The next morning, Sean was in his office reconciling some paperwork when Jay walked in.

Sean asked, "Did you quit already?"

"Forget two weeks' notice, I want to work here."

Sean smiled, "Wow, okay. I wasn't expecting you today, but I'm sure I can find something for you to do."

Jay sat down across from him and smiled, "So, you and Emma."

"Yes?"

"I still can't believe you forgave her this quickly."

"I didn't want to waste any more time, and I wanted to get to know my son."

"I get that but what I don't get is why you are jumping into a relationship with her so quickly."

Sean looked at him and asked, "Are you trying to discourage me?"

"I'm not. I'm just wondering why."

"I love her, man. I've always loved her. That's why none of my other relationships have worked out."

"If it were me, I would have made her wait a little longer."

"Well, you're not me."

Jay nodded. "Okay, dude. You do you."

Sean stood up, "Come on, I'll introduce you to the guys."


Emma had two showings and they were across town from each other so she spaced her appointments far enough that she wouldn't be late for the second one. One property was a multi-unit house that she was showing to a previous client and the second was a three-level, semi-detached house in the Beaches neighborhood. If she sold that one, she'd get an incredible commission.

She texted Sean, "Good morning. I hope you have a good day."

Sean texted back, "You too."

Emma looked at her phone, puzzled and said to herself, "He's probably busy."

She put her phone away, made sure she had her paperwork in order and headed to the first property.


After work, Sean was in his apartment gathering his clothes so he could do some laundry. He was lucky enough to have a stacked washer and dryer in his unit and he could do laundry while he was watching TV without having to leave his place. It came in handy on this particular night because Sean felt like he needed to be alone. He didn't call or text Emma. His mind was racing and he was feeling a little out of sorts. This would happen from time to time as a result of his experience in Afghanistan. His therapist gave him some things to do if he was feeling this way but a lot of times Sean would just retreat, stay by himself and ride through it. He would usually feel better after a couple of days.

This didn't feel like a bad episode to him. When those occurred, Sean would have Pete run the shop while Sean stayed at home to regroup. This episode seemed mild compared to the last episode he had. About two months before he ran into Emma, Sean had an episode that lasted nearly four days. He stayed in his apartment, in his bed, and under the covers most of the time. He slept a lot of the time but when he wasn't sleeping, he was anxious and pacing.

He hadn't told Emma about this yet. Sean was a little embarrassed by how his experience in Afghanistan still affects him all these years later and he also didn't want to burden her with it. She had enough to worry about with Drew.


Emma was hanging out with Manny and she kept checking her phone.

"Nothing?"

She shook her head, "Nope."

"Well, why don't you call or text him?"

"It seems like he doesn't want to be bothered. I'll wait for him to get in touch with me."

"Still stubborn as ever, I see."

Emma narrowed her eyes at Manny. "Speaking of stubborn, you and Jay? Why don't you just admit that you love him and that you wish he would go to LA with you?"

"Jay's a Toronto guy."

"Maybe he'd move there for you?"

"I doubt it. He wants his own life and he wants to work. He doesn't want to be married to some actress."

"You two are ridiculous."

"Who are you calling ridiculous? Sean doesn't text you for a few hours and you're losing your shit." Emma didn't say anything. "I'm sorry but he loves you and you have nothing to worry about, okay?"

Emma nodded.


Later that night, after Manny went down to the basement to go to bed, Emma stared at her phone one last time. Nothing. As much as she wanted to, she didn't text him. She figured he wasn't texting her for a reason. Maybe he had a busy day and fell asleep early but there was a little voice in her head that made her worried that Sean was pulling away.


The next afternoon, Jay walked into Sean's office, "Yo Cameron, wanna come out for a drink tonight?"

Sean laughed, "It's Tuesday."

"It's just one drink."

Sean shook his head, "I can't."

"Oh come on, it's one drink. Then you can go home."

Sean looked at Jay and said, "Fine. One drink."

"Cool. Meet me at the Stout Irish Pub at 6:15."

"Okay."

