Chapter 32 - Life

“I didn’t realize Gavin and Kate would be coming,” Cam said to her mother as they sipped tea in the kitchen.

“It was a last-minute thing, but we didn’t think you’d mind,” she replied. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“No, of course not. It’s nice actually, I just want to make sure that Michelle doesn’t feel…like everyone is here to watch her. A heads up would have been nice, that’s all.”

“Goodness, no, that’s not at all…” She leaned in. “It’s not my place to say, but Gavin and Kate have some news they wanted to share with you.”

Cam raised an inquisitive brow. “Really? What is it?”

Pippa stood up and walked to the sink to wash her empty cup. “I am sworn to secrecy.”

Sitting back in her chair, Cam considered her mother for a moment. “I know that I could get it out of you.” Cam smirked. “However, I will let them have their moment. Whatever it is, it must be important to them.”

Turning, Pippa looked a little disappointed, and Cam laughed. “I…”

“I’m glad you’re all here, especially the kids. I know we’ve talked every day and you’ve done a great job looking after them, and keeping me informed about how they are, but it’s not the same as having them both here with us.”

“We have kept them entertained.” Her mother laughed. “But they will be glad to have their mummies back.”

“And Darcy really has stopped the crying?”

Pippa nodded. “Yep. Whatever she was angry about seems to have subsided.”

“I just hope it stays that way with Michelle.”

“Michelle is a good mum. Those babies know that, even Darcy and her lungs.”

Cam smiled. “Come on, let’s go see what everyone else is up to.” Cam continued to giggle, standing up. “It’s good to have you all here. I want to check on Michelle.”

* * *

Cam found Michelle and Kate sitting on the couch, talking in whispers. Each held a wrapped bundle, and both were smiling.

“How’s everything going?” Cam whispered as she slid into the space next to Michelle and pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

“Yeah, she’s like a different baby,” Michelle whispered, her eyes on her child. “And I think the medication is helping me.”

“That’s good, baby. Let me know if I can do anything, okay?” She kissed her head again.

Kate leaned forwards to make eye contact with Cam. “Someone here might like their mummy.” Her eyes moved to sleeping Noah.

“Yeah, I am sure his mummy would like him too.” She reached out and lifted her son into her arms. He wriggled a little but soon settled again. “You are so beautiful, aren’t you?” she said, craning her neck to kiss his forehead. She got settled and then placed an arm around Michelle, and for the first time in a long time, it felt like she finally had her family together.

When Gavin entered the room, his cheeks reddened at the sight of them, and Cam wondered for a moment if there was going to be a problem moving forward. Gavin was, after all, their biological donor. But when Kate moved to his side and his arm wrapped around her, the biggest grin broke out on his face.

“So, we actually have an ulterior motive for tagging along,” he said, his eyes shifting from Cam to Michelle and back again. “We uh, well, we have some news and we wanted to share it with you.”

“Ooo, they have news,” Cam mocked a little, nudging Michelle gently. “Go on then, out with it.”

Kate’s eyes narrowed at her friend’s antics, but she smiled anyway. It was good news, she hoped.

Gavin cleared his throat, and the red cheeks were back. “The things is, well…”

“We’re having a baby,” Kate said for him.