Everlasting Love (Now & Forever)

by Johns, Melissa

  “Emma, Mommy is going on a trip to see Daddy. So, Grandma is going to watch you. I want you on your best behavior, ok?”

  “I wanna go see Daddy too!”

  “I know you do and he will be home soon, I promise you! We just need to take care of some business first. You know how I taught you to pray?”

  Emma nodded quickly and folded her hands.

  “That’s right. I want you to keep saying a prayer for Daddy that he has a great weekend, ok?”

  “Ok, Mommy.”

  “I love you, Sweetie and I will see you on Sunday, ok?” She hugged Emma and grabbed her stuff. As she got in the car, her phone rang again, but didn’t look to see who was calling.

  “Hello?”

  “Emily? It’s Alex.”

  Emily gasped. “Hi, how are you,” she managed but barely recognized the sound of her own voice as it came out.

  “I’m great! I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you. We just closed up our last exhibit and things were crazy last week. Can you talk?”

  “I’m in the car right now, heading to New York City for the weekend.”

  “Of course you are! Eric is being drafted this weekend. I’m sorry I didn’t think of that.”

  “It’s ok. You can keep me company until I get to the airport.”

  She heard Alex laugh softly and realized she like the sound of it. “Sure. Well, I have some great news. Your painting was a huge success with my colleagues. They loved your story and they would really like to meet you and discuss starting your own exhibit.”

  Emily was speechless, she always dreamt of having her work displayed.

  “Emily?”

  “I’m here, just in shock, I think. Really? They want to display my work?”

  “Yes, they do. Do you think we could meet when you get back from New York?”

  “Yes, of course. I can call you on Monday and we can set up a time. I will have to work around my classes because I’m already missing the rest of this week.”

  “Of course, whatever you need.”

  “Great, we will talk on Monday,” Emily said smiling ear to ear. “Alex?”

  “Yes, Emily?”

  “Thank you.”

  “Believe me, it’s been my pleasure, Emily. You are an incredible woman.”

  Emily blushed and didn’t say anything. She couldn’t think of any words that wouldn’t make her sound young and naïve.

  “I look forward to seeing you again, Emily.”

  “Me too Alex. We will talk next week.” There was something about the way he kept using her name in conversation that was very deliberate and personal, and it made her flush with excitement, but she didn’t want to think about that right now.

  As she hung up and pulled into a parking space at the airport, she was grinning from ear to ear. She was really going to have her own exhibit and she was going to see Alex again. As she checked her bags and made her way to the departure gate, it felt like she was headed towards her new life and a new beginning.

  When she arrived in New York City, Eric ran up to her as she passed through the security gates. After they fell into each other’s arms, she heard the cameras and saw flashes.

  Eric whispered in her ear, “Welcome to our new life.”

  Emily smirked. “Fun.” Her excitement from earlier had vanished and her uncertainty about what Eric’s fame would mean for them had returned.

  Eric grabbed her hand as they ran down to the limo while the waiting driver handled her luggage. They climbed into the backseat and Eric’s lips quickly found hers. She moaned softly feeling his hand move into hair and pressed her lips tightly against his. “God I’ve missed you, Baby.”

  “I’ve missed you too. I have some great news!”

  “Me too, we have dinner reservations tonight at some fancy high end restaurant, people tell me it’s a big deal and then we have show tickets for afterwards. You finally get to meet my agent, Alan when we get back to the hotel. My dad and Alan were in discussions all morning long. It’s so exciting, right?”

  “Yes it is, Eric. I’m so happy for you.” Emily decided to keep her news to herself until after the draft.

  Not seeming to notice the hesitation in her voice, Eric continued, “We are staying at a really great place too! Our hotel room is huge, I’m sure you will love it.”

  Emily turned away and looked out the limo window watching Manhattan pass by. It was an amazing city and she started to appreciate some of Eric’s excitement.

  “Here we are Baby!”

  “It’s incredible.” Emily looked around them and started to get caught up in the media hype herself.

  As the driver opened the door, the cameras started to flash and follow them as they walked into the hotel. “Wow, that’s going to take some time to get used to.”

  “Alan says it’s just for the draft. He says all of that will calm down once this is behind us.”

  As they entered the room, Emily tried to take it all in. She noticed his father was in the corner talking with a man that she assumed was Eric’s agent. There was a huge living room in front of her with a kitchen was off to the side, so she had to guess that the bedroom was behind the massive oak double doors.

  She felt Eric grab her hand and pull her over to the other people in the room. “Emily, this is my agent, Alan and Alan this is my Emily.”

  “Emily, it’s such a pleasure to meet you. Eric talks about you all the time and I can’t wait to talk with you more but I need to steal him away just for a little bit to discuss some issues.”

  Emily nodded. “Of course, go do your thing. We have tonight.”

  Eric smiled as the three gentlemen left her standing alone in the big living room. She felt her cell phone buzz, realizing she hadn’t checked in at home yet. She had one missed call from home and new text message. She quickly called home. “Hi Mom. Sorry for not calling sooner. Yes, I’m here safe and sound. How’s Emma?”

