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“What?” Sarah said, jerking her head around to face me. “You can’t!”
“No.” I laughed. “No, of course not. Emily isn’t going anywhere, you guys. I just wanted to know how you felt about her. If you like her, that sort of thing.”
“We love her,” Tommy said again. “She’s amazing, Dad. She really is. I didn’t think anyone would be able to take care of us after Mom died, but Emily does. It’s almost like having a real mom around again.”
Tommy’s words hit me like a brick. They were so deep and full of emotion that I had to wipe my eyes to keep my tears from spilling over. When I looked at his sister, she was nodding her head in agreement.
“I love Emily too,” she said firmly. “She’s my best friend, Daddy.”
“That’s wonderful,” I said, beaming. “I wanted to ask because, well, because I like Emily a lot too. In fact, I like her more than a lot.”
“Like as a friend?” Tommy asked with a frown. “Or a girlfriend?”
“A girlfriend,” I said firmly. “I like Emily as a girlfriend.”
“Wow,” Sarah said, her eyes wide. “You do?”
“Yes,” I said, nodding. ?
??And I wanted to ask if that would be okay with you. Would either of you mind if I started to date Emily?”
“Well,” Tommy said thoughtfully. “Does she like you too?”
“Yes,” I said with a soft laugh. “She does.”
“Then it’s fine with me,” Tommy said, shrugging. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Sarah?” I asked.
“I think it’s amazing!” she said. “Listen,” I said slowly. “Emily will never take your mommy’s place, okay? I know she takes great care of you, and I know how much you love her, but your mommy is still special to you both. That won’t change.”
“I know,” Sarah said. “But Mommy is in heaven. She can’t take care of us. I think she would want someone like Emily to do it. She would really like Emily.”
“I think so too,” I said, smiling again.
“You’re happier now,” Tommy said. “Ever since Emily moved in with us, you’ve been happier. I think that’s good. You’re nicer now, and you smile more. If Emily is the reason, then you should date her or marry her or whatever you want.”
“Thank you, Tommy,” I said. My eyes were filling again, and I blinked hard to dry them.
“Are you going to marry her?” Sarah asked.
I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. The truth was, I loved the idea of marrying Emily, but it was too soon to think about those things. She and I only admitted our feelings last night. Still, it was a nice thought. I smiled as I thought about Emily walking toward me wearing a white dress, her hair tied up beautifully. I could already see the veil extending out behind her, and just the image was enough to excite me.
“Maybe someday,” I said softly. “If she wants to marry me.”
“She will,” Sarah said firmly. “I know it.”
“How can you be so sure?” I asked.
“Because, if you’re nice, then she’ll marry you,” Sarah said. “That’s how it works.”
“No, it’s not,” Tommy said with a roll of his eyes. “She has to love him, Sarah. God, you don’t know anything.”
“I do too!” Sarah screamed. “You’re stupid!”
“Stop it,” I said with a sigh. “Let’s head home.”
I laughed to myself as we made our way back down the street. Our house wasn’t far, but Tommy and Sarah made the walk seem endless with their constant bickering. When we finally made it to the front door, I silenced them both with a look and pushed the door open. We stepped inside to see Emily sitting on the couch.
