Back home

Now back in Cambridge, Ellen drove to Steven's home. "Before you ask. Your home is a shorter drive than it is to mine. Besides, I thought you might want to see your mum and Jade first."

"I never said a word." Steven said with a grin. Ellen pulled into the driveway and shut down the engine. Noticing the lights to the house where out, Steven wondered if everyone had called it an early night or gone out. He opened the door to find it very quiet inside. Steven pulled his phone from his pocket to find a message from Jade." We're down the pub if you get back early enough." Showing the message to Ellen. " You wanna go or just relax?"

"Why not. Last night before going back to work. May as well enjoy it." With that decided, they headed of to meet them there. As they approached the door to the local, they noticed a really bad singing voice assaulting their ears. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Yeah. Sounds like the landlord has still got this karaoke machine out. That guy sounds awful." Both laughing at how bad the man on stage actually was. When they walked through the door. They saw Jane and Jade at a table and John was getting in the next round of drinks in. Jade waved at them and pulled a couple of spare chairs over to their table. Ellen headed to them while Steven went and tapped John on the shoulder. "Large white wine and pint of lager please bud."

John turned and put his arm round Steven's shoulder. "Cheeky fucker. Where you been the last 24 hours or so?"

"Tell you when we get the drinks in. But I'll get the next round in if you're put out." As Steven and John had such as close friendship, the comments rolled of them like water on a ducks back. With the drinks ordered, The two young men carried the drinks back to the table and sat with the others. "Everyone ok? Didn't expect everyone to be out when we got back."

"All good bro." Said Jade. "We did wonder where you and Ellen had gone by the time we got up this morning. But as you stayed round her place, we thought she might have been keeping you prisoner considering we know what she bought in Anne Summer's on Saturday." Ellen went bright red with that comment. " You tie him to the bed or something?"

"I'm not saying a word." Steven replied.

Ellen then explained. "We went to Sheffield and Steven met my parents. Could have gone better to start with, but it's all good now."

"What does could have gone better mean?" Jane spoke up. "Sorry, didn't mean it to come out like that."

"We'll tell you later mum. How's things been since I went back to Ellen's?" Addressing them all.

"Those reporters are still snooping around. So in case you haven't noticed. My hair is still jet black. Somehow, I don't think they'll be giving in anytime soon."

"So's mine" Steven quipped back.

"They never do if they think a good story can come out of it." John interjected. "Like a dog with a bone."

"You got that right mate. Anyway. How are you mum? You've not said much since we got here."

"I'm okay Steven. Had my first night alone in the house last night. Felt really strange knowing no one else was in the house. It will take a little getting used to."

"I understand mum. But it may not be as bad as you think. You can watch as much porn as you like." Steven joked at his mums expense. John and Ellen hid their mouths trying to stifle a laugh.

"Stevie. I really don't want that image in my head." Said Jade shaking her head.

Then Jane continued to wind Jade up. " Can make as much noise as I want to as well."

"MUM." The others just burst out laughing at Jade's discomfort.

"Anyone know where I can get some decent sound proofing." Jane carried on winding Jade up.

"Seriously mum. You're terrible." Jade gulped down the rest of her drink in order to try and change the topic. "I need another one. Who's round?"

"I'll get them in. I did tell John I'd get the next one in. Same again guys?" All except Ellen said yes. Who asked for one more before going off the alcohol. Jade went with Steven to get them. When the drinks came back. Jane asked why Ellen was only having a couple of drinks before abstaining from anything alcoholic.

Ellen looked at Steven. "You wanna tell them?" Steven gestured with his hand to give Ellen the go ahead. They other looked at Ellen with great curiosity. "I'm going back into work tomorrow and try and clear some of remaining mess up from the little invasion the other day. However, the main reason is, It won't just be me walking through the door at the same time." As she finished her sentence. She looked down and placed her hand on her lower stomach near the level of her womb.

Jade put her hand over her mouth and gasped. Jane's eyes went wide open. "You mean. You're pregnant? I'm going to be a grand mother?"

"Yes Jane. I haven't done a test but, I have just as many nano's in me as Steven does and they kind of let me know when the egg was fertilized. It's early days I know, But my little bots are doing everything they can to prevent any possible complications."

Jane got up "I'll be back in a minute." And went to the bar. Calling one of the bar staff over. "Sorry if I seem impatient Terry, but can you get me a bottle of champagne and 5 glasses. I've just found out my future daughter in law is carrying my first grandchild."

The bar keeper just smiled "If that's the case, then I'll let you off for queue jumping." The other customers in close proximity understood and offered their congratulations. "On the house Jane. I take it the hot blonde is the mother to be."

"She is. I've had a rollercoaster ride for the last week and this is the best up of all them."

"Give your boy a well done from me. But can I ask you something?" Jane nodded. "I'll pop over to your table in minute then when I get a chance. Got some info you might want to hear."

"Okay Terry. I'll speak to you when you come over." Jane returned to the table with the bottle and glasses and popped the cork. Pouring the glasses out and handing them to everyone. "To the 2 new member of the family as it stands. 3 if it's twins, 4. No I'm not going there. Here's to a bright new future for all of us." They all raised their glasses and toasted. No one questioned Jane's relaxed attitude. Remembering that Steven was the product of what could have been a one night stand. "Ellen. Let the nano's in you do the work and enjoy one more night of celebration. I'm sure they will protect the foetus. It seems as though they have learned to uphold a great moral standard." Come the end of the night it was all getting quieter and Terry came to the table and placed his hands on Steven's shoulders.

"You let me down Steven. I've known you since you was a kid and twice you've been in here and still you haven't introduced me to your girlfriend." Then pulling his own chair up before sitting. " Just ribbing Steven. How you been?"

"All good Terry. From the ultimate low a few weeks back to biggest high in my life. This is Ellen. Ellen meet Terry." They both greeted each other. "I see you got things back up and running well after the pandemic."

"That's why I left the karaoke machine out. No one likes nothing better than making an idiot of themselves. Anyway. I came to talk to you and give guys an apology."

Jane asked. "For what. As far as I know you haven't done anything to apologise for."

"I heard on the grapevine that apart from you Jane, the rest of you had some interest from the cops. It was one of my staff that phoned them. Seems that they was more interested in the reward money for the info than pissing my customers off."

"Then you still don't have anything to be sorry about then Terry."

"Thanks for being so forgiving. All of you. Just thought I'd pop over and let you know. And, keep your eyes on the 2 guys in the corner. Never seen them before and they've not hardly had anything to drink since coming in here, Plus I'm sure I saw some kind of I.D. just poking out from the jacket on one of them. So as you had a run in with the law."

"You reckon they could be C.I.D. or something?" Asked Jane.

"Not likely mum. I'd wager it's the newspaper guys trying a different approach. Hoping that Jane and I have let our guard down. Good job We've still got our hair dyed hey Jade." Jade silently agreed.

"Well, now that we've established a few things. Wanna tell me what the hell is going on. I don't listen to rumour, so I'm going to ask you outright." Terry lowered his voice. "Was it you and Jade in the nightclub last Wednesday." Steven just nodded. "Don't tell me anything further tonight. If it's Okay with you Jane. Could I pop over at some point tomorrow? 2 reasons. 1, I'd love to know what the hell is going on. and 2, I was hoping that you'd allow me to take you out for a coffee or something."

Jane sat there dumbfounded. "Go for it mum. We've known Terry for years. You know he's a good guy." Encouraged Jade.