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Chapter 40 - Football

I knew Emily was awake and had been for a while, but she hadn't stopped me from pressing soft kisses on the back of her shoulder yet. She eventually took my hand off her waist and pulled it around her body, making me scoot closer to her.

We were both dreading Christmas today, but we were both excited. Our excitement came from the fact we'd watch Archie rip his presents open and smile and laugh, but the dread came from the fifteen-year old down the hall. We wanted her to have a fun and warm Christmas, but we were both in doubt it'd happen.

"We should get up." Em whispered. "Get Archie and open his presents." I nuzzled my head into her neck. "I wish I felt more happiness today."

"I know," She squeezed my hand. "What can I do to help?"

"Le, if we're both not happy on Christmas, there's not much you can do." She chuckled. "We'll get through today and then we'll go back to work soon anyway."

"I hope Anne finds some family."

"That sounds like you hate her."

"You know that's not true. I just—Neither of us know how to get through to her. She's not comfortable here and she makes it known."

"I—" Emily's phone buzzed on her nightstand. My grip loosened as she reached over to grab it. "Anne." She showed me the screen before she answered. "Merry Christmas, Anne."

"Merry Christmas. I wanted to check in and give you and Leah some news."

"We're listening." Emily sat up. I rolled onto my back. "Things are okay. She's not the easiest person to get through to, but we're trying."

"Well, just stay patient. We're working on finding a permanent place for Elara." Anne sighed, making the two of us look at each other. "She doesn't have any living family. Not even a great aunt or anything. So, are you two okay with keeping her until we find that permanent place?"

Emily looked at me again. I threw my hand up, basically leaving the decision up to her. She smacked my hand away then pulled the pillow out from under my head and placed it on my face.

"We're fine with that. Keep us updated please."

"I will. You all have a great Christmas. We'll talk after the New Year."

I pulled the pillow off my face as my wife hung up the phone. "Attempted murder."

"You're so fucking unhelpful."

"I can't tell if that tone is sarcastic or angry."

"Both." She flipped the comforter off her and got out of bed. "We signed up for this, Leah." She started going through her dresser drawers. "We knew we'd get kids who were in terrible situations or situations they couldn't be in for the time-being. Elara's in a terrible situation. We're not going to toss her aside." I tuned out the rest of her rant as I got out of bed and walked up behind her, and wrapped my arms around her. "Don't do this."

"Do what?" I laid my head on her shoulder and met her eyes through the mirror in the corner of the room.

"This! This stupid thing you do that makes me mushy, so then I calm down when I don't want to be fucking calm!"

"I was going to tell you that you're right. We knew how bad it could be, and I won't take away from Elara's situation, but it could be worse but it could be better. I'm sorry. I—I didn't mean my gesture as an I don't care, when I do care. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because..." She tapped her foot on the ground and gripped my arms that were around her. "I'm an ass when I'm mad."