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"Promise?" I hated how vulnerable I sounded, but the thought of being alone with my spiraling thoughts was unbearable.

"Promise," Bayer confirmed, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. "And Danny?"

"Hmm?"

"Everything's going to be okay."

I wasn't sure I believed him, but I appreciated the sentiment. As the door closed behind him, I lay back against the pillows, one hand drifting unconsciously to my stomach.

"This isn't happening," I told the empty room. "Definitely not happening."

But the lingering nausea and Bayer’s reaction suggested otherwise.

Twenty-four hours. I had twenty-four hours to come to terms with the possibility that my life had changed irrevocably. Again.

I must have dozed off because when I opened my eyes again, the room was bathed in mid-morning light, and Emery was sitting in the chair beside the bed, reading a book.

"Morning, sunshine," he said, looking up with a smile that was far too knowing for my comfort.

"What are you doing here?" I croaked, my throat dry.

Emery set his book aside and handed me a glass of water. "Bayer asked me to sit with you while he and Phoenix coordinate with the other packs. He was up here earlier but you were asleep. And he mentioned something about you being stubborn and refusing to see Esther."

I sipped the water cautiously, relieved when my stomach didn't immediately rebel. "I'm fine. Just...a bug or something."

"Mmhmm," Emery hummed noncommittally. "A bug. That's definitely what it is."

"Don't you start," I warned, setting the glass down. "I have twenty-four hours of denial, and I intend to use every minute."

"Who's denying anything?" Emery raised his hands innocently. "I'm just here to keep my best friend company while he's suffering from...a bug."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Maybe a little," he admitted with a grin. "It's not every day I get to watch the tables turn so dramatically."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just that you were pretty merciless when I was going through this," Emery reminded me. "All those jokes about my 'glowing' complexion and how I'd need to start shopping in the maternity section."

I groaned, covering my face with a pillow. "I was horrible, but you took so long to tell me.” I dropped the pillow and glared. “Gemma and I nearly had to break in. And I’m supposed to be your bestie.”

Emery had the grace to look slightly abashed. "I was scared. And confused. And in denial myself for a while." He shrugged. "Sound familiar?"

"No," I huffed, then immediately sighed. "Okay, fine, yes. But this is different."

"How so?"

"Because..." I gestured vaguely at myself. "I'm human! Mostly. And male! And I've only known Bayer for what, two weeks? And there's a murderous revenant trying to kill us all, and I'm supposed to be starting a school, and—"

"Breathe, Danny," Emery interjected, reaching for my hand. "Just breathe, and in case it slipped your attention, I’m human as well, and male. And you've known Bayer for a year, longer if you count the work Colton Construction did on your mom’s."

I sucked in a shaky breath, trying to calm the spiral of panic. "I can't be pregnant, Em. I just can't."

"Why not?" he asked gently.

"Because I don't know how to be a parent! My dad died a long time ago, and my mom works two jobs. What do I know about raising a kid?" I swallowed hard. "What if I mess it up?"

Emery squeezed my hand. "That's what everyone thinks. But you're amazing with kids, Danny. I've seen you with your students, with Tia, even with Callie. Marianne has twins. You have so much love to give."