Jay walked out of Sean's office and Sean looked at his phone. He hadn't gotten a text from Emma and he hadn't texted Emma. He was still feeling a little out of sorts and glad to be stuck in his office all day. He hoped going out for a drink might help him relax a bit.


"Man, I still can't believe you forgave her so quickly."

"You've said that a few times already."

"I know, but what she did to you and to Drew was so wrong. It's one thing to want him in your life. I get that but Emma? You should have stayed away from her for a while." Sean took a sip of his beer. "You should have made her earn your love and your trust, you know? Not forgive her so quickly." Sean took another sip of his beer. Jay looked past Sean and smiled, "Hey Dimples!"

Manny walked over to their table. "Hey, Sean, I wasn't expecting to see you out."

"I'm just here for one drink and I'm almost done." He finished his drink and said, "See?" He grabbed his coat, put it on and placed some money on the table, "Have a good night." He walked out before either of them could even say anything to him.

"What the hell was that?"

Jay shrugged, "Maybe he's just tired."

Manny sat in the stool Sean left and looked at Jay. "You're not being a bad influence, are you?"

"Me? How dare you."

"Don't bullshit me. What did you say to him?"

Jay shrugged, "I just don't think he should have forgiven Emma so quickly. She kept him away from his son for nearly 14 years. That is so fucked up."

"Jay, Sean and Emma love each other and they've worked through this. Don't go putting ideas into his head. Jesus."

"Oh, whatever. This isn't high school. Seany's a big boy. I was just expressing my opinion."

"Yeah and trying to make him question all of his decision-making the past few weeks."

"If they love each other, nothing I say will matter, right?"

Manny nodded but she wasn't so sure.


Emma was in her living room, lounging on the couch when Manny came back.

"Hey, have you heard from Sean?" Emma shook her head. "Oh, because he was out with Jay tonight."

"Out?"

"Yeah, Jay took him out for a drink and I met them out."

"Oh great. I haven't heard from him in nearly two days and he's going out with Jay?"

"He was probably really busy at work. He looked exhausted."

"Yeah but not too exhausted to go out."

"He left as soon as I showed up." Emma crossed her arms and shook her head. Manny continued, "Em, I'm sure everything is fine."

"Or maybe he's changed his mind and he doesn't want to move in or be with me. Maybe he realized he shouldn't forgive me so quickly."

"I doubt it." Manny walked over to the kitchen, "He loves you and he loves Drew. I can see it when he looks at both of you."

Emma nodded, "I don't know. Something feels off and I can't put my finger on it."

Manny wasn't going to tell her that Jay was planting seeds of doubt in Sean's head. She was hoping that Sean would come to his senses on his own. "Maybe you should call him."

Emma shook her head, "No. He can call me."

Manny didn't want to argue so she asked, "Wanna watch some crappy TV with me?"

Emma shook her head, "I'm going upstairs."

"Okay."

Emma climbed the stairs, peeked into Drew's room to see if he was doing his homework—he was—and then walked up to her bedroom. She flopped onto her bed face first and began to cry. She could feel Sean pulling away and didn't know what to do about it.


Sean was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He kept replaying what Jay said in his head over and over again until he realized that Jay was doing what he did in high school. Trying to influence Sean and trying to talk Sean into making bad choices. Sean sat up and said, "What the fuck am I doing?" He got up off the bed, grabbed his duffel bag, threw some clothes into it, went to the bathroom and grabbed his toiletries and made sure he had everything. He grabbed his keys, including his key to Emma's house and his phone and left his apartment.


Emma sat up and wiped off her face. She spent nearly half an hour crying and didn't want Drew or Manny to know how upset she was. She went into her bathroom and looked at herself. She was a wreck. She splashed some water on her face and took a deep breath.


Sean keyed into Emma's house and Manny smiled at him.

"Where is she?"

Manny smiled, "She's upstairs."

Sean climbed the stairs two at a time and when he got up to the third level he tossed his duffel bag onto the floor.

The noise startled Emma who had just finished washing her face in the bathroom. She walked to the bathroom entrance and said, "Sean? What are you—?"

