The Legacy series: The Love series, the Wrapped series, and the Burning Souls series.
Page 239
���It���s all I could do, I had to do something.��� Emma closed her eyes.
���Digging a hole and bleaching the earth was not enough?��� Brody smiled sweetly.
Emma shook her head no, ���There was blood.���
���I see,��� Brody hugged her.
���I was filthy,��� Emma spoke in a whisper.
���You needed to feel clean?��� Brody kissed her head.
���I needed to take control of something.��� Emma looked up, ���To make a choice that was mine and mine alone…���
���Alright then.��� Brody rubbed her cheek and looked sadly into her eyes.
���We should get back.��� Emma stood up.
* * *
Emma sat next to Maddox as she held Lexington whose sleepy head began to bob, and so did Emma���s.
���Mom,��� London giggled, ���Are you tired?���
���Sorry I am a bit,��� Emma smiled. ���Apparently, so is Lexington.���
Caroline took Lexington from Emma. ���I���m going to grab some coffee.���
���Em, come here please.��� Brody sat up. ���I���m not telling you to leave, but you���re tired, you need some sleep.���
���I���m fine,��� Emma smiled.
���Sit Em, right here.��� Brody moved over and patted the bed.
���Brody I���m fine,��� Emma looked away.
He took her hand. ���Just for a couple minutes.���
Emma sat next to him, and he pulled her down, ���Rest.��� Brody pulled her head to his chest.
���Please don���t���I may fall apart.��� Emma whispered.
���Then do it here Emma,��� he whispered back.
* * *
Emma woke in the morning after a few hours of sleep. She went downstairs and looked out the door and opened it.
���Clive what are you doing?��� Emma asked.
���As I was told,��� he smiled up.
���Is that going to be a sandbox?��� Emma asked looking at the frame.
���Yep.��� Clive stood and wiped the dirt on his pants.
���Why?��� Emma asked confused.
���Well Brody wanted something here that wouldn���t make you upset. He wanted a dance floor.��� Clive tried not to smile as he peered up at her.
���A dance floor?��� Emma asked.
���Well he wanted you all to, well he said something about being able to dance on that bitches ������
���Okay Clive I get it,��� Emma scowled. ���Did Maddox hear him say that?���
���Oh yes, and he laughed very loudly. He looks so much different now Emma. I know the first time you have to end a life is the hardest, it gets easier,��� Clive said softly.
Emma gasped. ���Yes Emma, sometimes its necessary. You were a hero; you are a hero, so strong.��� Clive looked up at her, ���Stupid, but strong.���
���Excuse me?��� Emma said as he picked up a roll of hard plastic.
���I didn���t stutter; you could have been killed. Do you know what that would have done to Brody? He would have been an even bigger pain in my ass. And those three children Emma…don���t do that shit again,��� Clive snapped.
Emma looked at him, and he looked up at her. ���Don���t wait for an apology that won���t come.���
���Fine,��� Emma scowled.
���Good, now you want to help me roll this out and fill it with the rainbow of colored sand?��� Clive smiled.
���Sure, is there a cover, so the kids are not playing in raccoon poo?��� Emma smiled.
���There will be,��� Clive smiled.
* * *
Clive pulled up to the hospital entry. It was full of news vans, camera crews, and people. ���Lots of press Emma sit still ��� I���ll get you through them.���
Clive opened the door, and Emma stepped out and was bombarded with questions, she looked past them and up at Clive. He enclosed her in his arms and pushed past the crowd and stepped through the automatic doors.
The security officer looked briefly up from his paper at them.
���Make sure we can get out of here,��� Clive snapped. ���Emma, text when you���re on your way down. I���m going to make sure there isn���t a problem like that when we leave.���
* * *
Emma walked in the room and smiled at Maddox and Brody. ���Ready to get out of here?���
���Damn Em,��� Brody looked her up and down. ���You look amazing.���
���Thanks,��� Emma looked down and pulled out some clothes. ���You should get changed so we can get out of here. Maddox, I bought you a few button up shirts. I hope they are alright. I know you seem to like tee���s, but it���ll be easier to check your wound. You should only have to wear these for a few days.���
���Thanks Mom, I like them.��� Maddox took his clothes and headed towards the bathroom.
Brody smiled. ���Your hair Emma, there are rays of sunshine flowing through it.���
He ran his hands through it and smiled.
���They���re highlights,��� Emma said and pulled back.
���Blonde,��� Brody kissed her head. ���I like it���a lot.���
���Okay thank you, you should get dressed.��� Emma handed him a shirt.
���Kiss Em?��� Brody smiled.
���I wouldn���t want you to pop a stitch Brody,��� she said quietly.
