32: The Slip-Up-2

"Of course I am." "No you're not." "You're acting like it's such a bad thing for us to get married." "Well- now's not the right time to get engaged Colin and what's the rush anyways huh?" she shrugged her shoulders, clearly feeling extremely uncomfortable by the entire conversation. "Like I said, no time like the present." He was using that tone again, the teasing kind. Colin received a questionable look from Katie then, to which he chuckled again. "What? I'm just testing the waters, no need to worry about me proposing anytime soon. You can relax... for now." She was surprised that he wasn't in anyway wounded by her rejection but was happy either way that he had not taken her hesitation the wrong way. "Good, because you better not think of proposing to me for another at least ten years." She joked. "Commitment issues much?" he quirked an eyebrow. "Over-commitment issues much?" she retorted. "Touché." "Can we talk about something else now? All this serious commitment talk is making me feel sick." Katie said half-heartedly. Colin guffawed loudly in response and they changed the topic of conversation until they reached Andrew's house. He was at the door to greet them, Hazel snuggled up in his arms. Katie immediately asked to hold her as soon as they aid their hellos and began rocking the sleepy-eyed baby in her arms. "She's due a nap around this time so don't worry if she falls asleep. I'll put her in her crib when your arms get tired." "I don't think her arms will ever get tired, it's going to take a lot for Katie to let you take that baby out of her arms now." Colin joked as he nudged his brother. "Oh don't act like you aren't the same when you get your hands on this little princess." She scoffed, rolling her eyes at the two men. "Very true." Colin replied. Andrew made them coffee and they all sat together in his kitchen, catching up. Soon enough, Hazel fell asleep and her father took her from Katie to put her in her crib. While he was gone, Katie caught Colin smiling uncontrollably at her and her curiosity kicked in. "What are you staring at, creep?" "Just how much of a doting aunt you are." His words made her scoff. "Aunt?" she quirked an eyebrow at him, crossing her arms. "Yes- well, you will be her aunt when I get the chance to marry you." He replied wickedly. "Oh, dream on Colin." She slapped his arm playfully and then took another sip of her coffee. "What's going on here? I leave you two alone for a minute, are you beating up my brother?" Andrew walked in and expressed mock surprise and disgust as he sat down at the table in front of them again. "Of course I am." "Good, you should've hit him harder." "Maybe I will next time." The three laughed together before Colin decided to ask the question he always asked once he saw his brother after a couple of days. The same question that was always given the same answer. "So... Have you heard anything from her mom yet?" "Yet? I doubt I will ever hear from her, or she'll at least wait until all the raising is done. I could tell by the way she was acting that day when she turned up here she probably wasn't going to change he mind any time soon. She seemed terrified of having to look after Hazel. I get it thought, parenthood is scary, especially when you think you might have to do it alone and it's completely unplanned." "Do you think she will ever turn back up here then?" "I-I'm not sure." Andrew thought about it for a moment before answering. Judging by the look on his face, he wasn't sure if he wanted that to happen or not either. "What would you do?" Katie was sparked with interest. "What could I do? If she wanted to see Hazel, I'd have to let her. She is her mother after all." A frown met his lips after the words left his mouth. A silence filled the kitchen for a moment or two before a thought entered Andrew's mind, reminding him. "Hey, by the way, would you two be able to watch Hazel for a night next weekend?" "Next weekend huh? We'll have to check our schedule." Colin pretended to think about it although he would say year eventually. Andrew rolled his eyes at his younger brother. "Don't mind him, of course we'll look after her." Katie laughed. "Thanks Katie." The pair stayed with Andrew until the late evening before deciding to head home. Once they got in, they booked a meal and sat down in front of the TV together to eat and binge watch "The Office". By the fourth episode, Katie was curled up in a ball, her head on his lap as they both watched the screen intently. She yawned and stretched her arms before speaking. "I'm tired, I think I'm going to head to bed." "Don't you want to wait until this episode is finished." "I can't keep my eyes open."