One Month Later

"How are you feeling? Are you sure you're okay to spend all day on your feet?" Ethan asked full of worry as I struggled to get out of bed. "Yes, I'm fine. I just feel like a bloated whale." I breathed walking into the bathroom to see our graduation gowns hanging on the door.

Today was the day we have been looking forward to all month ever since Ethan proposed. After the graduation ceremony we are planning on telling everyone the news of our engagement. A few weeks ago, we had also found out I was pregnant again. Almost three months a long and ever since we found out Ethan has been extra overprotective of me. I didn't even know that was possible.

And to be honest finding out I was three months along made sense for all my mood swings and cravings I've had and struggled to keep to myself. I was just hoping it would all gradually go away as I became more pregnant. But I knew that was all just wishful thinking.

I walked up to my mirror looking at my sleepy reflection. My small baby bump looked like I was shoplifting a watermelon making me smile and start getting ready for the day. Ethan walked up to me as I finished brushing my teeth wrapping his arms around my waist. I smiled at his warm hands roaming my stomach as he spoke into my ear softly.

"This is the first step for us to finally grow our lives together." He said making me turn to face him. "And I can't wait." I breathed before kissing him lips and walking away to get dressed.

I changed into my floral maxi skirt covering my stomach and my long sleeve crop top and matching black heals. I looked over at Ethan getting dressed in his black dress shirt and jeans making me stare at his bare back. His muscles tensed and flexed as he rummaged through his dresser for his shirt making me part my lips.

"I hung it up in the bathroom." I stated after snapping myself out of my trance making him walk into the bathroom. I soon followed to curl my hair as he watched me from behind as he buttoned his shirt. "Are you nervous?" He asked making me chuckle as I started applying a small amount of makeup.

"Why should I be? It's just walking up to get a piece of paper from teachers who have always looked down on me." I answered bitterly never looking away from my reflection making him walk up behind me. "I meant about telling Lucas, Colton, Daniel and Sarah the news." He said making me frown in realization.

"Yeah, a little. I don't want them to think we are moving too fast." I answered looking away from him in the mirror as I turned around to leave before he stepped in front of me. "They won't." Ethan assured making me nod as he placed his palm softly against my cheek to look at him.

"Ready?" He asked after a few moments making me nod before walking away to grab our cap and gowns. "Definitely." I breathed making him chuckle as we made our way out of the bedroom with our things.

I saw Ian all dressed up for us making me smile. He wore a white dress shirt and jeans with his hair gelled neatly unlike his usual blonde messy wavy hair. "You look nice." Ian smiled as we came downstairs. "So, do you." I replied walking up to him making me fight the urge to cry seeing him formal as the day we buried our parents.

I quickly cleared my throat not wanting to get caught up in those thoughts. "Here take these please." I said handing him our cap and gowns. "I need a drink." I breathed knowing I obviously couldn't. This was going to be a long emotional day making Lucas laugh as Ethan and Sarah looked at me worried.

"It's so nice to finally see you after all this time. I'm sorry I couldn't visit sooner." Sarah said as she walked up at me to give me a hug. "It's alright I understand how hard it must be at home right now." I assured not waning her to feel badly making her nod weakly.

"I can't believe I am going to be an Aunt! I never thought I would be with him as a brother." She joked making me chuckle knowing how much of a player he was when we first met. "To be honest I never thought I would ever give you the option to make you an aunt." I replied making them chuckle.

If you were to tell me a year ago that I would be here with Ethan, engaged, pregnant with his child about to graduate with him by my side and around all of his friends and family I have grown to love as my own. I would have laughed and never talk to you again in disbelief. But I am so glad everything turned out this way. I couldn't be happier surrounded by these people I have grown to care for deeply.

But I couldn't help but think about my parents also. How excited they would be to see me, their first and only daughter graduating high school with the love of her life. I wished more than anything for them to have met Ethan. How happy my dad would be to have someone to talk to about me with and bond over things they have in common. And for my mom to meet the man I love.

