Divorced! Now what?
Chapter 148

Theo POV

As I stood before my family and close friends, their eyes filled with anticipation and a hint of amusement, I couldn't help but feel nervous excitement. I searched the room and located Bethany. I needed her beside me as this was a joint announcement, and I was not going to let her hide away and leave me in front of the family alone.

'Bethany, come over here and stand beside me. Please.' She was hiding at the back, just as I expected; she has never liked confrontation or being in the limelight. She was not getting out of this one. I need her by my side. Once, she was beside me, looking up shyly but with love, I pulled her close, kissed her nose, and turned to the waiting faces. I am sure they expected part of this announcement; I hoped to surprise them with at least one bit of news. Dad knew about the baby, and I am sure the woman had seen the ring, even if they had not said anything yet so that the only other surprise would be the house.

'I have three things to announce, so if we are going to watch the start of the game, wait till I say all three before screaming at me to move out of the way, I joked, and that got the laughs I was hoping for, and murmurs of 'too right' bounced around the room good- naturedly.

'Firstly, Bethany and I are now engaged. This got a lot of whistles from the guys and about time from my sister Felicity. Dad and Scott were both smiling even more. Mum shouted, 'I knew it,' with pride in her voice.

I raised my hands and tried to quiet them down again so I could continue with the news; I had enough already and did not want to get in trouble because the game had started, and we were missing it.

'Give me a break. If you keep yelling like this, we will miss the start of the game. ' I joked with them; it was good to see they were all for us being together.

'We have brought the house down the street. Mum squealed louder this time, and I heard Bob groan. I was still determining what that was for and hoped to ask him later. We are in a secure area, so it cannot be because we are not protected enough.

'And last but not least. I am going to be a Dad. Mum's scream was the loudest in the room, and soon, we were engulfed in hugs and congratulations. Bethany and I were separated, and more hugs were given. The mood in the room was all about babies and weddings, and the game was temporarily forgotten.

'Son, you wish for me to call the celebrant? What day?' Dad asked when he got a chance to get close to me.

'We were looking at next Saturday. Is that okay, or is it too soon?' I asked, doubt now clouding my thoughts.

'Let me text him and ask. Dad started texting on his phone while I was pulled into a bro hug with Thomas, and his face was beaming with pride.

'You have outdone yourself with a new home, a wife, and a baby all in one swoop; that is a great achievement. I take my hat off to you! we laughed and joked.

That is until a clearing of a throat happened behind me.

All eyes turned to see Bob and Pam standing where I had stood moments ago.

Bob POV

I swallowed the hard lump in my throat, this feeling a lot harder now than when we talked about it last night.

'Sorry to take away all your thunder, Bethany and Theo, and I hope you do not mind me joining in, but I would like to say, 'Me too. I hope that made sense. The only person who squealed, rushed forward to me, and pulled me into an embrace was Bethany. 'What do you mean, "Me too." Hank asked, looking a little perplexed.

'Pam and I are engaged. We bought the house next to Bethany but did not know she brought it. I was going to put an offer on that one, and lastly, I will be a Dad again. Bethany was still holding me, shaking. I think she was in tears. I am unsure if that is happiness or upset, but I hope it is for the better. I was glad that the news was out.

The response was overwhelming. Bethany was pushed aside, and hugs, bro slaps, and words of congratulations were given. Pam pulled aside and made a fuss. I could see her showing her ring to Mum and the girls, but Bethany stayed close by; it was as if she was waiting for those around me to finish, and she would return to my side. I saw Theo come to her side, and she whispered something, and he nodded; all the while, I was getting more bro slaps by Jacko.

'You get to have my little brother or sister grow up with her or his nephew. Nice work, Dad.' Thomas joked with me, but he was right; the aunty or uncle would be able to grow up together. Is that weird? Or what? That will be an exciting dynamic I had yet to think much of. I hope it is clear to the child that I am not the first to have a child the same age or close to their older children.

'Dad.' Bethany was beside me now that everyone had been to congratulate me, and the girls had taken Pam upstairs with them. The game was about to start, and everyone was getting drinks and food and sitting back down.

'Would you like to have a double wedding? We are getting married next Saturday. Hanks man said he can do it that quick.' 'Are you sure?' I asked. My unselfish child would share her special day like that with her dear old Dad, and her selfless gesture choked me up. 'Of course, that way, I can remind you of your wedding anniversary each year, but mention mine. I laughed and picked her up, swinging her in a circle.

'What's happening, old man?' Jacko shouted at me as I swung Bethany around.

'Keep next Saturday free. We are having a double wedding,' I shouted to the room.

The room erupted again, this time arguing over who was walking the bride down the path, as I was going to be at the other end, waiting for my bride. Ultimately, Thomas would be my best man, Jacko would walk Pam down the path, Hank would walk Bethany down the path, and Scott would be Theo's best man. The two sisters, Cindy and Margaret, would be bridesmaids; Felicity is happy to sit this out.

A cheer for a team scoring boomed loudly behind me, and I turned to look at the screen to see who scored. It was the first time in many years I had been in the room and missed the game's opening. I was not the least bit upset, and neither was anyone else in the

room.

There was a cheer from us all as we watched the replay as our team made the opening score. Food and drink in hand, I took a seat. Pam returned to my side as one giant family. We watched the game; screams and happy dances were on, with Bethany and Pam doing a circle with one arm linked together; it made my heart swell at how those two had put any grievances behind them and were moving forward with a common goal. I am shocked and pleased that it was Bethany and Theo who purchased the house next to ours, and I am guessing she is going to refurbish that outside flat into a lab; I will have to talk to her later about all those plans, for now, I am trying to watch a game. But my head is still full of what had just transpired and how content I feel.