Well, their friends were now excited about the prospect of a wedding, and they were a little surprised to find out that they were actually getting a jump on the big date. Some of them felt it was a little soon after the proposal, but who were they to judge? Haiku's parents were overjoyed, while Ryan's two sons now found themselves in a state of perpetual teasing, especially at their father's bachelor party.
"Hey guys, remember how Clyde and I danced with your mom at the Sadie Hawkins dance?" Lincoln asked Rocky and Rusty.
"Shut up Lincoln!" the two of them answered.
"Your mommy and I found we had something in common!" joked Clyde.
"It's not funny Clyde and she isn't technically our mom!" answered an exasperated Rusty.
"Darn tootin,' she's your stepmom now!" answered Liam.
"Would you cut it out!" Rocky told his older brother's friend. That's about when Ryan came in and everybody applauded.
"For he's a jolly good fellow,
For he's a jolly good fellow,
For he's a jolly good fellow,
Which nobody can deny!"
Ryan took a seat, beaming from ear to ear. Everybody was congratulating him, maybe giving him a few high-fives and pats on the back.
"Looks like you got your zing back!" laughed Lynn Sr.
"I just want to say that I am very happy to have you in our family. And I'm also glad Haiku found someone who I know will take good care of her," Haiku's father added, shaking hands with Ryan.
"Cake delivery!" called out a voice. Sure enough, Zach came in rolling a large cake. Everybody started to clap and out of the cake burst a young woman who immediately started dancing around. Everybody had a good laugh and were enjoying themselves until she came up to Rusty and the two of them quickly recognized each other.
"Polly Pain?" he asked in amazement. She stopped dancing and held still for a moment.
"Uh, this is awkward," she replied.
"I thought you were going on to do sports?" he inquired.
"Well, I'm still on a roller derby team, but even with that I still have to make a few extra bucks," she answered. Now it seemed as though the party was going to come to a premature end until everyone started to chant: "Dance! Dance! Dance!" so Polly danced realizing they were trying to save the party that she was being paid for.
Afterwards, Lynn Sr. approached Polly, handed her a card explaining how if she wanted a job where she could keep more clothes on, he needed a new manager at his restaurant. He still had ownership, but didn't spend much time there anymore.
Meanwhile, at Haiku's bachelorette party, things were just as crazy, her friends were hugging her, and making jokes about how she was marrying a much older man, but no judgement. Then, two very certain girls came up to her, Haiku knew that they would want to talk to her in private so she led them aside.
"Well, I guess in a way, you're going to be our mother-in-law," said Lucy.
"Lucy, I will always be your friend first. Just because I'm marrying your father-in-law, that will never change," answered Haiku.
"Will you consider me a friend as well?" asked Jordan.
"You got it, like I told Lucy, always see me as your friend first," answered Haiku.
"Well, our kids might have trouble understanding that. I mean, they're going to have a grandma who's closing to their parents' age!" Jordan replied with a laugh.
"I guess my prediction in the library was accurate! Y'know, if you and Ryan have kids, they'll have nephews older than them!" pointed out Lucy who actually laughed.
"Yeah, won't that be hilarious! Hey Will, looks like you're babysitting your auntie tonight!" joked Jordan.
"Yeah, and when Rocky and I babysit, we may have to give Silas and his aunt or uncle a bath together!" joked Lucy. The two girls were laughing, but Haiku didn't say a thing.
"Aw, c'mon Haiku, we were only having a bit of fun," said Jordan, trying to be comforting.
"Yeah, and we were only saying 'if,' there's no law saying you have to have kids," added Lucy.
"There's no 'if' about it, I'm pregnant," answered Haiku. Here Jordan and Lucy appeared stunned as they slowly turned towards Haiku, dumbstruck.
"H-how did this happen? Or should I be asking when did you find out? Does Ryan know?" asked a bewildered Jordan.
"The night he proposed we got a little too cozy. We didn't think it was going to matter because neither of us were virgins anyway. We found out shortly after we announced our engagement, that's why we made a point to push the wedding date quickly. So yes, he knows, and he's overjoyed about being a father again," said Haiku, who gently placed a hand on her own stomach.
"Well, we're all human, so I'm not going to judge, especially because you're my friend. Congratulations," replied Lucy. Haiku and Lucy were historically not the biggest fans of hugs but the three of them shared one right then and there.
