At 15

Chapter 45

"Damn it" she cursed under her breath
"Layla get back here" Emily instructed the 18 month old who ran away from her mother because she didn't want to have a bath.

Emily couldn't help but smile when she heard her daughter giggling loudly.

It was her weakness. Her daughters laughter. Her sons smile. Her husbands dimples.

Closing the tap so the water would stop filling the bath, Emily stood up with a huff to go find the little runner.

"Dada!" She squealed when he came through the front door

"Hey bunny" he smiled picking up the girl who was only in her diaper
"Why aren't you wearing any clothes?" He asked after kissing Layla's cheek

"Because she's meant to be in the bath" Emily informed her husband when she walked out of the hall. He sleeves rolled up, cheeks flustered and clearly frustrated

The girl knew she was in trouble so she tried her best to laugh quietly and hid her face in her father neck

"I've got her" he told Emily pressing a kiss to the younger woman's cheek
"Go relax, you seem tense"

With Jack away on a camp for the rest of the week and Layla at day care Emily thought she would take the day off to go visit family

Although they tried not to Emily and her mother wept as they remembered.

"She's waiting for her cuddles" Aaron's voice pulled her out of thought

Nodding she silently walked out of their room and into her daughters

"Hey baby" the mother smiled at the sleepy girl

"Mommy sad?" Layla spoke slowly barely keeping her eyes open as she hugged her mother waist

"I'm okay bunny" Emily ran her hand through Layla's thick curls
"Goodnight darling. I love you"
Placing a soft kiss on the girls forehead Emily pulled the covers over the sleeping child's body and left the room

Walking down the hallway Emily's eye was caught by the photo hanging on the wall left of the family photo. A tight knot formed in her throat.

Continuing down the hall the sighed when she walked into their bedroom. Falling onto the bed she tried her best not to cry.

"Honey?" Aaron called from the bathroom

"Yeah" she replied quietly

"Have you seen my cologne?" He asked

"It's in your drawer Aaron" Emily told him rubbing her temples in an attempt to keep her headache from getting worse

"No it's not"

Getting up with an annoyed huff Emily marched into the bathroom, she opened the drawer of the vanity and like she told him. His cologne was there.

Turning around she started walking back when he pulled her back by the arm

"What's wrong?" He asked concerned

"Nothing. Are you going out?"

"I am. Dave and Morgan invited me to play poker with them"

"Okay" Emily said sadly pulling out of his grasp she walked back into the bedroom

"Emily" he said worriedly

"What Aaron?" She snapped

"This is the last time I'm going to ask. What's wrong?" He asked sitting next to her in their bed

Letting out a breath "What's the date Aaron?" She asked as of it was obvious

"September 18th-" he started. Shit.
"Emily, I am so sorry" he apologised pulling her into his lap. She immediately started crying while clinging to him

"It's been 10 years Aaron"

"It's okay. Let it out" he rubbed her back

"I miss him so much" Emily sobbed
"I miss Daddy so much"

"I know you do. I miss him too" he answered placing a kiss on her hairline

"I wanted him to be there" she continued crying

"Here for what Em?"

"For everything" Emily answered stuttering

"Are you still going out tonight?" She asked once her crying subsided

Kissing her forehead and holder her just a little bit tighter he replied "not a chance"

When Emily looked up at him she saw a handsome smile on his face. Leaning up she traced her thumb over his dimple. "I love you" she whispered against his lips

"I love you too. So much" he told her
"And I am so so sorry"

"It's okay. I just didn't think I would miss him this bad. I mean he's been gone for so long. I thought I'd be used to it" Emily sighed leaning against his chest

"He's your Dad Emily. No one expects you to be fine after everything that's happened" Aaron assured her

"I'm tired"
"I'm so tired" Emily told him

Placing another kiss in her forehead he laid a half asleep Emily down and pulled the covers over her body.

When she woke up at 6 am the next morning, she felt a tiny body curled into her. Looking down she smiled slightly holding the girl to her and fell back asleep.

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I'm so sorry for the short chapter. I've really be struggling with my personal life recently, but I will try my best to upload :)