I can’t help but smile at my parents bickering. Erica takes the phone from my parents.
“Okay, I need proof you two are actually dating, mom and dad may take you at face value but I need receipts.”
I sigh and send her a photo that Archer and I took after one of our impromptu after work dates at the Honeybee Cafe. Hayley was working that night and had gotten up the nerve to ask Archer for a photo, he agreed of course and then we proceeded to take a selfie as well. I think I look cute in this photo which is why I picked this one to send to Erica. Archer’s chin is resting on my head, and my nose and cheeks are a little rosy from being outside from our class field trip to the pumpkin patch that day.
“Ew. You two look sickeningly cute together.” I guess she got the picture already.
“Thanks?” Not exactly how you want to be commented on by your baby sister but whatever.
“Have you told Stella and Easton?”
“You think I told them before I told Mom and Dad?”
“No I suppose not.” She hums, she still has dad’s phone and is also scrolling on hers.
Sadie shoots me a look, surprisingly staying silent through this whole conversation.
“Okay, I’m hanging up if you’re just going to doom scroll on your phone.” I say and end the call after a chorus of goodbyes from my family. No sooner after I hang up, I receive a barrage of texts from my siblings in our group chat. I look at Sadie for help.
“They’re blowing up my phone!”
“I will see you tomorrow at school.” She gives me a hug and kisses Fish on the head and heads home, leaving me with the chaos of my sibling chat. The first new message in the long line of this group chat is mine and Archer’s smiling faces.
Sibs Chat ??
Erica: Look who has been holding out on juicy family gossip.
Stella: Elle Lucille Taylor! What the actual fuck!
Easton: Woah, do you think he can come to our gender reveal party and make me the coolest dad to be in front of all my friends.
Elle: That’s what you’re taking away from this?
Easton: I mean congrats?
Stella: Seriously Elle. What the fuck. We talked on the phone for like an hour last week and you said nothing!
Elle: You had your hands full with the kids and your charity golf outing. I didn’t want to distract you anymore.
Stella: That’s a shit excuse and you know it.
Elle: I’m sorry for thinking of your career?
Easton: Okay but seriously, are you guys coming the gender reveal?
Elle: I will be there, I don’t know about Archer.
Easton: I’ll name you godmother if you bring him
Erica: what the hell, you told me you had to be married to be the godmother
Easton: I said you had to be an adult, which legally you are not.
Stella: We will be there.
Stella: The twins are excited to have a cousin! They think they can play with them at the party. I have to keep reminding them that their cousin is in Aunt Nikki’s belly.
Easton: Just the twins?
