Author Note: I did upload two chapters today (the previous one + this one) as a Christmas present! Merry Christmas!
~CWA

Chapter 47- Fourth of July:

Third Person

Erin woke Lysander up with all her bouncing up and down in the bed. She was hoping up and down in excitement. Lysander got up with a groan,

"Love, please," he begged, "Five more minutes."

Lysander hardly ever wished to sleep in and for him to make such a request took Erin off guard for a brief moment.

"That's what I always say and you make me get up," Erin pointed out, causing Lysander to let out a silent string of curses as he realized she had a point, "Now get up! Today is the day! Today is the Fourth of July and we'll see everyone and we're going to make it special and we're going to have fun!"

It was true. Erin and Lysander hadn't seen some of their friends from school since summer began. Sure, they had seen Ryan, Alexy and Luke at the café regularly as well as Rosayla and Castiel. However, Nathaniel, Melody, Iris and Violette weren't even heard from aside from the occasional text. With the Fourth of July Festival coming up, they had all agreed to go together giving Erin a chance to see her friends.

Lysander let out another groan as Erin got out of bed quickly to hurry and get dressed. The Fourth of July, Lysander had learned, was Erin's favorite holiday. She had been talking about it all week. She apparently adored the festivals and the fireworks so much that she borderline obsessed with the holiday. He had just got up from the bed when Erin emerged from the bathroom, now dressed and ready for the day. Her blue maternity dress that was covered with small white dots was paired with a red belt which was snug just under her growing breasts and a white over coat that hung limply on her shoulders. She even wore red eye shadow for the event. The dress felt comfortable with her growing belly and Lysander almost smiled at how she positively glowed. He spotted the heart necklace- the one he gave her- and he smiled as he gently touched the ring he wore. He never took off the ring that she gave him.

She practically pranced on the still half-asleep Lysander with his outfit in her hands.

"Put it on so we match!"

"Dear, is it really necessary to-"

He stopped when he saw the light in her eyes fade at his words. It broke his heart and he held back a sigh. The things I do for love. He kissed her cheek,

"Never mind. I love you, pet. I'll go get changed."

"Love you too," she chirped, the light reappearing in her eyes.


Erin's hand was tightly grasping Lysaner's wrist as she dragged him all around the beach. The beach was set up for the Fourth of July Festival- booths holding fireworks, sparklers, snappers, food, small little games filled up the park along with extra benches, trash cans and tables. The clearing in the park held various picnic tables and blankets, all set up for various families awaiting for the Fourth of July fireworks. There was even temporary rides like an amusement park.

Lysander allowed himself to be dragged around the festival all day. His feet were growing sore and hot. One hand was starting to bruise from Erin's grasp and the other held various snacks from the concessions along with sparklers and even stuffed animals (which he won her at the booth games and some she won herself). The only thing Erin carried was the camera that she insisted on taking with her to take various pictures- by now the camera was filled with pictures of the two of them at the games and on rides (taken by asking passerby's and some were selfies). As tiring as it all was, he had to admit that she looked beautiful as her eyes were shining with so much joy.

"Dear, I can follow you," he pointed out, eager to give his wrist a break.

Erin didn't seem to hear him as she bounced up and waved excitedly,

"Look! There's Rosayla and the girls! Just where they said they'd be, come on!"

He let out a sigh as he was once again dragged rather roughly towards the other side of the clearing where the girls stood. Rosayla and Iris were waving with just as much energy as Erin was, but Violette was shyly waving slowly with a blush and a smile. As soon as Erin and Lysander made it to the girls, Erin was forced to let go of Lysander's hand as she was smothered by hugs.

The girls finally let go of their pregnant friend, but they stood close to her leaving Lysander off the side. He was thankful for that as it was giving him a much needed break- who knew a pregnant woman could be holding in so much energy? She woke us up at six in the morning to get ready. We've been here since ten in the morning and it's already eight o'clock at night and she has not faltered once in her bouncy attitude. He plopped down on a nearby bench to rest.

"How far along are you now," Iris asked, "Do you know the gender yet? Did you guys do the baby room yet? Tell me everything I've missed on so far!"

"Ditto," Violette added softly.

