Sunday Dinner

"I missed you.", Gareth whispered in my ear.
"I was only gone a few minutes.", I whispered back, holding him close.
"It felt like a lifetime.", he said.
"Don't be silly.", I told him gently.

Gareth scooped me up in his arms and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck. He looked at me, his green eyes shone and he grinned. I leaned in and kissed him. He walked over to my bed and gently laid me down and climbed in as well. He braced up on both hands and looked down on me. I smiled up at him.

"You are beautiful.", he said softly. His greens eyes lit up to a light green.
"You're not too bad yourself.", I whispered back. He grinned.

He leaned in and kissed me throughly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer and kissed him back with equal ardor. He let go a soft, deep laughter in between kisses. We parted and he looked at me.

"What?", I asked him as we cuddled.
"You want me.", he said simply and gently drew circles on my arm.
"I do?", I asked him and looked up at him.
"Yes, from the way you kiss me back.", he explained. I laughed.
"If you say so St Claire.", I said.

Gareth held me close and looked at me. I looked up.

"Autumn.", he began.
"Will you..", he continued. I looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.
"Marry me?", he finished his sentence. My eyes widened in surprise and I giggled.
"I mean it Autumn.", Gareth whined. I laughed somemore.
"Really St Claire, where did that come from.", I said and laughed.
"You will say yes one day.", he warned me and grinned.
"I'm just going to keep practising for the day when I will ask for your hand in marriage.", he added.

I kept laughing. Gareth didn't seem happy at that.

"Okay, okay.", I said and stopped. Gareth leaned in and kissed me, his hands roamed my body.
"St Claire.", I whispered in between kisses.
"Hmm?"
"What are you doing?", I asked him, and turned my head to allow him access to me neck.
"I'm going to make love to you.", he whispered into my ear as he kissed my neck. I sighed.

"I would love that St Claire, but not today. I'm rather tired today.", I said softly.
"You need not do anything.", he whispered as he kissed my shoulder, his hands roaming down my thigh. I sighed in pleasure.
"You want me.", he added softly and grinned against my neck.
"I cannot hide anything from you.", I said softly.

We made love, slow and easy. And soon, it was dinner time. We got dressed and headed down to the kitchen. Pris was already there, preparing dinner. I watched her. Not as easy as she seems. This is going to take a little bit of time.

"Hey yo.", I greeted her as I sat on the high chair. Gareth settled in beside me.
"What's for dinner?", I asked her.
"Pasta.", she said softly.
"How is Aemee?", I asked her. Pris looked at and she looked in a direction. I turned. Aemee was seated in a baby high chair. Gareth got up and went over to carry her over.

"Goo goo goo!", Gareth babytalked to Aemee. Pris and I looked at each other.
"Bu bubabu.", he continued. I snorted, trying to keep my laughter in.
"Gagaga goo.", Pris snickered, trying hard to keep it in also.
"Boo ba boo boo!", Gareth went on. Aemee was giggling away, obviously happy and entertained with Gareth's antics. Pris and I burst out laughing.

Gareth looked utterly ridiculous. A grown man, making funny faces and goo goo gaa-ing at a baby. It was then, Pris and I heard noises from outside the kitchen. Ben entered, along with EG. I looked at Pris. She nodded with a small smile.

"I invited them to dinner.", she said.
"A good chance to catch up.", she added and turned her attention back to the pasta.
"Hi Qiuru!", Shuwei greeted then turned his attention to Aemee. He went goo goo gaa-ing at her also. I laughed. Gareth looked at me and smiled. His eyes shone with laughter.

"Aemee!", Ady came up and scooped her up from Shuwei.
"Hey! I had her first.", Shuwei got up and followed Ady. I laughed and Pris laughed along. Maybe having Aemee around was not a bad thing afterall.

Kunda settled in beside me. I smiled up at him and turned my attention back to Gareth, who was playing with Aemee with Ady, Shuwei and Xiao Gang.

"Kunda, how have you been?", Pris asked as she stirred the sauce.
"Been rather busy, but everything has been good so far.", he said.
"That's good to hear.", Pris replied.

