Page 37

Two years later

Emily Harris rearranges—for the third time this month—the distribution of a couple of side tables in the living room and all the decorative objects on a large vintage wooden cabinet she purchased last year. She takes two steps back and, with her brow furrowed, evaluates her artistry. She shakes her head and takes a metal plate with three different-sized candles and moves it to the left side. She smiles because she likes the change, but immediately clicks her tongue; now the picture frames aren't aligned the way she wants. She picks up one specific frame and sighs; in the photograph, a very excited Emily wearing a Mickey Mouse hat hugs Leah at the famous amusement park in Orlando. She remembers that getaway fondly as one of those moments that define a couple's life.

Flashback

"Look, Leah, look!" Emily shouts like a little girl when the park's closing show begins.

Leah watches her with tenderness; they've been together for a year and her life has completely changed. Their relationship has flowed with ease, they understand each other well, and whenever they've had disagreements, they've discussed them calmly. The lawyer remains as formidable as ever in the courtrooms but not so much on the court. Practice sessions have become more frequent because they not only play at Walker Elite Sport Club but also at the tennis player's house. Leah has had a somewhat busy but satisfying season; she has given several conferences as the sports icon she is, attended major tournaments as a spectator, and at her club, they host very interesting tournaments that have caught the attention of the press and tennis fans.

"I prefer looking at you," Leah answers with love-filled eyes as the music plays and the light show begins.

Emily's smile widens and she moves closer to kiss her. Fireworks start illuminating the sky with brilliant colors, making Leah's profile shine even brighter. The lawyer observes her and feels a shiver settle in her stomach. Just like that time, during that surprise getaway when the tennis player took her to another theme park, Emily feels that overwhelming need to confess, to tell her once more how much she loves her and how much she wants to keep her in her life. She takes her hand and squeezes it slightly, making Leah turn her head to look at her.

"We've been good together, haven't we?" Emily asks, but doesn't let Leah answer. "Better than expected. I love you, Leah, and you make me the happiest woman in the universe. You're attentive, loving, loyal, you understand me so much that I think you were created exactly for me. I want to wake up beside you every morning, get into bed together after a tough day, and feel your calm breathing when you fall asleep on the couch. I want to live with you."

Leah's teary gaze says many things. Love, excitement, joy. Everything her girlfriend makes her feel, and now she's asking to take another step in their relationship. Before answering, she hugs her tightly because she needs to feel Emily's body next to hers, matching their breathing as had become usual between them.

"Nothing would make me happier," she says, her voice breaking.

Emily shouts, like she does when playing tennis—her notable improvement has allowed her to win some matches against less experienced opponents—and hugs her even tighter.

"Rearranging the photo again, honey?" Leah asks as she passes through the living room and sees her girlfriend holding the picture frame.

The lawyer flashes one of her smiles, the kind that melts Leah.

"Come on, don't look at me like that," the tennis player says, narrowing her eyes and approaching to give her a kiss. "If we don't hurry, we'll be late."

"I'm ready, just need my shoes and my purse," Emily answers, still trying to figure out where to place the photo.

After that declaration and their return to Charleston, both began moving in together. In less than a week, Emily was already settled in Leah's house. Adapting wasn't difficult at all; they spent many days together, and being permanently under the same roof only made things easier.

"Wait, Leah, I left Natalie's gift on the bed," Emily announces and starts running toward the bedroom.

The usual happens: the woman returns just as quickly, but trips on the corner of the rug. The gift bag flies to one side and she rolls across the floor. Leah lets out a scream, rushes to Emily, and starts laughing when she sees her girlfriend bursting into laughter.

"Damn, honey, one day you'll really hurt yourself," the tennis player says, helping her up.

"You know I won't," she answers with a wink.

"Have you heard from Emma?" Leah asks when they get in the car. "I've texted Mia twice and she hasn't responded."

Emily fastens her seatbelt and puts on her sunglasses.

