<Skyler's POV>

Three months later.

I guess it would be a good thing to say that after Charlie made an appearance nothing changed, but I would be lying. While we all didn't go into an immeasurable state of panic and flee the country, a few daily life adjustments were changed. For example, right after the sudden turn up of the Winston's father Chris and Soda got dangerously far apart, they couldn't even be in the same room together. Chris because she though he was disappointed in her, and Soda because suddenly Chris seemed like a whole new person to him. Of course after a few weeks went by they started talking again. Although, according to Chris, their intimate life is non- existent. She claims it's not only sex, which wouldn't happen very often anyways considering at the time she was eight months pregnant, but also just physical touch. Kisses are rare, grasped hands are scarce, and and skin on skin contact it practically forbidden. When I asked Chris about it she only said that after Soda learning her secret she feels as if she is afraid of men in general, which considering our friend group, causes a lot of problems. Soda whom I have asked as well claims he is afraid that if he touches her in any way she will feel violated. On their side of the story, everything is a disaster. As for Lena and Steve, things are better than ever.

The two are simply inseparable, they disappear for days together and then turn up again with handfuls of pictures printed from a disposable camera. Though they never actually say where they went to. But when they do come home Lena is almost always completely dressed in Steve's military uniform. I've asked her why she doesn't wear her own uniform and she only shrugs. I must admit though, the combination of the chunky boots, baggy pants, and tight gray tank top that is short enough to reveal a slit of pale skin is quite sexy. Adding to the effect as always is her long mane of nearly black hair and dark makeup clad icy blue eyes. Steve seems to have completely lost any romantic feelings for me and I can't say I'm disappointed. His face just lights up whenever Lena is with him.

As for Darry and Leala, they continue to grow into a healthy relationship. It turns out Leala is not as conserved as I once thought her to be. She can cuss like a drunk sailer man and fight like a warrior. Though she does have her sweet side of comforting words and people watching skills. Darry seems happier than ever. We are all happy for him, especially Pony.

Originally, the youngest Curtis was hesitant to leave Darry since he was always so alone and Chris and Soda might be buying a house of their own soon. Now that Darry has found someone to make him happy again Pony has no reluctance in leaving his older brother. With only one day left of school for Pony we are all exited for him. His graduation is tonight and the whole gang is going. It's hard to believe that Pony is already eighteen and going off to college. It feels as if it was just yesterday I woke up in his house after being attacked by socs and he was conversing with Johnny in the corner, trying to look taller and stronger in front of me.

Lena and Steve are driving back from one of their adventures and the rest of us are all still in Tulsa. Leala will be attending the ceremony as well. As for Johnny, it's quite apparent that his best friend going off to the other side of the country is hurting him. I know after Pony leaves for college, Dallas and I are really going to have to pay attention to John.

Dallas and I are all ready for our two babies to come out. Chris and I are both due on June twenty forth which is in two days and I'm just about ready to lay down in a bed and not do anything but eat. But, once the babies are born I plan to get their birth date tattooed on my back with the already existing two dates(Tibby's birthday and the day Dallas proposed). Aiden and Shailene are constantly restless, never missing an opportunity to kick me and move around. I just know that they are nearly ready to come out.

With only two hours before we have to get to the school for Pony's graduation I start rushing. "Dallas!" I scream from the kitchen. Heavy footsteps clover the hard wood floor and Dallas appear at the kitchen with a red face.

"What's wrong?" He asks panicked. I sigh.

"Where is Tibby? I need to give her a bath," I explain. Dallas places a hand over his heart and let's out a short breath.

"Ok first notion, new code word, if the baby is coming just yell..." He thinks for a second and looks around the kitchen. Upon spotting a half empty bottle of vodka he smiles. "Vodka, just yell vodka, and Tibby is in our room waist deep in dirty clothes," Dally informs me. I sigh and smile happily.

