Bones whimpers as if he can understand the gravity of the situation. I lace my fingers through his scruff, using the softness of his fur to stabilize my breathing.
“We don’t know that. They said they’d talk to us in person, so we’ll just wait, okay? We just need to wait.”
Emery’s jaw clenches. “We’re waiting for him to code, Quin. That’s what we’re waiting for. Last night…” Her voice falls to a low, hoarse whisper. “I came here last night and…and I waited, Quin. I stared at that fucking monitor for hours, just waiting for the inevitable.”
“Stop,” I say through clenched teeth. “Don’t do that, Emery. Don’t you fucking dare do that, okay? We’re all that he has. We can’t give up. If we give up, he has no reason to fight.”
“I’m sorry.” Emery drops her head and reaches out, putting her hand on top of mine and Damon’s. Her chest heaves as she sobs. “I’m sorry, Quin. I just—I can’tlose him.” She sniffles, tone stern as she glares up at Damon. “Do you hear that, you foolish man? I can’t lose you!”
A long drawn outohsounds from the doorway, and in unison, Emery and I whip our heads toward the familiar voice.
Emery’s shoulder immediately tightens as her gaze lands on her parents.
I keep my expression neutral as her mother studies our tangled fingers—mine, Damon’s, Emery’s. She lifts a brow but surprisingly doesn’t comment.
“When were you planning on telling us that you’re pregnant?” her mother asks.
Emery’s father’s face pales as they step inside and close the door. Her dad gasps, unable to rip his gaze away from Damon’s bandaged body. “Jesus… I saw the news. He…”
Emery swallows, slowly maneuvering her wheelchair around. “What are you guys doing here?”
Susan crosses her arms, offended. She’s easy to read. Unlike her daughter. “What arewedoing here? What areyoudoing here? The hospital called us, Emery! You can imagine our surprise when they informed us that ourchild, our daughter, was in the emergency room. Oh, and that she’sfive monthspregnant.” She whips her livid gaze at me. “How long did you think you could hide this from us?”
Emery drops her head. “I didn’t want you to worry.”
Her mother flaps her arms. “We’re your parents, Emery! It is our job to worry about you! I know you think your father and I are overbearing but once youhave this child, once you hold that little baby in your arms, you’ll realize that everything we do, everything we’ve done or said, has been for you!”
Emery sobs. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry. I was scared, and I didn’t want to tell you because you’d ask me, Mom. You’d ask a question that I don’t want to answer. That Ican’tanswer.”
Richard clears his throat. “Who’s the father, Emery? Who’s the father of your child?”
This is her battle. This is her truth. I can’t fight it for her. I can’t lead her to a victory. But I can supply her with weapons, with shields, with protection and loyalty.
And so I reach out and cup her trembling hand, caressing the underside of her wrist, her soft, delicate skin.
Emery casts me a weak side-eye, and I give her a short, slow solemn nod.
I’m here. You’re not alone. You won’t ever be alone.
With a deep breath, she looks back at her parents. She straightens out her posture, like a wilted flower revitalized from the warmth of the beaming sun. It’s glorious to witness. Her resilience, her willingness to fight against fear, against possible prejudice. She’s a warrior. And this battle, this war, it’ll be her crowning moment.
“This baby has two fathers,” Emery says, steady and unwavering. “Damon and Quin, they’re both the fathers.”
Her father frowns. “I don’t think that’s biologically poss?—”
“Richard!” Susan swats her husband’s shoulder. “I don’t think she means literally! Jesus Christ.” She closes her eyes, regaining composure as Emery’s father puts the pieces together. “Emery, honey, are you telling us that you’re…involvedwith both of these men?”
Richard balks, and I almost leap out of my seat to help him as he slightly staggers. His wife yanks on his jacket, pulling him back beside her.
My grip on Emery’s hand tightens, and she gives me three short squeezes as if communicating through Morse code.
I got this. I’m fine. I got this.
And she does. Like Damon, she’s strong.
“We’re in a relationship,” she says, chin held high. “The three of us.”
“I see…” Her mother’s gaze bounces between Damon and me. “The three of you…together. A relationship.Three.”
