The Whole Damn Night Sky

"Court house?"

I'm lying in the dark on the couch under a blanket that smells like Bradley, twirling the engagement ring on my finger.

I've missed him today.

The front door opens and the porch light floods the living room with light.

The door shuts moments later, and then everything is just silent.

"Are you awake?" Bradley whispers.

"Yes." I mumble. I hear his take off his shoes and coat, and then he moves in front of me and taps my legs. I move them, and he sits down. I sit up and move right into his lap.

He sighs quietly, holding my tightly.

"Are you alright?"

I'm quite for a long time, thinking.

"I'm relieved." I admit, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Your Mom has been crying all night. Jackson left your family. Jones comforted her. Noah and Kyra and Luc left right after you did. I wanted to but I felt like a dick."

I place a soft kiss on his neck. "Understood." I whisper. "I need to tell you something."

"Okay." He pulls me closer.

"While I was training to be an agent, I was taking online night classes on the side to be a teacher. My graduation for that is tomorrow." I bite my lip. "I might drop being an agent. I don't like it."

"What kind of teacher?" he asks.

"High school Geometry." I giggle. He laughs softly.

"You wanted to take after me."

I shiver because I've been cold all night.

"Maybe." I giggle. He takes the blanket from my hands and wraps it around my shoulders, entrapping his warmth with mine.

Right when my body warms up enough for me to stop shaking, I fall asleep.

****

I decided to spread the word about my second college graduation today. Everyone came and it was fun.

I ditched him at my house after dinner.

I got some new today that nobody knows, and it's changed everything.

I went and got my name changed back to Jones instead of Lane. I changed my social security, my license, my birth certificate, and everything else that needed changed, and I got Bradley a wedding ring.

I walk in the house with documents in my hand. Everyone is still here, except for Jackson.

"So, Dad." I say to Jones. "How about you hook me up with a job?"

He raises his eyebrows. "What about the whole FBI thing?"

I shrug, putting my hands in my pockets. "It's not for me."

"Well we don't have any spots open." He says. "I can fire someone."

"That's horrible."

"No because Mrs. Andrea has all failing students." He says.

"But it feels wrong. Don't do it."

"I'm doing it."

"No." I say.

"Too late." He pulls out his phone and dials a number.

I sigh.

"There. You're hired."

"I'll help you." Bradley says.

I pull out my phone and call Helen.

"Hey Emma." She says.

"Hey, um, I quit." I say.

Silence.

"Is everything okay?" she asks.

"Yes, I just...don't think this is for me."

"Alright." She sighs. "I understand. I'm going to need you to return the car. The gun is yours. The badge is yours, and so is the taser."

"Thanks." I say.

"Actually, I'll come get the car." Helen says.

"Okay." I hang up. "I'll be right back." I set my phone on the counter and walk into Bradley and I's room. Right when I shut the door, I run to the bathroom and puke.

I flush and brush my teeth, and then I change from my jeans and t-shirt to sweats and a loose t-shirt.

I let my hair down and walk into the living room.

"Are you okay?" Bradley asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"I don't know." He shrugs.

I get the firebox and put the new documents in there.

"We should leave." Mom says.

Everyone murmurs in agreement, and then they leave.

I hop up on the counter and Bradley moves between my legs.

"Now that they're gone, you can tell me what's wrong."

I search his eyes for a long time.

"I'm pregnant." I whisper.

He stares at me and I look right back.

"Your what?"

"Pregnant. We're having a baby."

He lets out a long breath. "Oh my god."

"I want to get married. Right now."

He studies my eyes for a long time. "Okay. Court house?"

I nod.