I knew they would have grown to love him just as much as I have. But what I wish more than all of that is for them to meet their grandbaby I am carrying.

"Are we all ready?" Sarah asked snapping me out of my thoughts making me blink away my tears. "Yeah, we are just waiting for Daniel and Colton." Lucas said as Allison stood beside him beautifully. I smiled at Lucas rubbing his thumb across her hand he held before the door opened revealing Colton and Daniel rushing inside.

"Sorry. Sorry, we're late." Colton breathed making me chuckle as Sarah and Ethan rolled their eyes. "We aren't surprised." Sarah teased making them chuckle. "It's alright we just came downstairs." I replied making Daniel smile at me noticing my stomach.

"Colton told me the news but I couldn't believe it. You're absolutely radiant." Daniel smiled walking up to me to give me a hug making me smile. "Thank you." I replied with tears in my eyes again as he pulled away making me continue to blink them away.

"Now let's go we'll be late!" Sarah said ushering us out of the room as she checked the time. We all obliged and walked out of the house with our things. We all took separate cars with Ethan, Sarah, and I in one and Ian, Colton and Daniel and Lucas and Alison in the others.

The whole car ride all I could think about was telling everyone of our engagement. I just hoped they would all be happy for us moving on together.

I felt Ethan's hand on my thigh as he drove instantly snapping me out of my rambling stressful thoughts. I smiled and placed my hand over his before moving it onto my stomach after a few moments. I felt him hold my hand bringing it up to his lips to kiss before bringing it back down making me smile at the soft and gentleness of his touch.

"I hope I will have half of what you guys have one day." Sarah said behind us in awe making me chuckle. Ethan looked down at me with a smile making me do the same before we finally pulled up to our school.

I sighed heavily seeing all the family traffic and people walking up to the school building. We all stepped out of the cars making me walk towards Ethan. I looked around at all the parents and children chatting around my classmates making me look away feeling Ethan grabbing my hand.

"You ready?" He asked softly worried I was nervous making me nod. "More than I will ever be." I answered honestly looking up at his worried features trying to figure me out making me smile up at him softly.

We all walked up to the familiar school doors with everyone by our side. I looked over at Ian walking beside me making him look down at me. I gave him a small smile knowing we would be doing the same thing for him next year. "I'm sorry they aren't here." Ian said instantly creating tears in my eyes as I looked away.

"They are. In their own way." I replied sadly making him smile weakly before we finally made our way to the football field where everyone stood. There was a large stage and podium where the principal and teachers stood chatting getting ready to start. Crowds of happy chatting teenagers dressed in their car and gowns stood everywhere making me look over at Ethan chatting with Colton.

I flashed back to that night I met Colton in Ethan's backyard. How angry and resentful Ethan was towards him hurt me to remember. The hate in his voice and the way he spoke to him was heartbreaking knowing how hurt Ethan truly was.

I looked over at Ian talking and laughing with Lily making me smile at him finally finding love after our parents passing. I only hoped he would be as happy as I am with Ethan. Seeing his smile and hearing his genuine laughter brought me back to when we were young.

I have always regretted how I spoke to him and how I made him feel before our parents passing. I was his older and popular sister who could not be seen around my younger nerdy brother. I would ignore him and act like a typical teenage sister to him and that all changed the night we were visited by the police with the news.

I felt Ethan's eyes on me making me turn my head over to him again to see him giving me a concerned and puzzled look. He excused himself from Colton before walking over to me. "Is everything alright?" He asked making me nod. "Everything is perfect." I breathed before grabbing his face and kissing him softly as a single tear escaped my eye.

Although things still were not ideal, I wouldn't change anything for the world. I loved him and I couldn't be happier that we were starting a family. I had Ian safe and happy by my side and I could only hope that it wouldn't ever change. I knew that no matter how close Ethan and I will ever be I will never let him get between Ian and me. He is the only family I have left, and I can't risk losing him too.

