The next morning, Calin was awoken by the sun blaring through the window. He grunted before he sleepily sat up. He immediately reached for his phone on the night stand only to realize it wasn't there.
He looked around and realized that his cell phone was still in the pocket of his jeans. He lazily rose from the bed and grabbed his phone.
When he clicked it on, his eyes widened when he saw that it was after 11. He panicked for a moment until he realized it was day off. He then sank back down on the bed and considered going right back to sleep – he supposed that's what happens when you didn't sleep the night before.
His phone then began ringing. He glanced at the caller ID before he answered the phone and greeted, "Hey, Emma."
"Hey, Calin, I hate to bother you on your day off, but I need a favor," she told him.
"It's no problem," Calin honestly told her. He then asked, "What do you need?"
"Some of the shelves came down in mine and Killian's closet. He's gone to the city on errands, and Liam went with him. Can you come fix them?"
Calin replied, "Sure thing. Let me eat lunch first and then I'll be right over."
"Great! And thank you – I'll see you soon," Emma told him.
"Yeah, see you soon." He then hung up the phone before he picked up his clothes off the floor. He headed to the laundry room and haphazardly tossed the clothes in the hamper before he reached in the dryer to grab some clean ones.
He dressed in the laundry room before he headed to the kitchen. Anna Elizabeth was sitting at the counter eating a sandwich.
They didn't speak as he fixed himself a sandwich and some chips and ate as he leaned against the refrigerator.
When he was finished, he told her, "I'm going over to your parents' to fix some shelves. I'll be back later."
"Fine," she simply responded before she turned her attention to her phone as she continued eating.
Calin then turned around and headed out the door.
A few minutes later, he parked his truck in Emma and Killian's driveway. He got out and grabbed his toolbox before he walked up to the door and knocked.
Emma opened with a grateful expression. "Thank you again for coming," she spoke with a smile.
"Sure thing," he responded, returning her smile. Emma then ushered her son-in-law in the house, and she led him toward the bedroom.
He noticed all of the clothes, blankets, and other knick-knacks piled on the bed before he asked his mother-in-law, "How did the shelves come down?"
She simply shrugged as she answered, "I'm actually not sure. I just heard a crash, and I rushed in here to see our stuff on the floor and the shelves collapsed. I guess it's just because the same shelves have been in here since Killian bought the house."
Calin nodded before he turned his attention the closet and assessed the damage. He then observed, "I don't think it'll be too difficult to fix."
He then bent down and looked at said shelves before he continued, "The shelves are still in good shape – I think all it'll take is some nails, and I think an electric screwdriver will get the job done better."
"I know you know what you're doing, so I'll just leave you to it. I'll be in the living room if you need me," Emma told him. Calin nodded at her before she left the room.
Calin then walked over to the closet and knelt down to move a few items off the floor.
He set them aside before he came across a decorated shoe box. "Happy Mother's Day!" was written on the lid, and he smiled when he realized it must be from Anna Elizabeth.
He set the box aside and tried to begin working. However, he found himself distracted.
He couldn't help but imagine his little girl in a few more years, making presents for Anna Elizabeth. Elsa's blonde curls would be falling in her face and her blue eyes would be filled with determination as she colored away. Or, perhaps she would take after him and have brown hair and brown eyes. She may even be a combination of both her parents.
Calin then sank against the door frame and sighed. He couldn't help the tear that slipped down his cheek. A few days before Elsa's arrival and her parents were fighting. What should a joyous occasion was fraught with tension.
He wiped the tear from his eye as he let out an annoyed huff. He doesn't know how he and Anna Elizabeth screwed things up so badly, and he had no idea how they're going to fix it.
He then shook his head and stood up straight. He couldn't focus on any of that right now.
He took a deep, calming breath before he grabbed nails and his electric screwdriver before he went to work.
A few hours later, Calin found Emma in the kitchen. "All finished. I'll let you put everything back," he told her.
She smiled as she responded, "I know I already said this, but I appreciate you doing this."
"And like I told you – it's no problem," he replied as he returned her smile.
He then began to head toward the door when Emma handed him a glass of fresh lemonade. "I thought you could use this," she told him.
"You do realize I do this kind of thing all day, every day?" Calin pointed out.
Emma rolled her eyes before she told him, "Now you sound like Killian." She then seriously continued, "Just because you're used to it doesn't mean you don't need this lemonade."
Calin couldn't help but smiled as he nodded. He set down his tools before he and Emma headed for the table and sat down.
Emma then began to chuckle before she spoke, "You know, I have to say that Ethan picked an interesting present for Elsa."
Calin chuckled before he agreed, "Yeah, it was."
"I wasn't even aware they made leather jackets that small," Emma spoke.
"Neither was I," Calin conceded before he laughed. He then turned serious and continued, "She won't be able to wear it for a couple years, but he did think to get her something that she can use."
Emma smiled as she told him, "It truly is the thought that counts. I think they're the gifts that mean the most."
