Steeling My Haart (15 page)

        
“The
reason I’m calling is that I don’t know if you remember I mentioned I was having
some papers prepared about the kids? I want you to be there for them if
anything happens? Well, I pulled a few strings at work, and Dean has prepared
everything. I was wondering if you were free sometime in the next week to go to
the court and sign the papers?”

“Erm… yes. Would today be any good? I’m
about to head out to grab a sandwich and have to get some papers to the courts
for filing today. I could do it instead of sending Jennie and the walk will do
me good. I can sign the stuff you need when I’m there, if that helps. Why the sudden
rush though, Lily? Are you sure you’re okay?”

        
“Yes,
Yes I’m fine, and it would be amazing if you could do that. Just call in the
main foyer and ask for Kate Johnson. She’ll sort you out. You really don’t know
what this means to me.”

“I would if you told me. But it goes
without saying, I’d do anything for those kids.”

        
“Thanks,
Emma. I’ve got to go. See you soon and I’ll ring you later. Love you, Em.” Emma
could hear that her voice almost broke as she put the phone down, leaving Emma
hanging again. Why was Lily not answering her?

She only had a short
time to be able to get the patent papers to the court on time. She grabbed the
file and headed out straight away, telling Jennie she needed the fresh air. It
took her a little over half an hour to get there on foot but she was pleased to
have a rare moment to enjoy being outdoors during the day.

        
She
reached the court office, and within a few moments of asking for Kate, she was
shown to a room and presented with a pile of papers. They all looked pretty
standard from what Emma could see, but it almost suggested that she was
agreeing to take custody of the kids now. She queried with Kate who simply said
that these were standard papers and that they wouldn’t be put into effect until
they were needed. Without further hesitation she signed them knowing, that if
it brought some comfort to Lily then it was worth it. She checked them over
quickly again before handing them back to Kate. Heading out of the room quickly
she was anxious to get her applications filed in time.

        
She
then headed back to the office and she and Jennie dove back into the pile of urgent
patent applications that needed to be sorted. At around three pm, Bill came
into the office and interrupted the pair, “Good afternoon, Emma, Jennie. “Would
this be a good time for a word?”

        
“Hello,
Bill, and yes, I think we are due for a break right about now.” She turned to
Jennie. “Why don’t you go have a late lunch? Would you bring me something back
to eat at my desk, too, please?”

        
“Sure
thing, Bill, would you like anything?” Jennie asked her boss casually.
 
It was a big part of the ethos of the
firm that everyone be treated equally and Bill would have been offended if
Jennie had addressed him more formally. “No thank you, Jennie, I ate at the
lunch briefing I have just come back from.” And with that, Jennie was politely
dismissed.

        
“So,
Bill, what can I do for you?” Emma questioned.

        
“I
wanted to touch base with you and find out how you enjoyed the conference. I’ve
just had an interesting conversation with Arnauld.
 
He seems to be singing your praises. He
also mentioned he had been in a long meeting with Bruce, too, and to send his
thanks for talking some sense into his boy. He said you’d know what that was
all about and to say he couldn’t be more pleased that Bruce had finally
confessed.” He looked at her as he raised a curious eyebrow.

        
Emma
smiled broadly, but wasn’t about to break Bruce’s confidence . “Well, it’s not
my place to go into detail because it is quite a personal matter for Bruce, but
I’m pleased I was of some help,” she answered.

        
“Well,
I had high hopes you and he might end up together, but I got the feeling that
isn’t the case.”

Emma grinned to herself, and replied,
“You and half of Manhattan, but I can assure you any relationship we may have
is strictly professional.”

        
Seemingly
pretty disappointed with this answer, but not pressing the issue, Bill then
dove into a discussion about the contacts Emma had gained at the conference.
They had been chatting well into the afternoon and Bill seemed to be really
impressed with the contacts Emma had made during the conference in Las
Vegas.
 
Seizing the opportunity of
having Bill to herself, she tentatively asked, “Bill, I’ve been thinking for a
while at how unsettled I still am despite so many years in the city.”
     

        
“Goodness,
Emma, please tell this old man you aren’t giving your resignation. I thought
you loved working for us, and we certainly love having you on our team.” Bill had
with a hint of panic in his voice.

        
“Whoa,
it’s not what you expect, but I have been pretty homesick the last year or so,
and after the events of the last few days it has really brought it home.”

        
“Don’t
make any hasty decisions, Emma. Please let me know what we can do to keep you
here?” he pleaded.

