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“Hey,” she whispered, pretending to straighten his tie in the driveway. “You are perfect, and they are going to love you.”
“I really don’t think your dad is going to be a huge fan of mine, especially when he finds out that not only did I fail to ask his permission prior to marrying you? I got you pregnant, too.”
“Honey,” she smiled. “You’ve got to understand that it’s all bluster. My parents are very loving and understanding. They may give me a lot of grief, but they are incredibly supportive… and when they find out? They’ll be so happy for us.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive,” she praised, smiling at him… before pinching the sides of his face, causing his lips to purse as he tried to pull away, laughing. “Now quit fretting like a worry-wart and feed us, papa.”
“I like that,” John said gruffly, scooping her up into his arms, hugging her, as her feet dangled off the ground. “You said to ‘feed us’…”
“Oh? Oh?” she said playfully, booping him on the nose. “What’s that I see?”
“What? Do I have a pimple or something?”
“Nope – I see a whole bunch of masculine pride…” she teased, smiling.
“Oh gosh, Em…” he whispered openly, setting her down, and returning her smile. “You have no idea at the sheer volume of masculine pride surging in my blood right now, knowing that my baby is…”
“Daggum, Emily,” her brother hollered from the top of the driveway to where they stood on the incline. “Are you two going to stand out there all evening long, or am I going to get to finally meet the man who can put up with my sister’s waspish tongue?”
“Should I tell him how much I like…” John whispered – only to have Emily elbow him quickly, causing him to laugh easily.
“Chase… this is John. John, Chase, who also answers to ‘dork’, ‘dweeb’, and…” Emily hesitated, hugging her brother as he shook John’s hand. “Best brother ever.”
“You know it…” Chase grinned. “Nice to meet you, John – and congratulations,” her brother tacked on, whispering the words.
John immediately hugged him, lingering, as they spoke quickly.
“Shhh… one thing at a time.”
“My parents don’t know yet, unless you want to…”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Be good to my sister.”
“She’s my world…”
“Good enough for me,” her brother said easily, clapping him on the back and winking at Emily. “C’mon Em’, Mom has got Karen helping to set the table, and Dad’s polishing his rifle.”
John started and glanced at Emily.
“Chase is harassing you.”
“Dad bought it earlier this week.”
“What?”
“Okay, maybe it’s a little bit of harassment,” Chase said, pinching his fingers together slightly. “C’mon, Johnny is inside and so excited to meet his new uncle.”
“How did you get Johnny on a Friday? I thought Honey made you pick him up on Saturday mornings…”
“Honey-Bunches-of-Whack-O’shas a hot date tonight apparently… and I’m the cheapest and most convenient babysitter for my ex-wife,” Chase muttered and then looked at John. “Don’t ever get a divorce,The Harpywill crucify you financially.”
“CHASE!” Emily hissed angrily and immediately moved to throttle her brother, only to have John hold her back.
“Don’t let him bug you,” John said tenderly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
