The Legacy series: The Love series, the Wrapped series, and the Burning Souls series.
Page 203
���I would love to come for the weekend, an extra weekend with London sounds perfect,��� Troy laughed.
���Okay then, thanks.��� Emma hung up and took a deep breath.
London came down the stairs with her backpack full. Emma opened it to see its contents.
���No phone needed, no iPad, wow London let���s have an electronic free������ Emma began.
���Mom that���s how I talk to Brody and Dad,��� London argued.
���You can use my phone,��� Emma smiled and put them on the counter. ���Let���s bounce, I have some surprises in store for you!���
* * *
Eyes watching, waiting for you to go down, anticipation, greed, to need the moment you release the fiend,
Ripping and tearing from inside, the white light burns, hells fury awaits, the past haunts you, the terror the pain covers a blackness never to be clean
Taunting eyes glow, the mumbles you hear, pain to anger, anger to fear.
Placid places, a palace inside, a meadow a brook a feeling a look, but the burn the pain comes too fast ripping and tearing, black tomorrow to clear.
Standing on the edge of hell, searching its escape. Seeking a clearing while losing faith.
I see you through the clouds the sun shines onto you, step back to the darkness to keep the sun safe, step back to the darkness to keep the sun safe.
Chorus
In sleep I seek solace from the burn and the pain
Memories of hell running through like a train
I seek the suns light the warmth of her rays
A walk through hell to reach it for the rest of earth���s days.
In early slumber I reach you I feel no agony
The beauty and softness her light gives to me.
Momentary relief turns back to hell
Ripping me from the soft place I fell.
Momentary relief turns back to hell
Ripping me from the soft place I fell.
Closed eyes, hands moving in search for softness��� return, hands annihilated, recoiling, seeking no longer for anything but hells truth
The suns ray hidden from clouds, lightning, thunder, hells fury tore from her hearts youth
The darkness it spreads, unable to contain the fury and wrath
Dizziness drowning, watching life���s beauty pass you by as you walk down darkened path
Nothing good in her light you pushed it away, don���t return to me are the words fear compels you to say
In hell you lay broken beaten and bruised the early slumber seeking oh seeking today���s tomorrow for a way
Chorus
In sleep I seek solace from the burn and the pain
Memories of hell running through like a train
I seek the suns light the warmth of her rays
A walk through hell to reach it for the rest of earth���s days.
In early slumber I reach you I feel no agony
The beauty and softness her light gives to me.
Momentary relief turns back to hell
Ripping me from the soft place I fell.
Momentary relief turns back to hell
Ripping me from the soft place I fell.
Bridge
Brody sat in a dark room and wrote, it was his way to release anger in earlier years. His anger now pain, a deep burning pain, one he never knew until recently. Hell on earth.
Mirrored pain, reflected anger, the sun glimpse of hell, reflecting the darkness, violently ravaged, torn the pain in her tortured hidden sound
Putting you in hells path facing its truth, lighten path for just a glimpse the heart of the sun shattered pieces no longer bound.
In sleep I needed solace from the burn and the pain
Memories of hell still run through like a train
I need for the suns light the warmth of her rays
I walked her to hell for the rest of our days.
In early slumber I reached you I felt agony
The beauty and softness her light no longer given to me.
Momentary relief turns back to hell
Ripping me from the soft place I fell.
Momentary relief turns back to hell
Ripping me from the soft place I fell.
CHAPTER SEVEN
They pulled in and London clapped, ���I knew it!���
���You did?���
The door swung opened and Tessa grabbed London and smiled, ���Hey little one, well not so little, look at you!���
���Aunt Tessa!��� London said laughing, ���Are the cousins here?���
���They are and should be here any������ Tessa laughed as the boys grabbed her out of her hands.
���I get to see her first!��� Harper stomped.
Emma laughed and stepped out, ���Thank you Tessa,��� she whispered as she hugged her.
���Please, our pleasure,��� Tessa returned her embrace.
Ann and Rupert got out of the car as Emma grabbed Lexington���s carrier, she was asleep.
���Is this your sister?��� CJ asked.
���Yes,��� London laughed.
���Does she sleep all the time?��� Matthew smiled.
���A lot, but that���s what babies do right?��� London giggled.
���Let���s grab your suit,��� Harper said, ���We have castles to make!���
Emma and Tessa stood and watched as they ran inside, ���Tessa, my God…they���re beautiful.���
���Thanks, I can���t believe they���ve grown up so fast,��� Tessa said looking towards the house.
���How���s Collin?��� Emma smiled.
���Perfect,��� Tessa smiled, ���He should be here in two days. What���s going on with you and Brody Hines?���
���I don���t know, it���s crazy. I just needed to get away for a while,��� Emma tried to smile.
