly approach.
"Rob!" she said softly.
"I like you!" she had to tread carefully, "But I do not like you in a sexual way, nor a romantic one, you understand?"
"No...Lainie..."
"Rob listen to what I am saying PLEASE!" Lainie's temper was rising, and it was hard for her to keep it under control. "I am in love with Dexter, we are engaged to be married and we have a child! I am pregnant with our second child and we are very happy, we are happier than we have EVER been! Do you get it now?"
Rob looked down at the ground with a pout, he was starting to get it, he really was, and it was heartbreaking to watch. "I...but I will take care of you!" A last ditch attempt, Rob tried to cling on despite his losing battle.
"Dexy takes care of me, he more than takes care of me he's my soulmate!"
"But..." Lainie growled a little, then took a deep breath before trying again.
"Do you remember Selena?" Rob nodded slowly in confusion, "Well right now you are behaving like her, you remember how she stalked Dexy?" Again he nodded but this time with a frown and a hint of realisation.
"Rob I don't want to fall out with you but if you continue to behave like Selena then you will never see me again, do you understand?" Rob nodded again, this time sadly. Yes the penny had finally dropped.
"Lainie...I just love you so much I..."
"This is not love!" Lainie screwed her eyes shut and growled again, "This is infatuation! Rob some day you will find a wonderful girl who truly does deserve you and who you can take care of..."
Lainie looked deeply into his eyes so that there were no more misunderstandings, "...she just isn't me!" Rob's eyes were devastatingly moist, and if he was going to cry then Lainie didn't think she could handle it. Finally he spoke.
"I'm sorry, the last thing I would want to do is hurt or upset you. I'm sad that you don't love me..." he sniffed, and a tear rolled down his cheek, "...but I am happy that you are happy! I just came back and thought...well I don't know what I thought I..."
"Rob, we can still be friends..."
"Friends, yes!" Rob nodded sadly, "Of course!"
"I have to go, Erin and Ash are having their housewarming tonight and Dexy doesn't know that I'm here. I'll see you around okay?"
As Lainie ran off towards a waiting taxi, Rob's sad expression turned into a smirk. Dexter didn't know she'd met him?
That was interesting, he thought. Yes that was very interesting indeed!
TO BE CONTINUED...
So that's chapter two! The next chapter will pick up where we left off, at Ash and Erin's housewarming. And it hopefully will be Laixter's turn to get hitched...or will it muahahahahahaha!
*coughchough*
Thanks for reading! xxx
"Oh, tired. I'm old Dexter, you forget that I'm not as fit as I once was!"
"Pfft, you're amazing mum, and I won't hear anything different! How's Kee Bee?"
"Are you really happy about the baby mum?"
"Darling I am elated!"
"But..." Damn him and his knack for knowing his mother!
"I'm just a little concerned about your brother, he's been a little down since he got back from his honeymoon, maybe you could take him out and have a brotherly chat?"
"I think he needs you right now, I think he feels...Dexter darling just talk to him!"
"Is it...is it Erin?" Avril wanted so badly to say more but she bit her lip and shrugged.
"I think he'll talk to you better sweetheart!"
"What?" Lainie encouraged Dexter to finish his sentence.
"Nothin' I..."
"What Dexy? Come on talk to me!" Dexter sighed and his breath tickled her neck.
"Dexy come out of that shell and speak!!!" she insisted.
"How so?"
"Well, she took off pretty quick when you told everyone about the baby!" Lainie gave him a puzzled look and shook her head.
"I can't say I noticed but now that you mention it, Ash is very quiet. Do you think they've had a row?"
"God I hope not, Ash is crazy about her and it was a big deal for him to commit to her!"
"Funny, that's exactly what my mother was trying to tell me earlier!"
"Well, she would know, she watches everything and sees all!"
"She said I needed to talk to Ash, that he'll tell me what's up."
