/James POV/

Chapter Song: A Love Without End, Amen - George Strait

"Sawyer, can I have a moment with my son?" Dad asks. I grip her hand a little tighter.

"Yes, Sir." She loosens her hold on me.

"Come with me, James." Dad stands and I follow him to where we stand out in the backyard alone. More and more becoming frightened thinking of what he could be thinking. Who wouldn't be?

"What is it?" I ask.

"Son, I want an explanation. Are you two playing a joke?"

"No, Sir. She really is pregnant"

"You got her pregnant?"

"She's is carrying my child."

"That's your baby?" He pursues. I tighten my jaw in frustration. He's figured it out.

"That is my girlfriend and that is my baby. That's it."

"I just want to know."

"What difference does it make? Are you gonna love the baby any less if he or she isn't biologically mine?"

"No, but it would be helpful to know what comments and jokes to avoid. I don't want to ask the wrong thing and offend her. I just want to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. So, tell me." He clasps my shoulder as I stand in shock of how quickly he put that together.

"How did you know?"

"I know you. You wouldn't have done this to Sawyer. You care too much about her. You would wait until both of you are ready and be more careful." He puts his hands in his pockets. "So, you're really gonna help her?"

"Yes. We've talked it all over."

"Well, then." When I see him smile, I pull him into another hug. Relief floods over me. "Looks like I'm gonna be a PawPaw."

"I don't understand. I quite actually thought you'd be livid with me and try to talk me out of it."

"No. You're a grown man, I trust you know what you're doing. You understand what you're getting into?"

"Yes. She and I had this conversation 10 times. I want to be there for them. I want this, Dad. I want her."

"I know you do. I know. You're a good person like that. But, it's a really big responsibility."

"I know."

"What about the biological father?"

"He wants nothing to do with her or the baby. He made that very, very clear. He even wanted her to get an abortion. How screwed up is that? I don't have to worry about him, because he's never coming back."

"How far is she?"

"Three, almost four, months."

"A baby is a big commitment"

"I know, Dad. But, I already love it. Please, Dad, just be on our side. We really need the support. Not too many people like the situation, but even if you are not, I'm still going to be with her."

"I never said that I was against it. I just want to make sure that you know what you're getting into. Let me tell you a secret about a father's love. A secret that my daddy said was just between us. He said, 'Daddies don't just love their children every now and then. It's a love without end.' Now, James, if you already love that girl and her baby, that's all there is to it. I'm glad you wanna help and not just leave her to do this alone. Are you ready to give the rest of your life to being a father?"

"How many times and ways do I have to say it? Yes! Yes!"

"Okay. Let's go talk to Sawyer."

"Okay." We both enter the house. Despite the happy news of Dad's acceptance, she looks pale as a ghost. Her right leg bounces nervously. I take a seat next to her again and Dad returns to his chair. I give Thea quick update on what just happened. She hugs me.

"Congratulations. This is really exciting news for the two of you. I'm excited."

"Thank you so much, Dad."

"Thank you, Sir."

"No. No. You can call me 'Dad' or 'Mike'. I rather insist now."

/On the way back to Sawyer's house/

"Baby, I can not believe how well that went!"

"I know. It truly didn't seem real. I can't believe that your dad just accepted this whole situation. I can't believe that you actually went through with telling him. It had to be hard." I look over at her in the passenger seat.

"Not really."

"You really seem to be taking this pretty seriously."

"I don't toy with girls. Especially, the one that I love."

"I appreciate it."

"Though, I do have something to ask."

"What is it, Honey?"

"Well, Valentine's Day is next week. I am wondering if you will be my Valentine."

"Oh. My heart already belongs to someone. I've not told him yet, but I need to. He's really a great guy. Never have I ever done anything in my life to deserve what he gives to me." She plays with the fingers of my free hand." I love you, James. I mean it. More than just friends. More than anything. Tonight, this just went to the next level. For you to tell your dad that you want to be with me and help take care of my baby-."

I pull the car over to the shoulder of the road and take her face in my hands. She's the one who leans in for the kiss. Her hand runs up into the hair on the back of my head.

"Be my valentine?"

"Yes." She replies and we smile at each other. Her eyes are a little red from stress, but none-the-less beautiful and sparkling. My thumb pets her cheek and she then leans her forehead against mine.

"I love you, Thea."

"I love you, Jamie."

My hand moves down to her belly.

"I love you, Baby." After I say that, she smiles and chuckles. "What?"

"You made the baby kick! You started talking and just, like, boom! There's kicking!"

"Really?"

"Yes. You can't feel that?" She asks. I shake my head. "Ugh. Well, it's happening. I promise."

"I believe you."