Part 14 (1/2)
Katy felt her legs buckle as a shot of sheer joy surged through her entire body. She stumbled but Ben grasped her arms firmly allowing her to steady herself.
”Hey, you alright?” he asked, looking worried again whilst he gently stroked her hair.
”I'm more than alright,” she said, beaming up at him. Ben wanted to be a dad. He wanted to be a dad to her child. He wanted a future with her and the baby. She wasn't alone on the edge of the dance floor. She was right in the middle clinging to Ben. She realised her entire world had just changed because for the first time in a very long time she wanted to stop being a ”me” and start being an ”us”. An ”us” with Ben and the baby. She gulped for air as her tears changed into laughter, both their shoulders heaving up and down in unison as they continued to slow dance.
They clung to each other for the rest of the dance, not speaking, Ben rhythmically rubbing her back and rocking her gently.
”There is one thing though,” he said, pulling away as the song drew to a close. Katy felt her heart drop like a stone. ”After tonight do we ever have to see Matthew and Alison again? It's not the ex-boyfriend thing, although imagining you with such a stiff does nothing for your street-cred Katy. It's just that they are so horribly perfect that they make me feel like daddy dunce. And I want to be a good dad, I really do. Because every kid deserves a good dad don't they. But you will have to let me do it my way,” he said earnestly.
Ben's way would be a great way, Katy thought, impulsively reaching up to stroke his cheek. ”Let's just forget all about them,” she said. ”After tonight we can pretend they never existed. Agreed?”
”Agreed,” he replied, looking relieved.
”Can I ask you something now?” Katy said, feeling suddenly shy.
”Anything my love, apart from dancing to George Michael that is,” said Ben.
*Will you stroke my belly?” she asked.
This time a tear did escape from his left eye.
”That would make me the proudest man alive,” he said as he gently nudged up her top and rested his hand on her warm belly. They shared a long lingering kiss until Katy felt a tap on her shoulder.
”So sorry to disturb this tender moment but I am desperate,” said Daniel, looking nervously around him. ”Old biddies keep coming up and asking me to dance. You have to rescue me.”
”Why don't you dance with Katy while I go for a slash,” said Ben before kissing Katy on the forehead and disappearing off to the gents, waving cheerily as he went.
”So what's with love's young dream then?” asked Daniel, observing the very smiley Katy.
”Oh Daniel, it's all going to be alright. We made up and he says he's excited about being a dad,” Katy beamed. ”And this has to be the absolutely last time I ever have to see Matthew so I think I have weathered the storm and calmer waters are approaching. I can finally get on with the rest of my life.”
”Really, so all those emotions and feelings are where they should be hey?” asked Daniel.
”Exactly.”
”And you got the answer to the really truly difficult question?
”What question?” she asked.
”Christ Katy, you never listen to a word I say do you? Do-I-really-love-him?” Daniel spelled out. ”Remember? That question.”
”Well yeah, I guess I must do.”
”Have you told him? Has he told you?”
”Well no, but we are really not that kind of couple,” said Katy with a shrug. ”It's fine honestly Daniel, we are back on track. We are going to be absolutely fine.”
”OK, OK, if you say so. Just be happy, OK? Promise me?” asked Daniel.
”I promise,” rea.s.sured Katy.
”And another thing. You make sure you tell that Matthew never to rear his ugly head again.”
”Sure, sure. Now can we please sit down, my feet are killing me.”
”Good idea. I need a decent drink,” said Daniel, taking her hand and leading her off the dance floor.
By the time Ben had come back from the toilets Daniel had miraculously produced a very expensive bottle of vodka he'd sneaked in knowing that the bar was probably going to be a strictly cash and carry affair.
”I'll have a bit of that,” said Ben. ”That lager is doing no good to my insides.”
”Be my guest,” said Daniel, feeling generous given that Ben had obviously made Katy so happy.
”Watch out, stand by your beds,” muttered Ben as Matthew and Alison came to sit with them having been to inspect the buffet and decided to abstain. Katy couldn't help but notice the displeasure spread over Matthew's face as he observed Ben nuzzling contentedly into Katy's shoulder whilst he rotated his hand over and over her b.u.mp under her s.h.i.+rt, occasionally revealing a peek at her naked pregnant belly.
The look didn't go unnoticed either by Daniel who shoved the vodka bottle at Matthew and told him to take a swig in an effort to distract him.
Matthew looked at Alison, who immediately placed her hand firmly on his arm.
”Don't mind if I do,” Matthew said shaking off her hand before taking the bottle from Daniel and jamming it firmly in his mouth, downing several gulps.
”Matthew,” exclaimed Alison. ”You don't know where it's been.”
Matthew took another very large swig whilst holding eye contact with Alison.
”Matthew, stop. It's not funny,” she protested.
”It's just vodka,” said Matthew.
”But what happens if the babies come tonight and you are blind drunk?”
Matthew gave a big sigh and stared at the bottle in his hands. ”Just one more,” he muttered, this time not looking at Alison and taking an extra long slug.
”Right that's it. We're going,” said Alison. ”Don't move. You just sit there. I'll go and say goodbye to Charlene and Luke and thank Charlene's parents. I want you to be capable of getting into the car by the time I'm back. Excuse me everyone. And don't let him have any more of that vodka.”
As soon as her back was turned, Matthew took another slug of vodka before handing the bottle back to Daniel.
”I owe you a drink,” he said but made no move to go to the bar preferring to stare after Alison.
”Tell you what, I'll get a round in,” said Ben. ”Won't be a tick.”
Daniel looked at Katy and coughed, nodding vigorously towards Matthew.
”Yes and I need some air,” Daniel said. ”I'll be outside.”
Katy and Matthew sat in silence until Matthew reached forward and grabbed the vodka and took yet another swig.
”What's with you?” asked Katy.
”Nothing.”