Emerson: I’ll be there in fifteen minutes
Sawyer: We’ll be ready
“Do you need help now?” I laugh as he’s rolling around on the floor.
“Yes pease.” He giggles more.
I laugh and help him get it on right.
“Tank you, Mama.”
I grab him and kiss his face. “I love you.”
“I wuv you,” he says as he takes off running around the living room.
I grab our jackets and head into the living room to join him and wait for Emerson. I’m excited to meet his mom, I really hope she likes me. I worry that she won’t, I mean what if she doesn’t understand why I chose to have River the way I did? I take a deep breath before I can really start spiraling. I still feel a little panicky as I hear Emerson’s car pull into my driveway.
“Emerson’s hereeeee! Can I open da door?” River cheers as he heads to the door.
“Wait till he knocks and then you know what to say?” I ask as we hear the knock.
“Whoooo is itttt?” He giggles.
“It’s Emerson,” he says, we can hear him laughing.
River swings the door open.
“Hi Emerson!” He giggles as Emerson picks him up and hugs him.
“Are you ready to have dinner?” he smiles at River.
“Yes!”
I laugh as I follow them out the door. All of a sudden I’m nervous again.
“I need to grab River’s car seat,” I say to Emerson as I try to steer him to my car.
He smiles at me. “I have one for him. My mama got it for us.”
I watch Emerson put River in the new carseat and all I can do is smile. The idea that his mom got a car seat for River when she hasn’t even met us makes me want to cry. I can count on one hand the amount of times my parents have seen River. And it’s never really bothered me until now. Strangers are kinder to me and my son than my own family.
“Are you okay?” Emerson asks as he drives.
“I can’t believe your mom got River a car seat,” I say softly.
“I hope you’re not mad.”
“No, not at all. It’s a long story and maybe one day I’ll tell you. Just know that it’s a huge thing that your mom did for us.”
Emerson takes my hand and kisses it.
“I want you to know that I would do anything for you and River. Anything. And my family is now your family.”
“How do you know that? What if they really don’t like me?”
My biggest fear is to be rejected again.
“I know my family and I know how I feel about you. There’s nothing you have to worry about.”
