The Family We Choose

Chapter 60

The ideal plan for this Friday night was to have a movie night. The evening would be spent minus Buck because he was still on shift for the next two hours. But that didn't mean she was ready to have Ana sitting next to her for the evening.

She cooked, which was fine. It wasn't Bucks cooking but she ate it with a smile on her face. Even if it was a little dry, she complimented the dish. She was raised right.

Then came the movie and Ana shut down her idea of a marvel movie which she recently got Chris hooked on. They had made it all the way to Avengers: Age of Ultron and planned to start the next one.

Ana didn't think it was age appropriate. Eddie missed that conversation while he was making popcorn with Chris.

And that was also fine.

Watching Toy Story was fine, despite the fact Ana only picked it because she thought it was appropriate for Chris. She rolled her eyes but no one saw.

And finally when Chris fell asleep against Eddie's shoulder, she thought the night was over and she could crawl under the covers and call May but she was sorely mistaken.

"I can help." Ana offers as Eddie carefully picks up a sleeping Chris. And for a second Emelia's heart stops. She snaps her head to Eddie's direction and carefully watches as he shakes his head.

"It's okay, I'm just going to tuck him in quick." He says, and Emelia knows it's because Eddie likes routine and in turn means Chris likes routine. Ana doesn't fit into that routine yet. Unlike Buck or Carla who knew how to put Chris to bed.

Only downside to this is she is now left alone with Ana.

"So how is school going?" She asks with an all too happy smile plastered on her face.

"It's good. Finished up an exam today, I think I did good." She smiles back, resisting the urge to pull out her phone.

"That's lovely." There's a long silence. Emelia's stomach turns from the awkwardness and she silently prays that Eddie is coming back soon.

"I was wondering if you would like to join Edmundo and I for lunch tomorrow?" Emelia tries not to notice how she once again refused to call Eddie not only by his name but acknowledge Eddie to be her dad.

It was beyond frustrating.

"I wish I could but I have dance tomorrow." She says easily and really it's not a lie. She has dance in the morning and then she teaches the littles shortly after. But after that she's completely free but that point, she doesn't bring that up to Ana.

"That's too bad, I would really like to get to know you better." Ana still has that smile on her face and Emelia is just unable to return it. All she can do is nod but Ana keeps going.

"I can understand how hard this can be. I really do but I wish you would let me in a little." She scoots closer to her. Hoping it would help Emelia open up but it only makes her more defensive. She wraps her arms around her middle and thanks whatever god is out of there for Eddie coming back.

"I appreciate it but I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed right now." She says truthfully, standing up, ready to head back to her room.

Eddie's there to stop her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder and leaning down to catch the look in her eyes. Without truly thinking he takes a step between the two women.

"Sweetheart, I understand that this is all new for you and it can be challenging." She says softly, standing to match the other too. Ana looks at Eddie, wearily intertwining their hands.

Eddie looks a little surprised, Ana clearly hadn't run her plan by Eddie. He was more calculated than this and he also knew how much she disliked being pushed into a corner.