Tommy
A few days later, I found myself standing outside Emma's front door just after two o'clock. Mandy opened it with a bright smile that made my chest loosen a little. She gestured toward the living room. "Come in," she said. The afternoon sun spilled in through the windows, lighting up the hallway and giving the small house a warm, welcoming feel.
"Hi, Tommy. Teddy's taking Zoey to the park," Emma said, looking up from her sketchbook. Her voice was light, but careful, like she was testing the waters. I nodded, slipping off my jacket. "Alright… can I stay?"
Emma glanced up, her lips tugging into a small, tentative smile. "Yes."
I stared at her for a moment. I'd missed that smile; the way her cautious eyes flicked toward me. Something tightened in my chest. "Thanks," I said softly.
The twins appeared in the hallway, bright-eyed and impossibly aware of my presence. They gave me quick, fluttering smiles before racing upstairs. Mandy followed shortly after, saying she was going to sort out the girls' outgrown clothes.
I exhaled carefully and moved to the sofa, settling down at a respectful distance, not too close, not too far, so I could feel the warmth radiating from her without crowding her. We sat like that for a while, the silence between us comfortable, not awkward. I listened to the faint ticking of the clock, the distant hum of cars on the street, and the occasional laughter of children playing outside.
"Did you… have a good shift?" Emma asked after a few minutes, keeping her voice casual.
I managed a faint smile. "Yeah. Busy, but good. You know… breakfasts, lunches, the usual." I glanced at her, wondering if it was too soon to ask what I really wanted to.
She moved her pencil across her sketchbook, making light, imperfect strokes. I couldn't help myself. "What are you sketching?"
"The woods," she said wistfully, not looking up.
I hesitated, feeling the familiar pull in my chest. "Do you… want to talk about… what happened that night?" The words barely escaped. Her eyes didn't meet mine.
She shook her head slowly. "I… don't think I'm ready. Not yet."
I nodded, understanding. I reached over slowly, letting my hand hover near hers, giving her the choice without pressure. She didn't pull away. Instead, she placed her hand gently in mine. That small connection, just a touch, made my chest ache and melt all at once.
We stayed like that for a while. Silence stretched between us, but it was a comforting kind of silence. Neither of us had to speak. Just being there, side by side, was enough.
After a few minutes, Emma rose and walked into the kitchen. "I'm going to start cooking tea."
I shot up immediately. "Do you need a hand?"
Emma hesitated, then nodded. "I guess… yes. Could you help me with the vegetables?"
I grinned, reaching for the cutting board. "I'm great at chopping vegetables."
Cooking together felt soothing, ordinary in a way that was extraordinary after everything that had happened. I watched her laugh softly at my exaggerated precision, and I couldn't stop marveling at how natural it felt to be here, doing something so simple but intimate.
The kitchen was quiet except for the rhythmic sound of the knife and the soft hum of the radio. I stole glances at her as she worked, the sunlight catching in her hair, and felt a peaceful sort of contentment that I hadn't known in years.
While peeling some carrots, I decided to bring up something I'd been thinking about. "I'm enrolling at sixth form next week, to do my A-levels."
Emma glanced at me, her spoon paused mid-stir. "Oh… right."
"Are you… going?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"I haven't 't really thought about it," she admitted softly.
I tried not to sound too hopeful. "Do you want to… maybe come along with me tomorrow? You could speak to the enrolment advisor, see if there's anything you'd like to do, any courses you want to try?"
She chewed her lip, considering it. "I'll think about it," she said, not committing.
I smiled faintly. "We could… spend more time together if we went to sixth form together. Not just… schoolwork. You know, the little breaks, lunch…" I left the rest unsaid, but I hoped she understood.
Emma gave me a small, shy smile and that was enough for now. We returned our attention to chopping and stirring, finishing the vegetables together.
By the time Teddy came back with Zoey and Mandy reappeared from upstairs, the kitchen was filled with warmth, chatter, and laughter. We sat down for tea and I felt more at home here than I ever had anywhere else. Emma smiled between bites, relaxed in a way that made my chest tighten with relief.
As we ate, our hands occasionally brushed under the table. Eyes met, small smiles exchanged and the quiet intimacy of shared space whispered promises that words could never fully capture.
The world outside could wait. Here, now, in this warm, cosy home, everything felt right.
Emma
The house was full of warmth and chatter as Teddy set Zoey down in the living room and the twins sat down to play with her. Mum and Dad settled on the sofa with the TV on.
For the first time in weeks, I felt a quiet contentment settle over me— the kind that made my chest lighter, my smile easier. Tommy had a way of making the world seem simpler, more manageable, just by being there.
I watched him as he laughed softly at something Zoey had done, his eyes lighting up and I felt a flutter in my stomach. It was ridiculous how much seeing him happy made me happy too. He looked at me and gave me that small smile that made my heart skip.
Later, he stood by me at the skin as I washed up the plates and he dried them. He was moving around the space naturally and humming under his breath.
"You've got to help me in here more often," I said, teasing, though my voice was soft.
He looked at me with a grin that made me want to melt right there. "Only if you promise not to boss me around," he replied.
I laughed, the sound light and airy and he reached over to squeeze my hand gently. My chest tightened with the simplicity of the gesture. I wanted to hold onto this moment forever.
When the dishes were done, he turned toward the door, grabbing his coat. My stomach knotted; I didn't want him to go yet, but I also didn't want to be clingy.
"Emma…" His voice was quiet, hesitant, but full of warmth.
I stepped forward, standing close and before I could overthink it, I pressed my lips to his. It was soft, brief, but enough to make everything feel real, solid, like a promise. He smiled against me, just a little, then pulled back slightly, brushing his thumb over my cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked, and I nodded, my heart racing.
"Tomorrow," I said, smiling, my eyes bright.
He left with a wave, but I didn't feel lonely. I felt… alive. I went to the living room and sat down with Mum and Dad; my smile must have given me away.
"I've decided," I said, trying to keep my excitement under control, "I'm going to see what courses are available at the sixth form tomorrow with Tommy."
Mum's eyes lit up immediately. "That's wonderful! I think it's a great idea."
Dad looked up from the TV and gave me a small nod, a proud smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Tommy's a wonderful boy," he said quietly, almost reverently. "It's great he's encouraging you to explore something new, you should go."
I felt a warmth spread through me at their support. "I just… I think it'll be good. I want to see what's out there, what I could try. And… it'll be nice to spend the day with him."
Mum reached out and squeezed my hand. "He's very good for you, Emma. You deserve someone who makes you feel safe and happy."
I nodded, my throat tight with a combination of relief and happiness. "I know. I… I really like him," I admitted, softly, almost to myself.
Dad ruffled my hair, the gesture so familiar it made me feel anchored in a way I hadn't in months. "I'm sure he feels the same."
Mum gave me one last smile, warm and encouraging. "You two are good together. I think you'll have a lovely day tomorrow."
I felt my lips curve into a grin. "I hope so," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. But really, I knew it would be. With Tommy by my side, I felt ready for anything.
As I went upstairs to get ready for bed, I kept thinking about the day to come. Tomorrow wouldn't just be about courses or schedules — it would be about being with him, about moving forward together. And for the first time in a long while, I could actually look forward to the future.