        
“Well,
not much, but I am contemplating a move back nearer my parents. They aren’t
getting any younger and I’m getting tired of the city life now, too. But, I do
love the work I do here and feel that I could do a lot of it from a distance,
and Jennie has been totally on the ball in the office. So, no, I’m not
resigning, but would like you to consider me becoming more of a consultant so I
can go home to Oklahoma, but still work for you here in New York. I can hop
back for a few days at a time if I’m needed for a face-to-face meeting, and
Jennie would be more that capable of keeping things going in my absence,” she
offered .

        
“Thank
God, you don’t want to leave us. I will have a chat to the other partners, but
I am sure we could come to some agreement. You’ve been such a valuable asset
these last few years. I’ll be sorry to not see your face around here every day
I can see you aren’t happy. In fact it’s not only me who has been worried about
you. It would be a pleasure to help put a smile back on your face. My advice is
to go for what you want, not what you think you should do. I’ll have a chat
early next week with the other partners and put it to them. Is that okay?”

        
“Thank
you. It’s more than okay. I love my work, but I need my family more right now
and I think it’s about time I made the move. I will miss a lot of things here,
but I feel it’s time I went back where I feel I belong,” she admitted.

        
“I
don’t blame you. I hope that you find something back there that will help you
see that you might find more to life than these drab four office walls, too. I
think you need to start thinking about more than work, if you don’t mind me
saying,” he suggested.

       
“I
hear you, and I think that is a big part of it.
 
All I have ever had here is a couple of
close friends and this job. I’m beginning to want more but just don’t know
where to start. I’m hoping being back home will make all that easier. I am keen
to reconnect with some of my old friends and spend a bit more time with my mom
and dad.”
 
She looked up at Bill, who
was watching her with a concerned expression.
 

        
“Well,
I will set the wheels in motion on Monday. I’m due to meet with the other
partners, and I’m sure I can convince them that we need a branch office in
Oklahoma.” He smiled and as they both stood, he stepped forward and enveloped
Emma in a huge hug.
 
“You know
you’ve been so good for this place,” he added as he scanned the office space
outside of Emma’s large room.
 
“I
just hope that we can make things work for you.
 
I often look on you more as family than
an employee, and I know the others will agree you can do this. Go now it’s
getting late. You have a good weekend. We will talk on Monday.”

        
He
released her and as he walked away Emma heaved a huge sigh of relief. Things
were finally feeling a lot more positive for her and as she packed up her
things, ready to meet with Bruce and Lou she noticed the message icon on her
cell phone blinking. Lily had called and so had the blocked number again. Alarm
bells began to ring in her head as she tried calling Lily’s number and was met
by a solid tone. Trying several times again she was met by the same dead tone.
If she didn’t know any better, it sounded like the number had been
disconnected.

        
Emma
frantically tried the number she had for Lily’s apartment as she descended the
elevator to the lobby of the offices. After the elevator came to a stop on the
first floor, she exited and headed to the revolving door at the front of the
building.
 
The receptionist startled
her as she called over, “Miss McKellan? Could you come over here please? I have
a package that has been delivered for you.”

        
Curious
as to the contents of the small package, Emma approached the desk, “Oh, thank
you. When did this arrive? Do you know who it is from?” she questioned the
receptionist as she examined the small brown package. It was just slightly
larger than a document package and felt like it contained some paperwork. The
white label simply had her name printed in black letters with the name of the
office-building underneath.
 
She was
immediately intrigued.

“No, Miss McKellan, I am sorry, but the
lady who dropped it off was in a hurry and didn’t leave her name or where she
had come from.”

        
“Lady,
you say? Wonder who that could be? Did you see what she looked like?”

        
“No,
I’m sorry, I didn’t. She was wearing a black hooded jacket and pants with black
cap over her hair and dark glasses and she looked in a hurry and didn’t waste
any time in leaving. She left as soon as she was satisfied I had instructions
to pass this to you as soon as I saw you. She looked like a courier, although
her clothing wasn’t branded at all,” she explained to Emma efficiently.

        
Emma
was now very late and pondered briefly whether or not she should open the
package or simply wait until Monday. It looked like some business documents
that have been couriered over last minute and she was tired and late to meet
Bruce and Lou. Thanking the receptionist and bidding her a good weekend, she
threw the package into her briefcase for later.
 
If it was work-related, it would wait.

        
She
hailed a cab and as she gave the driver directions to M’s Place, she continued
on her quest to find Lily. Thankfully the apartment phone rang through and she
managed to leave a quick message on the answerphone for Lily to call her as
soon as possible.
 
Within seconds,
she heard her phone ding with the sound of an incoming message. She picked it
up and saw a message:

        
GARY Cell: Lily here. Issues with cell. Be
in touch soon

Relieved, she lay back in the cab seat
and closed her eyes and mulled over the events of the afternoon as they drove
towards the diner.

