“I miss your dad. I thought that would pass in time, but I swear I miss him now more than ever."

“I'm sorry, mom." Eric surprised her with another hug and she was grateful the pendent was inside her shirt because any other time he'd had contact with it, things had gotten strange.

"Not strange, but honest. Like drink it lowers inhibitions and causes you to stop worrying about socially acceptable behavior and just focus on what you really want."

"I'm okay, Eric. It just catches up with me sometimes."

"Its not okay. You deserve to be happy, not alone and you deserve someone who will take care of you.”

His words sent a shiver through her. So much like Steven's in her dream.

"You want to see me happy?"

"Of course I do!" He told her, still hugging her which although pleasant made her nervous. Eric hadn't been this affectionate since his early teens.

“You're an amazing woman. You're smart and have a great career, and you're beautiful and.

“Get the high boots." She joked, but cut him off in fear the word sexy would come out.

“I mean it. Guys would Line up to be with you, mom."

“I don't think you'd Like that."

“Not if they're assholes. You need to find a good man who knows you're a good woman."

"That's deep for you." She eased back from him and tousled his hair.

“But same goes for you. You need a good girl who appreciates you.

Not a conniving slut like Ashley."

"She was, but...I still miss her." He sighed.

“Because you haven't replaced her." Emma told him.

“Ashley isn't Like your father. You didn't spend decades with her. You can find another girlfriend easy."

"I guess, but in the meantime I still...." He looked away.

"I swear there's part of me that still would take her back."

"Then I'm glad we left."

"If we didn't would you be mad if I took her back?"

"Damn straight I would!" Emma's lips curled into a sneer.

"That little whore not only cheated on you, but made a fool of you and she would have married you and kept doing it. That is not someone you ever take back."

“Wow, tell me how you really feel."

"If you're even thinking that way then you really need to get into town and meet someone. I don't care if you just go get laid. You need to get that bitch out of your mind."

“Now there's some motherly advice." Eric mocked her.

“Get laid."

“You haven't thought of any other girl since her, Eric?" on "he hesitated just long enough she noticed.