My heart is pounding; racing against my chest. Breathing is difficult - we've kissed a thousand times but it's never been like this. He is pouring himself into me.

I'm drowning. My knees feel weak; I finally pull away and place my hand on his shirt.

It's quiet for a moment as we both reflect.

Of all the ways Nick Miller could have reacted - of all the scenarios I'd ran through my head - this was something I could not have predicted.

Now he is smiling at me and I start to laugh. It's a deep, hearty, belly laugh that makes me shake. The relief sweeps over me and I feel dizzy.

"Oh God," I finally manage to say, "Oh my God."

He reaches out to grasp my shoulders before running one palm up my neck, I tilt my head so he is cupping my cheek before I turn and kiss his hand.

"You're pregnant."

I nod.

"I put a baby in you." He shook his head in disbelief.

"Well technically it's an embryo right now but... Yes Miller, you did."

He picks me up and spins me around. The few patrons turn to stare but I don't care.

"So you're happy?" I ask cautiously as he sets me down.

"Damn straight I am," a look of determination crosses his face before he quickly kisses me once more - I feel my stomach jump a little. "I mean you, me, us..." He smiles as his voice trails off.

I relax a little and lie back against the bar, "I was so worried; I thought, well, it's not planned and -"

"Planning is overrated," he murmured into my hair as he reached down to softly kiss my neck.

I wriggle and squirm against the soft, yet aching feel of his mouth on my skin. "You would say that."

"Hey, you're talking to the father of your child here-"

It hits me, then, he's right. Nick Miller is the father of my future child. I swallow hard. And I see the realization in his eyes as he understands what he has said. We gaze at one another. This is real.

"Are you sure?" he asks, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

I tilt my head to one side, "Well I did a test-"

"Let's do another. Be certain."

"Uh- okay." I nod as I watch him grab his phone. He makes a call as I sit, dazed, on a nearby chair. What had happened in the last few hours? My mind is full of questions and worries and hopes.

"Okay, Bob is coming in early, five minutes."

"You know there's no big rush, Nick-"

He slips the phone back in his pocket and gives me a look that turns me into a puddle of emotion - all brown eyes and adoration. Could those pregnancy hormones have started already?

"My girl has just told me the most amazing news and I want to be there for her. What could be more important?"

I smile as I watch him tidy the bar. Damn he's a sweetheart. I feel the warm glow of love swell in my chest.


She's pacing the room, knotting her hands as we wait. I watch the sway of her stiff, blue skirt. I listen to the whispering of her hair as it moves across her shoulders. I feel... flat. The rush of adrenaline that had propelled me quickly home once Bob arrived is beginning to wane and the reality of the situation is starting to truly dawn.

Me. A father? Seriously?

My eyes glance over to her dresser and the little white plastic stick balanced on its surface.

I read the box. They are over 99.9% accurate. Plus she said she was a week late. So this is just a formality, but I still hold my breath as she looks at her watch and gives me a smile. I push myself up and we walk over together.

"You look," she tells me, folding her arms and turning around.

"Um, okay..." I whisper. I take another step and let out the breath I'm still holding in. "Two pink lines."

She doesn't move and I'm worried for a moment.

"Jess, two pink lines. That means..."

"I really am pregnant," she answered softly. Her shoulders shake a little as I come up behind her and envelope her small body with my arms.

"Hey," I soothe, worried that tears are going to fall from her pretty blue eyes, "What's wrong?"

She leans her head back against my chest, "I guess, I mean, it's more real now."

I walk over to the bed and pull her towards me so we are facing each other, her small hands held in mine. "Jess, I love you. I'm happy. Very, very surprised, but happy."

The apples of her cheeks rise into a small smile. "Are you really sure?"

"How could I not be happy?" I ask shaking my head, "The girl of my dreams, who I love more than anything, is having my child."

"But it's so soon, we haven't even talked or planned-" she sighed.

"I told ya," I began as I pulled her closer so she stood between my legs, "Planning is overrated." I give her a small kiss on the tip of her nose. I want her to smile, more than anything, right now.

"So you're not mad?"

I crinkle my brow at her words.

"You're not going to freak out and panic moonwalk away..." I see the worry in her eyes. She thinks I could do that. I sink a little further into the bed. I need her to know I'm not that guy anymore - at least I don't think I am.

"No, no, no..." She shifts until she is sitting on my lap. I enjoy the feeling of her soft, comfortable body pressed against mine. I close my eyes for a second, just enjoying this sensation. "I mean, yeah, we have a ton of stuff to work out. But please, never, ever think that I don't want this - you - the b-baby."

She moans softly against my chest and kisses my neck; I can feel that her lips are smiling and I tighten my grip on her waist.

"So," she lifts up her head and looks at me, "What now?"

"I have no idea," I admit. But then I look at her again I'm amazed. She's so beautiful. My heart clenches a little as I think about a miniature Jess, all big eyes and curls maybe calling me Papa one day. I feel a bond beginning to form - a yearning to meet someone who doesn't even exist yet and the understanding that from this moment on, we are a family of sorts. "Hey Jess, how about we keep this just between us, for a little while."

"But Cece, my mom..."

I understand and reach up to stroke the curve of her cheek. "Okay, maybe just for a few days. I want to enjoy having this secret with you. It feels special."

"And wait, you are terrible at keeping secrets Nick. Like the worst person in the world. Ever. Of all time."

"Hey," I laugh, "I get the point. Maybe this time could be different? I want to at least try..."

"Okay," she agrees, "Let's make it our little secret, for now at least."

In reply, I begin to kiss her again - this is turning into my go to move when words fail me - show her how I feel with my lips. She collapses on top of me and in giddy passion we make out like teenagers hiding in their bedroom while mom and dad are downstairs.

I roll her over until I'm resting on my forearms, gazing down at her flowing face. "God you're beautiful."

"You have to say that," she replies, "I'm the mother of your future child."

Yes she is. Hell yes she is.

And all I can do is smile and embrace her again.


The end