40. Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty
Jaylen
A nother plate filled with food is placed on my lap, and I smile appreciatively at my aunt before digging into the freshly cooked chicken on my plate, devouring the food like a starving man.
"Myra, I'm so glad to have you in my life," I say, turning to look at the older woman beside me as I chomp down on the delicious food she made specifically for me.
She smiles and pats my cheek affectionately.
"I'm happy to feed you anytime."
A satisfied groan slips past my lips as I shovel some potato salad into my mouth, salivating for more as the bursts of flavour explode on my tongue.
Sophia walks over to me, glancing around at everyone in the garden before she sits beside me, shuffling her chair closer to mine until our arms are brushing against each other.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to make my announcement today?"
I nod and pick up the napkin from beneath my plate, wiping at my mouth.
"Yeah, of course. You promised me Myra's food, and I'm sated now I've had a few plates full, so go ahead. Give everyone something to be excited about. "
"Thank you," she whispers, wrapping her arms around me and kissing my cheek.
Myra smiles at the pair of us before jumping up from her seat and taking my now-empty plate as Sophia grabs a glass and spoon from the table near us, clinking them together to gain everyone's attention.
Everyone turns to face her, looks of confusion and surprise on their face as Kaleb sidles up beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist.
"I just wanted to do a little announcement," she says, glancing around at her parents, her brother, Jess, Charlie, Leo, and Myra. "Obviously, we threw this little get-together to celebrate Jaylen finally being out of the hospital and on the mend."
Charlie and Jess cheer, and I shake my head, embarrassed for them both.
Sophia chuckles at their awkward outburst before continuing.
"Well, as exciting as that is, I also wanted to have you all here so that I could announce something else."
My aunt gasps as she realises what her daughter may be announcing, Myra covers her smile, Jess glances over at me and winks, clearly knowing that I already know what's about to be said, and Charlie, Dom, Leo, and my uncle stand there frowning at Kaleb and Sophia.
"I'm pregnant," she screeches, tears pooling in her eyes as she watches everyone's reactions to the news.
A smile takes over my face as I watch Kaleb pull her closer to him while my aunt and my sister rush to hug them both, congratulating them .
Michael looks horrified at first until he watches his wife and daughter in a tearfully happy embrace, and then he laughs and walks over to congratulate them too.
Leo rolls his eyes and walks over to the drinks table that's set up, pouring himself and Charlie a drink.
When my eyes move over to Dominic, I can't help but laugh.
He's still standing there with a confused look on his face as he glances between his sister and Kaleb.
Once everyone moves away from Sophia, she sees her brother watching her with a frown, and she glances over at me with raised brows.
I shrug in response to her silent question.
"Why are you looking at me like?" she asks, stepping towards Dom.
"You're pregnant?" he asks, gawking at her.
"Yep."
"For real? Like, you're actually pregnant?"
"Yes, Dom. That's exactly what I've just said."
"Because of him?" he spits, pointing an accusatory finger at Kaleb.
"Obviously because of me, you fucking idiot," Kaleb shouts, smacking Dom's pointed finger away from him.
"Jesus Christ, I'm gonna be an uncle to a psychopath," he mutters, shaking his head and walking away from them.
"Damn right you are," Kaleb hollers, smiling at my cousin's retreating form.
Sophia rolls her eyes, swatting Kaleb in the ribs.
"Stop being such a wind-up merchant," she chastises.
He holds his hands up in a placating manner, but the smirk on his face makes it clear that he's anything but sorry for how he is .
As everyone crowds around the table of food, and my aunt plays some music out the kitchen window, Sophia turns to face me, the smile on her face dimming as she walks over to sit beside me again.
"You okay?"
I nod, reaching down to pick up my beer and taking a huge gulp.
"You're lying to me," she states, taking the beer from my hand. "You've been pretending to be okay since you've been here, Jay, but I can tell that your mind is somewhere else."
I sigh and slump back in my chair as my eyes coast over the rest of our family.
"I'm trying to be okay, but I miss her, and I can't stop thinking about her and wondering if she's okay."
She frowns and places her hand on mine, rubbing it softly.
"Have you heard anything from her yet?"
I shake my head, picking up my phone from my lap and checking it again, just to be sure that I haven't missed a call or text from Aurora in the last ten minutes.
"Nothing."
"Maybe she just needs some time. I'm sure she'll explain everything soon enough."
"Yeah," I sigh. "I hope so."