Chapter 1

"Lily, can you please come and pick up these toys," I hollered.

Lily ran in, "Yes, momma," she smiled picking them up.

"Thank you sweetie."

"When's daddy gonna be home?"

"Hopefully soon, dinner's almost done."

"I'm gonna go get the table ready!" she said darting into the kitchen.

"Oh… well, okay, thank you sweetie!" I said in shock and amazement.

I sighed and laughed a little to myself as I continued cleaning up the house waiting for my husband, Emmett, to get home from work.

I went into the kitchen to find Lily on top of the kitchen counter. I rushed to her, "Lily Forest! What are you doing?"

"We need glasses momma and none were down here so I came up here to get some. I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's okay. You just scared me, I don't want you getting her," I said helping her down and handing her the glasses.

She took them and ran to the table to sit them down.

"Momma, you forgot one," Lily said.

"Huh? One what?"

"One setting momma."

"But there's only three of us."

"Uh huh."

"Yes; you, me, and daddy."

"You're forgetting someone," she said pointing to me.

I looked down and suddenly was reminded of my oversized, growing belly.

"Oh, how could I forget."

She came up to me and started talking to my belly, "Sorry, little sister, don't worry I wont forget you."

I laughed, "Honey how do you know it's a little sister? Your father and I haven't even told you yet if it's a boy or girl."

"I just know it's a little sister."

I decided to play along and handed her a plate and silverware.

"Thank you," she said setting it all up.

I stood back and watched her; it was so adorable seeing her like this. All excited and giddy over such a small thing.

"Mommy, what time is daddy supposed to be home?"

"6 o'clock, why?"

"Cause its 6:02, maybe we should call him—"

"It's okay Lily, don't worry. He probably just got stuck at work late." I could see the disappointment in her eyes, everyday Emmett worked she would count the seconds until he was home and would tackle down the minute he walked in.

"Hey, I've got an idea, it's Friday night, how about we set up a board game to play."

"Yeah!"

"Okay, which one?"

"How ab—out Monopoly, or Candy Land, or Life, or—"

"Life! Life's daddy's favorite!" She said darting to the hall closet.

I waddled off behind her.

"Hurry up momma!"

"We're coming."

I took the game from the top shelf and took it to the living room table for Lily, "I've got another idea, how about you go pick out a movie for us to watch too."

"Really?"

I nodded and she ran off to find one.

I went to the other room and picked up the phone to call Emmett.

"Hello beautiful."

"Hey babe, are you running late?"

"Just a little, stuck in traffic cause the football game."

"Gah, Friday night, football, big college, how could I forget?"

"It's okay Hun, I should be there in sa—y ten minutes tops."

"Sounds good."

Lily ran in, "Is that daddy?"

"Yes it is," I smiled.

"Hi daddy!" she exclaimed, "We're gonna play Life and watch a movie!"

"We are? Now that sounds fun." Emmitt laughed, "Spending my Friday night with my two favorite girls playing Life and watching a movie, oh and my other favorite girl or boy."

I laughed, "Aww thank you!"

"Hey, how are you feeling today?"

"Okay, he or she is re—ally kicking today."

"Well maybe I can swing by, I don't know, 7-Eleven and get some Slurpies for my two girls? I know you love those this week."

"Oh pl—ease!"

"Of course, what flavor would ya like?"

"Coca-cola, wait no, cherry, wait no, both in one!"

"Whoa there," he teased.

"Hey let's see you be pregnant and pass on a heavenly Slurpie of your choice."

"Okay, okay, and I'm assuming Lily wants the same?"

"Yup."

"Then I shall see you in fifteen minutes, okay?"

"Alrighty, love you babe!"

"Love you gorgeous!"

"Lily say bye to Daddy!"

She hollered, "Bye daddy! Love you!"

"Ha-ha, love you too sweetie!" he said sweetly.

"Okay, let's see here. Wanna help me put the board together?"

"Sure," she said opening the box and taking a few pieces out.