"She could be right, I agree you need to find out what's going on." she nodded, "And this little one needs to go to bed, does daddy want to do the honours?"
"You're a vixen! You know full well mum has fed her chocolate all afternoon and she'll be a nightmare to get down!" Dexter growled and kissed her on the cheek.
"You got me!" she laughed sweetly.
"Come on Kee Bee, be gentle with daddy okay?"
"Yes mum!" both boys had nodded like naughty school children, Avril winked at her younger son as they both headed outside to the front garden.
"Why do you keep asking me that???" Ash grunted as Dex passed him the ball.
"Because I know that it's not!" Dexter could hardly believe that he had the guts to actually tell his brother that he knew there was something wrong. And he knew that by telling him that, there was a chance Ash would retreat even more.
"Ashy please, talk to me!" Using his childhood pet name seemed to do the trick as Ash sighed and stood on the ball with one foot, their kick about was over, but their conversation was about to go to the next level, Dexter was finally going to find out why Ash had been so down since he returned from his honeymoon.
"You mean..." Ash cut Dex off.
"I mean..."
"Oh!" Dexter's cheeks flushed, usually this kind of conversation didn't bother him with Ash, but for some reason this one did.
"Erin wants to go and see a specialist, go through some fertility tests and...y'know the drill!"
"Well that's good, when he gets to the problem he can sort it and you'll be changing nappies in no time!"
"Nah!" Ash mumbled, "I have a feeling that there's nothing much to be done."
"It's fine little brother, I'm happy for you and Lainie, don't feel bad about it! Please!" As if he had read his mind, Ash nudged Dex playfully, knocking him out of his guilt ridden trance.
"If I'd known..." Dex began as Ash stood up and once again didn't let him finish.
"Oh no!" Charlotte muttered as Lainie gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Because she doesn't need your help Tempy, she never has and never will..." Another familiar voice answered her irritating mother.
"Ugh, please!" Temperance squeaked and rolled her eyes.
"Art she is not your daughter she is mine!"
"He'll have to get past me the irritated pregnant lady first, I mean what is he thinking? He's gonna get pasted by one or all of us if he keeps this up!"
"He means no harm!" Lainie tried to convince herself more than anyone else, but Rob's behaviour was frightening.
"What's that then Rob?"
"We need to have a long talk you and me, but not here, meet me tomorrow at the bakery at noon. I've got so much to tell you!" he smiled into the distance as Lainie shuddered.
"Rob you have to stop calling and texting, my fiance doesn't like it...and neither do I!" Rob chuckled and shook his head.
"Yeah well he won't be a problem for much longer!" Lainie couldn't find a response so she decided to just ignore it, even though it gave her chills. Rob wasn't a violent person, and it wasn't him she was afraid of...it was Dexter and his hotheadedness!
"Cool as a cucumber!" Drew replied, a little more high pitched than usual.
"Well, one more hour and Charlotte will be Mrs Andrew Mitchell, just keep hold of that thought dude!" Dexter tried to calm his best friend, why he was so on edge he had no idea, he and Charlotte were the epitome of couple goals.
"I'm scared I fluff my vows Dexter, what do I do if..." Dexter chuckled softly.
"When did he become the sensible one?" Drew laughed shakily at Ash.
"He always was, he just hides it well!" Ash smiled at his younger brother.
"Oh he's just...he gets like that! I wonder how many times he's had to go to the bathroom this morning, his bladder always plays up at times like this."
"TMI, as the young folk say, darling TMI!" Arthur laughed loudly as the guests all looked at him in confusion.
"Hey there yourself young man!" Charlotte stifled a giggle over her groom's goofiness.
"Our girl???"
"Hmm?" she sniffed back a small tear, and realising what she had said, tried not to make a big deal of it.
"You said..." Arthur felt a lump in his throat as he said the words again, "...OUR girl!"
