The Legacy series: The Love series, the Wrapped series, and the Burning Souls series.

by Mj Fields

  * * *

  Emma sat and stared at the picture on her phone. His face was perfect. His big blue eyes set perfectly, and his eyebrows were thick and masculine. His nose was strong and in perfect proportion to his face. His bottom lip was plump, and begged to be sucked. His square jaw line making her take a deep breath��� thinking of that mouth and the magic he made happen with it. His hair brown with hues of copper was messy and begged for her hands to be in it. Brody���s white perfect teeth and a smile that would forever outshine any other. In the picture he took, he was biting the corner of his lower lip and the way he held her reminded her of how he held his guitar the night he sang at the club in the city, like she was precious to him. Emma felt tears form and set the phone down and hoped that she was right.

  Emma did the breakfast dishes and decided to put away laundry. She cranked up Rusted Root and danced around the room. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she jumped. It was her doctor���s office reminding her of her annual appointment scheduled for Monday. Emma grabbed the laptop and checked her email. Emma had a response; she could start her job in two weeks. Emma took a deep breath, she wasn���t looking forward to having this discussion with Troy.

  Her phone rang, and the song Blue Love played, she smiled and answered.

  ���President of Brody Hines fan club,��� she spoke in her best English accent.

  He laughed, ���Em I���m here and should be boarding in ten minutes. Do you have time to chat?���

  ���I���m particularly busy you know, but yes I���m all yours,��� Emma said softly.

  ���And I yours Emma,��� Brody���s voice sounded sad.

  ���Hey guess what? I start my new job in two weeks,��� Emma said with a smile in her voice trying to cheer him up.

  ���That���s great news Em. You���ll be very close to the city and to me when I return. Where will you be staying?���

  ���My parents have a place in Tarrytown. There���s an apartment above the garage, small but very reasonably priced. I���ll look for a place after a month or so.���

  ���Please don���t buy anything until I return ��� I would love to help you pick something out. Promise I can, please?��� Brody asked calmly.

  ���Sure if you���d like,��� Emma said anxiously.

  He laughed, ���I miss you already.���

  ���I miss you more,��� Emma said softly.

  Brody knew that was what she had said to London when she wasn���t with her, and at that moment he felt more loved than he had when they made love, ���Emma you have no idea what that means to me.���

  They sat for a moment in silence.

  ���Well you mean a lot to me, Brody,��� Emma choked out.

  ���Well Princess…I think I should let you go, you need to pick London up right?��� Brody asked thoughtfully.

  ���Yep, will you call me when you land at JKF?��� Emma asked.

  ���Of course and before I leave and when I arrive in England,��� Brody said softly, ���Love you, Em.���

  ���Fly safe, I love you,��� Emma quietly said.

  ���See you soon,��� Brody said with a smile in his voice.

  ���See you soon, Music Man,��� Emma responded and hung up.

  * * *

  London and Emma sat at the table and ate a snack. ���You miss him Mom?���

  ���I do, and you?���

  ���Yep,��� London replied as she ate a grape.

  The phone rang, and London grabbed it and answered, ���Nice picture.���

  ���Well hello London, how was school?��� Brody asked hoping she would let it go.

  ���It was fine. We miss you,��� London grinned.

  ���Did you get your gifts?��� Brody asked.

  ���No, what gifts?��� London replied happily.

  ���Sorry I wanted to wait until you were on the phone,��� Emma said and went and grabbed them. ���Alright London, you first.���

  London opened a box and screamed, ���Thank you so much!���

  Brody laughed, ���You���re very welcome, and I guess you like it?���

  ���I love it!��� London exclaimed.

  ���I���m glad, I added some music and photos for you to check out when you have time, there are a couple more things in that bag London,��� Brody said smitten.

  Along with the iTouch there were gift cards to purchase music, a stuffed bear, and a concert sweatshirt from his last tour that he signed, To London with big hugs Brody.

  ���This is too much, thank you Brody,��� London spoke in a sing song voice.

  ���Your turn Emma,��� Brody laughed.

  Emma opened a package with a brief case in it, ���Thank you Brody this will be perfect for work.���

  ���Look inside Em,��� Brody suggested.

  She opened it and inside was a Mac Book Pro and an iPad, ���Brody this is too much, I can���t accept������

  ���Emma it���s more for me, there���s Skype installed already,��� he laughed. ���Keep going.���

  Emma opened an envelope with a note, he had picked out new business attire for her, and it would be shipped when she and London moved. Along with it was a Pottery Barn book and a note attached that he had picked out bedroom furniture for her and London will also be delivered.

  ���I don���t know what you���re looking at, but the clothes have been picked out. The furniture also but if you want something else by all means change it,��� Brody said cautiously.

  ���I love it, Brody,��� London laughed.

  ���Brody this is way too much. I won���t accept it, I can take care of us,��� Emma said softly but firmly.

