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gazing down at his hands , he finally responded , `` i held a man 's heart in my hands this morning . ''

emma 's eyes widened , and she sucked in a breath .

`` oh my god ... '' he shook his head with regret .

`` but no matter how hard i tried , i still could n't save him . ''

she reached out to rub his arm .

`` i 'm so , so sorry . ''

`` thank you , '' he murmured .

since he was ready to change the subject before his emotions overcame him again , he motioned for her to have a seat .

`` so , what brings you here ? ''

`` i have a favor to ask of you . ''

his brows rose in surprise .

`` you do ?

another flight for aidan perhaps ? ''

emma laughed .

`` no .

i think it 'll be a long , long time before he ever gets in a small plane again . ''

as noah began to squirm , she shifted him from her lap to her shoulder .

he spit out his pacifier and started to fuss .

`` here .

let me , '' pesh suggested , bending over to take noah into his arms .

noah 's surprised blue eyes met his , and then he smiled at pesh .

`` hello , little one .

my , how you 've grown since i saw you last . ''

noah cooed and reached for pesh 's stethoscope .

`` you were saying ? ''

he questioned emma .

`` i know it 's a lot to ask , considering you 're not catholic , but i was wondering if you would be noah 's godfather ? ''

pesh could n't hold back his surprise , and his mouth dropped open in shock .

`` you 're serious ? ''

emma nodded .

`` since i 'm not catholic , i 'm basically humoring aidan 's father by having a baptism for noah .

you remember him ? ''

pesh laughed .

`` how could i ever forget mr. fitzgerald , the matchmaker ? ''

emma smiled .

`` that 's right .

well , you can understand how persistent he is . ''

`` oh yes , i do . ''

`` we 're allowed one catholic and one non-catholic godparent .

we 've chosen aidan 's niece as godmother , and then i wanted you . ''

`` but what about your good friend ? ''

`` connor ? ''

`` yes , him . ''

emma waved a dismissive hand .

`` besides the fact that connor is a non-practicing baptist , he 's refused on the grounds he does n't want to have any moral or religious responsibility for noah . ''

she grinned and shook her head .

`` while he and casey were obvious choices , let 's just say they 're looking forward to corrupting noah , rather than guiding him on a spiritual path . ''

pesh smiled .

`` i see . ''

emma 's auburn brows knitted together in worry .

`` i hope you 're not offended that i told you that .

i do n't want you to think you were a second best choice .

when i thought of someone to protect and guide noah , you were one of the first people to pop into my mind . ''

pesh worked to free his stethoscope from noah 's mouth .

`` and what does aidan say about this ? ''

he knew that although he and aidan had come to some sort of friendship on the night of noah 's birth , he could n't imagine , as possessive as aidan was , that he would want a potential ex-flame of emma 's having a major part in his son 's life .

`` he 's fine with it , '' emma replied , as she toyed with the strap on her purse .

`` emma , '' pesh pressed .

she threw up her hands as she met his gaze .

`` okay , so he was n't thrilled with the idea at first .

it took some convincing on my part , but he 's totally onboard now . ''

`` as honored as i am , i would not cause contention between you two for anything in the world . ''

`` and you wo n't .

i promise . ''

emma reached out and took his hand .

months ago , that touch would have electrified him from his head to his feet .

now it was nothing more than the caring touch of a friend .

`` in this day and age , it is so hard to find a truly honorable man .

you have such a kind heart and a caring spirit .

coupled with your integrity , i could n't ask for a better person in my son 's life , and aidan agreed . ''

she squeezed his hand .

`` please say yes . ''

pesh brought his gaze from emma 's intense one to noah 's inquisitive one .

how could he say no ?

he loved children , and he wanted nothing more than to have a house full of them one day .

the fact that emma thought so highly of him truly melted his heart .

as he stared into noah 's sweet face , he wanted to be a part of his life .

`` emma , it would be a privilege . ''

emma 's green eyes widened as she bounded out of her chair .

`` really ? ''

he smiled at her excitement .

`` of course , it is an honor and a pleasure . ''

`` thank you , pesh .

thank you so , so much ! ''

she cried , throwing her arms around his neck .

noah squealed happily between them and kicked his legs against pesh 's chest .

when emma pulled away , noah grinned at the two of them , which caused emma to smile .

`` i think noah approves of his new godfather . ''

pesh returned her smile .

`` i think he does , too .

or he realizes his mother 's talents for manipulating any man within a mile radius . ''

`` you 're terrible , '' she replied , swatting his arm playfully .

kristi poked her head in the room .

`` sorry to interrupt , dr. nadeen .

but you have a patient in exam room a . ''

`` thank you .

i 'll be right there . ''

he shook his head at emma .

`` i 'm sorry , but i have to go . ''

`` no , it 's fine .