Chapter 14 - Come Here

Nathan did not touch her.

Emma noticed that first.

This Nathan stood six feet away with both hands visible at his sides.

"You look..." His voice broke. "You look beautiful."

"I'm enormous."

"You can be both."

She almost smiled.

They sat at a table near the window.

"When are you due?" he asked.

"Five weeks."

Pain crossed his face.

"I missed almost everything."

"Yes."

He nodded. "I know."

No excuse.

No speech about how hard it had been for him.

Emma studied him.

"Why did you really come?"

"To apologize without asking you for anything."

"You already apologized."

"I apologized before I told you the whole truth. That matters."

He looked directly at her.

"I was unfaithful. Not just in Chicago. I made Olivia feel important while making my wife feel optional. I let work become an excuse for every promise I broke. I hid a kiss because I cared more about protecting the version of myself I liked than protecting your trust."

Emma's eyes burned.

Nathan continued.

"And when you tried to reach me, I kept telling myself there would be another dinner, another weekend, another chance."

She reached into her bag.

The ultrasound photograph from the gala slid onto the table.

Nathan stared at it.

"That's what I came to give you that night."

His hands began to shake.

"Can I?"

Emma nodded.

He picked up the picture like it was made of glass.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

"I don't expect that to fix anything."

"Good."

For the first time, they both laughed through tears.

Then the baby moved again.

Nathan looked at Emma's stomach.

She hesitated.

Finally she held out her hand.

"Come here."

Nathan moved slowly.

Emma placed his palm against the side of her belly.

A kick landed under his hand.

He froze.

Another followed.

Nathan lowered his head and cried silently.

Emma cried too.

Neither called it forgiveness.

Then Nathan's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and went pale.

"What?" Emma asked.

"It's Grace."

Emma frowned. "Why is my lawyer calling you?"

Nathan answered.

Grace spoke fast enough that Emma could hear pieces from across the table.

Martin Voss.

Arrest warrant.

Olivia.

Airport.

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Then Grace said one sentence clearly.

"Olivia is telling investigators Emma helped plan the financial fraud."