"Five months," Erin answered with a hand on her stomach, "We don't know the gender. We agreed on it being a surprise. We lost the envelope containing the gender anyway, but the ultrasound pictures are hanging up in the now finished baby room."

At the mention of the 'lost' envelope, Rosayla looked away innocently. None of them noticed as Iris continued questioning Erin.

"What color did you do then," Iris asked, "If you didn't know the gender…?"

"I want it to be a baby and Lysander is hoping for a girl. So we planned on splitting the room half and half, half of it being blue and the other half pink."

"'Planned,'" Violette questioned.

"We planned that," Erin said sheepishly, "But it didn't go as plan. I was very stubborn to pain the room blue. He was stubborn to paint it pink and… well, now the room is half blue with pink spots and the other half is pink with blue spots because we had a paint war about it."

"That is so cute," Iris squealed with Rosayla as Erin blushed a bit embarrassed.

"Enough about me," Erin said, eager to change the subject, "How has your summer been so far?"

Iris smiled.

"Good," Iris answered, "Violette and I have been spending the night at each other's houses a lot because a certain someone is busy getting ready for a baby."

Iris winked and continued,

"But it's okay. Violette and I are actually leaving the state tomorrow for the rest of the summer to go visit some distant relatives."

Erin's heart dropped a bit at the news that tonight would be the only time to see them during the summer. She tried not to let her disappoint show as she smiled.

"I didn't know you and Violette were related?"

"Very distantly," Violette whispered, "Barely related at all."

"Still related," Rosayla pointed out, "And have you seen the others, Erin? Melody and Nathaniel were supposed to show up."

"No Castiel?"

"He's here somewhere, but good luck finding him."

Lysander perked up a bit in the background. The news that his best friend was somewhere to save him from the overly excited girls brought him a bit of hope.


Lysander let out a sigh as he stood in the back with Nathaniel. Both of their arms were filled with various food items and stuffed animals. Castiel stood on the other side of Lsyander, his hands holding only his own personal items as he eyed Nathaniel in distaste. The girls were ahead of them, laughing and running around happily as they enjoyed each other's company- all but ignoring their boyfriends unless it was to give them another stuffed animal to their growing pile.

Castiel tore his eyes away from Nathaniel to look at Lysander, more specifically all the stuff Lysander was being forced to hold.

"See all of that," Castiel gestured towards the items in Lysander's hands, "is why I only have one night stands. Girlfriends turn you into pack mules."

Lysander looked at his friend, his eyes tired,

"Castiel," he warned, "Don't."

"Hey I'm just saying," Castiel raised his hands in defense, "If it makes you feel better, the fireworks start in an hour and if we want to get good spots, we'd better head over to the clearing now…."

As if hearing him, Melody and the other girls head back to the boys. She smiled at Nathaniel and he smiled back. Erin didn't hesitate to kiss Lysander's cheek in greeting. Rosayla clapped her hands to get everyone's attention,

"If we want to find a good spot to see the fireworks, we best be leaving now! Come on!"

She ran off, causing the girls to run after her. Erin had to slow down, allowing even Nathaniel to pass her as he tried to catch up with Melody. Lysander and Castiel ended up staying behind with her. They stood on either side of her and they walked slowly with their hands around her arms. As they finally reached the clearing and spotted where everyone was, she swatted their hands away.

"I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine. Just winded."

She crinkled her nose, causing Lysander to laugh. Castiel just rolled his eyes, walking towards their group as Lysander kissed Erin on her nose.

"You'll have plenty of time to rest when we watch the fireworks, love."


True to his word, Erin was finally able to rest. Thanks to Rosayla preparing everything, every was able to sit down on blankets. A bonfire was made allowing them to eat s'mores and hotdogs as the fireworks began. Nathaniel and Melody sat across from Erin and Lysander, half-asleep and trying to stay awake. Castiel was a bit aways from the group, looking for a girl he could get with. Violette and Iris shared a blanket as they cooked s'mores and hotdogs. Rosayla was on her own blanket with Erin's camera, looking through all the pictures that were taken- some were of Erin, some of Lysander, some of both of them and some were of the girls and the group. All were adorable and Rosayla couldn't help but grin at how cute Erin and Lysander looked in the photos.

