CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Thank you… Yes, ma’am, I look forward to meeting you in person as well… Have a good evening.” Emme hit the disconnect button on her phone and grinned down at it.
She got the job. A teaching job and in Charleston, but it still put her within three hours of Fayetteville. “Woo hoo!”
Tossing the phone on the bed, she jogged down the stairs for dinner. She rounded the corner of the kitchen and kissed her mom on the cheek.
“Well, you’re in a good mood. Did you talk to Jordan already?”
Snagging a dinner roll from the serving dish on the counter, she pushed down the twinge she felt every time one of them asked about Jordan. She was still weirded out that her parents knew she and Jordan were together. It’d been a month since he rescued her and they’d been apart for half of that. “No. I got off the phone with the Dean of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She offered me a teaching position.”
“Oh, sweetie, that’s wonderful.” She pulled the pork roast out of the oven and set it next to the beans. “Is teaching something you want to do?”
Emme shrugged. “It wasn’t something I considered, but a nurse I used to work with up in Fairfax recommended it.” She took the plates down from the cabinet. “It’s fairly regular hours. I’ll have some clinical hours that I’ll do as well, but that will depend on my teaching schedule and whether that’s part of the curriculum.”
“I’m very excited for you.”
“What are you excited for?” Doug asked, coming in from the foyer.
“Hey! I didn’t know you guys were coming for dinner. Where’s Gilly?”
“Bathroom.”
She nodded. “How did the ultrasound go?”
“You should probably ask Gilly. I’m pretty sure I went into a coma when both babies popped up on the screen.”
Gilly rounded the corner. “He’s not kidding. I had to wipe drool off his chin.”
“Did you find out what they are?” her mom asked. “Boys? Girls? One of each?” She clasped the dish towel to her chest.
Gilly glanced at Doug. “At least one boy. The other baby was uncooperative and wouldn’t uncross its legs.”
“My money’s on a girl, then,” her father said as he joined them. “Uncooperative from day one.” He kissed his wife on cheek, then hugged Emme with one arm. “Best thing in the world to keep you on your toes.”
“Ha ha ha, Dad.” Emme poked him in the ribs.
“All right you two, dinner’s ready.” Her mom jumped in to mediate. “Doug, help Emme finish setting the table. Gilly dear, I got you some bottled water and one of those fruit diffuser bottles. I know drinking nothing but water all day gets rather dull.”
Emme flashed a grin at Gilly as her mom continued to dish out advice. She grabbed the silverware and napkins and followed Doug into the dining room. They found the same routine they’d had growing up, circling the table and setting each place. “How’re you really doing?”
“I kind of hope Dad’s right and the other baby’s a girl.” He set the last plate down. “Then we’d have one of each.” He ran his hands through his hair. “How long does the throwing up last?”
Emme set down the last fork and leaned her hip against the table next to him. “Conventional wisdom says morning sickness is actually a good thing and women who have it have healthier babies.”
“But all day? I’m not kidding Em, she’s nauseous all day long. She throws up at least twice. I asked mom to make veggie lasagna because she gags at the smell of meat. I haven’t had bacon in almost three months.”
“Really, Doug? Go to a restaurant if you want bacon.”
He cocked his head. “You know that’s not the issue.”
She smiled. “I know. I just wanted to give you shit.”
“I’m freaking out. I don’t know what to do.”
“Hold her hair back from her face. Rub her back. Get her ginger ale and saltines.”
“Emme, I’m serious.”
