"He left me the ranch?" He questions and she nods her head with a sniffle. His face scrunches in confusion and concern - wondering why his boss would do that when he had a daughter to hand the ranch down to. He reads over the document again before he looks at his girlfriend sitting beside him.

"Yeah, he did babe." She's giving him another one of those sad smiles.

"But why?" He asks and she flips through the pages in her hand before reaching the last one and handing it to him.

"Maybe this will answer that for you." She murmurs with a kiss to his cheek.

"Did you read it?" He inquires and she looks at him for another minute, her eyebrows furrowing and her lips forming a pout.

She shakes her head. "It's not mine to read Jay, it's addressed to you."

With that his gaze falls to the folded piece of paper in his hand. But the first few words he reads don't register in his head - they don't resonate at all so he stops and looks back at her. She reaches up with one hand and cups his cheek - his eyes close with the contact as he tries to reign in his feelings. He doesn't even realize tears have begun to fall down his face until he feels her thumb gently sweep both of his cheeks. Then she's leaning in to place a kiss to his eyelids and when she pulls back he opens them to look at her once more before attempting to read the letter again.

The house they saw just a couple hours ago comes to both of their minds and they realize that the decision to move there or stay here on the ranch just became that much harder - especially as he takes in the words of the letter.

'Hey Kid,

If you're reading this it means they won, I'm gone and the ranch is now yours. I know you're probably wondering why when I had Erin to hand the ranch down to. Truthfully, I wasn't sure she'd want it - not after everything that's been taken from her because of it and what I was willing to give up for it - for my grandfather's land. And you in many ways have been like a second son to me - a lost boy that became my right hand man. Someone that I had hoped for a long time would take over when I died. The fact that my daughter is in love with you and came home for you helped me make this decision.The two of you are the ones I saw giving the ranch the story and family it's always deserved.

I just ask for you not to let this place get to you and if for whatever reason you have to choose between the ranch and my daughter - don't make my mistake. Choose her and your kids - your family and have their backs - always.

-H.Voight'

He read it over and again so many times in the last few days, that he was able to recite it to Mouse word-for-word as they walk through the stables to check on the mare preparing to drop her foal. Jay tosses in a little more bedding on top of the shavings and hay that have been flatted as the horse paces.

"How'd Erin take it?"

"Honestly man, she seemed ok - happy even." Jay admits - not leading on that her reaction confused him and Mouse gives him a questioning look but Jay doesn't seem to notice.

"And how'd you take it?" Mouse presses on and Jay shrugs.

"Before I read what Voight wrote I didn't understand his why. I didn't get what reason he would've had to leave his family's ranch to me - when he still had Erin." He admits and Mouse stays quiet so that Jay can continue. "But after reading the letter I guess I realized that while he left the ranch to me in the will, he knew it would be for both of us - me and Erin." Jay elaborates and Mouse nods in understanding.


"Why do you think he was confused by how you took the news?" Hailey asks barely getting a chance to finish buttoning up Sammy's onesie after changing her before Nadia's scooping her up and cooing at her. But when the baby starts crying Erin takes her and starts swaying side-to-side and then answers.

"I think he expected me to be upset or maybe mad." Erin shrugs as she smiles down at Sammy who's now sporting a gummy grin.

"I would have expected the same thing." Nadia admits earnestly as she collapses onto the chair.

"So that other ranch you thought about buying?" Hailey asks and Erin sighs as she looks up at her friends.

"You haven't decided?" Nadia interjects and Erin just shakes her head. Because she was on the fence about staying or moving before finding her dad's will but now she can't even think about it without it making her head hurt.

"What made you want to move in the first place?" Hailey crosses her legs under her on the couch and ties her hair up into a messy bun on the top of her head.

"I thought it would be better and easier for us to move before we had a family. But that was when we were still having to go up to the mountain cabin everyday." Erin thinks back to the ranch house her and Jay were shown just days ago.

"And now?" Nadia implores and Erin looks up from the baby in her arms to look at her friends.

"Now I just want what's best for our family and whatever will make Jay happy." Erin finishes and gives the baby back to Nadia, both other women nod as Erin walks back to the kitchen. Hailey and Nadia watch her briefly before looking at each other with questioning expressions on their faces. Then Hailey's getting up and standing opposite Erin at the kitchen island.