Erin sat on the blanket as with another blanket around her shoulders as she leaned against Lysander. He had an arm wrapped around her as she looked up at the sky with awe. Lysander found that watching her was more amazing than seeing the fireworks. Rosayla looked up and saw them. She noticed the way Erin's eyes were wide with fasination and awe as she watched the fireworks and how Lysander's eyes were focused solemnly at Erin herself. Grinning, Rosayla lifted Erin's camera up and snapped a picture of the couple. When she looked at it, she couldn't help but feel proud of her photography skills- the lighting from the fire and fireworks set the couple aglow and it looked like they were on some majestic hill at night watching the stars rather than in a park.

"Lysander," Erin whispered, "I love you."

She snuggled closer to him and his grip on her tightened. He kissed her forehead lovingly,

"I love you as well…."


By the time they got home, it was past two in the morning. After the festival, Erin insisted on them stopping by Walmart to print out all the pictures she took and to make a stop at McDonald's for a late night milkshake. Erin was still full of energy to Lysander's disbelief. He watched as she plopped down on the couch with a large smile as she took out the pictures and a few photo albums. He raised an eyebrow- he was unaware that she was working on photo albums.

He sat beside her and watched curiously. One of the albums just said Erin and Lysander on the cover while the other said First Pregnancy. Erin noticed him and gave a sheepish expression.

"Rosayla convinced me to do this…I… I think it's a cute idea and I kind of really got into it."

She shyly opened the first album to show him the pictures she had so far of them. He noticed that the picture of them laughing was the first one there. There was several others- including pictures from the resort trip and even pictures he didn't know was taken. He figured Rosayla had to have been the culprit behind such pictures, but he was glad that the pictures existed. Erin placed some of the pictures of the Fourth Of July Festival into the album, scribbling the words, Fourth of July Festival- Five Months Pregnant on the page. The last picture she placed in the album was the one of them watching the fireworks (well Erin was watching the fireworks, Lysander was watching her). He pointed to the picture as he mused to himself.

"Perhaps that picture should be blown up… It would make a great picture for the wall, don't you think?"

Erin seemed to beam up at him as she nodded. Then she opened the second photo album. He watched as the first page said Stomach Stages on it. There were several pictures of her that she took herself of her standing in front of the mirror. In each picture, she wore the same outfit (comfortable, loose shorts and a sports bra), showing her stomach. Each picture was labeled First Month, Second Month, Third Month, and so on. They showed the progression of her stomach growing. He smiled to himself as he saw the pictures. She flipped through the pages that were filled of pictures of them with her pregnancy and finally stopped to add the pictures of the festival into it.

It took a while before she finished the albums, but Lysander was grinning. He didn't know she was working on these albums but it showed that she obviously was excited for the pregnancy and happy to be with him. The extra pictures, ones that didn't belong in the albums, were spread across the table. Lysander raised an eyebrow at one the random pictures that seemed to show Erin in… is that a costume? He chuckled slightly and picked it up. Erin blushed,

"I forgot I got that developed. It's… I didn't mean for it to look like … A little girl mistook me for and I played along."

Erin blushed and turned away, but Lysander just smiled.

"I think it's adorable. A perfect picture for my wallet."

Erin hid her embarrassed face in her hands as he put the small picture in his wallet. She distracted herself by putting the albums away, but Lysander's eyes lingered on the album labeled First Pregnancy. When she put the albums away, Lysander looked at her slyly.

"First pregnancy," he questioned about the name of the album.

She blushed and looked away. She never thought about him seeing the albums, but she was so excited about putting in the new pictures that she didn't care if he knew about the albums or not.

"Well, you never know…."

Lysander's heart swelled. The thought that she, to some level, thought about the possibility of them having another child (whether it be soon or in the future, planned or not) made Lysander feel weak in the knees. Just that small little thought made him believe that Erin thought that they would be together for at least a while and he was overthrilled. Overcome with emotion, Lysander picked up Erin in a large hug, spinning her around. Erin was still blushing as she laughed, unsure what got into Lysander.

When he finally set her down, he gave her a small kiss and left to head towards the bedroom with an almost giddy walk. Erin watched him leave, baffled by his reaction, but she still smiled with a small shake of her head.