Matty POV
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Taylor does look absolutely stunning, I'd have to agree with Claire. Pale blue is her colour, and in silk she always looks wonderful. Claire pulls me in for a hug, I've known Jay's mum since I was in school. She asks me how I've been and I introduce my girlfriend to her. Her name is Olivia Amie Campbell. It's a nice name, for a nice girl. A different kind of girl who I'm now gazing at as she too hugs Jay's mother. Noticing how she moves her hair over so it flows down her back when she stands back next to me, exposing her neck.
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Jay is firing up the barbecue Christopher on the second one as they make the food. It's just how I imagined this baby shower to go, Ross hovering around Taylor, Jay cooking and talking business. And me drinking whiskey. However this time I will not be making a fool of myself.
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Not everything that I say is true, however everything I have said to Olivia over the past day is one hundred percent how I feel. I spoke with Jay in this kitchen before we left yesterday morning, remembering now how he leant against the side pushing his hair back frustrated with me at my protestations of love and my inability to let Taylor go. Eventually we cleared the air. Of course Taylor was the love of my life. Just one glance at her with her luminous skin and hair and you wouldn't question your devotion for her.
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However Olivia leaving me, the idea of her not being in my life anymore. It made me realise a few truths that I had been suppressing. Firstly I need her, and not for any stupid plan. But because she's grown on me. And secondly that I care for her. I glance up at her now and she catches my eye as I sip my whiskey. She is now socialising with Rachel, or rather Rachel has descended upon her for gossip. A small smile stretches across her lips as Rachel grabs her attention again, barking some kind of order at her.
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I smirk and head on over to rescue her from Rachel's persistent chatter. She watches every step I take toward her, blocking out everything else entirely.
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"Rachel" I say greeting her and she looks at me warmly.
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"Matty, we were just discussing how you've moved back into your own place" Rachel says fishing for information.
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"Yes well with Ross being here" I explain.
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"We felt we would go there instead" I say and she raises her eyebrows. Olivia places her arm around my waist and I smile down at her. Looking back at Rachel's surprised expression.
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Taylor and Ross join us and I notice how he looks at Olivia and smiles.
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"The barbecue shouldn't be too long" Taylor informs Rachel and she smiles sipping her Prosecco. She lives on the stuff.
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"Matthew is living back at home" she informs Ross.
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"Oh really so no more housemate" Ross jibes at me and I smirk.
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"I'll miss you man" I tell him laughing.
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"Well it looks like you will be fine" Rachel looks down at Olivia. Taylor smiles at me pleased, she's always advocated my relationship to Olivia. I remember the evening we spent together, her checking my jeans for Olivia's number and telling me to message her. I look away from her smile and down at Olivia, running my fingertips down her arm.
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"We will be just fine" I smile at her and Ross looks at me for a second longer than usual. I guide Olivia out onto the terrace, where the food is being made and sit her down next to Taylor's mother. I introduce them, knowing that Taylor's mother is a very nice woman and she will keep her company whilst I catch up with Jay.
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"Would you like another glass" I ask her before I leave.
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"Yes please Matthew" she smiles, I offer Taylor's mother another drink too and go to retrieve them from the drinks table in the kitchen.
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"Matty" Ross says standing next to Taylor who is plating up appetisers over the large kitchen island. Taylor is cutting up cheese and placing them next to olives. Her delicate fingers presenting them in an arty way. I smile briefly and look down at the wine.
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"Yeah man" I say pouring it into the glasses.
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"You and Olivia serious then?" He asks and I smile up at him.
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"We're together yes" I say softly and he looks at me slightly bemused.
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"Like as in together properly" he asks and I smirk at him.
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"Yea we are. Why ?" I ask.
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"No I just wondered" he replies brushing his hair back. Standing back and appraising Taylor who has stopped and is feeling her tummy again.
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"All okay?" He asks her, his face worried.
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"This baby wants out" she jokes looking up at us and I try not to stare at her. She is beautiful, and she is the first woman I loved. My feelings haven't been erased overnight; I have just prioritised my feelings for Olivia. After all I have a future with her.
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"Just a lot of movement and pressure again" she looks up at Ross and he strokes her hair briefly.
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"Jeez baby" she says holding onto Ross' arm.
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"Taylor are you okay" I ask her, looking up as she clutches her waist, getting her breath back.
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"Jay said to stay close to you for a reason whilst he was cooking" he smiles holding onto her, he doesn't want me to interrupt or take his place.
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"Baby is head down" she explains to me.
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"Look I think you need to take it easy babe" Ross says to her.
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I nod at her comprehending what she means and she smiles at me, a soft warm smile that makes me feel at ease around her again after the arguments we had at the last party.
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"I agree, let's get you sat down" I say to her.
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We both walk with her out to the terrace, Ross making sure that she gets sat down near Jay, he positions himself on the seat next to her after whispering in Jays ear as he is cooking.
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Jay puts his tongs down and bends to speak with her. She nods smiling looking up at him, kissing him. I set the drinks down on the table. I bend and whisper in Olivia's ear.
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"Don't let Rachel grill you" I chuckle and she giggles.
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"I heard that" I hear Rachel jibe but I ignore her.
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"I love you" I tell Olivia, she looks up at me and I kiss her lips.
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"Oh not gonna say it back are we?" I tease her and she chuckles.
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"I love you, Matthew" she smirks and I kiss her again.
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Before stroking her hair back, I head over to Jay and the other guys minus Ross.
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"Any help man" I say to Jay and he nods to me.
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"Wouldn't mind putting all those burgers out for me, would you?" He asks and I begin plating up the food onto the serving trays.
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"Happy for you man" he says out of the blue, quickly glancing at me before flipping the chicken and the skewers.
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Christopher plating up the grilled fish and handing it to Andrew on the other side.
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"Thanks" I say softly and he smiles to himself. Jay won, he always does.
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"We have got to get the food out before Taylor ends up giving birth" he says laughing.
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"Man you have a nurse here" Christopher laughs and I smile over at him. Either he doesn't pick up on the slightly charged tension or he chooses to deescalate it.
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"Nothing to worry about there" he adds and Jay smirks.
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"Oh I worry continuously" he says and I believe him. He turns around to his wife and kisses her.
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"Mon amore" he says and I put the burgers down in front of Ross.
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"You okay" he asks her softly and she smiles up at him a twinkle in her eyes.
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"Think he's going to be a protective daddy?" Taylor says to me and Ross and I laugh. Jay is protective of everything that is his.
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"Oh for sure" I laugh and Taylor smirks at me.
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She grabs her waist again, breathing deeply and I almost drop the plates and run to her side. But that's not me anymore. I glance up at Jay as he holds onto her.
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"Honestly Taylor if you feel like this is too much please say" he says.
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"What kind of movement is it" he asks of her.
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"It's like pressure" she says and then she breathes out.
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"You know I'm just saying Jay it could be Braxton hicks" Claire says softly eyeing Taylor.
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"What are those" he asks her concerned.
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"It's like your body preparing for labour" she explains.
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"See how it goes, Taylor you tell us if it gets more intense or more frequent" she advises her and Taylor nods.
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"Okay let's get this food out before the baby makes an appearance" Jay smiles. Taylor laughs up at him and kisses his lips arching her head up to meet his.
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Once the food is on the table I return to Olivia and she smiles.
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"Looks like I might have to be nurse Olivia tonight" she smiles.
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"Oh I like the sound of that" I smirk and she swats me before tucking into her grilled salmon.
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