Harley follows, standing right behind me. “Do you want to go home?”
I can’t go home now, we have to help Atlas. “No,” I tell him quietly. “Atlas took a test today, and she’s on the verge of losing it.”
His eyes go wide and a grin slowly appears across his face. My knees go weak seeing him so happy, and it’s not even his kid or wife or sister. Although, I'd never say that out loud because he feels like Atlas and Asher’s family.
“That honestly makes so much sense, but Asher didn’t say anything?” he says with a question in his voice.
“Correct, she hasn’t told him yet. She’s losing it because it wasn’t planned and so much has to be done before Asher leaves.”
He shakes his head in understanding. “Okay, let’s help them get this stuff done and then I'll take you home and run you a bath.”
I turn to kiss him and place my arms around his waist.
We walk out into the kitchen, hand in hand. Asher and Rawley are gone, and Atlas is putting the pizza boxes into the recycling bin under the sink. She turns when we walk into the room, placing her hands on the island.
“Are you okay, Em?” she asks me softly.
“I’ll be fine, I promise,” I tell her. “Where are they?” I question her.
“Asher knew something was up, so he took Rawley outside to work out there,” she relays to me. Just then I remembered hearing Aria crying.
“I’m gonna grab my nugget,” I tell them before quickly leaving the room.
As I get out of the doorway, I hear Atlas quietly speaking. “You keep an eye on her.”
“I’ll take care of her, Atlas,” Harley tells her. “I love her.”
I smile to myself, knowing it's true, and it’s not the toxic love that I've always had pushed on my heart.
I walk into Aria’s room and she’s already standing up in bed, tears running down her face. I reach over the crib, and bring her into my arms. I hold her close, and she rests her head on my shoulder, still letting out little whimpers.
“Auntie’s got you, baby girl,” I tell her, taking her over to change her diaper before we go face everyone. I take my time changing her, putting her little socks back on her feet after she took them off during her nap.
We walk out to the kitchen and living room area and don’t find anyone inside.
I grab a blanket to pull around Aria, grab my jacket to wrap us both up more, and head outside. When we get outside, I see Atlas holding the ladder, looking up toward the roof.
I walk out and back up farther in the yard to look and see what’s happening. I find Asher and Harley on the roof, repairing something. Rawley is fixing the downspout at the corner of the house. He looks up and laughs when we hear Harley and Asher bickering back and forth.
“You guys be smart up there,” I yell up, shielding my eyes from the bright sky. It's not sunny out, but the sky is light today.
“Where’s the fun in that, Ember?” Rawley calls over towards me, laughing. My insides scrunch together hearing his cheerful tone directed towards me.
I let out a laugh and throw my head back. “Being smart is a requirement when you're on the roof of a house,” I tell him, feeling peaceful in the first little conversation we’ve had. “I’m not going to the hospital.”
He chuckles lightly. “My mom says that ALL the time.”
I give him a small smile. “She sounds like a smart woman.”
I look over and see not only Atlas, but Harley too, watching me cautiously. I roll my eyes at them, not wanting to bring any attention to Rawley that they’re watching us.
I turn to walk towards my car to grab my chapstick, and I notice a car sitting up the road. I usually wouldn’t think much of it, but I see someone holding a newspaper up in the driver seat and my gut is going haywire. In that moment, I see the newspaper lower slightly, and see Dean peek over.
I immediately feel sick. “Atlas, take Rawley and Aria in the house.”
Atlas looks at me with confusion on her face. “I’m holding the ladder for dumb and dumber.”
“Hey!” I hear Asher yell from the roof.
