After dropping Sonny off for her dress fitting at Allison’s design studio, I decided to stay in the neighborhood. I didn’t know exactly how long a dress fitting took, but I did know from experience that when the women from Runaway Train and Jacob’s Ladder got together, a lengthy chat-fest ensued.

So, I’d found an Irish pub called O’Malley’s that was on the corner of Allison’s building. After slipping into a booth, I ordered a beer and some nachos. Kicking back, I watched the Braves game on one of the big screens. After months on the road and overseas, this was absolute heaven.

It was during the seventh inning stretch that my phone dinged.

Done. Where 2 meet u?

Around the corner at O’Malley’s. Want me to pick u up?

Nope. I’ll come 2 you.

A few minutes later, Emersyn appeared at my booth. “Hey, babe,” I said, as I rose up to greet her. I gave her a quick kiss before she slid into her seat across from me.

When she wrinkled her nose at my nachos, I said, “We can get lunch somewhere else. But just so you know, they do have a 5-Star Yelp rating for their steaks and ribs.”

“No. It’s okay. I’m not hungry.”

A waitress appeared. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Just water,” Sonny replied.

The waitress nodded and then headed off to get the drink.

“How did the dress fitting go?” I asked.

Emersyn shifted her eyes from mine. Staring over at the salt and pepper shakers, she replied, “Fine. It was fine.”

I drew my brows down. “You don’t sound excited like you were this morning. Didn’t you like Allison’s creation?”

As her gaze flipped back to mine, a beaming expression lit up her face. “Of course, I loved it. It’s the most beautiful dress I could have ever hoped for.”

I flashed her a smile. “Good. I want you to have the dress of your dreams. Not only that, but I want you to have the ceremony of your dreams as well.” Wagging my brows, I added, “We already know the honeymoon will be out of your dreams and out of this world.”

Emersyn laughed. “You’re never one to doubt your abilities, are you?”

“Nope. Not a chance.”

After drawing in a deep breath, Emersyn stared intently at me. “What would you think about moving the wedding up a few months?”

“Seriously?” When she bobbed her head, I chuckled. “Can’t wait to be married to me, huh?”

“Something like that.”

Her words and expression caused a sudden fear to grow in my chest. I swallowed hard. “Is something wrong with you? Like do you want to move the date up because you’re…” Oh God. I couldn’t even bring myself to say the words. My hand rubbed my chest where my heart felt like it was shattering into jagged pieces. Shuttering my eyes in pain, I finally whispered, “Are you dying?”

The sharp crack of Emersyn’s laughter caused me to pop my eyelids open. As I searched her face, I couldn’t help wondering if she’d been so overwhelmed by bad news that she’d become hysterical. “No, Eli, I’m not dying. Far from it.”

A relieved and thankful breath wheezed out of me. I reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Thank God.”

“I’m so sorry for making you think that.”

“It’s okay. You know I get a little paranoid when it comes to you.”

“You’re going to have to work on that.”

“I know. It’s just we both know how precariously life can be. I don’t even want to fathom losing my soul mate when I’ve finally found her. Not to mention losing the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“Trust me, I understand.” Her fingertip traced the rim of her water glass. “While I’m not dying, there is something wrong with me.”

My chest caved in yet again, and I squeezed her hand tighter. “What?”

A faint smile played on her lips. “I’m pregnant.”

I blinked at her. It was like I saw her mouth moving and words coming out, but I just couldn’t process them. When I just continued sitting there, staring, Emersyn reached out and tapped my cheek. “Eli?”

My strange behavior must’ve really unnerved her because instead of tapping my cheek again, she slapped me. A passing waitress gasped, her eyes widening in horror. An embarrassed flush filled Emersyn’s face. “I didn’t do it out of anger. I’m worried because he’s not responding to me.”

“Try throwing some ice water in his face,” the waitress suggested.

When Sonny picked up her water glass, I snapped out of it and held up my hands. “No. Stop. I’m okay!” I shouted.

She quickly sat the water back down on the table. “Thank God. I was starting to think we were going to need a cattle prod or something.”

With a laugh, I replied, “Not quite.”

Once we were alone again, Emersyn’s eyes searched my own. “Does your reaction mean you’re not onboard with us having a baby yet?”

“Hell, no. That’s not what it was about at all.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “You just surprised me. One minute we’re talking about wedding dresses, and the next you’re telling me I’m going to be a father.” At the word father, a shudder ran through me at how surreal the moment felt. “Oh my God, I’m finally going to be a dad.”

Tears shimmered in Emersyn’s eyes. “I’m so glad you’re happy. I know it’s not what we’d planned—”

“Fuck the plans. This is better than any plans we could have ever made.”

“Really?”

“Are you kidding me? We’re going to have a baby!” Without even stopping to think, I popped out of my seat. “Drinks on me! I’m going to be a father!” I shouted.

“Eli!” Emersyn hissed as applause rang throughout the bar.

