I'll stay with you, even in your darkest night
Three Days Later
Emily was broken. She finally went to stay in a motel room for the sake of not living in a storage unit. She didn't want to get found there and questioned anyway. She didn't do much except avoid Andy's calls and Lee's texts. He didn't write her much, but when he did, it cut her soul.
It's okay to come back, one message said. I still love you.
She wanted to believe that was true, but how could it be? She up and left him high and dry. He must be furious at her.
Think about all the good times, another said. Think about how much you've grown in the last few months. That didn't just disappear, Em. Don't let the fear take that away from you.
She was trying not to let it. As much as that seemed impossible, she was still trying.
"Em, you can't hide forever," Andy's last voicemail said. "Yes, we didn't make it, but that doesn't mean we should quit entirely. I think we can build something else together. Please just call me back. Please."
Emily didn't want to even try. What was the point? You work hard to create something just to have it ripped away? No thanks. She was done with that.
She forced herself to go out for a run, desperate to just keep her mind off of things. She still didn't know where she was going to go or what she was going to do.
She just needed to keep moving forward.
...
Lee was surprised to see Connie when he opened the door. If he was honest, he'd really hoped it was Emily. It had been three days since she'd left. He was going a bit mad with wondering where she was. She wasn't answering his texts either.
"Hey," Connie said. "Is this a bad time?"
"It's fine." He stepped back to let her in. Both kids had gone down a bit fussy tonight, and he knew why. They missed Emily, just like he did.
"I, uh, bet you're wondering why I'm here," she said after sitting at the edge of the chair while Lee took the couch.
"A little bit."
"Teddy mentioned that Emily has been gone since the weekend? Is everything okay?"
"It's fine. She's just gone for a work thing." He held her gaze, and she narrowed an eye before smiling.
"Lee, I'm not seven years old. I don't buy that for a second."
He hung his head slightly before rubbing his hand on the back of his neck and smiling a little. "Alright. You got me."
"What's going on?"
"She left," he answered, looking at her again.
"She...what?" Connie asked, shocked.
"To be fair, something happened that scared her, and I don't blame her. She's terrified of losing us, so she left to avoid being left."
"That's awful!"
"Like I said, I don't blame her. I just wish she could see that she's wrong," he said with a sigh. "None of us are ever going anywhere, but she's lost so much in her life that she can't help but think she'll lose us too." He left out the part where Emily thought she'd mess up his and the kids' lives.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Connie asked.
"When Gina asks if I can handle this on my own, you mind giving a reference to back that up?" he countered.
"Absolutely."
"Thanks."
Connie stood and came over to him now, and Lee couldn't help but know what was coming when she sat down next to him and rested a hand over his.
"Lee, I am always here," she promised. "And maybe I'm not Emily, but we did have a good thing going. I'm not one to walk away from people I care about out of fear. I mean, I know I walked away before, but that was because we weren't together and I had to let you go."
He looked at her, knowing what she wanted him to say back, but it wasn't there. He wasn't interested.
"She'll be back," he said confidently.
"How do you know that?"
"I just do," he replied. "I know her. She's scared, but she'll come back." He watched as Connie pressed her lips together and patted his hand fondly.
"Okay," she said, moving to stand up again. "Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind."
"Aren't you dating the gym teacher?" he asked, lifting a brow. She flushed a little.
"That's not really anything," she answered. "And how did you know about that?"
"Teddy saw you swapping spit," Lee advised. Her face went redder.
"Damn it," she muttered. "Okay. I will be much more careful in the future."
"It's alright. He thought it was gross, and having him think kissing is gross is kind of handy. I'm hoping it prevents young dating," Lee said with a twinkle in his eye. Connie scoffed lightly.
"Dream on," she said. "He's a boy."
"Oh I know."
"Goodnight, Lee," she said now as she headed for the door. He held it open for her, and she turned to face him on the porch.
"Goodnight," he replied. "Thanks for checking in."
"My pleasure."
Lee could tell she wasn't entirely over him, and he felt bad that she was hanging on for something he couldn't give. He smiled, and she gave a reluctant smile before walking into the darkness to her car. Lee shut the door, noticing that it was starting to rain. At least it wasn't snow yet. Teddy was hoping for snow for Christmas, and Lee hoped for his sake that he got some.
He went to get himself a beer, preparing for another long, quiet night to himself.
...