Pris and Kunda caught up while I just sat there and listened and watched the other 4 guys playing with Aemee. I smiled to myself as I watched Gareth carry Aemee high up above his head. She was gurgling with glee everytime Gareth swung her upwards. The other guys were laughing. It was tehn I heard someone calling me. I turnedmy attention back to Pris.

"Huh?", I looked at her rather confused.
"I said dinner is ready. Go call them.", she said, indicating to the guys playing with Aemee.
"Oh- OH! Okay, going now.", I said and got up to get the other guys.

I walked up to them, and turned back to look at Pris, who was talking to Kunda. The hair on the back of my neck stood, I think they were talking about me. Oh well...

"Guys! Guys!", I called out to them. The four of them looked at me. Aemee giggled. I walked up to Ady and took Aemee from him and kissed her forehead. She laughed. I smiled.
"Dinner is ready. Go ahead.", I told them, indicating to the dining table.
"Yeah!", Shuwei exclaimed and ran up to help Pris.
"Let's go.", Ady said with a smile, and I nodded. I looked up at Gareth, he smiled in return.

At the dining table, I grabbed a bottle of milk for Aemee and fed her. Gareth wastched me as he ate. He practically gobbled down his food and looked up at me. I looked at him in surprise.

"Let me take over chéri.", Gareth said as he set his fork down.
"That was fast.", I said in surprise.
"I have to get used to this anyways.", he said nonchantly.
"What do you mean?", I asked him as I handed Aemee to him.
"Well, you will have our children some day, so it's good practise with Aemee around.", he said with a grin.

I looked at him wide eyed. He does not know, does he? I shrugged it off and attacked my food. It was going to be Tuesday before I know the results to the blood test, and it was beginning to feel like the longest wait ever. Dinner was casual as usual, withPRis catching up with the guys. I continued to watch Gareth as he tried to burp Aemee. It seemed and felt weird, but he did looked even more handsome with Aemee in his arms. Maybe being pregnant with his child might not be a bad idea afterall.

I sighed inwardly. What in the world was I thinking?

The problem bewteen Pris and Nicholas

Pris entered and both Gareth and I watched her. I signalled for her to sit beside me. She came over.

"How are you feeling now?", I asked her as I yawned.
"Okay, I guess.", she said softly.

Gareth climbed into bed next to me and held my hand.

"So what happened between you and Nic? I've not the time for scoop around on my own online.", I told Pris. She sighed.
"Qiu, I'm not pregnant. The blood test I did with Dr White turned out otherwise.", she admitted and looked at me. I sighed.
"Is this what it's about? Or is there something more?", I probed. I squeezed Gareth's hand. His thumb gently stroked mine.
"That's one part. The other was.. Gareth, do you know who Sarah is?", PRis directed the question to Gareth.

"Sarah?", Gareth asked her in surprise.
"Yeah, Sarah.", Pris repeated herself. Gareth frowned and nodded.
"Who is this Sarah?", I asked them both.
"Highschool sweetheart. Sarah Brigeton", Gareth said, his tone low.
"What did Nic do?", Gareth asked with a frown. He sounded angry.

I looked at both of them, confused for a moment. Then it hit me. I looked up at Pris and frowned.
"Please don't tell me he kissed her? Please tell me that she kissed him instead, like what happened to St Claire. How Jennifer forced herself onto him.", I asked Pris softly.
"She would do anything. She has had feelings for Nic for the longest time. I can't remember why they broke up in the first place, but I won't be surprised if she asked him for a last kiss.", Gareth growled.
"That bitch!", he rumbled angrily.

"Pris?", I looked at her, waiting for an answer.
"It is like Gareth said.", she said calmly.
"And for now, I'm so glad that I'm not pregnant with his child.", she added.
"Pris..", I sighed.
"No Qiu, I'll be fine.", Pris tried to assure me.
"No, you won't. After finally moving on, and getting together with Nic, you will never be fine.", I told her and held her hand.
"You love that bloody bastard. You love him too much to just let it go.", I added.

"St Claire, do you have time this weekend?", I asked him.
"I can another week off. I've done of my work for the next months.", he said, still frowning. His green eyes turned to a shade of deep green.
"Good, we are going to France and sort this out with our Prince.", I said and looked at Pris.
"What are you going to do?", Pris asked, beginning to panic.
"Oh~ Nothing much. Maybe just punch him in the face. Or maybe bash him up abit. Depending on my mood when I see him.", I said casually.
"No!", Pris exclaimed.
"Qiu, he's royalty! You won't get away with it.", Pris added. I looked at her and smiled.

