Keep Hold Page 23
“Bloody hell, I’m so rubbish!” Claire’s hysteria wasn’t subsiding.
Kathryn’s phone beeped. She glanced at it for a moment. “Ah, false alarm.”
“What?” Claire threw her arms in the air before slumping heavily against the wall and sliding to her backside. “A false alarm. Thank God.” She wiped her brow and took some deep breaths. “I don’t think I’m ready for this aunty caper.”
Kathryn remained standing and leaned against the wall peering at Claire. “What makes you say that?”
“Look at me.” Claire was beginning to lose some of the redness she had developed over her face and throat. “I’m a mess.”
Kathryn laughed. “It’s been a stressful day. Moving can be a nightmare.”
Claire sighed.
“You’re a capable nurse and a great friend to Jess and Alex. You’ll make a fabulous aunty to those lucky kids.”
“You think?”
“I know.” Kathryn held out her hand. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“To the hospital, of course.” Kathryn kissed Claire passionately. “I love you, baby, but sometimes you just need to chill out. That message was from Alex telling us everything is fine and not to hurry because it might take a while.”
“You said it was a false alarm.”
“Yes, I did.”
“You lied to me?”
Kathryn rolled her eyes. “It was for your own good.”
“You’re not going to apologise?”
“Nope.” Kathryn ushered Claire from the house.
“Well, now I’m seeing the real you, aren’t I?”
Kathryn sighed dramatically. “Yes, darling.”
“What else have you lied about, Kathryn Frances Mercer?”
Kathryn held the car door open. “Just get in, will you.”
“Okay, but I’m not happy about it.”
“Your protest is noted.”
“Good.”
“Incidentally, what would make you happy?” Kathryn stared into the most beautiful blue eyes and thanked her lucky stars for bringing Claire into her life.
Claire paused and she developed a frown.
Kathryn wondered what she was thinking.
“Marry me?” Claire turned to her, grinning.
“Pardon?”
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” said Claire. “When you asked what would make me happy, that was all I could think of. You and me forever would make me complete.”
Kathryn couldn’t speak. She could barely breathe. “Yes.” Tears welled in her eyes.
“Yes? You mean it?”
“Yes.”
Claire pulled Kathryn close, tears of elation streaming down both their faces.
“Holy shit, we’re engaged!” Kathryn fumbled with the key in the ignition.
“And we’re going to be aunts soon, too,” Claire added.
Kathryn’s phoned beeped again. She read the message. “Better get a wriggle on.”
“Why?”
“The false alarm is no longer a false alarm.”
Claire grabbed the phone from her. “Step on it!”
Kathryn reversed the car out of the driveway and sped off toward the hospital. Fifteen minutes later, the phone beeped again. “What’s it say?”
“It says don’t rush.”
“Jesus, false alarm again?”
“Nope,” said Claire. “It says Thomas Leo and Charlie Matilda Mercer were born just two minutes ago and both babies are perfect. They’re all doing well.”
Kathryn pulled over. “They’re okay?”
Claire took her hand. “That’s what it says.”
Kathryn couldn’t hold back the tears. “Our little niece and nephew were born on the day we became engaged?”
Claire smiled. “I wonder when we have kids, will someone we know get engaged.”
Kathryn wiped the tears from her eyes to focus on Claire. “You want kids?”
Claire kissed her. “I do if you do.”
“I’d love to make a baby with you.” Kathryn said. She’d given up hope of some day becoming a mother.
“Shall we go and see these kids first, perhaps get married, and then maybe find some sperm?”
Kathryn smiled and pulled back into traffic.
“Sounds perfect.”
About the Author
Michelle is Tasmanian born and resides in the UK with her wife, just north of London. She’s a fair-weather golfer, a happy snapper, and a lover of cafés and bookshops.
2015 has been an exciting year for Michelle so far. Her debut novel, Getting Lost, was released in March, and Keep Hold, a romantic comedy, is her second novel. However, it doesn’t stop there. January 2016 will see the release of the controversial The Fifth Gospel, her third novel.
For now, however, let Michelle take you to a sweltering hot summer in Melbourne. Escape to a leafy inner suburb and meet Claire and Kathryn. Laugh with them, cry with them, and jump into bed with them.
Some rules should never be broken, but where’s the fun in that?
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