Emma took a deep breath and steeled herself to interrogate their mother, only to hesitate when she saw she wasn’t alone. Joanna stood in Ben Walker’s burly arms and nuzzled to his chest like a damn loved up teen. Emma was never so sure about talking in front of this man. He gave off a certain vibe of authority that made her uncomfortable. Especially now he seemed to think he was fulfilling the ‘patriarch role’. His words not hers.
Ben clearly returned Joanna’s feelings from the honest way he adored her with those deep brown eyes. Must have come straight from work. He still wore his tan uniform, utility belt with tear gas, baton and radio, but his gun holster was empty at least. Guns had always made Emma nervous. She was a nurse, and didn’t think weapons solved anything. Just her opinion, in the end.
The sides of Ben’s head were neatly shaved shorter than his thick mane which he combed back into a quiff. His beard was trimmed to give the appearance of not being groomed, but the edges were too neat to be an accident. He looks like he should be a lumber jack,not a cop. Emma sighed and put her hands on her hips. They were still stood there holding each other like it had been a year since the lovers had embraced. Not a week. Honestly? I’d say grow up, but then mum would sulk with me and redirect the conversation toward the fact I still don’t have a man, so how could I understand true love blah blah ek. Emma mentally hurled and darted her unimpressed gaze down at Beth, who was grinning at them like this display of sickly sweet reunion was cute.
Oh enough is enough.
“Ben? When did you get here?” Emma spoke up loudly with a fake smile on her face and waited for him to acknowledge her existence. He finally did with a big grin, and moved Joanna to hug to his side.
“Just now.” He winked down at Joanna, gave her a cheeky squeeze to her backside and finally put her mother down. Whatever he was going to say to her died on his tongue when he took a good look at her. “Emma dear? What have you done to yourself?” He took a step towards her, but stopped when Emma bristled and raised a sharp brow at him. The look clearly said ‘I’m not your dear’. “Jo?” He redirected and Joanna took over.
“Studying every hour under the sun for her final exams, and likely a lack of sleep and decent food.” Joanna held onto Ben’s arm and shook her head at Emma. “She’s okay Ben, just worn out.”
“But those exams are over now, right?” He looked to Joanna for confirmation, and when he had it he grinned and nodded firmly at Emma. “Well now you can get ample servings of both.” No, really? She mentally sneered, but kept her fake smile in pace as she went for the kill.
“Oh yeah, loads of R&R. Will that be before or after you’ve moved Ma to Oregon?” Emma raised a brow and waited.
“After we get there we... Ah.” Ben answered without thinking, only pausing when Joanna groaned at the pit he had walked them into. Emma raised both brows and shot her mother a look that made it clear she’d been caught with her hands in the cookie jar. “Damn. Well I stepped into that face first. Sorry.” Ben chuckled apologetically and Joanna sighed and smiled up at him. Instantly forgiving him and holding her hands up in surrender.
“Alright no time like the present. As you clearly figured out, the family announcement is that I am moving in with Ben...as Mrs Walker.”
Bam.
Joanna grinned like a Cheshire cat and held up her left hand. Emma could only blame the fact she hadn’t spotted the modest gem on her ring finger on her fatigue. It wasn’t so large that it looked like it was worth a down payment on a house, but it must have cost a pretty penny. Definitely not a ring you’d buy someone just to keep them keen. Damn that’s some investment. Wow. They’re getting married AND moving to Oregon. Emma wasn’t surprised by this news, but that they’d held quiet for so long. Why? Why not tell your daughters you’re getting married and moving in with your boyfriend of 2 years until it’s time to box up and move out? What’s with all the secrecy? One thing Emma knew for sure as she directed her unimpressed hazel eyes at Ben, was her lack of trust in him. There were no secrets or alarm bells in their lives before he came along. This was just the biggest red flag Emma had seen yet.
“Congratulations!!” Beth squealed and threw her arms around each of them in turn. “I know just the lenses and effects I’m going to use. Indoor or outdoor wedding? When? Where? What am I wearing?”
Bouncing around like a daft puppy Beth and Joanna giggled and shared their excitement. Ben beamed with joy, as did their mother, but he was very touched to have the youngest daughter’s approval. He then looked over to Emma... Who was less than impressed.
