Finding Family...and Forever?

by Southwick, Teresa

  Michelle’s eyes filled with tears, this time joyful ones. She smiled. “I’m the complete opposite of upset. There are no words to express what I’m feeling. This is a moment I’d given up hope of ever having. I think that’s why it didn’t sink in when Maggie pointed out the strong resemblance. After so many years without a word, you just give up. Come here, baby.” She pulled Emma into her arms. “My daughter. My girl.”

  Emma had so many feelings rolling through her, but mostly she felt a sense of peace and rightness. And emotion. Tears filled her eyes as she held the other woman and they stayed like that for a long time. Finally she pulled back.

  Her mother put a shaking hand on her cheek and with her thumb brushed the wetness away. “Can you believe this, Alan? She didn’t want to upset us.”

  Her father shook his head and his eyes were moist when he gently tugged her into a quick, hard hug. “No, I can’t believe this. We thought about you every single day and prayed. Both of us thought it but we couldn’t say out loud that we believed you were never coming back. I never knew being wrong could feel so good.”

  When he let her go, Emma looked at them. “I’ll take a DNA test.” She met Justin’s gaze and he nodded slightly, letting her know he’d make it happen. “Then there will be no doubt.”

  “All right. But I’m absolutely sure you’re my child,” her mom said. “The family resemblance is unmistakable. You’ll see when you meet your brothers. They’re here, you know.”

  “That’s going to be weird,” she said. “But I’ve always wanted a big brother.”

  “How about three?” Alan grinned.

  “The more the merrier,” she said.

  “DNA.” Michelle shook her head as if to say that was a foolish idea. “If looks aren’t enough proof for you, the innate kindness you showed in not wanting to upset us is a giveaway. It’s something your father would do.”

  “Not you?” Emma asked.

  She shook her head. “I upset people on a fairly regular basis.”

  “Your mother is fibbing, big-time.”

  “Then there’s her choice of career,” the big fibber went on. “Only someone who loves children would work with them like you do.”

  “That’s just like your mom,” Alan explained. “She couldn’t wait to have babies.”

  Emma didn’t think this was the time to tell them that the woman who took her also loved children, but her way of showing it was self-centered and destructive. This wasn’t the time for that conversation.

  Instead, she said, “I always knew I wanted to work with children—” She glanced at Justin, quietly supportive through this whole surreal nightmare and silently heroic right now. He was just watching over all of them. “In so many ways Justin made this reunion possible. If not for him I might not be here now. He gave me a job so I could earn a living while I was conflicted about what to do. He never pushed, but the way he loves his son finally convinced me that telling you was the only thing to do.”

  Alan held out his hand. “Thanks, Doc. For taking care of our girl. We’re grateful to you for that.”

  “My pleasure.” He smiled at her and even in such dim light the heat in his eyes was evident.

  Emma felt the effects of that look all the way to her toes and the reaction showed no sign of weakening any time soon. There were decisions to make but this wasn’t the time or place to make them.

  “Justin—” Michelle stopped and just gave him a big hug. “I don’t have the words. But nothing says thank-you like free meals at the diner for life.”

  “It’s not necessary but much appreciated,” he said. “And I’m not noble. Emma is really something. She’s terrific with Kyle and a great cook. My guess is that she takes after one or both of you in that department.”

  Words of praise had never bothered Emma before. Really, who didn’t want to hear they were doing a good job? But that was the point. He was talking about her work performance, when the reason she put her heart and soul into everything she did for him was profoundly personal.

  She cared very deeply about Justin Flint and his son. None of it felt like a job.

  Her father sighed. “I can see why you wanted to tell us about this quietly, Justin. Thank you for that, too. And breaking up this reunion is the last thing I want.” He cocked his thumb toward the door leading into the house. “But there’s a birthday party going on and folks are going to notice that the guest of honor is missing.”

  “Right.” Her mother looked uncertain. “My daughter coming home is the best gift I’ve ever had. It’s going to be practically impossible to keep it to myself. Your brothers will want to meet you. Do you mind if we share the news now?”

  “I’m okay with whatever you want,” Emma said. “You’re the birthday girl.”

  “All right, then. It’s efficient to let half the town know now so that when the rumor spreads maybe it will be something close to the truth.” She linked her arm with Emma’s. “Let’s go announce the best possible news, sweetie.”

  The endearment warmed Emma’s heart more than she’d thought possible. It wasn’t comfortable with them yet, but she had a mother, father and three brothers. A family who was happy to have her home. She wasn’t alone any longer.

  She glanced at Justin and felt her heart drop as a realization hit hard. Her past was finally settled; her future was anything but.

  * * *

  Justin pulled into the driveway and stopped the SUV next to the empty space where Emma’s car was usually parked. But tonight it wasn’t there. He’d had a surgery that went late and told her this morning not to expect him for dinner. In the afternoon he’d received a text from her letting him know she and Kyle might be at her parents’ when he got home. They’d been invited for dinner.

