by Mj Fields
���Oh of course, I should���ve insisted you take a vacation. How rude of me, I���m so sorry,��� Emma apologized.
���Don���t be, I wouldn���t be leaving now except something pressing���s come up, so I���ll leave tonight. Rupert will be here in my place,��� Clive said.
���Well alright. Clive, do you trust Rupert?��� Emma asked.
���Of course, as should you. He���s never locked you in the car on my days off, has he?��� Clive smiled.
���Well…I guess not,��� Emma laughed remembering the day he���d locked her in so that Brody could speak to Troy at the rehab center.
���I���ll be back as soon as I can,��� Clive squeezed her hand reassuringly.
* * *
Rupert Long was an intimidating man, he didn���t speak often, but when he did, he commanded attention. He was tall and muscular, his skin was like milk chocolate and hair and eyes, black. He had been with them for a week, and London and Emma had bets about who could make him crack a smile or speak more often. London of course won.
���Ma���am, this is Clive,��� Clive said on the other end of the phone.
���Clive how are things? I hope your family is well,��� Emma said.
���They are, but I���ll need another week,��� Clive stated rather than asked.
���Oh, alright…of course,��� Emma said quietly.
���Is everything alright there ma���am?��� He asked.
���Well���yes they���re fine,��� Emma cautiously answered.
���You don���t seem so sure. Is there a problem, is Rupert doing alright?��� Clive questioned.
���Well honestly he���s a bit, well how do I say this?��� Emma pondered out loud.
���Overbearing?��� Clive asked with a hit of amusement.
���Yes, but silently so,��� Emma replied in the same tone.
���He has a job to do, Mrs. Hines,��� Clive chuckled.
It���d been months since she had heard him call her Mrs. Hines, and it took her breath away.
Clive heard her breath stop, ���Are you alright?���
���It���s just���never mind,��� she whispered.
���No…what is it?��� Clive asked authoritatively.
���You called me Mrs. Hines, and well you haven���t in months,��� Emma���s voice cracked.
���I���m sorry I���ve upset you������ Clive began.
���It didn���t upset me it������ Emma���s tears began to fall.
���It���ll be okay, you���re going to be fine,��� Clive said softly.
Emma cleared her throat, ���I���m sorry. Please enjoy the rest of your trip. Don���t worry about us we are fine, and well…if London has her way, Rupert will be a new man by the time you come home,��� she giggled.
���See you soon Mrs. Hines,��� Clive said as he hung up.
Rupert became more and more impossible each day. He took many calls which caused him to be even more impossible. At first, he insisted on taking them everywhere, even to the store for milk. He then insisted on knowing where they were at all times and went running with Emma every day. He even began to smile less, which meant almost never. London would tell him jokes, and he���d force himself to turn his lips slightly up. Emma and London would laugh when he did which annoyed him.
Emma walked into her parent���s home to drop off Lexington, and Henry was franticly trying to get his bag to zip. ���Dad, where are you going?��� Emma asked as she hugged him.
���Well I have a few things to tie up in England. I left in a hurry, and I need to make things right,��� Henry answered avoiding eye contact.
���What sort of things?��� Emma asked.
���Oh just some papers to sign that didn���t get done before I left,��� Henry said and smiled and hugged her, ���I���ll see you soon, Princess.���
Henry left quickly. Caroline came out and smiled and hugged Emma tightly.
���Mom…is everything alright?��� Emma asked.
���It sure is. Hey I���d like us girls to go to the spa tomorrow. I haven���t had pretty feet in months and I���m sure you, Elizabeth, London and maybe even baby Lexi, all deserve a treat,��� Caroline said as her eyes shown tears.
���Why don���t just you and Elizabeth go?��� Emma said and hugged her.
���No, I want us all to go, please Emma,��� Caroline pleaded.
���Of course Mom if it means that much to you,��� Emma smiled and looked at Elizabeth.
���Good Morning, Emma,��� Elizabeth said coolly.
���Good morning,��� Emma smiled, ���Alright then Lexi, you���re going to stay with Grandma and your aunt for a while, I love you baby girl, see you soon.���
���Have a fabulous day���Princess,��� Elizabeth said following her out the front door and closing it.
���Do you need something Elizabeth?��� Emma asked as she stopped and turned around.
���Well Princess, whatever could I need? Oh, maybe I could shadow you so someday I could become just like you, the ���perfect little Princess���,��� Elizabeth snapped.
Emma had held her tongue for months and had taken all the jabs she could handle from her sister. ���Look, neither of us asked for any of this to happen. I love you Elizabeth, and I���m sorry for all that you have been������
���You���re sorry? You had a perfect life and parents who treat you like royalty, you look down your fucking nose at me every time I see you. They may buy your pleasantries but I don���t, so you can cut the shit with me Emma!��� Elizabeth snapped.
���Elizabeth I think you…��� Emma tried to speak.
