Forever, With You

Vanessa looked uncertain. “I just don’t know if you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into,” she said. “Chantelle isn’t going to be an easy kid to raise.”

“I’m aware of that,” Emily said testily, though Chantelle had been nothing less than a delight so far. “Of course there are going to be challenges. But Daniel and I are prepared to face them together.”

“What about your own kids? You and Daniel? Will you still be able to have your own family if you’re busy dealing with Chantelle’s issues? And what about the inn? Is that a suitable place for a kid with difficulties?”

“Chantelle doesn’t have difficulties,” Emily shot back, defensive and suddenly protective of the girl she was beginning to view like a daughter. “She needs love and care. Daniel and I are the best people to provide it.”

Vanessa sighed deeply. “I don’t doubt that for a second,” she said with resignation. “I’m just worried that you haven’t thought this through. You’ve seen what a strain Katy has been on my life and she’s my own flesh and blood. I chose to have her. Chantelle’s been thrust upon you. She’s pretty much an ultimatum from Daniel. You never asked for this. I just think you need to step back and take a second to work out if this is what you want.”

She reached out and squeezed Emily’s arm. Just then, Chantelle came back with a grocery bag filled with candy and chocolate bars.

“Wow,” Emily said, “look at all this candy.”

But her voice wasn’t as breezy and carefree as it had been. Vanessa’s words had rattled her, had cut right through her happiness and left a stone of doubt inside of her. Could she really raise Chantelle properly?

CHAPTER FOUR

By the time Emily and Chantelle got back to the B&B, Chantelle was exhausted. She managed to stay awake through the meal that Daniel had prepared while they were out, but she yawned throughout.

“Maybe she should have an early night?” Emily said. “She was up super early. And school starts tomorrow so it won’t hurt her to be rested.”

Daniel agreed and they went upstairs to Chantelle’s room, put her to bed, then read her a story until she was asleep.

As they left her room, shutting the door quietly behind them, Emily thought about the last two days of parenthood. It had been more fun than she’d expected. But Vanessa’s words still swirled in her mind, making her doubt herself.

Daniel and Emily went downstairs very quietly, not wanting the creaking floorboards to wake Chantelle.

“I’d love to take the boat out to see the sunset,” Daniel said. “What do you say? Date night?”

Emily frowned. “We can’t just leave Chantelle.”

Daniel began to laugh. “Good thing Serena’s on her way over.”

Emily’s frown grew deeper. “Huh?”

Daniel just smirked. “Well, while you were out, I took the liberty of arranging a babysitter. She’ll be here at seven.”

Emily’s frown transformed into a grin. “Really?” She couldn’t contain her excitement. It had been so long since she’d been on a proper date with Daniel, she didn’t realize how much she’d been craving it. She threw her arms around him and planted a sumptuous kiss on his lips.

“I’d better get ready,” she said, beaming, and she rushed upstairs to dress.

Serena arrived promptly at seven p.m., bringing her sweet-smelling perfume and arty flare with her.

“Someone’s looking smoking,” she said as she caught sight of Emily’s outfit.

Emily blushed. She’d never been one to take compliments. “Thanks for doing this,” Emily said. “We really appreciate having a night out.”

“No problem,” Serena said. “I’m looking forward to kicking back and reading some trashy romance novels.”

Emily and Daniel headed for the door, but before they got a chance to step out, they bumped into someone on the doorstep. It was Cynthia’s friend Owen, the young, timid piano player who had been to the inn before to tune her dad’s antique grand piano, and whom Emily had offered to come play whenever he so desired.

“Oh, um, sorry, if you’re going out I can come back another time,” Owen said, stumbling over his words and fiddling with the sheet music in his hands.

“Absolutely not,” Emily said. “You come in and play. Serena’s here anyway so you’re welcome to play as long as you want.”

Owen smiled shyly and thanked Emily, then went into the living room.

As Emily and Daniel trotted down the porch steps Owen’s beautiful, haunting piano music floated after them.

*

The water sloshed against the harbor walls as Daniel helped Emily into the boat. The sky was still blue, though dusk was fast approaching.

“Where are we heading then?” Emily asked once she was settled.

“I wanted to explore another island,” Daniel said.