"You know you said it once or twice when we first got here and another two times just now." Hailey points out - her dimples popping just before Erin's do but the latter still plans on playing dumb.

"What?" Erin acts as if she doesn't know what Hailey's talking about even though she does.

"You could have just said us but you said our family three or four times. Plus the way you're acting with Sammy is different, you've got that hopeful look in your eyes and your hand has fallen to your stomach a couple times." Hailey states and Erin tries to deny it further.

"I didn't mean any-"

"Don't even try denying it." Hailey interrupts.

"Denying what?" Nadia asks as she joins them in the kitchen.

"I think you missed your calling as a detective." Erin jokes causing Hailey to laugh lightly.

"How far along are you?" Hailey's blue eyes twinkling with pride that she figured it out.

"I don't know." Erin shoulders deflate with those three simple words and she wishes that the question didn't fill her with dread because she doesn't even know if she still is.

"How far-" Nadia cuts herself off, still trying to figure out what they're talking about but they can see the moment she gets it. "Wait...you're pregnant?"

Erin bites her lip nervously as she smiles meekly. "I think so."

"What do you mean you think so?" Hailey inquires next.

"I got an email the other day. It was a reminder for an appointment that I didn't remember setting up so I called and they said they had me down for a prenatal appointment with the OBGYN." Erin explains and Hailey looks concerned.

"Could they have gotten it wrong? Like accidentally booked you when they meant to schedule it for someone else?" Nadia asks and Erin shakes her head.

"I asked and she had a doctor look at my bloodwork that they did to check for infection when I got my stitches out and said that I had low levels of hCG." Erin mumbles.

"The pregnancy hormone." Hailey confirms.

"But you don't remember them telling you that or booking the appointment?" Nadia questions.

"No, but I was still pretty shut down at that point - especially being back at the hospital." Erin tries to justify forgetting something like this.

"So how did Jay react?" Hailey asks as she takes her baby from Nadia.

Erin just takes a drink of her juice - purposely sipping slow to delay her response.

"You've told him, right?" Nadia fires off next and this mock interrogation from the two of them has started to give Erin a headache.

"I haven't been eating much or sleeping a lot and I think it'd be pretty early on. I just don't want to tell him I am and it turns out I'm not anymore." She defends her decision not to tell Jay yet.

"When's the appointment?" Nadia asks.

"It was supposed to be for yesterday but I rescheduled for Monday." Erin sighs again.

"He should know Erin. He'll want to be there no matter what. Besides little ones are pretty resilient in terms of the lack of sleep and appetite - especially if the mom-to-be is experiencing morning sickness. Some women don't find out until they're in their second trimester and do much worse and still carry the baby to term." Hailey argues.

Erin still seems hesitant so Hailey reaches across the counter and squeezes her friends hand to comfort - remembering what happened with Erin's first pregnancy.

"I have some tests at home. Do you want me to go get those so you can be sure before you tell Jay?" Nadia's already grabbing her jacket as she asks.

Erin nods after a beat and then Nadia invites them to go with to which Erin and Hailey nod.

"Wait, why do you have tests?" Hailey murmurs as she bundles up Sammy.

"I had a little scare a couple weeks ago actually and I bought a few different kinds." Nadia explains. When they get outside their men are walking out of the stables.

"We're just running to Nadia's really quick." Erin tells Jay once they're close enough to each other.

"Ok." He nods as he wonders what's going on but doesn't question it out loud as she looks around, noting that the other two couples are immersed in their own conversation before she leans in to press a kiss to Jay's cheek.

"I love you." She whispers and his signature grin pulls at his lips as he kisses her forehead.

"I love you too." He murmurs back against her skin and then she's turning to go to Hailey's truck giving another glance before she climbs into the passenger seat.


She feels the same way she did last year - like this isn't how it's supposed to be. The thought of how Jay should be with her is prevalent as she looks at the box of tests. But quickly reminding herself that she wants to be certain that she is or isn't before telling him. And with that she's eventually able to take two tests and sets the timer on her phone.

