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I grab my car keys. I have an idea. It might work - it might make her furious, but I have to try.
It is late and I have to rush to get to where I am going before everything closes. I call ahead of time and tell the guys to wait for me. They agree happily. Of course, they would.
"I need it delivered this evening," I say to the man who is helping me.
"Yes, sir, of course. It is not a problem. I will deliver it myself."
"I want - um - you know - one of those giant ribbons."
He laughs. "Without a doubt." He says as we conclude our deal, and he shakes my hand. I feel nervous. I have a feeling she is going to be furious with me, but I remind myself, it is just a gesture and I need to do everything I can just to get the chance to talk to her. If she just lets me talk to her, I can try and explain.
Besides, even if she is angry, it is a very practical gift. It's something she actually needs.
That night I felt restless. I take out my phone and message Emma.
Me: Good night, sweetheart. I am thinking of you. I love you. I am so, so sorry for everything. Please forgive me.
I see her start to type something then she stops and goes offline. I sigh and put my phone down again, drifting off to sleep restlessly. In the morning my alarm blares and I jump out of bed. I have to move quickly to make sure everything is ready.
I know Emma comes downstairs at 6:30 a.m. to catch a taxi so I am waiting there at the entrance to our building, standing next to a brand-new Lexus with a giant ribbon wrapped around the hood. The sapphire blue paint is glinting in the morning sunshine.
My heart is racing.
A taxi pulls up on the opposite side of the road. It must be Emma's. That means she will be down soon.
I see Emma getting out of the elevator inside the lobby of our building and my heart speeds up. I take a deep breath.
As she steps out of the building she glances at the car and keeps walking. She looks up to scan for where her taxi is parked and jumps when she sees me standing there next to the Lexus. I hand her the keys. She takes them from me in absolute confusion then I see everything sink in.
"A car?" She says in shock. "You bought me a car, Lennox?"
I nod, smiling. "You don't have to catch taxis anymore, sweetheart. It will be so much safer for you and the baby."
"Are you out of your mind?" She says under her breath. Her eyes are angry.
She looks past me at the shiny new Lexus.
"If it's not the right color, or maybe you want a different car?"
"Lennox, stop. Have you completely lost your mind?"
"No, Emma. I love you. I just want a chance to talk to you. Please - "
"People don't just buy people cars." She says exasperated.
"Of course, they do." I shrug. "Emma, just talk to me?"
"I can't accept this. It is too much. I can't. Lennox, please just stop buying me things."
She hands the keys back to me and walks towards her taxi. I don't stop her. I know this must seem a bit intense for her. I don't want her to think I've lost my mind, but the truth is I kind of have. If I have lost her then I have lost my mind.
After she leaves in the taxi, I park the car underground and slip the keys into my pocket. I will make sure she takes the car, even if she does not want to be with me. She at least needs to have her own car.
At work I have one of the nurses call Emma for me, to send her to my office.
At least here she has to talk to me. She can't ignore me. I am her boss after all. The thought stings me. I am taking advantage of my position of authority, but in this instance, I do not feel bad. I just need her to give me a chance to hear me out.
Emma storms into my office, leaving the door open so that she can leave easily. She folds her arms and stares at me. "I know this has nothing to do with work." She snaps at me.
