Ethan parked the car in the driveway, his heart racing with excitement. He stepped out first and opened the car door for Olivia, offering her a hand as she gracefully climbed out. "Welcome home, my love," he said, beaming at her.
"Home," she echoed, a smile lighting up her face. "It feels perfect."
Ethan grabbed the bags from the trunk, glancing back to see Olivia standing by the car, her expression soft and serene. He watched as she took a deep breath, clearly soaking in the moment. As he turned, he noticed Emma and Alex out on the lawn, engaged in a lively conversation filled with laughter.
"What's caught your attention?" Ethan asked, popping up behind Olivia with all the bags in hand. He dropped them to the ground with a thud and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
Olivia smiled, her eyes still on her friends. "Look at them," she whispered, a dreamy tone in her voice. "It's just so beautiful to see them so happy. I never thought I'd find love, let alone be carrying your child. It's surreal, really. I even found myself loving my rival."
Ethan couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, that's one way to put it." He bit her earlobe softly, causing a playful moan to escape her lips, quickly followed by a giggle.
At that exact moment, Emma and Alex leaned in for a kiss, their moment of passion interrupted by Olivia's giggle. Olivia's eyes widened, and she facepalmed herself in embarrassment. "Oops!"
The laughter among the four rang through the air as they all made their way into the mansion, a perfect balance of love and friendship surrounding them.
Inside, the smell of freshly baked croissants wafted through the air. Emma turned to Olivia, her hands on her hips. "As promised, your croissants are here, but you've got to help me rearrange that wardrobe of yours. I want to make sure you have enough space for all the new baby clothes!"
"Deal," Olivia replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She followed Emma up the stairs, chatting animatedly about their shopping trip while stealing glances at the croissants.
Meanwhile, Ethan and Alex entered the study, closing the door behind them. The room was filled with the scent of leather and the faint hum of the air conditioning, creating a calm atmosphere.
"Today went well," Ethan started, leaning against the desk, his arms crossed. "But you should've seen Olivia's face when she heard the heartbeat. It was priceless."
Alex nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "I can only imagine. She's going to be an incredible mother."
"Speaking of incredible," Ethan continued, a grin creeping onto his face. "What's going on with you and Emma? You two seemed pretty cozy out there."
Alex's expression shifted, his confidence shining through. "Actually, we talked about it. We confessed that we're in love. It feels amazing."
Ethan's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "That's fantastic, man! So when are you going to propose?"
Alex's smile faltered slightly as he considered the question. "I've been thinking about it a lot. I want it to be special, you know? I just need to figure out the perfect moment."
Ethan clapped Alex on the back, a proud smile on his face. "You're going to be a great husband. Just make sure it's before the baby arrives! Trust me, that'll add an extra layer of motivation."
"Yeah, I know," Alex replied, a nervous laugh escaping him. "I just don't want to mess it up. What if she says no?"
"Dude, she loves you! Just be genuine, and I promise she'll say yes," Ethan encouraged, feeling the excitement of both his impending fatherhood and his best friend's romantic journey.
Just then, Emma peeked her head through the door. "Gentlemen, can we have some decorum? The croissants won't arrange themselves, you know!"
Ethan chuckled, knowing that Olivia would soon join them. "Alright, alright, we're coming," he replied, getting up from the desk.
As they made their way back to the living area, Ethan felt a warmth spreading through him. With Olivia by his side, and the possibilities of love blossoming for Alex and Emma, life felt promising and full of surprises. Each moment was a reminder that they were building something beautiful together—family, love, and friendship all intertwined.