"Yes, yes I did Art! What do you want from me? A birth certificate? She's your daughter, as you said maybe not by blood, but who am I to take that away from you? I'm not a monster!" Arthur chuckled softly and took her by the arm escorting her indoors.
"Oh Tempy, you're not a monster, no! A misguided little girl?" he bobbed his head from side to side, "I'd say so!" Temperance punched his arm softly and grunted with a sly smile on her face.
"Rob, seriously, if Lainie wants to dance with you I will most definitely NOT stop her! Do you honestly think a dance means she wants to be with you?" Rob didn't even bother to turn around and face him, he simply stared head on and replied,
"I am the better man, you're not worthy of her! You don't deserve her!" And normally Dexter would smack a guy in the face for trying to take his freckles away from him! But it was Drew's wedding, Rob was brother of the bride...and he was right! Dex didn't deserve Lainie! So he left Rob to think about the two little words he hoped would put an end to his fantasies,
"Lainie's pregnant!"
"I'm a bridesmaid Matty, I can't just up and leave besides when did I ever bail on a party first?" Roxy laughed softly as Matthew took hold of her and pretended to take her away undercover.
"Quick let's go, nobody's looking!"
"Matty!" she shrieked with laughter.
"Oh no, Char's scary mother just spotted us, abort abort!"
"Excuse me?" Avril was startled by a shrill and scratchy voice behind her, realising it was Charlotte's mother, she sighed impatiently. This woman was a pain, she remembered her from one of the Sweet Cacophony album launches, all she ever did was complain and find fault!
"Hands off ya hear?"
"I hear madam, I hear very well!" Avril groaned, "I am not interested in your Art I assure you! My husband died quite some time ago but I have no intentions of replacing him!"
"Well good!" Temperance shoved by her, "Consider yourself warned off!"
"Noooo, more dance daddy, more dance!" Keira giggled as her father swung her around playfully.
"Hi Rob, I like your...er...outfit?"
"Rob I already love a man and he's not you! I'm in love with Dexy remember?"
"But...he's not worthy of you!"
"Yeah so you told him!" Lainie sighed again and looked down at her growing stomach.
"He doesn't deserve you, you do know that?"
"Who's to say what any of us does or doesn't deserve? I love Dexter Maloney! I always have and I always will, we have a daughter and a baby on the way and..." Rob scoffed and cut her off.
"And you honestly think he didn't plan it?"
"What..."
"Rob!" she said softly.
"No...Lainie..."
"Rob listen to what I am saying PLEASE!" Lainie's temper was rising, and it was hard for her to keep it under control. "I am in love with Dexter, we are engaged to be married and we have a child! I am pregnant with our second child and we are very happy, we are happier than we have EVER been! Do you get it now?"
"Dexy takes care of me, he more than takes care of me he's my soulmate!"
"But..." Lainie growled a little, then took a deep breath before trying again.
"Do you remember Selena?" Rob nodded slowly in confusion, "Well right now you are behaving like her, you remember how she stalked Dexy?" Again he nodded but this time with a frown and a hint of realisation.
"Lainie...I just love you so much I..."
"This is not love!" Lainie screwed her eyes shut and growled again, "This is infatuation! Rob some day you will find a wonderful girl who truly does deserve you and who you can take care of..."
"I'm sorry, the last thing I would want to do is hurt or upset you. I'm sad that you don't love me..." he sniffed, and a tear rolled down his cheek, "...but I am happy that you are happy! I just came back and thought...well I don't know what I thought I..."
"Rob, we can still be friends..."
"Friends, yes!" Rob nodded sadly, "Of course!"
"I have to go, Erin and Ash are having their housewarming tonight and Dexy doesn't know that I'm here. I'll see you around okay?"
TO BE CONTINUED...
So that's chapter two! The next chapter will pick up where we left off, at Ash and Erin's housewarming. And it hopefully will be Laixter's turn to get hitched...or will it muahahahahahaha!
*coughchough*
Thanks for reading! xxx
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