Let Me Hold You
Emery had just returned from her uncle’s house when her phone rang. She was still standing in the foyer, bag in hand, when she saw Alexander’s name on the screen.
It was daytime. Unusual. He usually called every night right before she went to sleep, a brief, polite check-in that felt more like duty than affection. Today, though, the call came earlier.
She answered softly. “Hello?”
“Emery,” Alexander’s voice came through, calmer and softer than she had ever heard it. There was a warmth there, quiet but genuine. “How are you?”
She paused, surprised by the tone. “I’m… okay. I just got back from my uncle’s.”
“Good,” he said. She could almost picture him nodding, the way he did when he was trying to be careful with her. “Did you have a nice time?”
“It was… peaceful,” she replied, walking slowly toward the staircase. “I found some old things from when I was a child. Toys and a blanket. I thought maybe… one day the baby could have them.”
There was a small, gentle pause on his end.
“That’s a lovely idea,” he said softly. “I’m glad you had that time.”
Another beat of silence, then he continued, even softer.
“Emery… if you need anything for the pregnancy, anything at all, please tell me. Vitamins, special food, clothes that are more comfortable… even if it’s just someone to talk to when you’re feeling overwhelmed. I want you to have whatever you need.”
She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, fingers tightening slightly around the phone.
“I don’t need anything right now,” she said honestly. “But… thank you. For asking.”
Alexander’s voice remained calm, almost tender in its restraint. “You don’t have to thank me. You’re carrying our child. That matters. Take care of yourself while I’m away. Rest when you need to. And if the nausea gets worse, call the doctor immediately. Or call me. Anytime.”
Emery felt something light and unexpected bloom in her chest... not love, not even affection, but a quiet relief. For once, someone was speaking to her with gentle concern instead of cruelty or guilt.
“Okay,” she whispered. “I will.”
“Take care, Emery,” he said, the softness still there. “I’ll call again tonight.”
“Goodbye, Alexander.”
She ended the call and stood there for a moment, phone pressed to her chest. The conversation had been brief, simple, and devoid of romance… but it had left her feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Someone had asked how she was. Someone had offered help without expectation.
For the first time since the wedding, the heavy weight on her shoulders felt just a little easier to carry.
Upstairs, the bedroom waited for her, still Alexander’s room, still not truly hers.
But for now, that small moment of softness from him was enough to let her breathe.
×××××××
The kitchen was quiet except for the soft clatter of utensils and the gentle simmer of the pot on the stove.
Emery stood at the counter, chopping vegetables for dinner with slow, careful movements.
She had insisted on cooking tonight despite the fatigue weighing on her body.
The pregnancy was starting to make itself known in small ways... the dizziness that came in waves, the way her balance sometimes faltered.
Jesse had quietly joined her, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt and helping without being asked. He stood beside her, stirring the soup, stealing glances at her every few seconds. His presence was steady, protective, and full of unspoken love.
Suddenly, the room tilted.
Emery’s vision blurred. Her knees buckled as a wave of dizziness swept over her. The knife slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the counter.
Jesse moved instantly.
His strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind before she could fall, pulling her gently but firmly against his chest. He held her securely, one hand splayed protectively over her stomach, the other supporting her back.
“Emery,” he breathed, voice low and laced with concern. “I’ve got you. Just breathe.”
She stiffened in his hold at first, her body instinctively wanting to pull away, but the dizziness made her lean into him for a moment longer than she intended. Her heart raced, partly from the near-fall, partly from the familiar warmth of his body against hers.
“I’m fine,” she whispered, voice tight and closed off, even as her hands gripped his forearms for stability. “You can let go now.”
Jesse didn’t release her immediately. He kept her close, his chin resting lightly against the top of her head, breathing her in. His voice was soft, trembling with the weight of everything he couldn’t say.
“No. Not yet. Let me hold you for a second. You almost fell.” His thumb brushed a slow, soothing circle on her stomach. “I can’t stand seeing you like this. You’re doing too much. Let me help. Please.”
Emery closed her eyes, fighting the pull of his tenderness. She wanted to stay angry, to keep the walls up, but his touch made something inside her ache.
