the single parent

“Definitely for science.” She quipped playfully, a teasing grin on her face. “Nope. It’s for sure impossible. That kid is pretty talented, but as the resident professional, I think my say hold a bit more clout.” Emerson felt like a weight she’d never known she was carrying seemed to lift off of her. Keeping as close as she could to the smaller woman, she let out a contented sigh as she rested their foreheads together. “We’re going to have a baby, Aves. I’m going to be a mom.”

“Mm hmm.  Sure it does.”  She smirked.  When the kiss broke and that forehead rested against her own she listened to those words and a slow grin tugged at her lips.  “You are.”  She brushed her nose with Emerson’s.  “We’re going to have a family.  Together.”  The younger woman prayed that this wasn’t just wishful thinking on her part.  “...so... when can we start?”  She asked almost timidly, scared she might wake up from a dream.

“You know, you are many things- sweeter than a person ought to be, kind if a little snarky, gorgeous obviously- but I never took you for a liar.” Emerson quipped, raising an eyebrow. “Besides, I can state- unequivocally- that it’s impossible to take a bad photo of you. And I’ve tried. For science, obviously.” A wide grin broke over her face, her hands squeezing Avery’s hips lightly as she leaned in to steal a kiss, trying to convey all of the emotions she was feeling that she couldn’t find the words to speak.

Those pretty blue eyes rolled at the words but the smile was there on her face anyway.  “Right.  Science my ass.  Impossible is a very strong word-  I can almost guarantee you that the kid has at least five on her cell phone to use against me as blackmail material.”  Seeing the woman smile like that did things to her that she couldn’t explain. Avery found herself easily kissing back, melting into the touch.  She wanted the world with Emerson, at this point she was all in.  There was no turning back in her mind.

“Don’t worry, love, I’ll make it worth your while.” She teased playfully. “Besides, I have to steal you away for myself every now and again. You’re my muse.” A hesitant smile came to her face at Avery’s reassurances. She had heard them from Cecelia herself, but Emerson couldn’t help but worry nonetheless. Still, Cece wasn’t the type to lie to spare the feelings of others. “I’m sure that you did. I just- I worry. I know, I think it’s pretty strange too, but I do. But if you’re sure, then, I am too. I want this with you.”

“That fact was never in question.”  She quipped sassily.  “Mm hmm.  I’m not sure why, I’m definitely not the most photogenic person in this town.”  Avery knew how nervous Emerson when it came to things with Celia.  Cecelia had come around.  It had taken a lot but they’d gotten there.  She didn’t blame her for being nervous.  Avery nodded wrapping her arms about Emerson’s neck.  “I want this with you.”  She repeated the older woman’s words.  

“Maybe?” Emerson asked, fluttering her eyelashes at Avery coquettishly. “Babe, you barely need an hour to get everything set up, since I’m sure you stayed late tonight to start your prep.” Pulling the other woman a little closer, she couldn’t help the grin that came to her own face. “It’s a process, but entirely doable. And I- I think I am, Avery. I never really though I would, but with you-” She paused, her tongue flicking out to moisten her lower lip. “This can’t come back on Cecelia, though. Are you sure she’s okay with the idea of having a younger sibling? I don’t want her to think that we’re replacing her. I can’t do that to her, break her trust again.”

The blonde huffed.  Emerson was right.  It was rare these days that she was ever wrong and it drove her nuts.  “Fiiiine.”  She groaned but smiled all the same as the older woman pulled her in closer.  She smirked a little and kissed her cheek.  “I think it’s really cute you think I haven’t talked to the kid about this yet.  She said it better be a little brother but that she’d deal with a little sister if she had to.  Celia knows I could never and would never replace her.”

“I am looking forward to it. It’d be even more relaxing if I could convince my beautiful girlfriend to be my model for the day. Tragically, she’s too much of a workaholic to skive off of work.” Emerson teased with a grin. Sometimes she was surprised at how much she wanted to be around the blonde, at how she genuinely missed her when they were apart. “It took a few calls, but I think I may have found someone who can perform it for us. And she doesn’t live too far from here.” 

