Head Over Feet

(Sequel to Love Ridden)

Chapter Three

Sullen Girl

When Emma got home, her parents told her Kaydence was sleeping. Emma asked if they could watch her tonight. They agreed of course. Manny had called her and told her where the dinner was. Now, Emma stood outside the place, debating if she should go in. She sighed and smoothed out the invisible creases on her knee length light blue spaghetti strap dress. She glanced at the doors and decided to just go in. When she walked in she was greeted by Manny.

"Oh my god! Emma!" Manny pulled her in to a hug.

Emma laughed and hugged her back, "You look amazing."

Manny smiled, "Of course."

Emma rolled her eyes playfully, "So, I have something to tell you."

"How important?"

"Kind of life changing."

"What did you do?"

Emma laughed, "Way to have confidence in me."

"Well, life changing with you, usually means bad."

"Ok. Stop there or I won't tell you."

"Oh, stop. You know I'm dying to know."

Emma sighed, "I have a daughter, but I'm not saying who the father is."

Manny stepped back, "Ok, you have a kid and you failed to tell your best friend?"

Emma nodded, "There's a lot more to it, Manny."

"Fine, but you're telling me later."

"Of course. Just don't say anything to anyone. Ok?"

Manny nodded, "Secret kept."

"Good."

A few hours later, it was just Manny, Sean, Jay, Alex, Emma and Mark, (Alex's boyfriend.) They were all a little tipsy. They all kept toasting to random things in their life.

Manny held up glass, "To Emma. May her daughter be as wonderful as her!"

Mark was the only one to raise his glass, but slowly brought it back when he noticed the looks on everyone's face. Manny slowly brought her glass down when she realized what she said. Sean had his down, shaking it. Alex was looking between Manny and Emma. Jay looked dumbstruck.

Manny looked at Emma, "Oh my god, Em. I am so sorry."

Emma quickly stood up, "I should go."

Sean stood up, "Are you ok to drive home?"

Emma nodded, "Yes, Sean. I'm fine. Bye everyone." She walked out of the place as fast as she could.

Jay looked at Manny, "I didn't know she was seeing anyone."

Manny shrugged, "I didn't either."

Sean sighed, "She's not."

Jay looked at him, "Who's the father?"

Sean shrugged, "No idea. Go ask her yourself."

Jay got up and traced Emma's footsteps. He found her sitting on the steps. He sat next to her, "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

Emma shrugged, "I wasn't ready. I told Sean today and I told Manny when I got here. I was going to wait to tell you."

"Why were you going to wait?"

Emma sighed and held back tears, "Because I'm a horrible person."

Jay put an arm around her, "How can you say that?"

Emma stood up and faced him, "Because I never even told her father."

"Who is the father?"

"Who do you think, Jay?"

Jay shrugged, "I know nothing about your life anymore, Em. How could I know?"

"Because you're not that stupid."

"How old is she."

"She'll be 3 in October."

Jay was silent for a minute and then jumped up, "She's my daughter?"

Emma couldn't hold the tears back anymore. She stepped back and slowly nodded.

"And you knew when you left? You left without telling me you were pregnant? How could you do that to me?"

The tears came down harder, "I don't know! I'm sorry! I just couldn't tell you. With everything that happened, I just had to leave."

Jay shook his head, "That's not an excuse." He paused for a minute, "What's her name?"

"Kaydence."

Jay sighed, "I need to go."

Emma nodded and watched him walk away.

Title from Fiona Apple