She puts the caps back on the sticks and then washes her hands. It's tempting to look at the tests but knows she can't - knows that if there is anything on the little screens it could be inaccurate so she resists the urge and stares ahead at her reflection for a moment longer before a knock at the door has her turning around. She tells them that they can come in as the door is already being opened.

Hailey's the first one to say anything. "How are you feeling?"

"Nervous and a little nauseous." Erin admits and they nod back in understanding.

She thinks about Jay again while they wait and it comforts her a little until the timer goes off. Then she feels those nerves come back tenfold while one of her hands dismisses the alarm and the other grabs the tests. She looks down at the two white sticks but her hand is covering the results. She squeezes them tightly in her hand before stuffing them in the pouch of her hoodie.

"I'm sorry. You were right Hailey, he should know either way." Erin starts as she looks up from her hand still clutching the tests in her pocket.

"And I want him to be with me when I look at these tests." Erin tells them causing smiles to come to the other women's faces before they both step forward and wrap her in a hug.


He's quiet as he walks into the house - hoping not to disturb her if she's sleeping. But that thought is fleeting as the smell of what he assumes is their dinner wafts his nostrils. He's grateful that she's feeling well enough to be cooking again. She's doing something that she loves and he is excited for what this small step could mean for her - for them going forward. He slows to a stop when he sees her at the stove - her back is to him as she stirs something in a pot allowing for him to admire her in a state that he hasn't seen from her in over a month. The sight warms his heart and she hasn't even looked at him yet. But as if she can hear his thoughts she turns to look over her shoulder and gives him a soft smile along with a quiet greeting.

"Hi." He murmurs back as he walks into the kitchen.

"Smells good in here." He presses a kiss to her head but she hums contently.

"I wanted to make something special for tonight." She reveals.

His eyebrow raises at that - hoping she'll elaborate but no such luck as she kisses his cheek and then gently pushes against his chest.

"Why don't you go take a shower while I finish up?" She suggests and he nods - figuring she'll tell him soon enough.

His shower is quick as he wants to get back down to her as soon as he can. He pulls on a pair of boxers and some sweatpants before he's exiting the room.

She's just setting the last dish on the table as he walks into the room. He can tell she's struggling to formulate how to say what's on her mind as they both take a seat.

"I think I want us to stay here." She admits after they make their plates and it takes him by surprise.

"I thought that's what we've been doing?" He questions sarcastically and she narrows her eyes at him.

"As long as that's still what you want." She adds - ignoring his attempt to joke and he takes a sip of his beer.

"What changed your mind?" He asks and she shrugs as she takes a little bite. Tears come to her eyes as she thinks.

"You." She states plainly and he sets his fork down next to his plate - wanting give her his undivided attention as she continues.

"Us." She sniffles but smiles sadly with the word and it has him pulling her over to him so that she ends up in his lap. Her hands move over the smooth skin of his muscular torso, onto his shoulders and then onto his back where her left hand stays as her right retracts to rest on the spot over his heart.

"Do you remember what you said the night before you flew home last year?" She asks and he nods as he wipes at her cheeks - wondering where she's going with it.

"And what I said that day at the springs a couple months ago?" Her words come out a little more muffled this time but he somehow still understands and once again nods.

"I really do want to make more good memories with you and I want them to be here." She whispers against the skin of his forehead before she places a kiss there and then pulls back a little.

"Because even though this place holds bad memories for both of us, it holds some of the best too. This is where we found each other."

"Technically you found me." He interjects and she rolls her eyes but with a small smirk on her face.

"Fine, it's where I found you. And it's the place where you became my best friend, my fierce protector, my rock, my everything. This is where I fell in love with you - long before we became more than friends and it's where I continue to fall in love with you every day. It's where I see us raising a family - our family. And when I think of that - of our babies and our future this is where I see it all happening." She concludes with a look of uncertainty in her teary eyes but he gives her a smile as he leans in to kiss her but breaks the kiss rather quickly - afraid that he may have overstepped.

"Where you are is the only place I want to be - this is where I want to be." He murmurs when she doesn't seem off-put.

