The moment Schaffer texted Emily that they were on their way, she was flooded with emotions. She was nervous, excited, guilty, hopeful, and in a sense, relieved. The son she had longed to reconnect with was coming home to her. Of course, this was just the beginning of a new era in their relationship. A lot of work still needed to be done to repair what she had recklessly broken, but it felt like a tiny step in the right direction.

For the first hour, Emily paced around her apartment, frantically straightening picture frames that were already straight and fluffing pillows that didn't need to be fluffed. It gave her some semblance of control, but eventually she realized there was nothing else that could be done. All there was left was to wait. So, she planted herself right beside her window and did just that. Wait.

The remaining hours ticked by painfully slowly, but with patience, the time finally came. Schaffer and Matt had arrived.

As soon as she saw them pull up, Emily jumped from her couch. The uncertainty she felt paled in comparison to the joy of seeing her son. She couldn't get downstairs fast enough.

She flung the door open, but resisted the urge to run straight up to him and wrap her arms around him so tight. She understood she needed to let him come to her and was more than willing to put her own feelings aside and give him the space he needed, although it hurt her deeply.

Knowing her place, Emily took a step back and waited once more.

With deep breaths, Schaffer tightly gripped the steering wheel. He was seconds away from seeing his wife that he wasn't quite sure was still his wife. Their relationship, if they had one at all, had become murky. He was clear on his feelings - he still loved her - but whether that love was enough, or even reciprocated, was unclear.

Their conversations over the phone had gradually become comfortable and routine, so much so, that it almost, almost, felt as if nothing had ever gone wrong. But the rational thoughts in the back of his head nagged at him and reminded him of the truth. They were not together, even if it sometimes felt that way.

"Are you coming?" Matt asked, breaking him away from his thoughts.

"Yeah, um," Schaffer stumbled.

He wanted to face Emily with strength and coolness. For the sake of his son, he wanted to be ready to see her again, but he just...wasn't. He needed more time, even if it was only a few minutes.

"In a second. You go ahead. I'm gonna, uh, find some better parking."

"Okay."

Matt saw straight through his excuse. The spot they already had was perfect. Right out front and close enough to move his stuff in with ease. It was such a good spot, that they'd likely lose it the moment Schaffer drove away. They both knew he wasn't getting anything better, but Matt recognized it for what it was and let his dad have his moment.

As Matt stepped out of the car and headed her way, Emily prepared to greet her son with restrained happiness to avoid overstepping. She wanted to be warm and welcoming, but not overbearing. Although she was over the moon to have him stay with her, the last thing she wanted was to pile on affection that he wasn't ready to receive. She promised herself that she would respect his boundaries, but what she wasn't expecting was how open his boundaries would be.

Right away, Matt opened his arms to her and hugged her, bringing her great joy. But just over his shoulder, she watched Schaffer drive off without a single goodbye. It was hard to ignore the stark difference between the two, and it pained her that he would leave in such a hurry.

"Is your father leaving?"

"Uh, no. He went to go park or something."

"Oh okay," Emily said with skepticism.

She felt it was strange, but like Matt, she didn't question it. Instead, she decided to focus on what was most important - her son.

"Well, then, we'll catch up with him later, I suppose. Come on, I'll show you around."

Emily led Matt upstairs and walked him through her apartment, feeling self-conscious the entire time. It was a far cry from his home in Alabama. There were no toys on the floor or finger paint butterflies on the fridge. It wasn't anywhere near as cozy and lived-in, but she hoped he liked it anyway.

"Well, what do you think?"

Matt nodded as he looked around, trying to take it all in. It wasn't bad by any means. It was neat, the couch seemed comfortable, and the kitchen was well stocked. Matt recognized that it was a perfectly fine living arrangement, but it would be a while before it felt like home.

"It's nice."

It was a less than enthusiastic answer and she suspected they weren't his full, true feelings, but Emily was grateful for his politeness. It made her think of Schaffer and what a good job he did raising him. As if her thoughts had summoned him, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get that," she said, so sure it would be him. "You get yourself settled."

Emily skipped down the stairs two at a time and pulled open the door. Sure enough, there he was standing on the other side.

Despite knowing exactly what he was walking into, Schaffer was still caught off guard. Sweeping her curls away from her face, she smiled, practically sending Schaffer to his knees. She was just as beautiful as ever.

"Hey, stranger."

"Hey, Em." Schaffer's voice cracked. Embarrassed, he blushed and cleared his throat. He felt just like he did when he first met her. A nervous teenager. "How are you?"

"I'm all right. You?"

Schaffer sucked in his breath. It was a loaded question. He was face to face with the woman who left him without warning and was about to place his pride and joy in her care. There wasn't an answer in the world that could fully explain how he was feeling.

"I'm getting there," was the best he could do.

"That's all we can really hope for, isn't it?"

"These days? Yeah, I'd say so."

Emily gave him a soft smile and for a moment, she got lost in his kind eyes. Perhaps a moment too late, she snapped out of it and realized they didn't live together and this wasn't his house. She hadn't let him in.

"Oh, I'm sorry, please come in."

With Emily's blessing, Schaffer stepped inside and found his son waiting for him at the top of the stairs.

"Whaddya say, bud?" He said with a hearty smile that masked his insecurities.

It wasn't a cure all, but the drive around the block was just what he needed to get his thoughts together and give him the space to put on a happy face.

"Not too shabby, huh?"

"Yeah, I, um, I like it."

His words agreed, but the look on his face told a different story. Schaffer could tell he was feeling nervous and unsure. Schaffer felt the same, but he didn't let on. Matt didn't need him adding to his fears, he needed him to stay positive.

