Dear Emily (Forever Family) Read Online Free Page A

participant. It’s up to you to talk to each other. Ask any questions you want and answer any questions you feel comfortable answering. OK?”
    “Yes!” Four voices sound in unison.
    Kyle starts the conversation. “So, Seth? You like music?”
    I can hear Tabitha softly crying in the background, so this was an excellent first move on Kyle’s part.
    “Yes!” Seth answers. “I love all kinds of music, but hard rock is my favorite. What type of music do you play?”
    Kyle chuckles, “Well, I only taught myself how to play five years ago, so I’m still learning. I like to play U2, Foo Fighters, Pink Floyd. I have a wide reach when it comes to likes and dislikes.”
    Kyle and Seth continue a conversation about their favorite guitarists, drummers, and bands. They are talking as if they’ve known each other for years. Laughing like old friends. It’s calming me immensely, and I don’t hear Tabitha sobbing any longer.
    Once they’ve reached the end of their epic music conversation, it’s quiet for a few moments.
    I speak up. “Tabitha?” I hear a quiet voice on the other end of the line say “Yes?”
    “Are you OK?” I ask. “Because, you know, it’s OK if you’re not.” I continue. “I can’t imagine what you are going through, and the one thing you have to know is that we are so very, very, very thankful. You are giving us a gift. We are so grateful.” I finish. “We absolutely love the name Emily. Thank you for giving her a name.”
    I hear a quick sob and her voice. “I knew you were perfect as soon as I saw your profile, Carly. You are meant to be her parents.”
    Then silence. It seems like the silence is going on forever. Anna jumps back on the line.
    “OK. I’m so pleased, guys. This call went exactly as it was supposed to.” I can hear the pep in her voice as Kyle and I hold hands across the table and smile at each other.
    “The next step is logistics. Tabitha has a doctor appointment scheduled for next Wednesday. Since you are only about an hour away, she really wants you there to see your baby.”
    Tabitha quickly jumps in. “Yes, Carly, I’d like you there, but…” She trails off for a moment that makes my heart stop. “But it’s in a really bad part of Philadelphia, and I understand if you don’t want to come into the city.”
    “No, I mean Yes! I’ll come! I have cousins near Philly so I can get some pointers and directions. I’ll be there!” I say as I smile. My heart is racing.
    Anna concludes, “OK. So I will email you the name and address of the doctor and you’ll see each other next Wednesday at one o’clock in the afternoon.”
    And with that, our first conference call is finished.
    We hang up our phone and we both take deep breaths, still holding hands.
    Kyle speaks first.
    “OK,” he says.
    “OK.” I’m smiling now.
    We jump up, I throw my arms around his neck, and he kisses me so hard that I can feel it in my toes. He’s stroking my hair and pulling me close, devouring me.
    We break apart to take a breath, and his eyes are glistening when he says, “I can’t believe you are going to get to see our little girl next week.”
    I nod and pull him closer. I keep nodding into his broad chest and squeeze him until he can feel it in his toes.
    He makes love to me all night until we are completely lost in each other.
    I smile as I remember our first phone contact with Tabitha. I quietly get out of bed trying not to disturb Kyle and rush to take a shower to get ready.
    ~
    I’m dressed and ready to go to Tabitha’s ultrasound, and I’m a nervous wreck. I’m going alone. We agreed that it would be a girls-only thing.
    Kyle programs my GPS to get me into Philly by the most direct route. He’s anxious; I can tell. He’s a little twitchy and laughing nervously. He kisses me tenderly before I leave, winks, and says, “Go get ‘em killer.” He smacks me softly on my ass. I chuckle. “I’m not going up to bat, dear. I’m going to an ultrasound!” He chuckles as