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so when it comes down to it , i do n't think i could ask for a better godfather for my son . ''
aidan 's words touched pesh .
`` thank you .
that means a lot .
you have my word that i will always do what is right by noah . ''
after giving him a hearty thump on the shoulder , aidan said , `` come on back with me .
i want to introduce you to everyone . ''
`` do they ... '' pesh was n't sure how to ask if aidan 's family knew the story of how he and emma truly knew each other .
aidan chuckled .
`` let 's just say that pop 's the only one who knows the truth .
the others just think you met us when pop had his heart attack . ''
pesh could n't help the relieved breath that whooshed out of him .
it would have been a nightmare to have most of aidan 's family hating him for trying to steal emma away .
`` i see . ''
he followed aidan back into a large room filled with chattering people .
as he craned his neck , he saw emma in the corner with noah in her arms .
she looked radiant as ever in an emerald suit .
noah , however , did n't seem too thrilled to be outfitted in the lacy gown that flowed over emma 's arms and stopped mid-thigh .
his tiny brows wrinkled as he waved his fists back and forth as if any moment he might let loose with a scream .
taking him by the elbow , aidan guided him over to a group of men and women .
aidan introduced him to his four sisters and their husbands .
pesh smiled , nodded , and shook their hands before being bombarded by a hoard of aidan 's nieces and nephews .
`` now i want you to meet my niece , megan .
she 's the godmother . ''
`` it would be my pleasure . ''
aidan surprised pesh by leaning in and whispering in his ear .
`` i 'm pretty sure over half of the people here are gunning for you two to get together .
you know , a real romantic story to tell future kids about how you two met being the godmother and godfather of this sweet and adorable kid . ''
pesh gulped .
why was everyone he knew hell-bent on setting him up ?
had emma harbored some secret , ulterior motive in asking him to be noah 's godfather ?
`` i 'm flattered , but i do n't know if that 's such a good idea . ''
pulling back , aidan surmised him before winking .
`` normally i would agree because she is , after all , my niece-my favorite one if i 'm being honest .
but as much as it pisses me off to admit it , you two would make a great couple . ''
`` we would ? ''
`` hell yeah . ''
aidan swept his hand over his chin .
`` megan needs someone strong and stable like you are , and then you need someone who is so full of life like she is .
i can guaran-damn-tee you that you 've never been out with a woman like her before .
emma is like , one tenths the sassiness that megan is . ''
pesh could n't help giving aidan a skeptical look .
`` just keep an open mind , okay ? ''
with a reluctant nod , pesh replied , `` i will . ''
`` megan , '' aidan called .
when the tiny blonde turned around , pesh fought to catch his breath .
everything about her from her sparkling blue eyes to her long blonde hair was just like jade 's .
how was it possible for someone to remind him so much of what he had lost ?
aidan grinned as he glanced between the two of them .
`` i wanted to introduce you to pesh nadeen , the godfather . ''
thrusting out her hand , megan smiled warmly at him .
`` it 's very nice to finally meet you . ''
he stared at it a moment before his good manners overrode his shock .
he took her hand in his and shook it .
`` it 's very nice meeting you , too . ''
`` i 'll leave you two to get to know each other , '' aidan said .
before pesh could protest , aidan turned and disappeared into the crowd .
he turned to megan and tried clearing his throat of what felt like a wad of sawdust .
he knew he should try to make polite conversation , but he was still so shell-shocked by the way megan looked .
finally , she took pity on him .
`` so , emma tells me you 're a doctor . ''
pesh smiled politely .
`` yes , i am . ''
`` what type of medicine ? ''
`` emergency services . ''
megan 's face lit up .
`` oh , how interesting .
i 'm about to finish nursing school , and i 've asked for clinical placement in the er . ''
pesh widened his eyes in surprise .
aidan had failed to mention that they had the medical profession in common .
`` really ? ''
megan nodded .
`` i 'm hoping to get placed at grady , even though my parents would die a thousand deaths . ''
he cocked his brows at her .
`` i assume they 're afraid for your safety ? ''
`` yes .
they ca n't help worrying about the neighborhood .
they sometimes forget i 'm an adult , rather than a child . ''
`` what is it about grady that attracts you ? ''
`` besides the fact that it 's nationally recognized for its er ? ''
he smiled .
`` yes , besides the accolades . ''
megan tilted her head in thought .
`` i guess it 's the fact i really want to feel like i 'm making a difference and saving lives .
i feel like at grady i would be seeing some of the worst cases imaginable , and in turn some people who really do n't have a lot of hope . ''
he was taken aback by her words and the passion with which she delivered them .
while she possessed a beautiful exterior , she certainly seemed to have a greater depth of character than he had originally expected .
he did n't often meet someone like her .
most of the women at the hospital who threw themselves at him possessed only surface beauty .
he did n't have to be with them very long to perceive their true shallowness and self-centeredness .
to them , he was a prize to be won .
he could n't ever imagine megan feeling that way .
she was n't the type of woman to care about a trophy man on her arm-she wanted to make her own way in the world .
`` it is so good to hear someone speak with such passion about nursing . ''
`` really ? ''
he nodded .
`` we desperately need more people like you .
i know i would love to work alongside someone who had your passion . ''
she smiled at his compliments .
he could n't help noticing what a nice smile she had .