Emma
Jimmy and I walked our way up the stairs, passing a sleepy Grumpy. Jimmy walked with me to my apartment room. "Thank you so much, Jimmy. It was something I needed." "Well, I'm glad. By the way, I want to apologize for my behavior tonight. It was completely unprofessional." "That's alright, Jimmy." He gave me a light squeeze on the arm. "Good night, Emma." "Good night." He walked back to his apartment room.
I opened the door, and walked inside. Henry is asleep. But Ruby is wide awake. She stood up from the chair and tip toed toward me. "How was the party?" She helped me remove my raincoat. "It was…great. I guess." Ruby hung my raincoat in the closet, she turned to face me. "Great? Tell me everything went well as we planned." I nodded.
I walked to the kitchen counter, and sat on the stool. Ruby sat by me. "Well, then how did it really go?" "Well, I brought some attention to the guests. But I wish that didn't happen." "Why? What happened?" When I arrived to the party with Jimmy, I sort of pushed him away. So he left me to talk to some of his friends, and I just walked to the dance floor. After a long moment, Jimmy came back. And the two of us were dancing. Apparently, before he came back to my side, all the men were drinking and talking to women with short skirts. So I couldn't find a decent guy anywhere...Anyway, when Jimmy twirled me, he disappeared. And an unfamiliar man's arm was wrapped around me." Ruby squealed. "Gosh. I wish I was there. Well, who was it? A wealthy, single millionaire? A casino owner?" I placed a finger on my lips to silence her. "Henry is sleeping. Hush." "Well, then tell me already." She whispered. I took a deep breath. It's obvious what her reaction will be once I tell her. "Killian Jones." Ruby yelled out a mute "YES!"
I rolled my eyes. "But I rejected him." Ruby looked at me, shocked. "Are you crazy, Emma? I told you, if you get Killian Jones you're off the hook. But suddenly, you just pushed him away." "I did. And he apparently won't drop it. He even invited me to another party." Ruby squealed once more. "Emma this is perfect. We found your future husband." I shook my head. "No. Ruby, I know that this decision I made is ridiculously impulsive. But I am going to choose a man who will be a good father to Henry. I love Henry. And this decision isn't easy for him. He still loves Bae. And I can't bear to rip that apart from him. Besides, this Killian Jones is no father material to Henry. He probably will be a great caregiver. But a terrible, unfair husband and father. Who knows how many glass of whiskey he drinks. Or how many times he talks with other women. It will make Henry insecure, and disappointed to consider a man like that his father."
Ruby nodded. "Do you still love him, Emma?" I sighed. "...I d-...I just...I can't answer that. I really can't trust Bae anymore. Whether he still loves me or not, I can't give him the trust and love we shared all those years ago. I mean, we been together for ten years. We knew each other so well. But after he left, he left me, our precious Henry, and his old self. I hate him for that. I hate him to hurt Henry. It was hard for me. But Henry was my only concern, he deserves better. A better father then Bae. A better mother, and caregiver then me." Ruby took my hand. "Emma don't punish yourself like this. You're a good mother. You may go through a bumpy trip to work every day, but you still continuously risk it because you would do anything to take care of Henry. That is the definition of a good mother, and a good caregiver."
I gave her a weak smile. "Thanks, Rubes. And thank you for taking care of Henry." "No problem. Besides, you were kind of doing me a favor too. Granny wanted to set me up on a blind date tonight. Your urgent need for babysitting is the only convincing, and acceptable excuse Granny will accept." "Well, I'm glad I helped you a little bit. But why don't you just go on the blind date." Ruby shook her head. "No way. Emma, I know Granny. Including the men she chooses for me. All those men who are arranged to be my date are chosen by my Granny because they all reached her high standards, and her expectations." "Well, she cares about you. She doesn't want you to be lonely." "I'm only twenty – eight. I'm not thirty yet. Once I turn twenty – nine, I'll think about settling down." "Excellent choice."
She looked at the clock. "It's one – thirty. I have another half an hour to kill. I have to go to work at ten tomorrow morning. Granny wants me to pick up her new hat in the post office." Speaking of hats, I forgot to tell you about the other gentleman who I spoke to. And we had quite a...How should I put this? Chemistry." Ruby smiled. "Yesssss. Tell me all about it." "Well, he is a novelist. He travels over four countries per year. And he has a fine passion for hats. I really find the hat he wore tonight quite dashing." "This is great. What's his name?" "Jefferson Stan. I actually really like him. Fortunately, his a close childhood friend of Killian, so I'll probably be able to see him in the party." "But what are you going to wear?" "I'll live with your '30% rich standard outfits.' I could survive, really." Ruby shook her head. "Emma really that isn't going to work out." "It's either that, or I'll just walk in that party without any clothes on." Ruby let out an enthusiastic "oooooo…" "You know that I was just being sarcastic." "It's always an option."
"Yeah, also ending up in jail for walking in public nude." I added. "Brings out the attention." I rolled my eyes. "Okay, I'm going to take a shower, and sleep. So good night, Ruby." "Good night." She stood up from the stool. I walked with her to the door. She gave me a quick embrace. She whispered in my ear. "If Mr. Killian Jones ever invite you to a pool party, I have the perfect bathing suit. But you would really have to be brave enough to wear it." I shook my head. "Knock it off Ruby. I may be disguising myself as a outrageous rich girl. But I'm not going to take my steps that far. Good – bye." I dropped my arms off her. She gave me a you – never – know wink, and turned around and walked toward the stairway.