He walked up to her, grabbed her and kissed her before she could finish her question. They kissed for a few moments until Sean pulled away and leaned his forehead on her forehead. They were both out of breath and Sean asked, "Were you crying?" Emma nodded. "Because of me?" She nodded again.

He caressed her face and said, "I'm so sorry. I'm an idiot, Em." He kissed her again and held onto her tight. When he pulled away, he began to kiss her neck.

"Sean, should we be doing this with Drew and Manny right downstairs?"

He stopped kissing her neck, looked at her and said, "I don't care." He rubbed her nose with his and said, "I need to make love to you right now."

She smiled and said, "Okay. We'll just be quiet."

Sean nodded and they kissed their way over to the bed. They undressed each other as quickly as they could and climbed into bed. Sean caressed Emma's face and said, "I love you so much."

"I love you."


Afterward, Sean was holding Emma.

"That was nice."

He kissed her hair and said, "It was." He rubbed her arm and said, "I'm so sorry about these past few days. I was being an idiot."

She looked up at him and asked, "What happened?"

He shook his head, "I nearly regressed back to high school Sean."

"Uh oh."

"Yeah. Luckily, I came to my senses."

"Was this a Jay thing?"

Sean nodded. "Partly and part of it was me."

"He just can't help himself, can he."

"I think he just says what's on his mind with no thought about how it might affect the other person. I don't think it's malicious."

"And part of it was you?"

Sean nodded, "I sometimes get into these moods when I can't be around people. They come on suddenly and the best thing for me to do is to ride it out and be on my own."

"That happened yesterday?"

"Yep. After I showed Jay around the shop, I stayed in my office for the rest of the day."

Emma looked up at him and said, "Are you feeling better now?"

"Much better, yes. The thought of losing you snapped me right out of it."

"Good."

"Again, I'm so sorry that I made you feel bad. It wasn't about you. It was all me."

"Sean, after everything I did to you? You don't have to apologize."

"Yes, I do. I was being an idiot."

"Fine, I forgive you." She climbed on top of him and smiled, "Ready for a second round?"

Sean grinned and said, "Always."


Drew walked downstairs and Manny was still watching TV.

"Where's my mom?"

"Upstairs with your dad."

"Oh, he's here?"

Manny nodded, "Yep."

"They're having sex, aren't they."

Manny shrugged.

"I think I'll stay down here for a while."

Manny laughed and handed him the remote. "Watch whatever you want."

Drew raised the volume and Manny giggled.


Upstairs, Emma and Sean were making love again. This time, Sean was behind Emma driving his hips into hers. Emma couldn't stop herself from making noise. She moaned every time Sean thrust into her. Sean kissed her shoulder as he moved and when he felt like she was close, he moved faster which caused Emma to cry out his name.

When Emma stopped shaking, Sean had her change positions so he was on top again. He smiled at her and asked, "Are you okay?"

She nodded and smiled, "That felt so good."

Sean slipped inside her again and moved slowly.

Emma kissed him then said, "I wish we could do this all night."

"Me too."

She held onto his arms as they continued to make love. "I love you so much."

"I love you."


Drew stood up and asked, "Do you want some ice cream?"

Manny nodded and smiled, "Yes. I never turn down ice cream."

She got up off the couch and they walked into the kitchen together. Drew opened the freezer and asked, "Cookie dough or chocolate?"

Manny grabbed two bowls and said, "I'll have some chocolate."

Drew handed it to her and grabbed cookie dough for himself.

She asked, "Are you okay?"

Drew said, "Yep."

"Are you sure?"

Drew nodded. "I'm fine. I promise."

"Okay." Manny scooped some ice cream into her bowl and asked, "Is there any whipped cream?"

Drew shook his head and said, "I wish."

Manny smiled.

A few minutes later, Drew and Manny were eating their ice cream in the living room and watching TV.

"Aunt Manny, can I ask you something?"

"Of course. What's up?"

"Were you ever tempted to tell my dad about me?"

"Not really because I knew your mom would never forgive me if I did."

Drew nodded.

"You really like him, huh."

"I love him and he makes mom happy."

Manny smiled, "He does."

