Page 27 of The Soul that Redeems Me
-Stay in an ice hotel
-Climb Mount Rainier
-Walk the Appalachian Trail
-Swim the Bimini Road
-Take a burro ride into the Grand Canyon to camp
-Sleep in a tree house
-Eat pastries in Paris
-See the Pyramids of Giza
-Visit the Great Wall of China
-Get married
-Have children
The list was full and diverse but it was the last two entries that had my heart beating faster in my chest. I swallowed and looked at her while she and Jake were chilling on the couch and she scrolled through her phone. I would marry her tomorrow if she would agree, but I feel like she needed more time before she would be ready for that.
Emily was slowly kicking down her own walls, not needing much help from me. After she told me her secret, it was like a new light had begun to shine inside of her. Deciding to not enroll next semester seems to have also lifted a burden off her. I hope that our travel adventures allow her to keep healing and blossoming into the amazing woman I know she will be.
Love, not time, heals all wounds, but the scars remain forever.
We slept peacefully that night and the next morning I grudgingly left her and Jake at the apartment so I could meet with Jason and finish up the Chicago contracts for Marcus to look over and complete his portion of the paperwork. I hated leaving her alone in the apartment and made her promise not to leave, even for Jake, until I got back.
She agreed quickly, so I know her mind was still replaying last night’s events. Her being safe is the most important thing and until I know she is, I will be at home more often. Pulling into the parking lot of the North Office, I make my way inside to my part-time office to see it exactly as I left it.
Carol, the executive secretary to Lucas, Maddie, and Jason popped her head in my office while I was trying to clear the clutter and put the paperwork away in the files for Marcus. Most of what I had to complete was finished late last night on my phone, while Emily slept peacefully snuggled against me.
“I heard what happened last night. Is Emily okay?” Carol asked, her motherly tendencies showing stronger than usual.
“Yes, she is as home taking her last final and I’m finished up my part so that Marcus can finalize everything before we leave for Chicago next week. I’m going to be working remotely for a while until I know she is settling in better.”
“I think that is for the best. I can courier anything you need over and please know, I am here if you or Emily ever need to talk.”
“Thank you, Carol. I’ll let Emily know. Can you give these to Marcus when he arrives? I’m meeting with Jason in a few minutes and then I’m headed back home.”
She nodded her head and took the files before leaving me alone in my office. I looked down at my phone, seeing I had about fifteen minutes before I needed to find Jason. Walking out of my office, I saw him arriving with Maddie and Lucas, who made a bee-line toward me as Maddie started peppering me with questions about Emily and what occurred.
After reassuring her that Emily was fine, and talking her out of trying to convince Emily to re-enroll in college, I followed Jason into his office as he shut the door for some privacy. He removed his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves before sitting down on the black leather couch against the wall and we settled in for our discussion.
“Do you think she is being followed?” he asked, getting right to the point.
Shrugging my shoulders, I relayed the facts as I knew them, “I don’t know. Maybe. She said she felt like she was being watched and it creeped her out. After the drunk last night, she is playing it off as an over-active imagination and I want her to think that until we know otherwise. Do you think that the family of that monster would hire someone to follow her?” I raised the question that had been rattling around my head since she told me last night.
“It is a real possibility. They may be trying to gather information on her before they make their attempt at the appeals court. My lawyers keep burying them in paperwork, using every law they can find to keep him behind bars, even if he is granted a new trial. Has she talked about it with you?”
Remembering the conversation we had after her nightmare, I nodded my head, “She has and I’m not going to talk about it unless I have to. She told me a lot about what happened and it broke my fuckin’ heart.” The curse word slipping out before I remember to temper my language in front of my boss. “Sorry.”
“Shit. Don’t apologize to me. For her to tell you anything, I assume, is a good thing.” I acknowledged his statement so he continued, “Do you think she would be able to testify if I can’t find any way around him staying locked up?”
“It’s hard to tell. Some days she is so strong and other days I can tell she had been crying before I got home. She uses the excuse of something sad on TV, but I think she was hiding things from me. Lately, she is doing better and after last night and telling you about college, she is floating on air.” I explained.
“Keep her happy. Keep her safe. Work from home if you want or bring her in and let’s see if we can find something around here that she may enjoy doing. I’ll approve any expenses you need, just put it on the company credit card and give your receipts to Carol. When you travel with her, make sure to do something fun. Live, love each other, and make memories, Josh.”
“I can cover our expenses, Jason.” I was a little angered he thought I couldn’t provide for Emily.
“I know you are a man of pride, Josh. I respect you for that, but that girl and you are my family. I take care of family. I have enough money to last until James is a hundred and I insist that you let me treat the two of you to a little fun living. That way, you can focus on her and not the money. Will you let me do that for the two of you?” His request caused a lump to form in my throat.
I swallowed it down and nodded my response, “Thank you, Jason. I really appreciate that, and you, for giving me a job and a chance to prove myself to you.”
“After everything you have done for Maddie and Caroline and helping them find their forever love, I want to be able to help repay the kindness. Thanks are not necessary. Just have a great time. Take this weekend and go somewhere before the weather gets too cold. Enjoy every minute you can with her and love her unconditionally.”
“That, I can do.” I responded as I shook his hand and left the office, letting Maddie and Lucas know I was leaving and that we would stop by next week to see the babies before we went out of town.
Driving home, I formulated a plan and called my parents to have them bring a few things I stored at their house to the apartment. Normally I would ask them to take Jake with them but this adventure, he can come on. I want to show her my special place, even if Hurricane Michael destroyed it last year.