Once we all sat down the principal started speaking. With every name the teacher called my nerves grew greater and greater making me grab Ethan's hand beside me. "You're next." Ethan said making me smile nervously before taking a deep breath.

"Amelia Harding." I walked up the stage after hearing my name making me smile at my teachers. Photographers took photos as she handed me my diploma making me look for Ethan in the crowd.

It was finally the end of the ceremony and everyone was laughing and talking excitedly with all their friends and family. "How does it feel to be finally done with school?" Ian asked making me chuckle. "I'm sure the stress will be replaced with something else." I said making Ethan hold my hand telling me it was time to share our news.

"I-We actually have something to tell you all." I began nervously as Sarah and Alison smiled curiously. I pulled the necklace around my neck hiding under my shirt and gown. I took the ring off the chain and placed it on my finger before showing it to them.

"I proposed." Ethan said wrapping his other hand around my waist making me smile up at Ian. "And I said yes." I continued making Sarah squeal in joy and excitement.

"Oh, my goodness! Congratulations! This is amazing news!" Sarah beamed with a wide smile making me chuckle as she hugged me tightly. "Congratulations, Ethan. You two deserves one another." Colton said making me smile as they shook hands before pulling in for a hug.

"It's beautiful, Amelia." Allison said in awe as she held my hand to see the ring making me smile. "I'm so happy for you both. You two deserve to be happy after everything that has happened." Sarah said sadly with a smile making me give her another hug as I saw Lucas and Ethan chatting and laughing.

I turned to Ian away from us all talking in deep thought making me frown walking up to him. "Ethan told me he asked for your blessing." I said snapping him out if his thoughts making him smile weakly. "Yeah a few months ago." He replied making my eyes widen slightly not realizing how long Ethan has been planning this.

"Thank you for giving it to him. It means a lot for me for you to accept us. I hope you know that nothing will change I will always be here to provide for you, Ian." I said seriously looking up at him avoiding my eyes. "Of course, things will change. But that's alright I'm glad to see you happy and starting your own life after everything that has happened." Ian said bringing tears to my eyes as he looked down at me intensely.

"And I'm looking forward to being an uncle." He said with a smile making me chuckle as I wiped away my tears. "Thank you for not being upset about it all. A lot has happened, and I have given you every opportunity for you to be angry and tell me how much of a horrible sister I have been." I said looking away from him until I felt his hands on my shoulders holding me.

"'Horrible sister'? What makes you think I would ever be angry with you? You are anything but horrible, Mia. You raised me, you provided for me when you did not have to. You could have easily left me to fend for myself and figure out a way to make money myself. And I did but that was to help you. Because I've seen how hard you work you work for us. And I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner and appreciate it in the beginning." Ian said full of seriousness never tearing his eyes away from mine.

"You are an amazing sister, and you will be an amazing mother and wife. Mom and dad would be extremely proud of you, Amelia." Ian finished as tears continued to fall down my cheeks making me wrap my arms around him in a tight hug. I struggled to keep my tears and sobs to myself as I nuzzled the side of my face into his warm chest.

"Now come on." Ian said after a few minutes of me calming back down. "We're supposed to be celebrating." He smiled as I reluctantly pulled away making me chuckle as I wiped away my tears again.

I felt Ethan behind me making me turn around to face his worried features. "I'm okay." I smiled softly as he placed his hand on the small of my back pulling me closer to him. I saw Ian walk away towards Sarah and Lucas making me look back up at Ethan studying me intensely.

"I bought us a home in California. Near the beach like you wanted. It's ready to move in at any time." Ethan said making my lips part. "What?" I breathed through a smile making him chuckle down at me. "Wait I can't just leave Ian." I said sadly as I filled with realization.

"There's actually something I have been meaning to tell you." Ian said walking back over to us. "For a long time now actually. I got an early football scholarship at UCLA. I start next year." He explained making me pull away from Ethan in shock.

