by Mj Fields
* * *
Emma was almost finished packing and London looked at her, ���If I take a shower now, can I skip it when we get home?���
���That���s a fabulous idea, then we can get in our PJ���s and snuggle and watch a movie,��� Emma said and answered her phone. ���This is Emma,��� she said and smiled as she watched London walk out the door. ���Yes I would love to, see you at 7:30,��� she hung up, ���Hey London guess who���s going to be your art teacher tomorrow?���
���Cool,��� London smiled knowing it would be her mother as she shut the bathroom door.
Emma brought the suit cases to the foyer, she heard Brody on the phone.
���No, just change the flight for Thursday please…No I���ll wait to make that change���open ended.��� Brody said, grabbing Emma���s hand as she walked by stopping her.
���Yes thank you,��� he said ending his call. ���I���m not leaving until Thursday, after I know how court went,��� Emma started to interrupt and he put his finger over her lips, ���Stop, please, and I���ll be staying in a hotel half an hour from your town in case you need me. I have a meeting tomorrow and should arrive Tuesday morning, if you want to see me ��� I���ll be there.���
Emma looked at him and deep down she fought the desire to smile. Taking a deep breath she said ���Okay.���
���I���m fighting the need to ask you if that makes you happy or upset. I don���t want you to feel like you need to plan or over think it, but what you want is important to me. You want a happy life, that���s what you told me. I���m going to do my best to make sure that���s what you get, Emma I������ he started, and she knew what was coming, so she kissed him sucking his lower lips so that his mouth opened and he held her tightly as their tongues danced.
He pulled away and smiled at her, ���You���re impossible.���
���We have to leave soon, I���m working Monday. London has dance from four until six. You should stay here, you have a lot going on,��� Emma said knowing it was the right thing but desperately wanting what he had proposed.
���Plans are already in place,��� he winked and kissed her head and walked away. ���Good morning Lila.���
���Good morning,��� Lila said giggling as she looked at Emma���s red face. ���Brody you���re scheduled for The Today Show tomorrow before you meet with your record label.���
���Why?��� Brody bruited.
���You have a number one song, you���re going to sing in the Plaza before you run away from your adoring fans,��� Lila said insistently, ���We���ll tell them the carriage ride was a friend if asked, is that alright?���
���No, London doesn���t need to be discussed on national television,��� Brody said protectively.
���I could always skip school and go with you,��� London laughed as she ran out and stood next to him.
Brody flashed a smile, ���And what would we tell them?���
���The truth, you love my Mom, and I don���t know, maybe someday you���ll be my,��� she paused and looked at Emma whose jaw dropped, ���Piano teacher.���
Brody laughed, ���Your mother may have a heart attack if I ever dare say something like that.���
���London, please say your goodbyes,��� Emma said firmly as her neck started to heat up.
London hugged and thanked Lila and walked over to Brody and threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek, ���I like you Brody Hines.���
���I adore you London Fields, and I will miss you very much,��� Brody whispered and hugged her tightly closing his eyes.
���Lila thanks so much,��� Emma hugged her.
She looked at Brody and smiled, ���Nice to see you again.���
���London come here and help me get an elevator,��� Lila said rolling her eyes at Emma.
���I���ll see you soon, Emma,��� Brody hugged her and kissed her lightly on the lips. Emma smiled, and her eyes felt heated, he noticed immediately how she was feeling exactly the same as he was, ���I will see you Tuesday night.���
���You don���t have to, Brody. This is stupid,��� she said widening her eyes and blinking as if hoping to stop the impending tears.
He smiled and hugged and kissed her again, ���Poor timing, but not stupid. I���ll be figuring things out on my end. Oh and I���m falling in love with you. There I said it and you couldn���t stop me,��� he gazed at her with a sexy half smile.
���Brody, my feelings are no different. I just don���t know how to trust, or believe, in all that will matter after a few years. London���s waiting,��� Emma reached up and softly stroked his soft stubble and kissed him.
���Well, sometimes you just have to have faith,��� Brody took her hand and kissed it as he led her to the door.
* * *
Emma and London walked into their home, and both looked at each other and smiled.
���Mom is it weird that I miss the city?���
���You miss the city London?���
���Yeah, and I miss Brody, he was fun. Do you?���
���I missed our couch, let���s watch a movie, pick one out, I���ll make popcorn,��� Emma smiled back.
Emma���s phone chimed.
- I miss you Em���Yours, MM
- Who is this? ...Em
- Music Man���I miss you.
