A few minutes later, Holly felt better and decided to do as promised. Cathy had a point; Jake had to know. Still, she would not allow her to do this all by herself. She seemed a little too frail to drive and it had been pouring with rain. In spite of her objections, Cathy insisted she drive her to Jake’s bar. Holly was left with no choice other than to allow her to do so. Another heated argument with her would only make things worse. So, the two friends left her living room and went to her front door. As Holly opened it though, she saw a familiar face: Jake. He was standing next to his car, with his arms folded across his chest, getting drenched by rain.

“I’ll be inside if you need me.” Cathy said. Closing her front door behind her, Holly began to climb down her small staircase. As Jake started towards her, feeling cold water dripping down his face, his heart began beating so loudly that he could hear it.

“What are you doing here, Jake?” she asked, sucking in a deep breath. “Are you here to tell me off again?”

“No,” he replied, taking one last step closer to her. “I should, though. What you did was pretty reckless. You could get fired for it. But, it was also very brave. Clay and his crew owe you their freedom.”

“I don’t care about my job!” Holly yelled, her voice broken, as large tears brimmed up in her eyes. “I only cared about one thing: and I lost it.”

“We both did,” Jake nodded, keeping his voice calm and steady, as the rain pelted down around them. “I came here to thank you. You kept them out of handcuffs.”

“I didn’t do it for them,” Holly shook her head sideways. “But it doesn’t matter, does it?”

“Yes, it does,” he disagreed, his voice deep and soft, leaning over her, as rain drops rolled down her hair, her forehead and her cheeks. “Of course it does. You messed up, but I made mistakes, too. I shouldn’t have left that night. I should have stayed here, until you heard me out. I was just too shocked: too sad; I had lost…” He paused, feeling tears rising up in his eyes. “I had lost my angel.”

“I’m not an angel,” she said, her voice thick with emotion, as two tears rolled down from her eyes. “I’m just a girl, who fell in love with a boy.”

“You are…” Jake whispered, biting his lower lip as he lifted his hands to her face. “You will always be an angel. My angel…” his heart melted, as she more tears fell out of her eyes. Tilting his head down, he ran his thumbs across her cheekbones. Their lips locked in a long, tender kiss, as one more flash of lightning lit up the night. Holly wrapped her arms around his waist, as he pulled her closer. Jake’s right hand crept around her neck and into her hair, as a deafening crack of thunder tore through the night. Drowning in her scent, he let go of her cheek and circled his arm around her upper back, as she held him tighter by the second. A single tear streamed down his face, as he ran his fingers through her long, silky hair. Strands of it were brushing against his soaked skin, as he tasted her salty mouth. Jake kissed her upper lip and then laid a quick kiss on the tip of her nose, before taking her in his embrace.

“I love you, my angel,” he said in a loving whisper, as she rested her head on his chest.

“I love you too, baby.” She sniffled, as he circled his arm around her neck. “But, there’s something else you need to know,” she added, slowly leaning back.

“I’m listening,” Jake spoke in his baritone, as he caressed her back.

“There’s no easy way to say this.” She took a deep breath, as her gaze shot up to meet his. “I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” He whispered: gazing deep into her eyes; his heart leaping with joy; as a small smile formed on his face. “I’m going to be a father?”

“Yes.” Her short response widened his smile. In a split second, it turned into a huge grin. He didn’t speak. Instead, Jake took her back in his arms and tightened his grip around her, laying a soft kiss on her cheek.

“That’s the best news I’ve ever heard,” he confessed, his sweet words bringing a broad smile to her face, as she ran her hands up his back.

“A wonderful father,” Holly said in a voice filled with bliss.

“My angel’s having my baby,” Jake allowed himself a small laugh. “I can’t believe this.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you.” She heaved a long, deep sigh, leaning back. “I didn’t want you to think I was using the baby to get you back.”

“I wouldn’t have hung you out to dry.” He assured. “Let’s go inside.”

“Oh, no,” she snorted. “Cathy’s in there. She doesn’t like you very much. Get back in the car and wait for me. This won’t take long.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he smiled, loosening his grip. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”