Disclaimer: I, sadly, own my ideas (and the character of Emily), and nothing else...
"What the hell took you so long?" Jay asked, as Emma walked into Emily's room. "I'm dying here, Nelson."
Emma had stopped knocking, seeing as how she was spending so much time here, she might as well take up permanent residence. She gave Emily a pitiful look, taking the wailing girl from Jay's arms. Her red, tear-stained face told volumes of how she had spent the last few hours. Emma rubbed the small girl's back with gentle circles as she asked, "Where is your thermometer?"
Emily was still crying when Jay handed Emma the thermometer and watched her whisper soothing words to his little girl as she took her temperature. Emma held it up to the light. "Okay, well this says 99.9. You go run a bath for her, but make sure it's only lukewarm, okay? I'm gonna call your doctor."
Emma laid the crying girl down in the crib and went off to the living room to call Emily's pediatrician. Jay went into the bathroom and Emma heard him muttering to himself as he ran the bath water.
"Okay, the doctor said not to worry since the temperature seems to be coming down. Has she been congested?" Emma asked, joining Jay in the bathroom.
Jay's face scrunched. "She's been a little stuffy today. Wait. Do you hear anything?"
Emma walked into Emily's bedroom and realized that she was sound asleep in her crib. She turned to Jay, gave him the thumbs up sign, and turned the light off on her way out of the room. Jay and Emma stood in the hallway of the small apartment, staring at each other.
Jay slid down the wall until he was on the floor. Emma did the same. Their legs were side by side as they both took deep breaths.
Jay's chin was resting on his chest, but when he looked up, he had tears in his eyes. "I can't do this," he whispered. "I feel so unprepared. I'm terrified I'm gonna mess up her life and I miss Manny so much."
Emma found tears in her own eyes and she rubbed Jay's leg. "You're too hard on yourself. You're doing a great job. She's going to have times like this. And now, the next time, you'll know what to do."
Jay's tears subsided. "I hate that you see me like this."
She smiled. "Well I'm glad that I do. It just shows me what Manny saw all along; that you're a decent guy."
Jay shook his head. "Don't let this get out, okay?"
Emma laughed. Her face turned serious. "You want me to hang out for a bit?"
Jay wanted to tell her yes. The fact was, he wished Emma never had to leave. She'd been so awesome with Emily and helping him get through the first month of Manny's death. But he also knew that this arrangement wouldn't last too much longer. Eventually, Jay was going to have to stand on his own two feet!
"It's okay," he said, getting to his feet and offering a hand to Emma. "I'm sure Sean's probably at home waiting for you." He heaved Emma up, pulling too hard and sending her into his chest.
They stood there, chest to chest, staring into each other's eyes, the only sound to be heard in that hallway being shaky breaths and rapid heart beats.
"Okay," Emma finally said, breaking the awkward silence. "I'll get going then."
Jay walked her to the door, leaning on the wall as Emma put her shoes on, preparing to leave.
She stood up straight when she was ready, grabbing her purse from the coat tree by the door. "She should be fine after a good night's sleep, but feel free to call me if you're worried about anything."
Jay smiled. "Thanks. I think we'll be fine. I gotta ask you though, will I ever feel rested again?"
Emma giggled. "Welcome to parenthood. You're just lucky you have a little girl who sleeps through the night. Jack cried all night long and slept during the day. Most babies aren't as good a sleeper as Emily."
Jay rolled his eyes. "Lucky, huh? Tell that to my boss tomorrow when I'm mistaking the carburetor for the battery!"
Emma bit her lip and leaned forward, whispering, "I'll tell him to go easy on you."
She left the apartment, feeling good that things had worked out with Emily. Jay watched from the living room window, making sure Emma got into her car safely. He pulled the curtains when Emma pulled out of the parking lot, sighing heavily as he settled onto the couch, covering himself with the blanket. Well, hun, we averted another crisis tonight. Thanks to Emma. Thanks for sending her to me. I don't know what I'd do without her. I miss you and love you. Good night!
Jay settled into a peaceful sleep, thinking about how thankful he was for Emma Nelson.
Jay, thankful for Emma? Hmmm! Gonna get spicy! Please review...