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so when it comes down to it , i do n't think i could ask for a better godfather for my son . '' |
aidan 's words touched pesh . |
`` thank you . |
that means a lot . |
you have my word that i will always do what is right by noah . '' |
after giving him a hearty thump on the shoulder , aidan said , `` come on back with me . |
i want to introduce you to everyone . '' |
`` do they ... '' pesh was n't sure how to ask if aidan 's family knew the story of how he and emma truly knew each other . |
aidan chuckled . |
`` let 's just say that pop 's the only one who knows the truth . |
the others just think you met us when pop had his heart attack . '' |
pesh could n't help the relieved breath that whooshed out of him . |
it would have been a nightmare to have most of aidan 's family hating him for trying to steal emma away . |
`` i see . '' |
he followed aidan back into a large room filled with chattering people . |
as he craned his neck , he saw emma in the corner with noah in her arms . |
she looked radiant as ever in an emerald suit . |
noah , however , did n't seem too thrilled to be outfitted in the lacy gown that flowed over emma 's arms and stopped mid-thigh . |
his tiny brows wrinkled as he waved his fists back and forth as if any moment he might let loose with a scream . |
taking him by the elbow , aidan guided him over to a group of men and women . |
aidan introduced him to his four sisters and their husbands . |
pesh smiled , nodded , and shook their hands before being bombarded by a hoard of aidan 's nieces and nephews . |
`` now i want you to meet my niece , megan . |
she 's the godmother . '' |
`` it would be my pleasure . '' |
aidan surprised pesh by leaning in and whispering in his ear . |
`` i 'm pretty sure over half of the people here are gunning for you two to get together . |
you know , a real romantic story to tell future kids about how you two met being the godmother and godfather of this sweet and adorable kid . '' |
pesh gulped . |
why was everyone he knew hell-bent on setting him up ? |
had emma harbored some secret , ulterior motive in asking him to be noah 's godfather ? |
`` i 'm flattered , but i do n't know if that 's such a good idea . '' |
pulling back , aidan surmised him before winking . |
`` normally i would agree because she is , after all , my niece-my favorite one if i 'm being honest . |
but as much as it pisses me off to admit it , you two would make a great couple . '' |
`` we would ? '' |
`` hell yeah . '' |
aidan swept his hand over his chin . |
`` megan needs someone strong and stable like you are , and then you need someone who is so full of life like she is . |
i can guaran-damn-tee you that you 've never been out with a woman like her before . |
emma is like , one tenths the sassiness that megan is . '' |
pesh could n't help giving aidan a skeptical look . |
`` just keep an open mind , okay ? '' |
with a reluctant nod , pesh replied , `` i will . '' |
`` megan , '' aidan called . |
when the tiny blonde turned around , pesh fought to catch his breath . |
everything about her from her sparkling blue eyes to her long blonde hair was just like jade 's . |
how was it possible for someone to remind him so much of what he had lost ? |
aidan grinned as he glanced between the two of them . |
`` i wanted to introduce you to pesh nadeen , the godfather . '' |
thrusting out her hand , megan smiled warmly at him . |
`` it 's very nice to finally meet you . '' |
he stared at it a moment before his good manners overrode his shock . |
he took her hand in his and shook it . |
`` it 's very nice meeting you , too . '' |
`` i 'll leave you two to get to know each other , '' aidan said . |
before pesh could protest , aidan turned and disappeared into the crowd . |
he turned to megan and tried clearing his throat of what felt like a wad of sawdust . |
he knew he should try to make polite conversation , but he was still so shell-shocked by the way megan looked . |
finally , she took pity on him . |
`` so , emma tells me you 're a doctor . '' |
pesh smiled politely . |
`` yes , i am . '' |
`` what type of medicine ? '' |
`` emergency services . '' |
megan 's face lit up . |
`` oh , how interesting . |
i 'm about to finish nursing school , and i 've asked for clinical placement in the er . '' |
pesh widened his eyes in surprise . |
aidan had failed to mention that they had the medical profession in common . |
`` really ? '' |
megan nodded . |
`` i 'm hoping to get placed at grady , even though my parents would die a thousand deaths . '' |
he cocked his brows at her . |
`` i assume they 're afraid for your safety ? '' |
`` yes . |
they ca n't help worrying about the neighborhood . |
they sometimes forget i 'm an adult , rather than a child . '' |
`` what is it about grady that attracts you ? '' |
`` besides the fact that it 's nationally recognized for its er ? '' |
he smiled . |
`` yes , besides the accolades . '' |
megan tilted her head in thought . |
`` i guess it 's the fact i really want to feel like i 'm making a difference and saving lives . |
i feel like at grady i would be seeing some of the worst cases imaginable , and in turn some people who really do n't have a lot of hope . '' |
he was taken aback by her words and the passion with which she delivered them . |
while she possessed a beautiful exterior , she certainly seemed to have a greater depth of character than he had originally expected . |
he did n't often meet someone like her . |
most of the women at the hospital who threw themselves at him possessed only surface beauty . |
he did n't have to be with them very long to perceive their true shallowness and self-centeredness . |
to them , he was a prize to be won . |
he could n't ever imagine megan feeling that way . |
she was n't the type of woman to care about a trophy man on her arm-she wanted to make her own way in the world . |
`` it is so good to hear someone speak with such passion about nursing . '' |
`` really ? '' |
he nodded . |
`` we desperately need more people like you . |
i know i would love to work alongside someone who had your passion . '' |
she smiled at his compliments . |
he could n't help noticing what a nice smile she had . |