- We just got home, feelings mutual���Em
- See you Tuesday���MM
- We shall see, sweet dreams���Em
* * *
Emma woke and was excited for her first day subbing. She missed Brody, especially after the highly erotic dream she had just woke up from. She grabbed her phone,
- Good Luck today Music Man���Em
- Good morning. I���m extremely glad you are thinking about me. I miss you Em. Have fun at school today, I never understood the desire to teach, wasn���t thirteen years enough?... MM
- I did seventeen years. Do great MM, BTW, me 2���Em
- Hmm���MM
Emma hit the DVR to record the Today show. She smiled and shook her head.
* * *
Brody was on stage with his band, and they played Blue Love. The host, Matt came on stage as the crowd of women screamed and cheered.
���That���s a great song, where did the inspiration come from?��� Matt asked.
���Well, you know������ he said laughing nervously.
���Alright Brody, I get it. So how have you been since the divorce?��� Matt asked.
���I���ve been fine, life goes on,��� Brody gave a dazzling smile.
���Any truth behind the rumors?��� Matt asked.
���Probably not, there usually isn���t.���
���So you���re going home to finish your album?��� Matt asked.
���I am,��� Brody replied, ���I only have a couple left to record and one that I just started working on about my favorite city in England,��� Brody beamed.
���One more song?��� Matt asked.
���Absolutely,��� Brody smiled and winked at the camera.
They sang Over It which was a new song released that day.
Matt walked back on stage, ���We have to ask Brody,��� Matt said, Brody raised his eyebrow. ���Who was the little girl in the carriage?���
Brody took a deep breath and looked towards Lila.
���She���s a friend of my public
ist,��� he countered in a guarded tone.
���Does she have a name?��� Matt asked.
���She is a minor, someone���s child. Let me ask you something Matt, you have kids right? What are their names and would you want them on national TV or magazine���s or online without your consent?��� Brody stated rather than asked.
���Actually, I wouldn���t,��� Matt laughed, ���I need something for the fans Brody, something personal from someone they admire,��� Matt looked at Brody and Brody shook his head and looked down. ���Alright how about something like, what is your favorite candy?���
���M&M���s,��� Brody grinned and raised his eyebrow.
���Really?��� Matt responded with laughter.
���Absolutely,��� Brody smirked, ���melts in your mouth.���
���Well everyone��� we got something out of Brody Hines, thanks for stopping by,��� Matt shook his hand.
���Thanks so much everyone!��� Brody yelled to his fans and flashed his stunning smile.
Brody got in the car, and Lila smiled at him, ���M&M���s Brody?���
���Yes, they���re insanely addictive and delicious,��� Brody smiled sheepishly.
* * *
Emma and London went for a walk after school, when they came home Emma made dinner while London did her homework. She looked at her phone willing it to ring but it didn���t. No call, no text, nothing. London showered and read Emma a story about a Princess, and Emma couldn���t help but think of him. He was in her head, and nothing seemed to be able to get him out.
Emma went downstairs and grabbed the remote and skipped through The Today Show until she saw him. He looked amazing; she laughed when she noticed the pants and wondered how he could have thrown together something that made them look good and laughed to herself when she realized nothing he wore could look bad, he even looked hot in those glasses. When the song finished she saw Matt walk on stage, and she worried he would be shy like he was onstage the night she and Lila went to see him sing. He was smiling and happy, and she snickered when he talked about his favorite city in England and was almost certain he was talking about London. She watched cautiously when he was asked about the carriage ride. He did extremely well ��� she could tell he was angry but pulled it off well. She couldn���t believe the M&M comment. She wasn���t sure if she was assuming correctly. She rewound and played it over and over, like she did her favorite songs when she was younger.
Her phone rang, and she smiled.
���Hello. This is Emma.���
���Hello Emma, this is Brody,��� he said with a smile in his voice.
���Oh I wasn���t sure which man with a British accent would be calling at this hour,��� she joked.
���I���m sorry Emma. Am I calling too late?���
���I was joking,��� Emma said trying not to act overly excited that he had called.
���Did you catch The Today Show?��� Brody smiled.
���I recorded it, does that sound bad? Like creep you out?��� Emma asked softly.
���No, are you busy? Can you watch it now while I���m on the line with you?��� Brody asked.
���Why?��� Emma spoke as she covered her eyes, good lord he can���t even see me, she thought.
���Just want to see what you think,��� he said with a smile in his voice.
���Ok,��� she laughed and paused for a minute. ���I���ve already watched it,��� she laughed, ���Three times.���
���Okay Emma that makes you sound a little creepy,��� Brody laughed.
