The afternoon sun filters warmly through the familiar kitchen windows. Claire Dunphy is wiping down the counter when the door opens and Haley steps in, hair tied up, sunglasses pushed onto her head. She looks radiant in a loose summer dress that drapes over her figure except it doesn't hide the gentle, unmistakable swell of her belly.
Claire turns, smiling. "Haley! I didn't know you were coming by-" She stops mid-sentence, eyes widening as they lock onto her daughter's stomach.
Haley shifts her weight nervously, hands instinctively coming to rest on the curve of her belly. "Hi, Mom." She says, a bit tired from the trip back home, already missing Jake's supportive presence and Alex.
There's a long beat of silence. Claire blinks, opens her mouth, closes it again. Then, carefully: "Haley.. you are-"
Haley nods, heart hammering in her chest. "Pregnant." She lets out a shaky laugh, trying to soften the moment. "Surprise."
Claire sets the dish towel down slowly, crossing her arms. "Pregnant?"
Haley's voice wavers but stays steady. "Yes. With Jake."
The words hang heavy in the air. For a moment, Claire looks like she's about to launch into a full lecture brows furrowed, lips pursed but she walks to Haley and takes her in her arms.
Claire's hug lingers, warm but heavy with unspoken questions. When she finally pulls back, she keeps her hands on Haley's arms, searching her face.
"Okay," Claire says carefully. "You're pregnant. You say its Jake's.." Her brow furrows. "What about Alex in all this? I thought she and Jake were-"
Haley's stomach knots. She knew this part was coming, but saying it out loud feels heavier than even telling her mother she's pregnant. She takes a shaky breath, her voice softer than before.
"That's the other thing, Mom… I'm with him too."
Claire blinks. "With him?"
Haley nods quickly, forcing herself not to look away. "Yeah. Like Alex is. We both are."
The silence is sharp. Claire stares, like she's trying to process words that don't fit into any parental handbook she's ever read. "You're telling me that my daughters… are sharing the same boyfriend?"
Haley bites her lip, then blurts it all at once. "It's not what you think, Mom! It's not some weird triangle. Jake keeps things separate. He loves Alex one way, and me another. We don't… we don't cross lines. We respect each other. And it works. It really, really works."
Claire lets out a disbelieving laugh, dragging her hand down her face almost fainting. "Oh my god. This is like one of those European dramas Phil tries to watch and doesn't understand."
Haley reaches across, gripping her mom's hands. Her eyes are wide, earnest. "I know it sounds crazy. But it's not. I swear. Alex and I, we've never been closer. We talk about everything before doing something. And Jake… he's careful, Mom. He makes it work without making either of us feel less."
Claire exhales, her expression softening just slightly. "So you're telling me… this is really what you want?"
Haley nods, eyes shining with both nerves and determination. "Yes. I want Jake. And Alex wants Jake. And somehow, it's okay. We're okay."
Claire leans back against the counter, rubbing her temples. "God, Haley. You're really asking me to accept not just a surprise pregnancy, but a poly-whatever-you-call-it with your sister?"
Haley steps closer, her voice trembling but sure. "I'm asking you to accept that I'm happy. That Alex is happy. That Jake is making us both happy. Isn't that what matters?"
The kitchen is quiet for a beat. Then Claire sighs not in defeat, but in reluctant surrender for now. She studies her daughter, really studies her, and what she sees isn't recklessness. It's conviction and affection.
"You really love him," Claire murmurs.
Haley smiles faintly, her hand brushing her belly. "Yeah. I really do."
Claire shakes her head, half-exasperated, half-touched. "You Dunphy girls are going to be the end of me."
Haley laughs wetly, relief washing over her. "But the best kind of end, right?"
Claire pulls her into another hug, muttering into her hair. "We'll see."
And as Claire's hand lingers briefly on the curve of Haley's belly, her expression shifts again softening, warming. "Well, I guess I'm going to be a grandma." She says.
Claire still has her arms around Haley when the back door opens again. Phil strides in, humming cheerfully, arms full of grocery bags.
"Guess who found the last two-for-one deal on cookie dough at the store-" He stops dead when he sees them, squinting. "Uh oh. What's going on? That's a mom hug. Did someone die? Did someone almost die?"
Claire steps back, looking like she's carrying the weight of the world. Haley's cheeks flush pink.
Haley tries to smile. "Hi, Dad."
