Emma's Point of View

It was warm. Too warm.

It wasn't like me not to want both sheet and comforter atop me while sleeping- even in the dog days of summer- but here I was, burning up. I could hear my heart thudding in my ears, too. I hoped that this didn't mean I was trying to get sick. I had been doing better dealing with my OCD since seeing Dr. Phelps, but being sick was a totally acceptable reason for a thorough disinfection, wasn't it? Maybe if I get up and get a glass of water it will…

It was then that I felt his arm tighten slightly around me, and the magnitude of what had happened was upon me. Will. I remembered him gently stroking my hair as he lay beside me, ever so gently wiping my tears with a tissue as he comforted me. Sleep must have claimed us both, and in my unconscious need to be close to him, I must have snuggled into his chest.

I dared open my eyes, thankful to find his were still closed. His even breathing beneath my head told me that he was still asleep. In the early morning light that filtered in through the window I had an opportunity to really look at him. His wavy hair stood a bit unkempt atop his head. He was still dressed in his blue button down shirt and khaki pants, although his tie had been discarded. I noticed that I was still dressed in my black dress, but my shoes had been removed. I am sure he had carefully taken them off of my feet after I had fallen asleep. It was just like him to do something sweet like that.

I felt him stir once again, this time his hand patting my back gently. "Morning," he whispered into my hair, his voice still a little groggy. "How are you?"

I turned my head up to look at him, his eyes still heavy from sleep. As he looked into my eyes, I could see the genuine look of concern, and once again, I felt the swell of tears building behind them. Instantly he had pulled me into his arms; his lips graced my forehead. "Just let it all out. I'm here."

I'm not sure how long we lay there, or just how long I cried, but eventually I could feel that there were no more tears. "Will…I just…I want to say thank you…for everything."

He gently sat both of us up, and lifted my chin to meet his gaze. "Emma, no thanks are necessary. You're my…" I could see he was searching for the right words. "…you're my best friend, and I wouldn't be anywhere else but here with you right now."

Softly he kissed my forehead as his hands pulled my hair away from my face. "And I will be here for you for as long as you need me to." His hands now rested on either side of my face. "I mean that."

His lips ghosted lightly over mine, and although we had shared far more passionate and heated kisses, this one packed more power and compassion than all the others combined. Once again I squeaked out a thank you, and he chuckled to himself.

I sat up and pulled away from him. "What's so funny? Is my hair…it's my makeup - all racoon-ish…"

His laughter reverberated through the small room that I had occupied as a teenager in my parent's home. "No…it's - again with the thank you. I've told you it's not necessary. Now, why don't you go get yourself cleaned up - I'm going to go get a shower myself."

"Yeah, I guess…I should…"

He squeezed my hand in his before lightly kissing my knuckles, then turned and walked through the doorway and across the hall.

I undressed quickly and turned on the water in my shower. As I let the hot water droplets fall down on my back and into my hair, I thought about all he had done in just this short span of time. He didn't have to drive all the way to Kentucky to be here with me. He didn't have to stand beside me while people he didn't know extended their condolences. He didn't have to do anything - but yet, he was here - and it was all for me and my family.

It was at that exact moment I realized -and that I finally admitted to myself - that I loved Will Schuester, and it was time that he knew it.

THREE DAYS EARLIER

Summer was in the air. You could feel it in the energy that buzzed through the halls of William McKinley High School. Seniors were saying their final farewells tomorrow at graduation, and after a week of post-planning for the staff, it was summer vacation for us as well. I had been looking forward to the break as much as the students. Now that Will's divorce from Terri was finally over, he and I had been seeing each other for almost two months. He was a gentle, kind soul, and had been more than willing to take things slowly, although I knew he wanted more. But graciously, he was allowing me to set the pace of our relationship.

I knew that mentally and emotionally I was ready to take the next step - I had even agreed to go with him to his parent's beach house in North Carolina for their annual family get-together at the end of next week. Knowing that we would be there as a couple, and that they would expect us to share a room, I was slowly acclimating myself to that fact. It was something that Dr. Phelps and I had spent several sessions on, and after talking through my fears (and reading every self-help book on the subject) I felt confident that I was ready. It was just the whole physical part of sex that scared me now.