Emily was rooting through her bag for something when her hand hit the pile of mail she'd picked up from her apartment. She pulled it out and was going to stick it back when she saw an envelope with handwriting on it that she recognized.
Monica's handwriting.
Heart pounding, Emily pulled it out and held it in her hand. It was the size of a CD or DVD. Hands shaking a little, she opened it and turned it over.
Happy Birthday!
Emily's heart clenched, and she had trouble breathing fully. She'd let her birthday pass with no acknowledgement. She hated getting older anyway. She just didn't want a fuss or anything to put her on the spot. She really hated being on the spot.
She went to the DVD player and put it in, unable to help herself. She sat on the edge of her motel bed and gripped the remote tightly in her hands. She started to cry the moment her best friend appeared on the screen.
"I know you hate any kind of attention, but I like celebrating events, so you just have to suck it up," Monica said as she smiled into the camera. "I'm sending you this in the mail right before your birthday so you know what to expect on your actual birthday."
"Isn't it like three months away?" Charlie's voice asked in the background.
"Shh! And it's two months!" Monica said back to him, looking over her shoulder. "What? I like to do things ahead of time!" She turned back and grinned. "Sorry, luv. He's just jealous because he's not featured in this video."
"Give away all our secrets why don't you?" Charlie asked, suddenly appearing as he wrapped an arm around Monica's neck and kissed her cheek heartily.
"Ew! Charlie!" she yelped. "Now she's gonna think we do that sort of thing!"
Emily burst out laughing as Charlie waggled his eyebrows at the camera while Monica shoved him off. Then it was just Monica again, and she passed a hand through her hair.
"Seriously, we don't do that," she told the camera. "Anyway, you and me...Charlie's dad's old cabin...lots of wine...and a shit ton of ice cream and cake that you're definitely eating with me...I don't care if you say no; I know you love both despite all that 'bad carb' talk. Whaddya think? It's gonna be so awesome. You can tell me after you've seen this, and just be advised: I'm not taking no for an answer."
"Is this for Auntie Em?" Teddy asked, appearing in the frame now. Emily pressed a hand against her mouth, suddenly missing him so much it hurt.
"Yes, it is," Monica answered, picking him up into her lap. "For her birthday."
"Cool! Happy birthday!" Teddy said, waving.
"Where's your sister?" Monica asked, kissing his head fondly.
"Uncle Lee has her. He's got her upside down," Teddy answered, sounding thrilled.
"What?!" Monica exclaimed.
"Relax," Lee's voice said next, and Emily's heart jumped when he was suddenly standing behind Monica in the video. "She loves it." Jenna was squealing and grinning in his arms...upside down.
"She does now, but wait until she barfs all over you," Monica warned.
"I promise I have an exit plan," Lee advised, smirking. Monica rolled her eyes.
"Can you go away now? I'm in the middle of something," she said.
"We're making a video for Auntie Em!" Teddy said importantly. Emily saw it right there in that moment: The look that went through Lee's eyes and the expression on his face at the very mention of her name. He wasn't exactly hiding his feelings, and they were a lot.
"I will stop video bombing then," he said.
"You have to say hi to her," Teddy reasoned. "Since you're in the video now." Lee was turning Jenna the right way up at this point...no doubt sensing Jenna was about to vomit everywhere.
"Alright then," he said, looking at the camera. "Hey, Emily. Happy Birthday. Sorry for the craziness." He winked and moved away, calling Charlie's name. A moment later, Charlie was exclaiming, which made Monica roll her eyes, and Emily just knew that Lee had handed Jenna off to him and she had thrown up on him. She couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
"Okay, so you're probably wondering why you even want to hang out with this insane person and her crazy family," Monica said after Teddy ran off to see what was going on. "But you'll never find people who will love you as much as we do. Hell, even Jenna keeps calling you her Mama. I think she calls everyone that since she learned the word, but honestly, it's so frickin' cute. I don't even correct her. I just know you'll be an amazing mom one day...for real. You gotta start giving yourself more credit than you do because you deserve it. Anyway, can't wait to see you, girl. Love you and talk soon. Mwah." She blew a kiss and then turned off the camera. Emily sat there crying, missing Monica and Charlie, missing the kids, missing Lee. She was realizing more and more that she had always had a family without fully realizing it, even after Monica and Charlie were gone.
And she'd walked away from them.