"This is assurance for me. Knowing that you still feel for him. Don't worry Pris, St Claire and I will work this out and find out why Nicholas did what he did.", I assured her.
"With a punch or two.", I added and snickered. Pris frowned.
"He deserves it! You are my sister and I will stand by you always.", I said and squeezed her hand. She nodded.
"Good, with that settled, let's get your mood back. Let's not brood over that idiot for now. Ignoring him is only the beginning of his punishment.", I said with an evil smile.

"You are evil.", Pris said, tears streaming down her face.
"I know I am.", I admitted proudly and smiled.
"Gareth, good luck to you.", she said to him. He only smirked.
"I love her the way she is.", he said and put his han on Pris's shoulder.
"Well then, out you go St Claire. I need to speak to Pris in private for abit.", I told him and winked.
"What? Why? I thought I'm moving in?", he asked in surprise.
"You are still moving in. Go pack your stuff. I need to speak to her in private for abit. Girl talk you know?", I said and got up and pushed him out of the room.
"Okay, don't take too long.", he warned cheekily, left the room and closed the door behind him.

"How are you really holding up?", I asked Pris seriously.
"No good at all.", she said and began to cry.
"Don't cry. What Nicholas did is unforgivable, but I'm sure you understand him better than I do. He must have done it out of character. Maybe it was just him.", I said softly.
"Nic.. He..", Pris stammered.
"It's ok. Gareth and I will sort it out with him. Just rest up, get your emotions in check, and show him that what he did, does not affect you the least. I know it's the hardest thing to do, but this will teach him a lesson. Gareth and I will deal with him in our own way.", I told her and squeezed her hand. Pris nodded and smiled.

"Wipe your tears.", I said and got up to grab the tissue box. I went over to my bag and took out the test kit.
"What's that?", Pris asked as she dried her tears.
"I know it's not the right time to talk about this when you're currently in a wreck. But I really need to talk to someone, and I can;t think of anyone else. And I wanted to talk about this as soon as I could.", I said held out the test kit. Pris looked at it and laughed.
"You kept the test kit?", she asked and looked at me.

I gave her a soft expression and shook my head.

"This is mine.", I said softly. She gasped.
"It's the first test, and I don't want to waste time. I want to go to Dr White to have this figured out once and for all.", I explained.
"But, don't you want to be sure first?", she asked.
"Gareth and I will be heading to France this weekend.", I said.
"No, leave Nicholas be for now. If you really are pregnant, then you should not even be flying. We will figure this out first, then deal with Nicholas.", Pris said.
"Then, we go to Dr White now?", she asked me. I nodded.

With Gareth still busy packing, Pris and I headed to Dr White.

"Ah! What can I do for you ladies?", Dr White asked cheerfully.
"How are you feeling Pris?", he asked her with a frown.
"I'm feeling much better.", she assured the doctor.
"Good good. So what I can I do for you today?", he asked us.
"Another blood test.", Pris said.
"Again? But the ultrasound showed nothing.", Dr White said.
"Not for me. For her.", Pris said and pointed at me.

Dr White looked at me and then looked at Pris.

"You do know that pregnancy is not a joke right?", he asked us. We nodded in unison.
"Okay. Which is it? The blood test or the ultrasound?", he asked me.
"The blood test. Once that is out, then the ultrasound.", I told him calmly.

Dr White nodded and proceeded with the necessary. After the blood was drawn, Pris and I headed back, only to be greeted by Gareth in my room. Gareth looked at us and walked up to me and hugged me. Pris stepped backwards.

"I'll leave you two alone now.", she said and left fro her room.

Pris is back from France... Without Nicholas.

My mobile rang. I ignored it and turned to the other direction and continued to sleep. My mobile rang again. I whined, I was exhausted, and I only slept for an hour after feeding Aemee. Gareth stirred and reached up for my phone. It stopped ringing.

