I sigh, cradling his cheek and sitting up to whisper next to his ear. “Because it means that experiment might have been a success, after all.”
“Oh,” says JD, blinking rapidly. “Oh. Ah, are you sure?”
“Not exactly, but I’m thinking it could be the reason I’m feeling like death warmed over right now,” I reply, gesturing to the trash can beside me.
He stares down at me for a second longer, his expression softening and his lips curving into a silly but elated smile, just as the judge reenters the room with Ryan on his heels.
“How are we doing, Mrs. Bourgeois?” the judge asks, seemingly amused by my syncope.
“Much better, your honor,” I answer as JD helps me return to a standing position, keeping his arm wrapped around me protectively. “And I’m sorry about all that. It’s…new.”
“Are you sure you’re all right, Ms. Tenley?” Ryan asks, a hint of bitterness in his tone. “Of course, I don’t mind if you need to postpone. We could always come to a better temporary arrangement today and meet later to finalize everything.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Blake interrupts him. “Postponement won’t solve anything since Mrs. Bourgeois’s ailment isn’t likely going away for, oh, the next nine months or so.”
“She’s pregnant?” Ryan scoffs.
“I guess that accounts for the short engagement,” the judge surmises with a twinkle in his eye.
JD beams at me a second longer before he speaks. “Your honor, I know our situation seems unconventional. But I believe my wife and I were initially drawn to one another because of the individual bonds we’d each forged with Ethan. And by the time we fell in love, we didn’t see the point in waiting to get married or have babies when the three of us had already formed a family. Now, all we need is to settle this arrangement, because we love Ethan, and we know he belongs here with us, his family.” He states the last part firmly.
Ethan exhales audibly beside me, and even Blake looks a bit misty-eyed. I reach over to secretly pat my husband on the backside, because he deserves a token of appreciation after that amazing speech and heartfelt delivery. Plus, I find it unbelievably hot when JD gets assertive and authoritative, and I’m pro-PDA now. I grin when I hear a low growl from him in return.
The judge smiles down at us, and I wonder whether he’s noticed our exchange. “I’d like to speak to Mr. Robin alone for a minute. We’ll join the rest of you shortly.”
I stop to squeeze Ethan’s shoulder before he and JD casually trade fist bumps on our way out, though my eyes start to sting when I catch a glimpse of Ethan regarding JD with a look of sincere gratitude and affection.
We return to the courtroom, where my mom is waiting with a hopeful expression. “He’s still talking with the judge,” I explain, trying to regain control of my emotions as we settle in beside her.
Then my husband’s hand curls in around mine before he brings it up to meet his lips. “I really want to kiss you,” he says softly. “But since it’s probably not the right time or place for that, and you just vomited in a trash can back there, your hand will have to do for now.” And I blush a little, because I really have married the most amazing man on the planet.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he adds in a whisper. I nod, though I still feel like I could use a few saltines and a place to lie down.
“I’m sure it’s only the beginning,” I remark with a short laugh.
“Aren’t you going to tell her?” he asks, gesturing toward my mom.
She turns quickly. “Tell me what?”
I glare at him. “I was going to wait until I knew for sure—”
“Yeah, well, apparently she’s not above staging a shotgun wedding to get her way,” Ryan complains loudly to his wife across the aisle.
I bite my lip and cringe, JD curses under his breath, and Blake snorts. When I open my eyes again, my mother is staring back at me expectantly. “Tenley Jean?” she ventures, her voice higher than usual.
I lean over to explain quietly. “It’s not true. We’re just letting them believe what the judge wanted to hear.”
“So, you’re not…” She trails off, her disappointment evident.
“Oh, no, I’m probably pregnant,” I correct her. “I’m pretty sure I just had my first taste of morning sickness back there. But this would be a honeymoon baby, if you could call it that.” She presses her lips together, and her eyes water. “I haven’t confirmed anything yet, okay? So don’t get your hopes up.”
She shakes her head, because we both know that’s impossible, and she pulls me in for a hug so tight that it takes me a second to catch my breath again.
“Okay, Mom. Just, could you stop crying? We probably don’t want them thinking you’re surprised by this news.”
“Mm-hmm. Okay,” she squeaks, trying to collect herself.
I turn back to JD, and his eyes are watery too, now. “Don’t you dare.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replies, his voice thick. Then he scrunches his nose and looks up, exhaling through his lips. “I’m fine. I’ve just been looking forward to starting a family of my own for so long, and now I might be gaining two kids in one day.”
I squeeze his hand tightly as my eyesight gets blurry. “Dammit,” I curse, willing the sensation away. But my tear ducts hear “let’s do this,” and another pregnancy symptom makes a grand appearance.
“Mais la, people. Get a hold of yourselves,” I hear Blake grumbling as he leans over and offers a box of tissues.
“At least I have an excuse,” I retort, wiping my nose and making the others laugh.
Seconds later, Ethan reappears, providing a welcome distraction as he scoots down and wedges himself between JD and me. He glances hopefully at each of us, a wide grin stretching across his face. The judge takes his place, and the proceedings begin much the same as the last time we were here.
Except this time, we walk out as a very happy family of four.
