Chapter 6 - Lily Asked Emily Not to Leave Again
Daniel and Emily dated for two years before he proposed.
Lily was eleven.
She had opinions.
Many.
Daniel took her ring shopping.
“This one.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Boring.”
“Emily likes simple.”
“Simple isn't boring.”
Daniel stared.
“When did you become a jewelry expert?”
“Internet.”
Terrifying.
Eventually Lily selected a ring with a small central diamond and tiny stars engraved inside the band.
Like Emily's bracelet.
Daniel almost cried.
“That's the one.”
He proposed in the kitchen.
Not Paris.
Not a Bennett hotel.
Not somewhere cameras waited.
The same kitchen where Emily had told him who she was.
Lily hid upstairs.
Poorly.
Daniel asked.
Emily cried.
Then said:
“Yes.”
Lily screamed before Daniel even put the ring on.
Emily laughed.
“Were you listening?”
“No.”
Daniel and Emily both stared.
“Fine.”
Their wedding was small.
Victor offered venues.
They refused.
He offered catering.
Accepted.
There were limits to principle.
Lily stood beside Emily.
Before the ceremony, she asked:
“Are you my new mom?”
Emily knelt.
“No.”
Lily's face changed.
Emily took her hands.
“You already have a mom.”
Lily looked toward Sarah's photograph on the memorial table.
Emily continued.
“I can be Emily.”
Lily thought.
“Forever?”
“If you'll have me.”
Lily hugged her.
That was the moment Emily cried hardest.
Not vows.
Not rings.
A child choosing what to call her.
Months later, Lily occasionally slipped.
“Mom—Emily.”
Every time, Emily said nothing.
No correction.
One night Lily had a fever.
Daniel was away overnight for work.
Emily stayed.
At three in the morning, Lily woke crying.
“Mom?”
Emily froze.
Lily reached for her.
Emily went.
The next morning Lily remembered.
She looked embarrassed.
“Sorry.”
Emily sat beside her.
“For what?”
“I called you Mom.”
“You can call me whatever feels right.”
“Does that hurt my real mom?”
Emily's heart broke.
“No.”
“How do you know?”
“Because love doesn't work like replacing batteries.”
Lily laughed.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“I panicked.”
Then Emily told her:
“Your mom is your mom. Nothing changes that.”
“And you?”
Emily smiled.
“I'm here.”
Lily considered.
“Bonus mom?”
“Terrible title.”
“Em?”
“Better.”
For years, Lily called her Em.
Until one ordinary afternoon at fifteen.
“Mom, where are my shoes?”
Emily answered from the kitchen:
“Which mom?”
Lily stopped.
Then laughed.
“Em-Mom.”
Emily cried privately later.
Daniel found her.
“Happy?”
“Yes.”
“Then why cry?”
“Because apparently your family is emotionally exhausting.”
May you like
He kissed her forehead.
“Welcome home.”
