34. Emma
Thirty Four
Emma
T he floorboards creaked beneath my feet as I paced the length of my living room, my hands running through my hair for what felt like the hundredth time. Leo lounged on my worn leather sofa, his casual posture a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.
“What the hell was I thinking?” I muttered, my voice thick with panic. “Mom is going to kill me! No, scratch that – she’s going to kill HIM.” The image of my mother’s disapproving glare flashed through my mind, making my stomach churn. “Ridge isn’t some bougie businessman with a stellar record or a perfect life.”
I could practically hear Leo’s eyes rolling as he let out a long-suffering sigh. “No, she won’t,” he said, his voice steady and reassuring. “She might be hard on you, but she wants you happy. If Ridge makes you happy, then so be it.”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Yeah, right. You know a different mom than I do.” The words tasted like ash in my mouth, memories of disappointed looks and thinly veiled criticism flooding my mind. “I know she loves me, but…” I trailed off, unable to voice the weight of expectations that had been crushing me for years.
Leo’s gaze softened, a flicker of understanding passing between us. We both knew the truth, even if he was trying to sugar-coat it. The memory of rushing to the hospital, heart pounding with fear that he’d had a heart attack – only to find out it was a panic attack brought on by the fact that he had quit the job and he didn’t how to tell mom– flashed through my mind. But that was a can of worms I couldn’t bear to open right now.
“Ma lutine,” Leo said, using the childhood nickname that never failed to make me feel safe. “She likes Ridge, and she loves you. Will you relax? If you want, I’ll be there when you talk to her, help you out.”
I gnawed on my bottom lip, a habit I’d never quite managed to break. “Do I have to tell her?” The question came out as a whine, childish and desperate.
Leo’s eyebrow arched, his expression a mix of exasperation and fondness. “That you’re moving? Making a huge life decision? Yes, ma lutine. If you don’t, it’ll only cause more complications than necessary.”
A frustrated groan escaped me as I stomped my foot, feeling every bit the petulant child. “Okay, fine.” With a dramatic flop, I collapsed onto the couch next to Leo, the cushions dipping beneath our combined weight.
His hand came to rest on my head, ruffling my hair in that annoying big-brother way he’d perfected over the years. “Everything will be fine,” he promised, his voice low and sincere. “And I promise to kick the asses of anyone who hurts you – including Mom.”
Despite myself, a laugh bubbled up from my chest, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “I’d pay to see you do that!”
As Leo’s chuckle joined mine, I felt a glimmer of hope spark in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, everything really would be okay.
The laughter faded, leaving behind a comfortable silence that settled around us like a warm blanket. I leaned my head against Leo’s shoulder, drawing comfort from his solid presence. The scent of his cologne - a mix of sandalwood and citrus - wafted over me, bringing with it memories of childhood adventures and late-night confidences.
“You really think it’ll be okay?” I whispered, my voice small and vulnerable in the quiet room.
Leo’s arm wrapped around my shoulders, giving me a gentle squeeze. “I do,” he said, his voice firm with conviction. “Ridge is a good man, Em. Anyone with eyes can see how much he cares about you.”
I closed my eyes, letting Ridge’s face fill my mind. The crinkles around his eyes when he smiled, the way his hands - rough and calloused from years of hard work - could be so incredibly gentle when he held me. A warmth bloomed in my chest, spreading outward until I felt it in my fingertips.
“He is,” I agreed, a smile tugging at my lips. “He’s… he’s everything, Leo.”
My brother chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I know, little sister. I’ve seen the way you look at him. Like he hung the moon and stars just for you.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I buried my face in Leo’s shoulder to hide my embarrassment. “Is it that obvious?” I mumbled.
“Only to anyone with functioning eyeballs,” he teased, earning himself a half-hearted swat on the arm.
As my embarrassment faded, a new worry crept in, coiling around my heart like a thorny vine. “But what if… what if it’s not enough?” The words came out in a rush, giving voice to the fear that had been gnawing at me. “What if Mom can’t see past the fact that he’s not what she always imagined for me?”
Leo shifted, gently pushing me back so he could look me in the eye. His gaze was intense, filled with a fierce protectiveness that made my breath catch. “Then that’s her loss,” he said, his voice low and serious. “You’re not a little girl anymore, Em. You’re a grown woman who’s capable of making her own choices. If Ridge makes you happy, if he treats you well and supports your dreams, then that’s all that matters.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. “When did you get so wise?” I asked, trying to inject some levity into the moment.
A crooked grin spread across Leo’s face, breaking the tension. “I’ve always been wise, ma lutine. You’re just finally old enough to appreciate it.”
I rolled my eyes, shoving him playfully. “And there’s the annoying big brother I know and tolerate.”
Leo’s laughter filled the room, bright and infectious. I found myself joining in, the weight on my shoulders lifting just a little bit more.
As our laughter subsided, Leo’s expression softened. “Seriously, though, Em. I’ve got your back, no matter what. If Mom gives you a hard time, I’ll be right there beside you. We’ll face her together, okay?”
I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Okay,” I whispered, feeling a surge of gratitude for my big brother and his unwavering support.
Leo pulled me into a tight hug, and I melted into his embrace, letting myself be comforted by the familiar warmth. For a moment, I was transported back in time - to skinned knees and schoolyard bullies, to first heartbreaks and college acceptance letters. Through it all, Leo had been my constant, my protector, my friend.