"Perfect, new code word and dirty one year old," I exclaim. I walk quickly to Dallas and I's room, my hair that now reaches below my shoulders waving behind me. Just as Dallas explained, I find Tibby in a giant pile of dirty clothes I have yet to clean. I smile and reach down for my daughter. "Hello baby! Having fun in daddy's dirty clothes?" I exclaim happily. Tibby has always favored her father. I'd like to say it doesn't bother me, but sometimes it does get to me. A sigh of effort escapes my mouth as I bend down. Everything is really sore today, making even the simplest things like picking up Tibby hard. I hold her on top of my bloated stomach. She notices we are going to the bathroom and pouts. Tibby is pretty good with everything, but lately baths have really bothered her. She becomes restless in my arms and I have it force her to calm down. I start the warm water and plug the drain. Soon the tub is slightly full and coated with bubbles that won't burn my baby's eyes. Stripping down Tibby, I place her soft skinned, small body into the warm water. She starts to cry as I wash her, loud cries echoing in my ears, adding to my headache. Her wails do not stop and they just cause me to cry with her. Great, hormones. Dallas enters the bathroom halfway through Tibby's bath. He smirks.

"Having problems?" He asks knowingly. I glare at him.

"Oh for Christ's sake, come wash her, she likes you better anyways," I exclaim. He mocks a pout and bends down beside me to help wash our child. As soon as Dallas starts washing Tibby, she stops crying. Shaking my head in disbelief I became agitated. "That's not fair!" I yell. Dallas shushes me.

"Stop yelling, that's why she doesn't like you," he informs me. I pout like a four year old.

"She doesn't like me?" Dallas groans.

"Shit, worded that wrong, she likes me better," Dallas confirms. I frown and grab a handful of bubbles before slapping it onto his face. He opens his mouth in a wide O shape. I giggle before Dallas takes his own handful and throws it in my face. I shriek happily. Bubbles begin to fly around everyone, Tibby giggling loudly as she watches us. The fight ends with Dallas' lips catching my own. I smile into the kiss, loving every moment of it.

Tibby is cleaned and Dallas and I dress ourselves. Johnny exits his room. I don't notice it at first, but looking closer I see Johnny has red and puffy eyes and damp cheeks. Concern fills up my body. "Johnny what's wrong?" Dallas asks before I can say anything. Johnny shivers and wipe his cheek.

"Today's the day, Pony is graduating, this is it," Johnny claims. I hand Tibby to Dallas and hug Johnny from the side.

"Johnny, Pony loves you, he'll stay in contact, and you still have all summer with him," I exclaim as I rub the boy's back.

"I don't wanna spend every day with him in the summer just to loose him for years," Johnny tells me through light tears.

"He'll visit remember?" Dallas reminds the sad boy. Johnny nods slowly.

"I guess, I'm just going to miss him," Johnny claims. I grip his shoulder tight.

"I know buddy, but let's be proud of him, he's making it to college, something none of us got to do," I remind him. He trembles under my grip.

"Ya, let's go watch Pony graduate."
______________________

The gang meets at the entrance to true school. Darry informs us that Pony has already entered the building to be with his class. "Mark and Bryon met him here, they say hi John," Soda informs Johhny. The boy smiles at Soda's remark. Chris stands in between Darry and Leala, Darry separating Chris from Soda. Josh resides happily in his mothers arms, a small smile on his face. I frown at the distance between Josh's parents. It's just a shame that they are living like that. All we are waiting is for Lena, Steve, and Two-Bit with Henry.

Eventually they show up, but not in the way I expected. Lena and Steve exit a stretched limo looking like they just left a full on ball. Lena is dressed in a long flowing sparkling burgundy gown with a plunging neckline and tall silver stiletto heels. Her hair is pulled back into a strategically braided and twisted up do. Sparkling silver eyeshadow shimmers in the falling sunlight, reflecting the beams of light like a disco ball. Steve on the other hand is dressed in tales black suit with a black tie and a white undershirt. Unlike the usual grease Steve uses to slick back his hair now his hair looks gelled back in a perfect swoop, drilling catching the light streams from the nearly set sub. Turning the sheen on his black hair a pastel orange kind of color. His shoes mimic his hair, shining black. "What the fuck?" Dallas questions.

"Where in gods name did you get the money for this?" Darry asks in surprise. Steve shrugs.

"We caught a plane to Vegas," he says simply. Lena smiles.

"Won a few games of poker," Lena exclaims happily pulling pins out of her hair. Waves are crimped in her hair from the braids. Her long waves fall messily down her back, the tips reaching the small of her back.