���You think Emma? You can���t stand that I���m here taking time away from you and them. Do you have any idea what I lived Emma, do you? I was taken from my family and shipped in a fucking box overseas and drugged. Passed around to be fucked by every sick bastard that had enough money. I was a child! I didn���t deserve that. I���m a used up disgusting whore and all of you look at me like that every fucking day of my life! I would go back there in an instant, at least I felt wanted and desired, here I���m a burden, a fucking case for you to all look down on!��� Elizabeth screamed.
���I���ve never thought of you that way, Elizabeth. You were a child and a victim, I love you, I���m truly sorry if I made you feel that way,��� Emma cried and tried to hug her.
���Cut the crap Emma, you blame me for your husband���s disappearance, you hate that I���m here, and he���s not, don���t you?��� Emma didn���t respond, ���Answer me, Princess!���
���That���s not fair Elizabeth. That���s totally not fair, I love my husband, and I love you. I���m angry and hurt that he���s not here, I���m trying the best I can to keep it together. I don���t blame you,��� Emma answered wiping away tears.
���You���re a fucking liar!��� Elizabeth screamed.
���I���m a fucking mess, that���s what I am, and I���m trying to keep it together for my children. Just like our parents did for me when we thought you were dead. I think I���m doing as well as can be expected. And you���re drug free and home where you have people who love and adore you, this nonsense needs to stop between the two of us. I can���t take anymore,��� Emma said and shook.
Rupert walked up to Emma, ���We need to go soon or you���ll
be late, Mrs. Hines.���
Caroline walked out, ���Enough girls, that���s enough,��� she cried and Lexi began to cry.
Emma grabbed her and hugged her tightly, ���It���s alright love. Mommy���s got you.��� Emma walked to the car with Lexington in her arms and Rupert opened the door.
���Emma,��� Caroline yelled.
���Mom I���ve got this covered, I���ll see you tomorrow. I���m sorry and I love you,��� Emma sat in the car and Rupert shut the door.
Emma grabbed her phone, and called Lila, ���Hey are you incredibly busy today? Great, how would you like to hang out with your god daughter for the day?���
Emma pushed the button alerting Rupert she needed his attention, the privacy window came down. ���Rupert, I���m going to need to take my car to work for a while. I need you to stay at my parents whenever Lexi���s there.���
���Ma���am I���m to stay with you,��� Rupert answered back.
���I���m in charge here, and I need you to make sure my child is safe, do you understand?��� Emma snapped.
���I do, however,��� he began.
���When Clive returns I���d like you to stay on, to watch over my children until my sister stops her hateful behavior towards me. But for now, they need you, and I need you to make sure…��� Emma broke down and began to cry. When they pulled up to the office she took a deep breath and wiped below her eyes making sure she got all the tears before stepping from the car.
She took a deep breath when she left the office. Rupert was waiting for her at the car, ���Ma���am.���
���Thank you Rupert,��� she said as she slid in the car.
���Miss Lila���s at your house with Miss Lexington, your mother changed your spa appointment to this evening,��� Rupert said and answered his phone, ���Yes sir, one minute please,��� he said and raised the privacy glass.
Emma sat on the couch and snuggled with Lexington. ���Are you alright Emma?��� Lila asked stroking her hair.
���I���m better than I was this morning. I went in to see my boss today and asked to be moved to part time. She insisted I stay on full time and offered to let me work from home. I can have Mom or whoever watch her here while I do video meetings,��� Emma laughed, ���I think my last name makes me very sought- after.���
���That���s great Emma ��� or do you need the break? I could understand that completely. As much as I love her, she���s exhausting,��� Lila laughed.
���I don���t need anything but them, and you of course. I hope you know how important you are to me, Lila,��� Emma said appreciatively.
���I feel the same Emma. Hey…I have some news for you,��� Lila smiled.
���Good news, I hope,��� Emma ginned.
���Yes. Mark and I are expecting!��� Lila laughed.
Emma jumped up and hugged her, ���Congratulations!���
���Why thank you,��� Lila laughed.
���Wow, you���re really going to be a Mommy,��� Emma laughed.
* * *
London was excited about her evening at the spa and Lila was joining them at Emma���s request. Mark was working late, and Emma wanted to treat Lila, a thank you along with congratulations.
���If you want to wax you better do it now,��� Emma laughed whispering in her ear.
���If you do, I will,��� Lila laughed.
���Sure, why not?��� Emma smiled and looked down sadly.
���Has it been hard, I mean no sex?��� Lila asked.
���No, I don���t think anyone would ever measure up in skill or size,��� Emma giggled, ���Besides…I���m waiting for my husband.���
���Emma maybe you���ll have a Ghost experience like Demi Moore?��� Lila chuckled.
���Maybe I should buy a pottery wheel,��� Emma said and they burst out laughing.
���What are you two laughing about Mommy?��� London asked.
���Brody,��� Emma said, and her smile fell.
Elizabeth sucked her teeth making a loud annoyed sound. Lila looked at Emma and crossed her eyes.
