(A/N; although I didnt get as many reviews as I was hoping, I'm still updating because I have several thoughts going on in this head of mine for this here fic, which I think is turning out pretty good. Hopefully ya'll tell me what you think, good or bad or indifferent.)

One day in October, Amy called Ephram up, "I've been thinking about it Ephram and I cant do this anymore. I guess it was never meant to be, we're just destined to be friends."
"Is that how you really feel?" he asked as he was pre-occupied finishing up some homework so he could visit Madison.

"No, Ephram, it's not, but I really dont have any choice in the matter now do I! Whenever somebody brings up Madison, your eyes light up. You're still in love with her whether you want to admit it or not. I cant compete with that and I think it's best if we just go back to being friends." with that, she hung up the phone. She was right, things had changed between them but he knew their relationship would end like this.

Was it true? Was it really that obvious when somebody spoke about Madison? He couldnt help but smile, and he realized he just got his proof which made him smile even more. He knew he had to do something since Madison was carrying their child. Just being there wasnt enough, he had to do more even if nobody, mainly Amy and his father, agreed with it. But what? With that, he set off to figure things out.

A few days later he and Madison were sitting around her apatment looking at baby stuff. "I think we should pick a name" Ephram said simply.

Madison pursed her lips, "I feel that, if I do then it will make everything real. Its like, if the child inside me doesnt have a name then it really isnt happening."
"But Madison...it is happening and you know that. We have three months."

Trying to lighten the mood, she chuckled, "is that all...I'm so scared Ephram"

"Are you kidding! We're ready, we're going to do this together, one step at a time."
"Your dad is still sending me money every month."

Ephram shrugged, "I told him he didnt need to anymore, but we're not exactly talking these days. We have enough money set aside so you dont need to worry about that." The two decided to have some ice cream and went into the kitchen. They were sitting around the kitchen table laughing and joking. Ephram looked at Madison's mouth and chuckled, "you have some ice cream on your upper lip" and when she was about to wipe it away, Ephram couldnt help but say, as he moved closer, "hold on, I got it" and took his finger and wiped it slowly away. The two seemed to share something and Ephram moved even closer, touching his lips to hers.

"Oh my god!" replied Madison as she pulled away

"What!" replied Ephram stunned.

"I dont know!" she replied as she put her hand to her forehead

"What?!" he asked confused as she stood up

"we cant do this!"

"Why!"

"Aren't you with Amy" she said as she looked at him.

He sank into his chair and looked at the table, "...not really, um, it's complicated..."
"Why are you trying to make it even more complicated Ephram? Things were going so well."

"Because I still care about you, Madison, is that what you want to hear! I still have feelings for you and no matter what I do I cant fight them! The other day when you told me to touch your stomach because you felt the baby kick, it was then I realized that everything was real and I couldnt just ignore my feelings anymore." he got a sort of sly look upon his face as he pulled something from his pocket.

"Ephram! What are you doing!" replied Madison sort of shocked.
"I've thought a lot about this and...Looks like I'll have to take out the big guns, then." he took out his class ring from a small box, "I was wondering if you would marry me, Madison."
"Shut up, Ephram!" She didnt know how to react so she just said the first thing that came to her head, "we're not playing house here Ephram!"

Ephram was stunned and stood up, "I dont want to play anything, Madison! I love you and want to be in your life, in our child's life!"
"I dont want this child to be born out of wedlock!" she said stupidly

"The child wont be born out of wedlock! It'll be born out of love, you know that!" Ephram was able to calm Madison down and after awhile the two calmed down and were able to talk about it more efficiently.

"This was definitely something I wasnt expecting" she said slowly as they made their way to the living room and sat down.

"Can I tell you what I've been thinking?" he asked. Madison just nodded so he continued, "I can't afford a real ring right now so my high school ring will have to do. I figured we could get married after I finish high school and when I turn 18. But until then we would live apart like we do now." he looked at her warmly, "I want us--, that is if there is an us-- to take things slow and not to rush into anything." he smiled, "we have the rest of our lives. I want you to know that I am in this for the long haul and I wont skip out on you, I hope you take me seriously now."
The two talked a little bit longer before Ephram figured it was time to leave. He joked, "Just so you know, I think you used the whole 'out of wedlock' thing in the wrong context."

Madison chuckled, "I know. It was the only thing I could think of at that moment thank you very much."

It was as if they were on their first date because saying goodbye felt so awkward. Ephram leaned in slowly and gave her a kiss on the cheek, even though he wanted to just grab her and hold her all night. The two looked at each other before Ephram whispered, "see you later..." and he smiled then left. He skipped to his car happily, he knew this was the path he had to take. He didn't get his answer; whether or not Madison would marry him, but he was happy nonetheless since things were finally coming together. As he drove home he began to think of the future and how things would be completely different, but it would work out and he was determined to succeed and prove his father wrong.