Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 26

Ethan's POV

I didn't wait until the auction was completely over. I left half way through because I was worried about my Emma. When I got home, she was already asleep. I kissed her forehead and laid besides her.

She stirred. "Mr. Hollen?"

"Baby, shh. Go back to sleep," I told her as I rubbed her back slowly.

She laid on the pillow and went back to sleep instantly. 

I stayed with her a little longer then went to my room, planning how I would spend my time with her in the morning.

She rested her head on my shoulder as we looked out at the horizon. She looked so calm. I was happy she was asking me questions and showing emotions without me having to force it out of her. I wanted her to be comfortable with me and not afraid of me.

"What are your goals in life, Emma?"

"I want to do something for homeless children who are left on the streets. There's orphanages and foster care homes but that's all there are. I want to add something more so the kids can enjoy life instead of being scared to face it."

I was really moved by her answer. I was expecting her to say something like she wanted to be rich or a model or something in that fashion, but here she was talking about the lives of innocent children and how she wanted to better them. She wasn't just amazing, she was extraordinary. I wasn't falling anymore. I was in love with her.

"Emma, I'm not putting you on the spot, but what was it like growing up in a foster home?"

She heaved a sigh and I saw the tears, which made her eyes twinkled.

"I grew up in twelve different foster homes, including group homes. It was a nightmare, honestly. I was belittled by the bigger kids and physically abused by the adults. I would be beaten badly if I didn't finish my chores on time, and I had a lot to do.

"My weekends were spent doing housework while the other kids played outside. I believed I was treated differently because of the color of my skin, so I hated myself and cursed my parents.

"I had it rough— terrible and unhappy. I don't like talking about it much; it makes me so sad." She began crying.

I pulled her into my arms. "Baby, it's okay. I'm here for you now. No one can hurt you again. I promise you that. I'm here for you."

She sobbed against my chest and I comforted her. I couldn't believe she'd had it so terrible when she was a kid. For Christ sake, she was only a kid and she needed to play as well. Why should someone be treated differently because of the color of their skin? There's only one race— the human race. I didn't like the labeling black and white bullshit. We're all human beings.

I looked at Emma and people like her and they were beautiful people. The complexion of my skin was much lighter than hers, but here I was loving her and caring about her. I didn't see color. I saw love. And I would love her with every beat of my heart and every nerve in my living body.

"Are you cold?" I asked her when I felt her shivering against my chest.

She nodded.

I helped her to her feet, gathered the rest of our things and we walked back to the house. 

"Aww, well if it isn't the happy couple. How was the beach?" Halley teased.

"It was lovely," Emma answered.

I smirked.

We went upstairs and I took Emma to her bedroom. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before I left. I needed a shower to get the sand out of my hair. I reached for my phone and saw a text and two miss calls from Sharon.