Fortuitous {WLW}

Twenty-Six: I'm Coming Out

Saylor's POV:

I find myself stirring awake, my hand reaching out for Emerson for warmth as my eyes stay shut to keep the morning sun from creeping in.

I pat the bed, my one eye hesitantly opening to see Emerson isn't in bed. My heart begins to race as my stomach drops, causing my eyes to force themselves open as I sit up.

I check the time, 8:40 in the morning and no texts from her but it's late enough that the kids will be up soon and I haven't cleaned the shattered glass in the halls up.

I spring out of bed, putting a hoodie on and shorts from my bag before running to the hall to see no glass on the floor and all the other frames perfectly centered on the walls.

I hesitantly walk down the hall before hearing little laughs come from the kitchen, leading me in that direction. I enter, seeing Emerson at the stove as Asher stands next to her on a stool and the girls joke around at the table as they eat their breakfast.

The girls look over at me, their hair in little pony tails and cute sweaters on them. Emerson already got them dressed and ready for the day?

"Hi, auntie Saylor." Rowan says with a mouthful of pancakes.

Ramona hits her, "eat with your mouth closed."

I pay them no mind as they begin to argue, my attention drawn to Emerson as she turns around and faces me.

I mirror her smile as I walk over to her, kissing the dimple on her cheek before she wraps her arm around me, "good morning."

My heart warms in my chest, "morning."

Asher smirks at our interaction before grabbing his plate and running to sit at the table with his sisters, lecturing them to behave so we don't have to.

"Did you clean up the frames?" I ask.

She nods, "I did. I woke up early so the kids wouldn't accidentally step on it."

I smile and nod as I appreciate her warmth. I could get used to mornings like this, in her arms.

Emerson plates some food for me, her slowly taking her arm off of me as she says, "I have to get to work."

"What?" I ask, not wanting her to leave.

She nods, "I have to get to work by 9:30."

"How about... you just call in and spend the day with me?" I offer.

She chuckles slightly as she shakes her head, "as tempting as that sounds... I need the money. I can't bum around at the cabin forever, also I don't want your dad to hate me."

I sigh as I nod my head. I know she wants her independence and it's the responsible thing for her to go to work, I just hate that she has to leave.

"Okay." I say, the disappointment unable to be covered in my tone.

Emerson grabs my chin, forcing me to look up at her, "I get off at 6 and then I'm heading to the hardware shop to see Tate. If you're interested, you could tag along."

I've never hung out with Tate and for some reason, I'm not sure she really likes me.

Tate never liked those in the 'popular' crowd. She often said everyone in that group was, 'insecure and  was so desperate for validation, that it was sickening'. I can't say she was wrong, but I'm pretty sure she still harbors those same feelings, even years later.

"I'll think about it." I state.

She nods before leaning down to kiss my lips delicately. I frown at how quick it is and desperately want more as I watch her walk towards the door.