I nod and hurry out. Luckily, Emma doesn’t have much in her car and always keeps it clean. It took me all of two minutes to take out Gracie’s car seat, a stroller in the trunk, her sunglasses, and a few papers and napkins in the glove compartment.
I’m just bringing the things up to the front door when Bryan and Maddie walk out. Emma’s right behind them with Gracie on her hip, looking nervous. She knows he won’t accept, but she’s not going to back down, either.
Bryan looks from me to the seat in my hand and then to Emma’s car, quickly connecting the dots. “No. Absolutely not,” he says firmly.
Emma quickly steps up, grabbing the car keys from my hand and holding them out for Bryan. “Please just take it. It’s in perfect condition and all paid off.”
“No. This is too much. We already have a car. I can’t accept yours. What will you do without one?”
She places her hand on Bryan’s shoulder and uses that delicate voice of reason that always wins me over. “Bryan. Your car isn’tsafe for Maddie. I would feel terrible if something happened to both of you. Please, just take the car. I promise you, I don’t need it. I was already planning on buying a bigger one, anyway.”
“I don’t even know what to say…” His eyes gloss over as he looks from Emma to me, like he’s living in a dream and afraid to wake up.
“Just say you’ll take care of my baby and enjoy her to the max.” Em grins at him, knowing she won. “Little Lotus, do you want to see your new car? It’s really, really cool; you’ll see. There’s even a sunroof.” She takes her hand and walks her to the car with Gracie while Bryan stands back in complete shock.
“You weren’t kidding about how she always gets her way.”
“Nope, not even a little,” I laugh.
He watches Emma with the girls for a moment, then turns to me with a tender smile. “Don’t wait too long to lock her up. Women like that don’t come by every day.”
“I know. I intend to.”Soon.
Chapter forty-five
Emma
Playing mommy…
~ Five Days Later ~
I walk out of the steaming hot shower and wrap a towel around my naked body as I step in front of the mirror above the vanity. There are small circles under my reddened, puffy eyes. This is the only time I allow myself to cry, after putting Little Tulip down for her nap. It’s how it’s been for the last few days.
Maddison was admitted to the hospital the morning after spending the day with us. When Bryan called to inform me, Ibroke down the minute we hung up. It took me a few minutes to collect myself, then I called Cecilia. The instant she heard my voice, she told me she was on her way and hung up.
I felt guilty leaving Gracie, but Bryan’s broken voice echoed in my head, and I knew he needed support at that moment. So every day since, Cece’s been coming over with Dante when Little Tulip goes down for her nap, and I head over to the hospital to spend a little time with my Little Lotus and her father.
The boys should be home soon from their first two games in the finals, both of which they won. Their excitement is infectious. I’ve never seen them like this, and it’s amazing to witness.
I’m just finishing up a much-needed touch of makeup when I hear voices downstairs. I don’t want Maddie to see me all heartbroken. This moment is hard for everyone, and she’s a smart girl. She understands what’s happening and seems to be accepting it. But I still want to be strong for her. I’m not there to cry by her side. I’m there to bring a smile to her face and make her enjoy these last moments, even given the terrible situation.
Walking out of the bathroom, I stop in front of the corkboard Greyson made me before he left a few days ago. He pinned all the little Post-it notes he’s left me and keeps leaving me. At the top of the board is a sign that reads,‘Things I love about you’. It’s as if he knew I’d need this while he was gone.
I glide the tip of my fingers over the last three he added. ‘I love how much you care about others’, ‘I love how you always put everyone first’, and the last one,‘I love that I get to call the most selfless and beautiful soul on this planet mine’.
He hasn’t stopped showing me just how much he loves me. Every day there’s something new. It might be as silly as sending me a love song, writing‘I love you’in the foggy mirror while I’m in the shower, or getting a dozen sunflowers delivered to the house one at a time. Each with a note containing one word. Onceall placed together, the message said, ‘My heart and soul will forever be yours. I love you, Bunny.’
This man is something else.
I head to the walk-in and pull a simple yellow sundress over my still damp hair, then quickly make my way down the steps with the baby monitor in hand. Entering the kitchen, I find Cecilia talking with Sam, and the moment they spot me, Sam makes his way over, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
“I’m sorry you’re going through this, but you should have called me, I wouldn’t have minded watching Gracie during the time you need to be at the hospital,” he tells me when he pulls away, keeping his hands on my arms. I’m guessing Cecilia caught him up on everything, and I’m grateful because I don’t think I could have managed to explain everything without breaking down again.
“I know, but we promised you only three days a week for the time being. It didn’t seem fair making you work every day when Greyson isn’t home.”
“Emma. You hired me to take care of the kids, so that’s what I’m here to do. We may have agreed to three days a week until your big launch, but you still pay me full time. I think you’re allowed to use me a little more without feeling bad about it. Plus, it’s only a few hours a day. I really don’t mind. I love spending time with my favorite kids. So please, let me help you, okay?” he says sincerely, dipping his head slightly to make eye-level contact.
I feel a tear slip down my cheek as I nod my head. “Okay.” I wipe it away and force a smile on my face. “But now enough with this sappy talk. I can’t cry anymore.”