  ���Em, I���m making this decision, if we need to talk about it later we can. My flight has been called ladies. See you soon, Emma I love you,��� Brody said and heard London gasp, ���I adore you London, take care of each other until I return.���

  ���Mom, say it back,��� London whispered.

  ���You too Brody, see you soon,��� Emma responded uncomfortably.

  ���London will you take me off speaker and give your mother a moment please?��� he said gently.

  Emma took the phone and walked into the bathroom, ���Brody that���s all too much.���

  ���No, Emma it wasn���t enough, but it will be soon. Once more I love you,��� Brody said in a firmer tone.

  ���Brody I love you…I just don���t want London so vested in us, what if������ Emma started.

  ���If I could I would be there right now dragging you back up those stairs, we���re good Emma. We both know it, so stop. I love you Em,��� Brody said more forcefully.

  Emma let out a breath, ���I love you Brody, fly safe and see you soon.���

  ���Much better Emma, see you soon. I love you more,��� Brody hung up.

  Emma and London sat on the couch and played with their new electronics. London was going through the music, and every Kids Bop album was on the iTunes account. London was so delighted she couldn���t sit still. Emma smiled softly at her.

  ���Mom he shouldn���t have done this, right?��� She asked trying to contain herself.

  ���No, he shouldn���t have, and I���ll pay him back, it���s too much,��� Emma said as she hugged her.

  London clicked on the photos and shrieked, ���Mommy, look,��� she handed it over.

  Emma flipped through the pictures, there were ones of the carriage rides, of them at di
nner, and of the night they went to the show. All pictures of London and Brody. There was one other of when Emma was doing London���s hair for dance.

  ���London they���re amazing, I don���t think you should share these with anyone, he���s very private.���

  ���I know Mom, I promise. I shouldn���t let Dad see them either; he would get mad, huh?��� London stated.

  ���You and Dad are going to hang out tomorrow. Just hang out. He and I will talk about the move, my job, and everything else. These aren���t choices that you need to be worried about, okay? The only thing I want to know is that you want this, if not we can figure it out here.���

  ���Mom, I think it���ll be perfect,��� London hugged her.

  ���I���ll be happy wherever we���re together. If we hate it we can always come back, okay?��� Emma asked.

  * * *

  Brody sat in first class waiting for the other passengers to board when he noticed Ariel walk into the cabin. She sat next to him, ���Hello Brody.���

  ���Ariel, what are you doing here?��� Brody asked coldly.

  ���I have a shoot in London; you���re going to finish your album right?��� She asked.

  ���Yes,��� he said and turned away.

  ���Brody, I miss you,��� Ariel said placing her hand on his leg.

  He laughed as he pushed her hand away, ���We divorced. You got what you wanted. Keep your hands off me Ariel.���

  Brody stood and walked past her and asked if there was another seat.

  ���I am sorry Mr. Hines, the flight is booked,��� the blonde flight attendant informed him.

  ���How about coach?��� he asked through his teeth.

  ���I���m sorry,��� she said nervously.

  ���Fuck!��� he yelled.

  Brody sat down, ���Brody are you seeing that woman, the one in all the pictures?���

  ���That���s none of your fucking business,��� Brody said looking straight forward.

  ���Good choice for a rebound, she is the total opposite of what I know you like,��� Ariel began, ���Very safe.���

  ���Are you quite finished?��� Brody asked as he stood up and walked past her again. ���Miss, could you kindly go ask another passenger to switch with me? I won���t spend even a second next to her let alone seven bloody hours.���

  ���Mr. Hines we need to take off, I���ll see what I can do when we are safe to move around,��� she assured him.

  Brody took his seat and buckled his seat belt. He put his ear plugs in and listened to some new music. He was exhausted from the past couple days. Brody fell asleep. He woke, and Ariel was smugly sitting next to him.

  * * *

  Emma was asleep in London���s room when her phone vibrated; she jumped up and smiled when she saw the picture.

  ���Hang on one second please,��� she said with a smile in her voice.

  She kissed London and covered her up and walked out closing the door.

  ���You���re there safely,��� she said softly.

  ���I am, I miss you,��� Brody said in a deep tone.

  ���See ya, Brody,��� Emma heard a female���s voice over the phone.

  ���Bitch,��� he snapped.

  ���Brody, is everything alright?���

  ���No, I spent seven hours and forty five minutes in a damn plane that had no extra seats sitting next to my ex- wife,��� Brody said furiously.

  ���Oh,��� Emma said and then was silent.

  ���Emma, I had no idea. I truly don���t think it was planned on her part either, how could it have been ��� I changed my damn flight. You believe me right?��� Brody asked.

  ���Sure,��� Emma answered quietly.

  ���Please don���t,��� he whispered softly.

