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“Well, what is it? You don’t think some space will give you two time to think about what you’re doing? Just take a breather.”

“Man, I have zero doubts about your sister. I could leave for a year and she’d be right here when I got back. That’s not what’s holding me back.” I could feel it building in my neck and shoulders. The temptation was there. I was so close to saying it.

“Then call the Pentagon and tell them you’ll do it.” His eyes pressed into mine.

I shook my head. “I can’t leave her. I promised I wouldn’t.”

Ryan huffed. “Fuck. You used to be the best Marine I knew. What has happened to you?”

“She’s pregnant, Ryan. Kaitlyn is pregnant.”

The wind whipped between us and Grayson started to cry. I tore my eyes away for a second. He had knocked over a bucket and was soaked in icy water.

“Shit. Hold on, buddy.” I stared at my best friend. “Don’t say a word. Not a word.” I held a finger up. “I’m going to marry her. First, I have to get my son inside.”

Ryan stood there motionless.

I collected Grayson. “Hey, you’re going to be ok. It’s just cold. Miss Moira has some warm clothes for you in the house.”

There was no reasoning with him, though. Once he had started crying, there was no stopping him. I carried him to the patio.

Ryan’s arms were crossed. “Who knows?” he asked as I walked past him.

“No one. Kaitlyn has it planned out. So don’t ruin it for her. And don’t mention the Pentagon. I just need to sort it out.”

Grayson squirmed in his heavy wet coat. I took him inside and down the hall to the bathroom across from Kaitlyn’s childhood bedroom.

I started warm water in the tub and peeled the wet clothes off Grayson and made a pile. They needed to be thrown in the dryer.

I didn’t expect to see Ryan in the doorway. He closed the door and I set Grayson in the warm bathtub with some cups to play with.

“I’m sorry.” He hung his head. He had a new beer in his hand. “I didn’t know it was that serious. You want to marry my sister?”

I grinned. “Hell yeah I do. I gave her the ring months ago.”

“Shit,” he whispered. I didn’t think Grayson heard him.

“She’s scared to death to tell your parents. She’s been keeping this secret and honestly, I can’t wait for everyone to know so we can stop pretending. We’re having a baby.”

“I’m going to be an uncle?”

“Yeah. You are.”

He shook his head. “My first instinct is to kill you.”

I nodded. “Understood.”

“Second instinct is to hug you and say congratulations.” He slapped me on the back. “When’s the wedding?”

“She wants to wait until the fall. Right now she just wants to focus on her pregnancy. And I’m fine with that. Whatever she wants.”

Ryan scratched the back of his head. “You know my dad is going to flip the eff out. Sure you don’t want to get married at the courthouse and then tell him? At least you’d have that.”

“You’re joking, right? Courthouse? Kaitlyn would never go for that. She has her heart set on a big wedding. I think she has been planning this for years.” I laughed.

“Yeah, well. Elope if you can. Otherwise, there’s not a lot I can do for you.” He smirked.

“But you get it? Why I can’t just accept the mission?”