Emma wiped at her wet cheeks, as Sally handed her a mug of hot tea, before joining Emma on the sofa.
As Emma took a cautious sip of the hot tea her mobile rang, but she ignored it, knowing that it would be Callum trying to find out where she had gone.
After ringing a few times, it stopped only for Sally's phone to ring a few seconds later.
"Please, don't answer it," Emma said still sounding upset. "He'll know I'm here; he's just checking up on me, and I really don't want to talk to him right now."
"Em, I really think you should talk to him. He's obviously concerned about you, and he might want to patch things up," Sally suggested, hoping that it were true.
She felt caught in the middle, although though she wouldn't admit it to either Callum or Emma. Emma was her best friend, and she had been genuinely pleased when Callum and Emma had gotten together. She'd seen the devotion between them develop and grow, and although Emma seemed to have had a calming effect on him, the old Callum could still make an appearance, when the mood suited him.
Emma shook her head, her eyes still bright with unshed tears. "I'm not sure I want to anymore."
"You don't mean that!" Sally gasped, openly shocked.
"If he can't answer a simple question about his family, what else is he keeping from me, Sally?" Emma looked down at her clasped hands, resting on her bump. "Maybe my dad was right after all; and all this is just a reaction to last May…everything has happened so fast…maybe we are rushing things…"
"That's just nerves talking," Sally said, putting her arm around Emma, and giving her shoulders a squeeze. "You and Callum have been through so much together, and you've come out the other side, all the stronger. Most other couples wouldn't have survived, what you've been through. Doesn't that say something?"
Emma sniffled, and smiled briefly and nodded slightly, as if Sally had allayed her doubts. "I appreciate what you're trying to say, Sal…"
"Don't you love him?"
"Yeah, I love him, Sally…more than anything." Emma acknowledged quietly, looking down at her baby bump, and biting her lip. Her face crumpled as she raised her head, turning to face Sally once more. "I just don't know, if it's enough anymore!" she sobbed.
Sally gathered her into a hug, anything else Emma wanted to say, unintelligible through her tears.
"Why don't you come and stay with me for a few days?" Sally suggested, still hugging Emma. "Before you make any decisions like this? Maybe a little time apart will calm things down between you, and give you a bit more perspective."
Emma pulled away and shook her head. "I don't need to think about it; all we seem to do now, is argue. I have to face it, Sally; he's not going to tell me what's his hiding. I love him, I really do, but after Matt…" Emma looked down at her hands, feeling tears threaten again.
"What about the baby?"
"He'll be still involved," Emma nodded decisively. "Without question."
Emma got to her feet. "I'd better go," she said quietly. "No point delaying it any longer."
Sally also rose to her feet. "Sleep on it first," Sally urged again, but Emma's mind was made up.
"Then give me five minutes to throw some clothes on, and I'll drive you home. You can grab a few things together and you can come back here."
On arriving at Callum and Emma's house, Sally asked Emma once more, if she were certain of her decision. Confirming with a tight nod of the head, Sally agreed to wait in the car, while Emma went inside to tell Callum the news.
Callum was still up when Emma entered the house, lounging on the sofa. He rose to his feet as she entered the living room. His look of relief faded on seeing her expression. His shoulders set, as if readying for another argument.
"I've tried to call you," he said in way of greeting.
"I didn't really feel like talking," Emma admitted, quietly. "Every conversation we have lately seems to end in an argument anyway."
She took a deep breath, before saying, "There is no easy way of saying this, Callum, so I'm just going to say it. I saw Dr Sinclair the other day, without you…"
"So, that's your secret," Callum stated, frowning slightly. His tone more disappointed then angry. "So, is this what it comes down to; using the baby against me as emotional blackmail. I told you, there are some things better left alone."
Emma could feel her anger rising, and fought to keep her temper. "It has nothing to do with emotional blackmail. I just felt like going by myself. Sinclair is worried about stress levels, and I really couldn't face yet another round of arguing."
It was hard to believe that such a short time ago they had been happy. How had it gotten to this? Where had it gone wrong, so quickly?
"It's my baby too," he snapped back. "Not everything is black and white, Emma. There are some things that can't be casually dropped into a conversation." Callum stopped, not wanting this to end up in yet another fight.
Emma left the living room, heading upstairs. Callum followed after her determined to make her understand. Instead he found her packing a few things together in an over night bag.
"What're you doing?" he asked, his stomach wrenching sickeningly.
Emma paused, in her packing and took another deep breath. "I don't need this Callum. I'm seven months pregnant, and I need to think of my baby, which is why I'm going to stay with Sally for a few days."
Callum looked down at his hands, his lips a thin line, as he desperately tried to pull himself together, knowing he was on the verge of losing every thing. Emma's words reverberated around his head: "my baby."
He swallowed painfully, as he looked up, determined to make her understand.
"I'm not keeping this from you deliberately, Emma! I've had to live with this since I was sixteen! I'm ashamed!" Callum's voice cracked on the last word, his face crumpled with misery.
Emma fought back tears, and shook her head. "I told you, I wouldn't marry a man with secrets; not after Matt. Now I have a baby to consider, as well."
"I've never loved anyone, the way I love you, Emma," his breath hitched, and he looked at her, helplessly. "I'm asking you, to just trust me."
"It's over Callum. I'm sorry," Emma shook her head, as she turned to leave.
Callum faced her, his face tortured. "Don't," he begged, his face crumpling, his heart sinking into his stomach. This wasn't what he'd been expecting or wanting.
He hitched in a shuddering breath. "Emma," he's voice choked with emotion.
She ignored him, fighting her own tears, as she went back down stairs, and out the door.
Callum stood rooted to the spot for half a second, before going after her.
"Emma!" he yelled, as she climbed into Sally's car. Emma turned to face him briefly, her cheeks wet with tears. Then she was gone, and Callum stood helpless, as the rear lights disappeared into the darkness.