Calin nodded before he surmised, "I suppose that's a lesson you've learned quite thoroughly as a parent."
He then took a deep breath and continued, "I saw the shoe box that Anna Elizabeth made for you. How old was she?"
"Nine. It was the first Mother's Day present she got me. And she made it all by herself," Emma told him, a wide smile spreading across her face at the memory.
She then took a deep breath and seriously continued, "Sometimes, it's still hard knowing that Liam and Elsa won't get to be grandparents, but I know there's a reason for everything."
"I feel the same way about my parents. I've wished so many times that they could've met Anna Elizabeth – and our little girl. But as you said – there is a reason for it," Calin conceded.
He then took a deep breath and admitted, "I don't know if I've ever said so, but I really appreciate the way you and Killian have been there for me. You guys actually care – not just because I married your daughter. While I know that my parents will never be replaced, I see why Anna Elizabeth sees you guys as her parents. I feel the same way," biting his lip as he finished.
"I'm happy we can be there for you, Cain. You're a great kid, and I'm glad you're part of our family," Emma sincerely replied.
He smiled back in response before his mother-in-law continued, "And you know if you need anything, you can count on us."
Calin nodded gratefully before he verbally spoke, "Thanks, Emma." A thought then crossed his mind and he began, "Actually…um…maybe…" He then shook his head and concluded, "Never mind."
"Are you sure?" Emma asked with concern. "Yeah, I'm fine," he covered. He then forged a reassuring smile.
The blonde simply smiled and nodded in response. The dining room was then filled with the sound of "Perfectly Perfect."
Emma turned her attention to her own phone as she sipped her lemonade.
Calin took a breath before he answered, "Hey, Anna Elizabeth."
"Hey. What would you like for dinner?" Anna Elizabeth replied, getting straight to the point.
"Whatever you want to cook. It doesn't matter to me," Calin told her.
Anna Elizabeth sighed before she told him, "Fine. How about some pasta with alfredo sauce?"
Calin bit his lip before he pointed out, "Um, you do remember that I'm not a fan of alfredo sauce?"
He could practically see Anna Elizabeth rolling her eyes before she remarked, "Well, excuse me for forgetting. It's not like I'm about to have surgery or anything."
Calin remained calm as he told her, "I wasn't trying to upset you. I just didn't want you to cook something that I wouldn't eat."
After a moment, Anna Elizabeth responded with a sigh, "Fair enough." She then told him, "We don't have any marinara sauce. I'll just run to the store…"
"There's no need. I'll get it on my way back," Calin cut her off.
"And there you go with the hovering. I'm fine," Anna Elizabeth argued.
"You are having a C-section in a few days," Calin reminded her.
"Really? I didn't know that," Anna Elizabeth sarcastically responded.
At this point, Calin's patience was wearing thin. He had to take a deep, calming breath before he replied, "Look, if you want to get the sauce, get it. I don't care, and I don't want to argue."
"At least we agree on that last point," Anna Elizabeth commented. She then took a breath and told him, "I'm going to the store. See you later." Before Calin could respond, she had hung up.
He placed his phone on the table before he ran his hands through his hair. He then buried his face in his hands. He stayed like that for a few moments until he heard Emma clear her throat.
"Feel free to tell me to butt out, but I get the feeling that you and Anna Elizabeth aren't exactly alright. It was pretty evident at dinner last night," she told him with genuine concern and empathy.
Calin sighed as he considered her words. He wasn't at all surprised that she had caught on.
He took a deep breath before he began, "It's just…we're…it's not," before he decided against telling Emma what was wrong.
"We'll work it out," he assured her.
Emma nodded as a way to respect his decision. She then gracefully changed the subject, "So, I somehow managed to make too much lemonade. I was thinking of sending some home with you – if that's okay."
"That's fine," he simply responded.
Emma nodded before she told him, "I think I'll go ahead and fix it. You probably should be getting home."
Calin simply nodded before she got up and headed to the kitchen. His mind then wandered to his irritable Anna Elizabeth. Things were not going well and what he needed more than ever was his mother's advice.
So, he went to the woman who was the closest thing that he had.
She was at the counter with her back turned as he spoke, "Emma, I think I could use some advice about me and Anna Elizabeth." He then bit his lip and added, "That is, if you really want to listen."
She turned to face him before she told him, "No marriage is problem-free. And if I can help, I'd love to – I hate knowing that both of you are so upset and frustrated."
"And the fact that we'll be parents in a few days is icing on the cake," Calin added with a self-deprecating tone.
"Hey, you don't think Killian and I fought while I was pregnant? Bear in mind that I was searching for my birth parents the whole time," Emma pointed out before she sat back down.
Calin felt a little better at her words. Emma could see his relief so she continued, "I can see that Anna Elizabeth is worried about the C-section – especially the scar."
"Yeah, she is. I've tried to help her, but she's so incredibly stubborn."
