Page 36 of Talk Wicked to Me

“That’s what friends do, Aunt Ginger. Besides, Tobias and I might have started as a fling, but now we’re madly in love.”

“I noticed your gorgeous engagement ring,” Emerson said.

“Thank you!” Madigan held out her left hand, showing off the solitaire diamond. “We got engaged last Christmas. I can’t wait to have babies with Tobias. Actually, I can. We’re not in a rush. We want to travel, but you know how when you meet the right person, you want everything with them? Forever, babies, growing old?” Her eyes widened. “Oh gosh. Not that you need a partner to raise your baby. I didn’t mean that. Raising a baby alone is fine.”

“It’s okay,” Emerson said. “I’ve never felt the way you described feeling about Tobias toward anyone, and I’m okay raising Brennan by myself. There’s no need to feel funny about what you said. I’m glad you have Tobias and you’re happy with him.”

Madigan exhaled with relief. “Thanks. I’m really good at putting my foot in my mouth.”

“You didn’t.” Emerson yawned. “Sorry.”

“Is this little guy keeping you up at night, like Baz used to keep me up?” Ginger asked.

“Last night was rough, but Baz had brought dinner over, and he was still here when Brennan woke up. He was a big help.”

“He’s so good with babies,” Ginger said.

“And he seems to like hanging out with you two,” Madigan said.

Emerson swallowed hard. She knew she needed to put a stop to that. As much as she liked getting to know Baz and Madigan and Ginger, she couldn’t afford to get used to them being around. Eventually Baz would get sick of hanging out with her and Brennan, or feel like he’d fulfilled whatever sense of duty was driving him to be there so often, and then his family would move on, too. That would be a harsh reminder of what she and Brennan didn’t have, driving that dull ache deeper.

“Emerson, you look a little peaked. Are you sure we can’t make you something to eat or watch Brennan while you take a nap?” Ginger asked.

“No, thank you. I’m fine, really.”

She must have sounded exasperated, because Madigan said, “Aunt Ginger, she already said no. We should get out of Emerson’s hair before you start sounding as pushy as the guys.” She rose to her feet, urging Ginger along, and glanced at Emerson. “Aunt Ginger mothers all of us.”

“Guilty as charged,” Ginger said, getting up and handing Brennan to Emerson. “I can’t help it. I lost my daughter, Ashley, several years ago, and I still have a lot of girl love to give. It’s different from the love we give our sons. Boys don’t need the same mothering in the same ways girls do, and I see all the girls who come into our circle as gifts from the world that stole my daughter away. I’m sure it can feel smothering. I’m sorry.”

Emerson’s throat thickened. “It’s okay. I lost my parents a long time ago.” Willing her tears to remain at bay, she said, “It was kind of nice to be mothered again for a little while.”

“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry for your loss,” Ginger said.

Ginger put her arms around her and Brennan, embracing them for so long, Emerson felt another fissure forming in the walls around her heart and feared her emotions would come tumbling out. She stepped out of her arms, gathering resilience like a shield, and said, “It’s okay.”

“It’s never okay to lose someone you love,” Madigan said sorrowfully. “Ashley was my best friend, and I miss her every day. Do you have anyone else to lean on?”

“Yes, my best friend, Gwen. We grew up together.”

“Oh? Where does she live?” Ginger asked.

“In Chicago. She’s due to have a baby soon, but we keep in touch by phone.”

“I’m sure it’s hard for both of you to be so far away during such a big time in your lives,” Ginger said.

“It is, but we’re fine.” We’re always fine. “We’ll get through it.”

“Well, now you have us, too,” Madigan said. “And I promise to try to keep Aunt Ginger from smothering you.”

“I will be mindful of that,” Ginger promised. “But, Emerson, if you need a little smothering, or a babysitter, or someone to talk to about motherhood and all the questions that pop up, I’m only a phone call away.”

Madigan pulled out her phone. “I’ll text you Aunt Ginger’s number, in case you need it.”

Ginger touched Emerson’s arm and said, “You’re doing great, Emerson. Brennan is a lucky boy to have you as his mother.”

Don’tcrydon’tcrydon’tcry.

“When you’re up to it, we’d love it if you’d come to dinner at our place with Baz. Conroy will go bananas over Brennan.”