"Sean I think I'm pregnant."
That one simple word could change everything. When Emma had found out she was pregnant, Sean said he'd stay by her, but that he was still going to join the military. How could he really stand by her then? He left on June 5th, 2007. Sean said he'd forward all of the money he earned to her from the military, as child support. Sure, the money was supporting them somewhat, but Emma wanted physical support, she wanted him there with her and their child.
Emma had Carley Christine on January 8th, 2008 in Toronto. Sean wasn't there. Every month Emma would send Sean pictures of their growing daughter. Sean would always write back saying how beautiful she was and how much she resembled her mother. Every letter Emma would put in a box. Sean would also send letters to Carley. Emma kept those in a little pink box in Carley's room, for her to read when she was older.
Sean had been repeatedly stationed around in different places, some in Canada. Emma had never followed him. Sean finally got to come home for a summer after four years of being in the military. Carley was going to meet her father.
Carley just stood at the door of Emma's parent's house. A man walked up the walk and stopped in his tracks. He stared at the little girl, with dirty blonde curly hair down to her shoulders. She had Emma's eyes and his nose. It was Carley, his daughter.
"Mommy!" Carley screamed. Emma ran to the door to see what the matter was.
"What is it sweetie?" Emma asked frantically.
"There's a strange man outside." Carley said. Emma looked out the door.
"Sean!" Emma exclaimed running outside into Sean's arms. Carley came outside shyly.
"Are you my daddy?" She questioned. Sean bent down to her height and stroked her hair.
"Hi honey, I'm your daddy." Sean said. Carley leaned in and hugged him. Sean knew he couldn't leave the two again once he'd met Carley, but he knew he'd he have to.
Sean went away for another four years and came back. Carley was now eight and Emma was lonely. She wanted to get married, have more children, but she wasn't sure with Sean. Emma was tired of waiting for Sean. They didn't have anything anymore, the magic was gone.
"Sean this isn't working out." Emma said quietly one Saturday night, so she wouldn't wake up Carley.
He nodded. "I know, but what about Carley? This will confuse her too much."
"We'll figure something out." Emma said. She leaned in for one last hug from the man she used to love.
When Sean was home on leave, Carley would always visit. She loved her father and was proud he was fighting for her country. She was now almost ten years old and was quite tall for her age, like Emma had been.
Emma had been dating one man exclusively. None other than Jay Hogart. She found comfort in him. He cheered her up when she was sad, made her laugh; the man had really grown up. He owned his own auto shop, one of the best in the area. They got engaged; they had a wedding by the beach, the wedding Emma had always wanted with Sean.
Sean always came back to get Carley when he would return to Canada. The first time Sean came home to Emma's new and bigger house to get her he found that Emma was pregnant again and with Jay's child. Carley had decided not to mention all of this to her dad in her letters.
He looked at her stomach then at her face. "You're pregnant? Carley didn't mention anything about that." Sean said confused.
"Yeah, almost eight months." Emma said happily.
"Congrat.." Sean's congratulations were cut short when he saw Jay come to the door.
"Hey Sean." Jay said waving. Sean just looked at the two with a look on his face that Emma would never forget.
Emma gave birth to Ava Brynn Hogart on August 25th, 20018. Emma was finally truly happy. She had two amazing daughters and a wonderful husband. Everything felt right for once.