Phil sets the bags down slowly, eyes darting between them not even registering Haley's baby bump. "Okay this feels like news. Is it good news? Bad news?"
Claire groans. "Phil, please."
Haley swallows hard, blurting before she loses her nerve. "I'm pregnant."
Phil's jaw drops. "Pregnant? Like baby pregnant? Our Haley?" His eyes widen further. "Oh my gosh, I'm going to be a grandpa!"
He looks around, beaming. "Wait till Luke hears-"
Claire raises a hand sharply. "Phil. There's more."
Phil freezes mid-celebration. "…More?"
Haley bites her lip. "It's Jake's."
Phil frowns, confused. "Jake? Alex's Jake?"
Haley nods quickly. "Yeah. He's with Alex. But he's also with me. We're both with him."
The kitchen goes quiet. Claire rubs her temples. Haley wrings her hands.
Phil just stands there, blinking. He opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again.
"…So, just to make sure I'm on the right channel here. Jake is dating Alex… and Jake is dating you… at the same time… and you're both okay with it?" Phil asks.
Haley nods rapidly. "Yes. We talked about it. We set rules. We respect each other."
Phil stares, then slowly breaks into a grin. "Wow. My daughters… innovating love. This is like a TED Talk waiting to happen."
Claire whirls on him. "Phil!"
But Phil just shrugs, smiling sheepishly. "What? Look at her, Claire. She's glowing. And she's not panicking or running away. If she says she's happy… then maybe we should listen."
Haley's eyes well up. "Thanks, Dad."
Phil crosses the kitchen, putting a hand on her shoulder gently. His voice softens, the clownishness dropping away. "Sweetie… I don't care how unusual this looks from the outside. What matters is that you're loved. That you feel safe. That this baby grows up in a home full of it. If Jake's stepping up for you and Alex, and it's working? Then I'm behind you. He's a good guy, remind me of myself at that age."
Haley throws her arms around him, and he hugs her back tightly. "Love you, Dad."
Phil chuckles softly, squeezing her. "Love you too. And hey, I've always been good at juggling. Guess it runs in the family now."
Claire groans, but even she can't quite hide the small smile tugging at her lips even if she's going to need some time to process it and have a serious discussion with Alex, and Jake.
[ A few days later ]
The front door swings open, and Alex steps inside, suitcase in one hand, Jake just behind her carrying a duffel bag. The house smells like Claire's cooking lemon chicken, Haley's favorite.
Haley is already sprawled on the couch, a pillow hugged under her arms. When she sees them, her face lights up.
"You're here!" She heaves herself up, waddling over and wrapping Alex in a hug first. "I missed you."
Alex smiles, squeezing back carefully. "Its not even been a week Haley."
Haley laughs, then turns to hug Jake the warmth between them is obvious as she kiss him tenderly.
Claire appears from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She greets Jake politely if a bit coldly, then pulls Alex aside, guiding her toward the dining room with that subtle mom-force that brooks no refusal.
"Alex, sweetie, can we… talk?"
Alex frowns but follows. "Sure. What's up?"
Claire lowers her voice once they're out of earshot. "Look, I've been… processing all this. Haley told me everything. About Jake. About you. About both of you being with him."
"I figured she would. And let me guess you're horrified." Alex sighs, folding her arms.
Claire shakes her head slowly. "I was. At first. But then I saw her face when she told me. She wasn't confused or spiraling like she usually is. She was steady. Happy." She pauses, her expression softening. "And honestly, that scared me even more, because it meant this wasn't a phase."
Alex nods slightly. "It's not. Believe me, I'm the last person who would sign up for something like that. But with Jake… it works. And Haley and I we've never been closer. It's weird, Mom, but it's also the most honest thing I've ever been part of."
Claire studies her, her lips pressed tight. "And you're okay with sharing him?"
Alex looks down for a moment, then back up, her gaze steady. "I don't think of it as sharing. He's with her one way, and me another."
Claire exhales, shaking her head in disbelief. "You two. I swear, between Haley's baby and this arrangement, you're going to give me a heart attack."
Alex smirks faintly. "But admit it you're proud. Your daughters are managing something most adults would crash and burn at."
Claire almost laughs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Proud isn't the word I'd use but I'm starting to see that maybe you both know what you're doing and that I can't force you to stop. And Jake-" she glances toward the living room, where Jake is helping Haley adjust a blanket over her legs and putting his hand over her belly. "he's stepping up in ways I didn't expect."