Emma's brows furrowed, and she crossed her arms as she pointed out, "Calin, Anna Elizabeth has always been stubborn. It's common knowledge to anyone who knows her, and I believe you probably deal with it more than anyone. Yet, you've always been patient. What's changed?"
That small voice in the back of Calin's head began to nag, but he pushed it away and covered, "I don't know." Unfortunately, he couldn't keep from biting his lip.
Emma gave him a knowing look as she perceived, "I think you do." She then took a breath and continued, "I think we've been focusing on Anna Elizabeth's worries. Not that her feelings don't matter, but I want to know how you are."
"I'm fine," Calin told her. He then questioned, "Aren't you more worried about your daughter?"
"Of course I'm worried about her. But I know that she'll get through this – she's a fighter," Emma told him. She then smiled a little and continued, "And as far as I'm concerned, you're one of my kids, too. And just like with Anna Elizabeth, I'm worried, but I know you'll get through this. You're strong."
"Clearly. The fact that I can't deal with our problems on my own shows just how strong I am," Calin retorted.
Emma only shook her head before she told him, "There's nothing wrong with admitting you need help, Calin. Sometimes, it takes someone else's perspective to see things clearly."
He ran his fingers through his hair before he lamented, "All I see is someone who can't help his wife because he can't possibly relate to what she's going through."
Emma furrowed her brows before she asked him, "Is that something that Anna Elizabeth told you?"
"Basically," Calin simply responded. He then admitted, "And she's not entirely wrong about it."
"I will admit that a scar from repairing a ruptured kidney is not the same as a scar incurred during a C-section, but I still think you can empathize with her," Emma reasoned.
"It's not like it matters any way," Calin dejectedly stated.
"Because she won't listen?" Emma questioned – in a tone that indicated that she knew there was more to it.
Calin took a deep breath as that small voice began nagging once more – the same one that had ever since he and Anna Elizabeth started fighting. He thought about pushing it away again, but the fact was that he missed his wife. So, he finally admitted, "Anna Elizabeth is one of the strongest women I know. She was the one who was my strength when I found out about Ethan – I really don't see how I can help her here."
He then leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. His mother-in-law looked at him curiously before she perceived, "That isn't all that's bothering you, is it?"
He then took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. He had forgotten just how perceptive his mother-in-law was.
The young man then continued, "Seeing her so worried about this C-section scar, as well as our child, scares the hell out of me. Because I don't know if I can be strong enough for both of us, and it kills me to think I might let her down," his voice thick with emotion.
Emma simply pulled him in for a hug. They stayed embraced for several long moments before they pulled apart. As Calin wiped his eyes, he spoke, "Clearly, I'm right."
The blonde shook her head before she carefully considered her words. She then spoke, "When Anna Elizabeth first told me that she had fallen in love with you, do you know the first reason she listed why?"
He looked at her with a perplexed expression as he furrowed his brows. He shook his head before he audibly answered, "No."
"That you made her believe in herself, and you continue to do so. As someone who has raised her since she was five, I know how hard that can be."
Calin then realized where his mother-in-law's thoughts were, and he told her, "Telling – and showing – her that she's amazing doesn't take any real strength."
"That's where you're wrong," Emma stated. She then elaborated, "Showing someone your weaknesses and insecurities takes strength. But loving someone who struggles with those insecurities almost constantly? That takes even more strength. It took Anna Elizabeth a long time to believe that she didn't have to perfect in order to find love, and you knew about those imperfections from the start. But you fell in love with her anyway. You have never let her insecurities, vulnerabilities, or weaknesses stop you from giving her everything, and I know that will never change. I know you say that she has been your strength, and I know that she has been. But you have been her strength as well. There isn't any part of herself – physically or emotionally – that she hasn't exposed to you, and you still think she is the most amazing and the most beautiful woman. That gives her strength. I know you don't think so, but you are already everything that she needs to deal with this C-section, and the scar it'll bring."
Calin took a few minutes to consider her words, and he took them to heart. For the first time that he had known that Anna Elizabeth needed a C-section – since the moment that they had found out that Anna Elizabeth was pregnant – he actually felt complete peace. It was there the entire time, he had just been too scared to realize it.
He then took a deep breath and faced Emma. He then told her, "Thank you for helping me see for what I should have seen all along," as he nervously bit his lip.
"Sometimes we all need a little push in the right direction," Emma assured him. She then grinned and added, "You do realize that Killian and I were far from the first ones to see that we had feelings for each other."
Calin couldn't help but grin before he glanced at the time on the stove – Anna Elizabeth had probably already started dinner by now. He then got up and his mother-in-law followed his movement.
She then told him, "Anna Elizabeth is incredibly stubborn and independent, and that's part of the reason why she hasn't been letting you help her. But trust me, she does need you – you two need each other. I think both of you need to be reminded of that."
"Thank you, Emma. For everything," he sincerely spoke. He then smiled at her and hugged her once more before he began heading toward the door.