The Publisher

1. Emma

“No.”

“No?” he acted surprised, almost stunned. I couldn’t blame him, our whole relationship I had only said yes, now my answer was no.

“No, we’re not moving to London.” My tone was flat, final. I needed him to understand what a huge mistake this was.

“Emma! Think about it! We could live in a mansion with this new job! I’d be making a lot of money.” His tone raised and he raised his arms, waving them in the air. I would have laughed it I wasn’t about to scream

“Oh and my job pays barely anything?” I snapped, my voice rising too.

“Don’t twist my words, Emma. I just want to provide for our family.” As if on cue Allison began to cry. Harry and I continued to glare at each other from across the table.

“Are you even thinking of your family?” I asked.

“It’s the only thing I think about.” He said.

“Really? Because moving to another continent with a month year old baby for a job that you don’t need doesn’t sound like thinking about your family!” I yelled.

“Why are you being so selfish?” he spat. My eyes widened but he continued. “Everything has to revolve around you! Your job, where we live, even what I do! Do you know how bored I was with nothing to do but wait for you to come home every day from your oh so important job? I didn’t even get a chance to name my goddamn child! So we’re moving to London so I can do what I want for a change!” He stopped, breathing heavy. Allison’s screams reached ear piercing levels.

“I don’t even know who you are anymore.” I said. I stood up and left the room to quiet Allison. Harry still stood there, breathing heavy with clenched fists. I made my way to the nursery and picked up Allison and bounced her up and down. She began to quiet, tears leaving her little face wet. I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat.

“Everything’s okay.” I lied to Allison. “You’re fine now.”

After I quieted Allison I sat down at the edge of the bed and put my head in my hands. I had never seen Harry so angry in the three years we’d been dating. I looked at my left hand and absentmindedly turned my engagement ring. Had he really only purposed to me a couple weeks ago? It didn’t seem possible. And he had come back from a world tour only a few weeks before that.

Did he come back a different person? Or was it me who had changed? I didn’t know, I didn’t want to know. I loved him then, and I loved him now. I just didn’t want to pack up everything to follow him to London for a job as a songwriter. He had his dreams and I had mine, as much as I wanted to let him pursue his, I was so close to being the head of Glamour magazine. If I left I would lose my position. The whole thing frustrated me to no end. I felt tears stream down my cheeks at the thought of Harry calling me selfish and I wiped them away. I heard the door open and soft footsteps.

“Emma, I’m so sorry for what I said. It was inexcusable and I am so sorry.” I looked up and saw he was crying too. His hair a mess from pulling on it and his pretty green eyes bloodshot. He sat down next to me on the bed.  

“Did you mean…did you mean anything you said?” I whispered.

“Not a word.” I leaned into him and closed my eyes.

“I think it was the exhaustion talking.” I said.

“Emma, no. Don’t try to make excuses for me. I am so sorry for what I said. I will be apologizing for the rest of my life because of what I said.” I opened my eyes and leaned back and looked at him.

“Why don’t we try again and talk this out rationally instead of screaming things we don’t mean?” I gave him a small smile. He smiled back and wiped his eyes.

“Okay.” He took a deep breath. “Emma, I know you have your job which you love. I know we have a life here that we both love.” He looked at me meaningfully. “But I was given an opportunity that may not ever come again. I’m getting older, and the songwriting industry is looking for younger people.”

“Have you looked for a company in New York?” I asked. He nodded.

“I’ve met with several of them; they all told me they weren’t interested. I’m sorry.” I nodded.

“Anyways, my salary would be enough to support our family and then some. We could give Allison everything she wanted and more. And, because we’ll be in England we can see my family more and the guys. I know you and Liam are pretty close. I know that you love your job and New York but I feel as though England could be really good for us, for both of us.” He bit his lip, looking at me. I took a deep breath. I knew my answer; I just hoped it was the right one.

“Yes.”

“Yes?” He looked so bewildered, I wanted to laugh.

“Yes. I will go to England with you. I heard it’s the next New York anyways.” Harry let out a whoop and hugged me.

“I love you Emma! Thank you so much! You won’t regret this!”

 “I better not.” I muttered.