        
When
the cab dropped her off at the intersection opposite the diner, she could see
both Bruce and Lou in the booth by the window looking relaxed and happy and
surprisingly being very affectionate out in public. She knew immediately today
must have gone well, especially after the message Bill had passed on to her.
Bruce spotted her as she opened the door to the diner and he literally jumped
and took her in an embrace, a huge smile spread across his face. “Emma, glad
you finally made it! It’s good to see you,” he said as he handed her over to a
now standing Lou, who towered over her with his six foot plus frame.

Sweeping her into his
arms, he smiled down at her. “Darlin’, so glad you’re here! We need to get
celebratin’ the fact that I can shout from the rooftops ‘bout how much I love
this guy. An’ that’s all down to you and your heart to heart with my man here!”

        
“Hey
guys,” Emma finally managed to say as she was set on her feet and walked over
to their booth. She waved across at George who raised his eyebrows and nodded
at the two overly affectionate guys she found herself with. He sauntered over
with his order pad at the ready and greeted them all, “Well, good evenin’, Miss
Emma, I see you’ve met my two other frequent customers? What can I get you all
this evening?”

        
“Hey
George, and yes, I’ve actually known Bruce for a while, in fact probably for
most of the time I’ve been in New York. We do a lot of work together, but
meeting like this is new.” She smiled as she turned to watch Bruce and Lou.

        
“Yes,
it is and she is the lady I’ve been telling you about, George. She is the very
same fair lady who accompanies me to most of my functions. But I am so
surprised we’ve never seen each other here before today. It seems this lovely
diner is the place to escape to when life gets harsh,” Bruce said for the
benefit of both George and Lou.

        
“Well,
I have to say it’s been a lifesaver for me, too.
 
So, what can I get you all?” George
replied as his eyes misted over.

        
“The
usual for me, George,” Emma replied.

        
“You
first, Lou, I’m still deciding,” Bruce muttered as he continued to study the
menu closely.

       
“I’ll
have the Mega Mac ‘n Cheese and can you get me a side order of them sweet ‘tata
fries, too, George? An’ I’ll take my usual coffee, thanks.” Lou deep voice
rumbled as he gave his order.

        
“What
a surprise, do you ever have anything else?” Bruce laughed then turned to
George.

“Oh, for a change I will try the the chili
dog and fries, and a homemade lemonade. Thanks, George.”

        
“Comin’
right up, people.” George smiled as he took the menus from each of them and
headed for the back of the diner. Emma quickly turned her attention to the two
guys eager for the lowdown on the day’s events.

        
“So,
are you going to keep me in suspense? What was Arnauld’s reaction? I’m guessing
by the looks of the two of you that everything went okay today.”
        
“More
than okay, in fact. The old faker knew all along and was waiting for me to
confess. I nearly choked him when he busted out laughing and walked over to hug
Lou. I swear it was the most nerve wracking thing I’ve ever had to do and the
old man was just lapping up how awkward I was.” Bruce smiled fondly.

“What’s got you laughin’ there, Bruce?”
Lou laughed as he pulled a curious face at his boyfriend.

        
“I’m
just remembering back to how nervous I was when we headed to see my father. If
it hadn’t been for you being there Lou, I would have run a mile.” He admitted,
a scowl crossing his face.

        
“Hell
yes, darlin’ it was a hellish experience at first an’ I was pretty relieved
when the old fella busted out into the biggest grin an’ came an’ just hugged
me. The old man is a pretty understandin’ gentleman, though. He kept us both
goin’ right ‘til Bruce here confessed.”

        
“Aww,
guys I’m so happy for you but if he knew why didn’t he say anything before?”
Emma questioned, knowing Arnauld wasn’t usually one for holding back when it
came to things like this.
        
“He
said he had been suspicious for a long time about my sexuality and had hoped
that by trying to push me into you it would have made me confess. He was of the
opinion that it was up to me to come to him and was a little upset that I was
so scared. He did say it was a bit of a shock at first and it took him a time
to get his head around the possibility, but the more he thought about it the
more I was still his son and no matter what I always would be. He even said how
proud he was of me finally coming out.” Bruce’s voice was thick with the
emotion he was feeling and as his eyes glassed over he tried hard to compose
himself.
 
Clearing his throat, he added
softly, “He has also invited us both round for our family Sunday lunch. He
wants to formally introduce Lou to everyone as my boyfriend. Including my mom.
 
I’m still unsure of how she will react,
but if Pop is on board with it all she will hopefully be a pushover. I can’t
tell you how fantastic it feels to finally not be hiding anymore.” He glanced
over at Lou with an affectionate look on his face as Lou then leaned in to give
him a kiss on his forehead.

