Chapter 32

The doctor walked past the door, stopping in her tracks, as she heard Emily chattering away nineteen to the dozen.  She turned around, and came into the room; the little girl’s smiles and infectious laughter warmed her heart.

“You’ve done it again, haven’t you?” she said, not even trying to conceal the tears in her eyes.

“Done what?” said Jon, gently stroking Emily’s hair, as she lay with her head in his lap.

“You managed to get through to her when none of us could!  Tell me, how do you do it?  It’s nothing short of miraculous!”

“I don’t know!  I couldn’t explain it to you if my life depended on it!  It doesn’t really matter though, does it?  She’s back with us again!”

“You’re right.  Let’s not question it – just be thankful!”

With that, she turned and walked out of the room.  Jon turned his attention back to Emily, gently trying to remove her from his lap so he could stand up.  She reached up and grabbed his hand, refusing to let go.

“Emily, I have to go now!  Donna will be wondering where I am!  I’ll come and see you again another day – I promise!  I’ll bring Donna and the girls to see you – would you like that?”

Her reaction took him completely by surprise.  She clung to him fiercely, her arms around his neck, almost cutting off his air supply.

“Don’t go, Jon!” she pleaded, beginning to cry uncontrollably.  “Please, don’t go!  If you go now, you won’t come back!  I know you won’t!”

“Emily!”  He was shocked at her sudden outburst.  “You should know by now that I never break my promises!  If I say I’ll come back, then I will – I would never let you down!  Please, let me go now – I promise I’ll come back and see you – I know Donna and the girls would really love to come and visit you!  You haven’t met my little girls, have you?  You’ll love them, I know you will – they’ll love you, too!  I know it’s hard for you, but try and trust me!  I’ll come back, I promise!”

“Cross your heart and hope to die?” said Emily, beginning to relinquish her grip. “You have to come back and see me!  You’re the only person in the world who loves me!”

“Don’t say that, Emily!  It breaks my heart when you talk like that!”

“It’s true!” she said, tears pouring down her face.  “If you don’t come back, then I won’t have anybody!  Do you really have to go?”

“Yes, I do!” he said, trying to keep a grip on his self-control.  “but I promise, I’ll come back and see you!  Maybe you could come back to my house for tea – we could have a little party!  Come on – dry your eyes and give me a hug!”

She rested her head on his shoulder, and held on as if her life depended on it.  He tried his utmost to smile as he walked away – the truth was, he was finding it as hard to leave her, as she was to let him go.  Still, it was better than not seeing her at all – he had to be content with that.

With the doctor’s permission, he arranged to bring Emily back to his house – unbeknown to her, he had arranged a birthday party for her.  Apart from Donna and the girls, Eileen was going to be there, and Mike was going to put in an appearance as well!  Donna was putting the finishing touches to Emily’s birthday cake when he came up behind her, and put his arms around her, gently kissing the top of her head.

“You’ve gone to a lot of trouble!” he said.  “Emily will love this!  She deserves some happiness after what she’s been through!”

“She does!” agreed Donna, looking up at him.  “I’m beginning to grow really fond of her, you know!  I can see why you love her as much as you do!”

“I’d better go and get her!  I don’t want her thinking I’m not coming!”

“Close your eyes!” he said, as he opened the living room door, and steered her through it.  “I’ve got a surprise for you!”

“What is it?”

“You find out in a minute – okay, you can open them now!”