“Congratulations, really-” She began diplomatically, yet knowing her first born and that tone of voice, Joanna visibly braced herself. “-I’mglad you two are all up for settling down, but you could have given me more notice guys.” Emma sighed, one again having to be the pragmatist and rain on her family’s parade. She put her left hand on her hip and gesticulated with the right. “The fact you have packed up the place already means this is all imminent, right?”
“Well yes but-”
“But I don’t have any savings, and finding an apartment for me and Beth in time for next semester is going to be tough.” Emma palmed down her face and hated being the bad guy. Again. “Affording to pay for it is another matter and-”
“What do you mean? Find a place for you and Beth?” Ben looked very confused and looked to Joanna again. They shared a hushed whisper between them as this news sunk in for the youngest redhead.
“Oh I hadn’t thought about college.” Beth grimaced. “WillI need to get a job?” She sounded horrified at the mere thought of having to work. Every minute she could manage Beth was behind a camera lens or in a dark room. It was her worst nightmare to be contained in the same four walls and without a camera.
“You won’t need to find a job or place for next semester honey.” Joanna shook her head and hugged Beth to her side reassuringly. Emma groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose.
“...mum, you can’t afford to fund us both full time out here and move to Oregon.” Emma held her hand palm up to offer her mother the cold hard facts as it left her face. “I’m happy you’re engaged, I am, but can this wait until I can afford-”
“Now hang on.” Ben interrupted with a firm edge, despite his apparent calm. There was that gruff, unwelcome patriarchal overture of his again. “There will be no need for you to afford anything of the sort. Its all taken care of. I’m providing for us all, in every way.” Ben cut his hand down through the air like that was final. Emma wasn’t comfortable with him paying for her accommodation and intended to argue this point, when the penny finally dropped. Her hazel eyes opened wide and her lips parted in shock.
Oh
Sweet
Lord.
Emma’s right hand moved to point at Ben, though she looked from him to her sheepish mother as she spoke.
“... Providing for us... Here... Or in Oregon?”
Joanna’s sheepish pause was long enough, and the shared look between the couple, meant that even Beth realised their true intentions. Ben would be providing for them in every way alright. By moving the entire family with him to Oregon.
“You can’t be serious!?!” Beth detached herself from their mother and stood firmly beside Emma. Taking her side quite firmly. “My photography course? My life is here! In Seattle!”
“As is my hospital placement next semester.” Emma took a step forward, taking the lead and trying to reassure her sister that they wouldn’t be giving up on their dreams for anyone. Not even their mother. “Thank you for wanting to include us Ben, really, but I’ll figure out a way to support me and Beth until-”
“Hang on just a minute.” Ben cut her off and pointed at her firmly. His body language wasn’t threatening, per say, but it was moreauthoritative than Emma was comfortable with. She subconsciously put herselfbetween him and Beth, which was noticed. Ben took a deep breath and toned itdown a notch. This time he spoke firmly, but tried to convey his bestintentions with open arms. “I would have hoped neither of you thought I was thekind of man who would ruin your life chances. I’ve come to care for bothof you these last two years, despite the occasional resistance-” His dark browneyes darted at Emma. “-and I wouldn’t ask either of you to abandon youreducation.”
“Oh thank God.” Beth relaxed, but Emma still smelled arat. She folded her arms and narrowed her hazel stare at him.
“So how exactly do you see this going Ben? Us coming toOregon with you?” Emma persisted with the interrogation. Her parentsundoubtedly thought they had their best chances at heart, but that didn’t meanthey did.
Joanna, like Beth, wasn’t one for confrontation. She stood beside her fiancé but happily let him play the defensive role. Even so, she spoke up when it counted.
“Honey, Ben and I have thought of everything. We are moving into his place and you will both have your own rooms.”
“And I’m converting my basement so you can have a dark room and studio.” Ben aimed at Beth, instantly winning brownie points with her. Emma rolled her eyes at the grin her younger sister wore. She was far too easy to please. As Beth took a step forward Emma blocked her going over to the dark side with a wave of her hand. She held a finger up as if to tell her sister to hang on a minute. There was a lot more to this than simply providing her younger sister with her own dark room. Emma wasn’t so easily distracted. Ben cleared his throat and folded his arms. He was clearly not impressed with Emma’s reluctance to toe the line. “Our local college have already said they’d take Beth on as a transfer, so she can start her photography course as planned.” Ben narrowed his eyes on Emma, who clearly was not convinced yet. It was time to deliver his trump card with a smug grin. “And I’ve arranged for a good friend of mine to take you on as her apprentice. In association with the nearest teaching hospital. To become a qualified midwife within the year.”
