"I can't leave her Kenny, I can't do it. I've incubated her for nine months; spent the last three months never leaving her side…I can't do it… I don't want to do it." Dani spoke as we stood in the middle of my nana's house.

"You have to though babe. You need to finish high school. She will be with my nana…she will be fine. "

"Kendall, NO. I'm not leaving my baby." She started to cry as she cuddled Emmy closer to her body.

My heart broke. It was hard for me to leave Emmy too but I knew I had to. I slowly approached her. "You have to though… we'll be okay and so will Emmy. Lovebug will be fine. "I slowly pulled Emmy away and kissed her head as she smiled up at me. I placed her in the bassinet my grandma got. Dani nodded and rubbed the top of her head and walked to her car. I walked to mine and we both left my nana's house to head to school.

.LINEBREAK

It was the first day of school of my senior year. Dani and I had been friends with the occasional sleep over. Emerson was now three months old and the most beautiful baby ever. She had gotten a tad bigger and now she smiled all the time. She would smile every time I would walk in the room and she had this amazing connection with Dani. I had a few classes with Dani, who had decided to take a slightly less rigorous course load. We had Spanish together again with all my friends.

"Hola. How was everyone's summer?" Our teacher Mrs. Spalding asked. "Kendall what did you do?"

"I hung out with friends, played some hockey…it was a life changing summer" I said as I glanced over to Dani.

"Bueno! How about you Daniella? How's the baby? Do you have any pictures?"

She blushed, "Yeah… she's a good baby. She smiles a lot and she just makes me smile too. Her names Emerson Harper Kn…Montgomery. "She smiled through the slip up and showed a picture to the teacher. "She's beautiful! Congratulations." The bell rang and we all got up to leave.

", could you please stay behind for a moment. Mrs. Spalding shut the door and smiled, "She's yours isn't she?

I was stunned. How did she know?

"uhh. Yeah… how did you know?"

"Her eyes give it away and I can see the way you look at her both this year and last year."

I nodded. "She's a good baby…fussy at times but I love her."

"Good. I told Dani that at any point if she needs more time for a project or a test I would allow it and I will extend that offer to you too. Don't abuse it though. "

"I won't. Thanks so much. I'll see you tomorrow. Hasta luego."

.LINEBREAK.

I was sitting in Calculus with Daniella and we were actually learning. Math was always my strong suite. We had assigned seats and I sat next to Dani in the back. Suddenly, the guidance counselor called Dani out of the room. She came back in talked to the teacher and went to grab her books.

"What is the matter?" I whispered.

"Emmy's sick… she won't stop crying, she has a slight fever and a runny nose. Your nana needs help. Pick up all my work please."

I nodded, "Text me if you need anything… I'll pick up dinner after hockey practice."

She ran out of the room and I was on edge the rest of the day worrying about my baby.

.LINEBREAK.

I entered Dani's house with pizza and a small stuffed animal for Emmy. I could hear her screaming and Dani trying to soothe her.

"Calm down Emmy… mommy's here. You're okay. Shh."

"Hey Lovebug! Stop crying. You are going to hurt my ears." I smiled as I rubbed her back as she slowly laid her head on Dani's chest.

"Can you get the baby Tylenol in the cabinet for me?"

I shook my head and helped Dani give it to her. She put Emmy in her room and brought the baby monitor into the kitchen. Daniella looked stressed. She wore baggy sweat pants and a tank with her hair in a messy bun.

"What did the doctor say?" I asked as I put a piece of pizza on her plate.

"She has a cold. He told me to pick up baby Tylenol, monitor her fever and try to keep the environment calm. She may develop an ear ache and if she does we should bring her back."

"Awe, our poor Lovebug. Do you mind if I stay here until she gets better?"

"I was going to ask you to anyway. I'd need help anyway."

"I got your work too; it's in the living room. I explained to some of the teachers what was going on. All our teachers know that I'm the father. "

"Are you okay with that?"