"Ian, that's amazing! Why didn't you tell me? How long have you known?" I asked making him scratch the back of his neck anxiously. "Since I found out last year. I told Ian not to tell you until I found the right time." Ian explained making me my lips part realizing the secret Ethan wouldn't tell me about Ian a few months ago.

"I guess we have another reason to celebrate." Lucas said making me look up at Ian again. "Why didn't you tell me when you got the news?" I asked slightly to hurt he was nervous to tell me.

"Because at the time I thought it would be impossible for me to move there. And I didn't want to leave you or force you to come with me. I told Ethan because I needed advice and someone to tell. I'm sorry." Ian said sadly making me shake my head. "Don't be sorry. This is an amazing thing that has happened to you." I said through a smile still worried at him not telling me after all this time.

"You aren't angry?" He asked hesitantly making me chuckle. "Of course not. I am so proud of you. I just don't know if I can leave for California now when you still have school here." I said nervously looking over at Ethan.

"Don't stay here just for me, Mia. You have a life now and I know how to take care of myself. I have saving from working at the grocery store." Ian began making me stop to cut him off until Lucas spoke. "And Colton and I will come by every day to make sure he is okay just like we have been." He said making me look up at Ian studying my nervous features.

"You've really thought about this." I said making him sigh stepping closer to us. "You've taught me how to take care of myself and how to keep people from finding out about mom and dad. I know I can get through this next year on my own if you just let me. I will call you every day and soon I will be back to third wheeling with you two again." Ian joked lightly making me think for a moment seeing the determination in his eyes.

"Okay. Only as long as you stay in the apartment Ethan bought after what happened at our house. I don't want anyone to go to that house expecting Ethan and me. And you call me at least once a day. And as soon as you graduate, I am coming back to help you move." I said sternly making him smile brightly thankful I gave into them.

"Deal." Ian said as he hugged me tightly again making me smile nervously over his shoulder. I knew Ian was capable of taking care of himself for a year and I knew he wouldn't be alone with Lucas and Colton coming to check on him regularly. I just hoped I was doing the right thing by leaving with Ethan all the way across the country.

"Let's go get something to eat now. I'm starving." I smiled weakly making everyone chuckle as I noticed everyone on the football field was starting to thin out.

We were all now at Ray's Diner making me smile over at Nick and Chloe chatting behind the counter. I excused myself from everyone laughing and chatting over their food to walk over to them. "Hey! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." Chloe said making me smile weakly feeling badly for not coming into work as often as I used to.

"Yeah, a lot has happened lately." I said sitting down at the counter making her smile wide. "I can see that." She motioned to my stomach making me chuckle placing mt hand on it softly. "There's more." I said holding my left hand out making their eyes widen.

A huge smile formed her lips as she made her way around the counter to face me. "Amelia, congratulations! That's amazing." She breathes making me smile at her looking down at the ring in awe. "Congratulations. I'm glad you are happy with him." Nick said making me look over at him.

"I hope you and Tracey are doing great too. And the twins, how are they?" I asked making him smile. "They're due any day now." Nick smiled making my eyes widen at how much time has passed.

I was about to reply when I heard Ethan calling for me. "It was nice catching up. I hope to see you at work soon." Chloe smiled making me chuckle nervously. "Ethan and I are actually moving. To California. Ian is coming after he graduates." I explained hesitantly making her smile excitedly.

"California! How amazing I'm so jealous. I'm going to miss you." She said pulling me in for a hug making me chuckle. "Thank you both for being such good friends to me. I wish I could've done a better goodbye." I confessed sadly making her shake her head.

"Don't be sorry! If I could leave this dreadful town with a hunk of a man like him I would in a heartbeat. Especially to California. I'm glad you are finally happy and living a life you've always wanted. You deserve all the happiness you can grasp." Chloe smiled creating teats in my eyes again.

I looked over at everyone getting ready to leave making me look over to them again for the last time. "Call me if you're ever in California." I smiled making them chuckle before I walked away grabbing Ethan's hand. "Everything okay?" He asked quietly as everyone continued to laugh and talk amongst themselves.

"Everything's perfect."