* * *
���Emma, we need to talk,��� Henry said as he walked in the house.
���How was your trip Daddy?��� Emma asked giving him a quick hug, ���A whole week away from Mom.���
Rupert came in the room and stood at the door looking above her head as usual.
���Emma, I need you to sit down and listen to me for a few minutes, alright?��� Henry said pointing to the chair.
���You���re scaring me,��� Emma said as she sat.
���Princess, Brody���s alive,��� Henry said softly holding her hand.
Emma gasped, and tears immediately fell down her cheeks, ���Is he hurt, is he here?��� Emma jumped and ran towards the door.
���He���s safe and physically fine. He���ll be flying in tomorrow with Clive,��� Henry said calmly leading her back to her chair.
���I want to talk to him I need to hear his voice, Daddy let me have my phone please!��� She almost pleaded.
���Emma, he���s been through a lot, which we need to talk about okay?��� Henry said calmly.
���Damn it, give me my phone,��� Emma cried.
���Princess, he���s lost some of his memory,��� Henry said holding her hands tightly, ���He doesn���t remember anything after his divorce.���
���He doesn’t remember me?��� Emma asked.
���I���m sorry, Emma,��� Henry said and hugged her tightly.
���I don’t care I want to call him, NOW!��� Emma demanded.
���There���s more that you need to know, and I have to insist you listen to me before you make that decision alright?��� Henry said, grabbed his bag and sat next to her.
���I don’t care! Damn it! I want to hear his voice Dad! I knew he wasn’t gone, and no one believed me!��� she sobbed.
���You love him Emma, and he doesn’t remember. He���s angry and detoxing, he���s embarrassed and didn���t want to come back here. He was held captive and drugged for almost a year. Brody doesn’t even look the same.��� Henry explained.
���Does he know about Lexi?��� Emma cried.
���Yes,��� Henry answered.
���Does he know we���re married?��� Emma said inhaling a deep breath.
���He does,��� Henry answered.
Emma grabbed her phone and ran into the bathroom locking the door. She dialed Clive.
���Emma?��� Clive answered.
���I want to talk to him now Clive,��� Emma pleaded through falling tears.
���You���ll see him tomorrow night Emma, he needs time,��� Clive said softly.
���I need to know that I���m not losing my mind Clive, I knew he was still alive, damn it! I love him…I don’t care if he thinks…damn it Clive ��� I need to hear his voice,��� she sobbed.
Emma cried and sat, and there was nothing on the other end.
���Fine,��� she said trying to steady her breathing, ���All I wanted was to hear him,��� Emma said softly.
���Demanding little thing aren’t you, did I know this about you before you dragged me to the alter Emma?��� Brody asked laughing. Emma took a quick breath and sat silently, ���Wow I have some effect on you haven’t I? I���ve left you speechless and breathless all at once.���
; ���You have no idea,��� Emma said softly.
���You���ve given me a child?��� Brody asked more seriously.
���Lexington Grace,��� Emma answered still shocked, ���she looks just like you,��� Emma said softly and started to cry again.
���Do you cry often?��� Brody asked with humor in his voice.
���Lately I have,��� Emma answered honestly.
���Well I hate to disappoint dear wife, but I���m sure that won���t end anytime soon because I have no bloody clue who you are,��� Brody laughed.
���I���m so sorry this happened to you,��� Emma said softly.
���Oh don’t worry about it, I���ll bounce back, might not be in the direction you want me to go, but it���ll all work out,��� Brody laughed his insecure nervous laugh.
Emma opened the door and walked into the kitchen and past her father and Rupert and Lexi began to cry. ���Is that my child making all that noise?��� Brody asked.
���Yes Lexi���s hungry, aren’t you love?��� She asked her daughter sweetly.
���Well now, I���m going to let you quiet her down, and I���m going to pack, is there anything you would like me to bring you back from London, dear wife? Diamonds, jewels?��� He joked.
���Just you. Safe, please,��� Emma asked, and her voice broke.
���Alright then, what do we say when we end a call?��� Brody asked annoyed.
���See you soon,��� Emma said with a smile in her voice.
���Awe much better, see you soon,��� Brody responded.
���Oh and I don’t expect this in return but, I love you Brody, Always,��� Emma hung up the phone and hugged her daughter tightly.
���Emma, we aren���t finished here,��� Henry snapped.
���I���m all ears now.���
���He���s not returning to you the same Emma, you need to understand a few things.��� Emma shook her head in disagreement. ���He was held captive and beaten and drugged. He has blocked a lot out Emma, and it���ll more than likely come back and probably not at a time that���s convenient. Clive worked with a man Brody disliked, to find him. Brody doesn���t remember why he hates the man. This is very dangerous, do you understand that? And that problem is nothing compared to the media storm that may follow it, do you understand?��� Henry snapped. ���He���s had health testing Emma, and he���s been cleaned up. His blood tests have come back negative, but he needs to be retested again, do you understand that?���