Four years had now passed, and when her music career had fallen through, she had gone on to get a job as a magazine journalist. She really did enjoy the work and wasn't all that disappointed that it hadn't worked out for her in the music industry.
Avery had successfully become a songwriter and had even written a few songs with Taylor and his brothers. He had even traveled to work with other big artists such as Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Josh Groban.
They had moved in together just a couple of months ago, and at this moment in time, they were not only engaged, but she had just found out that was pregnant.
Christopher and Amy were still together, and everyone was thrilled she had come into his life. She was an amazing person who genuinely cared for him.
Arielle wanted to tell everyone the good news of her pregnancy and had planned a barbecue for this very day so that she could tell them. A part of her was kind of nervous though. The last time she had gotten pregnant, Diana and Walker hadn't been too happy. They had been very supportive throughout and when she miscarried, she knew they didn't like that was going to have the baby. She understood why, as she was too young. She wasn't young anymore, but she was afraid they wouldn't be happy for her since she wasn't yet married. She could agree with one thing that everyone had tried telling her to begin with though, that it was happening when it was meant to.
Avery was in the middle of grilling up hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken kebabs, and vegetables when people started showing up.
Diana and Walker were the first ones there, with Zac and his family close behind. Giving them each a hug, she then led them to the backyard.
Between them, they brought coleslaw, baked beans, potato chips, and cupcakes.
" I still can't get over what a beautiful home this is," Diana said as they walked through the kitchen.
" Yeah. I don't know how Avery found this house when I never saw an ad for it or anything myself. But I love it." She told her.
" I could be wrong, but I think that this house may have been..."
" Hey, that's my secret to tell! Not yours, Zac!" Taylor exclaimed, who had gone straight to the backyard with his family rather than through the house.
Arielle jumped at the sound of her dad's voice as they made their way outside. " And what secret is that?" She asked.
Smiling at his daughter, he gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. " Between my family and your mom, we had this house built with you and Avery in mind."
Avery turned to face her with a smile on his face. " I knew the whole time, but he wanted to tell you himself after we had lived here for a while. I guess he wanted to make sure you loved it first."
Hugging her dad back, she looked from Avery back to Taylor with a smile on her face. " Thanks for the amazing house! I appreciate it."
Ashley came into the yard with Christopher, Arianna, and Cameron as Arielle was thanking her dad. " We were supposed to tell her together!"
" I know, Ashley. And I'm sorry. But Zac was about the spoil the secret himself, so I had to just tell her."
" Zachary, I can't believe you!" Arielle exclaimed, playfully hitting him upside the head.
" Hey, only my mom and dad can call me Zachary. Not you." He said, throwing a potato chip at her.
Everyone laughed as the rest of the family showed up, and Taylor explained to them what was so funny.
Andrew had come walking into the backyard just behind Isaac and his family with a plate of chocolate chip cookies he had made up. He flashed Ashley a smile as he handed the plate to Arielle.
Smiling back at him, Ashley couldn't believe how lucky she felt to finally have someone who loved her with all of his heart. Not only that, but she finally had the family that she had always wanted.
Her mom had survived her heart attack a few years ago but had just died recently from an unrelated illness. And being an only child, the only other family member she had was one uncle who wanted nothing to do with her.
Arielle looked from her mom to Andrew and was so happy that she had found someone special.
Halfway through the barbecue, Avery finally stood up to tell them that he and Arielle had an announcement to make. Everyone quieted down, and Arielle looked from him to them as she stood up herself.
" We went to the doctor recently, but before anyone starts to panic, everything is fine. It's just... I'm pregnant."
" I'm going to be an uncle?" Christopher asked excitedly.
" Yes, Christopher. You're going to be an uncle." She laughed. " I'm only two months along so I could still miscarry, but hopefully that won't happen again."
" I am so happy for you, Arielle," Taylor said, getting up to give her a big hug. " I know how much you have wanted this for yourself."
" Thanks, dad." She hugged him back nervously as she looked over at Diana and Walker.
They must have sensed how she was feeling because seconds later they were reassuring her that they were more than happy for her.
" I told you once and I will say it again, you are going to be an amazing mother. You have such a big heart and are one of the bravest people I know." Diana told her as they hugged.
" Not to mention you have a great guy in your life who would do anything for you." Walked added in. " And we truly are happy for you, sweetie."
One by one, everyone else congratulated them on their happy news.
______________________________________
In the end, everyone did have a happy ending.
Ashley and Andrew never got married but lived together as domestic partners. They agreed that they were fine with the kids they had but that if they were to ever change their minds, they would adopt.
Taylor and Natalie went on to have two more kids together, one girl and another boy a couple of years apart. He was glad that even through the tough times they had, that they had each other to rely on and support each other through it all. A part of him would always care for Ashley, but he was happy with the way things were now.
Zac and Kate had another kid themselves, another girl. They were stronger than ever now, and Kate had finally worked through her issues with Ashley. It hadn't been for the lack of trying, but out of fear that it had taken so long to get to the point of trusting her. She loved Cameron very much and was always glad to spend time with him.
Christopher went on to become a video game designer, and he loved it. But with everything he learned from Taylor and Rachel, did a little photography on the side. He did marry Amy and they had two kids together. She worked at the radio station with Ashley and was very successful herself.
With the help of her family of choice, she had finally found her brother and his family, including her son. Ryan didn't really want her in their lives, especially in her son's life, but over time he ended up giving in. Arielle had been the one to reach out to him herself and begged him to give Rachel the chance of seeing Scott, promising him that Rachel would never tell him the truth about where he came from. Not only that, but she ended up meeting someone special herself, and she was engaged to be married.
Arielle and Avery ended up having four kids, and they were very happy. Their careers had really taken off, and they had gained recognition for their talents and were highly respected in their industries. She was truly happy and after all, she had been through with her family, she felt like had found her place in the world.