  Emma cleared her voice, ���What time is it there?���

  ���Five AM,��� he answered, ���Emma I didn���t know, and I love you. You can trust me, just like I do you. I need you to remember that neither of us were the reason our marriages didn���t work. I will never hurt you.���

  ���Okay Brody, I love you. I miss you, and I wish you weren���t so far from me,��� Emma said softly.

  ���Thank you. I feel the same. So we should have talked about this when I was there, but the time difference��� its midnight there right?���

  ���Yeah…it���s okay. I���m glad you called, and I���m glad you���re safe,��� Emma whispered.

  ���Thank you,��� Brody said sincerely, ���Alright at eight thirty your time it’s one thirty my time, will that work for you?���

  ���Sure,��� she yawned.

  ���Sleepy, Em?���

  ���Yes, very. I was worn out today or yesterday, but in a particularly good way,��� Emma giggled.

  ���I was too, I slept the entire flight. Why don���t you go to bed and I���ll call you at one thirty my time?���

  ���Hey you need to sleep too, Brody,��� she laughed. ���Why don���t you call me before you go to bed so I can say goodnight to you? It���s the weekend, so I can manage. Besides, I���m going to be stuck with my ex tonight as well, hearing your voice will make it better.���

  ���Anything you want Emma, I love you, sleep now,��� Brody said soothingly.

  ���Goodnight, love you,��� Emma said and waited for him to hang up.

  * * *

  Emma spent the morning cleaning, a chore she had neglected all week since she���d been preoccupied. She called her mother and told her she���d like to start moving some of their things on Sunday, Caroline was ecstatic. Emma packed some of their things in boxes. She was grateful that she hadn���t pulled out any of the holiday decorations and winter items; at least they were already boxed.

  Emma and London had talked extensively every night about the move and what the change would mean to London. London was very happy to be able to have her grandparents there every day. Even though they lived so far away, they were extremely close. Emma knew how lucky she was to have parents that were such a strong presence. London would be going to the same school that Caroline worked at. Caroline was the school librarian so she would be taking her to and from school every day.

  Emma knew Caroline would keep her safe; she���d lost a child to a deranged convict that held a vendetta against Henry, Emma���s father, who at the time was a detective. Emma was three when her sister was taken from the mall in Florida. Elizabeth was five and beautiful and full of life. Had she been in the stroller she would have been safe. Caroline and Henry were at the department store buying bedding and turned for two seconds, and that was all it took. Elizabeth was never found. Emma���s family moved from Florida to New York running from a constant reminder of the beautiful child that was now in heaven with the angels. Neither blamed each other, what would have normally tore a family apart, bound them even tighter together. It also made them cling tightly to Emma and shower her with more love than any one child could ever wish for.

  * * *

  Emma���s phone rang, bringing her back to the here and now. She saw the picture ID and smiled.

  ���Brody��� you should be sleeping,��� Emma answered.

  ���I missed you Em, and I needed to warn you that there are some pictures popping up on the internet of Ariel and I. Lila was going to call you, however I prefer to do it myself. Now don���t get the wrong idea but could you get online and Google my name, it should pop up,��� Brody requested.

  Emma opened the link and saw t
he first picture. Brody looked annoyed as he spoke to her. The next he was asleep, and she was holding his hand, the next Ariel���s head rested on his shoulder and her hand high on his upper thigh as they both slept, and the last was his head resting against hers.

  ���Emma, can you say something?��� Brody asked gently.

  ���Sure, they make my skin crawl,��� Emma said quietly, ���I wonder if London���s friends have said something to her yet, which would upset her, she certainly doesn���t need any more stress than she���ll be dealing with over the next few weeks. This is too much Brody������

  ���Oh ��� I agree Emma. I didn���t ask for this rubbish either. I hope you know by now I don���t want to hurt her, ever,��� Brody said urgently. Emma didn���t know what to say, so she said nothing. ���Are you still on the line, Emma?���

  ���Yes,��� Emma said and he sensed the distance in her voice.

  ���I love you, and I���m so sorry. Emma, when you move no one will know, she won���t have to deal with this. I���m sorry,��� Brody said softly.

  ���You didn���t wake up when she was laying on you, or her hand was������ Emma spoke in a whisper.

  ���No, Emma. I told you I was exhausted. I have no idea how she ended up on the same flight, and I can assure you I tried to get the seat changed,��� Brody spoke in almost a whisper.

  ���Okay, I���ll figure out how to deal with it and how to explain this to London. Brody, I think this needs to slow down,��� Emma said with a quiet laugh.

  ���No, you just need to trust me. And I need to let you know when shit like this happens because it will Emma. Fuck,��� he yelled.

  Emma swallowed, ���Can this just be between us and not London?���

  ���What���s that supposed to mean Emma?��� Brody asked in an agitated tone.

  ���Well, you shouldn���t have said I love you in front of her for starters. You shouldn���t be buying her things or me for that matter. Brody we���ve only known each other for two weeks…this is all moving fast,��� Emma said nervously.