Page 78 of Ghost Of You

"You've got a little something on your face," she says with a playful tone. I reach up to wipe my mouth, but she shakes her head and rolls her eyes with a mix of amusement and affection. "Let me," she insists, leaning in close.

Her touch is gentle and warm as she wipes the corner of my mouth with her thumb. "Much better," she murmurs, her eyes twinkling with affection. In that tender moment, as she remains close, I can't resist stealing a soft kiss. I feel her smile against my lips, and it fills my heart with joy so profound I can hardly contain it.

"I love you," I whisper as we pull apart, gazing deeply into her eyes. Her cheeks flush a delicate pink, a sight that makes my heart swell with adoration.

"I love you too, Killian. Always," she replies, her voice filled with sincerity.

My heart skips a beat as I take in the sight of her beautiful face, still marvelling at how I got so incredibly lucky. "Ready for the big news?" I ask, a playful grin on my lips. She nods, her smile unwavering and radiant.

We interlock our hands, resting them gently on the table, and turn our attention to everyone. They all exchange curious glances, clearly wondering what's about to unfold.

"So," I begin, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "We have some news."

Laelia looks at me with a mixture of encouragement and anticipation, and I turn back to our friends and family. Ethan, unable to contain his curiosity, chimes in," Are you going to tell us, or are you going to make us wait forever?"

With a gigantic smile that lights up her face, Laelia announces, "We're having a baby!"

A collective gasp of surprise and delight fills the room. My mum's eyes widen in shock, and she clutches her chest. "Oh my god!" she squeals, her voice trembling with emotion. "Are you serious?"

I nod, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me. "You're going to be a grandma," I say, my voice filled with warmth.

"Nana," she corrects with a beaming smile "I'm going to be a nana!"

Ethan jumps up, his excitement palpable. "I'm going to be an uncle!" he exclaims, his enthusiasm infectious. "I'm going to teach this child everything I know—how to pick up women, every swear word, and even get it its very first tattoo."

I roll my eyes playfully, murmuring, "Oh, for fucks sake." While Laelia giggles beside me.

My mum, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, stands up, and the rest of the table follows suit. She walks over and wraps me in a heartfelt embrace. "I'm so happy for you, Killian. You'regoing to be an amazing father," she says, her voice choked with emotion.

I hug her tightly, my own eyes misting up. "Thank you, Mum. Hearing that from you means the world to me."

She pulls back, her face glowing with pride and love. "I'm forever going to be proud of you, Killian. You're my boy, and hearing that you're going to have your own child is a dream come true. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Mum," I reply, my heart overflowing with gratitude and love.

As I look around the table, filled with our friends and family, their faces lit up with joy and excitement, I feel an overwhelming squeeze of gratitude. The love and support surrounding us is a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to have such wonderful people in our lives. Each smile, each tear of happiness, and each cheer feels like a warm embrace, wrapping us in a cocoon of shared happiness.

Laelia's hand, snugly clasped in mine, feels like a lifeline, connecting us to this beautiful moment and to each other. Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the same awe and wonder reflected there. In this perfect, golden moment, I know that our journey ahead will be filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

The table buzzes with conversation and laughter, a harmonious symphony of joy celebrating the new chapter we are about to embark on. As we all gather together, sharing in this unforgettable happiness, I realise that the true magic of life lies in these moments of connection and love, surrounded by those who matter most.

Our family, our friends, our baby and the love of my life.

Chapter forty-three

The rain beats down relentlessly, pounding against the windshield as the wipers work furiously, struggling to clear the deluge. The road stretches ahead, illuminated only by the faint moonlight and car's headlights, with the trees on either side standing like silent sentinels in the darkness. Inside the car, soft music plays in the background, a comforting melody that contrasts sharply with the storm outside. I glance over at Laelia, her face bathed in the soft glow of the dashboard, and my heart swells with love.

Tonight has been a dream come true, a perfect evening that seems to promise a future brimming with joy. I can almost see our lives together; a daughter in princess dresses, teddy bear picnics, and a home filled with unending love and laughter. Even though Laelia insists we might have a boy, my soul feels certain it's a little girl—a precious new star in our lives.

"I love you so much," I say, my voice thick with emotion. Laelia turns to me, her eyes shimmering with a light that makes my heart race, filling me with a love deeper than I ever thought possible.

"We love you, Killian," she replies, her hands tenderly resting on her growing bump.

I reach over, taking one of her hands and pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. She blushes, biting her lip, her eyes losing themselves in mine as mine do in hers. How did I get so lucky?

A ping from my phone snaps me back to reality. Before I can even read the message, Laelia's eyes widen in fear.

"Killian!" she screams, her voice filled with terror.

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