I felt lighter since the divorce was finalized. I was practically raving when I called Niall to tell him about it, and he was just as relieved as I was. I think he for sure thought Luke would make us go to court, but he didn't. After reading the letter, I felt less angry at Luke, too. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. I was divorced, like I should've been, and I was happily baking and living my life, and I have this new amazing relationship with Niall, and a relationship that's just as good with Emmy.
Life is good. Finally.
I was spending the day at the bakery, even though it's technically closed today, and I was just about to start my next project when my phone vibrated next to me. Quinn was asking if she could hang out with me today, and even after I told her where I was, she seemed more than okay with it. She showed up a little bit later with Tatum and the kids, who were happy to sit behind the counter and play games. Tatum and Quinn started helping me organize orders from bakes that needed to be made sooner rather than later, then started helping me with the bakes.
"So, why the sudden need to be out of the house?" I asked Quinn.
"You guys know I love my parents, but my mom's been here for almost two weeks, and my dad's been here for a week, and I'm going a little crazy."
"Understandable. How about the kids? Yesterday they seemed to want to be home, and now they're happy to be here?"
"I think they like their days to be half and half. Half at work with me, and half at home. They've had enough of home today."
I laughed. "I'm glad they're here. I've missed them. I've spent so much time with Niall and Emmy lately, not to mention the snow storm that locked us in. I've missed you guys, too."
"Emmy was so adorable at the wedding," Tatum said with a massive smile. "She told anyone that listened that she was friends with you."
"Oh my gosh, that is adorable."
"You seem to really fit in," Quinn said.
"Fit in where?"
"With them."
I bit my lip. "Emmy slipped up and called me mom the other day."
They both gasped, and Tatum demanded to know, "What did you say to that?"
"Nothing! I was speechless."
"And Niall?" Quinn asked.
"He brushed it off like she never said anything, but then he was super concerned about me and asked how I felt about it. I told him it felt weird, but also kind of nice, and he didn't seem to mind at all. It was like he'd much rather have her call me mom than her actual mom."
Tatum's brow arched. "What's the deal with that anyway? Is she in their lives at all?"
I shook my head. "Emmy said that she's in Africa, but she didn't even talk to her mom herself. Her mom won't talk to her."
"That's got to be rough on her," Quinn said, voice dripping with concern.
"It is, but she's got her dad and her grandparents, and they would do anything for her, so I think that makes it easier."
"And now she's got you."
"Right, she's got me. Last night, she called me before she went to bed just so I could read this book she found at my house to her and she followed along with her own copy. It made me so happy, and we have plans to do it again tonight."
"How was the rest of your night?"
I could see the hesitation all over Tatum's face as she asked. "Luke signed the papers. I'm officially divorced."
They both looked shocked.
"Seriously?" Quinn asked.
"Yeah."
"I'm relieved, but also shocked. I for sure thought he was going to drag it out," Tatum said.
"I did, too, but... he didn't. He finally let me go. And he wrote this letter explaining everything he was going through, and now he's gone. He left town."
"So you can officially focus on everything Niall?"
Quinn seemed to vibrate with anticipation at Tatum's question and she was relieved the second I smiled. "Of course, I'm moving forward with Niall."
"That's great!"
My smile widened and they started talking about everything they wanted for me and Niall and our future. I laughed along and added a few comments every now and then when they came up with something good, or when they went too far. Overall, they seemed to be on the same page I was, and even Niall.
I was extremely happy by the time I went home, which wasn't until after I got dinner with them and the kids. I really wanted to spend some time with Gemma and Dex, and they seemed equally happy to spend time with me. We even spent some time at Tatum's to just chill and relax, but then I really had to go so I could make it back in time for my call with Emmy.
We FaceTimed and I watched her slowly fall asleep as I read. After a few chapters, I heard Niall whisper, "She's asleep."
I looked up and smiled when I saw her leaning against him. He told me he'd call me back in a minute after he made sure she was all tucked in, so I waited and excitedly answered my phone when I saw his name pop up.
We ended up talking for almost two hours. He was the one that insisted we hang up, since I was practically falling asleep mid-sentence. I argued, but only half-heartedly, because I really was tired and tomorrow I'll have to wake up early for work. My sleep schedules been so messed up, so it's already going to be hard enough. I definitely can't stay awake any longer. With the promise of talking more tomorrow, we hung up and I could finally go to bed.
