Page 119 of Family Bonds- Emma & Warren

“Family support is the best.”

She turned to see Stacy walk into the suite. “Hi,” she said, getting up. “Stacy Showers, this is, Lily Vanderroyal and her kids, Micah and Vera.”

“Nice to meet you,” Stacy said. “I’m a big fan of Gus.”

“He’d like to hear that,” Lily said.

Lily got up to get some food for her kids that she’d ordered to have ready.

“How was the drive?” Emma asked.

“Horrible,” Stacy said. “But it’s just traffic with people coming to the game. Warren said some of your family would be here again, but didn’t say who.”

“My brother,” she said. “Not Chelsea, she’s home with the kids. She’s got Hailey and Rex’s kids, since they will be here. Then my other cousins, Hunter and Skyler.”

“Hailey Bond will be here?” Stacy asked.

She smiled. “Yes,” she said. “And congratulations on passing the bar.”

“Thanks,” Stacy said.

She knew Stacy was working at some firm close to where she lived in Dartmouth. She seemed happy and it’s not like Emma would get involved, but putting Roark and Hailey in front of Stacy might get them talking a bit.

She knew Warren would love if his sister was closer.

Those things were out of her hands, but she didn’t mind shoving people in a room together either.

“They are all coming in on the helicopter again,” she said. “But just being dropped off. My cousin Grace got married last weekend and is on her honeymoon until tonight. Lincoln is ahelicopter pilot for Bond Charter and since they are down one man, Egan couldn’t come to the game no matter how much he wanted to today.”

“You’ve got such a big family,” Stacy said. “It has to be hard to keep track of everyone.”

She shrugged. “I’m used to it,” she said. “Though now everyone is pairing up and marrying, it’s doubling in size. Then add the kids. It can be a lot.”

“We never had much family,” Stacy said. “Warren has been the big brother and father to me. I feel bad that he didn’t feel like he could have a childhood.”

She ran her hand on Stacy’s arm. “I don’t think he feels so badly about it.”

“He’d never admit it if he did,” Stacy said. “I’m really glad he found you. He needs to put himself first and it seems as if he is. I know he loves the game and all, but this is the happiest I’ve ever seen him.”

Emma smiled softly. “I’m glad to hear that. I think I feel the same way. Maybe we were meant to find it now.”

“We only want Warren happy,” Stacy said. “He says he is, but I’m not always so sure.”

She looked to see Lily at a table in the back with the kids. “Why is that?”

“Some of it is still this burden he’s put on himself to be the provider. I mean come on, how much money does he need?”

Emma laughed. “I thought the same thing. I’m trying to figure out why he’s still playing. It’s got to be the love of the game.”

“It’s that,” Stacy said. “For sure. Some of it is him not knowing what to do with himself after. He’s so dedicated and puts everything into it. Without that, he might feel lost. But it was the money. This last contract was more than he thought it’d be. Once he won the Super Bowl, he wanted to ride that. I think ifhe got a two-year contract, he would have been fine with it. Has he told you his future plans?”

She wasn’t sure if she should say this. “He has. Am I not supposed to know?”

“I’m glad he told you,” Stacy said. “Only another few months and then next year to worry. He needs to just relax some. Even in the off season, he’s never relaxed because, as I said, he’s so focused on one thing in his life.”

“I wondered about that,” Emma said. “I know he spent more time away from home this past spring and summer.”

“Because of you,” Stacy said. “That first week at The Retreat. He only did that because my mother was on his case to pamper himself some. She knows he likes to read and chill out and he never does. I think he compromised by staying close to home so he didn’t have to deal with airports and large quantities of people.”