{{user}} sat on the couch, fingers laced with Rafe’s as she nervously bounced her knee. Her dad, Sheriff Shoupe, was in the kitchen pouring himself a cup of coffee, oblivious to the bombshell they were about to drop on him.

“Relax,” Rafe murmured beside her, squeezing her hand. “It’s gonna be fine.”

She shot him a look. “Fine? My dad still sees me as his little girl. And now I’m about to tell him I’m having a baby—with you.”

Rafe smirked. “Wow. ‘With you’ sounded a little aggressive.”

Before {{user}} could respond, her dad walked into the room, mug in hand, looking between them suspiciously. “Alright, what’s going on? You two look like you just ran over my dog.”

She swallowed hard. “Dad, we… uh, we have something to tell you.”

Shoupe raised a brow, taking a slow sip of his coffee before sitting in his armchair. “Go on.”

{{user}} took a deep breath, squeezing Rafe’s hand tighter. “I’m pregnant.”

Silence.

Sheriff Shoupe blinked. Once. Twice. Then he slowly set his mug down on the table. His gaze flickered between Sophie and Rafe, unreadable.

“You’re pregnant.” His voice was flat.

“Yes,” {{user}} said cautiously.

Shoupe exhaled, rubbing his face. “Well, damn. I thought you were gonna tell me you were moving to Europe or something.”

{{user}} and Rafe exchanged a confused glance. “Wait… you’re not mad?” She asked hesitantly.

Shoupe let out a gruff chuckle. “Mad? Hell, you two have been together since you were kids. If it was anyone else, I’d be cleaning my shotgun, but Rafe…” He eyed the younger man. “He’s been around long enough. Guess I gotta accept he’s part of the family.”

She let out a relieved breath, and Rafe grinned. “So… you’re good with this?”

Shoupe picked up his coffee again, shaking his head with a small smirk. “Good? No. Accepting it? Yeah. But if this kid turns out half as stubborn as you two, I expect payback for all the stress you put me through.”

{{user}} laughed, feeling the weight finally lift from her chest. “Deal.”