Page 45 of Spit Screen

How could I not love Emma? Yes. Our lives are changing again. One thing I am confident about is launching the new show.

Jeff hit the ground running with my pilot forDomesticated.He’s developed a terrific pitch deck, and he’s already gotten positive feedback—without any formal meetings. The announcement that Emma was taking over Monica’s role in this new movie has garnered a lot of excitement. It’s like the universe is telling us this is what is meant to happen, and we need to make the leap. The last time I felt an impending change this powerfully was the day Emma spilled her coffee on me.

“Addy?”

“Youareright. I feel it, too.”

“I know,” Emma says.

“I was thinking about the best day of my life when you walked in.”

“Oh?”

“Mm. I was thinking how many of those I’ve had since I met you.”

“Addy.”

“It’s true, Em. And I know you’re right; things will get messy, too.” I look into Emma’s eyes, and the ground beneath me shifts—or maybe it’s something inside me clicking firmly into place. I kiss her softly and chuckle.

“What?” she asks.

“It’s a good thing we both love coffee.”

Emma’s roar of laughter filters through the house.

“Ahhheeemmm,” Vicki clears her throat.

“Yes?” Emma asks.

“Why are you guys kissing inmyroom?”

Emma winks at me and turns to our daughter.

“Mom! No way. No!”

“Come on,” Emma runs after Vicki. “Come here. I’ll give you a big birthday kiss!”

“Mom!”

I walk into the hallway and shake my head.

“Momma!” Noah calls out through a fit of giggles.

“Save us!” Hannah yells.

Emma must have them all cornered.

“Mom!” Vicki groans, but the delight underneath her protest is evident.

Nine-years-old. I turn back and look at Vicki’s room again. Something tells me we’ll watch the pictures on the walls change in a different house. I close my eyes for a moment and take a deep breath.

“Momma!”

I guess it’s time for me to save them—or Emma.

TWO WEEKS LATER

It’s silly. Emma and I have spent weeks apart many times. It never gets easier. I hate kissing her goodbye.

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