When Shelby was first suspended, there were some whispers in the classroom about what went on, but to Emmy’s surprise, most of the people in the class were happy to see the back of Shelby. Most thought she had just got what she deserved, while the rest didn’t care one way or another.
The only one thing that bothered Emmy was she still had no clue who was the one who actually went to the Dean about what Shelby was doing. Finn assured her that everything would come out at the official hearing and that she had nothing to worry about.
“Hey,” Finn said as he leaned into the speaker. “It’s me.”
“Hi,” Emmy said. Finn could hear the smile in her voice, and it made him smile too. “Come on up.”
The door buzzed, and Finn pushed it open before he hurried up the stairs to the second floor, and to Emmy’s apartment.
When he reached the door, he was surprised to find it ajar. He tapped on the door, not wanting just to walk straight inside.
“IT’S OPEN!” Emmy called out from inside the apartment.
Finn pushed open the door, stepping inside. As he made his way down the entryway the most delicious smell hit his nose. He had no idea what it was, but it was the most heavenly aroma he had ever smelt. It was a mixture of coconut, cinnamon, and sugar, and it was so good, Finn’s stomach growled.
He found Emmy in the kitchen, her hair in a messy knot on the top of her head. She was wearing shorts, a spaghetti string top, and an apron. She was standing in a cloud of dust, her face looked like she was wearing war paint, with the smeared flour on her cheeks, and her chin. She never looked more beautiful than she did right at that moment.
“Hey,” she said with a broad smile as she looked up from the mixing bowl she had her hand buried in. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
“I was just passing,” Finn replied as he moved closer to the kitchen island she was working at. “What are you doing?”
“Baking,” Emmy laughed as she gave Finn a funny look. “I would have thought for a genius that one was an easy question.”
“Well I can see you’re baking,” Finn laughed as he looked at the endless trays of cookies and muffins that seemed to have taken over her apartment. “But for who? There are enough baked goods here to feed an army.”
“I got a little carried away,” Emmy replied, blushing beneath the flour on her face. “But it was something me and my mom always did when I was little, coming up to the holidays. I thought it might be nice to do it again. It’s been a few years.”
“Well, they smell amazing,” Finn said as he gave her a smile. “But I am pretty sure I have never seen so many cookies at once before.”
“Why don’t you try some?” Emmy asked as she raised her eyebrows. “There are chocolate, blueberry, and raspberry muffins over on the table, over on the counters there are cookies. I have double choc chip, coconut and pecan, and orange and white chocolate. I am working on the gingerbread ones.”
“How about I make us both a coffee,” Finn suggested with a laugh. “Then maybe you could stop for a break?”
“That sounds like a great plan,” Emmy replied as she finished off the gingerbread cookie dough she was working on.
Ten minutes later the cookies were baking in the oven, as Emmy and Finn sat on her sofa drinking coffee and eating cookies.
“These are really good!” Finn exclaimed as he picked up another from the plate. “I could eat these all day.”
“I’m sure you would get sick of them eventually,” Emmy laughed. “But you’re welcome to try.”
“Are you crazy,” Finn said before he washed down the piece of cookie in his mouth with some coffee. “We Murphy men would give the Cookie Monster a run for his money, my dad is probably the worst one of us all.”
“Well you’re more than welcome to take some with you for your family,” Emmy replied with a grin. “I won’t eat them all. You could take them with you for Thanksgiving.”
“That would be great,” Finn said, knowing his brothers were going to love them all.
“The muffins probably won’t keep till then,” Emmy added. “But I could make you some fresh ones Wednesday. And you could take them with you Thursday.”
“Here’s a thought,” Finn said suddenly without even thinking. “Why don’t you come with me to my parents for Thanksgiving?”
“Yeah,” Emmy replied with a laugh. “And the following week, I will fly to England to have tea with the Queen.”
“No,” Finn said as he watched Emmy closely. “I mean it. You could come and have dinner with my family.”
“Be serious, Finn,” Emmy replied with a nervous laugh.