"I love you." She says before she's leaning in to kiss him this time - his words of how he loves her too get broken up by several slow kisses. They pull each other closer - closing what little distance was left between them. And when her core meets his groin she groans and tries to press herself into him more. He pulls back again and looks into her eyes - both of their breathing is labored and their lips swollen from their kissing. A smile comes to her lips again as she nods in response to his silent question and with just a moment's hesitation he's standing up with her in his arms and carrying her upstairs to their room.


She tucks her shoulder and rolls off of him - coming to lie beside his nude, sweaty form. Both of them struggle to regulate their breathing as they come down from their high. The sheet soon gets pulled up to cover her modesty as the sweat begins to dry on her skin and the chill consumes the air around them. Her eyes remain on the ceiling and she thinks he's doing the same but that thought doesn't last long when she sees him move in her peripheral. She keeps one arm on her chest - pinning the sheet over her breasts as she drags her other arm down with her hand falling to rest on her abdomen. Then she sighs as she looks at him for a breif moment before returning her attention to the blank space of the ceiling.

"That was amazing." He huffs and she gives him a half-nod and satted smile.

"I think I'm pregnant." She blurts out and he chuckles lightly.

"I'm pretty sure it doesn't happen that quick babe." He jokes - not realizing that she's being serious - at least not until she stays quiet for a while longer.

"Do you think or do you know that you are?" He follows up - his heart beginning to pound for a different reason than just minutes ago but she just shrugs.

"Hey." He whispers as he pulls her into him and turns her, his heart now sinking when he sees that she's crying again.

"Hey, hey look at me." His forefinger swipes away her tears falling over temple before she turns her head to look at him.

"Please don't cry Erin." He wipes away her tears as he sits up.

"We're ok - more than ok." He feels the need to lay that out first and much to his relief he can hear her murmur his words back to him only seconds later.

Then she explains how she had bloodwork done to check for infection when she went in to get her stitches removed. She tells him about the appointment reminder and the call that followed since she didn't remember scheduling another recheck. And he just sits there quietly - trying to process everything she's relaying to him.

"You don't remember the doctor telling you about being pregnant?" Jay asks and she feels herself become defensive at his tone - as if he doesn't believe she could forget something this big.

"How dare I forget something with everything going on, right?" She snaps and she can practically feel the heat of his gaze on the side of her face as she looks towards the front of the room.

"It's not exactly something small Erin, you're pregnant and didn't remember them telling you that?" He's a little calmer - having taken a moment to let himself settle before continuing the conversation. By the look on her face, he can tell that she's hurting and that this is what's been weighing heavily on her mind the last few days. So he tells himself that he shouldn't have reacted the way he has so far.

"I..I guess I zoned out or maybe subconsciously blocked out the entirety of the appointment. It's something I've been trying to figure out myself but just can't explain." She sputters as she goes to get the tests from the sweatshirt she was wearing earlier in the day.

"When I left with Hailey and Nadia earlier it was to take some tests, so that when I told you I'd know for certain if I still was or not." Her hands are shaking as she takes her previous spot on the bed, covering herself up with the sheets again - more because she's cold than it is for modesty. She's thankful that he doesn't ask why she needed to take a test when her bloodwork said she was - somehow knowing her reasons and being grateful that she wanted to tell him either way.

"Were they positive?" He asks impatiently after a minute.

"I haven't looked at them." She confesses as she looks down at her lap.

"Why?" His eyebrows furrow as he takes her hands in his so the tests rest between their palms.

"I wanted you and me to look at them together." She admits and he smiles in a sad yet excited way. Then he reaches around her and places both of his hands on her back to pull her close and tells her that he loves her and she repeats it back to him again as he leans in for one more kiss. And when she breaks the kiss, they open their eyes and he immediately looks into hers to ask without words if they can see the results and she smiles back at him before flipping the tests right-side up in her hands between them.


A/N: Sorry for the delay in updates again, I thought I had this one done but just wasn't feeling it. But now it's better-ish? Sorry for how dialog heavy it was but I didn't see a way around it. I'm going to try updating From My Past to My Future next before coming back to Chapter 36 of this story. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and had a great weekend/have a good week. Thanks for following and reviewing!