Chapter Text
Emma was convinced that there was absolutely nothing special about her. Kenny was the oldest son, Danny was the most sensible child and Jane was the youngest, but what about her? She was just plain, boring Emma.
She didn't use to feel like this, but finding out that her parents were getting a divorce had been a great shock to her. Sure, when she had been younger they had talked about getting a divorce, but then they fell in love again and they seemed so happy back in Las Vegas. She began to fear that no relationship could last forever and that nobody will love her. Maybe her parents were the only people who could love her, but only because she was their daughter. She had never told anyone about her insecurities, she was sure that her parents would just try to comfort her and tell her that she was amazing and special.
But the truth was that she had no friends ( except her younger sister, Jane, but nowadays they didn’t spend much time together, Jane always seemed to be too busy playing with her other friends) and she felt so lonely.
Maybe it would have been easier for her to make friends if she weren’t so insecure about herself, though with her family she always made sure to act like she was as cheerful and confident as she used to be.
She had never wanted her parents to get a divorce, she thought that they should have stayed married and lived together, even though they didn’t love each other like they used to. Why couldn’t they do just like many other couples and think about their children’s happiness?
It wasn’t fair that she had to wait 5 days before seeing her father, and it was hard to see him date other women ( though these relationships never seemed to last long). At least her mother didn’t date anyone since the divorce.
When she was feeling sad or lonely she liked going to the park and she watched the younger children play, they seemed so happy and she would remember fondly all the times she had spent with her parents and siblings in the park. She wished she could turn back the time, she had been so happy back when her parents were married.
On a Friday evening she went to the park, but as soon as she sat down on a bench she heard an older woman calling her name.
“ You are Emma Boland, aren’t you, dear?” the old lady definitely seemed like a nice person, but Emma still thought that she should be careful, her parents had taught her not to trust strangers.
“ Yes, I am. How do you know my name?”
“ Your mother likes to show me pictures of you and your siblings, I recognized you immediately. I am Rio’s grandmother” the lady was smiling widely and Emma didn’t get the feeling that she was lying. She must have been someone who was a friend of her mother, but in that case why didn’t her mother ever mention her?
She had to admit that she was flattered that the woman recognized her, especially since they had never met before, so she must have paid close attention to Emma’s features.
“ I’m sorry, who is Rio?” she felt bad because she had no idea who that person was.
“ Oh, I forgot, you must know him as Christopher. Would you mind if I sit next to you?”
“ Not at all” she liked the lady and for a moment she completely forgot about her insecurities. “ But I’m afraid I don’t know him at all. Is he a friend of my mother?” it seemed hard to believe, her mom spent most of her time with Aunt Annie and Aunt Ruby.
“ Why, I cannot believe it! You mean to tell me that she never told you that she has been dating my grandson for the last 2 years?” the old lady seemed quite upset, and Emma apologized immediately, even though she had nothing to do with the situation.
“ Oh, no, dear, it’s not your fault! I can imagine how difficult it must be for your mother. She has four children and she might think that you won’t like my grandson”
It was strange, but Emma didn’t feel upset because she found out that her mother was dating someone. It was time to accept that her parents would never get back together, and they deserved to be with someone that could make them happy. And she really liked Christopher’s grandmother, so maybe she would like him too.
“ Do you have any pictures of my mother with your grandson?” she was so happy that she knew something before her siblings did (who always accused her of not being able to keep a secret. Well, she would prove them wrong, she won’t tell them anything about this meeting).
“ Certainly” the older lady replied and showed Emma a few photos. Emma had to admit that her mother and Christopher made a lovely couple, even though she had never imagined that her mom would date someone who had tattoos.
After that the woman asked her a few questions about herself, and Emma gladly responded. She didn’t get the impression that Christopher’s grandma was just trying to be polite, she actually seemed interested in getting to know her.
Eventually she had to check her phone and she realized that she should go home soon, before her mom would start to get worried ( she hadn’t told anyone where she was going). But before she left she exchanged numbers with the old lady ( whose name was Rosa), and Rosa had promised her that they would meet again soon. And that she would make sure that Beth would introduce Christopher to her children.
2 days later Emma was the only one who wasn't shocked when her mom introduced her boyfriend, it was so satisfying to watch her sibling’s reactions. And later that day Rosa invited her to a family barbecue, so maybe things weren’t so bleak. And maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t so plain.