"Yeah, man, I know. And it's safe to say that I'm sufficiently terrified," I acknowledged, casting a glance towards the girl with the baby bump.

My girl.

My baby.

"Then join me in freaking the fuck out, why don’t you?" he shot back, looking disheveled and rattled. "Please."

"I'm in love with her," I offered, feeling a little lost and a lot afraid. "I just want that girl, Rourke. That's it. I wanted to keep her when I was five years old and I want to keep her now." I shrugged. "I have no goddamn clue what I'm doing, or how I'm gonna raise a baby in college, but I guess I'm kinda hoping that everything will just… sort of fall into place for us."

"It will," he agreed after a long pause. "Fall into place, that is."

"You really think that?"

"You're a good guy, D," he offered, sounding a little more together now. "The best man I know. If Molly Peterson is who your heart is set on, then you deserve a little luck and a helluva lot of happiness."

"She is," I responded, gaze once again flicking back to Molly. "She's all I want, Rourke."

"And your family?" he asked, instantly darkening my mood. "Are you going to tell them about the baby?"

"I'm sure my mother will hear all about it in the supermarket."

"But she won't be hearing about it from you?"

"No," I confirmed, grim at the thought of seeing the woman again. "Not from me."

Rourke nodded in acceptance. "So, that door is well and truly closed, huh?"

"Closed, locked, and bolted," was my flat response, as I folded my arms across my chest. "I'm not ready to speak to her or Sophie. I don’t think I ever will be, and to tell you the truth, man, I'm okay with that."

"Because you've gone and made yourself a little family of your own," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Reckless son of a bitch."

"Molly has always been my family, man," I told him. "And so have you."

He grinned, cheeks flushed from the compliment. "Don’t get all weepy and shit on me."

"I ain't." I laughed. "I'm just letting my baby's god-daddy know how much I appreciate him."

His eyes widened. "Holy fuck, are you serious?"

"Who else am I gonna ask?" I cocked a brow. "There ain't never been a day in my life when you haven't had my back, Rourke Owens. I want that for my kid."

"You really want me to be your crotch goblin's godfather?"

I nodded. "I really do."

"Well hell, D, I'm honored," he said, clearing his throat, as he pulled me in for a hug. "And I accept – I ain't changing diapers, but I'm honored, man."

Chuckling, I slapped his back. "Appreciate it."

"So, you've played the waiting game with her, then the truth game, and now you're what, heading towards the endgame?"

"Yeah," I laughed. "I guess we are."

Smirking, Rourke nodded. "Yeah." His sharp gaze flicked to his girlfriend. "I know that feeling."