Chapter Twenty-six

Emery

My mind goes blank instantly, not really believing the fact that I'm becoming a dad but that's really, really happening—everything about Hannah begins to fade away without leaving glimpses behind.

Judging by the look on Emma's face, she's thrilled.

I immediately stare into her eyes, wanting to read her out in order for me to utter words but there's nothing going on my mind—I'm supposed to tell her about Hannah but now, that slipped away.

How can I tell her about Hannah?

When I've just heard about her pregnancy. This is a new step for both of us and I know that Hannah does not matter right now or ever. My wife and my family is what matters most; in anything.

The incident that happened with Hannah, that can wait at least for the next few days or weeks. Besides, what could possibly go wrong? Things are getting better just by this shocking news, it's insane.

All of a sudden, she starts to frown.

''A—are you not happy about this? If so, we—''

I cut her off with a kiss on the lips; wanting to make her stop talking nonsense. My lips curve up into a smile as we kiss—with me trying to push away her thoughts of not wanting our baby. That's just no.

We break the kiss, ''I'm more than happy. We're having a baby together and that's more than I could ever ask you for—thank you,'' I mutter, slowly.

Tears are appearing in her eyes, imitating me.

''I love you, Emma.'' I breathe out.

#1 life goal completed.

We both stay in each other's arms for a few more minutes before actually releasing. This is all new to us and we're still trying to overcome our insecurities which is almost impossible yet we're trying.

From an arranged marriage, it turns out sincere.

''When did you find out?'' I ask, once we're actually face to face to have a conversation.

''Well, when you were away. I found out a couple of days after you left—just, didn't want to tell anyone about it because I want you to be the first to know,'' She replies, smiling up at me as I hold onto her hand; entwining our fingers together.

All of a sudden, I turn to see my mother.

Her eyes wide and her face shows how she's more than just surprised—she's excited. The way she looks directly at both Emma and I, it's clear to see the tears appearing in her eyes. The tears of excitement.

''Oh my god, did I hear it right?'' She smiles.

My lips curve up into a wider smile as she takes a few steps towards us—both of her eyes never looking away from Emma nor I, ''Sorry if I was eavesdropping but, I can't help it and you've been keeping it a secret for the past few days,'' Mother holds onto Emma's hand.

''I just wanted to surprise Emery,'' She replies.

''You surprised him, alright.'' They both chuckle while I just nod my head and smile. Today is our day as a married couple, heading towards parenthood. I know, being young and having a lot of responsibilities is just hard but now is a better time than anytime.

''I'm happy for you two!'' Evelyn exclaims.

The four of us smile widely as mother and Evelyn pulls Emma and I into a group hug—almost suffocating my poor soul but we just respond back with a laugh; knowing that this brings more than just happiness for the both of us but for them.

It doesn't take long for the whole palace to find out about it either—an hour and two, they all know. I can't help but imagine myself holding our little baby even though I know that it's going to be a long journey first; a lot of pain, a lot of challenges.

I can't stop thinking about her and our baby.

''You didn't tell her, did you?'' I look up to find Evelyn entering the room as she crosses her arms. Both of my eyes immediately stare deep into her eyes, wanting to see what she's actually feeling.

The thing about Hannah, it was almost forgotten.

I stand up, heading towards the glass window before shoving both of my hands into my jeans' pocket as I enjoy the view outside; I've missed this, recently.

''Emery, I'm talking to you. You can't just stand there and ignore me—you know I won't stop asking,'' She adds once she notices how I'm not replying. It's just that I'm trying to think whether I'm making the right decision or not; where will it lead me?

''No. I didn't tell her,'' I reply, turning to face her.

She looks up into my eyes due to our heights before slightly smirking and rolling his eyes in annoyance. Then, she starts to let out a deep sigh, making her way towards the middle of the room, ''Why?'' She asks.

''Why? You're asking me why?'' I frown.

''Yes, little brother. Why? Why didn't you?''

''It's because I couldn't! Not when we're happy and expecting a baby, not when she just told me about our child and not when we're both still excited. So, no. I'm not going to tell her—I can't hurt her. Not now,''

''That's the point, Emery! You have to tell her in order for her not to get hurt. Do you want her to find out from someone else? Does that work so much better for you because you wouldn't be the one to tell her? I know that you probably didn't sleep with Hannah and that you were unconscious but tell her. She has to know, she deserves to know, she needs to know,'' The way she's saying those words to me; it's really making me think of what might happen if I tell.

We both look at each other; just thinking.

''What if she doesn't understand? What if she thinks that I'm wrong and this is just a way for me to cover it all up so that it will all be okay?'' I question, knowing that a lot of things can happen; she might accuse me even though I know she won't—I trust her.

''She is your wife! I repeat, Emery, your wife! You might have been married for a few weeks but she is lawfully and legally yours—she vowed to be there for you through thick and thin, no matter what it takes because she will try to understand,'' She replies.

''She will understand. No matter what. She won't try to think that you're wrong because you're not. You're my brother and you're her husband. As a husband, you should be responsible of what happened back there in Australia, the only way is to tell her,'' She adds; almost making me sit back down and just let her leave because this is all too much for me.

I immediately frown, displaying the amount of stress.

''I don't know, Evelyn. This is just too much,''

''Think about it. Think about your future with your wife and your unborn child,'' She breathes before exiting the room—leaving me all by myself to think and decide yet it's still hard for me.

Think. Think, think, think. What should I do?

''Evelyn, I don't want to talk about it.'' I say once I hear the door creak open which causes me to turn around but to only find myself looking at Emma.

She closes the door behind her, slightly smiling.

''Hey, my mother finally set you free?'' I ask, trying to change the topic—pointing out to the part that my mother has been talking to her for the past hour about pregnancies and babies; especially about hers.

Emma chuckles, ''She did.''

Once we're close enough, she begins to look at me.

''What is it that you don't want to talk about with Evelyn? You were slightly tensed,'' She pokes me on the arm, making me look down and smile at the fact that she's being playful—teasing me.

My eyes focus deep into hers, hesitating whether I should tell her about Hannah or not. This is the right time to tell her because she would probably try to understand better but I'm just overthinking.

''If you don't mind me asking?'' She adds.

''Of course I don't mind,'' I clear my throat, ''You have to know everything and that's why—'' I stop for awhile before looking back at her; seeing her also looking at me without any signs of looking away.

''—I have to tell you what happened,'' I continue.