From across the hallway

Part 21

Missy had had a long, tough day at work. She had been in meetings all day, where important discussions on the finances of the company had taken place. It seems that the company wasn't doing too well and profits were down. Despite Missy only being in there to take the minutes, making hurried notes in the corner of the meeting room, she had however gleaned that job losses were likely in the coming weeks. And Missy had a horrible sinking feeling that it would be last one in, first one out...

It had been hard enough getting back into work since a having Emily and this company had been the only ones to even offer her any sort of interview. She was smart and had gone to college, but it was as though since having a child, people treated you differently, as though she wasn't capable...or willing to work...

The last thing Missy needed right now was to lose this job. If she lost her job, it would mean that she couldn't pay rent. And if she couldn't pay rent, it would mean she would have to move back down to Florida and live with her aunt again.

What other choice would she have?

But it would break her heart to know that after all these months, she would prove all the nay-sayers right, and that she hadn't been able to make it on her own after all. That she couldn't provide for her own daughter like she should be able to...

That would just be the start of a downward spiral that Missy had hoped she was well shot of...

The last year or so had not been an easy one. After what had happened with Scott.....

Well, Missy had become pretty depressed...it was an easy thing to happen, especially when you had to try and cope on your own...

But seeing Emily's beautiful, bright face each and every day, had made everything just that little bit better...until Missy had been strong enough to stand up tall again...

She just hoped she would not find herself repeating those horrible few months of her life all over, once more...

Climbing the last couple of steps up towards her hallway, she made her way over to Wade's door, giving a gentle knock.

After today, she was so excited to see Emily, it having been the longest she had been away from her in a while.

A second passed and another...

Missy listened, giving a frown.

Behind the door she could hear whispers and giggling. She pursed her lips, hitching up her handbag over her shoulder and knocked again.

It was only brief moment later, that the door was suddenly hurled open, and there came a loud-

"RARRRR!"

Standing there, was a grinning Wade, in a dark t-shirt and jeans. And in his arms, was Emily, dressed in an ENORMOUS t-shirt that hung past her chubby little legs.

Missy raised her eyebrows and placed a hand over her heart in mock-fright.

"Wow, now that was scary," she said, beaming over at the little girl.

Emily immediately giggled and reached out making grabby hands for Missy.

"Mommy, I mished you," said the tiny toddler as Missy reached out and tugged her to her, clutching her tight to her chest.

Missy felt her heart swell with love as she peered down at her daughter.

"What on earth are you wearing?" asked the caramel-haired woman, cocking a sudden eye up at Wade questioningly.

"I haa acsiden coz lady showted a me," said Emily in a quiet voice, reaching for Missy's diamond-studded earlobe. "Waydee gayv me baff!"

Missy's eyes widened. "A bath? Wait! What? Who shouted at you?"