She opened her eyes, and her eyes grew wide with wonder, as she saw the whole room decorated with balloons, a table laden with all kinds of delicious food, and, in the centre, a cake, decorated with pink icing, with ‘Happy Birthday Emily’ iced on the top. She looked totally bewildered as they all sang ‘happy birthday’ to her, and handed her presents – everyone had a lump in their throat when she declared this was the only proper birthday party she had ever had.  She could not believe that all these people were here just to see her, and wish her a happy birthday.  The highlight of the evening, for her, was when he sang ‘Fields of Gold’.  She sat there on the sofa, her head on Donna’s shoulder, just staring at him with glazed, ecstatic eyes.  Feeling a sudden rush of love for her, Donna put her arms around her, and held her close. Eileen stood there with tears in her eyes – she, like so many others, never tired of hearing him sing.  As the others gradually left, one by one, and Rosie and Clare eventually gave in and went to sleep, they were left alone with Emily, who, by now, was sound asleep, with her head on his chest, a look of complete and utter contentment on her face – it had been a very rewarding day, he thought.  Suddenly, he felt unbelievably tired, and leaned his head against the back of the sofa, closing his eyes.  He fought against sleep, knowing that he would have to drive Emily back soon – he smiled to himself as he noticed that Donna was asleep, too.  He decided to leave Emily for a little longer, he did not want to wake her too soon, as the whole thing had obviously been very overwhelming for her.  He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his backside was beginning to go numb, but he hadn’t the heart to move Emily.  Donna was obviously not sleeping too soundly, as she woke up, and looked at him.   Suddenly, his eyes began to close, and that familiar pained expression crossed his face.  As he gave a sudden, sharp intake of breath, she gave him a sideways glance.

“It’s all right, love!” she said, putting her hand on his shoulder.  “If you need to sneeze, Emily won’t mind – she needs to wake up soon, anyway!”

“Thanks for your concern – I think!” he said, just before he was completely overcome.

Emily woke up, and looked up at him, offering him her handkerchief.  She began to laugh uncontrollably.

“You look funny!” she said, in between giggles.  It was lovely to hear her laugh again – even if it was at his expense!

“Oh, do I!” he said, when he was finally able to speak again.  “Come on, young lady, it’s time to take you back!”

“I wish I didn’t have to go back!” she said, her smile fading.

“So do I!” he said, softly, lifting her up and taking her out to the car.  Donna followed behind with her wheelchair.  She reached down and gave her a hug and a kiss.

“Thank you for my birthday party, Donna!” she said.  “I had a lovely day!”

“It was my pleasure, Emily!” she replied, her voice practically a whisper.  “I’m glad you enjoyed it!”

As they lay there in bed that night, neither of them could sleep.   As Donna lay there, with her head on his shoulder, gently making circles on his chest with her fingertips, she said:

“I wish she didn’t have to stay in that home!  I wish there was a way we could get her out!”

“So do I!   Oh God, Donna, I can’t think straight while you’re doing that!”

“Would you like me to stop then?” she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“No!  Don’t torment me like that!  It’s not fair!  You know what it does to me….”

“Yes!” she replied  “that’s why I’m doing it!  I think we’d better talk in the morning, don’t you?”

“Whatever you say, Donna!  I’m in your hands!”

“I know!  That’s just where I want you!”

A few weeks later, as they sat there at the breakfast table, he suddenly became very thoughtful.

“Penny for them!” said Donna, with a smile.

“You know what you were saying about getting Emily out that home?” he said.  “I’ve had an idea, and I want to know what you think.  I’ll understand if you say no…..”

The next day, they were planning on visiting Emily together, but Rosie had developed a nasty cold, so Donna stayed at home with her, while he went to see her alone.  As usual, they laughed and chatted, and shared jokes with each other, with the other children joining in.  It was a visiting day, and the other children went off with their respective families, leaving Emily and Jon alone together.  He suddenly went very quiet, looking at the floor.

“What’s the matter?” said Emily, taking hold of his hand.

“Nothing!” he said, giving her a reassuring smile  “Nothing at all!”

“There is!” she persisted.  “You’ve gone really quiet!  What’s wrong?”

“Well!” he said, taking a deep breath.  “I don’t quite know how to tell you this, but I don’t really want to be your friend any more!”

Her little face dropped, and her lips began to quiver.  He gently cupped her face in his hands, and put his finger on her lips to stop them from shaking.

“You didn’t let me finish!” he said, smiling.  “I don’t want to be your friend any more, Emily – I’d like to be your daddy!”