As we pulled apart, I felt a renewed sense of determination settling over me. Yes, talking to Mom would be hard. Yes, there was a chance she wouldn’t understand or approve. But I had Leo in my corner, and more importantly, I had Ridge - the man who had shown me what it meant to truly love and be loved in return.
“Alright,” I said, squaring my shoulders and taking a deep breath “Let’s do this. Let’s tell Mom.”
Leo’s eyebrows shot up, a mix of surprise and admiration crossing his face. “Right now? You sure you’re ready?”
I nodded, feeling more certain with each passing second. “No time like the present, right? Besides, if I don’t do it now, I might lose my nerve.”
A proud smile spread across Leo’s face. “That’s my girl,” he said, giving my shoulder an encouraging squeeze. “Want me to dial?”
I shook my head, already reaching for my phone. “No, I’ve got this. But… stay close?”
“Always,” Leo promised, I decided to call mom instead of go to her room, coward move, I know.
My finger hovered over the call button, a last flicker of hesitation running through me. But then I thought of Ridge - of his steady presence, his unwavering support, the way he looked at me like I was the most precious thing in his world. And suddenly, I knew that no matter what happened next, it would be worth it.
With a deep breath, I pressed call and brought the phone to my ear. As it began to ring, I felt Leo’s hand slip into mine, a silent reminder that I wasn’t alone.
“Hello?” Mom’s voice came through the speaker, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
“Hi, Mom,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “Do you have a minute? There’s something I need to talk to you about…”
As I waited for Mom’s response, I felt my heart pounding in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears like a drumroll. The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity, though it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds.
“Of course, sweetheart,” Mom finally replied, her voice warm but tinged with curiosity. “Is everything alright?”
I took a deep breath, squeezing Leo’s hand for support. “Everything’s fine, Mom. Better than fine, actually. I just… I have some news to share with you.”
There was a rustling sound on the other end of the line, as if Mom was settling into her favorite armchair. I could picture her so clearly - perched on the edge of the seat, one leg crossed over the other, her reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose.
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” she said, a hint of amusement in her tone. “What’s this news of yours?”
I closed my eyes, steeling myself for what was to come. “It’s about Ridge,” I began, the words tumbling out in a rush. “We’ve been seeing each other for a while now, and things are getting serious. Really serious.”
There was a pause, and I held my breath, waiting for her reaction. When she spoke again, her voice was carefully neutral. “I see. And how serious are we talking, Emma?”
I glanced at Leo, who gave me an encouraging nod. “I’m… I’m moving in with him, Mom. To the ranch.”
The silence that followed was deafening. I could almost hear the gears turning in Mom’s head, processing this bombshell I’d just dropped on her.
“The ranch,” she repeated slowly, as if tasting the words. “Emma, darling, are you sure about this? It’s such a big step, and you’ve only known Ridge for-”
“I know it seems fast,” I interrupted, my voice stronger now. “But Mom, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Ridge… he’s everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I never knew I needed.”
I could practically see Mom’s brow furrowing, her lips pursing in that way they did when she was trying to choose her words carefully. “Emma, I understand that you have feelings for Ridge. He seems like a nice man. But moving to a ranch? I get that you didn’t want a big corporate job and I agreed let you do your thing with the vineyard because I though you would see your potential and go for something bigger.”
My heart almost slows to a stop and jumps into my throat. I can feel a burn behind my eyes as I wait for her impending words how much I disappoint her “Emma, sweetheart, I just want to make sure you’ve thought this through. Being a stepmother, living on a ranch… it’s not going to be easy. Are you sure you’re ready for that kind of responsibility?”
I felt Leo’s arm wrap around my shoulders, offering silent support. “I know it won’t be easy, Mom,” I said, my voice quiet but firm. “But nothing worth having ever is. Ridge and the kids… they’re worth everything to me. I’m ready for this. I want this life with them, challenges and all.”
I heard Mom take a deep breath, and I braced myself for another argument. But when she spoke, her voice was softer, tinged with something that sounded almost like resignation. “You really love him, don’t you?”
“I do,” I whispered, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “More than I ever thought possible.”
There was a long moment of silence, and I found myself holding my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But when Mom finally spoke again, her words took me completely by surprise.
“Well then,” she said, her voice thick with emotion, “I suppose I’d better start looking for a nice housewarming gift for you two.”
I blinked, sure I must have misheard. “Mom? Are you… are you saying you’re okay with this?”
A soft chuckle came through the phone. “Oh, Emma. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy. I know I went about it all wrong but after our last fight I think I realized that maybe I need to stop trying to tell you what to be happy about and just be happy in water makes you happy. And if Ridge and this new life make you happy, then how could I possibly object?”
Tears spilt over, running down my cheeks in hot trails. “Oh, Mom,” I choked out, overwhelmed by a mix of relief and joy.
“Now,” she said, her voice taking on that brisk tone she used when she was trying not to get emotional herself. “Don’t start blubbering on me.”
I laughed through my tears, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. “Soon, Mom. We can talk about all of it soon. I just… thank you. For understanding. For supporting me.”
“Always, my darling,” she said softly. “Always.”