Free Broken Lives by Brenda Kennedy

the cons of my choices, but he doesn’t tell me what I
should do. He wants me to make my own decision, and he wants me to
know that he’ll stand behind me no matter what choice I make. By
the time I leave my dad, I am pretty sure what I need to do. I’m
certain my decision is the right one for everybody.
    On my way home, I text Emma and tell her I’ll
get the kids from school and that I’ll also pick up something for
dinner. I haven’t been to bed yet and I am grateful that I work the
morning shift tomorrow. Since I didn’t sleep today, I’ll have to go
to bed early tonight. I go to Emma’s and shower before getting the
kids from school.
    I get the kids from school and pick up
Chinese food from the Far East Restaurant. The kids want sweet and
sour chicken, and I get Emma and me General Tso’s chicken. When the
kids and I get home, the furniture truck is there and Emma is in
the spare bedroom. The guys are putting the bed together, and Emma
is putting the light bulbs in the lamps.
    “ The furniture looks good in
here,” I say, walking further into the bedroom.
    “ I think so, too. It’s so
big and masculine.” 
    “ It does fill the space up.”
I walk over to kiss her. She wraps her arms around me and tells me
she missed me.
    “ I went to the store and
bought some sheets and a comforter so you won’t have to sleep on
the couch tonight.” 
    “ That was thoughtful of you.
Will I be sleeping like a princess on purple and pink princess
sheets tonight?” I joke. 
    She looks up at me and smiles. “You’ll be
very pleased to know that no, you will not be sleeping like a
princess on princess sheets.” 
    “ All done here, Ma’am,” one
of the delivery guys announces. 
    “ Stay here, I’ll walk them
out,” I say, as I bend down to kiss the tip of her nose.
    “ Good, I’ll get your ninja
sheets on the bed for you.” 
    I look at her and she smiles. “Gotcha,” she
says, giggling. 
    I smile at her and say, “Yes, Emma, you
did.”
    I walk back into the bedroom and Emma is
putting a gray and white comforter on top of a set of black sheets.
“Wow, this is very distinguished looking.” I walk over to the other
side of the bed and help Emma put the oversized comforter on the
bed. 
    “ Good, I’m glad you like it.
I also bought black curtains for the windows. I thought it may help
you sleep on the days that you work nightshift.” 
    “ Emma, that is very
thoughtful of you.” 
    “ It’s not a big deal. I was
actually able to look around the store since you had the kids
today.” 
    I walk over to her side of the bed and kiss
her. “Thank you, you are amazing.” 
    “ I’m amazing because I
didn’t buy you princess sheets?” 
    I lower her to the bed and she giggles. I
kiss her and the kiss becomes serious. She moans and I roll over on
the bed so she is lying on top of me.
    “ Daddy, can we eat now?”
Raelynn asks from the hallway. 
    “ I almost forgot about the
kids.” Emma stands up and straightens her red dress. She reaches
her hand out for mine and I take it.
    “ I’ll be right there, Rae.
You and James get washed up for dinner.” I stand up and look at
Emma. 
    “ What?” 
    “ Baby, would you go out to
dinner with me tomorrow night?” 
    “ It’s Tuesday, we have
taekwondo,” she reminds me. 
    “ What if I find someone to
cover me, you skip a class, and we see if Brooke can take the kids
with her and the boys?” 
    “ Alec, I would love to have
dinner with you tomorrow night.” 
    Emma
    I left work a little early so I could get
ready for dinner with Alec. He didn’t say where we were going and I
have no idea. I curl my hair in big loose curls and decide on a
black form-fitted dress. I do a little extra makeup with smoky eye
shadow and red lipstick. I choose diamond-studded earrings, black
heels, and a black clutch to complete the outfit. Alec called and
said he’ll be a few minutes late and that he showered and dressed
at work. Brooke also called to say she got