Page 48 of CEO's Baby Scandal

“Ooh! More babies!” Ginny squealed. She got out of her seat and walked around the table to hug Emily, and I watched as Mom and Dad’s angry expressions faded as they watched their daughter-in-law accept the woman they had tried for so long to keep me away from.

“Twins?” Nancy said, standing. “Emily? You didn’t say twins.” Nancy hugged her daughter, and I gave them a minute as my parents and brother sat stoic, not reacting at all. Tom patted Nancy’s back and his head dropped. I wasn’t sure if he was upset or just taking it all in. Emily and Ginny discussed being pregnant for a moment, and I stood back, waiting. When Emily took her seat and everyone was quiet again, I decided now was the time to make my move.

“Emily,” I said, turning to her. She looked up at me, confused. “I know you weren’t expecting this, but I couldn’t think of a better time to do this right here, with the people we love most surrounding us.” I dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring I had stashed in my pocket earlier today. She covered her mouth, tears instantly welling up in her eyes.

“When I met you, I thought you were quite possibly the most beautiful woman I’d ever met. I had no idea how smart and funny and caring you were too. I fell in love with your sass andattitude. And I want nothing more than to ensure that every day for the rest of your life, every single one of your dreams comes true. Will you be my wife?”

I held out the ring, and she sobbed, laughing and nodding her head. She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me in a tight hug. I didn’t care that my mother rolled her eyes or that my father gave a scowl. Emily was the only thing in the world that mattered to me at that moment. And when I stood up and Nick was there to shake my hand, I knew everything would be okay.

“Congratulations, Danny. I think Emily is going to fit in just fine.” He squeezed my hand hard then threw an arm around me and patted me on the back before facing Emily. “I want to apologize to both of you for the way I’ve acted before today. I just watch out for my brother, that’s all. I think that you two will be very happy together.”

“Thanks, Nick. I appreciate that. I think we’ll do just fine,” I told him as he walked back to his seat. As he sat, Emily and I took our seats too, but there was little reaction from the rest of the table. Emily didn’t seem to care. She was starry-eyed and smiling, so I started a discussion about wedding dates and baby names that was mostly carried on by Grace, Ginny, and Emily. My parents and Tom and Nancy remained silent until Grace excused herself, offering a hug before she left. Everyone took that as their cue to finish the meal and leave.

While Mom used the toilet and Dad waited on her, Emily and I escorted her parents to the door. Nancy was the first to speak, addressing Emily directly. It was tense for me, so I could only imagine how Emily felt as we hovered in the doorway.

“Emily, I’ve always known you were such a strong woman. You are going to be an excellent mother." She hugged Emily, then offered her arms to me too. “Dan, thank you for loving our little girl. I’m sorry that we didn’t fully trust Emily’s choice, andI apologize for any hurt feelings.” When she let me go and stood back, she said, “We just wanted what was best for Emily, and I can see now that she is very happy with you.”

Tom still had a glower on his face, but he shook my hand. All he said was, “If you hurt my daughter, I own three shotguns and a membership to the ammunition store.” I suspected that was his small-town way of telling me he was watching how I treated Emily, and I chuckled, but he didn’t laugh.

“Sir, you have nothing to worry about. Emily is my queen. I will worship the ground she walks on every day for the rest of my life.” I held her to my side, and she blew her father a kiss as he walked away. When they were out of earshot, I asked Emily, “Was he joking?”

She snickered and nodded. “Dads are protective, Dan. It’s just his way of saying he approves and he wants you to be careful with me.” Her hand splayed across my chest, and we noticed movement behind us. Michael approached with a calm expression for the first time today. The way he stood told me he felt defeated, as if I’d finally won this battle and he was waving his white flag.

“Mike…” I reached out my hand to one of my oldest friends, and he took it.

“I have to admit, Dan, I really thought this was a bad idea.” He turned to Emily and said, “No hard feelings?” He thrust out his hand to her, and she shook it.

“None at all. I apologize for the rude way my sister meddled in all of this.” She tucked into my side as Michael continued.

“You can, obviously, have your job back. How can I tell Dan his fiancée can’t be his personal assistant? You two clearly love each other very much. I’m truly sorry for getting in the way of that. I hope you are very happy together.” He stepped out the door, and Emily smirked at me.

I was confused about the smirk until she said, “Thanks, Mike. And by the way, I’m not giving back the severance bonus.”

Michael chuckled and called over his shoulder, “I’ll make sure the CEO knows he has to cook the books.”

We both laughed as he walked away, and Nick and Ginny joined us near the door. I fully believed that without Nick coming to his senses and apologizing in front of everyone, my parents would have caused a scene. And the way Ginny handled herself was perfect. I owed them both.

“Guys, thank you so much for coming. I really appreciate the way you stood up for us.” I hugged each of them, and so did Emily.

“I can’t wait to swap baby stories with you, Ginny,” Emily said as she squeezed Ginny. I could tell they would get along great, and our kids would be best friends as cousins growing up together.

“It’s so great to meet you, Emily. Dan told me about you, and I just knew you would be perfect for him. I’m so happy you are getting married.” Ginny grabbed Nick’s hand and pulled him out the door.

“Brunch next week? Then golf?” Nick called as she dragged him away.

“Wouldn’t miss it!”

Nick and Ginny were driving away before Dad and Mom joined us on the front stoop. I hoped they would be civil, but they pleasantly surprised me by being compassionate. The opposite of how I thought they’d respond.

“Daniel, Emily, we both want you to know we fully support your marriage and these sweet babies.” Mom spoke softly, eating every word she’d said for the past few months. “I had my reservations and I was wrong, and it takes a big person to admit when they’re wrong. So I’m sorry that I didn’t admit thissooner.” Even in her apology, she had to make herself look better than everyone else, but I accepted it.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Son, all I can say is I’m proud of you for standing by your guns. You’ll be an excellent father.” Dad nodded at Emily and said, “Welcome to the family, Ms. Kline. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of you now. I hope Daniel remembers everything I’ve taught him.”

“Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs. It was so nice to meet you.” Emily sighed happily, and Mom and Dad excused themselves without much else to say.

We stood there on the stoop for a few more minutes, and I could tell something was still bothering Emily. I jostled her a bit and guided her into the house. She walked slowly, dragging her feet, and I asked, “What’s wrong, babe?”