Part 25 (1/2)
”How'd we do?” Jason asked, his face bright with happiness, his aluminum angel wings flapping behind him.
Emily clasped her hands together. ”You were wonderful, both of you.” She was going to miss these two munchkins. This happened every time she got involved with children. She'd go and leave behind a piece of her heart.
”Grandma and Grandpa are in the front row, sitting next to Reba's sister and her family.”
”So I saw.” Emily placed her hands over their shoulders and steered them back to where they could remove the angel costumes. ”I have something to tell you both. Something important.” She sat them down and then did so herself. This was the most difficult part. ”I'm afraid I'll be leaving shortly.”
Jason's face crumpled. ”No way.”
”You can't,” Judd cried, his dark eyes imploring her.
She'd expected the protests, would have been offended if they hadn't put up some fuss. The human side of her had deep concern for her employers.
”Now, now, it has to be this way, and really, it won't be so bad. The agency is sending over another housekeeper, but she's only temporary.”
”Why can't you stay?”
”Because the agency needs me elsewhere,” she explained patiently.
”Tell them you won't go.”
”We need you with us.”
”I'm afraid I can't do that, but you needn't concern yourself because-”
”But we want you, not some other housekeeper.”
”They might send Mrs. Hampston back,” Judd muttered, folding his arms over his chest and pouting.
Emily laughed softly. ”As I said, you won't be needing one for long since your dad's going to be marrying shortly.” Oh dear, she'd done it again, spilled the proverbial beans. This time she feared she was going to hear about it from the powers above.
”Dad's going to marry Reba?” Jason's eyes grew as round as bowling b.a.l.l.s. ”Wow. When?”
”This will be our secret, all right?” Emily said, doing her best to cover her small faux pas.
Both of the children nodded.
”Soon you'll forget all about me,” she said, wanting to rea.s.sure them. She'd be upset if they did, but that was beside the point.
”Never,” Judd insisted.
”Is Reba going to have any babies?” Jason asked.
Oh, dear, she'd gotten herself into a fine kettle of fish. ”I believe that is highly possible.”
”Girls or boys?”
”One of each,” she said, and then pressed a finger to her lips. ”Remember, this is our little secret.”