"And there's a park right down the street that'll be perfect for your morning runs. It'll be just like home."

Matt nodded, but stayed quiet. The three of them knew good and well this place was going to be nothing like home, which caused an awkward pause in conversation. Feeling a responsibility to make Matt's first night in New Orleans a good one, Emily quickly steered the conversation in a different direction.

"Are you boys hungry?"

Schaffer looked at Matt and waited for either a yes or no so he could follow his lead. Matt felt a bit of pressure. Having both of his parents in the same room, the prospect of the three of them eating dinner together, it was pretty overwhelming. He didn't have much of an appetite and he really just wanted the comfort of his girlfriend.

"Can I eat later? I promised Kiersten I'd call her when I got here."

Emily wasn't used to Matt turning down food, she figured it be a sure-fired yes, but she quickly agreed to his request.

"Yeah, of course. Do whatever you need to do."

Matt went off to his room and shut the door with a thud. Not an angry thud, but a quick tug that signaled his need for privacy. Taken a bit back by Matt's sudden disappearance, Emily turned to Schaffer for company.

"What about you?"

Schaffer was a little surprised by the invitation. Without Matt in the equation, he wasn't expecting the offer to still stand, but he wasn't completely opposed to it. No way was he going to leave Matt without a proper goodbye and the truth was, after such a long drive, he was starving.

"If it's not too much trouble..."

"No, not at all. Honestly, I was just going to heat up some leftover Chinese food."

Emily laughed at her laziness, but soon after she spoke, she felt guilty for joking about her plans not to cook. Matt hadn't been there 24 hours and already she was taking the easy way out by choosing not to make him a home cooked meal.

"No, sorry, what am I thinking. I should make something..."

Emily rushed into the kitchen and started searching for something she could cook. She turned over the fridge, somewhat in a panic and kicking herself for not doing a better job preparing like a good mother would.

"Hey, don't stress about it," Schaffer said and stepped in to stop her from looking. "Leftovers are fine. It's what I feed the kids half the time."

Emily stopped her search and turned to Schaffer to make sure he was serious and not just trying to make her feel better.

"Really?"

"Yep. That and spaghetti."

Emily's shoulders dropped and she fell back against the counter in relief.

"Oh, thank God. I nearly had a heart attack."

Emily laughed and pushed her curls away from her forehead with her left hand. Schaffer couldn't help but notice the white and silver bracelet around her wrist.

"You still wear that?"

The bracelet was such a part of her, that she didn't immediately recognize what he was referring to.

"Oh, this?" She said when it hit her. "Haven't taken it off."

Schaffer looked away to hide his smile. It took him a second, but he swallowed it back and made every effort to keep his cool.

"I'm surprised it hasn't fallen apart by now."

Emily, on the other hand, was less subtle.

"Well," she smiled with flirty admiration. "It was made by only the finest craftsman."

Schaffer's cheeks flushed from the little twinkle in her eye. It was meant as a compliment, but he felt embarrassed by her pretending the bracelet was more than it was. It reminded him of all the promises he made to get her a real ring. Over the years, Christmas, Birthdays, and Anniversaries went by without a ring. He had found the perfect one, he had saved the money, and many times was one click away from "place order," but for whatever reason, he never pulled the trigger.

"Never did get you something nicer, did I?"

"Rings don't make a marriage."

Schaffer knew she meant it to be reassuring. What she was trying to say to him was that the material possessions didn't matter. That it never bothered her that she never had a "real" ring. Schaffer did agree with her. The ring didn't make the marriage. Listening and understanding made the marriage. But he didn't give that to her either. He didn't listen to her when she told him she needed more and he didn't understand when she needed help. The way he saw it, he let her down on both accounts.

"You deserved better."

"No, Schaffer, don't," Emily quickly refuted. "You're the one that deserved better. The way you've taken care of the kids, and all by yourself, you're a good man. The kind of man women dream of having."

Schaffer absorbed the compliment the best he could, but it was hard hearing her say such wonderful things about him knowing that she still left.

"Thank you," he said softly and cleared his throat.

The conversation had gotten heavy and he feared if it got any heavier, he wouldn't be able to carry it any longer. So, he took Emily's strategy and steered the conversation back to food.

"Now, how 'bout those leftovers?"

"Right," Emily said and turned on her heel to grab the Chinese food from the fridge.  "Why don't you take a seat on the couch. I'll bring it out."

Schaffer smiled. She had given him the perfect opportunity to tease her just a little and lighten the mood.

"The couch, Em? You're gonna get crumbs everywhere."

Emily gently laughed and rolled her eyes. Same old Schaffer.

"Yes, the couch. Live a little for once, will ya?"

Schaffer shook his head, but he knew he couldn't resist her smile. He relented without too much of a fight and took a seat on the couch.

While he waited for Emily to join him, Matt suddenly emerged from his bedroom with a big smile on his face. It seemed his conversation with Kiersten had done him a world of good.

"Man," he said with high spirits as he sat down next to his dad. "What smells good?"

"Chinese!"

Emily shouted from the kitchen, with the beeping of the microwave following shortly after. She grabbed the plate of food, plopped right beside Matt, and laid out a large spread of noodles, egg rolls, and fried rice.

Matt's eyes immediately lit up and he wasted no time digging in. Emily and Schaffer exchanged soft glances and smiled at one another, happy to see that their reluctant and nervous son had returned to his old self.

As they looked into each other's eyes, an otherwise mundane moment turned hopeful and symbolic. Emily and Schaffer were back where they started, sitting on the living room couch, with the baby boy they didn't know was there with them all along, wondering what would happen next.

It was the beginning of a new chapter. A chance for wrongs to be made right, lessons to be learned, and for love to flourish.

A rebirth.