“I am,” Finn assured her. “We’re friends, aren’t we? And isn’t this what friends do? I want you to come with me.”
“That’s very sweet of you,” Emmy said, giving him a grateful smile. “But I don’t think that’s the best idea in the world. Besides, I have plans. I’m going to have a Harry Potter Marathon. All the movies, back to back. Another tradition my mom and I had, and I am going to order Chinese takeout.”
“But it’s Thanksgiving,” Finn said, knowing he shouldn’t push it, but he just couldn’t stand the thoughts of her alone, here in her apartment for the holidays. “You can’t spend it alone. My mom would be more than happy to have you join us.”
“There really is no need,” Emmy insisted, but Finn’s mind was already made up, he wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“There is every need,” Finn said as he reached for another cookie. “So you’re coming, and that the end of it. And when my brothers and my dad taste your cookies, they may never let you leave.”
“I’m really am grateful for the offer,” Emmy replied, her smile fading a little as she looked at Finn, and he knew she was worried about going with him. “But I don’t want to intrude…”
“You won’t be,” Finn replied, giving her a warm smile. “I promise.”
“Okay,” Emmy nodded, as slowly her smile lit up her face once more. “Thank you.”
As Finn pulled his car up the driveway of his parent’s house, he glanced over at Emmy, and she looked just as nervous as he was feeling. Now that they were there, he couldn’t help but wonder for the millionth time if he was making a mistake taking her home with him for the holidays.
He knew that this was crossing all kinds of lines and maybe even be breaking some rules, but the thought of her spending her day alone was just too sad for Finn to imagine, so there wasn’t any real choice.
When he called his mother, telling her that he was bringing a friend, Finn knew his mother thought he meant a girlfriend, but he assured her that there was absolutely nothing between him and Emmy. That she was just his friend, and his student. He explained that he was bringing her because she was alone for the holidays.
Finn didn’t know why, but for some reason, he didn’t tell his mother who Emmy actually was. He knew his mother was friends with Emmy’s mother. But he didn’t want it to be too weird for Emmy, he thought it would be easier if she didn’t know who she really was. But now, as he pulled his car to a stop, he wondered if perhaps he should have mentioned it.
“Are you ready?” Finn asked Emmy as he switched off the engine, turning to face her.
“I don’t know,” she replied, and he could hear the nervousness in her voice. “Is it too late to change my mind?”
“I’m afraid so,” Finn replied with a smile as he nodded past Emmy, to the car that had just pulled up next to his. Emmy turned just in time to see Landen climbing out of his car, then hurrying around to open Amelia’s door, to help his wife out.
“Oh God,” Emmy sighed under her breath, and Finn couldn’t help but echo her words in his head.
He climbed out of the car, quickly hurrying to Emmy side, just as she was stepping out of the car too. He then led her up the steps to his parent’s front door.
“You beat us,” Amelia laughed as Landen helped her from the car. “Landen must be losing his touch; he is usually first one to arrive.”
; “If I didn’t have to wait for my wife to try on twenty different outfits,” Landen said with a laugh as he and Amelia walked around their car, and up the steps to where Finn and Emmy were waiting for them. “We would have been here ages ago.”
“That’s charming,” Amelia laughed as she reached Finn, giving him a hug before she turned at looked at Emmy. “Blame the pregnant woman.”
“Emmy,” Finn said with a cough to clear his voice. “This is my brother, Landen, and his beautiful wife, Amelia. Guys, this is my friend, Emmy.”
“I don’t know about beautiful,” Amelia said with a laugh. “I’m starting to feel more like a beach ball, but I’m delighted to meet you Emmy, and Happy Thanksgiving, to you both.”
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Emmy replied, and Finn could see how nervous she was. Amelia, who clearly sensed it too, hugged her tightly, then held her at arms-length.
