"We're going to be fine," I say against her lips. "All of us. You, me, and our blueberry."
"Blueberry with pickle opinions."
"The most important kind."
The next morning, I'm in the kitchen at 7 AM making breakfast when I hear Emma bolt from the bedroom. The bathroom door slams, followed by the unmistakable sound of morning sickness.
I abandon the eggs and head to the bathroom, finding her bent over the toilet, hair falling in her face.
"Go away," she mumbles.
"Not a chance." I gather her hair, holding it back while she empties her stomach. Again.
"This is humiliating."
"This is pregnancy," I say. "Not like you were out drinking last night. This is just part of the process."
"I hate this."
"I know."
When she's done, she sits back against the wall, pale and miserable. "They're going to be here in two hours and I look like death."
"You look beautiful."
"You're a terrible liar."
"I'm an excellent liar. I was a SEAL. But I'm also telling the truth." I hand her a damp washcloth. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."
Thirty minutes later, Emma's showered, dressed in comfortable clothes, and eating crackers while glaring at the scrambled eggs I made.
"I can't eat those."
"I know. That's why I made you toast."
"Plain toast?"
"The plainest."
"You're very good at this."
"I've been practicing."
The doorbell rings at exactly 9 AM. Ryan's punctuality is both a blessing and a curse.
Emma takes a deep breath. "Okay. We're doing this."
I open the door to find Ryan and Candace on the porch, both looking slightly concerned. Brennen and Joselyn pull up right behind them, Brennen practically bouncing with energy.
"Whatever this is about, I'm excited!" Brennen announces, hugging Emma. "You never invite us to breakfast. This is new. I like new."
Ryan's studying Emma with that analytical SEAL stare. "You look better than you did at the exhibition."
"Thanks?" Emma says.
Candace hands her a container. "I brought muffins. Just in case you needed backup food."
"That's sweet, but Miles made—" Emma glances at the eggs, turns slightly green. "Actually, muffins sound perfect."
