Chapter 147

“Can you say, ‘Papa’?” Emmett cooed as Lizzie giggled and squealed in his lap. “Say, ‘Papa’.”
It was a gorgeous day. Bird song and the scent of freshly watered grass filled the air. Other residents and families milled about, enjoying the beautiful day. The weather was getting cooler and soon sitting outside wouldn’t be an option. So, they’d have to enjoy it while they could.
Emma had to admit, she was glad her father had chosen to stay at the facility. It was straight out of fairy tale. Like a cottage amongst a forest of lush, jade ivy. It was enchanting.
“Daddy,” Emma laughed. “She hasn’t even said ‘Mama’ yet.”
“She’s going to call me first,” he teased. “Isn’t that right, baby girl?” he pecked a small kiss on her forehead and Lizzie responded with a loud squeal. “Is she always this happy?”
“She’s such a happy baby,” Emma gushed. “Unless of course, she’s hungry. Then all hell breaks loose until she gets her meal.”
“How much longer do you have on maternity leave?”
“A couple more months. Actually, I was thinking of asking Spencer to extend it a little bit. Or possibly let me just take on smaller projects for a while.”
“Why?”
“After everything that happened… I want to focus on what’s important. I want to spend more time with you and Lizzie.”
“… and Will?” Emmett asked with a knowing look in his eye.
“And Will,” Emma blushed.
“Emmie…” Emmett’s tone was warning.
“I know you aren’t thrilled that he and me are back together…”
“It’s not that I’m not thrilled. I’m worried. I watched you spiral and shrink into yourself for months. If that man hurts you again…”
“He won’t, Daddy,” Emma said, placing her hand on her father’s hand. “He’s different. I’m different. We won’t make the same mistakes we made before. We want this so bad, and we’re going to fight.”
“I know you love him. And after seeing what did for you, it’s clear that loves you too. I watched the press conference, you know. And I saw a man ready to do whatever it took to protect the things and people he cherished. But Emma… this is it. He can’t have another chance. Before, I wasn’t well. I couldn’t stand up for you. I will not allow him or anyone to demean or belittle you ever again. You hear me?”
Emmett’s tone was serious and tinged with fire. He’d seen his daughter, his only child, suffer for years because he couldn’t be there for her. It was his greatest regret and he’d never be able to redeem himself for it. It reminded Emma of the father he was when she was young. Fierce, protective, loving. Before the alcohol had taken him from her.
“Yes, Daddy,” Emma smiled. “Do you think Mom would like him?”
Emmett let out a sad chuckle.
“I think your mother would like him. To be honest, your mother would probably comment on his looks a lot,” Emmett outright laughed. “She’d say, ‘That man cold melt ice cream during a snowstorm.’ That’s what she used to say about her favorite actors.”
“Oh my God!” Emma laughed. “I remember that! Oh, I miss her so much.”
“I miss her too, sweetheart. But we have this little princess right here,” he said bouncing Lizzie on his lap. “that she would love. The love we can’t give to your mother, we can give to Lizzie.”
“Yes,” Emma smiled. “We can.”
“Is he good with her?” Emmett’s eyes lost the soft glow they had while looking at his granddaughter. His gaze was one of a predator, one ready to destroy anything that threatening what was precious to him.
“Daddy, he’s amazing with her. Truly. And she loves him. Like she gets so happy when she sees him.”
Emmett’s predatory gaze softened slightly.
“Emma, I hope you won’t quit your job. You worked hard for it and it’s your passion. Don’t give that up because some man wants you to. Will Stewart does not run your life. It can be easy to get caught in love. Especially when it feels new. All of your focus wants to go into keeping that flame alive. But you need to keep the flame alive in your own heart. Don’t worry about his fire. Worry about yours.”
They enjoyed the rest of their lunch and took a walk around the grounds while Lizzie napped in her stroller. Emma let her father’s words swirl and bounce in her mind. Was she letting her relationship with Will affect her decisions? Everything felt new and exciting, and she did want to keep things that way. And no matter what, being with Will was going to take work. But her father was right. None of that meant it was okay for her to set herself aside. She was more than Will’s girlfriend or even Lizzie’s mom. Before any of that ever happened, she was Emma. And she had to make sure she never forgot that.
