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“Free?” I asked, not sure if I heard him correctly.
“Yes. For all my employees. For as many children as they have. I was hoping you’d want to bring Lily. This way you could come down and see her throughout the day. And maybe I could get to know her. I mean, I want to get to know her. If you’re comfortable with that.”
My heart leapt. I couldn’t believe what this man was doing for me. For us.
“Kyle…this is…its…you’re incredible,” I was feeling far too many things at once to concentrate on any one emotion. “And yes, of course. I would love for you to meet her.”
“Good because we’re doing this, Emma.” He kissed my check. “Me and you.” He kissed my jaw. “For real.” He kissed my lips. “Together and in love.”
I was laughing and crying and kissing him back. The relief I felt was so immense I could’ve passed out, but there was still something more I had to tell him.
“You’re in love with me?” I asked.
Of course, I knew the answer. He built me a whole day care just so I wouldn’t have to miss my daughter. That said nothing about the way he looked at me, or the electricity I felt when he kissed me, or the way our bodies connected when we made love. Kyle was the reason that even though I’d married someone else, I never got over my first love. He was the reason I couldn’t be with any other man. Kyle was perfect for me and he finally saw that I was perfect for him.
“Emma, I’ve been in love with you since we were kids. That feeling only grew stronger over the years and now that I’ve had you, I can’t ever let you go.”
Suddenly, I was back in his arms, standing in the middle of a classroom for four-year-olds and kissing him in a very non-PG way until Kyle decided he had more to say.
“I know we have work to do. We must talk to Krista and—”
“Oh shit,” I said with a laugh. “Krista is going to be so pissed at us.”
Kyle winced. “Believe me, I know.” We both laughed. “And I’m cool with however you want to handle me meeting Lily, but I hope you don’t mind…” Kyle took my hand and led me out of the classroom, down a long hall, and to an open air garden on the converted balcony.
The walls were high and glassed in for safety, but it was a lush garden with vegetables and plants. But most notably were the rows and rows of bright white lilies growing in tight clusters. It was beautiful and smelled so good. I could imagine coming down to the garden on my lunch and sharing a sandwich with Lily. I could see the vision so clearly, I could actually see Lily. And then my mom, playing with gardening tools on the other side of the garden.
“Don’t be mad,” Kyle said with a sheepish smile. “I invited your mom and Lily over to take a look at the place. I wanted to see if an actual kid would like it.”
“Mad?” I said with a laugh. “Why would I be mad?”
“Because I didn’t know if you wanted her to meet me yet.”
I looked at Lily, laughing and bouncing around in a garden full of her namesake flowers. She looked so happy. I wasn’t sure what the right way for her to meet Kyle was, but that moment seemed perfect.
“I’m not mad at all.” I took his hand and led him over to Mom and Lily, who hadn’t noticed us yet.
“Mama,” Lily called when she saw me. “Pretty flowers,” she said as she pointed excitedly.
My mom and Kyle greeted each other. It had probably been years since they’d seen each other, but they acted like old friends. I carefully scooped Lily up and walked her over to Kyle. Lily started reaching for him right away. Kyle looked at me for approval and I nodded.
“Hi, little one,” he said as he took her in his arms.
“Flowers,” Lily said again. She was obsessed.
“Do you like them?” Kyle asked, picking one and handing it to her. “I plated them just for you.”
Mom practically swooned. “She’s loved everything in this whole place, Kyle,” Mom said. “It’s beautiful. She’ll be very happy here.” Mom squeezed my arm and then headed back inside. She already knew my secret and she seemed to think now was the perfect time for me to tell Kyle.
I watched Kyle explain the plants to Lily who looked like she was listening intently. Seeing him with her brought me a peace I didn’t know I was missing. Everything was going to be okay. For the first time in very, very long time, I felt not only pure happiness, but peace.
I interrupted Kyle as he talked with Lily and joined their little circle. “Kyle, I need to tell you something.”
“Yeah?” he asked with a smile. Lily was holding his check, trying to get him to look at the crumpled flower in her hand.
“Kyle, I’m pregnant.”
His mouth hung open as he locked gazes with me. His expression was totally unreadable but only because it was completely blank. I couldn’t tell how he felt, what he was thinking at all. But, if he didn’t want to be in our lives, I knew I’d be fine. I raised Lily alone, I would raise this baby alone.