  She’d seen them every day since telling them her true identity over a week ago. And he was glad she was getting to know the family.

  He got out of the car and walked up the steps. The windows were dark and that was different, not in a good way. The house hadn’t been dark when he arrived home from the clinic ever. First, Sylvia had been there with Kyle, and now Emma. But not tonight. After unlocking and opening the door, he flipped on the light switch in the entryway. At least he could see his way now, even if the strangeness didn’t go away. His first stop was the office, where he left the paperwork he’d brought home.

  Then he went to the kitchen. Like the rest of the place, this room was unwelcoming. There were no good smells or happy baby sounds. Even unhappy ones. Especially there was no cheerful female chatter. No laughter. It was as if the house was missing its heart.

  “And that weird, whimsical thought deserves a beer,” he said to himself.

  He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a longneck from the shelf on the door. In front of him was a plate of pasta covered with plastic wrap and beside it sat a salad. On the wrap was a note.

  Justin: In case I’m not back when you get home there’s balsamic vinaigrette dressing, your fave, for the salad. Put the plate in the microwave and hit the button that says—wait for it—plate. =) Emma.

  For the first time since turning into the driveway, he smiled. Each word written in her familiar, neat, artistic handwriting was wrapped in her voice. It made him miss her more.

  After tossing the salad and warming the food, everything was on the table beside his half-empty beer bottle. A place setting for one. The high chair was neatly tucked away by the wall and there wasn’t another plate out. Everything just felt wrong.

  And then he heard the front door open. A few moments later Emma appeared in the kitchen doorway with Kyle in her arms. He was sound asleep with his head on her shoulder, so obviously she’d managed to get him out of the car seat without waking him.

  She moved closer and whispered, “He went out like a light on the drive. I know you like to spend time with him in the evening and I can wake hi
m—”

  “No. He looks so peaceful.” At least one of the Flint men was.

  “Worn-out is more like it.” For a quick moment she touched her cheek to the baby’s, an automatic tender gesture that clearly showed how deep her feelings went. “I’m going to put him to bed.”

  “Okay.”

  The sight of her and Kyle lifted Justin’s mood some. The house was just as quiet, but knowing she was there smoothed over a restlessness he’d never known before. Day in and day out he’d been so consumed with seeing her, wanting her and not having her that there was no room to wonder what it would feel like without her.

  Now he had a clue.

  It wasn’t long before she was back. Justin knew he was going to hell, but couldn’t stop the rush of thank-you-God that the baby was settled and they were alone.

  She looked at the table. “I can see you found dinner. Do you want me to heat it up?”

  “Already done. It’s a big portion. We can share it.”

  “I couldn’t eat another bite. Michelle and Alan fixed a great dinner.”

  Justin nodded. “Why don’t you keep me company while I eat?”

  She glanced around the kitchen, either looking for an excuse to avoid him or just making sure nothing needed her attention. Then she smiled.

  “Okay.”

  They sat across from each other and he took a long drink from his bottle of beer. “So, how was your day?”

  “Really good.” The happy smile made her radiant and more beautiful than ever. “How was yours? The procedure went well?”

  “Perfect. It’s delicate work, transplanting skin to cover a wound that doesn’t want to heal. But I think there will be a positive outcome now.”

  “I’m glad.”

  As always, she didn’t ask who the patient was. She already knew that privacy concerns prevented him from saying anything and didn’t push. There were rules, even in a town as small as Blackwater Lake.

  “Pasta is really good,” he said after taking a bite.

  “I got the recipe from Michelle. She’s an amazing cook. I can learn a lot from her.”

  “You’re a pretty incredible cook yourself.”

  “Thank you.” But she shook her head, an awed expression on her face. “But I’m nothing like her.”

  “So it sounds as if you’re getting to know them.”

  “Yes.” She folded her arms on the table. “I can’t believe how silly it was not to tell them the truth right away.”

  If that had happened, Justin thought, she never would have applied for the nanny job and he wouldn’t have gotten to know her. Now it was hard to remember a time when she hadn’t been here, in his life.

  “I’m glad it’s going well.” Justin chewed a bite of salad and couldn’t miss her serene expression.

  “They’re wonderful people. We’ve been bonding over the smallest things. Like how we talk with our hands. Certain gestures. Facial expressions.”

  He finished off the salad in the bowl, then said, “Inherited traits.”

  “Exactly. It’s amazing when you think about it. Things I have in common with Michelle and Alan. My brothers. Even though we didn’t grow up together.”

  That surprised him. “Are they still here?”

  “Yes. Even though the three of them have high-powered jobs and careers and aren’t local.” She shrugged. “I thought they’d leave right after the party, but they decided to juggle appointments and work remotely. To get to know me.” She grinned. “I can’t believe it. One day I’m all alone and the next I have a father, mother and three brothers. A real family.”

  What was he? Chopped liver. All this time with him had she felt abandoned? He’d done everything possible to make her feel included. Hadn’t he?

