Chapter 1
Jude didn't like labels aside, from Connors boyfriend that is. He had told Connor just eight years before that he wanted to be just Jude for a while. That while lasted eight years and no one ever pushed him to say if he was gay, straight, or somewhere in between. All Connor ever needed to know was that Jude loved him. Words they'd said seven years ago.
Tonight was going to be a special night for them. They were going over to Steph and Lena's for dinner, they'd been dorming together for the last three years and next year they were getting their own place off campus. Tonight was special because of what Connor had planned.
Connor threw on a navy blue plaid top while Jude was across the hall washing his face. Once Jude came back both boys slipped into their respective shoes and headed out the door.
They didn't bother knocking and instead just walked right in. Immediately they were met with a squeal from Eden and Carolina. The girls were seven and five respectively. "Uncle Jude! Uncle Connor!" Both girls chanted in unison. Connor and jude bent down hugging the girls. Mari was close behind her daughter's, "Hi Judicorn, hi Connor!" Both boys hugged Mari and walked farther into the house.
Jesus was sitting at the island and Emma was at the stove helping Lena out.
"Hi Jude! Hi Connor!" Emma chirped happily, unusually chipper for Emma but neither boy thought much into it. Jesus got up from the island and hugged his brother and brother's boyfriend. Lena stepped away from the stove to hug her son and Connor who might as well be her son. "Hi boys, how's school going?"
"Good"
"Good"
Lena laughed at their short robotic answers.
"Are Callie and Brandon here yet?"
"Callie is on her way and Brandon is in the backyard with mom."
Jude nodded and the two boys went outside to go see Brandon and Steph.
Steph and Brandon were sitting together on a bench. Immediately Steph jumped up to hug the boys. "Hi my loves." The boys hugged her and then hugged Brandon who looked over at Connor, "Still treating my baby brother right?"
"Always"
Brandon laughed and sat back down on the bench. The two boys heard Callie's car and rushed inside.
Before the boys could get to her, the girls and in exchange Mari did. Once she was done greeting her nieces and sister she hugged her brother. Just as Callie put her coat down Lena called time for dinner and everyone scrambled to the dining room.
Steph looked around happily at her children and their respective partners "It's just so nice having everyone together."
"You're Mom is right, we should all get together more often."
The kids all nodded in agreement mouths stuffed with pasta.
"So you guys," Steph started, "Tell us how you've all been!"
Callie recounted the events of her day. She'd gone into being a social worker and had just been given a new case that day. "They're two sisters and their little brother. The girls are two and three and their brother is eighteen months. They're all genuinely so sweet."
"Well," Brandon started, "Things have been good. I'm almost done with that new piece. I just got commissioned to do another which is good." Brandon had gone into writing scores for movies and just about everything else.
"Well," Mari started, "The school year is finishing up which is good since schedules will be more flexible now. Matt just recently got a promotion which is good. The girls are both doing great in school as well."
Jesus smiled at his family, "Well, the gym is doing well which is great. Em and I also have some mega exciting news." Everyone looked at the young couple expectantly. "We're expecting!" The entire family bursted out in cheers. Another baby was always going to be sure to make everyone happy.
Once everyone settled down Connor took over, surprising Jude who was about to talk about school. "Well Though that is definitely hard news to follow I do have an announcement to make." Connor pushed his chair back and stood up, pulling Jude up with him. The next thing Jude knew, Connor was down on one knee. Mari was already crying.
"Jude Adams-Foster, you are the love of my life. We have been together for eight years. We were in seventh grade when we finally both gave into our undeniable love. At that time you told me you didn't want to be labeled. I never have questioned that or tried to changed that but maybe you could make the exception to be my Fiance. You are my heart Jude and without you my life is empty. You've brought color to my life, starting with blue nail polish. You brought noise into my life even when you weren't speaking. You showed and you all welcomed me and showed me family was not fear but love. You though Jude taught me that in full. You showed me that love is all we need. That the fear lesser to everything and that we will make it if we're together and I never want to spend a day without you. So, will you marry me?"
"Y-yeah, yeah I'll marry you."
Connor slipped the simple band onto Jude's finger and jumped up kissing him while the family cheered.
Steph smiled brightly, "Yep a baby and a proposal the family definitely needs to get together more often."
Everyone laughed and finished their pasta. Once dinner was finished Lena went into the kitchen to go and get the came she had made for the dinner. Once she sat down the questions and planning started. "So Emma how far along are you?"
Emma blushed and sheepishly muttered, "Twenty-three weeks."
Everyone was so shocked at this, how had her tiny frame hidden that for so long know one knew. She got up from the table smiling and sighing and lifted up her cable knit sweater to reveal the form fitting tank top underneath that was clinging to a swollen belly. Once she sat back down Lena started up again.
"So boy or girl?"
"We aren't sure yet. We find out next week."
"What are you hoping for?"
"We both want a boy haha"
"Typical, Lena laughed
By the end of the night Connor and Jude had already set a date. Well Marianna had. That date was in mid july. They'd be married before they were college seniors.
Once they got home they both collapsed into Connor's bed. Too happy to speak they both fell asleep holding each other as tightly as possible.