Logan and Erick found a booth at Moxxi's Red Light Bar. They both ordered a root beer and Erick, eager to change the subject, asked. "How's Emma doing, Huey?"
"She's doing fine but…"
"But what?"
"I'm going to be a father."
"Why is that bad news?"
"Well, for one, it was the one time I wasn't burnin' rubber. Two, her dad gave me two choices, my life or his daughter. And even if I do survive, how in the hell am I going to raise a child? I'm barely mature enough to take care of myself!"
"Some brotherly advice?" Erick asked.
"Sure, mate."
"If you truly love Emma like I've seen, you will choose her over your own life. Her father is testing you to see how much you are willing to sacrifice for her."
"And if you're wrong?"
"Pray that he loads with rock salt and run like hell."
"What about my kid? You have any advice on that?"
"Just don't walk out on them, that's the worst you can do. Other than that, it's your problem, brother."
Logan remained silent, thinking over his situation until Gaige arrived and snuggled in next to Erick. Erick knew what the smile meant that was forming on his friend's face.
"Please not this time, Huey." Erick begged.
"I won't but that won't stop me from thinking it. I'm happy that you finally grew a pair and got a girl. Just remember me when choosing the best man."
"I still have a long way to go so don't hold your breath."
"Well mate, it's getting late, time to go and eat some cake."
"You suck at poetry, Huey."
"Thank you Mr. Obvious. I'll see ya' later, mate."
The two boys gave each other a fist bump before Logan left the bar.
"How are you feeling?" Gaige asked.
"I wish I had a button to delete all of my problems." Erick sighed.
"You seem to be handling it well."
"No, I'm just good at burying crap deep enough to not show through."
"Well, how about you do something to vent?"
"Like what?"
"You could go a few rounds in the Underdome. You can vent and we can watch how you fight."
"Where do I sign up then?"
"I'll do that tomorrow morning before you go training. I'd like to teach you a few skills."
"I'll need a good night's rest though. Where are the bunks?"
"Apartments."
"Where's my apartment then?"
"Our apartment."
"Okay, how many beds?" Erick asked uneasily.
"One."
"Couch?"
"Nope."
"I've slept on worse things than a floor."
"No you're not!" Gaige yelled. "What is your issue with sharing a bed with me?"
"There is no issue."
"Yes there is, Erick, you are too careful at the wrong time. You didn't skip a beat when you decided to rescue Axton or trade yourself to save the Sirens but I had to jump on top of you to kiss you for the first time."
"I'm so afraid to make a mistake with you that I'm too scared to do anything that I already haven't done."
"Why? We are together because you took the chance to ask me on a date and throw me off a cliff. One little mistake won't burn the house down."
"I guess I never really thought of it that way but making mistakes is something no one wants to do."
"You don't like to do anything unless you have all of the variables. Life isn't a mathematical equation. Don't be afraid to make a mistake. We can work through it and grow to be stronger."
"You scare me."
"Why?"
"You know me better than I know myself. But hearing that makes me realize it is all true. I'm sorry."
Gaige laid her head on Erick's shoulder. "We're just sharing a bed; we are not going to 'do it'. I want you to hold me close, with my head on your chest, and keep me warm through the night."
What Gaige said made Erick smile and he decided not to stop himself from saying what was on his mind.
"I love you, Gaige."
Gaige wrapped her arms around Erick's neck and began kissing him softly. They continued for several minutes until Erick spotted Moxxi watching them with her video camera, obviously expecting more to happen since the bar had emptied for the night.
"Let's get out of here." Eric suggested.
Their apartment was located in the complex off of the park in the main square. It was spacious and had everything someone would need in order to live but the only room Erick was interested in was the bedroom since he was dead tired. Gaige grabbed her night clothes out of the dresser and went into the bathroom to change while Erick just kicked off his boots and removed his shirt before climbing into bed.
Gaige came out eager to have one last conversation but saw Erick sleeping peacefully instead.
"You've been asleep for days, why are you tired?"
She put her dirty clothes away and crawled into the bed, laying her head on Erick's chest like she promised.