Brody laughed, ���Are you concerned with my healing, Emma?���
Emma looked up at him, and her face turned red. ���Come on; let���s get out of this place before any more press shows up.���
���Hey Em,��� Brody whispered, ���Sensation has returned.���
���Okay, we should tell the doctor.��� Emma looked away and felt her face turning even redder.
���Want to see?��� Brody grinned.
���Brody,��� Emma whispered, ���Maddox���s in the bathroom.���
���I know, but this is great news, is it not?��� Brody laughed.
���Yes but������ Emma began.
���No buts, just a kiss,��� Brody pulled her towards him and kissed her.
He rested his forehead to hers and smiled, his smile quickly turned to pain.
���Brody are you okay?��� Emma grabbed his arms.
���No, I need to sit,��� Brody���s face scrunched up.
���Does it hurt Brody, did you pop a stitch?��� Emma pulled the gown back.
���Christ Emma don���t do that,��� Brody let out a pain filled groan.
���I���m sorry, I should get a doctor. Maybe a male, an ugly one, Brody tell me what to do,��� Emma panicked.
Brody started laughing through his pain, ���Stop talking, fuck this is not good.���
Emma hit the call button. ���Emma for Christ sake, I don���t need a nurse.���
���I���m sorry,��� Emma snapped in a whisper. ���What the hell do you want me to do?���
���Is everything okay Dad?��� Maddox walked out of the bathroom.
���Yes, I just pulled something,��� Brody sneered.
Two nurses walked in.
���It was an accident, sorry, false alarm,��� Brody smiled shyly.
���No…��� Emm
a started.
���Emma, I���m fine.��� Brody squeezed her hand.
Dr. Green walked in. ���Everything okay?���
���Yes,��� Brody blushed, ���Everything is fine, Emma could you talk to her outside please?���
* * *
Emma and Dr. Green walked back in the room.
���Are you sure you���re okay?��� Dr. Green asked as she tried not to smile.
Emma bit her lip and looked up at Brody trying not to laugh.
���Em,��� he warned.
���I���m going to get you out of here Maddox, your father is getting very grumpy,��� Emma laughed and wheeled Maddox into the hall.
���Is there anything, a drug, something to stop this from happening?��� Brody whispered to Dr. Green.
���Brody it���s kind of a control thing,��� she smiled as she checked his incision. ���Doesn���t seem to be a problem anymore.���
���Well of course not there was a room full of people,��� Brody blushed.
���Well I guess that���s your answer,��� Dr. Green smiled. ���But if it continues, your recovery will take longer. I can prescribe you something that may or may not help, but it will make you groggy.���
���I���ll try the mind thing,��� Brody smiled sadly.
* * *
Emma walked in and smiled as Brody pulled up the sweatpants.
���You okay?��� Emma asked holding up his shirt up and helping him dress.
���Yes, but you���re going to have to help me with this Emma. No sweet little smiles, no fuck me hair, no tantrums, no dancing about, no������ Brody stopped and looked up at her, ���I am so fucked!���
���No, really you���re not,��� Emma giggled.
���Em, no giggles.��� Brody stood up.
���Can I kiss you, like just on the cheek?��� Emma asked pouting.
���No and no fucking pouting, get me out of here.��� Brody sat in the wheel chair frustrated. ���I don���t know why I can���t walk out of here!���
Emma looked at the nurse, ���Could you push him? I got Maddox.���
���Why Em?��� Brody snapped.
���I wouldn���t want you to pop a stitch,��� she scowled and pushed Maddox into the elevator.
* * *
Maddox gasped when he saw all the people outside flashing pictures and screaming.
Emma smiled down at him. ���What do you think?���
Maddox shook his head, ���I���m not sure.���
���They never go away. We���ll just get into the car quickly, okay? Are you alright?��� Emma squatted in front of him.
���I���m fine, all those people know Dad?��� Maddox looked confused.
���As much as you knew him by listening to his music.��� Emma smiled and looked at Brody and winked.
���You ready for this?��� Brody laughed.
���Yes…but,��� Maddox pointed to the women flashing them.
Emma covered his eyes, and Brody looked at her and shook his head. ���I really enjoyed being in hiding.���
���I don���t think your fans did,��� Maddox chuckled.
Emma and Brody smiled at each other, Brody grabbed her face and kissed her.
Emma pulled away and smiled, ���Let���s go.���
���I love you, Em.��� Brody stood up.
���You shouldn���t be walking out Brody,��� Emma scolded him.
���I need to,��� Brody stood behind her and put his hand over hers. Wrapping himself protectively around her. They wheeled Maddox out together.
���MADDOX WE LOVE YOU!���
���BRODY PUT ME IN MOVIES!���
The screams poured in from everywhere, and Emma looked up and saw posters.