���Troy���s filled me in, I hope you don���t mind,��� Tessa grabbed a couple bags out of the car.
���Of course not. It���s just a mess,��� Emma felt tears coming, ���But we���re here for fun and family.���
���Emma we can chat when they go to bed, okay?��� Tessa hugged her.
Tessa and Emma sat on the deck and watched their children play.
���CJ and Matthew are going to be seniors this year, its crazy. Harper���s going to be a junior and London will be nine?��� Tessa smiled.
���Yep, and now we have Lexington,��� Emma started to cry, ���Sorry.���
���No Emma, don���t be sorry,��� Tessa held her hand.
���I love her so much but I really can���t believe that I trusted him and chose this. Troy���s much better now ��� he���s great with London, and even Lexington while Brody was���gone. I just hate that Lexington will never have what London did.���
���Do you love Brody, Emma?��� Tessa asked.
���More than I thought possible,��� Emma said wiping her tears.
���Okay. You know Lexington���s as much a part of this family as London right?��� Tessa smiled.
���Thank you.���
���And you know that you are as well?���
���Thank you,��� Emma smiled.
They watched as Harper ran up the beach to them, ���Hey Aunt Emma, can I take Lexington down?���
Emma smiled and nodded her head yes.
���They���re wonderful, your kids,��� Emma smiled to Tessa, ���I love that they call me Aunt.���
���Well you are their Au
nt Emma. Sort of, I mean technically I guess their cousin, but I guess it seems more comfortable for them to think of you as an Aunt,��� Tessa laughed, ���Because we���re so old.���
They laughed, ���Hey what���s up with the heavy?���
���Oh that���s Rupert, my security team��� Emma laughed, ���Weird huh?���
���Yes, we had one for a while as well. He���s traveling with Collin. Things were really rough when we started,��� Tessa laughed, ���A boy with a past.���
���I know all about that,��� Emma smiled, ���Does it get better? I mean why don���t you have someone here?���
���It gets better. Tomas needs to be with Collin when he travels, I feel better about it. And did you see my boys? Little men and Harper can out shoot them both,��� Tessa laughed.
���I should unpack,��� Emma smiled and started to stand.
���Already done ma���am,��� Rupert said and both Tessa and Emma jumped, ���Ann���s on it.���
���Ann?��� Tessa whispered.
���Housekeeper, she���s amazing,��� Emma smiled.
���Most Ann���s are. This was my Aunt Ann���s house. She was the best,��� Tessa smiled looking at the house.
They spent the next few days relaxing and talking. Neither Emma nor Tessa had to worry about lifting a finger ��� between their housekeepers they got to enjoy the kids and each other. They sat on the deck looking at the stars.
Tessa jumped when Rupert stormed out of the house, ���Hands up!���
���Hey no, no…this is������ Emma began.
���I suggest you drop that fucking gun,��� Tomas said behind Rupert.
���Wow hold on, Collin when did you get home?��� Tessa smiled.
���Rupert, this is Tessa���s husband and I assume Tomas,��� Emma explained.
���Holy shit,��� Tessa laughed.
���Tessa, telling me there was security here may have been a good idea,��� Collin scolded.
���Oh really? Telling me you would be home early would have been as well,��� Tessa stomped.
Collin smiled and grabbed her, ���God I���ve missed you.���
Emma giggled as she watched them kiss, ���Tomas ��� hi. This is Rupert and his wife Ann���s in the house with the kids.���
���Thank you ma���am,��� Tomas excused himself and Rupert followed him.
���I am SO sorry,��� Emma said looking at Collin.
Collin looked at her, ���Do you need help Emma?���
���I have help thank you,��� Emma said looking down.
Tessa watched Collin give Tomas a look and Tomas nodded.
���Really?��� Tessa smiled at Collin.
���Of course, really,��� he looked her up and down and closed his eyes.
���I���m going to head to bed,��� Emma excused herself.
���The kids asleep?��� Collin asked.
���Yes,��� Tessa���s breath hitched.
���Good, to the basement beautiful,��� Collin said and dragged Tessa behind him.
* * *
���Daddy!��� London cheered as Troy walked out to the beach.
���Hey baby girl,��� Troy picked her up and swung her around.
���Ma���am, did you know he was coming?��� Rupert appeared behind Emma.
���Yes, I invited him.���
���Your husband���s called several times. He wants to know where you are,��� Rupert looked at Emma.
Emma smiled at Tessa, ���Will you excuse me?���
���Em?��� Brody answered the phone.
���Hi,��� she said softly.
���Where are you?��� Brody snapped.
���I told you������ Emma started.