Emma’s jaw dropped and her hands fell by her sides. Ben must have realised he had her, as his wariness melted away to be replaced witha smug grin. He dropped an arm across Joanna’s shoulders and winked at Emma, which raised her hackles instantly. No one winks at Emma. “Deloris is a very experienced midwife, and after talking her ear off for a year, she’s eager to get you to heel and teach you the ropes.”
“And you will be qualified as a midwife in one year, she says. Depending on how many babies you can deliver and assessments you pass.” Joanna bounced over and took Emma’s hands, giddy on her behalf. Emma wasn’t so easy to convince, which was clear from the cautious and dubious expression on her face. “You’ve done your basic nursing degree now, so Deloris can take over and give you hands on experience. Certify you…and…isn’t that great?” Joanna retreated back to Ben’s arms. “Ben did this all himself you know? Making sure you and Beth had the best possible chances. The best option is to come with us.”
Emma took her hands back and took a step back cautiously. Our best options huh? Just how long has this been in the works? All her mother’s rambling on about the very rare apprenticeship places for midwifery now made sense. She’d never score such a golden ticket with her average exam grades. Only the top scorers get hands on fast pass training.
But Ben apparently had an insider’s influence. Friends with a midwife who was qualified to take on an apprentice and willing to take on her. All eyes were on Emma to see her reaction. Her mother knew than Beth would be on board, but it would take something big like this opportunity to win Emma over. “Honey?” Emma made them wait a long minute as she weighed up everything they’d said. It sounded too good to be true, which usually meant it wasn’t.
“This is legit?” Emma inclined her head and asked her mother directly. “You’ve checked this out?” Ben bristled at the fact Emma wouldn’t trust him at his word.
“Deloris is certified with PSU. She’s even happy to arrange your course transfer on your behalf. She-you know what?” Ben shrugged off her distrust and focused on his own plan. “You can check over her documentation and quiz her yourself when we get to Glen Valley.” Ben grinned, gave Joanna a peck on the cheek and began the hefty job of loading their belongings into the van parked downstairs. Clearly he felt the conversation was over.
“What?” Emma sniggered the moment he left the apartment with the first stack of boxes. “Glen Valley? Ma, that sounds made up.”
“It’s a real place. I’ve been there.” Joanna put an arm across the shoulders of each daughter and walked them dreamily towards the room full of boxes. Emma wasn’t saying no anymore, and that to Joanna was as good as a ‘yes’ from her naturally pessimistic daughter.
“What’s it like?” Beth asked, trying to picture her new home and new adventure.
“Oh It’s beautiful honey.” Their mother chuckled with bright eyes. “Like stepping back in time to locally owned businesses. No high-street chains or massive supermarkets. It’s surrounded by lush forests and fields, in the shade of a mountain and not too far from a huge Lake everyone swims in during the summer.” Their mother saw the place through rose tinted glasses as she sighed happily. “Clear air, clear night skies, and honest friendly people.”
“Sounds idyllic and picturesque!” Beth held her camera around her neck with anticipation and a wide smile.
“Sounds old-fashioned and in the middle of nowhere.” Emma grunted, not as sold on this idea as the rest of her family…but not so proud asto turn down the amazing opportunity this ‘Deloris’ woman was offering her. Emma always struggled with theory exams, but was excellent at putting the theory into practise. A hands on learning style was exactly what the doctor, or midwife, ordered. One thing she knew for sure? She would be scrutinising Deloris’ qualifications and checking with Portland state University to make darn sure she could legitimately take Emma on as an apprentice. She wouldn’t be just taking Ben’s word for it.
“Paradise and adventure awaits!” Joanna swung her arms down and pointed comically to the boxes. “Now let’s get this show on the road! Grab a box and let’s haul on out.”
“What, right now?” Emma rounded on her mother as the oldest redhead did an about turn and left them with a mountain of boxes. “We’re leaving right now?!” She would have reached out and held her mother back from her retreat to explain herself, but the wily woman had already cleared the apartment to the front door.
“It’s a long drive to Oregon!” Joanna shouted as she stepped into a pair of boots and picked up her satchel. Still wearing her flour stained apron she beamed with joy and hurried after Ben and his pickup truck. “The sooner you load up, the sooner we move out!”
Bam.
The door shut and the Carter sisters stared at each other in shock.
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