Welcome To The Family

**Michelle's POV**

Brian and Val appear outside as Matt is peppering my belly with kisses and I see Val start to grin while Brian's expression remains cold and emotionless....it's bordering on pissed off and I'm confused. Isn't he happy that he's going to be a dad? Maybe, he's not happy that I'm going to be a mom...maybe both.

Val rushes over and gives me a huge hug then attempts to kneel down as far as her belly will let her, to congratulate Matt, but he notices her struggling and quickly lifts her up and steadies her back to her feet before accepting a hug from her that nearly topples him over.

Brian is hanging back not really coming any closer to us but nobody seems to notice yet except me. I stroll over towards him and playfully smack him across the shoulders to snap him out of his daydreaming.

He gives me a half-hearted, one armed hug and mumbles something that sounds like a 'congratulations' but to be honest his tone and mannerisms are definitely lacking a true congratulatory feel. I frown and tilt his chin to face me, "Yeah....that really sounded convincing....what's wrong?" I huff and he just sighs and shakes his head.

I glance towards Matt and Val and they are caught up in their own world...they both seem so happy for each other, regardless of the past....why won't Brian be happy for me? Is he incapable of accepting that I might for the first time in my life feel complete and total joy? Maybe he doesn't think I deserve it? Ugh, maybe, maybe, maybe.....this is infuriating!

He clears his throat and pulls me out of my thoughts and I look back to face him....he looks sad... confused... disappointed... heartbroken?

What in the world is up with him?!

**Brian's POV**

Michelle is staring at me with a worried expression and I can already tell that she wondering if I'm upset that she's having Matt's baby....yes I am, but not because of the reason probably she thinks.

I pull her towards me and wrap my arms around her and sigh deeply, "I'm sorry" I mumble out into her hair and I can feel her frown against my chest.

"Sorry for being jealous?" she snarks out under her breath just loud enough so that I am the only person who hears her.

I softly kiss the top of her head, "Yes.." I whisper out and hear her breath hitch in her throat. I pull her away to look me in the eyes and see her holding back her tears, "...please don't cry Michelle... it not for the reason you think. I'm not jealous that it's not my baby inside you...I'm upset that I never made you as happy as you are right not. It's not you or Matt who I'm disappointed or mad at....it's me. I should have treated you better all these years but I didn't....I was selfish and blind to the fact that you deserve this kind of happiness...we both do. You know it's funny but, I think that it took us falling apart, to actually come closer together." I say just above a whisper while tears stream down her cheeks.

"Just promise me that you will never treat Val the way you treated me, and all of the past drama we shared will be forgiven" she whispers and grips my hands tenderly.

I grin at her soft touch and part of me will always miss that. "I promise" I say as I lean in a place a gentle kiss at the corner of her mouth and feel her lips curl up slightly.

"Hey, get your lips off my girl!" Matt jokes and shoves me away from her. I trip and fall into a hedgerow of bushes along the building and everyone cracks up laughing. Matt yanks me from the bushes and starts to apologize to me but I wave him off because it's not necessary...it was funny and would would have done the same thing.

Michelle gives Val another hug and mumbles something to her but I can't make it out before walking off with Matt. Val gives me a weird look as we make our way towards the car... I wonder if Michelle said anything about the kiss or the conversation we just had.

I stop us next to my car and lean Val back against the side. "Is everything ok Brian? You're not having any regrets are you?" she asks and I shake my head no.

"I love you Val, please don't ever think that I don't." I sigh, "I just needed to apologize to Michelle for hurting her all these years...she really didn't deserve it. I need you to trust me when I say I'm happy about the way things worked out. We need to trust each other if we plan on having a normal future for us... and for our baby...I swear to you that I will never give you a reason to distrust me as long as you promise me the same." I say and she nods her head yes.

I capture her lips with mine and she moans as my tongue pushes it's way into her mouth. I bite lightly at her lower lip and she squeaks out in excitement before breaking the kiss. "I love you too and I promise to never hurt you or let you down." Val pants slightly out of breath before grinning, "Hey, I know a big surprise if you can keep a secret..." she gloats and I give her a mock offended look. She chuckles and whispers something in my ear....wow, I wasn't expecting that.

We both glance over towards Matt and Michelle. He is kissing her passionately and the love that they share is easy to see. He breaks the kiss and opens the passenger's side door like a true gentleman and helps her inside.

I look back at Val and she is actually smiling at the sight...who would have ever thought that this would be how our destinies would entwine. I have to say though..

...I'm more than pleased with the outcome.

Notes

So a quick poll:

end the story here and do two spin-offs (Matt/Michelle and Brian Val) to expose the secret Val just shared with Brian?

or

continue everything in this story?

either way.... who thinks it's something Matt told her or do you think it's something Michelle did.... maybe neither and it has to do with their baby.

Comment and let me know :)