Forever, With You

“She’s in MY care,” Emily cried. “I’m her guardian and I will do everything in my power to protect her from vile men like you.”

For the first time ever, Trevor looked humbled. Emily wasn’t prepared to listen to any more of Trevor, so she grasped Chantelle around the waist and hauled her up into her arms. The little girl was trembling so much it made Emily ache with anguish. She’d been through so much in her short life, the last thing she needed was to experience the monstrosity that was Trevor Mann.

Emily carried Chantelle inside and slammed the back door. She’d never felt such a tremendous explosion of emotion, of a desire to love and protect the little girl in her care.

“I’m sorry!” Chantelle cried immediately as soon as they were inside. She squeezed Emily so hard Emily thought her neck might break.

“Chantelle, it’s okay,” Emily said, gently. “Trevor gets angry at everything. And you didn’t know you were going to wake him up. Let’s just make sure you ask permission before you go outside again in the future, huh? Is that a deal?”

Chantelle nodded her head in a manner that seemed to suggest she was desperate to make it up to Emily.

“Mommy always told me to play outside,” Chantelle said through her tears. “She never liked me being in her way.”

Emily felt her heart ache. The poor girl must have been beyond confused when Emily told her to come inside. She felt bad for mixing the messages.

“Well, Daniel and I want to play with you all the time,” Emily said. “Okay?”

Chantelle nodded. At last her tears ran dry and Emily set the little girl back onto her feet.

Emily took her into the kitchen, where Daniel was just entering. “What’s happening?” he said. “I heard crying. Did you hurt yourself, Chantelle?”

The little girl shook her head.

“I was just telling Chantelle that you and I want to play with her when she goes outside so she should ask one of us to come with her,” Emily said, giving Daniel a look that told him not to push this.

He seemed to understand what she was telling him and nodded. “Well, I’m glad everyone’s happy again now,” he said. “Shall I make some breakfast?”

Chantelle nodded excitedly and she and Emily went to the table to await their breakfast.

“So,” Daniel said as he sat down a moment later with a stack of pancakes. “What shall we do today since school doesn’t start until tomorrow?”

Emily floundered. She could tell Daniel was at a loss too by his slightly panicked expression. Neither had had to take care of a kid before, and both felt the pressure of making sure Chantelle had as much fun as possible to make up for the terrible start she’d had in life.

“I think Chantelle would like to go somewhere with the dogs,” Emily said, looking over at the little girl for affirmation.

Chantelle nodded.

“I have an idea,” Daniel said. “Didn’t Jason and Vanessa take baby Katy apple picking yesterday over at Fall Farm? How does that sound?”

“I’ve never been to a farm!” Chantelle said with a gasp. “Do they have animals? I love animals! Pigs are my favorite. Do they have pigs?”

Emily’s eyes widened. She’d never heard Chantelle say so many words in one go. The idea of spending time with animals was bringing her out of her shell.

“They have a petting zoo,” Emily said. “With rabbits and guinea pigs.”

“Rabbits!” Chantelle cried. “Rabbits are my even more favoriter favorite!”

“Well then,” Daniel said with a grin. “I guess we’re off to Fall Farm today.”

*

Mogsy and Rain yapped with excitement the whole drive over to Fall Farm. It wasn’t often that Emily and Daniel took them anywhere besides the beach and park for walks, so they could tell something exciting was happening. But no matter how happy the dogs seemed, it paled in comparison to Chantelle’s joy. The whole journey she looked out the window wide-eyed, taking in the sight of the beautiful tree-lined streets, the leaves just starting to turn from green to orange. Emily loved watching the little girl stare in wonder at her surroundings. It warmed her heart to know they had plucked her from deprivation, saved her from her awful life, and could now show her how beautiful the world could really be.

Daniel pulled into Fall Farm’s parking lot, which was little more than a muddy field. There were tons of cars here already, despite the early hour; clearly every parent in Sunset Harbor and the local area had decided apple picking would be their last activity with their kids before school.

As Daniel parked, Chantelle was quick to take off her seat belt and grab the door handle.

“Not so fast,” Daniel said. “We need to put the dogs on their leashes first or they’ll run off, never to be seen again.”

“Sorry,” Chantelle said, dipping her head with shame.

Daniel looked over at Emily with an appealing gaze. Emily just shook her head, communicating to him silently that they shouldn’t make a fuss, that there was nothing they could say to make the little girl feel better, and that love, time, and patience were the only things that could teach Chantelle not to feel so ashamed of herself. She felt bad for Daniel, for his seeming lack of intuition in these situations. He seemed so out of his depths at times, and yet Emily felt like she was taking to motherhood like a duck to water.

Emily clipped leashes onto the dogs and then everyone clambered out of the car. Other families milled around, with children laughing and playing, rushing in circles around their parents. As they strolled toward the entrance to Fall Farm, surrounded by other chatting families, Emily felt a surreal moment of realization about just how much her life had transformed over the last year. She’d gone from being a busy marketing assistant in New York to an inn-owning sort-of-mom in Maine. She’d gone from waiting seven long years for a ring from Ben to what she was beginning to feel was the greatest relationship of her life.

“Come on, Emily!” Chantelle cried.

Emily looked up, broken from her reverie, to see Chantelle and Daniel at the kiosk waiting to collect their basket for apple picking. Chantelle was tugging on Daniel’s hand, just like how Rain would tug on his leash. Daniel was laughing, smiling in a way Emily had never seen before. He was clearly overjoyed to be with Chantelle, to be here, as a family.

Emily jogged toward them and took Chantelle’s other outstretched hand. They reached the kiosk and collected their basket, then headed into the orchard.

“Let’s find the juiciest, reddest apples,” Emily said to Chantelle in an excited whisper. “I bet you they’re further at the back of the field.”

Chantelle nodded with wide eyes, excited by Emily’s conspiratorial tone.

Emily looked up at Daniel. He was smiling at her broadly, a hint of pride in his eyes. Emily couldn’t help but blush.

As they began to fill their baskets with juicy apples, Emily realized she was having more fun than she’d had in years. Daniel, too, was laughing like a gleeful child. He was rushing around, picking Chantelle up and twirling her around, giving her piggybacks so she could reach the highest branches. Emily had never seen Daniel’s goofy side. Seeing it now was a joy to behold.

“This is fun, right?” Daniel said breathlessly as he jogged up to Emily.

“I don’t think I’ve had this much fun since I was a kid,” Emily replied.

“Me neither,” Daniel said.

Emily felt warm all over. Somehow, having Chantelle with them was healing the wounds of their own traumatic lives.

*

After apple picking, Emily decided that Chantelle could do with some new clothes. The little girl couldn’t sleep in Daniel’s shirts every night, especially as colder weather was approaching. She’d need pajamas, and underwear, a coat and gloves, and clothes for school. She’d brought such a small backpack with her, with so few things in it, Emily would need to buy her practically an entire wardrobe worth of clothes.

“Only girls are allowed to come,” Chantelle said as they reached the car.

Emily knew the comment would hurt Daniel, especially after how well their time at the farm had gone. That Chantelle would choose now to exclude him would be confusing and painful. And though Emily could tell he didn’t want to miss this bonding opportunity, at the same time he wouldn’t want to go against Chantelle’s wishes and push the little girl into something she didn’t want.

Emily looked down at Chantelle, clutching her hand tightly. “Your daddy doesn’t have much of a sense of fashion, does he?” she said, trying to make light of the situation.

Chantelle began to giggle.