"Bought us these clothes and attended a few parties, sorry we're late we didn't even have time to change," Steve informs us as he throws off his tie and undoes the first few of the buttons on his white shirt, revealing part of his chest muscles and a couple beads of sweat.

"And the limo?" Soda asks. Steve smiles widely.

"It's mine now," he tells us, clearly proud of himself. My jaw drops.

"Fuck!" I shout. A few parents stare disapprovingly at me, but I ignore them, way to distracted with the situation to care. Steve steps closer to me and raises my loose jaw.

"Clamp it Hills, you'll catch flies," Steve says cockily. Dally steps forward.

"Watch it Randle, I don't wanna have to hurt you, and it's Winston now remember?" Dallas confirms with a smile. Steve smiles slightly.

"Ya I didn't forget," Steve remarks, backing up back to Lena who had thrown her shoes back into the limo, whispering something to the driver before he drives away. My ears are probably deceiving me, but I would out all my money on it that Steve mumbles under his breath, "how could I forget." My breath hitches in my throat and I freeze. "We have a graduation to catch, do we not?" Steve says after clearing his throat awkwardly.

"We're waiting on Two," I say to him coldly and emotionlessly. He frowns at me suspiciously. Ignoring his glare I look beyond him at the car pulling into the school. It parks and out steps Kieth, dressed in a graduation gown and a cap. In his arms is little Henry with a giant smile on his face. After Two takes a few strides I realize his legs look bare. Never once have I seen any greaser wear shorts and with Two-Bit's reputation I begin to worry. When he reaches us I am the first to speak. "What are you wearing under there?" I ask.

"You'll see," he whispers with a smirk plastered onto his face.

"Why are you wearing graduation robes?" Steve asks. I notice the new distance between he and Lena. Something I hadn't seen in the past three months.

"Well I decided I had been through tenth grade enough times," Two explains with a shrug.

"But you won't get an actual degree," Johnny reminds him. With yet another shrug Two-Bit brushes off the comment.

"Nope, but I could recite every word in the book the English teacher reads every year," Two-Bit informs us.

"Good that, well that's enough chatting for me let's roll," Dallas says happily. He places his hand on my back and begins to usher me in the building after everyone. Upon entering the building the smell of old books and mold fills my nose. We make our way to the auditorium past all of the pictures of sports teams and school colors. The gang sits in a full row of the auditorium. I am sat in between Steve and Dallas. Great. Dallas pulls Tibby from my lap and holds her against his chest. She giggles happily, probably happy to be with her dad instead of her mom. I can't help but wonder if maybe she like Dally better because she could feel my emotions when I was pregnant with her. I probably had to many negative thoughts and bad feelings towards her fetus form. Steve must notice Tibby's sudden happiness away from me. He elbows me lightly.

"Favors her dad eh?" He remarks happily as we wait for the ceremony to begin. I keep my gaze locked on the empty stage.

"You don't know anything about my family," I whisper coldly. Out of the corner of my eye I see Steve furrow his eyebrows.

"Bull shit Skyler, the whole gang is at your house any second we aren't at Darry's," Steve exclaims. I whip my gaze towards him.

"Quiet the fuck down will you," I exclaim just above a whisper.

"Great, just one more request from you. I thought we had and agreement that we lived up to, I guess your still just taking from my happiness," Steve mumbles. Now my eyebrows become knit together.

"Taking your happiness? Are you kidding me? You're living the life with Lena, traveling all over, it's your own damn fault you just can't forget that I'm married," I tell him bitterly, still in a whisper.

"Life partners, not married," Steve reminds me.

"Where's the difference?"

"Never mind," Steve spits, "what makes you say I can't forget you're married?" Steve asks. I roll my eyes.

"Because you said it," I remind him, my silver eyes locked on his dark ones, "you're the one that when Dallas reminded you I'm a Winston said how could I forget." Steve sighs loudly. I continue whispering angrily, gripping the fabric of my black maternity shirt. "Yet you're still the one saying I'm the one that has feelings for you, I've broken no agreement." The night comes back to me. The talk Steve and I had on Christmas. He told me he only loves parts of me, but he loved all of Lena. I told him that a part of me did love Steve, but I am entirely devoted to Dallas. We agreed to forget our feelings.

