Lover Boy: All American Boy

His strong arms wrap around her shoulders, his frame towering so far over her that it’s hard to believe he is only twenty-one.

“Oh my gosh, I need to call Norah. She won’t believe this!”

Avery turns to Sydney who sits on her other side and asks if Norah is his girlfriend. She just says that they’re close friends who work together.

Once the gifts have been opened, the family begins relaxing with a few drinks and singing along to the music. Avery continues to glance at the door, unsure if a later surprise will go as planned.

Ryker glances at the tree once more and finds the gift Avery hid in the corner for Logan.

“Hey, man, looks like this is for you. Sorry I missed it.”

Logan glances around the room, questioning everyone with his eyes, but everyone shrugs their shoulders, unsure of where the present came from.

Logan carefully peels back the paper from the box, pushing aside the tissue paper from the inside. He is admittedly confused when he finds a finely pressed physician smock - the stark whiteness in deep contrast to the red tissue paper.

He pulls the jacket from the box and holds it up, turning it side from side.

“This is great,” he says, still confused. “I needed a new one.”

Sydney squints her eyes at the smock – Avery can already tell she’s the keen one in the family - and inquires, “What does it say above the pocket?”

That’s when Logan’s face changes from questioning to weary. He pulls the name to his face to read aloud, also noticing the picture in the pocket.

DR. LOGAN CHAMBERLINDADDYOFTWINS M.D.

At first, no one in the room reacts, everyone glancing around wondering if they heard correctly. The Logan pulls out the pictures – Avery’s twelve-week ultrasound.

“You’re pregnant?” Logan asks, Avery’s family all holding their breath for her response.

She nods furiously. “Twelve weeks as of yesterday.”

Logan launches himself over the coffee table and pulls her close, kissing Avery’s face all over.

“I thought you couldn’t get pregnant?”

“Apparently my doctor now believes in miracles.”

“Holy shit! I’m going to be a father. We’re having a baby.”

“Babies. Two to be exact.”

“Holy shit! I love you so much, Avery.”

The crowd closes in on their celebration, Avery’s siblings all offering their congratulations.

“Joseph, we’re going to be grandparents!” Amy says from her perch on the loveseat.

“Three times over apparently,” a new voice exclaims from the doorway.

Avery smile widens at her friend's arrival.

She turns in recognition and finds Nikki standing in the family room, looking as gorgeous as ever in a figure-flattering green dress that hugs her every curve, including her baby bump.

“Nikki? You’re pregnant?” Austin asks as he crosses his arms across his chest in a protective stance, his glare evident toward her barely distended belly.

“Hey, um...yea...I, um....I’m due in five months... You…you’re the father,” she says nervously, refraining from making eye contact.

Austin rushes forward and takes a hold of Nikki’s arm and tugs her out further into the hallway, but not out of earshot.