Avery rolled her eyes a little bit but gave a small laugh.  “Maybe... and this is a big maybe ... I’ll go in a little late.  I don’t actually need all those hours of prep time I just.... like having them because I’m a perfectionist.”  Emerson teasing her didn’t help matters ever, it mostly just meant that the older woman would get what she wanted.  Avery bit into her lower lip as she listened but grinned brightly at the news.. “You did?  When can we-  I mean... what’s it going to entail?  Are you- are you ready for that?”

She smiled, giving a slight shrug. “I’d say so. I’m glad I’m off tomorrow, though. I’d like to be able to have a day to just wander around and take pictures of what I want for an afternoon.” As Avery stopped in front of her, Emerson, let her hands rest on the other woman’s hips, her thumbs sneaking under the hem of her shirt to rub the soft skin lightly. “Well, you know how I’ve been asking around about that spell?” 

“Sounds relaxing.”  She commented as she pulled out a plate and utensils.  “At least that’ll keep you from going to stir crazy.”  When those hands came to her hips she could’t help but smile more, especially when she felt fingers on her skin.  Her brow raised at the mention of the spell and she gave a hum waiting for her to continue.  “Mm hmm?”  She’d been trying not to get her hopes up but the more time she spent with the brunette the more she wanted to nest and with Celia out of the house and completely out of town it was hard.

“About the same. There was a fire at the bakery on Elm. Nothing serious, thank fully, but some pretty significant structural damage. I got some shots of the building and everything was sent in before tonights deadline for the paper tomorrow.” It wasn’t the most exciting, but she’d definitely had worse assignments. “Any leftovers for the stray who keeps breaking into your house? At least she greets you when you get home. And she comes bearing just the best news.”

“Sounds like a productive day’s work.”  There was always some sort of crisis in Wallcord, she pretty much expected it now.  She grabbed the icecream, took one more bite and then put it back into the freezer before taking out the leftovers to put them into the toaster oven to warm up.  “Mm hmm.  It’ll be ready in five.”  Turning back around, she let the sway of her hips carry her over to the older woman, a smile on her face.  “Oh, yeah?  And what news might that be?”

Emerson smirked as she strode over to the other woman, leaning against the counter beside her. “If I’m judging you for anything, it’s for looking that hot while eating ice cream.” She quipped, before slipping the spoon out of Avery’s hand as she went in for another scoop. Before she could protest too much, Emerson leaned in to steal a languid kiss. “Mmm, that’s good. And the ice cream’s okay too.” Grinning widely, she licked her lips, before crossing her arms lazily, “So how was work? The good, the bad, or the ugly?”

She smirked once more at the words but gave a whine of protest as her spoon was stolen.  Lips parted to verbally assault the brunette but just as they did she was silenced by that kiss.  The younger woman moaned into it, letting herself get a little lost.  She hummed into the kiss and when it broke rolled her eyes a little but gave a laugh anyway.  “Good.  Work was good.  The main entree tonight was meatloaf.  Went over really well.  What about you, hmm?”

Emerson was almost surprised at how easily she had readjusted to sharing a bed with someone else, but she found herself more comfortable with the idea than she thought she’d be. Moreover, she’d never appreciated how working for the paper would be line up so perfectly with the life she’d wanted to build with Avery. Most nights she spent at the office editing photos and making sure they were in by midnight to be published for the morning edition, which meant she often got off of work about the same time that Avery did. Which is how she found herself leaning in the doorway to the kitchen, observing the woman in question licking her spoon in a way that should have been illegal. “I didn’t say anything, did I?”

She was surprised that the brunette hadn’t pulled away, even more surprised at how easily she’d put down roots, but mostly she was shocked at how Emerson had gotten herself back into her heart.  The blonde took another bite and sucked the spoon clean.  “You didn’t have to.”  She pointed the spoon at her. “It’s written all over your face.”  Another spoonful was taken straight from the container.  She din’t move from her lean against the breakfast bar counter.  “Totally judging.”  If their plans played out the way they wanted them to she would be having all sort of extremely odd cravings in the near future.