GUNS KILL, AN EYE FOR AN EYE.
Maddox looked down the entire time, and Clive held the door as he got in the car.
���HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A MURDERER?���
Emma gasped and looked around.
Brody took her face, ���Emma, it���s okay, let���s go.���
Emma looked up at him.
���Emma get in, Love,��� Brody whispered and pushed her into the car.
Emma sat in the car and began to shake.
���My wife protected our family. I wish it were me who had to make that decision. I can assure you I would have made the same one. I ask you all for privacy while my family heals from the past year full of not only tragedy, but the blessing we would like time to enjoy.���
Brody got in the car, and Clive pulled away.
���You two okay?��� Brody asked holding their hands.
CHAPTER TEN
Emma held the door for Brody and Maddox. They walked into a very colorfully decorated foyer complete with streamers and balloons that said ���Welcome Home Maddox and Brody.���
���Surprise!��� London yelled as she jumped and clapped.
Maddox laughed and bent to pick her up.
London jumped back, ���You have a boo- boo brother.���
���Oh right you are,��� he smiled.
���High five?��� London held her hand out.
Maddox looked confused.
London smiled sweetly and held his hand up. ���Five fingers on our hands held up high and then we smack them together, it���s a high five.���
���Oh I see, high five then,��� Maddox held his hand up.
���I get no love, London?��� Brody frowned.
���Oh yes you do,��� she hugged him tightly, ���and another hug for the sandbox!���
Brody smiled, ���You like it?���
���I love it. Maddox we have a sandbox, so now we can build castles all the time. Normally we go away the last weekend of summer, but this is just as good,��� London smiled.
Brody looked at Emma and looked down feeling as if he was disappointing London.
���She���s fine.��� Emma kissed his cheek.
���Mom, can I get popsicles?��� London beamed.
���Sure,��� Emma kissed her head.
���You alright?��� Brody lifted her chin.
���Yes, are you hungry?��� Emma asked turning towards the kitchen.
���Em, I���m not, can we go sit? I���m a bit sore.��� Brody nodded to the family room.
���Oh, do you want something for pain?��� Emma asked quickly.
He shook his head from side to side, ���Not yet.���
���Okay let���s get you settled in then.��� Emma took his hand.
Emma pointed to the recliner. ���It might help if you elevate.���
���I���m fine, I just wanted to sit and talk Emma,��� Brody rolled his eyes.
���Oh so now you���re faking pain in order to gain my sympathy?��� Emma giggled.
���Is it working?��� He smiled.
Emma closed her eyes and shook her head. ���Apparently.���
���Please tell me how you���re really doing?��� Brody sat and patted the spot next to him.
Emma sat and took a deep breath, ���I���m better, I think the sandbox helped, thank you by the way.���
Brody took her hand and kissed it. ���I���ll do whatever it takes Emma to make sure you���re alright.���
���I feel the same,��� Emma smiled up at him. ���I just…I���m s
o sorry Brody.���
���I���m sorry as well, now that we have hashed that out, London expects a vacation.���
���We can wait,��� Emma smiled and looked down at his hand and rubbed gently. ���Tomorrow I have someone coming by to test Maddox. Dr. Green will be by for the next few days, and you guys need to rest.���
Brody starred down at their hands and smiled. ���We can finally breathe Em.���
���Yes but������ Emma stopped and looked up at him. ���How can we?���
���We just do Em.��� Brody rubbed her cheek.
���Okay,��� she smiled.
Brody frowned. ���Forced.���
Emma smiled bigger and laughed, ���Better?���
���Much,��� he leaned in and kissed her.
Emma slowly pulled away and closed her eyes and giggled.
���I can still take care of YOU, Em,��� Brody winked.
���NO!��� she gasped.
���Telling me no is ill advised Emma,��� he pulled her in and kissed her again.
Emma pulled away. ���Stop, after your stitches have healed we���ll talk.���
���Oh Em, we���ll be doing much more than talking,��� he laughed.
London and Maddox walked in. ���Movie day?���
���Sure London,��� Brody smiled and looked at Emma.
* * *
���They���re all asleep?��� Brody asked when Emma walked in the room and started picking up the mess of board games.
���Yes, Maddox insisted he sleep in his own room,��� Emma smiled.
���You made him feel safe,��� Brody smiled.
Emma continued cleaning up.
���Do you have time to go on a date with me?��� Brody asked. ���Maybe a movie?���
���I don���t think that���s a good idea.��� Emma rolled her eyes.
���Get my pain meds I���ll make it worth your while.��� Brody winked.
���Not going to happen Music Man, not taking any chances,��� Emma laughed.