        
“Damned
right, Bruce. I love you so much, and it was killin’ me to keep sneakin’ round
all the time. I can finally show you off to the world,” a joyful Lou chipped
in.

“I’m so pleased for you both, I really
am,” Emma agreed.
 
“I have some news
myself, and I’m wondering if you guys may be able to help me out a bit with it.”

        
“Anything,
Emma, I mean it. If it wasn’t for you opening my eyes to things, I might have
lost Lou forever.” He replied as he took Lou’s hand in his and started to
stroke his knuckles. Lou nodded his head in agreement.

        
George
sauntered over with an armful of plates and interrupted the conversation to
hand out the steaming food. Everyone dug in and Emma couldn’t remember enjoying
a meal as much in a long time. Partly due to the serene feeling that slowly
washed over her at her decision and also because for the first time in a long
while she was enjoying good company, too.

After taking a few
good bites of food, she spoke up, “I had an epiphany of my own in Vegas. I’ve
not been happy for a long time living so far away from home, and although it’s
been a hard decision to make, I really want to go back home. I miss my mom and
dad and I have been alone for so long it’s becoming unhealthy. I’ve had a long
meeting with Bill today and he agrees that I should be able to manage most of
my workload from home and only have to come back to New York when I’m needed.
I’m sorry if it inconveniences our business relationship, Bruce, but I can
assure you I’ll do everything I can to make sure nothing changes for you,” she
tried to reassure him.
        
“Hey,
Emma, no worries. I now understand how hard things are for you so I don’t blame
you one bit. Besides have you ever heard of cell phones and Skype? It’ll be
like you’re still here. And no way is the fact you are moving back to Oklahoma
going to stop me from still being the biggest pain in your ass on a daily
basis. You’re amazing at what you do and I am sure I’ll be hard pressed to find
anyone who I can work with as well as you so quit that worrying and get
yourself home,” Bruce gushed as he beamed at Emma and the look on his face said
it all.

        
“Thanks,
Bruce, it means a lot to hear you say that. I still wouldn’t mind another favor,
though if you were up for it? I will need someone to take care of the apartment
and things when I’m gone. I have a realtor coming round this weekend to
appraise the place. I’m not sure whether or not to sell or rent at this point,
but would need a pair of eyes and ears on the place, either way? I know it’s a
big ask but with Lou just round the corner I guessed you might be able to help.
It wouldn’t involve a lot, but I’d just rest easier if I knew someone was
keeping a lookout.” Emma shyly asked as if she was terrified of asking such a
huge favor of her newfound friends. She was going to ask Lily, but sensed that
things weren’t great with her and with the kids she felt it was too much to put
on her right now.

        
“Of
course we will, darlin’, in fact…” Lou cut his sentence short and looked at
Bruce with a questioning expression.
 
As if Bruce could read Lou’s mind, he nodded for him to go ahead. “In
fact, we were thinkin’ of gettin’ a place together as soon as we can arrange
it. My place is like a shoebox, so we might actually be interested in lookin’
at yours, if that’s okay. My lease is up for renewal soon an’ I love this area.
With Bruce on board we’d easily be able to afford the rent between us. So
whaddya think?” he suggested.

        
“I
think that would be perfect!” Emma smiled at Lou’s suggestion. “In fact, way
more than perfect. I can’t think of better tenants. You have honestly made a
good day so much better. I don’t know what timescale I’ll be looking at yet,
but I’ll let you know what the realtor says. She’s heading over tomorrow at
two. Do you fancy lunch? Then you can be there when she calls. It will save me
repeating everything. I’m not much of a cook, but I’m sure I can rustle us up a
take-out from here?” she offered.

        
“It’s
a date, darlin’, especially if it includes a cupcake or two. Nah, seriously
that makes a heap of sense,” Lou offered and Bruce nodded as he finished the
last of his meal.

Rubbing his lean stomach, Bruce asked,
“So now we’ve sorted that out, who’s for a Blaze’s bake?” Emma and Lou rolled
their eyes dramatically, but neither of them refused his offer.

        
After
sharing more of her plans and grilling the two lovebirds about what their
futures entailed, Emma became weary and announced it was time of her to leave.
This week had been long and although there were many ups to the Vegas trip, the
downs had affected her deeper than she had realized.
 
Leaving the two guys sitting in full
view of the masses, now looking like they didn’t have a care in the world, she
felt lighter, much lighter than she had in a long time. She was beginning to
feel that her life was finally getting back on track for the first time since
Charlie had deserted her in that bunker eight years ago. As she wondered back
to her apartment alone, she wondered just how long this wonderful feeling was
going to last. It wouldn’t be long before she was to find out.