Butterflies ~ Conrad Fisher

Chapter twenty five

Ivy was swinging Conrad's arm back and forth as they walked hand in hand towards the beach. They could see Jeremiah and Steven up ahead.

"Hey dumb and dumber!" Conrad yelled out as he and Ivy started a slight jog towards them. Ivy let go of Conrad's hand and jumped towards Jeremiah and wrapped her arms around him.

"Woah, Ivy! You are happy! Are you drunk?" He jokingly asked.

Ivy's smile immediately dropped and she released her arms from around Jere. She hugged her arms around her stomach and looked over at Conrad.

He had his mouth open slightly, at a loss for words. Jere and Steven were also looking around confused.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Jeremiah asked concerned.

"No." Ivy's voice cracked. "I just- there's something we need to tell you guys."

Conrad walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Are you sure you want to tell them right now?" He leaned down and whispered into her ear.

"Yeah." She felt a tear roll down her cheek.

He quickly wiped the tear away with his thumb and they both turned back to look at an awaiting Jeremiah and Steven.

"Is something going on?" Steven asked.

"Um- yeah. So have you guys noticed that I've been um kinda sick lately, always tired."

"Yeah, you've been throwing up all the time." Jere grimaced slightly.

"Well there's a reason for that." Conrad cut in when Ivy couldn't get the words out.

"What is it? Are you okay?" Steven nervously looked between the couple.

"I'm pregnant."

"Holy shit." Jeremiah said after along period of shocked silence.

Ivy silently sobbed as they all stood there in silence.

"Holy shit, I'm gonna be an uncle!"

Ivy looked up from her hands she was picking to see a huge smile across Jeremiah's face.

"Wha- You're happy?"

"Hell yeah I'm happy." He walked over to Ivy and picked her off the ground, swinging her around in circles.

"Spinning is not a good idea." Ivy squeaked out.

"Oh right. Sorry."

He softly let her down and looked over to Conrad.

"You're gonna be a dad."

"Yeah." He blew out a breath.

A few feet away Ivy was stood with Steven.

"So."

"So."

"You're pregnant."

"Yeah."

"That's amazing." Steven laughed.

"Really?"

"Fuck yeah. I'm gonna be such a cool uncle."

Ivy laughed through her tears as she pulled Steven into a hug.

"Thank you." She whispered into his chest.

~

Ivy was stood with her head leant on Conrad's shoulder as they stood watching the fireworks.

Ivy felt a huge weight lift off her chest when she told the boys about the baby. She just had one more boy to tell.

"Hey I'm gonna go sit by the water. I just need a minute."

"Okay. Are you sure?" He held her face in her hands.

"Yeah." She smiled softly up at him.

He leaned down and kissed her deeply before letting her go. He watched her walk away as Isabel came up behind him.

"Hey."

"Belly I don't want to talk to you right now."

"What why?"

"Because you are literally ruining my relationship, and making Ivy's time here really horrible. I don't understand what your problem is with her."

"I- I don't have a problem with her."

"Yes you do. It's obvious."

It was silent for a few moments as Belly thought about how to respond.

"She stole you from me!" She suddenly blurted out.

"What?"

"You know that I've liked you since we were kids. Why can't you just be with me?"

"Belly. That's ridiculous. I don't like you, I can't help that. Ivy is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm sorry that you can't get your head wrapped around that, but it's the truth. I can't help how you feel but you need to stop taking it out on Ivy and me. She doesn't deserve it."

"But-"

"No buts Belly. You need to grow up. I'm with Ivy and I'm not leaving her. You need to understand that you can't always get what you want."

Isabel was left speechless as Conrad walked away. He walked towards the beach to find Ivy, seeing her curled up in the sand looking at the stars.

He walked up behind her as she was talking to the sky.

"I love you Jamie. I hope you're not disappointed in me."

She turned around as she heard Conrad clear his throat. She looked up at him and gave him a teary eyed smiled.

He groaned slightly as he sat down next to her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pressed her head against his chest.

They sat there together as the sky darkened, just enjoying the sight of the fireworks going off. Together.

"You know, that's exactly what my stomach felt like while I was plucking up the courage to talk to you." Conrad turned her his to face her.

She let out a laugh and leaned against him.

"Well, I'm glad you did it. Even if it did end with you having to change your shirt."

"I'll never forget the moment you squeezed your juice box and soaked my shirt."

She leaned her head down in embarrassment and went silent.

They both continued watching the fireworks before Ivy felt her phone buzz in her pocket.

Hey it's Shayla, thanks so much for your help today. you're amazing. just wanted to let you know me and Steven talked it out, we're all good now. :)

Ivy smiled down at her phone as she felt a happy feeling in her chest for the first time that day.