When she arrived at her apartment, she put Lizzie in her crib. It had been an interesting day with her father, and now she was looking forward to her weekend with Will. There were a lot of things they needed to discuss. But there was one current priority: Her three way call with Jess and Sabrina to get the dirty details on Jess’s date with Spencer. Emma hopped on to her bed, feeling that thrill that only a teenager can feel.
The excitement mounted with each ring of the phone.
“Girl, you are late!” Sabrina admonished in lieu of greeting.
“Sorry! I just got home from visiting my dad.”
“Fine,” Sabrina relented. “I’ll forgive you this time.”
“Are you two ready for this or what?” Jess interjected.
“Yes!” Emma and Sabrina said in unison.
“Okay. Here we go.”
***
They arrived at the art opening., but it wasn’t the quiet, intimate affair that she was expecting. There were cameras, crowds, and a real red carpet.
“Spencer…,” Jess was nervous. “What’s going on? What’s all this?”
“This is where we’re going,” he smirked.
“You said we were going to an art opening.”
“We are. This is it.” Amusement danced in his eyes at Jess’s confusion. “Not quite what you expected?”
“Not really.”
“Well, you are unpredictable, so I couldn’t give you a typical date. This museum is one of the first buildings I ever designed. I liked the idea of bringing you to see something I was proud of. I suppose it’s my way of bearing my soul to you.”
Jess stared at him with stars in her eyes. Before she had been attracted to him physically and couldn’t wait to heal so that they could rip each other’s clothes off. But in that moment, she felt something more. More than she had ever felt for anyone.
“Um…” she shook it off. “So, what is the art…” she stammered, her words stuck in her throat.
“The artist was inspired by old red carpet gowns. So, she designed a collection of industrial sculptures using metal and concrete.”
“Industrial?” she squeaked.
“I know you’re in construction, so I thought it might appeal to you. Sort of melding of your world and mine.”
***
“Oh my God,” Sabrina simpered. “That’s romantic as hell.”
“What did you say?” Emma asked.
“I didn’t say anything. What do you say to something like that?”
“Well, what happened after?”
“The gallery was amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it. We walked around and by the end, he held my hand. I felt like a little girl. I wanted to skip and sing. It felt amazing. He was the sweetest gentleman. We had our photo taken as we left, and the way he was looking at me made me want to melt. Afterwards, we went to dinner. But like… it wasn’t like a normal dinner. It was a private dinner on the rooftop of the museum. There was candlelight, and flowers, and soft music. It looked like a scene straight out of a movie. The food was amazing, we talked for hours, and he’s so interesting,” she gushed. “He’s so passionate about everything; I could listen to him talk forever. But then he listened to me and asked questions. I kept thinking there was no way it was real.”
“Amazing,” Sabrina cooed. “But enough of the romance. Get to the good stuff.”
“Well…”
***
Jess felt like she was walking on clouds by the time Spencer was driving her home. She snuck a few glances at him, and it seemed that he was just as starry eyed as she’d been. A small smile played at the edges of his lips, and she found her gaze lingering there for a few seconds longer than she intended. When they arrived, he walked her to her door. Her heartbeat was loud to her own ears. At her doorstep she turned around to face him. His face was tinged with a light flush.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself,” he asked.
“I did. Very much. It was probably the best date I’ve ever had.”
“You are… so interesting,” he said. “I’d like to take you out again.”
“I’d like that too. Soon.”
***
“So?” Sabrina and Emma asked in unison.
“We’re going out for lunch tomorrow,” she squealed. The other two women joined in.
“But girl. You’re leaving out the most important part!” Sabrina urged.
***
The tension mounted between them as the expectation of the next moment lingered between them. Jess did not know where this shyness came from. Perhaps she was caught off guard with how romantic the evening had been and how enamored of him she was becoming. They stared at each other, their eyes telling the other what they wanted. The moment lingered, the anticipation building between them, thick and delicious.
***
“So did he kiss you?” Sabrina asked.
“No,” Jess answered.
“No?” Emma almost yelled. “After all of that? What do you mean no?”
“Well… he said he wanted to kiss me, but he was worried he wouldn’t be able to hold back and was afraid he would hurt me,” Jess said with a devilish grin in her voice.
“Girl!” Sabrina yelled and laughed. “Now, that’s the detail I have been waiting for!”
Emma laughed, happy for a moment with her friends. She was delighted that her circle was complete again, and that Jess could find love with Spencer. Unaware of the storm looming beyond the horizon, Emma allowed herself to feel joy.