Secrets? Never.

3. A Door Marked Exit

As Emily was stirred into conciseness by the shrill tones of Danny's crying, she took in several unmitigated breaths. The cold, morning air stung the inside of her nose like a swarm of angry bees. She eventually began to regulate her breathing, and, in one fearless instant, thrust her eyes open to greet the harsh reality of her present. The dull array of black, white, and grey exploded into an officious spectrum of colour and light. Emily blinked as she scanned the room for any signs of life. Not a sound could be heard. Not a movement could be seen. No one was there but her.

She hopped into the nursery, plucking the baby from his crib and carrying him downstairs, bobbing up and down, and whispering reassurances into his tiny ear, as his tears began to cease, and he smiled up at her with his deep brown eyes; full of unconditional love.

Since her plans to go and get Sophia some new shoes was a moot point until she got back, Emily decided to instead take a trip to the farmer's market for some groceries. That's all her life was anymore; everything revolved around children, with the occasional trip to the farmers' market. She was unfulfilled, but couldn't deny there was happiness in her little life.

The farmer's market was always teeming with people on a Saturday morning. Most, unsurprisingly, were farmers, with the odd townie or socialite in the mix too. The hustle and bustle, which, for most, would be considered irritating, was calming to her. Normality was a novelty, seeing as Emily had spent most of her life in foster homes, juvenile detention centres, and other countries; the Hamptons in the summertime was a sight for sore eyes. The summer sun dappled the ground through the layers of foliage and shade provided by the trees that surrounded the farmer's market.

She never expected that the person she once spent her nights with, whispering sweet nothings to, would be the next person she'd see in this sea of people. "Aiden? What are you doing here?" she smiled, but it quickly faded as she recalled their last encounter. He turned to face the source of the noise, only to find; Emily Thorne. "Emily. Well, hello. How have you been keeping since... since that night?" he stuttered. She smiled, beckoning to Danny in his stroller. "Oh, so, you had more-" he replied, before being interrupted by Emily "Yes. I- we have three". She put extra emphasis on the 'we', partially to deter him, and partially to remind herself that it couldn't happen; them; together.

"But what's been going in with you? Surely the great Aiden Mathis hadn't settled for mundane familial affairs?" Emily asked, almost jokingly. "No, I left. For the Maldives. I met this girl..." he began. "Ooh, Mr. Mathis, 007, and newfound romantic as it would seem?" "...her name's Aubrey. She's a marine biologist, and she's my fiancée." Emily set her hand briefly on his upper arm longingly, before quickly removing it, having considered the possible repercussions. "I am so happy for you Aiden. You deserve a lifetime of happiness."

As Emily gazed into Aiden's eyes somewhat longingly, a tall, slim woman approached them. She had an attractive mess of deep brown curly hair that fell just past her dark-skinned shoulders. Her sparkling light brown eyes looked right into Emily's as they broke away from Aiden. "Hello?" she greeted, smiling through her confused expression. "Hi, I'm Emily, an old friend of Aiden's." Emily answered the question, which had been implied. "I'm Aubrey; his fiancée."

Emily nodded her head in understanding, "Ah, so you're the famous Aubrey I've been hearing so much about! Pleased to meet you! And you don't have to worry, I'm married!" Aubrey let out the slightest of laughs, before prodding, "So you're the famous Emily I've been hearing so much about!" Clearly mocking Emily, but sh let her continue "I was told so much about how you abandoned Aiden, and ran off with this Daniel guy, on the night you were supposed to marry Aiden? If that isn't cruel, I don't know what is to be frank!"

Emily turned to Aiden, her eyes meeting his with a look that said 'So now we're both liars it would seem!'

© Sarah Egan 2014 - 2015. All rights reserved. This story is subject to copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the author.