"Yes, Mia was going to pick her up at her house, that's probably why she hasn't answered you," Emily states while adjusting the air conditioning vent.

The relationship between the younger Harris lawyer and caddy Mia Clark has gone better than anyone could have imagined. Everyone knew about the icy armor that covered Emma, especially regarding appearances, but life taught her a lesson that blew up in her face and showed her the true reality she was immersed in. After Mia and Aaron moved into Leah's house, the romantic relationship began in earnest; they met several times a week, spent some nights together, had dates alone and also with Mia's brother. They went to the movies, out to eat, everything couples do. Emma even became close to Aaron; she helped him with homework and sometimes picked him up from school. Mia was warmly welcomed into the Harris family, and everyone noticed the happiness that filled Emma. One night, they attended the birthday party of a friend of the lawyer; everything was going well until a guest highlighted the fact that Mia was the maintenance girl from Walker Elite Sport Club. From that moment on, there were whispers as if they were in school, looks of astonishment and even of morbid curiosity from those who thought of a high society woman with a dirty secret under her sheets. That was the end; Emma left that penthouse holding her girlfriend's hand and cut ties with all the scum that surrounded her. She was left alone; no one even sent her a message when she disappeared, and she realized that she had made the decision very late, but was finally free.

"I don't know why they don't just move in together," Leah opines as she turns onto a street. "I think it would be simpler."

"They're fine as they are," Emily confirms, having had long talks with her cousin. "Mia needed to adapt to the change. After spending an entire year living in your house, she had to create a new home with her brother."

Mia Clark again requested custody of Aaron when she completed the time the judge required her to stay clean, without a single offense. Despite Leah's insistence that she didn't mind continuing as legal representative, Mia needed to take that step she had always fought for. This time there was no denial; the process was somewhat long, but she was no longer in a hurry. As soon as she had the signed document in hand, she returned to her home with her brother.

"Emma gets along so well with Aaron and the three spend so much time together that, for practicality, it makes more sense for them to live together," Leah insists as if the situation affected her.

"They have it under control, honey," the lawyer says. "I'm sure that when they feel it's the right time, they'll make the decision."

Leah leaves the car with the valet parking when they arrive at the restaurant, and upon entering, she encounters the now-familiar family tableau they've formed. Emma talks with Anne about something that makes them both laugh alongside Aaron. Mia and Natalie discuss some topic, and Leah suspects they're talking about the club. Now that Natalie is adding another year, they've decided to reduce her working hours, and Mia will gradually take over those administrative tasks. The caddy loves her job, being on the courts is something she enjoys, although this new assignment is so good that she couldn't refuse it. The schedule improves significantly, and the salary is higher. Now that she has Aaron full-time under her responsibility, both things are perfect for her.

"Happy birthday, Mom," Leah hugs Natalie tightly, affectionately.

"This is for you, Natalie. Happy birthday," Emily hands her the gift they bought and also hugs her. Her relationship with her in-laws is excellent.

"Love, they're asking me to confirm if it'll be three or four days," Emma has taken advantage of the couple's arrival to approach Mia.

"Four," Mia assures her with a smile. "Three days is too short, and we have time."

Emma nods and quickly types her response on the phone. A few weeks ago, they decided to take a getaway to nearby Kiawah Island, taking advantage of some days off. They'll go without Aaron; the boy has an end-of-year school trip for a week, and the women will enjoy some privacy. Mia looks at her girlfriend's features and thinks there's no woman in the world more beautiful than her. She never imagined that the posh Harris girl could change so much and stay by her side to support her and love her madly.

"Sit down, the food is coming," Anne requests, as they had placed their order as soon as they arrived at the restaurant, the same as last year for this same celebration.

"A toast to the birthday girl," Emily raises her glass, and everyone at the table imitates her.

"May we continue celebrating for many more years," Leah says.

Who would have thought that a high-level tennis player and a clumsy lawyer in sports could end up together, loving each other in this way? On the path from the law firm to the court, they found exactly what they both needed.