“I know how scary it is coming here,” Amelia said, giving her a smile. “Five brothers would be enough to scare anyone, but they are a bunch of pussycats really,”
“Good to know,” Emmy replied with a smile, and Finn could see her relax a little.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Little Brother,” Landen said as he gave Finn a hug before he too turned his attention to Emmy. “And to you too, Emmy. It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Emmy froze as she looked at Landen, and Finn knew exactly what was going through her mind.
“I’m talking about these cookies that Finn was talking about,” Landen added quickly, and Finn knew he had caught the look of panic on Emmy’s face too. “Finn tells us you’re pretty awesome in the kitchen.”
“I don’t know about that,” Emmy replied with nervous smile, as her face flushed with embarrassment. She reached up, brushing her hair back from her face and Finn knew this was also a sign that she was feeling more than a little uncomfortable.
“She actually brought some with her,” Finn added, trying to relax Emmy a little more. “Though not sure Dad will want to share.”
“Maybe we should hide them then!” Landen exclaimed with a laugh as he gave Emmy a genuine smile.
Suddenly the door opened, and Nell appeared in the doorway.
“I thought I heard voices!” She said as she looked at her two sons with a broad smile, then her smile widened when she saw Amelia. “Happy Thanksgiving!”
She hugged Amelia tightly before she turned to Landen.
“This year, we have so much to be thankful for,” she said with a smile and hugged him once more, before she turned her attention to Finn. “Happy Thanksgiving, Sweetheart.”
“Same to you, Mom,” Finn replied as he hugged his mother tightly.
Finally, she turned her attention to Emmy. For the briefest moment, Nell’s smile faded a little. Finn thought he saw a look of recognition spark on his mother’s face, but she quickly pulled it back. She smiled warmly at Emmy, before she hugged her tightly too. Finn knew right then his mother knew exactly who Emmy was.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Emmy,” Nell said as she held Emmy at arms-length, giving her a genuine smile. “It’s so lovely to have you here with us for this wonderful day.”
“Thank you for having me here,” Emmy replied as she returned Nell’s smile before she handed her the box of cookies she had brought with her. “I brought these for you. Finn, I mean Professor Murphy said that you might like them.”
“Thank you, Emmy. That was very sweet of you,” Nell said, and while she was outwardly smiling, Finn knew her mind was working overtime. “Please, come in, all of you.”
Shit! I should have told her, Finn thought to himself. He should have known that his mother would have remembered Emmy from when her mother was alive, or at the very least, from her funeral. He wondered why he was so bad at reading situation. For a genius, you’re not very bright, are you?
“Your brothers should be here shortly,” Nell said as she led them into the living room where Sean was waiting for his family to arrive. “Dylan even managed to get the day off, but of course Liam is running late. Not sure where Callum has gotten to.”
“Nothing new there,” Landen said as he greeted his father with a hug before Amelia did too.
Finn glanced at his mother, he was surprised to see her watching Emmy closely. He was so distracted by his mother’s behaviour, he didn’t even notice that his father was talking to him.
“Hey, Genius!” Landen exclaimed with a laugh. “How about coming back to planet earth.”
“Sorry,” Finn said as he turned his attention to his father and greeted him with a hug. “Hey, Dad. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“You too, Son,” Sean said as he patted his son on the back, before he turned and smiled at Emmy, waiting for Finn to do the introductions.
“Dad, this is Emmy,” Finn said as Sean greeted Emmy with a kiss on the cheek.
“Lovely to meet you, Emmy,” Sean said giving her a warm smile. “You’re very welcome to our home.”
“Thank you for having me,” She replied as she gave Finn a nervous glance before she turned back to his father. “You have a beautiful home.”
Before he could reply to her, Callum arrived. Finn had only just finished the introduction when Dylan arrived too.
“Why don’t we all go into the dining room,” Nell suggested once the last of the introductions were done. “Liam said he would be late, and not to wait for him.”
They all took their seats around the perfectly arranged table, just before Stella began serving the food.
“So, Emmy,” Dylan said as they all finally tucked into their dinner. “Mom said you’re in Finn’s class, is that right?”
