Page 143 of The Obsession
“No, thankfully it’s passed.”
After we left her mother’s, we travelled to the top of Queensland, and followed the coastline into the Northern Territory. We visited all the places that were on Emily’s list. Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Uluru. The Top End is more tropical, known for its waterfalls and wildlife. The Red Centre is desert and home to iconic landmarks.
As we travelled through the outback, Emily ran out of her birth control. Out there, it can be days before you see another town, let alone a pharmacy. We checked every roadhouse we passed, to no avail, so I had to revert to pulling out until we could rectify that problem.
I guess I failed at that task—or my boys are just phenomenal swimmers—because we found out eight weeks ago that Emily is pregnant.
Although it was a gamble by not using birth control, it wasn’t really a shock. Something settled in my chest, a kind of happiness I’d never felt before in my life.
I was going to be a father … again.
I wanted this with her.
I wanted it more than I expected to.
I wanted to expand our little family.
But more than anything, I wanted to be tied to this woman for the rest of my life, in a way that can never be undone.
That may sound unhinged, but my obsession for Emily Ashford grows stronger with each passing day. It’s a little unhealthy, but I don’t care. She’s my world.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Emily says, wrapping her arms around herself and taking a few steps towards the cliff’s edge as I move to open the back door to collect Lil’ Peach.
I swear she says that everywhere we stop, but she’s right, it is.
My niece points to the cat carrier as I unbuckle her from her booster seat and lift her out. “Fat Cat, come to.”
My eyes dart to him, and when he meows in agreement, I roll my lips to hide my disdain for that not-so-fat feline.
Turns out I was right all along—the entire neighbourhood was apparently feeding him, because over the past four months of eating a balanced diet—two small meals a day—he’s lost half his body weight and about ninety percent of his personality.
He carries on like he’s being starved, meowing at the bowl, pacing in circles, and collapsing onto the floor in full protest when he doesn’t get his way.
That furry little cunt is even moodier than me, and that’s saying something.
“He has to stay in the van,” I tell Peach as I pass her to Emily. He’s so dramatic he might decide to make a run for it or throw himself over the edge of the cliff. If that happens, I’ll be the one left picking up the pieces when it breaks my girls’ hearts.
I let him out of his carrier, though, so he can use thelitter box. Thankfully, all the food is locked away, in case his greedy side gets any ideas.
He’s been a godsend to Peach, keeping her company during the long, daily drives.
Emily’s standing in front of me, and my arms are wrapped protectively around her middle. My niece is perched on my shoulders, as we gaze out at the vast ocean before us.
I feel ignorant for never knowing how much this country of ours has to offer, its endless beauty stretching as far as the eye can see. I feel small in it all, almost insignificant. The world has been here long before me and will keep going long after I’m gone, and that is a sobering thought.
I’m pulled from my heavy headspace when I hear the distant chop of a helicopter behind us.
It starts faint, easy to miss over the wind, but it grows louder and sharper as it gets closer. I smile to myself, because I already know who it is.
I turn towards it, bringing Emily with me. “Wow,” she says as it descends, readying itself to land. “Imagine the view they’d get from up there.” I don’t reply; instead, I find myself holding my breath, because what if she doesn’t like this surprise? What if all of this backfires in my face? “We should try that sometime.”
“Yeah.”
“Would you like to go up in a helicopter, sweet girl?” Emily asks Peach.
“Copta,” Lil’ Peach squeals.
A cloud of dust swirls around the ground as the helicopter comes down to land. The windows are tinted so we can’t see inside.