"Chéri.", Gareth mumbled. My mobile ringed again.
"Throw it away.", I mumbled and continued to sleep.
"Huhloo.", Gareth answered my phone sleepily.
"Pris?", Gareth said in surprise. I slept on.
"What?!", he exclaimed.
"We'll be there.", he added and hung up.

Gareth gently touched my arm. I turned to him and opened my eyes.

"What?", I growled. Gareth only smiled. He was just as tired as he was disturbed by Aemee throughout the night as well.
"Chéri, Pris is back in Singapore.", he explained.
"Then ask Ben to pick her up.", I snapped on a low tone.
"She returned without Nic. And she took a commercial flight.", Gareth added. I sighed and climbed out of bed.
"This had better be worth it.", I snapped and got out of bed. I closed the door and went straight to the toilet bowl and tried to vomit.

Gareth stepped in to see me bent over the toilet bowl. He rushed to my side.

"Are you feeling okay Autumn?", he asked and helped me as I got up. I nodded and went to wash up. Gareth stared at me.
"Are you sure?" he asked again.
"I'm ok. You coming with me?", I asked him as I brushed my teeth.
"Sure.", he said and joined me.

After changing, Gareth and I met at the parlor. We handed Aemee to Ben. After downing the milk Ben had prepared for me and Gareth, we headed out to the airport. I drove impatiently. Cursed and swore at every driver on the road. Gareth looked at me in surprise and grinned. We finally reached the airport.

We found Pris at the Starbucks.

"Hi!!", she greeted us. I stared daggers at her.
"Gareth! What are you doing here? I got a surprise when you answer Qiuru's mobile.", Pris said, ignoring me.
"Are you ready to go?", I growled at her. She looked at me, not surprised at my mood.
"Yeah, let's go. I want to see Aemee.", she said and got up.

Gareth got her stuff and we left. Cursing and swearing all the way back to the Manor.

"Get out!", I shouted at them and slammed the car door. I stormed back into the Manor and went straight up to my room and plonked on my bed and tried to sleep. Soon, Gareth entered my room, and climbed in. He snuggled up to me. I relaxed and snuggled closer to him.

"That was some fierce driving.", he teased me.
"I'm not in the mood St Claire. I'm really really tired.", I gently warned him.
"Ok, chéri. Get some sleep. Ben will look after Aemee. Pris has just returned to her room.", Gareth told me. I nodded and closed my eyes, was about to fall asleep.

It was then, I heard the vacum cleaner from Pris's room. It went on for a long time. I frowned. It was too noisy for me to even try to fall asleep.

"What to f**k!!", I exclaimed, fustrated and got up, surprising Gareth. I got out of bed and went over to Pris's room. I practically kicked open her room door and saw her vacuming her room. I went up to her and pulled the plug of the vacum cleaner from the socket. It died instantly.

"What the f**k are you doing?! I'm trying to sleep!! I had to feed Aemee at 5 plus this morning!", I screamed at her.
"Cleaning.", she said calmly.
"Whatever for?", I asked her again. She ignored me and went on to wiping the tabletop. I watched her. Gareth stood at the doorway. Pris continued to wipe and put everything in order. I frowned again.
"What happened between you and Nicholas?", I asked her in a warning tone. I was losing my patience.
"Nothing.", she said nonchantly without looking up, like as if it really wasn't anything or any of my concern.
"It is not nothing.", I raised my voice a level up.

Pris ignored me. I went up and slammed the desk. The sound resonated in her room. She jumped in surprise, stopped what she was doing and looked at me. I looked at her and narrowed my eyes, warning her not to play punk with me. Gareth came up from behind and put his hand on my shoulder. I gently put my hand onto his and turned to look at him.

"St Claire, step away from me because I cannot garauntee that I will not turn around to punch you if you get in my way.", I warned him in a low tone. He looked into my eyes and understood. He nodded and took a step back. I turned my attention back to Pris.

"You already know I'm not a patient person. With my background, I believe you know what I am capable of. I am tired, stressed out and extremely irritable. So do not try to be funny with me.", I began in a dangerously angry tone.
"You do not want to test my patience. Because when I raise my hand, it will not be a slap. I was not to taught to slap. So stop wasting my time and tell me what is going on.", I continued.

She looked at me, her eyes dimmed but her expression still straight.

