Fracture

“The ceremony is about to start,” Emily's mother looked around and adjusted the glasses that had slid a little down her nose.

“I know, mother,” Emily said shortly, repositioning herself in the uncomfortable metal folding chair.

She looked toward the main entrance, but it was a sea of unfamiliar faces. The band was playing the typical rendition of “Don't Stop Believing,” which would normally make Emily snort at the irony, but she was wrapped up in her impatience.

“Why is it so hot in here?” Emily muttered, fanning herself with the program and slouching a little in her chair.

“Sit up straight.” Her mother scolded, “I didn't think I had to tell you that anymore.”

Emily rolled her eyes and scooted up in the chair, straightening her back and feeling like a teenager all over again. She glanced over her shoulder once again, but still didn't see who she was looking for.

John leaned forward, “Where the hell is he?”

Emily shrugged and glanced at the empty seat next to her, “I don't know, but he better get here soon.”

“He will be, Em. He always shows up right on time,” Natalie told her, adjusting the squirming preschooler on her lap.

Emily looked at John and Nat's daughter, Kyla, and couldn't help but to relate to her restlessness. Emily felt almost embarrassed at how uncomfortable she was in the decorated gymnasium, but it wasn't the surroundings or the situation, it was her own state. She'd forgotten how sweaty and moody being pregnant made you.

“There he is,” Emily's father motioned with his head toward the doors.

“Finally!” Emily grumbled, adjusting herself yet again in her chair.

Jack jogged up the aisle, breathless and arms full, “I got everything you asked, but they were out of Captain Crunch, so I just got you the store brand.”

He had sat down in his chair and was pulling items out of the grocery bags he'd returned with. A small jar of pickles, cereal, a pint of Reese's ice cream, and a turkey sandwich from Subway.

“I swear I love you more every day,” Emily sighed, reaching for the ice cream and the spoon he'd handed her.

“You know, I would find that very endearing if it wasn't said in the heat of pregnancy cravings,” Jack smiled.

“Literally in heat. Oh my god this is so good and so cold,” Emily rambled, stuffing spoonfuls of ice cream into her mouth and reaching for the box of cereal, “Will you open this for me?”

Jack obliged and stifled a laugh, “You know, we are in a public place.”

“That's not really my concern right now,” She shook her head and dumped some of the cereal into the ice cream.

“Honey, your hands need to be free to take pictures of Juliet,” Emily's mother reminded her.

“Don't worry, we've got that part covered,” John held up his own camera, and his son held up a disposable.

“The dynamic photography duo!” Emily said through bites of ice cream.

Jack checked his watch and looked toward the door where the grads would be entering, “It should be starting pretty soon.”

“Okay, okay. I don't want to look completely bloated in the after-ceremony pictures,” Emily put the lid on the ice cream and returned it to the bag.

“You've got a little...” Jack reached up and wiped some ice cream from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.

“Thanks, honey,” Emily grinned and reached for her purse, “I should probably get my camera out before it's too late.”

“I'll take video on mine,” Jack told her, adjusting the settings on his digital camera.

Minutes later, the band started playing Pomp & Circumstance, and the graduates started their walk down the aisle. When Juliet and Leila came side by side, huge smiles plastered on their faces, Emily and Jack erupted in cheers.

“That's my daughter!” Jack cheered loudly, “Yeahhhh!”

“Yeah Jules! WOO!” Emily added in, one hand on her stomach and one cupping her mouth to somehow amplify the sound.

Juliet's other supporters filled the rest of the aisle: Her grandparents, Natalie, John and their children, Alex, his wife Lisa, and their toddler. Her graduation party had been filled with an endless amount of friends and family and love, and Emily couldn't help but think how different it would have been if Jack hadn't come back into their lives. Yes, Juliet had always and would have always had a life filled with love, but with Jack's re-entry into their lives, a multitude of people had come with. His old bandmates, old tourmates, current co-workers or employees, all his closest friends.

Emily leaned over to Jack, “She looks so beautiful.”

“I know, sweetie,” He told her, putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. He planted a kiss on the top of her head.

The rest of the ceremony was slow and mostly uneventful, except Juliet receiving her diploma and coming happily back down the aisle with Leila and her other classmates as their class song played.

Emily had struggled those first few weeks after reuniting with Jack, and still felt a pang in her stomach watching Jack interact with Juliet and the rest of her family. She felt so immensely guilty that she'd kept it all from him, that she hadn't believed in him enough to let him take part in the blessings that Juliet brought with her. He was a phenomenal father, making it to every sporting and school event that his daughter asked him to attend. He was actively cheering at all her soccer games, ready with a bouquet of flowers at all her dance recitals, and happily taking pictures before every school dance.

“We better get back to the cafeteria to meet up with Juliet before all these other people get in our way,” Emily commanded the rest of her group, picking up the bags and her purse.

“Let me take those back to the car for you,” Jack offered, taking hold of the grocery bags and pulling the purse onto her shoulder.

Emily smiled at his kindness, “Will you grab the flowers, too?”

“Of course,” He smiled back, leaning down for a quick peck on the lips before walking quickly from the gym.

Emily and the rest of the entourage made their way through Juliet's high school to where the new grads were awaiting their families and friends.

“She's over there!” John Jr. exclaimed from his father's shoulders, pointing excitedly into the crowd.

“Lead the way, baby!” Natalie called, and everyone began to follow them through the growing mass.

“Uncle John!” Juliet's voice called as he came into her line of sight.

Juliet greeted them all in turn as they circled around her.

“How's it feel to be a high school graduate?” Alex asked, holding his daughter on his hip.

“It feels crazy, but in the best way possible!” Juliet grinned, her arms already full with flowers.

“Who are all those from?” Emily asked skeptically, eyeing the sunflowers.

“Oh, Matt gave them to me,” Juliet admitted shyly, Jack walking up beside her.

Jack raised an eyebrow, “The kid who took you to prom? I think I need to question his intentions.”

“He's a nice guy, Dad!” Juliet rolled her eyes playfully, the smile never leaving her face.

“Well he better be. But these are from your Mom and I,” Jack smiled, adding the colorful bouquet into her arms and kissing her on the top of her head, “I'm proud of you, honey.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Juliet smiled up at him, “Now should we take some pictures!?”

The rest of the group obliged, and they found a nice spot outside of the cafeteria with an acceptable backdrop to take photos.

“Now with just Emily and Jack,” John directed the group as they finished up all their pairings.

Emily and Jack walked toward Juliet, their hands clasped.

“You know, if you two weren't so cute I might die of embarrassment!” Juliet scolded her parents playfully.

Emily and Jack laughed, happily finding their places on either side of Juliet and smiling easily for the picture. As they finished taking pictures and casually chatted in their group, Emily thought of her future with Jack and what would come.

After moving into his home at the beginning of that year, Juliet and Emily had fallen into happy comfort with their new surroundings and their renewed sense of family. The two of them had always been close, but now they were both absolutely unbreakable, the three of them. Jack had assumed more than his share of duties in their relationship and his new parenthood, and Emily sometimes thought she was far too lucky, but then he would remind her that's what love was about.

She was pregnant again, and the doctor had only just told them the sex of the baby. Both she and Jack were beyond excited. Emily refused to think it was a “second chance” for Jack, as it was not as though Juliet's importance would decline simply because he could be there for every step of their new child's life. But she was extremely happy to be able to share those moments she'd missed with him this time around, both the ups and the downs.

As she looked up at him, a huge smile plastered on his lips, Emily knew that Jack would be there through every minute of their lives to come. For her, for Juliet, and in just a few months, for their son.