Emily was reminded of the last time they’d done so, when she’d discovered the lighthouse and the paintings that her father had collected. She’d been certain that there might be some clue to her father’s disappearance contained within them, but like most leads she’d followed, that one seemed to have led to a dead end: just the name of an artist who was now deceased.

Daniel started up the motor and the boat lurched away from the dock. The water was calm this evening, and the ride was smooth. The boat cut through the water easily. Emily held on tight, exhilarated by the feel of the wind in her hair, and thankful that she’d set her makeup!

The sky was turning pink as they hit the banks of the island Daniel wanted to explore. He hopped out of the boat and helped Emily clamber down, then the two of them headed hand in hand along the beach. In the distance, Sunset Harbor twinkled.

“It’s so beautiful,” Emily said dreamily. She had fallen in love with the place, with her B&B, and with the little girl sleeping soundly within it.

“Do you think Serena is okay?” Daniel asked.

“As long as Chantelle sleeps straight through there’ll be nothing to worry about,” Emily replied.

Daniel fell silent. “I wanted to say thank you,” he said a little timidly.

“For what?” Emily asked.

“For being so amazing with Chantelle. And about everything. I’ve put you through the wringer, I know that. I wasn’t sure you’d be so forgiving.”

Emily swallowed hard. Remembering those painful weeks without Daniel still hurt her greatly. For him to acknowledge what he’d put her through was restorative.

“I don’t think I really had a choice,” Emily said. She could hear her voice wavering. “As soon as I saw you with her… it was everything I’ve ever wanted, Daniel. I’m so in love with you it hurts.”

They stopped walking then and Daniel turned to face her. He wiped the tear on her cheek away with his thumb, then gently cupped her face.

“I love you too, Emily,” he said.

Then he pressed his lips to hers. Emily melted into them, feeling once again that raw passion that only Daniel could ignite within her. She wrapped her arms around him, feeling his taut muscles beneath his shirt as her hands roved all over his body. Hearing Daniel finally utter those three words she’d been longing to hear had made Emily’s body spring alive in a way it had not in years. The passion had gone from her relationship with Ben years before, and despite the blissful nights she had spent with Daniel, this was the first time she had felt such desire, such yearning.

She broke away from him. His eyes were ablaze with desire. She’d never kissed him like that before.

“I want you, Emily,” Daniel said, breathless. “For now and forever.”

Emily reached out then, pulling Daniel toward her again by the belt hooks of his jeans. She wanted him next to her, close to her. She wanted to feel every inch of him. On this abandoned island, with the sun setting around them, Emily could think of nothing she wanted more than Daniel. All of Daniel.

*

The stars twinkled above. Ocean waves gently broke against the shore. Emily lay in Daniel’s arms, her head resting on his warm, bare chest. She could hear his heartbeat, its rhythm still pounding from their lovemaking. His skin was still searing to the touch beneath her fingertips.

She propped herself back up on her elbow. “We’ve been gone for ages,” she said. “We should probably head back.”

Daniel took a deep breath, as though reluctant to leave this place. Emily knew how he felt. She too wished to stay in this magical moment forever. But she remembered there were more magical moments to share at home, back at the inn. Now that they were part of a family there would be a million moments of fun and happiness to enjoy.

Emily lay back against the sand and watched Daniel dress himself again, feeling overwhelmed with happiness. The stars had truly aligned for her at last.

She dressed too and straightened her hair, hoping that she’d be able to put her disheveled appearance down to the boat ride to the island rather than what she and Daniel had done once there.

Daniel climbed into the boat and helped Emily get in beside him.

“Once Chantelle’s at school, we should go to the antique store down the road,” he said. “I’ve never been and I’ve heard they have excellent jewelry, some really exquisite rings.”

Emily’s heart began to beat faster. Could Daniel be hinting at a proposal? On the island he’d said he wanted to be with her forever; now he was talking about rings. Emily hadn’t even thought about marriage with Daniel yet. There’d been so much upheaval in their relationship already that she’d put such thoughts out of her mind.

But now, as she sat in the boat crossing the ocean and heading toward the town she so adored, she realized just how thrilled she was at the prospect of settling down with Daniel.

For the first time, the idea of Daniel proposing to her lodged in her mind like a seed taking root.

