Colossal Jump

Chapter Nineteen

Tori and I walk inside the house and close the door behind us. As we walk to the kitchen, Tori tells me how everything is going. I suppose I should be happier things are successful, I just miss looking after London. She'd be a good distraction right now.

I hand London over so that I can prepare our drinks. I grab out the cartoon of juice and a few cups.

"Enough about me." She laughs. "Tell me about you, I'm dying to know!" As I look towards Tori, I notice the swirl of excitement in her eyes.

"There really isn't . . ." I trail off.

"So it's confirmed?" Tori bites her lip to stop her from screaming with joy.

"I'm pregnant." It feels weird but oddly okay to admit those words aloud. It didn't mean I was ready to tell people, though.

"Congratulations." Grins Tori.

"Thanks, I mumble.

"Have you told Blake?"

"Yes." I nod my head. "I even used your trick with the beer."

"Seriously?" Tori's eyes go wide as she laughs.

"Dead serious." I chuckle, with a shake of my head. "I was looking at the fridge and I just decided to follow in suit. Now he's going to expect bad news every time I pass him a beer."

"Did he take it badly?" Tori frowns sadly, and it tugs at my heart strings.

"No." I shake my head. "I can see the delight in his eyes. I think he's trying to hide how happy he is until I've come to terms with it."

"It'll be okay, Ava. I'll help you through this." With Tori by my side, somehow I felt as if I could make it through this, and it was a nice feeling to have. Any other feeling but denial was nice to have.

"How far along are you?"

"Eight weeks." I blush. "I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out."

"Hey, don't say that! People can go into their second trimester without even realising it, so don't worry."

"Thanks."

"Did you hear that story about the woman who started giving birth on the toilet? She had no idea she was pregnant either." Her story doesn't make me laugh, but I quietly chuckle along with her.

Tori and I sit on the couches and place London on the floor to play. She crawls over to her toy box and starts throwing the toys out. She looks over her shoulder with this innocent look, then continues to make a big mess.

"I also want to get something else off my chest," I say.

"Sure." She nods her head.

"I just want you to know that, well, I, gosh. Just because Blake and I are having a child, I don't want you to think I'll push London out of our lives. Blake and I love London, and I don't want it to seem like that. If that makes sense?" I frown.

"No, I completely understand! In the beginning, I can take London more while you adjust, and then we can flow into our own pattern. I don't expect you to care for two babies by yourself."

"I'm glad you understand, Tori." I smile with relief.

"Maybe I could come and stay here too? I could help to repay the favour."

"You would?" Talking about how things would work, what we'd do to manage feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders for a change. I think the scariest part is trying to ensure that we're able to cope rather than the actual process of having the baby.

I just want to make sure Tori and London don't feel like I'm pushing them away. However, this makes me feel like Tori and I could be closer friends since we'll have something. She'd be my first female friend who isn't being nice just to get to my brother.

Tori and I continue talking, swapping and trading stories until there's a knock at the door. I reluctantly get out of the chair and walk towards the front door. From their loud voices, can already tell it is Ben and Kyle.

Opening the door, I grin as I look over the two.

"Hey," I greet.

"Ava baby, it's nice to see you again." Kyle walks through the door and wraps his arms around me. He picks me off the ground and swirls around before placing me down. "I've missed you."

"Same! We need to catch up more."

"I agree." Kyle steps to the side and Ben walks inside. He gives me a brief hug and smiles.

"Where's Blakie boo?" he asks.

"Work, but he should be home soon," I explain.

"Ay, thanks." We walk into the lounge room and take a seat on the couches. Tori and Ben stay on the outer couches, while Kyle takes a seat next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulder. He tugs me against his side and smiles triumphantly.

"I have the funniest story for you guys," says Kyle, kick starting the conversation. "Ben got shut down so bad. This girl slapped him across the face at the bar last night." We all laugh while Ben crosses his arms over his chest and frowns.

"How about the betty you've been sleeping with, Kyle?" shoots back Ben, while humping the air.

"Oh my gosh, seriously?" I pull away from Kyle so that I can look at his face.

"She's more of a convenient root, and I have eyes for someone else," he says, avoiding my gaze.

"What a lucky girl." I poke his shoulder.

"More than she'll ever realise." Ask Kyle looks into my eyes, I see the adoration floating around. This kind of look sends my stomach on edge.

What do I say to that?

I nod my head and smile as I glance away.

Perhaps telling Kyle this will be harder than I'd imagined.