Chapter 20
twenty
Emma
Waking up extra early to sneak out of bed and go back to my apartment is the hardest thing I’ll ever do. I asked Rebekah to set my phone alarm and place it next to the bed, so Asher wouldn’t see. At dinner last night, she told me it was set and waiting in the nightstand drawer.
After he fell asleep, I put it under my pillow so the vibration would wake me, but hopefully not him. I’ve already packed the car with everything I’d need. The plan is to come back tomorrow, but if there’s an issue with my defense, I might have to stay longer. I didn’t tell Asher that, though.
I can’t believe I make it to the kitchen without waking him especially since he’s usually the first one up.
But since I’m awake before even the fictional roosters, I think I’m safe.
After pulling a pen and paper from my backpack, I sit down at the table to leave him a note.
It feels like too small a gesture, but I don’t know what else to do.
It’s hard enough to leave. But saying goodbye to him in person would be devastating. I just hope he understands.
Dear Daddy,
Please don’t be mad when you wake up and I’m not here. I had to do it this way. It would be too hard to leave otherwise. I love you, I’m yours, and you’re mine. I’ll be back tomorrow. You can punish me then.
I love you.
Yours,
Emma
A few tears hit the paper, but I don’t have time to rewrite the note.
I need to be on the road before he wakes up and tries to stop me.
I hate that it feels like I’m sneaking out on him.
I’ve been working on this dissertation for almost three years.
This is the last step to earn my doctorate.
I need to do this for me, for the sacrifices my parents made, and for Asher.
Hopefully, I’ll be back before he misses me.
The drive back to the city takes me two hours, but it feels like forever. Since it’s so early, there’s hardly any traffic, but that gives me too much time to think. So much has happened in the last two weeks. It doesn’t seem real until the diamond on my engagement ring catches the morning light.
At the first rest stop, I go inside to get coffee after filling my car with gas.
I didn’t want to risk waking Asher up by making a cup at home.
Home. That’s what it is, not the apartment I’m heading to.
The apartment never felt like anything but a place to sleep.
It was one more stop on my path. But I never had a clear destination, though, until now.
And it’s perfect. Not only have I found the love of my life, but I get to live on a mountain, which is the home of so many endangered plants.
A dream come true. But first, I need to successfully defend my dissertation.
I reach my apartment with enough time to unload my car and then hop into the shower.
Going for a professional rather than collegiate look, I put on a black pencil skirt, sage-green blouse, and matching black jacket.
Since my ankle is still tender, I figure wearing flats instead of my heels are a better option.
After briefly checking the mirror to make sure I look okay, I grab the original of my thesis and the additional copies Andrew printed for me.
Nerves don’t hit until I park outside the building where I’m supposed to present my case. Thankfully, Dr. Fishburn is waiting for me when I step inside.
“Hello, Emma. So good to see you. How did the research trip go?
“Much better than I expected, Dr. Fishburn. The area is impressive, and getting to study the mountain sweet pitcher plants in their natural habitat was a dream come true. Thank you so much for your help with getting that scheduled.”
“That’s what I’m here for. So, are you ready for today?”
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for years, I’m beyond ready.”
“Excellent. Let’s get you inside. It’s just about time.”
We step inside the enormous lecture hall.
I expected it to be mostly empty, just the professors I’m presenting to and some others who might be interested in my topic.
The last thing I expect to see when I walk in and see all six of the Gallant brothers and Rebekah seated in the fourth row.
Now it makes sense why I haven’t gotten a text or call from Asher.
I worried he was upset with me; that he was traveling here to see me never entered my mind.
And not just him, but my entire new family.
Having all of them here supporting me, it’s more than I could ever have asked for.
It takes a lot of blinking to fight back my tears.
I barely have a moment to collect my emotions when my name is called. Dr. Fishburn hands out the copies of my thesis, and I step onto the podium and begin my presentation. Two and a half hours later, it’s done.
When I get into the hallway after thanking all the professors, Asher wraps me in a huge bear hug.
“You were amazing, baby.”
“Congratulations, Emma,” my new family says almost in unison.
“I can’t believe you came all this way. I can’t thank you enough for being here, supporting me. I hope it wasn’t too boring after the long drive.”
“Are you kidding? It was fascinating to learn about one of the plants on our mountain and your theories on saving endangered species,” Asher says, then kisses my cheek.
“He’s right. Besides, you’re family now. Of course we’re going to be here for you,” Andrew adds, as the others nod in agreement.
