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“It’s over,” he said softly, his eyes burning. “It’s finally over.”
“Are you kidding?” Jesse said, grinning. “It’s just starting.” Jesse took his hand. “Can we wake Dim and tell her? Come on, Em,” he said, glancing at his watch. “Just this once, let’s wake her up.”
A slow smile spread over Emory’s face. “She’s already awake,” he said. “Kelly phoned Joanna. She’s on her way to meet us.”
“Meet us where?”
“For her birthday surprise. I wanted to do something special, especially as this could have been the last birthday I get to share with her. But I should have had more faith,” Emory said and took both Jesse’s hands in his. “I said it already, but I can never say it enough. Thank you, Jesse…for everything.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Jesse said.
“You made me human,” he said softly, “to the world and to myself. You made me remember what it means and confident that I can be what Dimity needs me to be.”
“As if you ever doubted that.”
“I did,” Emory said, his face clouding. “Of course, I did. How could I not when the entire world is telling you that you are not fit to be a parent?” He took a breath, his large chest swelling under his suit and making Jesse’s blood burn and his heart lurch. “You helped me believe again, and I will not rest until I’ve shown you how grateful I am.”
“I just want you, Em,” he said softly, “as you are…and Dim.”
Emory squeezed his hands, and his smile widened. “Then we are both very lucky.”
Chapter Nineteen
Jesse was leaning in for another kiss when the car slowed and filled with brightly colored lights. Jesse craned his neck to look at the window.
“No way,” he said. “You’re freaking kidding me?”
Emory was already out of the car and Jesse followed, not waiting for the driver to open the door. He stared around at the colored stalls, all squalling jangling tunes and piled high with soft toys, computer games and bags of sweets. The smells of cotton candy and popcorn vied with the headier smells of engine oil and fresh donuts. The lights of a Ferris wheel spun slowly over everything like captured stars. Jesse was taking in the carousel and ghost train when a scream of many joyful voices filled the air. He turned just in time to see a crowd of children hurry off a coach and barrel forward, a half-dozen exasperated but smiling adults following them.
Emory stood at the gate. Greenway had appeared from somewhere and was at his shoulder, watching everything as each adult approached Emory in turn, shaking his hand and talking in low voices, their expressions displaying various amounts of uneasiness. Emory smiled as he greeted them, his face warm and sincere.
The children were already piling onto the rides or queuing at the stalls for treats or to have a go at hooking a duck or throwing hoops when another car arrived and out raced Dimity. She completely ignored the theme park. She ran straight for Emory. Jesse’s heart lurched in his chest. Emory had already forgotten about the parent he’d been talking to and bent to sweep his daughter up into his arms. He spun her around and clutched her close, beaming. His eyes were only for her as she laughed with her arms around his neck, bright tears running down her face.
In that instant, Jesse could see the uncertain looks on the parents’ faces soften. Emory strode through the gates with Dimity in his arms.
Dimity caught sight of Jesse and squealed. “Uncle Jesse!” she cried, and Emory set her down. She ran to him and flung her arms around him.
Jesse sniffed, blinking back tears, and got to his knees. “Come on, lass,” he said, his voice shaking. “Gimme a proper hug.”
She put arms around his neck and crushed him to her. Jesse gathered her close and kissed her soft hair. Warmth filled him from his toes right to the crown of his head.
“Happy birthday, love,” he said, squeezing her tight. “Seems your old dad has really pulled out all the stops, huh?”
“And I can really go on anything, Daddy?” she said, turning back to Emory with wide eyes. “For free? And eat anything I want?”
“It’s your birthday,” Emory said, stroking her hair. “Of course, you can.”
“And is my whole class really here?” she said, gazing round, wide-eyed.
“Most of them, darling, yes. You’ll meet the rest tomorrow in school.”
It didn’t seem possible, but her grin widened. “So I get to go to St Margaret’s? I don’t have to go back to Switzerland?”
“I made you a promise, didn’t I?”
Dimity squeaked with joy, hugged Emory’s legs and kissed his hip. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, darling,” he said. “Now go. Enjoy your birthday. Meet your new friends.”