Alex's smile softens. "He is. He's strong enough for both of us. That's why it works."
Claire rests a hand briefly on Alex's arm, eyes shining with a mix of worry and reluctant admiration. "I don't know how I'm going to explain this to my friends at brunch."
Alex chuckles dryly. "You don't. Just let them think Haley made a miracle turnaround and leave it at that."
Claire sighs but smiles. "You always were the practical one. But don't think that's the end of that discussion."
They return to the living room together. Haley is laughing at something Jake just said, her hand resting protectively over her stomach. And for the first time, Claire doesn't feel the need to intervene. She just lets it be.
[ Later that day ]
The dining table is crowded roasted chicken in the middle, bowls of salad, rolls, and wine glasses sparkling water for Haley and soda for Luke. Phil carves with his usual flair, while Luke scrolls on his phone until Claire glares at him.
"So, this is a big family moment. We've got Alex home from school, Haley here with the baby on the way, Jake at the table.." He pauses dramatically. "…and me, trying to cut chicken like Gordon Ramsay." Phil says brightly
The knife squeaks awkwardly across the platter. Haley giggles. Alex groans.
Luke looks up. "Wait. So, like… Jake's gonna be the dad? That makes him kind of like… my brother-in-law? Twice right? And Alex is like an aunt and mother-in-law !"
The table goes silent for a beat. Claire closes her eyes. "Luke…"
Luke shrugs. "I'm just saying, it's confusing."
Haley bursts into laughter, covering her mouth with her hand. Jake shakes his head, trying not to smile.
Phil seizes the moment, pointing with the carving fork. "Not confusing. Our family is breaking new ground in love, just like the pioneers of the American frontier… only with more throw pillows."
Claire mutters, "Phil…"
Alex leans forward, cutting in before the chaos derails. "Look, we know it's unusual. But we're handling it. That's all anyone needs to know."
Haley adds softly, resting her hand on her belly, "And this baby's going to grow up surrounded by love. That's what matters."
The table quiets. Even Luke puts his phone down, sneaking a glance at Haley's stomach, then back up at her with something almost like awe, like he can't believe his big sister is having a kid.
"Then that's what we'll focus on. Love. This family has never been normal anyway." Phil finally breaks the silence, his voice gentler than usual.
"And honestly? That's our superpower." He grins.
The tension melts into laughter, and for a while, dinner feels surprisingly normal, messy, loud and uniquely Dunphys.
[ Later That Night ]
[ On the Back Porch ]
Dinner is over, Luke and his sisters gone upstairs to talk between siblings. The crickets chirp in the yard. Jake stands outside with Phil. The quiet stretches until Phil finally speaks.
"You know, Jake… when I first heard about all this, I thought it was nuts. My girls, sharing the same guy? That's bad sitcom-level of madness."
Jake shifts uncomfortably but doesn't look away. "I get it. Believe me, I know how it sounds."
Phil nods, studying him. "But here's the thing. I've been watching. Haley's calmer than I've ever seen her. Alex is… Alex, but happier. And you… you don't look overwhelmed. You look like a guy who knows what he's doing."
Jake exhales, staring out at the yard. "I don't always feel like I know. But I do know I love them. Both of them. And I've made a priority to never let one feel less than the other."
Phil leans back, lips pressed in thought. Then he smiles softly. "That's the job of a dad too, you know. Balancing, making sure everyone feels loved. I think you've got what it takes."
Jake looks at him, surprised. "You really think so?"
Phil claps him on the shoulder. "Jake, you're about to be the father of my first grandchild. You're already part of this family. I don't care if it's unconventional. if my girls trust you, then I do too."
The sliding door opens, and Claire steps out, arms crossed but expression softer than usual. "I was listening," She admits, walking over. "And for once, Phil's right."
Phil beams. "Did everyone hear that? For once, I'm right!"
Claire ignores him, turning to Jake. "I don't fully understand how this… arrangement works. But I can see that it does. So… don't screw it up. My girls deserve the world, and now you're holding it in your hands."
Jake nods, steady. "I won't. I promise."
Claire studies him for a long moment, then gives a small nod. "Good. Because if you hurt them, I'll finally get to use my desert eagle and Phil will have to learn how to dig a hole."
Phil gasps. "Claire!"
