Aaron glanced up at Keeley blankly. She rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, hands clasped behind her back—the picture of nervousness. The pieces of the puzzle clicked together. His eyes immediately jumped to her completely flat stomach. "You mean you're…"

He couldn't bring himself to say it. It was too fantastical to believe. Keeley had taken the morning-after pill—he'd seen the box in the recycling bin. She'd told him it would be a one-time thing, and he'd accepted it at face value.

She nodded, cautiously gauging his reaction.

A whirlwind of emotions flitted across his face: confusion, fear, disbelief, sorrow, joy. He never thought this would happen again. Any dreams of fatherhood had died with what his father and Lacy Knighton had done to Keeley and the first baby. Was this real? Did he deserve this happiness?

The bubble burst. He realized something: she hadn't wanted this. She'd planned to go their separate ways after graduation. What were her feelings?

"Can you say something?" she asked with a shaky laugh. "You've been staring at me for three minutes."

No, no, no! He didn't want her getting the wrong idea!

"I think it's great!" he blurted. "I'm just worried about how you feel about it!"

Keeley practically wilted with relief, leaning against the table for support. "Ugh, don't scare me like that!"

Aaron rushed toward her, halting about two inches away. What was he supposed to do? Did she want to be touched? Was she angry? What was he supposed to do?

She sat at the table, gesturing for him to join her. He obeyed wordlessly, waiting for her to speak. She took a deep breath before looking at him and beginning what sounded like a prepared speech.

"I found out in Maryland. On the bus ride home, I had a lot of time to think… I was happy—I've always wanted to be a mom—scared because of what happened last time, and sad because I knew what I had to do and didn't want to put myself through that again.

"Aaron…you've been very good to me this past year. I want our baby to grow up in a normal, healthy family, so I've decided to stay with you. I really didn't want to get married again, especially into your family, because of everything that happened before. But I'll do it if you can promise me something. Can you keep us safe?"

Her eyes held a mixture of resignation and anguish. It broke his heart. Keeley was being brave, doing the last thing she ever wanted to do for their child.

She would stay with him to give their baby a normal life, but she would never love him. This bittersweet ending was what he deserved.

Aaron reached across the table, clasping her cold, trembling hands in his. He rubbed them, trying to warm them.

"I'll protect both of you with my life," he vowed solemnly. "And Keeley…I want you to know that I'll give you anything you want: your friends, your career, how we raise this child…you call the shots. I want you to be happy, to do everything you've ever wanted, with me at your side."

She nodded, unable to speak around the lump in her throat.

Aaron spotted a small metal ring clip holding together a pack of flashcards on the counter. It wasn't a diamond ring, but it would do. She deserved a proper proposal, not this self-initiated engagement.

He stood, unclipped the ring, and knelt before her. She laughed at his makeshift ring.

"Keeley Hall, you came into my life like a sunbeam bursting through an endlessly cloudy sky. I love everything about you, from your big heart to the way you find excitement in the smallest things. You've always been my greatest source of happiness.

"I know our past has been difficult, to say the least…but I promise from this day forward to be your number one supporter and do everything in my power to make your dreams come true. Will you marry me?"

Tears sparked in her eyes as her face broke into a smile. "Yeah. Can you do me a favor, though?"

"What?" he asked eagerly. He would do anything.

"Could you maybe not get me a six-carat ring this time? Even this clip would be better than that monstrosity," she giggled, holding up her hand. The clip was quite large on her finger.

Aaron smiled ruefully. He should have known that the kind of ring other high-society women wore wouldn't appeal to her. "Why don't you pick it out with me this time?"

"Okay, but I want it from a regular jewelry store. A retail chain," she said dramatically.

He scoffed. "Retail chains don't scare me anymore."

Keeley clapped her hands, pointing at him. "So you're admitting they used to?!"

He smiled indulgently, shaking his head. This girl was far too literal. He stood and asked if they could have cake. She served two slices, a funny look on her face.

"What is it?" he asked halfway through.

"We just got engaged. I figured you'd try to kiss me."

Aaron's eyes widened. He hadn't even considered it. "…You want me to?"

"No," she denied, red-faced. "I just thought you would!"

They clearly needed a conversation about their relationship. He'd assumed she wouldn't want anything physical, that their marriage would be in name only, for the baby. They had a lot to discuss.

(The final promotional sentence was removed as it is not part of the story itself.)