“Your car is here to take you to the airport.”

I looked up from the coloring book I was working on and frowned. “But I’m not done.”

My sister crossed her arms and just shook her head. “It’s like having another kid when you’re around. Aiden. Cora. Kiss your uncle goodbye. It’s time for you to be an adult for a change and deal with your shit.”

I’d spent the last five days hanging out with my niece and nephew, and getting advice from the two women I trusted most; my mom and my sister. I’d enjoyed the first activity. The second left a lot to be desired. Instead of being supportive, the two women had sided with Emily. They both thought it would be better if we slowed things down—even with a baby on the way.

“Now, remember what I told you about the rat,” I whispered. “Don’t tell your mom I bought it for you until bedtime. It’s a surprise. And don’t forget to feed it.”

“Thanks, Uncle Coop.”

“I love you, Uncle Cooper!”

“You too, squirt.”

Much to my surprise, I wanted this. All of it. The kids. The house in the suburbs. I should have been angry or upset that everything in my life was going to change, but as I helped the kids pick up the crayons, I realized that this was exactly what had been missing in my life. Emily was going to be a fantastic mom. She’d be patient and loving. She’d kiss every scraped knee and fix big family dinners. Okay, maybe not the dinner thing. I could do the cooking.

We would make this work.

I gave them both a big hug and joined my sister in the living room. “Thanks for letting me stay. I needed the time away.”

“No, you needed to pull your head out of your ass. I hope you haven’t screwed things up by being yourself.”

“Thanks, Sis. I love you too.”

“This is serious. Don’t run away just because it didn’t turn out the way you expected. I saw those photos of you at the hospital. I heard the way you talked to her when you visited on Thanksgiving. This is more than just an infatuation, and I think she could be your one.”

I sighed and picked up my bag. “I think so, too. I’m just afraid I’ve already screwed things up beyond repair.”

She wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek. “Just remember what I said. You have to listen to her. If she wants to slow things down, then slow things down. Love isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. You won’t be able to steal a base to win this game.”

I pulled back and made a face. “You know how much I hate it when you mix sports metaphors.”

“I’m being serious. She’s kept you around this long, so she obviously sees something in you.”

Or she’s contractually obligated to keep seeing me. I kept that part to myself. “I guess you’re right.”

“I’m always right,” she said and kissed my cheek. “You’re not the first couple to have an unplanned pregnancy. Go home and make-up with her. And next time, I expect you to bring Emily with you.”

I flew back to New York, feeling a little better about our situation, but no less apprehensive. I didn’t have a lot of time before the season started, but time was exactly what Emily was asking for.

* * *

After six days and a restless night’s sleep, I found myself back on Emily’s porch.

“Let me get my purse.”

Those were the first words she’d said to me in almost a week. We’d texted a few times. Sexy logistical texts.

When are you coming to pick me up? What should I wear? Do I need to bring a gift for the host?

But there had been no flirting, not even a wink emoji, and no late night phone sex like last time I’d been away.

She came back to the door with her jacket tossed over her arm. She was wearing a thigh length black sweater with silver threads woven into the knit over simple black leggings and silver flats. It was casual while still being appropriate for an intimate party. I also noticed she was wearing the opal I’d gotten her.

“You look beautiful,” I said as we headed to my car.

“Thank you,” she said, flatly. The weather had warmed to an unseasonable fifty, but the chill coming from her was noticeable. We both got into the car without another word, but that only lasted a few blocks.

“About Christmas Eve,” I said, not sure exactly where to begin. “I wanted to explain. I was blindsided and—”

“You don’t have to explain anything,” she said, cutting me off. “I get it. I wanted to run away, too. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”

I frowned. It almost sounded like an apology, but we both knew what she was saying was a load of bullshit. We drove the rest of the way in silence. When the car pulled up to our destination, I grabbed her hand and brought it to my mouth, desperate to put off the rest of the world for one more second.

“I want you to know, I didn’t leave because you were pregnant. Well, yes, it was why I left, but not because I was angry. I knew immediately that I wanted that with you. But I also realized that you didn’t feel the same way. You didn’t tell me. You didn’t trust me to be there for you. And I didn’t know how to handle that.”

If I’d thought my confession would smooth things over, I was wrong. She pulled her hand back and sighed.

“When things get tough, you can’t just run away from your problems. If you’re not willing to stick around and fight when things are difficult, then you don’t deserve to stay when things are good.”

And with that, she grabbed her jacket and stepped out of the car. Deep down, I knew she was right but was determined to show her I was ready to stick it out. I was going to fight for her, for us.