If he thought he was shocked by what she'd said, he had nothing on her. Emma hadn't planned on it. Though she'd known there was a chance, she knew how she felt, she hadn't been ready. Not yet. She'd honestly never said that to anyone. Most kids could at least say they'd said it to their parents, to a loving mom or dad. Or a sibling, maybe. Even a pet. Emma hadn't had those chances. She'd never even said it to Henry, knowing from the beginning she was going to give him up. Easier to not get attached if she pretended she didn't give a damn about the tiny life growing inside of her.
But now she had. Now she'd said it and the words were out there and there wasn't a damn thing she could do except play it off and slip out and maybe lock herself in the shower for a month. Except she couldn't, because her face was in his hand and he was giving her that look. And she wasn't going anywhere. He wanted a repeat performance, apparently. Could she?
She had to. She had to be as honest with him as she'd finally been with herself. What she'd told him was only the truth. Nothing in her life was ever going to be the same again, even if she walked away now. Some people could never accept her after the choices she'd made. She may as well allow herself this, if she could. "I do," she whispered, the sound almost hesitant. But not quite. Emma couldn't hesitate once her mind was made up. "I do love you. Damn if I haven't tried not to. But I do."
Her eyes closed, finally blocking out that steady stare. She felt a little nauseous, admittedly, but at least it was said and done. If he was done with her over this... Well, she'd slap him, first of all. All the damn times he'd tried to make her say it, if he turned his back on her now, he'd deserve at least that.
"Maybe it's not the smartest thing I've ever done. But good things have come out of a lot of the stupid decisions in my life. And I have to hope the same can be said here." When she finally looked back up at him, it wasn't with fear in her eyes but resignation. Whatever happened now, there was nothing she could do about it.