  Justin was happy things were working out for her, but a nagging feeling of discontent settled over him. After eating half the pasta, he pushed the plate away.

  “You’re finished?” There was surprise in her voice.

  “It was filling.”

  She stood. “I’ll take care of the dishes.”

  “I’ve got it.”

  “Let me put the leftovers in a container for your lunch,” she offered.

  “Okay.”

  Justin did his thing and she did hers and the whole time she kept up constant chatter about her new family.

  “I brought Kyle’s pajamas along in case time slipped away. It seems to do that when I’m over there. Michelle helped me give him a bath.”

  “Oh?”

  “Can you believe she still has tub toys from when my brothers were little?” She was at the island and glanced over her shoulder to look at him. “She’s saving them for grandchildren.”

  “So I guess she’s looking forward to that.”

  Emma nodded. “So far she says the boys aren’t cooperating, but she continues to hope.”

  “Optimism is good.”

  “Can’t argue with that.” She snapped the lid on the container and walked over to the refrigerator with it. “Kyle is so busy at their house and they love playing with him. But it sure does wear him out.”

  Partly he was pleased that his son was able to experience yet another social outlet, but a darker part of him wasn’t so thrilled. He finished rinsing his dishes then dried his hands. Emma was close enough that he could reach out and touch her, pull her into his arms.

  Kiss her.

  “They are amazing people,” she said. “I’m glad I came here and so grateful for all you did for me.”

  She moved in front of him and stood on tiptoe to press her lips to his cheek. Quickly, before he could shift and capture her mouth with his the way he planned, she backed up out of reach. The distance she was deliberately putting between them bothered him. And the way she was using past tense—glad I came here. All you did for me...

  Was she saying goodbye? Preparing to give her notice?

  For a short time tonight Justin had seen a glimpse of life without her and it unsettled him. When he’d been married, most nights he was alone while Kristina was out being the toast of Beverly Hills. He’d known her a lot longer and missed her a lot less than he’d missed Emma tonight.

  And then there was Kyle. If she disappeared from his life, he was old enough to notice. She’d be gone and he wouldn’t understand why. That could leave scars on a kid. Justin had to do something to make sure that didn’t happen.

  And without thinking it through, he said, “There’s something I need to say.”

  “All right. Shoot.” She looked up at him expectantly.

  “I think we should get married.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I’m sorry?” Emma blinked. “You want to do what now?”

  “Get married.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to say this is so sudden, but that sounded like something from a bad movie. All she could do was stare.

  “Say something, Emma.”

  “Okay. You asked for it. This is so sudden.” She turned away and began to massage her temples. Her head was starting to throb.

  “You’re right. I’m doing this badly. I’ll pour us a glass of wine and we’ll talk it through.”

  “I’d like that.” She turned and smiled as hope squeezed through the knot of confused tension coiling through her.

  Justin opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of chardonnay. He took a foil cutter and corkscrew from the kitchen drawer and muscled the cork out, making the whole process look like the sexiest thing ever. Then he poured some of the pale yellow liquid into two glasses and picked them up.

  “Follow me,” he said.

  Emma didn’t trust herself to speak and simply nodded. She walked behind him into the family room, where he set the wine down on the coffee table. The stemware were side by side, a
n indication the two of them should sit next to each other, too. She went first and he sat down, so close their thighs brushed. And she still didn’t know what to say.

  This was big.

  She hadn’t been at a loss for words since... Come to think of it, the same thing happened when she told her parents who she was. That was big, too. And that started her thinking.

  Who was she?

  She’d been raised by a woman who wasn’t her mother, a woman who’d stolen her away from her family. She’d grown up in a lie. Then her fiancé, the man she’d thought loved her, turned out to be a lying, cheating jerk who slept with other women pretty much the whole time they’d dated.

  And now, Justin had said she should marry him. The question had to be asked.

  “Why?”

  “Why what?” He rested his elbows on his knees.

  She stared at the full wineglasses neither of them had touched. “You said we should get married. That came out of nowhere. What’s going on?”

  “It makes sense.”

  “Really? To whom?”

  “Think about it.” He looked at her. “Don’t we get along well? We have fun.”

  “Yes.”

  That was too true. In and out of bed. Justin made her laugh, something that had gotten her through a really bad time. But what was he proposing? Shouldn’t it be more?

  “And then there’s this. Tell me you don’t love my son.” An element of challenge crept into his voice.

  She met his gaze then. “I can’t imagine loving him more if he was mine.”

  Justin’s eyes went from teasing to tormented. “His own mother was too selfish to give up her parties and shopping for her own child. He’s lucky to have you.”

  And the light was beginning to come on. “What is this really about, Justin?”

  “You. Me.” His movements were a little stiff when he took her hand into his and rested them on his thigh. “It’s all working. More than one person has said what a beautiful family we are. Kyle would have a mother and father. We could give him normal.”