“We want to make sure there’s a plan we all understand, so Isla has consistency, security, and…love from all of us, without unnecessary conflict.”
Emily shifts in her seat, arms crossing over her chest, but I notice the faint softening in her jaw. She’s listening, and that’s what matters.
“I know you want to be more involved,” Aidan continues, leaning forward, “and that’s been going…better. I don’t want to keep Isla from you, but there must be boundaries and rules we all respect. If we can’t do that, we’re failing her.”
Aidan straightens in his chair, his voice firm. “We need to get something formal in place. Visitation schedules, communication protocols, everything in writing. I’m happy to have lawyers draft it so there’s no confusion down the line.”
Emily’s eyes narrow, and her arms tighten across her chest. “Lawyers? You think I’d…what, sign something?”
“It’s not about keeping you out. It’s about making sure we’reallaccountable. No surprises or misunderstandings.”
She bristles, jaw set. Deep down, she has to know he’s right…
Right?
Emily’s mouth opens, then closes. She doesn’t quite meet either of our eyes.
“I understand this is hard,” I chime in, keeping my voice gentle. “But I really do think it’s necessary.”
“For Isla’s sake,” Aidan adds.
Emily’s gaze finally settles on me, her eyes traveling down to where my hand rests protectively over my bump. Realization dawns on her.
“So that’s why we’re really here,” she says quietly. “The family’s expanding, and you want to make sure I don’t mess it up.”
Aidan tenses beside me, but I place my hand on his knee under the table. I can handle this part.
“Emily,” I say, leaning forward slightly. “This isn’t about replacing anyone. This is about creating stability for a little girl who deserves support from her family.”
“And what if I don’t like the terms? What if I want more time with her?”
“Then we’ll all discuss it together, right?” I say, turning my attention to Aidan who returns my question with a nod.
Emily’s fingers drum against the table. “You’re being awfully polite for someone who’s probably got a hundred horrible things to say about me.”
I offer a faint smile. “I think you already know all the worst things Icouldsay, but I’m not here to throw stones. I’m here because I love your daughter.”
That gets her. I can see it—a breath she forgets to take, a tremor at the corner of her mouth that she bites back with a roll of her shoulder.
“You’re not what I expected,” she mutters.
I keep my voice soft. “Neither are you.”
There’s a beat of cautious silence between us, as if we’re both standing in a room with a floor that might cave in at any moment.
For the first time since she showed up in our lives, I see the cracks in her bravado. The fatigue behind her eyes. The guilt she’s been hiding.
“You really think we can come out of this without hating each other?” she asks, her voice quiet.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I’m willing to try.”
Emily looks away, her fingers toying with the paper sleeve of her coffee cup.
“I don’t know what the right thing is here, but if you’re going to be in her life again, we need to figure out how to do that without tearing each other down,” I continue. “She’s five. She watches everything. She hears everything. Shefeelseverything.”
“I know,” Emily mutters. “I’m not after anything, you know. It probably looks really bad—showing up, getting defensive.”
Neither Aidan nor I say anything, letting her gather her thoughts.