“I am,” Emmy replied with a smile, as she glanced at Finn who was sitting next to her. “It’s my first year.”
“So what’s that like”? He asked with a grin. “Does he make you call him sir, and love to hear himself talk?”
“You don’t have to answer that, Emmy,” Nell said giving Dylan a scolding look. “Dylan is just being a brat.”
Emmy smiled at Nell before she glanced at Finn once more, giving him a smile too.
Finn smiled back at her; maybe things were going to be okay after all.
They were just starting the main course, and Finn could see that Emmy was finally beginning to relax, and so he started to relax too. Amelia and his mother were talking to her as they ate, and Emmy seemed to be enjoying herself. Finn couldn’t help but feel relieved.
“I hope you losers have left me food!” Liam’s voice suddenly echoed out from the hallway, before the front door slammed shut. Moments later, Liam appeared in the doorway, as he made his usual dramatic entrance. He stepped into the room and held out his arms. “Don’t all stand up, but the favourite son has arrived. So please form an orderly queue, there is plenty of love for everyone.”
Finn rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but laugh at his brother. If nothing else, Liam was always entertaining.
He smiled as he instinctively glanced at Emmy, but froze the moment he saw her face. She was staring at Liam, and she looked like every drop of blood had drained from her face, as tears suddenly welled in her eyes.
“Emmy,” he asked her in a quiet voice, as not to bring attention to her. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Why did you bring me here?” She whispered under her breath as everyone else around the table stood to greet Liam.
“What? Why?” Finn replied, surprised by what she said. But she didn’t reply. Instead, she just closed her eyes and Finn knew she was falling apart.
Finn started to panic. He had no clue what was wrong, nor did he know how the hell to fix it.
Chapter 15
Emmy
Finn took hold of Emmy’s hand and kept talking to her, but she couldn’t hear a word he was saying. This was the final piece of her life that had come back to haunt her. She knew no matter what happened now, Finn would never look at her the same way again, and once more her life was crashing down around her feet.
“Emmy, please,” Finn's
voice echoed in her ears. Somehow it pulled her back from the edge. Emmy opened her eyes, looking up at Finn.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, knowing there was nothing else she could say right at that moment.
“Liam,” Dylan’s voice sounded from behind Finn, as Emmy held Finn’s eyes with hers. “You have to meet our guest. Finn brought a real live girl to dinner.”
“Dylan Murphy,” Sean scolded his son, and Emmy could hear the irritation in the man’s voice. Still, it was nothing compared to the bombshell that was about to explode.
Liam moved around the table, to come and meet his brother’s friend, but the moment he saw Emmy, he stopped dead in his tracks, looking completely stunned to see Emmy sitting there.
“Emmy!” He exclaimed as he stared at her for what felt like forever.
“Hello, Liam,” Emmy said before she looked at Finn.
“How have you been?” Liam asked, but Emmy didn’t reply. Instead, she just stared at Finn wishing more than anything that she was anywhere else in the world at that exact moment.
“Do you know each other?” Finn asked as he looked from Emmy to Liam, then back to Emmy once more.
“I think I should go,” Emmy said as she set her napkin down on the table, and she suddenly stood up.
“I think you should answer the question,” Finn said as he too stood up. He looked from Emmy, the girl he loved with all his heart, to his younger brother, and Emmy could see the fear on his face. “How do you know her?”
“It’s a long story,” Liam replied, with a sigh, but his eyes never left Emmy’s. “But it’s Emmy’s to tell.”
“How do you know him?” Finn asked once more as he looked at Emmy. “Did you sleep with him?”
“Finn,” Emmy pleaded as she stared up into his face. “Please don’t do this now.”
“Finn,” Nell said as she moved closer to her son. “Now is not the time.”
“I need to know, Mom,” Finn said, as the look of hurt on his face almost broke her heart.
“What does it matter if they slept together?” Dylan chimed in as he too moved closer to the table. “She’s just your student, isn’t she?”
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