Emily loved James madly, forgiving him for almost everything.
They married when Emily was still a teenager, just after turning nineteen. Shed been chasing James since she was sixteen, trying to look older than she was. At first he barely noticed her she was just a kid in his eyes. Then she grew up, became a beauty, and James thought, why not take whats already drifting into his lap?
He was twentyfour, Emily eighteen. Their relationship began strange, a little offkilter.
James could disappear for days, ignore his phone, not answer messages, just out for a walk. Then hed pop back as if nothing had happened, and Emily always waited. Tears were inevitable, but James kept insisting he loved only her. He just had that freespirited, neversettled nature.
Emily believed that one day he would change, that he would love her as fiercely as she loved him.
Emily had a friend named Harry. Theyd been mates since nursery, lived on the same block, went to the same school.
Harry was secretly in love with Emily, but he knew she saw him only as a friend. It hurt him that she didnt value herself, didnt realise she deserved the best.
Harry knew that if Emily ever returned his feelings, hed move heaven and earth for her. He also knew that would never happen. She loved James as if hed cast a spell on her, so Harry stayed in the background, quietly close.
When James vanished again or started a pointless argument, Emily would sob to Harry.
Why does he treat me like this? I love him so much shed sigh.
Maybe you should stop loving him? Harry would snap.
I cant, you dont understand
Harry understood perfectly. Hed gladly stop loving Emily, but he simply didnt. So he didnt argue; he just felt what she felt.
James grew more out of control, drinking heavily and openly flirting with other women. Emily made the biggest mistake a lovestruck girl can make she got pregnant. Naïvely she thought a baby would fix everything, that James would finally grow up, get his act together, love her and their child.
At nineteen she told James. His face showed no joy.
We should probably get married, she muttered, embarrassed, before the bump shows.
Probably, he grumbled.
Why he finally decided to tie the knot was unclear maybe he thought something might come of it, or maybe he simply didnt realise he could back out.
Emily was the happiest bride. For Harry, however, the day felt like a funeral. He watched her, glowing with hope, and wished he could whisk her away, lock her up until she saw he was far better than James.
Naturally, he didnt. He hypocritically wished her happiness with her future husband while drowning his sorrows in a pint.
Emily and James had a son, Oliver. At first James tried to be a decent dad and husband, stopped vanishing, hung out less with his mates, helped with the baby, and didnt argue with Emily.
But soon he realised that life wasnt for him. When Oliver turned one, James slipped back into old habits. He disappeared for three days, leaving Emily frantic, calling mortuaries and hospitals, even ringing up his own friends.
Harry was there again, watching Oliver while Emily scoured every shady spot looking for James. She even filed a police report before James, the wayward spouse, finally returned.
Emily screamed, wailed, demanded answers.
Im not obliged to report to you, James snapped, strolling into the kitchen. Oliver began crying, but his dad paid no heed; a hangover was his priority.
From then on James pretended no more. Hed come and go, and each time Emily took him back, hoping hed change.
When Oliver was three, James left for good. At first he vanished again, and Emily thought hed just been out. After picking Oliver up from nursery, she found his belongings gone.
While she tried to make sense, a message pinged her phone.
Im filing for divorce myself, dont wait for me!
Emily was devastated, shouting, not wanting to live. Harry raced over as soon as he heard, staying with her for a full day, looking after Oliver, making sure she didnt do anything rash.
When Emily finally steadied, Harry made his move.
So Im going to be your husband now. And Olivers dad.
Emily looked at her old friend and shook her head.
Im sorry, but I dont love you like that. I love you as a friend, and Im grateful for your help. But as a man I just dont see you that way.
I know, Harry said flatly. But I love you more than a friend. I wont let you suffer any longer
Harry couldnt find the right words. Emily was so shattered she just nodded. Let him stay.
Harry didnt press. He stayed, caring for Oliver as if he were his own son.
Emily watched Harry and realised there was no better option. No one would love her son as her friend did. No one would look after her better than Harry.
And she surrendered, not out of love, but out of hopelessness.
Harry was over the moon when Emily agreed to marry him. When Oliver first called him dad, Harry even wept.
Everything went smoothly. Their family was happily enviable. Sometimes Harry felt Emily loved him as a man, not just a mate. Other times he feared James might reappear, that Emily would ditch everything and run back to the roguish ex.
He lived between two fires, rejoicing in their happiness, waking at night from nightmares.
Then one day the nightmare became real. Oliver turned six. Emily and Harry threw him a lavish party. First Oliver and his friends bounced at a trampoline centre, then at home the cake and presents waited.
As Oliver blew out the candles, there was a knock at the door.
Someone else here to wish you well? Emily smiled.
Ill get it, Harry said.
He didnt peek through the peephole, just opened the door, and a cold dread slithered into his chest. Standing there was James, clutching a strange plush rabbit.
Seeing Harry, he sneered.
Youre still here, as usual? Wheres my son? I came to wish him a happy birthday.
Whos there, Harry? Emily shouted, half out of the kitchen, turning pale. Oliver popped out, then froze.
Well, hello, James grinned. Happy birthday, lad!
Oliver stared at James, then at Harry.
Dad, whos this? he asked Harry.
James face darkened. He hadnt expected this.
So dad?
Harry, get Oliver, Emily said dryly.
Emily please
Again that look, as if a spell had been cast again. Harry had always known this moment might come. The only thing he was sure of: he wouldnt give Oliver away. He was his father, not some mishap!
Harry played with Oliver in the room, surrounded by gifts.
But Harry wasnt merry. He worried about the scene beyond the door, waiting for Emily to tell him to leave. He waited, trembling.
Emily entered, hands shaking, smile forced.
So, how are you all? she asked.
Were playing! Oliver shouted. Did Uncle leave?
He left. We blew the candles, but havent eaten the cake yet!
Yeah! the birthday boy yelled, dashing to the kitchen. Harry seized Emilys elbow, looking at her.
Whats the matter? Emily smiled. Lets go before Oliver smushes the whole cake. Otherwise well end up at the dentist.
Emily
She hugged her new husband, then kissed him.
He wont come back. He doesnt matter to Oliver; he has a real dad.
And you?
Me? All I need is you.
Harry smiled, then led Emily to the kitchen.
Maybe that wild romance never truly died. Maybe something lingered in Emilys heart. But reckless youth gave way to wisdom. Harrys love melted the naive girls heart. Emily knew she was happier than ever, and that frantic passion was best left in the past it never really had any good in it.
