"Through it All"
Ch. 1- Coming back

The elevator doors opened and Matt stepped out fingering the silver picture frame in his hand. He slowly walked over to his desk. He set the picture he brought with him next to his favorite photo. The one taken a few months ago of him and a very pregnant Emily.

When he reluctantly left the house this morning, he was content with his life. He picked up the photo as he sat in her chair smiling as he looked at the face of the woman he loved holding their child.

This didn't feel right. Being here in the office without her. When he steeped off the elevator he felt an odd sense of abandonment. It had been over a month since he had been there, and the last time was with Emily at his side. She was in his corner no matter what. She always had his back, and today he realized how much he missed that here.

Frank walked up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey man, you're pathetic."
"What?" Matt questioned.
"What time did you get here?"
"About 30 minutes ago," Matt replied looking at his watch.
"At this rate it's going to be a long day."
"Matt, man. You haven't been away from them for more than an hour today. Relax. Emily will be there to greet you when you get home with your daughter in her arms."
Matt sighed. "I know, it's just strange not to have her here."

At this point, Frank noticed that Matt's wife had come in and stopped in a place where he could see her but Matt could not. Emily motioned for Frank to leave so she could surprise Matt. Frank stood to leave pausing to look at the new picture. "Nice photo. It's a good thing Madison looks like her mom and not you." Frank laughed as he walked away taking Madison in her carrier away from Emily and finding a spot where he could watch his friend's reaction. Matt sat there glancing at both photos wishing he was at home with his two girls. This first day back after staying home to help Emily adjust to all the changes was harder on him than he expected.