Free Forever Love by Melissa Johns

causal side of you," Emily said.
    Alex smiled as she walked him to the front porch and sat down on the stairs next to him.
    "How was your day?" He asked.
    "I found an apartment."
    "That's wonderful. Tell me when you need the moving van and please don't argue with me." Alex smirked.
    Emily laughed. "Fine and I talked to George."
    "I heard, I told him when you were done with your interview to drop you off at my office."
    "I feel guilty though, I never stopped to see Henry. Alex, it's been weeks since I worked on my drawings. I don't even have room for it at my new apartment."
    "Don’t worry about it. We will figure it all out in time. Baby steps, ok?"
    Emily nodded. "I know, just nervous about tomorrow."
    Alex kissed her softly. "You will be wonderful."
    "If I get this job, would I be in your office?"
    Alex smiled. "Yes, I have the big office at the end of the hallway. Sue is in front of my office and everyone else who works on the business side of the museum is scattered around. You would be sitting with George which is right around the corner from me."
    Emily nodded. "Did you speak with Sue today?"
    "Yes, she shouldn't be a problem anymore."
    "I hope you weren't too harsh with her."
    "Emily, she was out of line. I needed to correct that." Alex traced the side of her face with his hand. "When my girlfriend needs me, I will be there."
    Emily smiled hearing that, she was about to tell him more about the apartment when her phone rang. She looked at Alex. "It's Eric, hang on a second." She walked away from Alex, "Hey Eric."
    "Hey, just wanted to say good bye. I'm leaving in the morning."
    "Good luck with everything, Eric. I really do wish you the best of luck in Denver. As soon as we can figure something out, I will fly Emma out there."
    "Thank you, Emily. Is Alex there?"
    Emily glanced over at him. "Yes why?"
    “I would like to speak with him, if that’s ok.”
    “Um, I guess so, hang on.” Emily lowered the phone and walked back towards Alex. “He would like to speak with you.”
    Alex looked at her. “Why?”
    Emily shrugged. “I don’t know.” She handed him her phone as she listened to them speak to each other. She tried to figure out what was being said. They said good bye and he handed her the phone back.
    “Well?” She asked sitting back down.
    “He wanted to tell me to look out for you and Emma. He said that if you trusted me than he would also. He says that he loves you but for now he will let you go.”
    Emily looked surprised. “For now?”
    Alex nodded. “That’s what he said. Emily, I don’t blame him. If I was him, I would be fighting for you also.”
    Emily shook her head. “I don’t know why.”
    Alex stood up and pulled her onto her feet. He looked down at her. “Emily Stone, you are an amazing woman. You are intelligent, wise and brave enough to raise a child at the age of eighteen. When are you going to realize how special you are?”
    Emily started to tear up. “If I’m so special and wonderful, why did he cheat on me?”
    Alex sighed. “I don’t have the answer to that. I can only assume that the pressures that he was under made him snap. We all make stupid mistakes.”
    Emily started to cry as all the memories came flooding back to her. She snuggled into his chest as he tightened his arms around her.
    “Please don’t cry. You are starting your new life. Everyone is proud of you. Let the past be the past.”
    Emily backed away and wiped her eyes. “Sorry, bad moment.”
    Alex smiled down at her. “We all have them,” he paused, “There were days when I thought of Amy and broke down. I didn’t want to go to work or get out of bed.”
    “How did you get through it?” Emily asked.
    “Family, friends and then I met this incredible new artist who just shook my world.”
    Emily blushed and softly said, “You are wonderful.”
    “So are you, Emily. I should let you get to bed. Good luck tomorrow.”
    “Thank you.” She replied as she kissed him. He returned her kiss as his hand