We put the entire game together, which is very time consuming, and still, no sign of him. I looked at the clock; 6:30. Was it already 6:30? I asked myself. Emmett said he was just going to be a few minutes and it's been longer than just a few minutes. It's unusual for Emmett to run late … very unusual.

"Lily, I'll be right back okay? Why don't you pick out which car each of us is gonna be."

She nodded her head as I left the room.

I went to the phone and quietly called Emmett's office.

"Harvard Law Department, how may I help you?"

"Hey Kayla, it's Elle."

"Oh hi Elle! How's the baby coming?"

"Good, really good. Um, did Emmitt happen to come back there or anything or have you heard from him?"

"Yeah he left on time at about ten to six, why? Is he not home yet?"

"No, I called him at 6:10 and he said he was just running a little late but I haven't heard from him since, and I guess I'm just a little worried. It's okay though, I'll try his cell."

"Well I'll call you if I hear from him."

"Thank you Kayla."

"Anytime Elle."

And I hung up the phone; ten minutes before six… that's forty minutes ago… the school isn't that far away… and ten minutes since he said he'd be home. No worries, ten minutes is nothing, probably traffic, no need to panic, yeah just traffic...

I picked back up the phone and dialed Emmett's cell, it rang... and rang… and rang until finally it picked up, "Hi you've reached Emmet Forest's cell, I can't get to my cell right now but if you leave your name and number I'll get back to you as soon as possible, you can also reach me at Harvard Law if needed, thank you."

"Hey Emmett, it's me. Just wondering where you were... It's uh, 6:33 now. I know you said you'd be here ten minutes ago and... can you please just call me when you get this… love you…" and I hung up. Don't panic; he's most likely stuck in traffic, maybe his phone went dead, or maybe… no, that wouldn't happen, he's just in traffic cause the game, that's all…

I went back to Lily, "Did you find a movie?"

"Uh huh, The Lion King."

"Ohhhh good choice."

"I know it's you and daddy's favorite too so I picked it out."

"Aww thank you, go ahead and turn it on if you'd like."

"But what about daddy?"

"He'll be home soon don't worry."

She nodded and put the DVD in whiled I sat down by the table.

"Wanna practice the game momma?"

"Sure, that sounds good."

"You're the pink car momma, cause I know you love pink."

"But honey, pink is your favorite."

"I wanna let you use it," she smiled. How could I say no to that?

She continued, "I'm gonna be purple, and daddy's gonna be blue, and baby's gonna be yellow."

"Alrighty than."

We started the game and the movie and were absolutely fine within ten minutes.

"Wa—h! Be careful spinning that!" I laughed as the spinner went flying onto the game board.

We both laughed hysterically.

"Sorry!"

"Okay, okay it's my turn," I said fixing it and spinning the spinner. It went flying off once more. We both started laughing again. "Maybe we should have chose Candy Land!" I joked.

The phone rang, "I'm gonna go get that, don't move my car!" I said still laughing.

I knew it would be Emmett, "Emmett Forest don't you tell me they were out of—"

"Elle? It's James Turner, from the sheriff's?"

"Oh yes, hi yes, sorry I was expecting Emmett to call."

"I'm actually calling because of Emmett."

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

"I'm so sorry Elle, I told them to let me call you since I knew it would be hard for you—"

"James, what's wrong? What's wrong with Emmett?"

"There's been an accident, Elle..."

"Is he…?"

"I'm so sorry Elle…"

I froze at his words, no, I thought, please god no…

"Elle are you still there? Elle?"

"I'm… I'm here…"

"Emmett was hit head on, he never even saw it coming… If there is anything we can do to help…"

I slid down the wall, to the floor, I put my head in my hands, I saw Lily in the other room watching her movie, I started crying uncontrollably, I looked down to see my oversized stomach… why now? Why does he have to go now? Please, oh god, let this be a mistake. Let Emmett come through that door any second, let my daughter see her father one more time, let our unborn child meet him at least once… let me see the love of my life once more… to hear his sweet, calming voice…

My name is Elle Forest. I have two children; Lily and Emmett Jr. My husband, Emmett Forest, is… dead…