Emma looks overwhelmed. "Can we maybe not do a big thing tonight? I'm exhausted and nauseous and I just told my entire family I'm pregnant after they thought I was dying?—"
"Fair point," Ryan concedes. "Rain check on celebration dinner. But Emma?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm really happy for you." His voice is sincere. "Both of you. This is good news."
Everyone laughs, and just like that, the tension breaks. The secret's out. The family knows. And instead of judgment or disappointment, there's just joy.
The breakfast I made sits forgotten on the counter as Candace starts asking about doctors and prenatal care. Brennen's already planning the nursery color scheme. Ryan's calculating childcare costs and offering to help with any costs. Joselyn's texting Sophie with the news.
Emma looks at me, slightly dazed. "This is a lot."
"Welcome to Murphy family chaos."
"They thought I was dying."
"They were very relieved to be wrong."
"Dorothy thinks I have a blood disorder."
"We'll correct that rumor eventually."
She leans against me, and I wrap my arm around her. Our blueberry with pickle opinions is going to have the most chaotic, loving, overprotective family in Pelican Point.
Perfect.
"Miles?" Emma whispers.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For waiting. For being patient. For making me feel safe enough to tell you."
I kiss her forehead. "That's what I'm here for."
Brennen's now demonstrating proper baby-holding technique using a throw pillow like he would eve know. Ryan's taking notes on his phone. Candace is looking up pregnancy apps. Joselyn's already planning a baby shower.
Emma watches them all with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
"We're really doing this," she says again.
"We really are."
And for the first time since she found out, she doesn't look terrified. Just happy.
That's all I needed to see.
Chapter 9
Emma
Seven weeks… OMG!
Monday morning, and I'm walking into Preston & Associates as an actual partner instead of a drowning solo practitioner. Progress.