“You don’t have to do this,” she said, voice quieter now, still guarded. “I can manage on my own.”
Jesse’s arms tightened just a fraction, not possessive, but desperate to comfort.
“I know you can. You’ve been managing everything alone for too long.
But you don’t have to anymore.” His voice dropped to a whisper against her hair.
“I love you, Emery. Even if you don’t want to hear it right now.
Let me take care of you tonight. Just a little. ”
She stayed silent for a long moment, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Then, very slowly, she allowed herself to relax against him... not fully, but enough that her head rested lightly against his shoulder.
“Thank you,” she murmured, the words barely audible.
Jesse closed his eyes, holding her a little tighter, his heart swelling with a bittersweet mix of love and pain.
For these few precious seconds, she was in his arms again, the woman he had lost, the mother of his child, the only person who had ever truly owned his heart.
He didn’t push for more.
He simply held her, breathing her in, silently vowing to protect her and their baby with everything he had, even if she never let him back in completely.
×××××××
The morning light poured into the sleek living room as Francesca and her mother, Mrs. Monroe, arrived unannounced. Rebecca welcomed them with open arms and a satisfied smile, leading them to the black leather couches like honored guests.
Jesse was at the office, which only made the situation more absurd.
Francesca sat gracefully, crossing her long legs, while her mother launched into conversation with Rebecca as if the wedding had already been decided.
“We were thinking a spring ceremony would be perfect,” Mrs. Monroe said, sipping her tea. “The gardens at the estate are breathtaking that time of year. And Francesca looks divine in ivory.”
Rebecca nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely. We can have the engagement party next month... something intimate but elegant. I already have the perfect venue in mind. Jesse will come around once he sees how well you two fit together.”
Francesca smiled sweetly, though her eyes gleamed with calculated ambition. “I’m so excited. Jesse is such a catch. I can already picture our life together... the house, the children, the social events. I’ll make sure he never regrets choosing me.”
Mrs. Monroe leaned forward conspiratorially. “We should start looking at rings soon. Something classic but impressive. After all, he’s a Prescott. He needs to propose properly.”
Rebecca laughed lightly. “Leave the proposal details to me. I’ll make sure Jesse understands his responsibilities. He’s been dragging his feet long enough.”
Emery stood quietly near the doorway, having come downstairs to bring fresh tea. She froze when she heard the conversation, the tray trembling slightly in her hands. They were planning an engagement and wedding as if Jesse had already agreed. As if his opinion didn’t matter at all.
Francesca noticed her and tilted her head with mock sweetness. “Oh, look who’s here. The replacement. Still playing house, I see.”
Emery set the tray down carefully, her eyes cool but steady. She didn’t rise to the bait.
Rebecca waved a dismissive hand. “Emery, you can go. This doesn’t concern you.”
But Francesca wasn’t done. She smiled at Emery with false pity. “Don’t worry, dear. Once Jesse and I are engaged, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. Maybe a nice little apartment somewhere. You and your baby can live comfortably... away from all this.”
Emery’s hand instinctively moved to her stomach for a brief second before she dropped it. She met Francesca’s gaze directly.
“I don’t need your charity,” she said quietly but firmly. “And Jesse hasn’t agreed to any of this. You might want to remember that before you start planning the flowers.”
Francesca’s smile faltered for half a second, but she quickly recovered, laughing lightly as if Emery had told a joke.
Rebecca shot Emery a warning look. “That’s enough. Go upstairs.”
Emery turned and left the room without another word, but the conversation followed her down the hallway.
“See?” Mrs. Monroe said with a sigh. “That girl has no class. Poor Alexander. Atleast Jesse deserves better.”
“Exactly,” Rebecca agreed. “Which is why we need to move quickly. Francesca, darling, you should visit his office this afternoon. Wear something that shows off your figure. Men like Jesse need a little… encouragement.”
Francesca’s lips curved into a sly, predatory smile. “Don’t worry. I know exactly how to encourage him.”
The three women continued planning completely oblivious (or uncaring) that the man they were arranging a future for had no intention of going along with any of it.
Upstairs, Emery sat on the edge of the bed, hand resting on her stomach, feeling the weight of yet another plan that didn’t include her happiness.
×××××××