Jim finally meets a woman who gives him hope that happiness can be found again after losing his wife.
Jim discovers that blending a family isn’t as simple as he thought it would be as he balances having Emily in his life with his daughter.
Three years after my wife’s death, I met Emily. I had been shattered by losing Karen.
Karen was the mother of our precious daughter Amy, and she was the person I thought I would grow old with.
“It’s okay to feel your feelings, Jim,” my mother would often say to me.
However, it is acceptable to dream of a fresh start. Karen will never be replaced.
Neither for Amy nor for you. But it’s ok to want happiness.
Meeting Emily was like starting from scratch.
I decided to introduce her to my nine-year-old daughter after a few months of dating.
Jim, are you positive? ” With her eyes wide with worry, Emily asked.
Yes, I reassuringly advised her. If you get along with my daughter, this relationship can continue.
They immediately clicked, to my relief.
Amy, who was always so insightful, was thrilled to meet another woman.
Emily accepted my proposal two years later. Even Karen’s parents were pleased with the way she had integrated herself into our family.
Lines began to blur as wedding preparations got under way. Emily suggested that Amy’s nephew take on the role of flower girl, despite Amy’s excitement about the opportunity.
“What shifted?
I asked in disbelief, “I thought Amy was going to be the flower girl.
” Oh, she can still be involved, Emily replied. I just think that having Joey as the flower boy might be cute.
Emily, no. Amy will be the flower girl because she is my daughter.
They can accomplish it together, but Amy will get her turn.
Although Emily didn’t go on with her argument, I saw a hint of annoyance on her face.
Thinking it was just stress before the wedding, I ignored it. I found myself tucking Amy into bed in her room the night before the wedding.
Are you looking forward to tomorrow? ” She inquired, Sweetheart, I am,” I replied.
But, you know, it’s also a little bit scary.
Significant shifts Do you think she’ll be pleased?
” She inquired, Amy, I think she would be. Everything seemed to be in order on the wedding day.
But I overheard Emily’s bridesmaids talking about locking Amy up in a room so she couldn’t be at the wedding. They said that Amy reminded Emily of my late wife, and Emily couldn’t stand it.
I was filled with rage.
They plan to exclude my daughter, how dare they?
I calmed down and found Amy. Dad!
” When I entered the dressing room, Amy said, ” Stay with me, I told her as I pulled her close. You and I can go down the aisle together.
Emily saw Amy as the ceremony began, and her expression changed from one of joy to one of shock.
What is her purpose here?
She yelled, ” Is Amy a surprise to you? ” I inquired.
Could you please explain how you deemed it acceptable to harm my daughter? to deny her this significant day in our lives?
” Emotionally trembling, I demanded.
I interrupted Emily’s attempt to explain.
The wedding is canceled. I won’t get married to a person who would go to such lengths to harm my child.
I took Amy out to breakfast the next day. Are you certain that not marrying Emily was the right decision?
Amy inquired, Yes, sweetheart,” I said in a clear voice.
Do you believe it would have been appropriate for you to wed Emily if she had kept you locked in a room during the ceremony?
Amy gave a head shake. She replied, “No.
” But she did, in fact, cheer you up, didn’t she? For a brief moment, I said honestly.
But when I considered the lengths she would go to in order to satisfy herself, I wondered: No, dear, she did not make me happy then.
” She smiled at me and said, “I’m glad, Dad.
” I also knew then that I had acted in her best interest.
