Her first

Chapter 17

"hey I heard almost everything"

I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Alright, everything I hate what Sarah is going through I want us to help"
"I will, I found out Joshua is in Texas seeing his grandma"
"And?"
"I'm headed there Tonight"
"That's why you're my first and last, i love that you're doing this for them they'll appreciate it when it works out"
"I hope it works out soon I really don't like playing Cupid with my sisters"
"Why?"
"Because when Lilly gets involved, she'll take everything over"

Lilly comes in holding apple juice.

"I so do not do that"
"You do, remember Ciaras date with Justin for her 22nd birthday"
"It was a success"
"After u stepped in you mean"

I respond raising my eyebrows.

"Alright, we'll go with your plan this time"
"I'll be talking to you as I get back with him"
"Sure thing, I'll miss you my love"
"I'll miss you more honey bunny"

She and I share a tender kiss that lasts longer than I thought it would.

"What was that for"
"Coming back fast and you'll get more"
"You're kind of making me wish I didn't have to go now"
"It's for Sarah so you just have to do it"

I kiss her one last time.

"I'll be back before you know it"

A short flight later I'm In Texas, i text Joshua to come pick me up at the airport and after a long ninety minutes he arrives.

"Took you long enough"
"I haf to pass through town to pick up something urgent, get in"
"Thanks"

I look at him, he's focused on driving.

"Look let's cut to the chase, I'm not here for some social visit although it has been a while since I had Granny's brownies"
"Look I've given some thought to it and I will talk to her, was just really hurt about the whole thing"
"I thought I was going to have to start giving you a pep talk about the importance of love and what ever"
"you really aren't the best at those"
" No I am not"

I respond giving him a smile.

" Sarah really loves you Joshua, please don't let her stupid mistakes come in between you"
" I wont, now let's go get you some brownies"

After visiting Joshua in Texas I fly back home for an emergency meeting at my business. After the meeting outside the office

"Wendy, where's my phone?"

She brings it up to me with a text notification.

"Are you passing by to see him?"
"Of course, be there in an hour or so"

As I'm heading to my car I run into Richard at the company entrance.

"Richard, it's been a while"

I give him a hug looking at his sister following him behind.

" Too long my brother, you remember Lisa"
"Sure, how can I forget her"

She extends out a hand.

"It's nice to see you again Mr Johnson"
"Nice to see you too Lisa with formalities"
"It's part of why we're here, not that she'll be favored or anything I just want to help her you know so since you're here why don't you"

I look down at my watch.

" (If someone else interviews her she might not be able to get it, but I need to go"
" Elijah, anything wrong?"
" No, right this way"

I put out my phone and text her

" I'll be a bit late I'm afraid"
"Let's meet by the restaurant I'm headed that way"
" Alright, I'll call you"

After carefully interviewing the girl.

" You start on Monday next week, prepare yourself your new position will require you to travel with me twice a week for orders remember I can handle most of the stuff but I do need the extra help"
" Thank you, I won't let you down"
" I trust that you won't"

A few moments later I drive to the restaurant and meet her.

"Hey"
"Hey"
"Where's the little handsome devil"
"Sarah asked to see him"

She tells me, never leaving my gaze.

"I hope you didn't"
"I had to get my sisters child"
"Good, if they ever found out that Joshua is my son Gladys I don't know how they'd react, especially mother and Emily"
"so what are you going to do about it, they will find out somehow eventually Joshua has been asking to see him"
" I'll tell them, at your party this weekend but let me open up to Emily first"
"alright, I'll feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders"
"alright let's eat"

After having dinner with Gladys I take her back home.

"I'll see you around Gladys"
"Thank you for today, I really appreciate it and thank you for bieng there for Joshua he always misses he's daddy"
"how about his mommy?"
" Huh?"
" Does she miss Joshua's daddy?"
" I...uhhh....do miss you a lot"
"I miss you too, bye Gladys"
" Goodnight Elijah"

I head home and find Emily pacing back and forth in the living clearly waiting for me to arrive.

"Hey, there's something I need to talk to you about"
"Is it so important that you have to look this stressed out or something"
"yes, please sit down Elijah"

I take her hand but she lets go and just gestures for me to sit.

"Okay now I'm scared"
"Look, ever since you proposed I've been feeling guilty about something I did"

Something she did.

" What is it"
"Before we made our relationship official when we were on that bad terms after my accident,...."
"Emily, you can say it, what happened"
"I....i.slept with Matt"

I felt my life flash before my eyes as her words cut deeper than any blade.

"I was weak, hurt. I let my anger over cloud my judgement I wanted you to be my first and last Eli I really regret it and the worst part of it is that I got pregnant"
"what, does that mean you aborted the baby"
"I panicked if my father had found out"

She responds taking my hands.

"please believe me when I say I never meant for any of this to happen"
"Emily this is too much I - I don't know what to say"
"say something Eli please"
"I can't do this anymore"