“When will you hear if you were successful?” Aaron asks.
I’m about to answer that I could hear at anytime, or it could take weeks, when the lecture hall door opens, and Dr. Fishburn steps out.
“Emma, I’m so glad you’re still here. They voted to approve your thesis. Congratulations Dr. Kincaid.”
“Oh my gosh, really?” I feel like should say more, but I can’t find the words.
“Dr. Gallant,” Asher corrects my advisor.
“Excuse me?”
“She’s Dr. Emma Gallant now. We got married yesterday. I’m Asher Gallant, and this is my family.”
To say that Dr. Fishburn looks stunned is an understatement. His mouth does that open-and-close fish thing. I mouth, “Sorry.” I didn’t even think to mention it prior to my presentation.
“Well, it looks like double congratulations are in order then.” Dr. Fishburn reaches out to shake hands with Asher. “I guess visiting the mountain won’t be an issue in the future.”
“Not for Emma, the rest of you will still need to follow the procedure,” Asher replies with a smirk. I wouldn’t expect anything less from my grump-meister.
It’s finally sinking in that I did it. I’m a doctor of conservation biology.
All my hard work paid has off, and now I can go home to the mountain.
So many emotions are racing through my mind, I can’t pinpoint any except regret that my parents weren’t here to experience this with me.
But knowing I have my new family and I’m no longer alone takes the edge off the pain.
“Let’s go home. We need to celebrate.” Andrew herds us out of the building. “Asher, I assume you’re driving back with Emma?”
“I can’t believe you have to ask. Of course, I am.” Then he turns to me and gives me the you’re in trouble look. “It’s a good thing you’re not wearing heels. I would have spanked you right here in the parking lot. How is your ankle feeling? Should I carry you to the car?”
“It’s fine, really. I barely feel it, and no, you’re not going to carry me.”
I turn away so he can’t see my grin when he growls at me. It’s also when I notice their trucks. I don’t know how I missed seeing them when I arrived. My nerves must have kept me lost in my head again.
Asher takes the keys from me and opens the passenger-side door. “I’m driving. You can rest since you got up so early this morning.” He winks as he shuts the door.
“You were awake when I left?” Frack. I was so quiet, or at least I thought I was.
“Did you think I could sleep through you getting up? Even if I had, the noise you made when you took the plug out was too funny. You know, as soon as we get home, I’m filling you up again. I did appreciate the note, though.”
“Why didn’t you get up?” I don’t know why, but I feel embarrassed about the whole thing. Probably because he brought up the stupid plug.
“Because like you said in your note, it would have been too hard to say goodbye. Plus, I’d already planned to be here. We all did.”
“I’m still can’t believe you all came so far for me.”
“Baby, you’re our family. We will always support you. Unfortunately, it also means we have to celebrate together. We’re having dinner at the main house again.”
“I don’t mind. I like your brothers, and me and Rebekah are going to be besties.”
“Just don’t like them too much, baby. You’re mine. Remember that.”
“Oh, Daddy, I’ll never forget,” I answer, fighting back a yawn.
“Close your eyes, Raindrop. I’ll wake you when we get home.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Me too, baby. Me too.”
Asher wakes me when we get back to the mountain, but drives us directly to the main house, giving me a few minutes to wake up. As we walk in, everyone cheers, “Congratulations!” They’ve even decorated. There’s an enormous sign and balloons hanging from the entrance to the dining room.
“Thank you so much.” Happy tears fill my eyes, but I blink them away. Asher wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me against his side.
“We all love you, Em, but I love you the most.”
“I hear you, Ashbear. I love you the most, too.”
After eating way too much, all the guys are drinking beer and teasing each other as they relax in the family room.
I pull Rebekah to the side. I’m dying to ask her about the whole breeding thing.
The brothers are similar, but also not, so it might just be my grumpy bear who’s set on getting me pregnant as soon as possible.
“This is probably going to sound crazy, but… Frack. I can’t believe I’m even saying this out loud.”
“What? It can’t be that bad.” Rebekah reaches for my hand and squeezes it.
“No, it’s not bad, just embarrassing. I was wondering, has Adam mentioned breeding to you, or getting you pregnant?”
Rebekah laughs. “Oh yes. Welcome to the crazy baby-making family, Em. I’m already pregnant.”
“Actually, after last night, I might be too.”
“If Asher is anything like Adam, he’ll keep trying until you are. And then keep going just for the practice.”
By the time we join the guys, we’re both laughing so hard tears are running down our cheeks.