"It's not my fault!" He says a little to loud. I roll my eyes yet again.

"Then who's fault is it? Big foots?" I mock him. Steve shakes his head slowly.

"Jesus Skyler, I'm sorry, Lena just brought up having kids eventually the other night and I panicked," Steve informs me. I look quickly to Lena who is all to caught up in a conversation with Chris. Looking to my right I see Dallas talking and laughing with Tibby. The chatter around the auditorium keeps Steve and I's voices hidden. Looking back to Steve I see he is actually shaking.

"What?" I question, hoping to get a more in depth explanation. Steve holds his knees tightly.

"It's like I said, I loved parts of you, the parts that were reckless and unplanned, when Lena started making plans it's like I was seeing the motherly side of you. It's not like I hate kids, I love Tibby and Josh, but they aren't mine, I am not always responsible for them, I'm not ready for family plans, and for a moment I remembered the reckless side of you and I fell back into my emotions," Steve explains. So he is afraid.

"Steve I hate to tell you this, but I'm not always going to be reckless and neither is Lena, so I suggest you find a way to lock away those romantic feelings towards me because for once in my life I am genuinely happy," I say forcefully.

"Really? You're happy? Charlie Winston could literally show up whenever the fuck he wants and take you Chris and Tibby," Steve reminds me.

"I can't fucking believe you! Just let it go! I'm trying to be happy and not live in fear! Be fucking happy for me, lord knows I've been happy for you and Lena," I exclaim, forcing my voice to stay in a whisper. Steve rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath.

"Jesus Skyler, this is what I don't like. It is not me and Lena, I am my own person as well, so try this, be happy for me, don't just be happy for Lena and I," Steve demands. I bite my tongue before speaking.

"I am Steve! I'm happy for you, you've supported Chris when Soda was in war, you made it through war yourself and got over me to find true love and you are living as close to a normal freaking life as you can and the fact that you can't see that I'm happy for you hurts Steve, it hurts like watching the person you love most slowly burn to death in front of you, I just need you to be happy for yourself, for fucks sake." Neither of us says anything after that. Dallas looks at me and smiles and I smile back. I take his hand and squeeze it, holding back tears. To the left I catch Steve kissing Lena on the cheek.

The room silences as a man, the principle probably, walks onto he stage and steps in front of the small podium. His voice is deep and raspy. "Hello and welcome to the Tulsa High School class of 1965 graduation ceremony." The old man goes through his rehearsed speech and I half listen. Soon he invites in the graduating class and they all take a seat in the chairs on the stage. I spot Pony in the third row back. Names are called one after the other. I recognize Pony's friends Mark and Bryon when they are called up, but those are the only other two kids I know. Then Pony's name is called. Darry breaks out his disposable camera and starts snapping away at his kid brother who is dressed for the first time in forever, formally. Of course grease still tugs at his long hair. "Ponyboy Micheal Curtis." Upon his name being called Soda, starts shouting his name. Chris follows suit, soon joined by the rest of us.

"That a boy Pone!"

"That's my brother!"

"Careful world, there's a new greaser in college, try not to slip!"

"Ponyboy!" People look at us disappointed and even from this far away I see Pony smile shyly as his face turns bright red. The principal even speaks through the microphone saying, "yes yes settle down." Upon the last name being called Two-Bit stands up from his seat. Henry is passed off to Leala who coddles him in her arms. Two looks straight at me and whispers, "you're about to find out what's under the robe." I shake my head at him with wide eyes, but this doesn't stop him from beginning to sprint towards the stage at full force. The moment his foot hits the stage he throws his robe off revealing nothing but pale skin and some body hair. I cover Tibby's eyes and hold back a laugh. Written messily on Two-Bit's chest are the words "six years of tenth grade can't take me down." Two-Bit lays a big kiss on the principles cheek and steals the microphone. "This goes out to my boy Henry! Your mother is looking down on me shaking her head, I know you won't!"

I'd like to say that was the first time I saw Two-Bits junk. Unfortunately I'd be lying. As everyone has probably figured out by now anywhere our gang goes, alcohol follows and pants drop.

A/N yay and update that's kind of on time. I'm so sorry for the quality of my writing lately. I've been slacking.

Stay gold💛

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