| Ephemeral |

two

Ethan's pov

I have to grab my bag from my locker and meet Alex at the store really quickly. She has already called me rushing, classic Alex.

I opened my locker, but a rose fell out. I furrowed my brows and looked around, maybe Alex did it? Or one of the boys as a joke. Whoever did it, I don't have time to play around. Alex will literally have my head if I'm late.

Alex

I walked out of the clinic with a huge smile on my face. Elena and Ryan will leave shortly after a brief check-up.

The doctor told me the gender of the baby, and I can't even contain my excitement.

-

"How about these?" Ethan asked, holding up small decorations for the gender reveal party. "Those are ugly, also you have the wrong color." I laughed, signaling for him to put them back.

He walked over behind me and wrapped his hands around my waist. "I can't help but think we'll be doing this one day," he whispered, setting his head on my shoulder.

I was taken back by what he had said, and I think he caught on by how quiet I got. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" he started, unwrapping his arms from me. I turned around slowly and brought my hands to his face.

"No, you're okay. I just don't think I have even let that thought cross my mind," I responded. "You know all the adult stuff. We haven't talked about college, marriage, or any of the dreadful future encounters we will have to face." I added, letting out a shallow breath.

"Well, if you want my two cents, none of that will matter as long as it's you and me." He smiled down at me. "But, yes. Thinking that you might be stuck annoying me for eternity is kind of dreadful sounding." He rolled his eyes sarcastically making me slap his arm.

He leaned down and kissed me tenderly, and I kissed back the same. "I love you," He whispered. "I love you, E. Now, we need to finish this before we're late." I laughed, leaning off of him and walking back over to the wall of blue and pink.

-

Everyone was standing outside, awaiting the burst of whatever color smoke they're all betting on. Ethan and I are the only ones who know.

We have all of our closest friends here. We're just having a small gathering in the back yard of the mansion, how it should be. Everyone we love, everyone who's been here. Jordyn will be watching, I know it.

I took a deep breath in and looked at everyone, smiling, laughing, talking. It made me genuinely happy.

"Nervous?" A voice asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned around and saw Grayson. He was dressed in a nice black button-up and dark jeans. Ryan, of course, made it mandatory for us to dress up.

"I'm surprised you're even showing up to this," I admitted. He's been drinking morning to night. I figured he would still be hungover.

"Well I do have a slight headache and the room is spinning a little, but besides that Ryan is my friend. I want to be here to see what this little bean is." He shrugged. His slight inkling of emotion made me smile, I haven't' seen the light of him in a while.