"They are supportive of the two of us. They said they would fill you in when you return. I'm going to stay home tomorrow with her so you can go to school."

"No…it's fine. I shouldn't have left her this morning. It's my fault she is sick. I should stay."

"Nope. I am and that's final."

She chuckled. "Fine. You stay but you have to text me if her fever gets worse tomorrow. "

"I will, don't worry. Hey, Coach told us today that this weekend we have a tournament 5 hours away. I'll be staying at a hotel… I'll be gone for 4 days. "

"Well that's okay. We could Skype right? I think Emmy would miss you if she didn't at least see you on a screen."

"Yeah, of course I was going to suggest that. I'm rooming with Carlos so that way I don't have to hide it. I usually room with Logan but Carlos would be easier."

"True. " Emmy started crying and I went to get her. It was going to be a long night.

.LINEBREAK.

I was sitting in my hotel room after a brutal game. We had won 5-4. I was waiting for Dani to sign onto Skype. We planned to talk at 6:30 which was about a half hour before Emmy's bedtime. I heard her sign on.

"Hey Daniella. How's Emerson?" I smiled when I saw the two people I loved most on the screen, Emmy and Dani both wearing hockey jerseys with my number on it. Dani had her hair in a loose braid.

"She's good. The cold is all gone. Yayy!" Dani said as she clapped Emerson's hands together.

As she was doing that Emerson laughed! We sat in shock and just listened to the intoxicating music we were hearing. This was the first time she was laughing.

"Way to go Lovebug! I'm so proud. When I come home you are going to be laughing so much!"

Daniella was smiling and trying to get her to laugh more. Every time Emmy would laugh, Dani would too. You could see their bond and that Dani was only happy when Emmy was.

"I miss you guys. I want to hear her laugh in person. This isn't fair!" I pouted.

Dani laughed, "I know, we miss you too. Did you guys win?"

"Heck yeah we did. It was close but I'm awesome and scored a goal."

Emerson laughed. "Your daddy is cocky. He is a nut"

"HEY! Don't turn my child against me!" I chuckled.

"Hey, I have to put her down now…but if you want I could come back and talk afterwards." She bit her lip.

"Of course I would love that. I'm going to shower anyway so I'll be back on at 7:15. Talk to you then."

"Okay, Say bye Emerson." She waved Emerson's hand.

"Love you Lovebug. See you soon." I logged off and quickly went to shower.

Daniella logged back on about an hour later.

"She was being fussy tonight. She misses her daddy. You better come over as soon as you are in town tomorrow. "

"Don't worry I will. I miss her like crazy. I also …miss...You… I miss snuggling in bed." I blushed at how corny I was.

"I miss that too. I like it when you sleep here. I think the relationship we have is working for us too. We can see whomever we want and we can still act like a family when you are around."

"It does work I just wish that we could be official."

"I know you do but we can't for right now. Maybe in a few months."

I sighed, "Yeah, I get it. I'm heading to bed now; I'll be over as soon as I get in town. Night. Love you.

"Love you too Kenny."

.LINEBREAK

I lugged all my hockey stuff up to my room. I quickly showered and grabbed my keys.

"Mom, I'm heading to Dani's."

"Okay, give Emmy and Dani a kiss for me."

I drove to Daniella's and walked in to see Dani bouncing Emmy in her arms singing.

"You make me happy, when skies are gray…"

I applauded and she spun around, fear in her eyes.

"Don't do that you dork! You gave me a heart attack!"

"I'm sorry but that was just too adorable. Hey Lovebug. Come to daddy." Dani passed me Emmy as we went to go sit on the couch.

"I missed you so much. I thought about you at the game. I had a picture of you taped to my shoulder pad. I didn't want to leave you. "I said as I looked down at Emmy.

Dani started applauding, "Now that was too adorable. "

I chuckled, "Shut up" I poked Emmy's tummy and she smiled and giggled. I was so glad I could hear it in person.

"That's the cutest laugh I have ever heard. "

"I know that is all she did this morning which just makes me laugh too."