���Where? I can���t trace your whereabouts and see that London���s gadgets are sitting here so I can���t even ask her!��� He yelled.
���What? You what!��� Emma snapped.
���Don���t you act like I���m doing something wrong, Emma!��� Brody yelled, ���Your parents haven���t even heard from you in days!���
���That���s right! I needed a break, I told you that. All you need to know is������ Emma began.
���Fuck that Emma! I need to know where you are!��� Brody screamed and Emma held the phone away from her ear.
���I���ll be back in a couple days,��� Emma���s voice quivered, ���Brody���please understand.���
Emma hung up the phone and turned and saw Rupert, ���He tracks my phone!���
���Yes ma���am but I fixed it,��� Rupert smiled.
Emma was shocked, ���You smiled!���
Rupert suddenly looked uncomfortable, ���No,��� he said as he walked out the door.
Emma walked outside and saw Tomas and Rupert talking. And then she saw Tessa laugh and Collin scowled at Tessa.
���Everything okay?��� Tessa giggled.
���No,��� Emma sat down and looked up and let out a breath.
���Its fine, you���re safe������ Tessa began.
���Tessa,��� Collin warned.
Tessa rolled her eyes and Matthew chuckled.
���Aunt Emma, life���s crazy, but we���re very cool here. Can I take Lexi?��� Matthew smiled.
���Sure.���
���Emma, I have a tendency to overstep������ Collin began, Harper and CJ laughed.
���Tendency?��� Tessa laughed.
���Please excuse us, kids, and Tessa���if you can���t hold it together������ Collin began.
���Uh oh,��� Harper giggled.
���Watch it Collin,��� Tessa warned.
Collin and Tessa glared at each other and CJ and Harper walked away laughing.
Emma looked confused, ���I���m sorry I don���t understand.���
���I looked into your husband���s background. I know that whatever seems to be going on is bigger than you seem to be privy to. You and your children are family and safe here. I���m trying to stop my natural tendency to������ Collin was interrupted by Tessa���s giggle, ���Tessa if you need to take a minute to get yourself together������
���Screw you,��� Tessa laughed.
���Really?��� Collin asked looking into her eyes.
Emma watched her face turn crimson as Collin continued to look at her. Tessa swallowed hard, ���Fine I will,��� Tessa stood up and walked away.
Collin smiled and watched her and then turned back to Emma, ���Any help you need we���re here.���
���Thank you,��� Emma looked down.
���Of course,��� Collin patted her shoulder and looked up at Tessa standing on the deck.
Collin smiled and Tessa shook her head returning his smile and walked in the house and he followed.
Troy sat next to Emma, ���How are you Emma?���
���Ok.���
���Well if you want to talk to me about anything at all you can, alright?��� Troy hugged her.
���Smile!��� London took a picture with Emma���s phone.
Emma and Troy laughed and London took another picture.
Tessa and Collin came outside, ���I hope you���re up for company?���
>
���Whose coming Tessa?��� Troy laughed.
���Well Jade and her family and Lucas and his. Kendall and Ben will be stopping by as well,��� Tessa looked at Collin and laughed.
���You really okay with all that Collin?��� Troy laughed.
���Of course,��� he rolled his eyes at Tessa and they both laughed.
���When?��� Troy smiled.
���A couple hours,��� Tessa grinned.
���It���ll be great to see them all outside of Doe camp,��� Troy got up and walked towards London who was starting yet another sand castle, ���But first, another castle to build.���
* * *
London was exhausted and Lexi was falling asleep. Emma laid down with them and read a story and fell asleep with them.
���Emma,��� Troy whispered as he picked Lexington off the bed and laid her in the portable crib.
���What time is it?��� she asked rubbing her eyes.
���Ten, go back to sleep, I just wanted to make sure you were okay and that Lexington wasn���t going to fall off the bed,��� Troy smiled.
Emma stood up and covered London, Troy put his finger to his lips, ���Shh.���
They walked out the door and smiled at each other.
���Everyone is getting in the hot tub next door, Tessa���s friends are here. Want to come?��� Troy asked as he grabbed his shirt and lifted it over his head.
���Sure,��� Emma looked down.
Troy lifted her chin so she was looking at him, ���You okay?���
���Yes���yes, I���m���fine. I���ll be right back,��� Emma started to turn and heard Troy snicker.
She looked back at him and he grinned, ���Jesus Emma, we were married for over ten years, and you���re blushing.���
���No I���m not,��� she walked into the room and put on her suit and walked out. Troy looked her up and down.
���What?��� she asked.
���You look great.���
���Thanks,��� she walked past him.
She heard him suck in a breath and turned around, ���Jesus Troy, we were married for over ten years, and you���re gasping?���