Chapter 13 - Moving
The months that followed the trial and Martin's death flew by. Emma had been working five to seven days a week, saving money for an apartment for when Melora's family moved to Texas. They had begged her many times to go with them, but she refused. She was looking forward to being on her own. It was a little scary, but she felt ready.
She wasn't due for another two months, but she already felt as big as a house. Emma had been worried that people at school would ridicule her and treat her differently for having the baby, but she had actually received a lot of support.
Emma had found out she was having a little girl and was getting excited to see her. She loved feeling her kick in her belly. She would sing and read to her daughter every chance she had. Emma fell asleep every night, rubbing her large belly.
Emma and Melora were getting ready for their graduation that was taking place that evening. Melora was the valedictorian, and she was practicing her speech on Emma for the hundredth time.
"Mel, your speech is perfect; there's nothing you need to change. Now come over here and braid my hair so we can finish getting ready." Melora smiled at her best friend, who she had known since the first day of kindergarten. She was going to miss Emma when they moved away.
"Emma, what am I going to do without seeing you every day? I'm going to be lost not having you by my side." Melora hugged Emma with tears in her eyes.
"Melora, you'll be fine. You're going to a great college, and you'll make lots of friends. Before you know it, you'll forget all about me and my drama." Emma was crying too.
"I could never forget you, Emma; I don't care how busy I get. You better bring that little girl down to see us." Melora pulled away and brushed Emma's long blonde hair before putting it in a french braid.
After the girls were dressed and ready to go, they went downstairs, where Tilly, Anthony, Scott, and Ryan were waiting for them. Emma and Melora posed for pictures with everyone before they all piled into the car.
During graduation, Melora gave her speech, and Emma cried through the entire thing. She realized that after they left for Texas, she wouldn't know when she would ever see them again. They had been such a big part of her life for so long that it was hard to imagine them not being there.
After the caps were thrown and everyone said their goodbyes to their friends, Emma felt someone tap her on the shoulder. When she turned around, she was surprised to see Ezra dressed in a suit. She hadn't seen him since the day he had told her about Martin being killed. She threw her arms around him.
"Ezra, I didn't know you were coming to my graduation." Emma looked up into his face smiling.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I wasn't going to say anything, but when I saw you, I had to come and say hi. How are you doing, Emma?" Ezra looked down at her and thought to himself that she had never looked better. She was glowing.
"I'm doing good. I'm looking for an apartment, so I can be moved by the time my little girl arrives. She should be here in two months." Emma rubbed her belly.
"I'm glad you're doing well, Emma. Have you picked out a name for the baby yet?" Ezra had missed Emma. She'd been in and out of his life for the past thirteen years.
"I have a few ideas, but I haven't decided yet. I also changed my last name back to Cox. I didn't want her to have his last name. If I have my way, she'll never know who her father was or how I got pregnant. She will be loved by me, and I'll do everything I need to ensure she has what she needs. Have you heard anything about Leo? I'm just curious because I was hoping he wouldn't follow in his father's footsteps." Ezra didn't want to tell her about Leo's trouble; she didn't need that mess in her head.
"I've heard a few things. He's not in foster care anymore because he got into some trouble, so now he's in a juvenile detention facility. Don't worry about him; he's made his own mess. You take care of yourself and that little one. If you need anything once you move, please let me know, Emma. My wife and I have three children and four grandchildren; we can help babysit when you need it." Emma smiled up at the large man in front of her.
"Thank you, Ezra. I'm definitely going to take you up on that offer." Emma gave him a hug, and he left her so she could get back to Melora and her family.
Tilly and Anthony treated the girls to dinner at a fancy restaurant before they went home. When they got inside, Tilly played the messages on the answering machine. There was a message for Emma from a woman who had a one-bedroom apartment for rent.
Emma called the woman back, and they agreed on a time for her to see it the following day. When she hung up the phone, she clapped her hands in excitement. The apartment was small, but it was affordable. Emma had enough money saved up for the first and last month's rent and the deposit. She was also planning on getting some used furniture as soon as the keys were in her hand.