"Nothing happened.", she said calmly. I looked at her, obvious that I did not believe her.
"Then where is the engagement ring? Where is the 'Qiu! I'm getting married to Nicholas!' annoucement thing?", I said, imitating her voice sarcastically.

Pris kept silent. I waited for a response from her, and it seemed like I was not going to get one. I was tried, weary and out of patience for anymore nonsense. It was a Sunday, I was going to take my Sunday back. I have had enough of Pris's nonsensical behavior whenever she has a huge emotional problem. Especially when it comes to Nicholas.

"Fine! Clean up the whole Manor then! And do it away from my room. Clean until you die for all I care.", I said sarcastically and stalked out of her room, kicking the door on my way out.

I heard Gareth apologise to Pris. I turned to look at them and snorted.

"There is no need to apologise St Claire.", I called back. He looked at me and frowned, as if I should not be acting the way I am now.
"It is obvious that Nicholas has made her upset. So whatever it was, I don't give a shit, because she.", I began as I pointed to Pris.
"Never tells anyone, anything, anyways. Just let her wallow in her own problems and misery. I'm sick and tired of having to try to extract drips and draps out of her all the time. Having to guess my way around things all the time.", I added.
"And if she wants to die of misery together with her baby, then by all means I will let her. Because I. Don't. Want. To. Care. Any-more!", I let the final blow go and went back to my room.

Back in room, I climbed into bed and stared up at the ceiling. Tears streamed down my cheeks. Gareth looked down from above and frowned. He climbed in next to me and held me close. I snuggled closer and cried.

"Hush chéri.", he said gently.
"I can understand why you said what you said.", he added.
"I'm just so, so tired.", I sobbed against his chest.
"Don't cry chéri.", he said as he stroked my head gently. I sniffed and he released me and looked at me. He kissed my cheeks and gently licked my tears. I looked up at him, and he smiled.
"Hush now my dear. Sleep. You need it.", was all he said and held me close.

I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt Gareth gently stroked my arm with his hand, as I listened to his steady heartbeat. With the rhythm of his heartbeat, I finally fell asleep.

It was almost dinner when I awoke on my own. I looked around as I sat up, and before I knew it, Gareth was by my side.

"Are you feeling better chéri?", he asked gently as he kissed my forehead. I nodded. Gareth sat down on my bed and looked at me. He smiled gently. I looked into his green eyes and returned one. He leaned in and kissed me gently.

I could feel him in his kiss. Gentle and passionate. But I felt more than just passion. I felt his love for me. I unconsciously reached down and touched my tummy, remembering the 2 blue lines. I could feel his worry for me as well.

We parted and he smiled. But his eyes still reflected worry.

"Gareth, I..", I began.
"Hmm?", he looked at me intently.
"It's nothing.", I said gently and reached out to touch his cheek. I smiled.
"You sure?", he asked me, and pushed a lock of my hair behind me ear. I nodded.
"Okay. I had Ben prepare a light dinner to be brought up. Pris has stopped her cleaning and I managed to speak to her while you were sleeping.", Gareth explained.
"What happened?", I asked and rubbed my forehead.

Gareth held my hand. I looked up and he was frowning.

"Are you feeling giddy? Unwell?", he asked seriously.
"No, I'm feeling ok. Why?", I assured him.
"Maybe I was thinking too much into it.", he said softly.
"You rub your forehead when you're giddy.", Gareth added. I nodded, not surprised that he noticed, took note and remembered.

"I'm sorry St Claire. You came here for a holiday but instead, you have to deal with me, Pris and Aemee. We normally would be able to handle things like that on our own. But with you around, I kind of forgot what it is like to have a man in the house.", I said apologetically.
"I'd do anything for you. Anything.", Gareth said softly.
"Anything?", I asked him.
"Anything.", he repeated himself.
"Thank you Gareth.", I said and reached out to hug him.

"And I have noticed that you've been using my first name alot more recently.", he said with a smile.
"Really?", I asked him. He nodded.
"I like it this way. You taking your time. It gives me the assurance.", he added with a smile and gently touched my cheek.

Just then, there was a knock on my room door. Gareth got up and opened it. It was Pris. Gareth looked at me. I nodded inidicating that se could enter and he allowed Pris to enter.