  “She’s great, watching cartoons. I think Mrs. Mason is coming over in a little bit to take her shopping. This girl is spoiled.”

  “I know she is and you both need to stop.” Emily laughed.

  “Oh stop, she’s the only grandchild, so of course we are spoiling her.”

  “Fine, just don’t go crazy. We are heading out tonight so I will check in with you in the morning, ok?”

  “Sounds good, be safe in the big city!”

  Emily chuckled, “I will.”

  She hung up and checked her text message. Have fun in the big apple and be safe – Alex.

  Her heart started to race. He had sent her a text message. He was obviously thinking about her.

  Emily stared at the text as she responded. I will try, thank you – Emily.

  She probably shouldn’t have responded but she couldn’t help herself. He intrigued her. She headed into the bedroom and changed into a simple black dress with heels. She looked at herself in the floor length mirror and realized that since she gave birth almost three years ago, her body had slimmed back down nicely. She also let her hair grow much longer than she normally wore it. She even had to admit that she looked beautiful as she waited for Eric.

  She headed back to the living room and sat on the couch as her phone rang.

  “Hey Emily, can you meet me downstairs? We just got out of interviews,” Eric explained to her.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to change your clothes first?”

  “I’m fine and I don’t want to be late.”

  “Ok, I will be right down.”

  Emily headed down the hallway and got in the elevator. As the doors closed she took a deep breath. She put Alex out of her head and was planning on having a great night in the Big Apple. When the doors opened, Eric was waiting for her. “Wow. I really want to drop a curse word right now but I will behave. You are gorgeous. God, I take that back, you are hot.”

  Emily blushed. “Thanks, Baby. Just trying to look my best since I’m about to marry a football player.”

  Eric pulled her close
and whispered, “I changed my mind, let’s go back upstairs.”

  Emily smiled at him. “We have dinner reservations, Eric.”

  He smirked. “Fine for now but later you will be mine.”

  Emily grabbed his hand and walked to the waiting limo. They heard his name being called from a reporter waiting on the sidewalk, “Eric, do you have a moment?”

  “Sure, what’s going on?”

  “I just wanted to ask you about the draft tomorrow. Are you getting excited?”

  “Of course, this was my lifelong dream. I have worked very hard to make this a reality and I hope tomorrow will be my reward.”

  “Who is this beautiful woman on your arm?”

  Eric smiled and pulled Emily tight against him. “This is my fiancée, Emily Stone. She’s here to give me her total support this weekend.”

  Emily stared at him stunned, but smiled as the photographer took their picture. They continued their walk to the limo. As they slid inside, Eric slid his hand up Emily’s bare leg and squeezed the inside of her thigh.

  “Eric, not now, we're heading to dinner.” She knew that wasn’t the response he was hoping for but she was still processing his comments to the reporter.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, I just don’t want to be felt up right now,” she snapped.

  Eric removed his hand and stared out the window. “Sorry, I thought we would have fun this weekend.”

  “And we will Eric, but there is a time and place. I love that you are so excited about the draft and you should be. This is what you have wanted for as long as I’ve known you but you seem to be getting lost in all the excitement again.”

  Eric looked at her incredulously. “Why shouldn’t I be? This is my weekend. Tomorrow is going to be the biggest day of my professional career. I know you don’t understand all of this but you have always supported me, so don’t stop now.”

  Emily’s mouth dropped open and looked at him. “I have nothing to say to that.” She could feel her annoyance growing into real anger. Emily couldn’t believe that he was talking to her this way and treating her like a piece of meat trophy wife already. Clearly, there was no room for her good news this weekend either.

  The rest of the night was spent in silence except for the occasional small talk but the entire mood had changed since their argument. After the show, they headed back to the hotel and Emily was hopeful they would clear the air and finally talk about the fight.

  “I’m going to stop at the hotel nightclub. I will be upstairs in a little bit,” Eric said as he walked away from her.

  Emily sighed as she continued walking to their room, realizing she was going to spend the rest of the night alone. He didn’t even want to invite her to go along with him. As she walked into the room, she felt her cell phone buzz in her purse. Until then, she forgot that she left it on vibrate.

  She smiled for the first time in hours when she saw the text. Saw a pic online of you & Eric tonight. You look beautiful. – Alex.

  She quickly typed back. Thx, it’s been a long night. – Emily.

  She put her purse on the counter and sat on the long couch facing the television. She heard her cell phone buzz again. Am I overstepping? Be honest. – Alex.

  Emily took a long, deep breath. She wasn’t sure how to respond but she knew what he was getting at. He was giving her an out but she enjoyed talking to Alex. There wasn’t any harm in that was there? It was just talking.

  No, I enjoy your texts, they make me smile. – Emily.

  After hitting send, she felt embarrassed. She was twenty one years old but acting like a teenager. She was a mother and had a fiancée, she needed to remember that. She got up and changed into her pajamas and crawled into the huge bed.

  What are you doing? – Alex.

  Lying in bed. We had a fight tonight and he’s not here. – Emily.

  Are you ok? – Alex.

  Been a long night. – Emily.