She got to her feet, heading to put the DVD back into its case and putting it in her bag. She left the motel room, getting a cab and heading back to the one place she'd ever felt at home. She had no idea what to even say or if she'd even be forgiven, but she had to try. She had to make him know and understand that she got it now; he'd been right. She'd been a fool to argue with him.
It was pouring as she walked up the drive to the steps. She really hated hurricane season for this reason. It was a bit chilly as well, so she was cold on top of being drenched. She hurried up the steps and knocked on the door.
...
Lee was listening to the rain pounding on the roof and wondering if he was an idiot for thinking Emily was ever going to come back when someone knocked on the door. He pulled himself to his feet and tried to figure out who was visiting at this time of night. If it was one of the neighbors, he didn't think he'd be able to hold back his annoyance. If it was Connie again, well...he'd have to let her down easy.
He opened the door to find a soaking wet Emily standing there, and he was at a loss for words. What he'd been hoping for was finally happening, but it felt like a dream or a hallucination.
"Look," she started. "I know I'm not good at trusting people, and I run away when I get scared and don't know what else to do because I think it's the safest option, but I couldn't run away from you. Even though you drive me crazy sometimes and challenge me and constantly tell me my good qualities despite me disagreeing with you or push me to trust more when I feel like I can't, I want to be with you because no one else has ever cared about me the way you care about me. I'm sorry, Lee, for running. I'm sorry I doubted you. I'm sorry I freaked out and got scared. I...I'm sorry. I missed you and the kids so much it hurt when I was gone, and I realized that I needed to take this risk because if I didn't, I would miss out on something so amazing. I love you, Lee, and I love those kids. They're my family...you are my family...my home...the one I've been wanting for so long, and I stupidly almost threw it away for no good reason, but I've come to my senses, just like you said I would, and...and I hope you can forgive me." She stopped talking and stood there holding her hands in front of her. He stood there looking back at her, feeling all sorts of emotions in that moment. He noticed she looked a bit anxious waiting for his response. Without a word, he stepped into her and caught her face in his hand, claiming her mouth with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck tight as he slid his other arm around her lower back to pull her against him. He kissed her for a while before resting his forehead against hers.
"Does that mean you still love me?" she asked hopefully.
"I've loved you for a long time, Emily," he answered. "I'm not about to stop now." She looked very relieved as he brushed her cheek with his fingers. "And I already told you that I still loved you."
"I'm sorry I never answered. I just didn't know how."
"It's alright."
"Do the kids hate me?"
"No. They just thought you were away for work," he said.
"You didn't tell them I wasn't coming back?"
"No, because I knew you were coming back, remember?" he answered. "I know you, Em. I told you: You always figure it out in the end. All I had to do was wait you out." Her eyes teared up a little, and then she kissed him again. He felt complete with her in his arms. He felt at home.
He had his family back.
...
Emily felt so overwhelmed with all feelings as Lee kissed her almost desperately. They were in her room by this point, and his one hand was grasping the back of her neck with his arm around her to hold her against him. He backed into her bed, trying to find it in the dark. She knocked him down when he lost his balance, and they both broke their kiss with slight laughter. She sat on his stomach and kissed him again, tucking her hair behind her ear with her free hand. The only sound to be heard was their lips pulling apart over and over along with heavy breathing.
She'd missed him so much. She couldn't believe she'd ever considered walking away from him.
He was warm against her, his St. Christopher medal cool on her skin for a moment until it warmed up. His hand held her right cheek as he kissed her. She started to roll to the left, and he went with her, resting lightly on top of her afterwards. She massaged his shoulders as he kissed her.
"I'm sorry," she said against his cheek.
"I know, and I forgive you," he replied before kissing her again.
"Just like that?" she asked, feeling nervous suddenly. What was the catch? He propped himself up and looked down at her in the dark.
"Why wouldn't I?" he countered.
"Because I hurt you."
"And that deserves being left unforgiven forever?"
"I'm just not used to being forgiven so easily after making a mistake," she reasoned.
"Well, unlike most of the people in your life, I actually do love you, and when you really love someone, you tend to forgive them easily."
"But I don't deserve it."
"Yes, you do," he insisted, smoothing his thumbs over her cheeks now. "You're forgetting that I know you, know why you left, and knew the whole time you'd be back."
She didn't know what to think. She still knew she did not deserve him.
"Just promise me one thing," he said next.
"Anything."
"Just stay," he said. "Okay?" She nodded under his hands.
"I'll stay," she whispered. He kissed her again, and she stopped overthinking everything and let herself understand that he truly loved her and wanted to be with her despite everything.
