Delaney

I found Xavier's tall head poking out above the crowds of family's. Everyone was trying to hug and take pictures in the area after the ceremony was over with.

I shoved my way through the people—nicely of course. When I got to Xavier, I found everyone else there too. I sighed in relief that I didn't have to go through the crowd again, allowing my body to sag into Xavier's strong arms.

I hugged Cara and Maria first. They were both going to colleges out of state, so I probably wouldn't keep in touch.

"Thank you guys. You've been great friends. I know you'll do amazing things with your lives." I spoke to the both of them.

"Stay in touch, Laney." They ordered. I nodded mutely, knowing I probably wouldn't.

I gave Jacob a huge hug, too. Even though I'm seeing the boys off to camp together.

"Congrats, shortie!" He ruffled my hair.

I shoved his hand away, giggling.

Scott had Milo with him on a leash. I bent down and petted my furry buddy.

"Hi baby, who's a good boy?" I chirped while rubbing his ears and head. He barked at me cutely and wagged his tail.

I giggled and stood back up. I hugged Scott, then moved on to the boys. Nathan, then Luke, Carter, Ben, and Dakota. When I got to Colton, he looked at me with hard eyes. I gave him a small smile in hopes he returned it.

"Give your sister a hug, Colton." Scott commanded a the agitated boy.

He was taller than me, even at 16. He stiffly wrapped he arms around me–way too tightly. I tried to pry myself away from his constructing grip, but he brought his head down and harshly whispered into my ear,

"Watch your back, sister."

I shuddered in fear and backed up until I hit a firm chest. Everyone looked at me and whoever was behind me in fear, except for Xavier.

I craned my neck back wards to see who was behind me, and caught a glimpse of familiar blonde hair.

I laughed at the faces of fear in front of me, knowing it was because Josh looked like a threatening gang leader–which technically wasn't untrue. They probably knew about him before he left gang.

Awkward.

I turned around and hugged his torso highly, shoving my face into his chest. He laughed down at me, hugging me back.

"Thank you for coming, Joshie."

"I'm so proud of you, munchkin" he squeezed my shoulders. Then, he turned his gaze to Xavier who stood behind me.

"Hey man, good to see you. Oh and congrats–on everything." He said with a wink towards my fiancé.

They bro hugged, leaving everyone startled and confused.

"Guys, this is Josh Blake, but I'm guessing by your faces you already knew that," I concluded to everyone.

"Yeah–he's a gang leader. Why's he at a high school graduation?" Luke asked what everyone was wondering.

"Uh-duh. I invited him. Oh where's Ryan?" I asked Josh.

He gave me a remorseful smile, petting my hair gently.

"He couldn't make it, kiddo. He's sick."

"Oh." I tried not to let my disappointment show.

"So... you're not going to explain?" Nathan asked, gesturing between Josh and I.

"He's my best friend, right Joshie?" I asked mischievously. I knew he hated me calling him that in public. Said it made him seem 'soft'.

Bullshit.

He gave me a playful glare at the nickname.

"Yeah, Kiddo, I'm your best friend."

"Wait–where's Mikey?!" I screeched loudly. Everyone jumped.

I frantically searched through the crowds but didn't see him. Eventually, my eyes connected with his amber ones. He rushed through the crowd and pulled me into a fatherly hug.

"Congrats, peanut. Your daddy would be so proud of you," he spoke with tears in his eyes matching my own.

"Let's get back to our house for the kids' party" Scott announced to the large crowd.

"You're coming, right?" I asked Josh hopefully.

He gave me a grin, "of course I'll be there."

I giggled and grabbed his hand. I pulled him up beside Xavier so that we were walking beside each other. I cuddled into Xavier's side while hugging Josh's arm, playing with the ring he wore on his finger–it was his father's.

"I'm leaving soon" Xavier brought up the inevitable as we sat beside one anthers on the porch swing.

"I want to do training to be a medic" I spoke hesitantly. I hadn't let anyone know what I'd been thinking.

Xavier looked at me in question, urging me to go on.

"I want to do something to help people. I want to make my Dad proud. I know it will be tough with the baby which is why I would wait a while, until he or she is older. But eventually I want to do some work in the Army. Not forever. I do want to raise my baby or babies," I explained.

"I want you do follow your dreams, too, sweetheart. I'll always support you like you're supporting me." He pulled me into his lap and hugged me, rubbing my belly tenderly. I held his hand on my stomach, enjoying the feeling of being loved.

The baby made me feel complete. Like I was meant to be a mother. I smiled down at the little bean growing inside of me.

"I can't wait to meet you. To watch your chubby little legs run around the house. Watch your first footsteps, first words, first day of school. I want to teach you everything life taught me. You're going have an amazing life, baby."

I spoke down at my stomach in a whisper, feeling tears of joy spring to my eyes.

"Come on, sweetheart. You've got a whole house of people here to celebrate with. My family's coming too. Let's go have a good time with the people we love." Xavier pulled me up with him.

Just in time for Xavier's mom's car to pull onto the curb. His sisters and brother made their way with their mother. Maxine held Momma King's hand while Zander and Maddy walked beside them.

Once they were on to porch, I was smuggled into a firm hug.

"I'm so proud of so, girly." Maddy spoke sweetly.

Momma shoved her off of me and brought me into a hug of her own. "I'm so happy your my daughter in law. You make my boy so happy," she whispered in my ear, knowing that we haven't told everyone our news.

I pulled back and wiped the tears from her aging face. When she moved on to hug Xavier, I felt Maxine hug my legs tightly. I leaned down and returned the hug gently.

Lastly was Zander.

"I'm proud of you, little sister. And glad you're part of this family," he spoke, pulling me into his strong hug.

"Thank you guys for everything. Thank you for being here, too." I spoke gratefully. They made their way past us into the house.

"Well, time to celebrate with them before everything changes."