CHAPTER FIVE

“Are you ready for your first day of school?” Emily asked Chantelle as she leaned across the breakfast table and collected the empty, crumb-strewn plates.

Chantelle looked up at her and nodded. Her expression was one of serious contemplation. Emily had never seen such a grown-up expression on such a young face. Of course, a new school would be unsettling for Chantelle, Emily knew that. But for the girl to look so solemn about the whole thing really hurt her heart. She hoped she could help Chantelle become more comfortable and relaxed, help her learn how to enjoy herself in the way a six-year-old ought to.

Just then, Daniel came into the kitchen. He was wearing his plaid shirt tucked into his jeans today, and he’d brushed his hair back and trimmed his beard. Emily swelled with pride at the sight of him, knowing how much effort he’d gone to just to make a good first impression at the school gates.

Daniel walked over to Emily and kissed her.

“Someone’s looking dapper,” Emily told him with a smirk.

Daniel looked over at Chantelle. “Ready for your big day?” he asked.

Chantelle seemed a little more relaxed in Daniel’s presence today, Emily noted. Maybe she was learning to trust him at last. After being uprooted from Tennessee she was starting to settle in and could view him as someone to rely on, someone who wasn’t going to let her down.

“Are you coming with me, Daddy?” she asked.

Emily noticed the look of relief on Daniel’s face.

“Of course” he said.

“Neither of us would miss this for the world,” Emily added.

Chantelle smiled coyly, looking proud and shy in equal parts.

They all left the house and got in Daniel’s pickup truck. As they drove through the tree-lined streets, Chantelle gazed out the window, looking tense and nervous. When they pulled up outside the cute red brick building that would be her new school, she became pale and withdrawn.

“You’re going to be okay,” Emily said, patting her hand. “I know it’s scary at first, but once you get in there and meet all the children and the teachers you’ll be fine.”

Chantelle looked at her with her big blue eyes, clearly overwhelmed.

Emily went around to the back door of the pickup truck and took Chantelle’s hand, squeezing it to reassure her, and helped her hop down onto the ground. There were other children and parents milling around. A group of kids were playing in a pile of fallen leaves, a pair of boys chased each other across the grass. Emily herself felt rather overwhelmed by the whole thing. She’d never spent much time around children, particularly not huge groups of them. The noise was unbelievable, worse even than when Gus and his party of rowdy seventy-year-olds had stayed at the inn.

Emily looked over at Daniel. He, too, seemed at a loss. She couldn’t help but laugh to herself at the sight of the three of them, all wide-eyed and bemused.

Just then a young woman with a welcoming smile walked toward them. She was wearing boot-cut beige pants with a lilac cardigan and flat-heeled shoes, an outfit that Emily thought revealed her to be a teacher immediately. She nudged Daniel and couldn’t help but giggle aloud at his daunted expression, which matched Chantelle’s so perfectly. Coming face to face with teachers was clearly a terrifying experience for Moreys, Emily thought.

“Hi, I’m Miss Glass,” the young woman said, extending her hand.

Emily took the lead and shook her hand. Miss Glass had incredibly soft hands and perfectly manicured nails.

“Is this Chantelle?” Miss Glass asked, turning her attention and super-sweet smile to the little girl.

Chantelle withdrew, clinging to Emily’s pant leg. Emily stroked her head to comfort her.

“You don’t need to be scared, honey,” Miss Glass said. “Everyone is so excited to meet you.” She looked at Emily and Daniel. “They’re really a super-sweet bunch.”

Emily smiled, feeling more comfortable about the idea of letting Chantelle out of her sight, about handing her into the care of someone else. But Daniel seemed to be struggling more with the thought of letting her go.

He crouched down beside Chantelle and took her shoulders in each of his hands. “Have an awesome day,” he said, and Emily heard a hitch of emotion in his voice. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. Emily noticed the way he pressed his lips together, holding back the tears that were trying to escape. Seeing him that way made her emotional as well, and it made her love him even more.

Daniel moved out of the embrace and now it was Emily’s turn to give words of encouragement to the child. She hugged her tightly.

“Be brave,” she said, “and show all the other kids what a kind, caring, generous soul you have.”

Chantelle nodded. She turned to face the school building and took a deep breath. Daniel reached out and grabbed Emily’s hand.

