Emma looked at Ryder, her heart torn. She wanted to believe him, she wanted to trust him. But she was scared of getting hurt again. She had given him her heart once, and he had broken it.
"I don't know, Ryder," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared."
Ryder nodded understandingly. "I know I don't deserve it, but I'm asking you to give me another chance," he said, his eyes pleading. "I'll do anything to make things right between us. I'll be patient, I'll be understanding. I'll be the man you deserve."
Emma looked at him, searching for answers. She saw the sincerity in his eyes, and her heart wavered. She wanted to believe him, she wanted to trust him.
As she sat there, holding Ryder's gaze, she felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could make things work. Maybe they could be a family.
"Okay," she said finally, her voice firm. "I'll give you another chance. But if you hurt me again, Ryder, I'll never forgive you."
Ryder's face lit up with joy, and he pulled Emma into a tight hug. "I won't hurt you again, Emma," he promised. "I swear it."
As they hugged, the baby stirred in Ryder's arms, and they both looked down at her. She was their future, their chance to start anew.
Ryder smiled, feeling a sense of hope and happiness that he hadn't felt in a long time. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make things work with Emma.
"I love you," he whispered, looking into Emma's eyes.
"I love you too," Emma replied, smiling.
As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, Ryder knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together.