"Carlos was asking if he could come over tomorrow to see her. "

"Absolutely, I think Emmy would love to see Uncle Carlos."

"Good, I'll let him know… so are you going to Senior Superlative Award Night?"

"Yeah, but I have to bring Emmy. My aunt is working that night."

"Will you be alright?" I wasn't too sure if having Emerson there would be a good idea.

"Yeah, we'll be fine. "

"I can convince Camille, the class president, to have my family and Carlos' family sit at the table with you."

"That would be nice… and if your mom holds her we can just pass it off as her being nice."

"Good. Then it's a date. I got to get home and finish some homework. I'll text you later and see you tomorrow." I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a hug. She leaned up and kissed my cheek.

"Bye Kendall."

.LINEBREAK,

It was the night of the Senior Superlative Awards thing. We were required to dress slightly fancy. I wore a pair of skinny jeans and a button down shirt. I walked into dining hall and sat at my table. Carlos and his mom and dad were there already.

"Hey Carlos!"

"Hey man, where is Dani? It starts in 5 minutes."

"I don't know… I'm kind of worried."

"Hey sorry I'm late!" Dani said.

I looked up and saw Dani and Emerson. Dani was wearing a loose blouse and a pair of jeans. She dressed Emmy in a cute onesie. She placed the carrier in the chair next to her and put the diaper bag on the floor.

"Hello Dani. How are you?" Mrs. Garcia asked.

"I'm good, tired but good."

"She is so adorable. Carlos talks about her often." Mr. Garcia said,

"Awe. That's so sweet of you Carlos."

"Hey, I love my goddaughter."

I smiled at the interaction among Dani and Carlos. I was glad they were getting along. The awards went along really well. All my friends received awards: Carlos got most energetic, I got most athletic. The most important award was coming up; Most Likely to Succeed. Whoever won this got a scholarship worth $50,000.

Mrs. Spalding was giving this award. "The student who is receiving this award is one of the most promising we have ever had. She has had a rough past year but she has still remained a 4.0 GPA and only missed 3 days. Please applaud, Daniella Montgomery."

Dani was shocked. She looked at me and I smiled. She placed a sleeping Emmy in her carrier and began to walk to the stage. Our table was giving her a standing ovation as she received the grant and shook the hands of the school board members. It was almost silent in the auditorium as the applause settled down as she walked back to our table. One member of the hockey team screamed SLUT then another screamed WHORE. Everyone started laughing and saying mean words about Dani. She was crying when she came back to the table and my mom tried to convince her to stay.

"I have to go… thanks for letting me sit here and I hope I didn't ruin your night." She spoke as she strapped Emmy in and grabbed her stuff as she practically ran out the doors. I wanted to punch someone I was so angry. After the auditorium settled down I looked at my mom and she nodded. I got up and took the car, leaving her and Katie to hitch a ride with the Garcia's as I drove to the store.

.LINEBREAK,

I entered the house without even knocking. I checked Emerson's room and noted that she was asleep in her bassinet. I walked into Dani's bedroom and saw her crying in a fetal position.

"Dani" I whispered.

She looked up with tear rimmed eye, "Kenny…what…what are you doing here."

"I'm here to comfort you… I brought you ice cream. Mint Chocolate Chip… your favorite."

She nodded and I crawled on the bed and took her in my arms. The flood gates open and I just rocked her back and forth in my arms whispering sweet nothings in her ears. She had just received the most prestigious award but our peers could not look past the fact that she had a baby. How could they be so cruel?

"It's okay Dani. Who cares what they said. I'm so proud of you. Emerson is proud of you. My mom wants to take you out to celebrate. Will you let her?"

"Yeah… that would be nice." She sniffled as her tears slowed. I looked at her and God did Emerson look just like her when she cried.

"Good, now let's eat ice cream and then go to bed. We have school tomorrow."

She leaned up and her lips touched mine. It was the best feeling in the world.

"Thank you Kenny. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Same to you… without you… I wouldn't be me."