“She’s going to have a really fun day,” Miss Glass assured them as she scooped Chantelle’s semi-reluctant hand into hers. “I promise,” she added, swinging her arm.

Together, Emily and Daniel held their breath as they watched Chantelle walk along the path toward her new school. At the top step, they stopped, and Chantelle turned back. With Miss Glass’s encouragement, she waved goodbye, then disappeared inside.

“Our baby’s first day at school,” Emily whispered.

*

On the drive back to the B&B, Emily wondered what they would do with their day. Chantelle had been in their lives for less than a week and already she couldn’t remember what she’d done with herself before her.

“What shall we do today?” she asked Daniel.

“I think I should move in,” he replied, his gaze still fixed out the windshield.

Emily started. “Today?”

Daniel looked across at her and smirked. “It’s time for us to be a proper family,” he said.

Emily’s stomach somersaulted. Things with Daniel were suddenly moving very fast, and it shocked her just how much she wanted them to.

They reached the inn and Daniel parked outside his carriage house. As they went inside, Emily felt a strange pang of nostalgia. They’d hardly spent any time at Daniel’s but it still felt special to her, a place etched with memories. Already it felt less lived in, transformed by recent events. Daniel had taken a ton of his stuff to Tennessee when he’d left over the summer and hadn’t unpacked any of the boxes or suitcases, so there were already some bare shelves and stacked luggage in the corner.

They got to work right away, boxing up Daniel’s books and records, folding up his clothes and zipping them into suitcases. The kitchen took the longest to clear because Daniel was so fond of his culinary experiments and seemed to own a specific frying pan or pot for every eventuality. But overall, clearing the carriage house took very little time. Daniel had spent so many years living in such a small space, Emily wondered how he would adjust to the sprawling, endless mansion. Not to mention he had been alone for so long and would now have to co-habit not just with his partner and daughter but with a whole host of random guests, as well as the inn’s staff! Emily reminded herself that there would undoubtedly be some teething problems.

On their final trip down the driveway to the carriage house to pick up the last bits, Daniel and Emily stood on the small porch, looking in at the now empty space.

“It looks so strange,” Daniel said, a hint of melancholy in his tone.

Emily hoped he wasn’t regretting his decision.

Back up in the main house, Daniel got to work unpacking his items and finding places for them in the master bedroom. Emily herself became more preoccupied with Chantelle’s room. It wasn’t really suitable for a young girl. The place had been decorated with guests in mind and all the furniture was far too adult. Chantelle needed a kid’s bed rather than this huge king-size antique one. Her teddy bear tucked into the crisp white covers looked lonely and forlorn. She needed toys and a trunk to store them in and a shelf to display them on. And she could have a little desk under the window so she could look out over the backyard rather than the current window seat made of oak and strewn with silk crimson cushions. Then there was the large wardrobe taking up space across an entire wall. Even with all the clothes Emily had purchased for Chantelle it was too big.

Emily decided then to fix the room up for Chantelle. It could be a DIY project they undertook as a whole family. Chantelle could choose the colors she wanted, and they could go to the store and find matching pillows, blankets, curtains, and rugs. In the meantime, however, she wanted to do something to make the room nice for Chantelle right away, and she struck on the idea of getting some of her old toys out of the attic. She’d packed up all of her and Charlotte’s toys when she’d converted their old room into the first guest bedroom all those months ago.

Leaving Daniel absorbed in his own tasks, Emily went up into the attic and searched for the boxes of toys she’d carefully tidied away.

It made her feel quite emotional as she began looking through them all again. Even though she’d spent a lot of time carefully packing them away, something about the fact she was giving them a new lease on life by passing them on to Chantelle made her a little melancholy, as though she were letting go of Charlotte in a way. But it also felt so right that Chantelle would get Charlotte’s old toys since she did feel like her sister’s spirit was living on in Chantelle.

As Emily rummaged around selecting toys she thought would be appropriate for Chantelle, she became distracted by a box of photographs. She remembered them instantly as the ones that Daniel had rescued from the outbuilding during the storm, the ones he’d sacrificed his own photographs to save on her behalf. She’d never had a chance to look through them. She took the first box down off the shelf and settled herself on the floor.

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