Reaching out #fiction

This is some more of Matt and Em's story. You can find all of it here.

This part of the story falls after this and before this.

The doorbell rang.

"Just a second!" I peeked out. It was the delivery truck. Again.

"Hey, Ms. Em."

"Hey, Steve. Another package?"

"Yep, this is a big one. I'll bring it in for you." I sighed. Really?

"Thanks."

"Same place as the others?" I nodded, sliding out of his way. "You've got lots of stuff for when this baby comes, Ms. Em." He winked at me. I laughed in spite of myself. I hadn't told family members yet, but my delivery guy knew I was having a baby. Matt was reaching out in the only way he knew how.

I heard myself sigh again as I watched Steve traipse into the office turned storage on the ground floor. "Pretty soon we won't be able to get in here," he chuckled. I watched him work. He looked so happy. I'd swear his eyes twinkled. Such a sweet guy. His wife was pregnant, too. Due any day now.

"Oh my gosh! Steve!"

"Ms. Em, you okay? Is it the baby?"

"Oh, no. I'm fine. I just had a brilliant idea!" He looked at me with a gentle smile. Steve had heard many of my brilliant ideas. I'd been on his route for a while now. "What's in that one? Can you tell?" He turned the box. A seat for the baby. Hadn't I received the same one about a week or so ago?

Right after I told Matt I needed some time to think.

I trudged through the room. Yes. There it was.

"Steve, you need to take that box back."

"I'm sorry, is something - - "

"No! No! It's perfect. You need to take it. For you! For Carol. For the baby!"

He smiled, shaking his head. "I can't do that. You know I can't do that."

"You can, and you will. Consider it a gift. That's exactly what it is. I'll sign, and then give it to you. Seriously. Unless, do you guys have one already?"

"No, that's not it at all. It's really generous of you, but I can't -"

"You HAVE to! Steve, seriously. I don't need all of this. My baby won't be here for months. It's just going to sit here. You can even give it back when she grows out of it if you want. Or sell it. Or pass it on. Just get it out of here. That would be wonderful. It would make me so happy. Please..."

I felt my voice trail off as tears welled up in my throat.

He walked over and enveloped me in the biggest bear hug. "You are a blessing, Ms. Em."

"Em, please. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Em?" He laughed, a big, hearty laugh.

"You sure?"

"Absolutely. Please. It would be a huge help."

He picked up the box and carried it out to the truck. Came back to my door and had me sign it over to him. Gave me a wave and a honk as he pulled away.

I watched the taillights fade away as my tears began to fall.

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