Part 11 (1/2)
”You look like you just saw Michael Meyers in the mirror. It's just a beer, honey,” Emma tried to soothe Addison.
”With my father.”
”Yes.”
”Why does my father want to have a beer-with me?”
”Maybe he likes beer.”
”Not funny, Em.”
”Addy...”
Addison flopped onto the bed. ”I'm not going. Tell him I'm sick.”
Emma smiled. ”Addison...”
”What if it's bad, Em?”
”What are you talking about?” Emma asked.
”What if he's sick or something?” Addison asked.
Emma closed her eyes for a moment and then took a seat next to Addison on the bed. ”Honey, maybe he just wants to spend time with you.”
Addison's eyes were filled with tears. ”He just started talking to me. I mean, really talking to me at all....”
”Addy,” Emma called gently. In an instant, Addison had become a small, frightened girl. Emma laid down beside her and took Addison into her arms. ”I don't know why he wants to take you out. Don't a.s.sume the worst,” she said.
”I can't lose him too.”
”Oh, Addy,” Emma rocked Addison gently.
”Everyone leaves.”
”Addy.”
”Emma... I...”
”It's okay, honey. I know that I can't truly understand. I know. Give him a chance, okay? Something tells me that he wouldn't give you that kind of news at a pub. Maybe he just wants to talk. No matter what he says, we will get through it-together. Okay?”
Addison nodded against Emma. ”I'm sorry that I've been such a jerk lately.”
”You haven't been a jerk,” Emma said. ”You are too hard on yourself. I love you, Addison.”
”I know.”
Emma laughed. ”Now, come on and let's get you out of here. You know, I'm a little jealous. You just got here, and you get to escape to the pub while I make cookies with mom and potty train. I can't even get tipsy on Dad's homemade wine.”
Addison kissed Emma gently. ”Regrets?”
”Nope.”
”How about if I promise to take up the role of potty trainer the rest of this trip?”
”Sold. Now, come on,” Emma pulled Addison up with her. Addison looked at Emma hesitantly. ”I'll make extra chocolate chip, okay?”
”You drive a hard bargain, Mrs. Blake.”
”So, I've been told.”
Addison stopped and pulled Emma to her. ”Thank you,” she said.
”Give him a chance,” Emma said. ”I think Vicki's little mishap freaked him out a little.”
Addison couldn't help but chuckle. Her father had gone seriously pale at the sight of a little blood on Vicki's knee. ”Come to think of it; I'm not sure that he ever saw me fall. Ever.”
Emma smiled. ”She probably gets her lack of coordination from me.”
”Doubt it,” Addison said. ”Sure I can't convince you to call me out sick.”
”Nope. Just try and relax,” Emma said. ”It's a beer with your dad.”
”Uh... Yeah. A beer with your dad means he needs a reprieve from you and your mom.”
”Excuse me?” Emma chimed. Addison shrugged. ”Nice try, Blake. You know, the hay in the barn is quite...”
Addison leaned in and kissed Emma tenderly. ”No way am I sleeping without you another night,” she said.
”Good to know. Now... Enough stalling. There's a beer in your future.”
”What about a cookie?” Addison asked as Emma led her to the bedroom door ”Be home by midnight, and we'll talk.”
Addison laughed. Emma could lighten any situation. There was something to be said for falling in love with a person who could also be your best friend. Addison sucked in a nervous breath as Emma held the door open for here. Beer with her father. She had no idea what to expect.
”It'll be okay,” Emma whispered her encouragement.
”I hope so.”
”Call for a ride if you need to,” Emma said. Addison looked at Emma curiously. ”I'm not keen on losing you either. Drink as much as you want. Call me, Addy.”
Addison couldn't imagine getting drunk with her father. ”I don't think you need to worry, Em.”
”Just promise.”
”I promise.”