The way she'd always wanted her entire life.
...
Lee held her close, feeling irrational fear that she would disappear on him again in that moment. He knew she meant it, though. She was staying. Whatever realization she'd come to on her own, it was strong enough to prove this. She ran her fingers over his, her head resting on his chest under his chin.
"I did a stupid thing," she started.
"Em..."
"No, aside from abandoning you," she interrupted.
"Oh."
"I...I tried to get my job back with Miranda," she said. Her tracing of his fingers stepped up a notch, which meant she was feeling something inside about this.
"Okay," he said.
"I guess I never told you about her, did I?"
"Not really, no."
"Well, she contributed to my eating disorder."
"Okay..."
"She was the world's worst boss and person I idolized for way too long," Emily went on. "I finally saw how horrible she was and stopped making excuses for her behavior. I quit my job and told her how awful she was. Then I tried to start my own magazine, and we both know how epicly that failed. Anyway, I went groveling back because I was at my lowest and thought I should at least try...why, I have absolutely no idea."
"Desperation makes us do things we wouldn't normally do," Lee reasoned. She scoffed lightly.
"That's an understatement."
"I'm sorry you had to experience her awfulness."
"She was no different," Emily sighed. "I should have known better. My self-esteem was already low."
"Hey, she's the awful one, not you," he reminded her, tilting her chin up to look at him, even though it was dark. Emily exhaled roughly and nodded.
"I know."
"Where does she live?" he asked.
"No, you're not gonna kill her," she replied, making him laugh.
"What makes you think I was going to do that?"
"I dunno...you sent the Goon Squad after Craig."
"Just to rough him up a bit, and rightfully so," he argued. She pushed him playfully with her hand, and he found her lips and kissed her again softly before holding her face in his hand. "I'd do anything for you, you know that right?"
"I do now."
He smiled as she curled back on his chest, her hand resting over his heart. He eventually fell asleep to the sound of her breathing, feeling incredibly happy.
The Next Day
Lee smiled as Teddy crashed into Emily the next morning and hugged her tightly. Emily picked him up into her arms and looked like she might cry, but she kept it in.
"I missed you," Teddy said.
"I missed you too."
"Please don't go away again."
"Well, I might have to, but I will always come back," she promised, looking at Lee over Teddy's shoulder. He gave a small smile to indicate he'd received her message. She'd told him about the video Monica had sent her and about how it had really made her see the truth. He had to admit that it gave him slight shivers to know he'd been in it. He vaguely remembered Monica filming it; he'd come for the weekend and spent time with all of them. It felt like a very long time ago now.
"We're gonna do a gingerbread house at school today," Teddy announced, pouring his cereal and looking pleased with himself.
"That's cool," Emily replied. "Don't eat all the candy." She ruffled his hair on her way by, and he gave her a mischievous grin back.
"Are you and Uncle Lee gonna get married?" Teddy asked next, and Lee almost choked on the swig of coffee he'd just taken.
"That's a big question," Emily commented, acting casual. Lee could tell she was just as surprised, though.
"Are you?" Teddy prompted.
"Do you want us to get married?" she countered. Lee was impressed; she put it back on Teddy. He watched carefully over his mug.
"I think you should," Teddy said simply. "You guys do things my parents used to do around each other, so I think you like each other. And besides, Dad had a plan to get you together."
"Did he?" Emily asked, feigning mild curiosity. Lee knew she was burning with curiosity. Hell, he was too.
"Yea."
"What kind of plan?"
"It's a secret. I promised him I wouldn't tell."
"I see."
"Will you think about it?" Teddy asked. He sounded very hopeful, and Lee knew what he wanted. He wanted a family again despite him and Emily not being his biological parents.
"You know, even if we're not married, we're still a family," Emily said now, reading Lee's mind.
"I know, but I still think it'd be cool." Teddy gave a shrug and took his bowl to the sink to rinse out. Then he went to brush his teeth and get ready for school. Emily lifted a brow as she looked at Lee.
"Interesting," he commented.
"Do you think he heard us last night?" she asked.
"No. I mean, I don't think so..." They both looked at each other. It was hard to remember.
"Well," she said, coming over to him. She took the mug from his hand and set it on the counter behind him. Then she put her arms around him, hooking her thumbs in the back pockets of his jeans. "Maybe that's the signal to stop hiding from them?"
