Afterglow (Book Three)

Seventeen

Demi

My attention was pulled to Peyton who squealed with laughter as Maddie lightly splashed him with water. The sight made my heart swell, the smile on my face only widening. I glanced over to Nick who lightly chuckled.

"He loves his auntie Maddie" I nodded, moving my eyes back to Peyton and Maddie who were splashing around in the pool.

"Yeah, he really does."

"You glad they moved to California?" I nodded as Nick ran his fingers into my hair and lowered himself down onto the lounge chair beside me. I glanced to him with a smile.

"So happy. They may still live an hour away but it's closer than Texas" his smile spread to match mine.

"I'm glad you're happy."

"You help make me happy, Nick" my smile widened as he leant to brush his lips delicately against mine.

"So, you had a good birthday?"

"The best. I love this, just chilling with my perfect family" Nick's smile widened. "And thank you for my presents" once we arrived at my parents, Nick brought out my final birthday present. He'd created a scrapbook of our life together, starting from our first ever photo together on the set of camp rock, to the day of our engagement.

"Good. I put a lot of thought into it" I giggled, leaning to press another kiss to his lips.

"I'm gonna go and grab a drink. You want anything?" he shook his head in reply. I pressed another peck to his lips before I climbed up from the lounge chair and began towards the backdoor, waving down to Peyton as I passed by him. I stepped through the backdoor and into the kitchen, smiling over at Dallas who stood by the sink with a glass of water in hand. "Hey Dal" she jumped slightly and glanced up at me, obviously not having realised that I was stood there. "You okay?" she gave me a smile that I immediately knew was fake. "What's going on?" she sighed as I raised my eyebrows at her.

"Are mom and dad still outside?"

"Yeah, they're at the grill, why?"

"I'm pregnant" a smile instantly spread across my face. There was a brief moment of sadness where I thought about the baby that I lost but then I was full of excitement for my sister.

"Dallas, that's amazing. Congratulations."

"It would be amazing if their dad wanted to be involved" my smile dropped. "He dumped me because I'm pregnant. Apparently he never wanted kids, he never told me that though. We dated for a year and he never once told me that he didn't want kids. I always mentioned having children in the future and he never once told me that he didn't see that" I stepped towards her, my hand settling on her arm and I gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Well, he's a asshole then, isn't he?" she lightly chuckled.

"I told him to fucking do one."

"Well, good for you. You don't need him, Dal, you're going to be an amazing momma."

"Thanks, Dems" I wrapped my arms around her.

"How many weeks are you?"

"Nearly 15."

"15?" I pulled away from the hug, my eyebrows slightly raised. Dallas just chuckled at my obvious shock.

"I only found out a couple weeks ago and I only found out because I fainted at work and was taken to the hospital. I had no symptoms and I was still having my period."

"You're okay though, right? Everything's okay with the baby?" she nodded, a smile forming on her face as she glanced down at her stomach that was covered by a larger sized shirt.

"Baby's healthy, and I'm fine."

"I'm assuming mom and dad don't know?" she shook her head. "Why don't you tell them now?"

"No, Dems, it's your birthday."

"I don't care. Tell mom and dad, please?" Dallas rolled her eyes at my pleading and chuckled as I pouted at her. I cheered as it became obvious that she'd caved.

"Are you really 28, Dem?" I hit her lightly on the arm.

"I'm gonna be an auntie, leave me alone" she chuckled, wrapping her arms around my waist as I locked mine around her neck. "I'm so happy for you, Dal. You deserve this."

"Thanks, Dems."

"Let's go and tell mom and dad" she rolled her eyes and chuckled as I excitedly pulled her out the house.

-

"How you feeling, Baby?" I smiled up at Nick as he lowered himself down onto the couch beside me. I had Peyton cuddled into my chest, just a towel wrapped around his body as he slept.

"I'm so happy for her" I glanced to Dallas who was being fussed over by our parents. "When she first mentioned it, it made me think about our little angel but I'm still so happy for her" he leant to press a kiss to the top of my head. "Her boyfriend left her and it really made me realise how lucky I was to have you stick by me and I know we weren't dating but it still kind of counts."

"I wouldn't have left you to deal with it alone."

"That's what I love about you" I smiled up at him, that smile only widened as he leant down to brush his lips with mine.

"I don't know where I'd be without you and Peyton" the mention of our son caused me to glance down.

"I should probably get him changed before he gets cold."

"Good luck" I rolled my eyes as Nick chuckled.

"I wonder if I can get him dressed without waking him?" I adjusted him in my arms, managing to keep him asleep. I pushed myself up from the couch, glancing briefly down at Nick.

"I wish you good luck with that too" I chuckled lightly. I leant to press a kiss to his lips before I began into the house so that I could get Peyton dressed.

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