Page 49 of Marrying Emma

“He loves you. It’s obvious by the way he looks at you. The fact that he was willing to sit at the hospital all night is pretty good evidence, too.”

“I know. He told me tonight.”

Mom squealed. “Oh! I knew it! How do you feel about him?”

She loved him so much it was scary. And that’s exactly why she couldn’t let him take on her medical debt or her uncertain future. If she got sick again…The thought of watching him worry about her for months or years was more than she could handle. “It’s complicated, Mom.”

“Isn’t everything worth having?” Mom covered Emma’s hand with one of hers. “He’s a good one, Em.”

“Yeah, he sure is.”

* * *

Mom had spokento the bank ahead of time and arranged two days off for when Chrissy had the baby. It certainly didn’t hurt that Dale was her boss and had encouraged her to take the vacation time.

Emma also called Caleb and let him know that she needed the day off both from work and class but would return on Tuesday.

She and Mom talked and decided to take meals to Wyatt and Chrissy, but since the hospital room was small, they would take turns. Emma would take in lunch, then Mom dinner. Meanwhile, they’d make several meals to put in their freezer for the coming week to make the transition home easier.

Being busy like this was exactly what Emma needed today. But even with all the craziness in the kitchen, her mind kept going back to Marty and their conversation.

He loved her. He’d seemed honest about not caring that she couldn’t have children. About wanting to build a future with her.

But he’d been just as tired early this morning as she had. She was confident that, once he really got a chance contemplate their situation, he’d decide she was right. It was better to take a step back now before their emotions became more entangled.

Except it was too late for that.

“There’s no need to borrow trouble.”

Marty’s words bothered her. How was being practical borrowing trouble? Everything she’d told him was true.

Mom was in the shower while Emma chopped onions, bell peppers, and chicken breasts for fajitas. She turned on the playlist that contained the song “Don’t Look Back.” As it played in the background, Emma tried to put a name to all the uncertainties that made her chest ache.

“I need your help, God. But I’m not entirely sure where to start.” That admission alone made her feel a little better. “Could You point me in the right direction? I’m not expecting help today or even tomorrow, but I need to sort things out. I don’t know what to do.”

There was no magic idea or sudden inspiration. Even still, a subtle peace replaced that ache, and she sang along to the music as she worked.

Once Mom returned from her shower, they made quick work finishing up the fajitas and put them along with tortillas, cheese, and salsa in a cooler. After that, Mom made some of her vegetable beef soup in case Chrissy wanted to eat something light once they got home. That together with cold fried chicken completed the meals.

It was nearly eleven by then. Emma washed her hands. “You’re going to take that over to their house, right?”

“Yes, I’ll take it over there shortly then probably come home and take a nap.”

“That sounds good. I’m going to jump in the shower, then I’ll pick up lunch and take it by the hospital.” She gave Mom a hug. “I’ll see you later?”

“Absolutely.” Mom went back to taking inventory.

Already exhausted, Emma chose fresh clothes and set them on the bed. Before she had a chance to get in the shower, her phone pinged.

“Hey. I hope you’re not too tired today.”

“I’m dragging, but it could be worse. How about you?”Emma had been crazy busy today, but she still missed seeing Marty at work. He’d be getting ready for the last class before lunch now.

“Same here. Try to get some rest today if you can.”

She sent a smiley emoji and turned the phone off. Guilt bubbled to the surface and she mentally pushed it away before jumping in the shower. She wanted to beat the lunch rush and pick up cheeseburgers to take to the hospital. There’d be plenty of time to worry about Marty and their relationship.

Forty minutes later, Emma set the fast food bags on the small table in the hospital room and quietly approached the little bassinet where baby Zachary was sleeping. His lips moved as though he were eating and then he let out a little sigh that all but melted her heart.

---