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CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Kelton

“I've already got my assistant on it,” Jerry assures me as I pace Emerson’s room.

“She’s contacting all the major reporters, magazines, all our people are on this.

We are gaining control of how this plays next.

My question to you is, what do you want people to know?

It’s your move, you just have to let me know where to go from here. ”

“She’s the only girl I’ve ever loved. The one I left back in Chicago but never got over.

Our paths crossed, we found out that what we felt before hadn’t faded.

The difference between now and then? We have no intentions of making the same mistakes.

It’s real, there is no trapping, it was all planned, she is the one.

The one and only I want to build a life with.

Tell it all, Jerry. We grew up together, she isn’t some random person I hooked up with.

I don’t want anyone painting a fucking picture with her as a villain.

Emerson is the kindest person and she doesn’t deserve this. ”

“Okay,” he says and I sit on the edge of the bed, dragging my hands through my hair.

“So,” he finally says and I can already tell he is fishing.

“This is real,” I confess. “I love her Jerry, there is no question about that. I loved her years ago and I love her now. But knowing she’s carrying my kid.” My heart feels so incredibly full. “It’s overwhelming in the best possibly way. I’m going to be a father.”

“You are,” he says with a chuckle.

“I just wish my mom could have been here to be a part of this.” It’s coming up on the anniversary of my mother’s death. A day that still after all these years hits me just as hard. A day I will never forget, being away at a game, unable to say goodbye.

Somehow it’s hitting me harder this year.

“She’s missing it all; me making it big, buying a house, falling in love with the perfect girl.

She loved Emerson.” I pause remembering all the times she’d tag along with my mom and Liz.

“Now me becoming a father, it’s a lot.” The missing her part not the other stuff.

“I’m not a sentimental kind of guy, Kelt, you know this.

” He’s not lying, it’s never been easy figuring out what Jerry is actually feeling.

He’s not a heart on his sleeve kind of guy.

“But I have things I believe, and I believe that though you can’t see her, your mom still sees you.

She may not hover like a real mom does but she’s able to check in from time to time and she’s real fucking proud of the man you’ve become.

She’ll know that baby too, because she’ll be watching over him or her, like she does you. ”

I nod, staring at the empty space on the wall.

“If you ever tell anyone I just said all that shit, I will deny every word,” he adds, making me laugh.

“Run with the stories, Jer,” I tell him skipping all the heavy stuff. “Drown out the bullshit and shove me and Em down their throats. I’ll have Liz send over some images. In case anyone needs visual confirmation.”

We talk a few more minutes and then end the call. I stay where I am for a little longer, scanning over the room and it’s the first time I notice all the boxes.

Standing up I walk over to the two stacked in the corner and lift one of the lids. Folded clothes fill the box to the top. Walking around I check a few more finding much of the same. Her closet still has a few things hanging, but for the most part it’s empty.

“Emerson,” I holler out still standing in the open doorway of her closet. Within seconds both her and Liz are in the room with me standing a few feet away. “What’s all this?” I point to the closet, then to the boxes sitting around the room.

Instead of her answering me she worries her lip.

“Em.” Reaching out I link my fingers with hers and tug her closer. Pressing her forehead to my shoulder I wait and chance a glance at Liz who is smiling big. I know if it was bad she wouldn’t look so happy.

“What’s with all the boxes?” I ask again and when I am met with a giggle I lean away so I can see Emerson’s face. She is smiling, biting her lip to keep from laughing.

“We’ve got news, Daddy,” Liz shouts, her hands out to her sides like she’s putting on some show of excitement. “We’re moving to Nashville.”

It takes me seconds for her words to click and I glance between the two of them. “Seriously?”

Emerson nods and Liz says, “yep,” overexaggerating the p with a pop.

I wrap them both in my arms and kiss the tops of their heads.

“Okay, okay,” Liz says, pushing me away. “All I need to add is this. If I’m living in that big beautiful house of yours with the two of you there better be really great insulation in the walls. I don’t want to hear any grunting, moaning, or bedposts knocking the wall.”

“You can live there until the guesthouse is built.”

“Excuse me, guesthouse?” Her eyes widen with excitement.

“Yes, I want you in Nashville Alizabeth, but I don’t want you living in the same house. I don’t like to be quiet and also don’t like to keep my activities designated to the bedroom.”

“Ew.” She gags. “Are you seriously a kitchen table humper?”

I nod. “And the counter, against the living room wall, on the floor in front of the fireplace.”

“And up against the windows.”

Emerson slaps at Liz.

“What, that is how my little niece or nephew was conceived.” I give Em a look and she looks to the floor.

“All I’m saying is if Emerson and I are watching a movie and the mood hits us, I don’t want to be restricted.”

“There’s also the walking around naked thing too.” Liz wrinkles her nose up.

“Yah and there’s that,” I say.

“Can I at least have a nice view from my guesthouse windows? One that doesn’t face your house.”

“I have the perfect spot already picked out.”

“Thank you,” she says with a smile.

Up over the hill, hidden in some trees, and her own little private pool and hot tub. So Emerson and I can have our naked time in the pool too.

“I’m going to go shower.” Liz offers both of us a hug. “What time do we have to leave tomorrow?”

Emerson glances between the two of us with a confused look on her face.

“By ten at the latest,” I say and she nods, leaving me alone with my girl.

“Where are you two going?”

“You’re going too,” I assure her.

“Where?”

“Got games in Michigan.” Immediately she starts shaking her head. “I told you I’ve got it taken care of and that everything will be alright.”

“I can’t go out now, especially to a game with thousands of people that think I’m this horrible person that tricked you.”

“You can go out.” She starts to argue and I kiss her to shut her up. “Trust me. I would never put you into a situation that I didn’t have full control over.”

I can tell she wants to list all the reasons why she thinks this is a bad idea, but instead she nods.

“Now I’ve been going for more than twenty-four hours, and after today I think we could both use some sleep.” Again she nods. “Good because all I really want to do is hold my girl and my baby.”

Her eyes fill with tears and I kiss them away.

“I love you, Emerson.” Her lips trembles. “I don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks. I love you, and I want this baby."