Later that night...

I climb up next to Nate, who's lying on our bed reading. I hunker down under the covers and peek over his shoulder to see what he's reading so intently. "How can you stand reading textbooks all the time?"

"It's kind of my job."

"Oh, yes, of course Professor Drake," I tease.

"Hey, I could make about a dozen Lois Lane cracks right now, but I won't because I'm the bigger person."

"Yes, you most definitely are the bigger person." I pat his stomach for emphasis.

"You're the one who makes those extra cheesy lasagna dishes." He puts his book down and throws an arm around me. "But I love you all the more for it. It's a vicious cycle."

I close my eyes as Nate kisses the crown of my head. My heart starts thumping in my ears. I'm going to do it. "Nate?"

"Yes, my beautiful and loving wife?"

"I... I'm... pregnant."

He freezes for a second, lips pressed up against my hair. "Pregnant?"

I nod. "Yep."

Nate removes his face from my hair and takes a second to process the information. I almost pass out waiting for a response. "We're gonna be... parents." I glance up at his smiling face. "Holy shit, we're gonna be parents!" Excitement gleams in his eyes. This is the way he always looked on their adventures: happy as a puppy with two tails.

"So, you're not... mad?"

"Mad? Why the hell would I be mad? Elena, this is great news. Oh god, I love you so much." Nate leans over and kisses me. He takes a deep breath, stares lovingly into my eyes, and says, "Damn."

"Damn is right!" His attitude is seriously infectious. "I want another." We kiss again for longer and Nate starts to pull me in closer. I gently push his hands away. "Nate, we can't do that."

"Why not?"

"I'm pregnant, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. Nine months, huh?"

I nod, silently mourning. "Nine months."

He lays down. "Well, sacrifices must be made." I lay down beside him, our hands automatically linking under the sheets.

I sigh in content and roll to face him. "You know, I'm really glad you're okay with this. I've always wanted a family, but I could never find the right guy. I glad to say I've finally found him."

Nate chuckles and pulls me close, resting my head against his chest. "Ditto."

I roll my eyes and settle into his embrace. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Elena."