Page 2 of The Final Beat

I looked out of the window but all I could see was driving rain. September was turning out to be a shit month weather-wise. I was looking forward to going to LA after Christmas to film a Netflix series, and I fucking hated LA. I shouldn’t have complained seeing as I’d gone from a bit part in season one to a recurring character in season two and then a main character in season three. While I’d loved the acting, I was pretty sure I was done with it. My heart was with the music, in whatever aspect we continued working in it. That was why I wasn’t too bothered that I was being killed off in the last episode.

Beau was proved right about Ronnie’s arrival when a few minutes later, Elliot came in followed by him and Amber, who was even bigger than last time I’d seen her only two weeks before.

“Is Lily okay?” Belle asked Elliot, taking a deep breath, and rubbing at her neck. “Should I go in to her?”

He smiled softly. “She’s fine, Koko. She’s in the lounge in her basket, clean nappy and fast asleep.” He placed the baby monitor on the table. “She took one look at Ronnie when I opened the door and zonked.”

Expecting a retort from Ronnie, I was surprised that he was silent. In fact, he looked shocked, with his mouth slightly open and looking out to nothing.

“What’s got into him?” I asked Amber. When she didn’t respond I realised she looked equally as stunned.

“Is everything okay?” Simmy asked. “Was the scan alright?”

They looked at each other but didn’t speak.

“Ronnie,” I snapped. “What the fuck’s going on?”

Wordlessly he pulled a chair out and ushered Amber to sit it in. She was next to Belle, who took her hand and pulled on it.

“Amber, love, are you okay?”

She nodded. “Yep.”

“Ron. Just tell us,” Beau insisted.

They looked at each other again and then Amber spoke. “We’re having…” She blinked but didn’t say anything else.

“You’re having a baby,” I prompted. “And…?”

She shook her head and Ronnie scrubbed a hand down his face.

“What the hell is wrong? We know you went for a scan. We know you’re having a baby, so…?” I rolled my hand, encouraging them to continue.

Ronnie swallowed. “We, erm, we are having twins.”

I blinked rapidly and Beau seemed to choke on thin air, while everyone else remained silent. Ronnie becoming a dad had been enough of a shock, especially as he and Amber had only been together a few weeks when it happened, but fucking twins!

“You’re not joking, are you?” Elliot asked.

“Oh my god,” Belle cried. “That’s amazing.” Then she burst into tears. “I’m sorry, it’s just the hormones and I’m so happy for you.”

Simmy got up and moved over to Amber, throwing her arms around her. “That’s fantastic news.” She then hugged Ronnie. “Well, done, Ronnie.”

“Oh shit, Sim,” Beau said. “Don’t encourage him.” He did smile, though, and pushed out of his chair and he also hugged them. “Happy for you both.”

Elliot and I also took turns to congratulate them and through it all, neither of them said a word, totally shellshocked.

“I take it you weren’t expecting it?” Elliot asked, smirking because that fucker knew how hard one baby was after only four days of being a dad.

“Nope,” Ronnie replied. “Nope. Definitely not.”

“Neither of us have twins in the family,” Amber added, glancing at Ronnie. “I have no idea how it happened.”

“Well, I?—”

“No.” She held her hand up to stop him talking. “Don’t say anything. It was embarrassing enough at the hospital.”

“Oh shit,” Beau groaned. “What did he do?”

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