  She bit her lip lightly because she didn’t get a response back from him and now she was nervous. She thought he disappeared as her phone started to ring. She now recognized his number.

  “Alex?”

  “Am I crossing another line?”

  Emily whispered, “I’m not sure anymore. It’s been a long day and I’m probably not thinking clearly.”

  “What happened?”

  “He was interviewed for yet another article and his tone, his words when he spoke of me, I just didn’t recognize him. He is getting caught up in all of this extra attention and I’m worried about how it’s changing him. When he got into the limo all he wanted from me was sex.”

  Alex remained quieted.

  “Are you still there?” Emily quickly wished she had left that last part out.

  “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

  “Oh no, he would never do anything like that. He loves me, I know that. But, he’s getting so caught up in all the madness that I feel like I’m losing the man I fell in love with.”

  “Did you tell him all of this?”

  “Somewhat.”

  Alex laughed. “Which means you didn’t Emily, take it from a man with experience, you need to spell it out for him.”

  Emily sighed. “Yeah, I will. I was hoping we were going to talk when we got back to the room, but he opted for the hotel bar instead. Thank you for letting me vent, although I think after this conversation, you are going to regret knowing me.”

  Alex chuckled. “How old are you, Emily?”

  “Twenty one, why?”

  “You seem so mature for your age.”

  “Having a baby at eighteen will do that to you, I guess.” Emily said with a laugh.

  “I guess that’s very true.”

  “How old are you, Alex?”

  “I’m turning thirty in a couple of days.”

  “Wow.”

  “Ok was that a good or bad wow? Like I can’t believe you’re that old?”

  Emily laughed. “No, that’s not what I meant. You are only thirty years old and running an art museum already. That’s amazing to me.”

  “Well, I’ve been extremely lucky with my career so far and keep taking the correct risks.”

  “Are you married?”

  “No, I’m single right now. I spent all my time focusing on my career. I figured that everything else would just fall into place when the time was right. I've never met anyone that I really needed to know more about,” Alex paused. “Until now.”

  Emily blushed, not knowing how to respond to his statement.

  Alex continued, “You’re blushing right now, aren’t you?”

  Emily could feel the heat of her embarrassment turn into a smile. “How did you know that?”

  “I’m starting to pick up on your mannerisms and what makes you tick. I just wish you understood how I was feeling about you right now. But, I’m trying to remember that you have a life.”

  “I like you too, Alex. I enjoy the way I feel around you. And yes, I do have Emma and Eric to consider. But, right now I could really use a friend.”

  Alex whispered softly, “Then, we shall remain friends.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Have you told Eric the good news yet?”

  “No, he’s on his cloud right now and everything has been about him. Besides, after our fight, we weren’t talking about much of anything. I will tell him on Monday when things should be normal again.”

  “Emily, nothing will be normal for you again. If Eric doesn’t go first tomorrow, he will be second. His career will be starting this summer and your life will include moving to the city that takes him. Have you realized that yet?”

  Emily hadn’t thought about that aspect of it. Her family was definitely going to move, there was no way that he would start his career in Buffalo.

  “Emily? Are you ok?”

  “I guess I need to really start thinking about these things, huh? I’ve been so wrapped up in Emma, trying to graduate on time and now the idea of starting my own career that I haven’t
thought about the fact I won’t be in Buffalo much longer.”

  “I’m sorry that I mentioned that, Emily.”

  “No, I’m glad that you did because I really need to sit down with him and discuss this.”

  “Well, I will let you go for the evening. Emily, I’m just a phone call away if you need someone to talk to, ok?”

  “Thank you, Alex.”

  “Good night.”

  Emily hung up and put her head on her pillow. She closed her eyes and drifted off immediately. She was exhausted from the travel, the stress of the evening and she knew she had to face Eric in the morning and work out their pending issues.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  When the morning arrived, Emily rolled over and didn’t feel Eric beside her. She quickly jumped out of bed and ran into the living room. He was passed out on the couch. She walked over and gently touched his shoulder. “Eric?”

  He moaned softly as he rolled over to face her. “What?”

  “When did you come in last night and why didn’t you come to bed?”

  “Not sure when it was. I found some people at the club to hang out with and we had some drinks. I didn’t want to wake you when I came in so I slept here.”

  Emily nodded. “We really should talk, Baby. I don’t want to ruin this big day for you.”

  Eric sat up slowly and wiped his eyes. “I just want you to understand that this is what a football player strives for and the draft is a big deal.”

  “I understand that, but we were supposed to be a team. When I got here you were so wrapped up in the draft and media attention that you never bothered to ask me about what’s been going on in my life or even how Emma’s doing. I feel like you keep leaving me behind and it’s only going to get harder to keep your attention. Don’t you want to know what’s going on with your own family?”

  “Of course I do but this is my time. Once today is over we will know what our future holds, then we can figure everything out.”

  “Eric, do you realize that we haven’t even talked about the fact that we are moving to another city? We will be alone to raise Emma and I know you haven’t had a lot of experience doing it but it’s a lot of work!”

  “Can you just be happy today and we will figure this all out later?”