emma reed.

“Crap,” Noah said. This was when he realized pulling out the ring would have been a good thing to do, “No, of course not. I mean, it’s perfect timing but, Emma, I’ve wanted to marry you since we got back together again. There’s no one I’d rather spend the rest of my life with,” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box, “But I bought this two weeks ago, I was going to ask you tonight, at midnight when the last firework went off but now seems like a good time as any,” Moving off the bed, Noah got down on one knee, moving her hand so the palm was up and placing the now opened ring box in it. He still held onto the bottom of her hand as he asked, “Emma Reed, I want to keep on loving you for the rest of my life, will you make me the happiest gods damn demigod alive and marry me?”

Emma hated to admit that she was shocked and at a temporary loss of words. She knew that one day she would want to get married to him, but today, all she was expecting was her to just tell him, and they would live their days the same, plus an extra person in their family. But, he really wanted to marry her, and he had been planning it for two weeks. A small gasp escaped her lips as she listened to the words falling out of his mouth, and she practically fell off the bed in an attempt to hug him as quickly as possible. “Of course I’ll marry you, Noah,” Emma said into his ear, her arms wrapped around his neck. ”I love you,” 

Noah suddenly really regretted his reaction. He should have been overjoyed straight away. Instead, his surprise had given the indication that he didn’t want to have a child with her. He shook his head violently, “No, no- I mean, yes, I want it. No as in I don’t not want it. Oh my gods,” He suddenly realized that his eyes were filling with tears and he grinned, “I want to have this baby with you, Em. You know I do, I love you,” He paused, suddenly realizing that he still had a question to ask her, “I love you, I have for… what? Ten years now? And before that I loved you because you were my best friend, you still are and I’ve always loved you. So… umm marry me?” He realized later that now would have been the moment to pull out the ring so she knew this wasn’t a proposal just because of the baby but he was caught up in the moment and still holding on her hand so he forgot to pull out the ring.

Seeing his face light up made Emma feel much better about it all. Her worried expression disappeared and it was replaced with a large smile. Her grip on his hand becoming slightly tighter as she was finally able to look him in the eyes. “I love you too, Noah,” Emma said, she noticed that saying these words were much, much easier to say than telling him that she was pregnant. “Wait- what? You’re not just asking because I’m pregnant, are you? You don’t have marry me just because we’re having a child, you know,” 

Noah really wasn’t sure what he had been expecting but it certainly wasn’t that. He was silent for what felt like an eternity but it was only a few seconds. His eyes widened and let out a long breath after realizing he’d been holding it, “You’re… Oh, wow. Gods,” He paused. It was a horrible reaction. He’d always wanted to be a father but he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. He glanced at the ground and then back up at her, “You’re sure?” It probably sounded like he didn’t want it but if he was going to be happy about this he didn’t want to get his hopes up and then be disappointed.

Emma sat there waiting for his reaction, and when she heard it, Emma seriously regretted not planning out how she was going to tell him in advance- of course, it probably wouldn’t have helped much, she would probably still panic and spill it out anyway. Emma hated his reaction, she was expecting him to be shocked, but she wasn’t expecting him to not be able to form complete sentences. “I took the test three times, I’m sure,” Emma answered, trying to keep herself calm and collected as she spoke. “Why? Do you not want it?” She asked. In all honesty, Emma was already starting to get used to the idea of having a child in their lives, and she didn’t know what she would do if the answer to her question was yes. 

“And you’re getting married! That makes me feel infinitely more older than you.” Emma responded, “She won’t. You’ve been dating for almost ten years, you two love each other, there’s no doubt in my mind that she’ll say yes.” 

“Well Caleb is probably in the Ares cabin if you want to go find him?” April suggested, “Nothing’s ever really bad between us anymore. The kids made us even better, surprisingly,” She joked and then gave Emma a knowing smile, “Please, she adores you and your gifts. You should give yourself more credit, Em.”

“I’ll have to go find him later to talk to him,” Emma said, agreeing with her suggestions. “That’s really good! I’m really glad they’ve had that affect on you,” She then said. Emma had hoped that her and Noah’s child did the same to them. They were a good couple already, but perhaps it was possible for them to become even better than before. “Don’t make me too confident, It’ll make me too cocky.” 

Noah was beyond worried now. He didn’t understand how her whole behavior could have changed in the few hours that he’d been seeing his siblings, nieces and nephews and old friends. She seemed fine on the way up. What could have changed? Noah took her hand and led her to the bed in the tent, where he sat them both down, “Whatever it is, you can tell me, Em. You know you can,” He said reassuringly. But his mind suddenly wandered to the last time he remembered her behaving like this. She had broken up with him. But surely that wasn’t the case this time.

Emma used those few seconds to figure out at least a baseline of how she could tell him. He was right, there was nothing that she couldn’t tell him, and there was nothing that he couldn’t tell her- so why was it so hard for her to tell him? Emma followed him into the tent and sat next to him. “I’m pregnant,” Emma spoke after a few seconds of silence, her small bit of planning of how she was going tell him flying right out the window. 

