1.13 – Emily

Chapter tune: Heart – These dreams

“Is that young man of yours going to come today, sweetheart? I have baked a peach pie just for him” miss Myrtle asked Rose. For some reason she and Jared had really hit it off ever since they met, talking about recipes and trading kitchen secrets whenever Rose was getting ready for their dates after work. Rose thought this was funny, as most of people in town couldn’t stand him, but a sweet old lady was quickly becoming best friends with him.

“Yes, he’ll be here soon, we’re going to the festival. I’m so excited! And thank you so much for letting me leave earlier today” Rose said. She paused for a couple of seconds, as she had something in her mind. “Miss Myrtle, can I ask you a question?” she finally spoke “What do you think of him? I like him so much but you know, sometimes – this might sound silly – I wonder if it’s meant to be.”

“You want to know if he’s your Prince Charming, huh?” miss Myrtle said smiling. “It’s not silly dearie. I understand, I was a hopeless romantic too. You know, I had a boyfriend back in the day, Henry, who was just like your Jared. Minus the tattoos and the earring of course, it was a different time back then. We were going to get married, but unfortunately the war took him. And let me tell you, the way he looked at me was just like the way that young man looks at you whenever I see him walking in here.”

“Thank you miss Myrtle! And I’m so sorry about Henry, I didn’t know” Rose said.

“Oh don’t worry my sweet girl, I know we’ll see each other again someday, it’s just a matter of time. I only hope you and Jared will grow old together, that’s the part I regret missing the most. Oh, I see him coming, time to get ready dear!” miss Myrtle said cheerfully.

“Hey you” Rose said to Jared “give me five minutes and I’m ready”

“It’s ok babe, I’ll just wait here with my second favorite baker in the whole world”

“Oh, you little charmer” miss Myrtle giggled “wait and see what I have prepared for you today”

When Rose got ready, Jared and miss Myrtle were still having one of their usual happy conversations.

“Well miss Myrtle, it’s been a pleasure as always. I’ll try that trick you told me. See you in a couple of days!” Jared shouted as he and Rose were leaving the bakery.

–
The festival was great fun, and Rose and Jared had a good time. Rose’s favorite part was the photo booth where they took some silly pictures which Rose insisted should be hanged in her bedroom – Jared on the other hand was not so sure about it.

When he went to the bathroom for a minute, Rose spotted a little baby girl sitting on the ground. “What a little cutie pie you are” she said as she approached her.

Suddenly she realized that the baby’s eyes were the same as her boyfriend’s. “Could that be…” she thought, but had no time to finish the thought as the baby’s mother, quick as a flash, snatched the baby.

“She doesn’t like strangers” the mother sneered.

“Oh, I’m so sorry” Rose said, a little surprised at this unfriendly behavior. “I’m Rose. What’s her name? She’s very pretty.”

“Oh I know who you are. That loser sent you to convince me to let him see my daughter. Well you tell him over my dead body!”

“Oh no, nothing like that. I don’t think he even knows you’re here. So is that Jared’s daughter? She’s beautiful, you must be really proud” Rose tried to calm her down.

“Are you deaf? She’s mine, not his! I will die before I let his sorry ass near her!”

“What’s going on here?” Jared said as he came back, but something in his look was saying that he already knew.

“You know what” he continued “don’t even bother telling me Claire, I won’t fight you this time. Just know that Rose doesn’t deserve to be treated like this, and if I catch you talking to her like that again you’ll be sorry. We’ll talk about Emily another time, be sure of that” he said in a menacing tone.

As they were leaving, Claire turned to Rose.

“Look I’m sorry about before, you seem like a nice girl. But don’t think he’s going to change for you. He’ll play for a while and before you know it he’ll get bored and you’ll be in my place, hopefully without a child. Just remember that.”

“I’m sorry too, that you feel this way. But just because he didn’t love you enough doesn’t mean that he’ll never love anyone.” Rose replied, a little surprised at how confident she sounded.

Still, a part of Claire’s words got to her. As she was leaving, she looked at her and Emily and couldn’t help but feel sad. “Another broken family, poor child” she thought.

–

Rose was still a little upset when Jared took her home. Still, she prefered not to talk about it and focus on more pleasant topics.

“You know, Emily is really beautiful and seems like a good kid. I’m glad I met her.”

“Well she’s my daughter babe, of course she’d be beautiful” he said proudly.

“So” Rose said “I was thinking about our next date. I’d…really like it to be special.”

Jared’s eyes lit up. “I know just the place to take you doll. It will be the best and most exclusive restaurant in Sunset Valley. I’ll make reservations for, say, tomorrow?”

“Yes, tomorrow I won’t have to work so that will be great. But I had no idea there was such a place in Sunset Valley”

“Oh, there is. I really hope you’ll like it. Well look at you all sleepy. I’m off babe, time to let you go to bed. I had a great time, as always. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Tomorrow was going to be perfect, they were both certain of it.