Eight months had passed since Ethan’s and Kathrine’s wedding.

And somehow the most unforgettable highlight of that night wasn’t even the wedding.

It was Shawn.

Drunk. On one knee. Confessing like his life depended on it. And to this day, no one had let it go.

And today was no different.

"How long are you guys going to keep teasing me?" Shawn growled, his ears visibly red as he glared at the group.

Unfortunately for him, that only made it worse.

Kathrine leaned back comfortably, clearly enjoying every second of his suffering.

"Don’t tell me you’re shy now," she said, her tone dripping with amusement.

"I am not shy!"

"Then why are you blushing?" Ethan added casually from the side, sipping his drink like he was watching a live comedy show.

"I’m not blushing!"

"You are," Anna chimed in, not even looking up from her snacks. "It’s very obvious."

Shawn looked betrayed. "You too?!"

Anna shrugged. "I support entertainment."

Betty crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Ha... Shawn," she huffed, "are you regretting proposing to me?"

Shawn froze. "What? No!"

But in his panic, he shook his head.

Silence.

Dead silence.

Everyone slowly turned toward him and Betty blinked.

"...You just said no."

Shawn’s eyes widened in horror.

"I DIDN’T MEAN—"

"Betty," Daniel’s calm voice cut in from the side, "I think he is." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Shawn whipped his head toward him. "Boss—!"

Daniel didn’t even look at him.

"If he wasn’t," he continued casually, "he wouldn’t be so defensive."

"That’s not how this works!"

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense to me."

Shawn looked like he might collapse. "You too?!"

Kathrine sighed dramatically, placing a hand on Betty’s shoulder.

"You deserve better."

"I DO NOT DESERVE BETTER—I DESERVE HER!"

"Too late," Henry added, shaking his head solemnly. "Damage is done."

Shawn clutched his head. "I hate all of you."

Betty turned away, pretending to be upset. "I can’t believe you..."

"Betty!" Shawn rushed toward her, panicked. "I swear I didn’t mean it like that!"

Anna finally looked up, munching on something.

"Wow," she said casually. "From romantic proposal to relationship crisis in under ten seconds."

"THIS IS NOT FUNNY!" Shawn snapped.

"It is a little funny," Ethan corrected.

"Very funny," Henry added.

Betty peeked at Shawn from the corner of her eye and almost smiled. But she held it in.

"Maybe I should reconsider this marriage," she said softly.

Shawn looked like his soul left his body.

"NO—!"

Before he could spiral further, Betty suddenly broke into laughter, leaving Shawn still.

"...You’re joking?"

She grinned. "Of course I am."

Shawn blinked, not once but twice, and then he slumped in relief. "I almost died."

"You deserved it," Kathrine said sweetly.

"I didn’t do anything!"

"You shook your head," Ethan reminded him.

"That was a reflex!"

Daniel finally glanced at him. "A very telling reflex."

Shawn pointed at him accusingly. "You are the worst."

Daniel didn’t deny it.

Anna chuckled softly, shaking her head.

"You know," she added, "I still think the best part was your speech."

Shawn groaned. "Don’t."

"Oh no," Henry grinned. "We’re definitely bringing that up."

"’Betty... you are... you are...’" Ethan started dramatically.

"’The most... most... person in my life,’" Kathrine continued, barely holding her laughter.

Anna added, "And then you cried."

"I DID NOT CRY!"

"You did," Betty said innocently.

Shawn looked at her in betrayal. "You’re supposed to be on my side!"

"I am," she said sweetly. "That’s why I said yes."

That shut him up. For a second. Then—

"...Okay, fair."

Laughter filled the room again. The teasing, the warmth, and the chaos were familiar. Comfortable.

Home.

Anna leaned back slightly, resting her hand over her stomach as she watched them all.

A soft smile lingered on her lips. Until her expression changed subtly.

She stiffened.

"...Anna?" Daniel noticed first.

Her hand tightened slightly over her stomach.

"Wifey?" he called, his tone shifting instantly.

Anna inhaled sharply.

"Wait—"

She winced as everyone went quiet.

"What happened?" Kathrine asked, standing up.

Anna pressed her lips together.

"...I think—" She stopped until another wave hit, stronger this time.

"Daniel," she said, her voice tightening, "something’s—"

She gasped softly, gripping his arm.

Daniel was already on his feet.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice calm—but his eyes sharp.

Anna looked at him. "...It hurts."

"...." But the chaos burst in the whole house, leaving Anna stunned.

"WHAT?!" Shawn shouted.

"Is it time?!" Henry jumped up. He could sense knowing a few months back he was on the same drill until it finally turned into reality.

"Already?!" Ethan looked panicked.

Betty rushed to Anna’s side. "Breathe! You need to breathe!"

"I am breathing!" Anna snapped, then winced again.

Daniel didn’t waste another second. He crouched in front of her, his hand steady on her arm.

"How long has this been happening?"

Anna shook her head. "Just now..."

Another contraction hit and she sucked in a sharp breath.

Daniel’s jaw tightened. "We’re going to the hospital," he announced.

Now.

No hesitation.

No delay.

"Keys!" he said.

"I’ve got them!" Henry shouted, already running.

"I’ll call ahead!" Ethan added, pulling out his phone.

Betty hovered nervously. "What do we do? What do we do?"

Kathrine grabbed her shoulders. "Calm down!"

"I AM CALM!"

"You’re shaking!"

Shawn stood frozen for a second.

"...Should I panic?"

"NO!" everyone yelled.

"Okay, not panicking!"

Daniel carefully helped Anna stand, his movements controlled and precise.

"I’ve got you," he said quietly.

Anna held onto him, breathing unevenly.

"This wasn’t supposed to happen now... "

Or so did they thought, since Anna had just stepped into her ninth month

Daniel looked at her lovingly.

"It’s happening," he said proudly.

Another contraction hit.

Anna squeezed his arm tightly.

"...Okay," she whispered. "Okay."

Daniel didn’t say anything else. He simply held her closer and moved.

Faster.

"You are going to be okay. I promise."

Because suddenly the teasing didn’t matter.

The laughter didn’t matter.

All that mattered was her.

And the lives they were about to bring into the world.