Page 103 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

A familiar beat-up pickup truck trundles past, and I instinctively wave, catching the driver's surprised grin.

“You're waving to everyone today,” Emma teases, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

I chuckle, squeezing her hand. “I can't help it. I feel like I need to share how happy I am.”

She smiles back at me, a soft, knowing smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “I know what you mean.”

Excitement bubbles in my chest, threatening to spill over. It feels like everything has finally clicked into place. We are getting married, starting a family, and for the first time, I don't feel like I'm facing life alone. I have Emma, a partner, a confidant, the other half of my whole damn world.

Pulling into the driveway, the sight of Dad's old Ford truck parked beneath the oak tree brings a wide grin to my face. The scent of grilling meat wafts from the back porch, a sure sign Dad is working his weekend magic on the barbecue. He isn't expecting us, but the surprise will be worth it.

Emma squeezes my hand as I park. Taking a deep breath, I open the car door, stealing one last glance at my beautiful fiancé. Her eyes hold a mix of nervousness and excitement that mirrors my own.

“Ready?” I ask, offering her a smile.

“Ready,” she echoes, taking my hand again. We walk towards the house, an unspoken pact hanging in the air.

The back porch buzzes with activity. Dad, clad in his usual grease-stained work shirt, is flipping burgers while the radio blares a classic rock tune. He looks up as I enter, his grin widening as he sees us.

“Hey, you! From the smile on your face, I can guess it’s all solved?” There is a genuine warmth in his voice, and I feel a knot of apprehension in my stomach loosen.

“Hey, Dad,” I greet, pulling Emma in with a hug. “I brought company!”

“Well, isn't that a pleasant surprise?” He pulls back, his gaze flitting between us. “So, what's going on? Spit it out. You two look like you swallowed a mouthful of ants.”

Emma chews her lip, her usual bravado seeming to falter slightly. I take the lead, squeezing her hand reassuringly. “Okay, Dad, here goes. Emma's…” I pause, taking a deep breath. “She's agreed to be my wife.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Dad's smile remains, but his eyes widen in surprise. The spatula clatters to the ground with a metallic clang, breaking the tense silence.

“You’re getting married?” he echoes, his voice a mix of shock and amusement. “Well, you two certainly know how to surprise a man!”

Joy floods through me. Emma's shoulders visibly relax too, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Dad,” I begin, a grin tugging at my own mouth, “that's not all. We're getting married soon, too. I want her so much I can’t risk someone whisking her away.”

The shock seems to finally wear off. A booming laugh erupts from Dad, the sound echoing through the backyard. He claps me on the back, nearly knocking the wind out of me.

“Finally realized it, huh? About time someone knocked some sense into you, boy!” He throws his arm around Emma, pulling her into a hug. “Congratulations, you two! I couldn't be happier!”

The weight of the past few weeks lifts off my shoulders. We spend the rest of the evening making dinner together, filled with laughter and joyful chaos. Dad regales us with childhood stories, mostly at my expense, while Emma listens with amusement. The kitchen buzzes with an energy I haven't felt there in years.

We spend the next hour making dinner together, the three of us moving around the kitchen like a well-oiled machine. Dad keeps teasing me, making jokes about how he never thought I’d settle down, much less become a dad.

“You know, I always thought you’d be the eternal bachelor,” he says with a wink, handing me a bowl of salad to toss.

I laugh, shaking my head. “Well, Emma changed all that. I can’t imagine my life without her now.”

Emma smiles at me from across the kitchen, her eyes filled with love. “And I can’t imagine mine without you.”

After dinner, we decide to FaceTime Damon and June. The moment June sees me on the screen, her face breaks into a joyous grin.

“Hey, you two!” June exclaims, her eyes twinkling. “It’s so good to see you.”

“We’ve got some news,” I say, barely able to contain my excitement.

Emma takes my hand and smiles at the screen. “I’m pregnant.”

There’s a moment of stunned silence, and then June and Damon start talking all at once, their faces a mix of surprise.

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