“I’m so happy for you, James. That sounds perfect,” She said, smiling from ear to ear. “Gods, you’re making me feel so old right now.” 

“What I meant was that I’m glad it’s you and not some stranger who hates the sight of kids alone,” April grinned, “I’ll make sure to say hi to him later on,” She paused, “I’m good, so if Caleb but perhaps you’ve seen him already. Rori really loved the gifts you sent for her birthday by the way.”

“Oh,” Emma said, her face scrunching up slightly as she gave a small laugh at her misinterpretation. “Then I’m glad it was me and not someone else,” She said continuing with her sentence. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.  I haven’t seen Caleb yet, but I’m really glad you two are good,” Emma responded, “She did?” In all honestly, Emma had been stressing slightly about Rori’s presents, she had never been very good at buying presents for people, which made buying presents for kids even harder. Hearing that Rori enjoyed the presents she got her, made the stress lift right from her back. “I’m even more glad that she enjoyed them,” 

Noah nodded, “They’re good,” He decided to be vague with his answer. She no doubt knew how Caleb was doing and Morgan was… well Morgan and their conversation was something that he couldn’t talk about. Not yet anyway, Brushing a piece of hair out of her face, Noah gave Emma a knowing look, “I know when you’re lying, Em. Something is wrong, let me help,” He’d seen a similar look before. One time being when they broke up all those years ago and a few other times hen they got back together again. So he knew that it was either bad news or she was afraid to tell him something, “What is it?”

"I’m glad they’re good,” She said, Emma didn’t think she was as close to Noah’s siblings than she was to anyone else, but she couldn’t deny that eventually, she had grown to enjoy their company and was honestly interested in what they were doing and how they were. Sometimes, Emma hated just how much Noah knew her, there was little to nothing that she could get away with. Emma wished that she was better at acting, at hiding things. There was no way that she would completely not tell him but she just wanted a bit more time to think about exactly how to tell him. “I-” She started, trying to look anywhere other than directly into his eyes, Emma hoped it would make it easier for her and her nerves to tell him, “I need to tell you something,” 

Emma couldn’t help the gasp coming out of her mouth at the news. “Really?” She asked, “When? How? Oh my gods, James, I’m so happy for you,” Emma said, quickly pulling her brother into a hug. 

“I’m not going to leave it that long. I’m going to tell him soon, just... Not now. I’m not sure I’m ready to tell him, I can’t even believe it myself.” Emma responded. Emma had tried to ignore the guilt of having not told Noah, but it was coming back in waves. “I promise.” 

“Thanks Emma,” he sighed when he finally reached them. “You little devil, there will be no candy for you.” His daughter only smiled at him and turned back to answer the question. “Bellatrix,” she squaked.

“It’s fine,” She waved off, “Ooh, that’s a harsh punishment” Emma breathed out at his words, “I think you might have to suck up to your Dad a bit.” She joked to the child. “Bellatrix? It’s very nice to meet you, I’m Emma.” 

“Oh Emma, and didn’t realize it was you! Thank gods, I thought he was running to a stranger,” April replied with a laugh, “How are you? Is Noah around?”

“I’m sure even a stranger here would bring him over to you,” She said, her voice positive. “I’m okay- I think Noah said he was going to the cabin to say hi to his siblings. How’re you? And everyone else?” 

“What do you mean is it his?” She asked, completely shocked at his words. “Of course it is! I wouldn’t do that to him.” Emma responded, “I’ll tell him, soon, “I’m just- I’m scared, okay? Please, James, you have to promise.” 

After talking to Caleb and Morgan about the engagement ring he was carrying around in his pocket, Noah decided to go find Emma herself. He had plans to ask her when the fireworks went off that night but he still wanted to find her. He hadn’t seen her since they’d arrived. When he did, he couldn’t help but grin. He had been lucky to have had her for all these years. He had changed a lot. They both had. However, the grin faded when he noticed her mannerisms. She was acting more nervous than usual, she was a little fidgety and her arms were wrapped around her. When Noah reached her, he leaned down to place a quick kiss on her lips and then furrowed his brow, “I was talking to some of my siblings. What’s wrong?” He didn’t even paused in between points. He was now slightly overcome with worry. Had something happened in the few hours they’d been here?

Emma tried to smile when she saw Noah, and was able to manage a small one, despite her nerves. When he moved to kiss her, Emma was quick to kiss him back, even if it was just a quick one. “Oh? How are they?” She wondered, honestly interested, but trying to keep the attention off herself. “What?” Emma asked, trying to keep herself in check to not make him worried- it didn’t seem to be working. “Nothings wrong, I’m fine.” She lied, trying to make the smile on her face larger to make him believe in what she was saying. 

Emma’s face blanked completely. She couldn’t believe James was able to guess, she didn’t even know how James was able to guess. “You- You can’t tell Noah, okay? Please, don’t tell him.” Emma begged, not even bothering to try and deny it.