“What?” I asked.

“Don’t you think it’s a little premature to be telling other people about the baby? I mean, I haven’t even been to the doctor yet.”

I winced. “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.” After shoving my baseball cap down over my eyes, I turned back to the crowd. “Okay, so still drinks on me, but we’re not going to celebrate too much because it’s still early,” I said in a more muted tone.

Laughter echoed around the room as I sat back down. But this time I slid in beside Emersyn rather than across from her. “What are the odds that someone here recognizes us and alerts the media?” I questioned sheepishly.

Emersyn’s eyes widened in horror. “Our parents will kill us if they find out through a tabloid.”

“Fuck me.” I might’ve been thirty-one years old, but I still hadn’t overcome my impulse control. “Truth is our parents are going to kill us no matter what. I mean, one minister’s kid knocking up another minister’s kid is pretty bad.”

Wrinkling her nose, Sonny said, “That makes it sound so seedy.”

“Well, it’s the truth. I knocked you up, got you with child, put a bun in your oven—”

She put her hand over my mouth. “That’s enough.”

“Okay, okay.”

A small smile curved on her lips. “Actually, when you stop and think about it, it’s very romantic how our child was conceived.”

“In a moment of passion where I was overwhelming you with my lovemaking skills?”

She scowled at me. “I was talking about the night we got engaged.”

I widened my eyes at her. “That was the night?”

“Pretty sure it was. I mean, if memory serves me, we didn’t use anything.”

Running a hand over my face, I replied, “Oh, that’s right.” My mind was instantly flooded with images from that night, especially the fact that we hadn’t used a condom. “Does that mean if it’s a boy, we should name him James after President Callahan?”

Sonny laughed. “No. I don’t think that’s necessary.” After tilting her head in thought, she added, “I mean, a middle name might be okay.”

“Meh, now that I think of it, I’d rather he had Elijah as a middle name.”

“And what if it’s a girl?”

“Elijah and call her Ellie?”

Sonny laughed. “Yeah, I’m not feeling it, Mr. Ego.”

“We could name her Emersyn, and call her Emmie,” I suggested.

“You know, we don’t have to decide on this today. We have about eight months left to worry about it.”

“That’s true.” I smiled. “I can’t believe Gabe and I are going to have kids just a few months apart.”

“Yeah, it’s going to look like we couldn’t let them outdo us in the baby department.”

With a chuckle, I replied, “I can live with being a copycat.”

“Right now, you need to be concerned with what we’re going to do about our parents.”

“Actually, I think I know how to handle that.”

“Change our names and move to another country?” Sonny suggested with a smile.

“Tempting, but I don’t think it’s necessary.”

“Okay, then. What’s your suggestion?”

“We elope. Tonight.”

Emersyn shot straight up in her seat. “You aren’t serious?”

I shrugged. “Why not. I think they’d take the news a lot better if we were married.”

“But we’ve already booked the venue for the wedding and the reception. Everyone is getting fitted for tuxes and dress.” Her lips turned down in a pout. “What about my dress?”

“You tried it on today. Isn’t it ready?”

She shook her head. “It still needs to be taken in a little in the waist. Well, it did need to be taken in. By the time the wedding rolls around in three months, I’m sure it won’t need it anymore. If anything, it’ll need letting out.”

At her forlorn expression, I said, “Remember, you’re beautiful even in a burlap sack.”

Sonny smiled as she cupped my cheek. “Thanks, babe. Especially since I’m being a shrew about a silly dress when I’m about to get something I’ve wanted for so very long.”

“You know, we could elope tonight and still have the big wedding in August?”

She stared intently into my eyes. “The only thing I care about is becoming your wife. I don’t need a big wedding to do that. I never really cared about all the hoopla to start with.” God, did I love this woman. I understood how Rae had become Gabe’s muse. I understood how one person became another’s world, because Sonny was mine. But I didn’t want her missing out on her special day.

My brows shot up. “But I thought you wanted the dream dress and wedding.”

“I wanted it for you. I didn’t want you to think you were missing out on anything.”

“Like I told you back at Thanksgiving, I couldn’t give a shit less.”

“You won’t mind you didn’t have the pictures of us all dressed up like Gabe does?”

I grinned. “I think for once I can let Gabe outdo me.”

Sonny giggled. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m positive.”

“Then let’s elope!” She threw her arms around my neck and then kissed me passionately.

“Easy now. We don’t want to start the honeymoon early.”

“Fine. Do you want to go to the courthouse or fly to Vegas?”

With a shake of my head, I replied, “I have something in mind. But it’s going to take a few phone calls.”

“Why don’t I go to the bathroom, and you can work your magic?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

I slipped out of the booth to let her by. Once I was alone, I took out my phone. “Hey, Daniel, it’s Eli. I need a giant favor.” Because, fuck. I’m going to be a father and Sonny will be my wife in less than twelve hours. It didn’t get better than that.