The light rapping on my door startled me from my reverie, and I looked up to meet his sparkling eyes and smile. "Busy, Em?" he said, pushing the door open slightly. "Thought that maybe you might like to have lunch together." He held two covered trays in his hands. "We can eat in here if you'd like."

I nodded my head as he set one of the trays down in front of me. Leaning over to the mini-fridge that I kept in my office, I retrieved two bottles of water. "Thanks," I said, silently repeating my mantra through my head. I was still a little leery of eating from the cafeteria, but had found it easier to bear, especially when Will was around.

He winked at me as he took the bottle of water from my hand, his fingers lingering a little longer than they should have, especially in the workplace.

"This looks…wow…our cafeteria did this?" I glanced down at the assorted greens and vegetables that adorned the spring salad inside my container. Several small chunks of grilled chicken lay to the side.

"Nope…I did it, last night. Just for you, my dear." He speared a piece of his chicken and quickly popped it into his mouth. I felt a small pang of jealousy toward his fork - I knew the power of those lips; that mouth. In our short time dating, he had shown me the more pleasurable and enjoyable things that one could do with their mouth. My lips (and yes, my neck) had been showered with kisses, both short and chaste and long and arduous from that very mouth.

"You did…this…for me?" I was constantly amazed at the compassion this man encompassed.

"Sure, why not?" He took a swig from his water bottle and replaced the cap. "Besides, I was hoping that maybe, if you liked this…you'd want to come over tonight and let me cook you a REAL dinner."

It was a Thursday night - we usually didn't make plans for school nights, but with tomorrow being the last regular day of classes, I didn't see why it would hurt. "Um…sure. What time?"

He quickly glanced around and, making sure no one was looking, reached over and kissed my hand. "How about right after work? I can follow you home, then we can head to the supermarket and pick out what to make together."

I squeezed his hand before he could let mine go. "That sounds wonderful."

The bell sounded, alerting us to the fact that his planning period was over, and that any second students would be filling the halls. "OK, then - it's a date. See you at 3:30?"

I nodded as he grabbed his tray and bottle from the end of my desk, giving me a smile and a wink. "I can't wait."

The last hour and forty-five minutes of my day dragged on, and I was sure it was from anticipation. We had gone out to dinner a few times, and even ordered pizza at my place while we watched a movie, but never since our first attempt at a date had he invited me over to cook for me. And, the fact that he was giving me some say in what he made for me was just another testament to his caring nature.

As the final bell of the day sounded, I began to file away my paperwork, looking for something to keep me occupied until it was time for Will to meet me in my office. So excited about the prospect of our date, I filed them hurriedly, only killing about ten minutes. I had at least another twenty to wait. Idly drumming my fingers on my desk, I willed the time to pass quickly. It startled me when the phone on my desk began to ring.

"Guidance, this is Emma Pillsbury," I answered in a cheery tone.

My smile began to fade as I heard my Mother's teary voice on the other end. "Emms…it's your father."

Will entered my office just about that time, and the smile on his face slowly faded as the tears began to flow from my eyes. Concern set in and he dropped his bag into the empty chair, coming around the side of my desk to support me as I slumped. I could feel the sobs welling in my throat as I did my best to stay calm for my Mother's sake. "Yes, Mom. I will be there as soon as I can. I love you. Bye."

Disconnecting from the call, I leaned into Will's open arms and openly began to weep.

"Emma, what's wrong?"

I looked at him, my eyes still freely flowing. "My father - he had a heart attack. He's…" I couldn't say the word; it was still too hard to comprehend. My Father was gone.

Will took my hand into his, grabbing my purse and his bag at the same time. "Come with me - we'll go tell Figgins, and then I'll stop and pick up a few things at the apartment, then we'll get your things before we head out…"

"But Will - "

Placing his finger on my lips, he quieted me. "No, Emma. Let me do this for you."

I stood in silence as he escorted me through the front office and explained to Mr. Figgins what had happened, then gently led me out to his car. After stopping at his apartment to quickly pack a bag, he drove me to my condo to do the same.

One hour later, we were headed due South toward Frankfort, Kentucky and my childhood home.

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