"I'm just glad I got the chance to know him finally."

"He feels the same way about you, you know."

Drew smiled and nodded, "I know."


Sean and Emma showered after their lovemaking session and put on their pajamas. Emma changed the bedding while Sean watched her.

She asked, "Enjoying yourself?"

"I could watch you do anything and enjoy it."

She smiled at him and said, "Come on, let's go downstairs and see our son."

"Okay."

They walked down the stairs and Drew and Manny were watching TV.

"Hey, Dad."

"Hey, buddy."

"You're staying here tonight?"

"Yep. And probably tomorrow too."

"Cool."

Manny said, "We had ice cream."

Sean smiled, "Ooh," He looked at Emma and asked, "You want some?"

Emma shook her head, "Nah, I'm okay."

Sean walked into the kitchen and opened the freezer. Drew got up and walked into the kitchen. Sean asked, "Did you want more?"

Drew shook his head.

"Is everything okay?"

Drew nodded, "Yep. I handed in my paper."

"Are you worried about it?"

Drew nodded again.

Sean scooped some chocolate ice cream into a bowl and smiled at his son, "It's a great paper."

"We'll see if Mr. Del Rossi agrees."

Sean closed the ice cream and put it back into the freezer. "There's nothing you can do now so don't worry about it, okay?"

Drew nodded, "Okay."

Sean and Drew walked back into the living room.

Drew bent down and kissed Emma on the cheek.

"What was that for?"

"I'm going to bed." He leaned down and kissed Manny on the cheek. "Thanks for hanging with me."

"My pleasure, kiddo."

Sean and Drew hugged, "Goodnight, buddy." Sean sat on the couch next to Emma and watched Drew walk up the stairs.

Manny looked at them and said, "Sounds like you two had fun."

Emma grimaced, "You could hear us?"

"Yes. Well, until your son raised the volume on the TV."

"Oh no." Emma shook her head.

Manny giggled, "Oh yes. It's fine. He was fine. He understands."

Sean ate his ice cream while Emma held her head in her hands. She turned to him and asked, "Why aren't you reacting?"

"Because I'm proud." He smiled and said, "I'm so good you couldn't help being loud."

"Sean!"

Manny laughed and stood up, "I'm tired and I'm leaving you two alone." She kissed them both on the cheek. "I love you both."

"Goodnight." Emma watched Manny walk to the basement stairs and turned to Sean, "This is your fault."

Sean laughed and said, "I'm not going to be sorry for making love to you."

"Fine. But we have to be quiet."

"Excuse me? You have to be quiet."

Emma rolled her eyes, "Okay, okay. I have to be quiet."

Sean finished his ice cream and pursed his lips, "Kiss and make up?"

"I'm pretty sure we did that already." She kissed him quickly and stood up, "Give me that." Sean handed over his bowl and spoon and Emma walked to the kitchen.

"Em, you're not mad at me, are you?"

She shook her head, "Nope."

He stood up and walked into the kitchen, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I just can't believe our son heard us." She cleaned the dishes in the sink. "That's so embarrassing."

Sean shrugged, "It was bound to happen eventually."

"I guess."

Sean walked up behind her and put his head on her shoulder. "Babe, I will make this up to you."

"You don't have to make up anything."

"Yes, I do."

When she finished, she dried off her hands, turned around and shook her head, "I'm the one who needs to do that. And maybe Jay was right. You shouldn't have forgiven me so soon."

"Em…"

"Maybe we jumped into this too soon."

He shook his head, "No. We didn't." He hugged her, "We didn't."

Emma cried again and Sean held onto her. After a few moments, Emma pulled away, "Sorry."

"Don't be." He wiped her face with his thumbs and kissed her. When they pulled away, Sean grabbed her hand and led her out of the kitchen. He picked up the remote and shut off the TV.

No words were spoken. They walked up the stairs to the master bedroom and they stopped next to the bed.

Sean caressed her face and she leaned into his hand and kissed it. "Can I just hold you for a while?" Emma nodded and they climbed into bed together.

He held onto her and she leaned her head on his chest.