Fuck off, Blake. You cant just walk in here like that, Dillon pointed out, his body language showing he was braced for a fight. You were supposed to call with Emilys next doctors appointment. That was the fucking agreement when you left the message saying she wouldnt make her last one.

Slight tension crackled through Gavins nerves as he stepped toward Dillon. Calm the fuck down. Gavin held up a small, blue envelope and tossed it onto Dillons desk. With a slow grin twisting his lips, Gavin stared at Dillons hand resting on the phone. No doubt he was getting ready to pick it up. I didnt come here to physically hurt you, Dillon, Gavin continued, attempting to hold in a chuckle. Today, Im the bearer of good news. Emily no longer has any more doctors appointments. Gavin paused, his grin widening. Well, not prenatal appointments.

Still appearing as if he was about to yell for help, Dillons eyes piqued with curiosity as he reached for and tore open the birth announcement. Gavin wasnt sure how long Dillon took to scan over the teddy bear-riddled card highlighting Noahs July 5th entrance into his life, but somehow, Gavin wasnt filled with the joy at witnessing any of this the way he thought hed be.

Emily had the baby? Dillon questioned, his face bleeding confusion. This was over a fucking week ago. How come Im just finding out? After crumpling up the announcement, Dillon chucked it into the garbage pail. With a smirk, he rounded the corner of his desk and walked up to Gavin. Their bodies were less than a foot apart when Dillon spoke up again, his voice as cold as a snowy winter morning. Its all good. Just tell me where I have to go and what I have to do to prove Im this kids father.

Remaining silent, Gavin didnt know how long he stared into Dillons lifeless, dark eyes. The eyes of a man hed once considered a friend, a buddy. The eyes of a man who hit the woman Gavin loved, adored, and couldnt live without. The other half of his soul. It was then Gavin realized not only was he wasting oxygen, he was also wasting precious time away from two people that no piece of shit in the world should ever come before. The battle was over, and Gavin knew hed won in more ways than Dillon would ever be lucky enough to experience. Sword down, no longer needing to see Dillons reaction and feeling like an asshole for leaving Emily and Noah, Gavin handed him the envelope holding the paternity test results. Dillons confused expression was the last thing Gavin saw before he turned and walked out of the office. The sound of Dillon opening the envelope was the last thing Gavin heard as he walked out of Dillons life for good.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Time. Emily never looked at it the same way after her mother died. Her perception of what life should mean and how it could be taken at any second was forever changed the day she watched her mothers cherry wood coffin slowly descend into the rain-soaked earth. With her mother gone, vanished like a swirling vapor, time held new meaning for Emily.

As she closed the penthouse door behind her, Emily found herself wondering where the last seven months had gone. Time slipped through itself, a black hole sucking in memories, leaving behind Noahs beautiful fingerprints. Like shooting stars in her sky, Noah left his beautiful mark on Emilys life in so many magical ways. Emilys loving gaze fell on Noah, sitting up like the big boy he was turning into, as he reached out his tiny hand to Gavins. After smothering a block with his sweet saliva, Noah chucked the block at Gavins head. Laying on the floor next to Noah, a chuckle belting from his mouth, Gavin mocked sadness as he looked at his son.

Giggling, a few thoughts flew around Emilys mind. One: Gavin was lucky he was wearing his Yankees hat. Two: Gavin was even luckier the alphabet-speckled block was made of cotton. Three: Surrounded by an array of toys from one end of the living room to the next, Gavin looked completely edible, wearing nothing but that Yankees hat and pajama pants on this fine, Sunday afternoon. Yeah. Though time was disappearing faster than Emily could blink, faster than she could catch her next breath, each second was nothing short of magnificent.

Look whos home, Noah, Gavin announced, sliding from the floor to the couch. He grinned at Emily and adjusted his baseball cap. And she came bearing gifts for us. Will we be fed, Mommy?

Smiling at Gavin and Noah, Emily plopped two paper bags of groceries onto the counter. That depends. She pulled out a loaf of rye bread. Is the laundry folded?

Gavin quirked a brow. My brother was right. Youve domesticated me beyond belief.

I take that as a yes. After shoving a head of lettuce into the refrigerator, Emily dug her hands into her hips. And dont lie. You love being domesticated.

Gavin chuckled, reaching for the newspaper on the end table. Yes, boss. To be honest, Noah folded the whole pile. He flipped open the paper, his teasing blue eyes peeking out from the sports section. But we took a man vote. Were in agreement were both tired of folding laundry. We want the housekeeper back. Beaming a dimpled smile, Gavin looked at Noah. Right, buddy?

With one hand wrapped around a musical clown rattle and the other shoved in his mouth, Noah gave a single nod.

Thats my boy, Gavin laughed, swinging his eyes to Emily. See? Youre outnumbered, doll. We win. Im calling Leslie and hiring her back on fulltime. Its a done deal.