Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 91

EMERSON.

"Hey, " I whisper as she drops her head on my chest. "Hey. "

Adjusting against my body, she says, "How do you feel?"

"Happy?" I say more of a question than an answer, then I settle with. "Happy. You're in my arms. "

A smile crosses her face. "Emerson Ford. " She lifts her hands to my face. "You know how to make a girl feel good just at the brink of slumber. "

I show a proud smile. "You. Just you. "

She hums and drops her chin to brush her lips against my chest. Then she tips it again to meet my eyes, "But I meant the other way. "

"I know, baby. " I say, circling my hands around her waist. "And I'm happy. Maybe it's because you're here. Maybe it's because I've finally come to accept that, and the fact that she'll always be with me, or maybe it's because everything else seems perfect. "

"You have no idea how pleased I am to hear that. " She murmurs, pauses for the pass of a heartbeat, then adds, "Do you want me to come with you?"

I groan loudly. "I'll very much like that, Eva... But I can't have you with me. You'll have to let me go for today. "

"You promise to take me there one day?" She pouts and I chuckle, leaning forward to kiss her frown away. When I move my head back against the pillow, I snake a hand around the back and say, "Right after yours. "

"You first. " She insists, and just as I'm about to open my mouth to protest, the sound of a beep interrupts me and I angle my head to the side to grab my phone.

Opening the screen, it's a new text from Elias.

EL: Are you on your way? Everyone else is almost ready.

"It's Elias. " I tell Eva when she starts to move off me and I bring the phone forward to type out a reply.

ME: Almost. I'll be there soon.

"Where are you going?" I ask when I drop the phone to see Eva stripping out of my shirt. She turns her head to me, "You said it's Elias; you should get ready. "

I hum and she starts to walk to my side in just her panties with her bare chest. She throws a hand over my shoulder and brings my head to her thigh with her fingers combing through my curls. "Today isn't a sad day, is it?"

I lift my gaze to meet hers and shake my head.

"Good. " She whispers and I drop my head to grab her other hand. Entwining it with mine, I say, "What will you do when I'm not here?"

"I have to meet up with Aliya. But I'll be back before you. " She assures and when I raise a brow at her, she says, "I promise. "

With a nod, she drags me out of bed and pulls me to the bathroom, while she strides back inside the room.

~

"He's here. " Hanna is the first to sight me as I stride inside the house and they're all on the couch.

Elias looks away from his phone and walks to me. "Hey. "

"Where is—"

He doesn't let me finish before he answers. "In his room. He's waiting for you. "

I nod, and Hanna throws me a smile along with my stepmom as I walk out of the living room to where he awaits me.

When I walk into his room, Dad is standing by the window and I stroll closer to his side. He looks at me at the sound of my footsteps and smile, "Hey, you're here. "

"I am. " I nod, and he slaps a hand on my shoulder before he steps to the side with me following behind him. I stand still while he walks to his drawer and I watch as he takes out a small box before he closes it and turns to me.

He turns around, making a stop in front of me and I gaze at the box in his hand.

When I look up at him, he says, "This was the gift Jane wanted for you. She had me hold it with me so we'll give it together. "

I swallow at the mention of my mom's last gift to me. "What's in it?"

"I never opened it. I couldn't find it in me to. " He says as he pushes the box in front of me, "But you should. "

I nod and take the black box from him. Meeting his eyes, he nods for me to go ahead and I do. A white small card is the first I see when I open it, and I take it; revealing the necklace that rests beneath.

With a shaky breath, I grab the necklace that holds my initial and tears pool in my eyes, remembering my last request to her and her promise to fulfil it.

I hold the box in one hand to open the small card, and I instantly recognize her writing.

'Hey, baby. I got you the necklace like you wanted, and I hope you love it. I know you wanted just an ordinary one, but because my handsome son isn't just ordinary to me— I thought I'd go out of my way and make this for you. You love it, don't you? I know you're angry at mom for not spending enough time with you, but I do want you to know that you're always in my mind and in my heart, and I might not be physically beside you, but you'll always feel my presence, baby and I promise to work and strive harder so I can have my resting moments with my beautiful boy and the rest of the family. Love Always, Mom. '

I don't realize my tears are dropping until Dad squeezes my shoulder and I lift my head to him. He smiles at me, "You shouldn't be in tears. "

"I— this is— This is so beautiful. And she never got to see my reaction to receiving this gift from her. "

"I'm sure she's looking at you right now, Emerson and she must be so happy that you love it. " His voice breaks and I can feel the sadness in his words.

"But to make her even happier; you have to come with me to make an appearance before her. "

"Yes, " I agree with a nod as I fold the paper and close the box. "I have to. "

"Good. Do you need us to give you a few minutes or—"

"No, I'm fine. I'm perfect. We can leave right now. " I assure him, and he squeezes my shoulder before he walks out of the room. With another glance at the box in hand, I slip it inside my pocket and take the same path he did.

Everyone is waiting for us when we arrive in the living room, and Elias moves to my side, holding a hand over my shoulder. "Are you okay?" He asks softly.

I turn my head to him, and nod, "I am. "

"Are you sure?" He asks again and I throw him a small smile as I slide a hand around his shoulder. "Perfect. "

We all walk out of the house with Dad and Eliza taking one car, while Elias, Hanna and I take another.

"Why are you smiling?" I lift my brows at Hanna when I meet her eyes in the mirror and she shakes her head, "It's nice to see you back to normal. "

"When have I ever not be?"

"When Eva was—" she's quick to shut her mouth when I glare at her, and Elias laughs next to me as he starts the car.