"Or it's his way of saying he already knows," Lee pointed out.
"I'll let you lead on this one," she said, smiling at him. He smiled back, thinking. She moved away when Teddy returned.
"Are you going to work?" he asked her.
"Not today," Emily said. "I'm working on getting a new job."
"What happened to the old one?"
"Sometimes things we try to build fall apart, but that's okay," she said. "I can start fresh somewhere else."
"Is that why you went away? Were you sad?"
Geez this child. Lee felt like Teddy was an adult sometimes, not a seven year old kid. He was extremely perceptive.
"I just needed to think about stuff," Emily answered, which was half of the truth. "Get some ideas, you know?"
"I get it. I think best when I'm alone too."
"I knew you'd understand." She smiled at him. "Come on, you're gonna miss the bus." She corralled Teddy to the door and helped him get his coat on. Lee watched through the window as they walked hand in hand to the bus stop. He couldn't help but smile. He decided they'd tell Teddy that night, and he knew how thrilled it would make the boy to know they were really together.
Then Jenna was calling for someone to get her up, so he had to leave the touching scene behind.
...
"You really missed me," Emily said, her head turned to the right as she lay on her stomach. Lee smiled in return. He was on his back, resting his hand on her right shoulder blade absently. She felt a bit hot all over as she thought about what they'd just done earlier.
"I do feel bad ditching Jenna with Brenda for the afternoon," he said.
"I think she enjoys it."
"I hope so."
Emily tucked her arm under her pillow and sighed contentedly. Lee's phone vibrated, making him turn his head to look at it on the nightstand.
"Ugh," he said.
"Barney?"
"Yea."
"Are you ducking his calls?"
"He's just so damn nosy sometimes," Lee sighed. In the end, he answered it. Emily half listened as she inched closer and placed kisses on him, just to torture him.
"Sounds intense," he commented into the phone, reaching to catch the back of her neck to make her stop. She pulled free and sat on his stomach, smoothing her hands up and down his chest.
"Hi, Barney," she mouthed, and Lee made a face at her. She smirked and bent to kiss his neck and jaw while he kept trying to talk.
"I wouldn't take that with you," Lee went on, trying to push her away. He was amused, though. She caught his mouth with hers, giving him her best tantalizing kiss. He returned it with an even better one.
"Are you seriously making out with Emily right now?" Barney's voice asked through the phone.
"Lee can't come to the phone right now," Emily replied, taking it and hanging it up before tossing it. Lee made her laugh and exclaim when he flipped her over and gave her his undivided attention. Just as things heated up, the doorbell rang.
Emily groaned.
"You think it's Brenda?" Lee asked.
"Who knows."
"Might be Gina."
"Shit."
Emily hurried to get appropriate alongside him and headed downstairs shortly after. She felt a bit of dread when she saw Gina standing there.
"Hi!" Gina said brightly. "Is this a good time?"
"Always," Lee answered. Only Emily heard the slight sarcasm in his voice; she shot him a look. Gina came in with her clipboard and glanced around before heading for the dining room table.
"I just want to say that we've discussed your case," she started.
"Okay," Lee said warily. Emily felt on edge.
"Things are going so well, and we feel it's the right time to talk about adoption," Gina continued. "Are you both feeling ready to officially adopt Teddy and Jenna?"
Lee and Emily sat there feeling a little bit stunned. Gina was smiling at them, and neither of them could find words to say.
"You can let me know by the end of the week what your decision is," Gina said, "if you need some time to think about it."
"We're doing it," Lee blurted out.
"I second that," Emily said.
"Oh, good," Gina said, pleased. "I kind of thought you'd be on board with it, but I wanted to still give you time to think about it..."
"There's nothing to think about. We're not about to let strangers raise these children. We are," Lee said, looking at Emily. "Right?"
"Right," Emily confirmed. She reached to hold his hand, and he squeezed it tightly.
"Well, that's great," Gina commented. "I will draw up the paperwork and bring it by later this week. Then the judge will make it official, and we'll be all finished up. Right before Christmas too."
"Thank you," Lee said.
"Have you two figured out what your relationship looks like?" Gina asked next.
"Erm, well..." Emily trailed off.
"We are giving it a go," Lee finished for her. "And it looks really promising."
"I could tell something was different about you two," Gina said with a smile and twinkle in her eye. "Good for you."
"It doesn't complicate things?"
"Not really, not in my opinion. If anything, it makes a stronger case for this working out."