Jake chuckles, tension easing. "Understood."
The three of them stand there for a moment, the night air cool around them.
[ A Few Weeks Later ]
The sterile smell of the waiting room does little to calm Haley's nerves. She sits in the chair, belly gently rounded beneath her dress, Jake beside her. His hand rests over hers, thumb brushing slow circles as she bounces her knee.
"I don't know why I'm nervous," Haley whispers. "It's just a picture."
Jake smiles softly. "Not just a picture. First time we really see it."
Haley exhales, leaning against him, letting that reassurance soak in.
The nurse calls them in, and moments later Haley is lying back on the exam table, gel cool against her skin. The machine hums, and then there it is.
A tiny profile flickers onto the screen. A small body, a head, tiny arms moving just slightly.
Haley's breath catches. "Oh my god… that's our baby."
Jake squeezes her hand tighter, his eyes fixed on the monitor.
The doctor smiles. "Heartbeat looks strong. Everything's measuring right where it should be. And…" She glances at them with a grin. "Do you want to know the gender?"
Haley nods quickly. "Yes. Please."
The doctor taps a few keys, then points gently. "It's a girl."
Haley's eyes flood with tears instantly. She laughs and cries at the same time, covering her mouth with her free hand. "A girl. Jake, we're having a girl."
Jake leans down, kissing her forehead softly, his own voice thick with emotion. "A daughter."
For a long moment, they just stare at the screen the little flickering shape that's already changed everything.
[ That Evening ]
Alex sits beside Jake, while Haley stands in front, practically glowing. Jake holds a small printout clutched in his hand.
Haley grins. "So we had the ultrasound today."
Haley holds up her own picture, her voice trembling with joy. "She's a girl."
Alex smiles faintly, her voice softer but no less certain. "A girl. That's perfect."
Haley moves over and presses the ultrasound photo into Alex's hands. "She's going to need her you just as much as us. You know that, right?"
Alex stares at the little image, her lips twitching into a smile. "Yeah. I know." Her voice dips lower, almost private. "And one day… I want this too. With him."
Haley nods gently, squeezing her sister's hand. "You will. But for now she's ours. All of ours."
Jake looks around the room, at Alex holding the photo like it's made of glass, at Haley glowing with a mix of pride and nerves. For the first time he feels like he's building something solid, a real family, one that he never had.
[ Four months later ]
Four months later, LaunchPad doesn't look like a student side project anymore. It's real, alive, and scaling faster than Jake ever imagined. What started as late-night coding sessions at his desk has turned their apartment into a hybrid between a dorm and a startup office.
The whiteboard that once had doodles and arrows now carries real numbers. Jake circles them with a marker, almost in disbelief. "Seven thousand active users," he says, turning toward Alex and Haley. "And forty grand a month in revenue."
"Wait forty thousand? In one month? Are you kidding me?" Haley says, laying on the couch with strawberry as she watches Jake.
Jake grins, exhausted but lit up by adrenaline. "Recurring revenue. After server costs, we're clearing about twenty-five."
Alex stares at him, her flashcards forgotten. "You're making more than most professors here. And you're still handing in your assignments on time."
He shrugs, though there's fire behind his tired eyes. "This is just the beginning. I hired Matt and Priya to keep the backend stable, plus a tech support to deal with tickets. I can finally sleep four hours instead of two."
Haley smirks. "Look at you, Mr. CEO."
Jake laughs, tossing the marker onto the table.
Alex shakes her head, though she can't hide her smile. "Honestly, I don't know what amazes me more that you've built something people actually pay for so much, or that you still make time to walk me to class."
Jake leans down, pressing a quick kiss to her hair. "Both matter. One feeds my brain. The other feeds me."
Haley fake-gags, but she's grinning too. "With you and my blog we're going to be able to rent a much better place. You wouldn't guess how much more audience I got since you put a baby girl in me." She says.
Jake chuckles, sinking back into his chair as the glow of his monitors reflects in his eyes. "This is just the start. LaunchPad's going to be bigger than anything they're teaching us here. And I'm going to prove it."
PS : Last chapter for a while.
Anyway what's with all these translations shitty fanfic on this platform, seriously! Even some with patreon for that ^^
Is this the dreaded enshittification at play ? I scroll stories and I just find translation, it makes me so depressed cause it's taking all the space despite being so bad for most pf them.
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