The following day Tilly and Melora went with Emma to see the apartment. An elderly woman named Connie met them with a smile and took them up three flights of stairs. When she opened the door, Emma smiled while Melora and Tilly gasped.
"Emma, you can't live here. It's dark, dreary, and very old. You need something more up-to-date." Melora whispered as they walked around the small apartment.
The thread-bare carpet was brown with some holes in it. The walls were painted a dingy white, and there were some stains in some areas. Emma ignored all that and went to the large window in the living room and pulled back the yellow curtains to let in the natural light.
She then went to the one small bedroom that would barely fit a bed and opened the curtains. Emma looked in the bathroom, which was white and pale blue. It needed cleaning, but it wasn't bad. She then turned to Connie.
"I'll take it. Is it okay if I have someone paint the walls?" Connie smiled at the young woman and nodded. She was happy to have such a charming young expecting mother move into the building. Emma would be a breath of fresh air.
"Yes, you can make whatever improvements you want. I'm sorry my husband, and I have gotten up in age and haven't been able to do much lately. Whatever you spend on updates, just give me the receipt and deduct it from the rent." Emma squealed in excitement and hugged the surprised Connie.
"Thank you, Connie. I promise I'll be the best tenant you ever had." Emma followed Connie downstairs to sign the lease and pay. When Connie handed her the keys, she hugged her again. Emma went back upstairs, where Tilly and Melora were waiting for her.
"Emma, I can't believe you accepted this place. I feel dirty just being in here." Melora looked around in disgust.
"Mel, it may need some cleaning and updating, but the rent is cheap. You heard Connie, I can update things and take it out of my rent. Look at the possibilities. If I get someone to paint, it will make it look fresher and cleaner in here. Then I can get some new carpet or big rugs to lay on the floor." Tilly walked over and put her arm around Emma's shoulders.
"Emma, I love how you always look at the positive. Now, as a housewarming present, I'm going to put Anthony, Scott, and Ryan to work. They can paint and put the new carpet down for you before we leave. Melora and I will help you clean. How about we start tomorrow because right now we need to get back home for your baby shower."
Emma hugged Tilly, who was like a second mother to her. She didn't know what would have happened to her if it hadn't been for Melora and her family's support through the years.
The three women left and made it back home just in time to get things set up for the baby shower. Emma had wanted a small one, but Tilly and Melora invited everyone they knew.
The guests had been very generous to the young mother, knowing she was on her own. Emma had everything she needed for her daughter and more. Some even gave her cash along with a gift. When the shower was over, Emma sat in the rocking chair someone had bought and smiled.
She had a crib, bassinet, changing table, tons of baby clothes, diapers, stuffed animals, and other items she didn't recognize. Emma had thank you cards she was going to fill out later to send to everyone.
"Emma?" She looked up and was surprised to see Claire, the school nurse. Emma stood up and hugged her.
"Hi, Claire." She had been a valuable resource for Emma throughout the pregnancy.
"Hi dear. I'm sorry I didn't make it in time for the shower, but I still wanted to stop by. I brought you this mobile for the crib; it has zoo animals. I thought it was cute." Emma looked at the mobile with a lion, tiger, bear, zebra, elephant, and giraffe hanging from it.
"Thank you, Claire; I love it."
"Emma, I also wanted to tell you I'll be willing to babysit for you anytime. I know it will be hard once you have her and return to work. So please keep me in mind." Claire had grown close to Emma. She had never met someone so young and strong.
"Thank you, Claire. You're right. I'm going to need all the help I can get." Emma hugged her before she left. Tilly and Melora then joined Emma in the living room.
"So, Emma, it looks like you got everything you need. Now have you decided on a name so we can stop referring to the baby as her or she?" Melora asked her with a smile.
"Yes, I have decided to name her Caterina."