"Okay." Emily felt relieved. Gina stood, and they said their goodbyes. Once she was gone, Lee and Emily looked at each other.
"Oh my God," Emily said, smiling and releasing a small laugh. She pressed a hand to her mouth.
"We're doing this," Lee said back, his voice sounding awestruck almost. "We're really doing this."
Emily felt her heart race as she began to pace a little, but Lee caught her hand and pulled her back into him, catching her lips with his and pushing her against the door. She kissed him back, letting out all of her feelings for him and the happiness she was feeling in this moment. A few moments later, they broke apart, and she held his arms while his hands rested on her hips.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you more," she replied, making him smile and kiss her cheek softly.
"Not possible," he said in her ear, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. Emily wanted this moment, this feeling, to hang suspended in time, but it had to end eventually. All good things did eventually end, but good things also happened more than once.
"Prove it," she said back, and he smiled as he kissed her again. She felt like nothing could ruin her happiness right now.
Nothing at all.
...
Lee felt a bit buzzed all day since Gina had been there. They'd agreed to tell Teddy once he was home from school. Jenna was back and playing, but they wanted to tell them together. Lee didn't really know if Jenna would understand anyway.
It was after supper now, and they both nonverbally agreed it was time. They went together to find Teddy coloring. Jenna was chewing her rubber ball.
"Hey," Lee said. "So, Gina was here this afternoon."
"What did Ms. Gina have to say today?" Teddy asked, looking up at them. Emily went to sit on the floor next to him while Lee crouched on his other side.
"She had some good news today," he told Teddy. The boy's face lit up instantly.
"Are you gonna adopt me and Jenna?" he asked hopefully. He looked back and forth between Lee and Emily, and she reached to squeeze his shoulder.
"Yea, buddy," Lee answered. "We're gonna adopt you both."
"Yes!" Teddy exclaimed, jumping up and throwing his arms around Lee's neck tightly. Lee steadied himself from falling after the impact, hugging Teddy back with one arm while his other hand kept him upright by holding the arm of the couch.
Emily was smiling hard when Teddy let him go and hugged her next. She almost started to cry, clearly feeling a lot of emotions in that moment.
"Does that mean I can call you Mum and Dad?" Teddy asked once he pulled back.
"There is no pressure for that," Emily answered, smoothing his hair. "We're still your aunt and uncle if you prefer that."
"Becky is adopted," Teddy said matter-of-factly. "She calls her new parents Mom and Dad even though she already had a Mom and Dad. I know Mummy and Dad are my real parents, but they aren't coming back. I love you both and want to call you Mum and Dad. Is that bad?"
"No," Lee replied. "It's not bad. It's whatever you want, bud...whatever you're comfortable with."
"Okay, then that's what I want. I've thought of you as my adopted parents for a while anyway."
Emily met Lee's eyes, and he wasn't sure how to describe what he was feeling inside. Going from uncle to father was a bit scary, but he found he also wanted it. He knew Charlie wouldn't want any other guy to be Teddy's second father, and Lee would always be second. He was fine with that.
"We'd be honored," Lee said to Teddy, reaching to fist bump him.
"There's one more thing," Emily said.
"You love each other," Teddy interrupted, looking back and forth between them. "Right?"
"Right," Lee confirmed.
"I knew it!"
"That's because you're super smart," Emily said, ruffling his hair fondly.
"No. You guys are bad at hiding it."
Lee laughed out loud, and Emily fought her blush. Teddy grinned and hugged her tightly, and she hugged him back.
"Mama?" Jenna asked, going to sit in Emily's lap and pushing Teddy out of the way to make room.
"Yea," Emily answered, hugging her close too. "I'm gonna be your mama." Lee heard the catch in her voice, and he knew they would always feel sad but also could start healing more.
"I like Mama too," Teddy announced. "Is that okay?"
"That's just fine."
"Or Ma," Teddy said, looking at Lee.
"Maybe when you're older," Emily said, wrinkling her nose. Lee laughed, knowing she didn't want to share his term of endearment for his mother just yet.
"I like Ma," Lee teased, and she reached to shove him. Because he wasn't fully supported, he toppled over onto his back. Teddy decided this was a good time for a tickle attack, and Jenna soon got involved. Emily let them torture Lee for a moment until intervening. She ended up just being added to the laughter and tangle of limbs on the floor anyway.
But it felt so damn perfect.
One chapter left :)