���I just had to make sure you did well, you know…in case you needed feedback,��� Emma said trying to defend herself.
���I love that you watched it Emma, now tell me what stuck out the most to you,��� he asked in amusement.
���Really?��� Emma asked embarrassed.
���Yes really,��� Brody said in a particularly self- assured voice.
���The pants were nice,��� Emma chuckled. ���You made them look good.���
���Did I?��� Brody said laughing, ���Emma, is that all?���
���Did you hear him ask me about my favorite candy?��� Brody asked trying to sound serious.
���Yep.���
���Did you know that I liked M&M���s?���
���No,��� Emma said smiling to herself.
���Can I tell you a secret? Neither did I.��� Brody laughed, ���But now it���s my favorite candy.���
���Well I���ll have to remember that,��� Emma said trying not to giggle like a teenage girl.
���Do I need to spell it out for you Em?���
���Well I guess not.���
���So you know I was talking about you?���
���I do now,��� she smiled.
���Good, did London see it?���
���No!���
Brody laughed, ���I���m sure she wouldn���t get it.���
���Well I certainly hope not,��� she said and laughed, so hard tears were falling.
Brody laughed, ���I miss you.���
���I miss you, Brody,��� Emma said still laughing.
���I love you Em,��� Brody said smiling.
���Oh I love you Bro…���
���Emma did you just call me Bro?��� he snickered. She sat with her hand over her mouth, ���Emma?���
She cleared her throat, ���I���m here, sorry.���
���Hmm, Can I see you tomorrow? I want to come see you after court. I also want you to know that my lawyer is going to meet yours tomorrow and be at court with you,��� He began without missing a beat, ���Have you decided on which offer you will be accepting?���
���Brody, can we please talk about something else?���
���Sure, M&M���s?���
���Or how about that you are leaving in a few days for a month,��� she said in a remarkably dry tone.
���Do you have a problem with my lawyer meeting yours?��� Brody asked.
���I don���t know why that���s necessary,��� Emma answered.
���He���s the best, you and London deserve that, I don���t want to argue with you,��� he said in an authoritative tone. She said nothing and he took a deep breath and said sweetly, ���Emma I���m in love with you, and I want you and your daughter to be happy. Can you please accept that?���
���Ok,��� she whispered. She had tears building, and her voice cracked. ���Brody I can���t be your project, I can���t feel like all of these feelings you���re expressing are because you feel sorry for me or my situation because I���ll be okay. You don���t have to do this. And you have to promise me,��� she said finally stopping to take a breath, ���that when you realize this is just because you and I have both been through hell lately, you���ll just tell me and not string me along. I can���t do that. So please���promise me.���
���Are you done Em?��� Brody asked in a clipped tone.
���I guess������
���Chipping away,��� he whispered as he leaned back breathing deeply.
���Good, so have you looked over your offers?���
���No,��� she pouted.
���So what are you waiting for?���
���Tomorrow Brody, to see what I���m allowed to plan, to know that I
can breathe again, to know my daughter is going to be safe,��� she said, and the dam finally broke, ���is that what you wanted to know Brody?��� Emma said harshly. ���I lived many years with someone who enjoyed lording over me and making me feel like nothing, someone who loved me broken, so he felt better about himself.���
���Emma I���m sorry, I am so sorry.��� Brody sounding devastated. ���Can I talk to you tomorrow?���
���Sure. Goodnight Brody,��� she hung up feeling awful about snapping at him.
* * *
The next morning Emma dropped London off at school and went home to get ready, she hadn���t told her that they had court today. She didn���t want it to affect her.
Emma walked into court and saw her lawyer talking to an extremely sharply dressed man. Emma���s lawyer, Joan, waved her over. ���Emma this is Eli, he���s your friend���s lawyer. Is it alright that he discuss this with us?���
���Sure,��� Emma felt insecure.
They sat in a conference room, and Joan started the conversation. ���Emma and I have discussed what she would like to happen today. She���ll be going for sole physical custody, supervised visits and the divorce to be finalized. We���re pushing for Mr. Fields to agree to rehab. Emma���s not asking for alimony and would prefer that child support be suspended while he���s in rehab if he���s not going to be paid from his employer. The other thing is, Emma���s considering moving back to her hometown in order to pursue a career that will enable her to provide for her child. We���ll wait until we get a feel of how this is going before we spring that on them. Do you have anything to offer Emma?��� Emma shook her head no, ���Eli?���
