~An Emison Story~ Second Chances

Time To Move On

...1 Year Later...

I didn't even realize when I became the binding link joining their family. Soon, I found myself taking care of the infant, now one year old Addison. I'd help Jess with her school work, her now being in kindergarten soon to be first grade. I even would cook and clean for all of them. It just felt like a natural transition. One all of us didn't even notice.

Noel was extremely grateful. He was feeling helpless without his life partner and to be honest, he needed every little piece of help he could get. It turns out Aria handled everything in the home front. Noel was clueless when it came to simple task. All the basic stuff you'd think he'd know, such as cooking, cleaning and let alone changing an infant's diaper. I mean this was his second baby. Heck, he didn't even balance the books at home. When he did books for a living at his day time job. Aria was amazing. She did it all.

So as you can guess... I never moved out. That apartment that I was renovating where I was only supposed to stay for a short amount of time, with my best friend and her husband. Got rented out as I became a part of her family.  In fact, throughout the year when Noel's and even Aria's parents came to visit our strange situation. They would drop little hints. Both couples insinuating that we should make it official. They wanted us to get married. Both pair of parents giving us their blessing. They even brought Jessie in on it. Her being excited that I could be her real mommy and well Addie... I was the only mother he ever knew. It was a silly thought really...

Marriage is not about taking care of kids alone. I and Noel both were haunted by the shadows of our previous partners. Neither of us wanted to go through another marriage. I mean whenever I think about the idea of being with anyone like that... I can't help but think about her and the last time I saw her.

-Flashback-

"My condolences for your lost." I can't help it as my breath gets caught in my throat. I'd know that voice anywhere. She's here. She came. How did I not notice her standing in the line while Noel and I waited at the entrance of the church? As people gave him and his kids their condolences. Me standing with them holding Addie and attending to Jessie as he spoke to the people.

"Thank you Emily." Noel answers her and holds a tight smile, being protective of me he pulls me close to himself wrapping his arm around my waist as I hold his son. Letting me know he's there for me. "Thank you for coming." Noel chokes out, becoming emotional. I instinctively run my hand up and down his back in comfort as I feel a lump in my throat as well. Not knowing if it's because Emily bring up so many emotions or because Noel's on the verge of tears again. More than likely both...

"Of course, I wouldn't think about not being here." She tells him as she looks over to me, with a sad smile. I can't help it as I look at her almost in awe. She looks breath taking. More beautiful than I remember. Then I notice a blonde girl behind her looking down. Close but still giving her, her space as she talks to us. Is that her date? Did she fuckin' bring a date to her best friend's funeral!

"Aria was my best friend. I know we lost touch but I loved her like a sister." Emily brings me out of my jealous thoughts.

"She loved you too Em." Noel let silent tears escape his eyes. "We're sorry we-"

"Don't..." Emily cuts him off and immediately reaches out to bring him in for a hug. He let go of my waist and hugs on to her for dear life, after all they both used to be best friends too. I strain myself trying to hear them. I can't hear what their saying to each other as they're whispering back and forth for quite a while. Both crying in each other embrace. What looks like asking for forgiveness? Almost like they are coming to some type of understanding. When they finally let go... Emily comes up to me and stares directly into my eyes. Her cheeks are flushed from crying and it looks like she wants to tell me something. Almost like she wants to say something to me that's important but then she chickens out when Noel pats her back. She directs her attention to Addison and smiles at the baby boy.