HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

. Emma gave her mom a small smile. “Sure, mom. Just a minute” she said. She turned her attention to Daniel once again and tucked her hair behind her ear. He was watching her carefully.

“You heard her. I’m a guest.” he said grinning, but the grin faded quickly as he asked. “Unless you don’t want me here. I could go if you want, though I really hope you don’t want to. I really want to fix things between us and meet your family. They all seem really nice”

“They are,” Emma replied with a small smile. “And you don’t have to leave. You’ve come all this way. Besides, if you do, they won’t stop asking me why and I really don’t want to get into that right now… Especially when Isabel and Aunt Jen are around”

Daniel smiled back at her. “Thank you,” he said. “How’s the baby? Are you sleeping well… Feeling well?”

Emma simply nodded. “Let’s go back into the house” she said, and began to walk to the door. Daniel followed closely behind.

—————————-

They went back into the house, and while Daniel earned sharp looks of curiosity, everyone was their warm, loving self toward both of them. Even so, Emma found it excruciating.

Daniel might have a point that it was time he met her family, but his coming here was still a giant billboard advertising his complete lack of faith in her.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

As such, Emma couldn’t relax. He was attentive, hovering protectively, but that only made her wonder if it was a show for her family. Then she hated herself for doubting his sincerity. He was worried about her. Physically. Or at least, he worried about the baby.

She gripped her elbows defensively as she found his way into the hearts of her family, and then later she left them chatting about his mother as she excused herself to the powder room where she tried to pull herself together.

When she came back, Daniel was in discussion with Isabel. It didn’t surprise her. Isabel had always liked Daniel, right from the first time she had met him. Daniel had a way with people. Everyone seemed to always like him… Sooner or later.

“So when will you be leaving?” Samson asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“Hmm?” She dragged her gaze off Daniel and Isabel. “Oh, I was thinking in a week, already told mom”

Samson’s mouth twitched. He tugged his earlobe. “I meant… Now that he’s here… Was wondering if you would leave with him… He said that you would earlier”

“Oh.” She blinked, then chuckled nervously. “I don’t think.” she paused, then added. “He did?”

Samson nodded. “Was I not supposed to tell you that?” he asked. “I don’t like the look on your face”

“Oh it’s no big deal. I was just a bit surprised, since we didn’t talk about it l, that’s all” she said, trying to sound normal.

Samson nodded, but he observed the topic of Daniel wasn’t something she wanted to talk about so he cleverly changed the topic. They stayed and chatted for a long time and Emma was happy for the distraction.

The day went by, Daniel fit in well with her family, they had brunch together and Emma was glad that they all got along so well. As for Daniel’s presumption that she would leave with him, she didn’t bother arguing that. No sense in ruining a perfectly good day.

They would have to talk about their issues out sooner than later. She was already suffering a pit of dread in her gut and wanted to get it over with.

Later that evening, Daniel announced that he was taking his leave, after saying goodbye to everyone, Emma followed him out to his car.

“I was hoping you would come with me,” he said softly when they got to his car. He didn’t open it, just turned and faced her. “If you want to, obviously.” He looked nervous, and Emma noticed because he hardly ever looked like that. “I just thought we should talk, but if you are tired or you don’t want to, we could wait… I could wait. I don’t want to…, you know…” He didn’t finish the sentence but stopped and stared at her.

“It’s okay, Daniel,” Emma said. “I will come with you”

He looked a bit surprised, like he was expecting her to refuse, but then he turned and unlocked the car, after which he followed her and opened the door for her, while she slipped inside.

Her bags were at her mother’s, but after their talk she could take a cab back there, she thought. So Emma sat quietly beside him, not speaking until they walked into his penthouse at the five star hotel.

The suite held plush furniture in a large sitting room, crown moldings and brass fixtures and cherry wood side tables topped with fresh flowers. There was a dining area and two bedrooms, each with a massive bed and a gorgeous en suite bathroom full of marble and thick white towels on heated rods.

When she came back to the lounge from exploring, she joined him overlooking the view of snaking lights glowing between the tufts of the darkened treetops.

“What did you think of Aunt Jen and Uncle Ken?” she asked curiously.

“They are amazing, beautiful people. And your mom too, I can see where you got all your good qualities from… Your loving, caring heart, independence and determination… Your Beauty.”

Emma smiled at his assessment. “That’s what I thought when I met your mother. I found her very endearing.” she said.

“What were you and Samson talking about?” he asked suddenly.

Whatever lightness had briefly elevated her spirits drained away. “Really?” she asked. The disdain in her tone had him snapping his head to look down at her.

“For one solitary minute, I let myself think…” She walked away, chest tight. She went all the way to the other side of the suddenly too small living area, then flung around to confront him. “Are you genuinely suspicious of me having a conversation with a man who is like family to me? When I’m pregnant for you? You came a long way to deliver another insult, Daniel. How would you feel if I asked you what you were talking to my sister about, since you went straight to her the second my back was turned. How would that sound to you, huh?”