The Legacy series: The Love series, the Wrapped series, and the Burning Souls series.
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Emma cried into her knees. Brody walked away and let out a frustrated growl. Emma jumped when he punched the wall.
He spun quickly around. ���I didn���t ask for this Emma, and I���m so fucking sorry this hurts you, but you not believing me, CRUSHES me!���
Emma looked sadly at him, and he knelt in front of her and took her hand and put it to his heart. ���I love you Emma, and I promise you, I do not remember.���
Emma���s lip quivered, and he wrapped his arm around her waist and shook in anger.
���I���ll figure this out,��� Brody sneered when his tears had stopped.
Emma closed her eyes, ���I just want it to go away.���
���Em look at me, I���m hiding nothing from you. If I wanted to hide this I could have, easily. I���m sorry, I need you to believe me that I don���t remember,��� Brody pleaded.
Emma shook her head, ���Okay.���
���Okay? Emma what does that mean?��� Brody held her face and looked deep into her eyes, into her soul.
���I do Brody, but it hurts,��� Emma cried, and he pulled her into his arms.
���The only thing we can come up with Emma is that I was being drugged. Here as well as in England. It was probably Elizabeth but Ariel could have been doing it as well. I haven���t had dreams or lost moments since Ariel���s death.��� Brody lifted her chin, ���Think about it Emma, things between you and I, I���m not pulling away anymore. My mood swings������
���Yes, they were epic,��� Emma wiped her eyes.
���Oh Em yours were impressive as well,��� Brody cautiously joked.
���I was only reacting to yours.���
Brody smiled, ���Yes love, but I was drugged.���
Emma hugged him tightly.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Emma and Brody walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. He kissed her head and sat at the table. Emma handed him a cup of tea.
���Thank you,��� Brody smiled.
Emma knew his thank you was for more than the tea. ���I believe you, I trust you.���
���Okay,��� he smiled.
���Brody, I���m sorry. I���m being such a bitch. I don���t want to hurt you, and I know I did. I promise I���ll…��� Emma started.
���It���s alright, it���s not easy stuff we���re dealing with Emma,��� Brody forced a smile. ���If I saw you with another man I would see red.���
���So Ariel was going to expose Elizabeth after the car explosion,��� Emma said sadly.
���Yes, my ex must have had a change of heart when she learned her lover, my sister, was trying to kill us. And I thought she was a bitch,��� Brody laughed.
���You two had threesomes or foursomes������ Emma asked softly.
���Apparently sometimes five- some���s as well,��� Brody cringed. ���I don���t remember that either.���
���And your sister and Ariel?��� Emma asked.
���Interesting isn���t it?��� Brody laughed nervously.
���Brody������ Emma stopped.
���Alright love, the gooey stuff. It���s very difficult to realize that the people who you believe care for you would be so conniving and deceitful. It could easily make you question every person around you, harden you even.��� Brody looked out the window, ���like you and your armor, I too started building it around me. I won���t do that to us anymore, I can���t lose you. I can���t lose them; I can���t lose what we���ve created together. We need to fully trust each other Em; my heart couldn���t take it any other way. Its wrapped in yours, forever.���
Emma looked up at him, ���Now, how do I respond to that?���
���No, need Em.��� Brody kissed her softly.
���God you���re beautiful Brody.��� Emma wrapped one arm around his neck. ���Not just the physical you…but here.��� as she placed her other arm on his chest.
Brody held the hand she placed above his heart and closed his eyes. ���A reflection of what���s here in yours.���
���Mom,��� London said disgusted.
Brody laughed and looked at London and Maddox. Maddox was holding Lexington. ���Good morning, children.���
���What are we doing today?��� London asked.
���First, breakfast.��� Emma smiled.
���And then I���m feeling very inspired, maybe we could hang out in the studio?��� Brody asked.
Maddox���s smile lit up his face, and London clapped and jumped up and down.
���What about you Lexington, does that sound fun?��� Brody laughed.
���But first the doctor will be here soon,��� Emma piped in.
* * *
When they walked into the studio Maddox���s eyes fixed on the tunnel entrance.
���It was necessary once,��� Brody patted his shoulder.
Maddox smiled at him, ���I know.���
���Emma���s going to try to give us some time alone. She���s busying London with school shopping online.��� Brody grabbed his guitar. ���Always my favorite one, it���s a Fender Esquire.���
���It���s old, huh?��� Maddox looked at the worn brown guitar.
On the back of the neck Brody and has band had all signed below the words, Go Big or Go Home. The back of the body had an American flag and flag of England decals that were worn with age.
���Eight years, I got this when the band decided we were coming here. The next great British invasion,��� Brody laughed. ���Okay, let���s see how she feels to you.���
���She?��� Maddox asked.
���It…I guess,��� Brody smirked as he positioned the guitar under Maddox���s arm and helped him.
���First know your instrument.��� Brody pointed out the parts. ���Body, sound hole, saddle, bridge, pick guard, neck, frets, fret board, nut, head stick, and tuners, got it?���
Maddox smiled, ���I think so.���
���Alright then follow me.��� Brody sat and picked up another one of his guitars. ���I���ll help you learn some chords, first A major.���
Brody placed three of Maddox���s fingers on the second fret, they worked at C, next D, E, and G. Maddox caught on fast and started strumming as he hummed a tune.
���What are you humming?��� Brody smiled at him as he followed Maddox playing.
���Just something I���ve been writing,��� Maddox blushed.
���You���re writing a song?��� Brody smiled.
���Well it���s more a letter but put to music, silly right?��� Maddox shook his head.
���Not at all, care to share?��� Brody was excited.
Maddox smiled, ���Not yet.���
���Okay but when you are I���ll be very excited to hear it,��� Brody smiled.
���Alright then,��� Maddox chuckled.
* * *
Emma and London walked into the studio. ���Lexi asleep, Em?���
���Yes and London and I spent way too much money on vintage tee- shirts and hats,��� Emma smiled. ���I hope you don���t mind Maddox, but I think London picked out more for you than she did for herself.���
���If he doesn���t like them, we can send them back.��� London plopped down next to Maddox.
���I���m sure I���ll adore them London,��� Maddox smiled.
&nb
sp; ���So Brody and I have a surprise. Brody? Why don���t you tell them?��� Emma sat next to him.
���Maddox and I are healing well. We think we should take off for the weekend,��� Brody smiled.
���End of summer vacation?��� London grinned.
���Yes, end of summer vacation,��� Brody grinned back.
���Maddox will you go outside with me and play in the sandbox?��� London used her pouty face.
���Absolutely,��� Maddox stood and looked at the guitar and hesitantly handed it back to Brody.
���It���s yours Maddox,��� Brody smiled. ���You���re a natural.���
Maddox smiled and closed his eyes briefly. ���Thank you Dad.���
Brody looked at Emma and smiled, ���He���s good Em.���
���Like you,��� Emma smiled back.
���Yeah like me.��� Brody sat back.
���Have you written anything?��� Emma asked looking at his notebook.
���A while ago.��� Brody picked it up and thumbed through it absently. ���We still going to surprise them in the morning?���
���That���s the plan right?��� Emma asked.
���Yes, we should pack.��� Brody started to stand.
���You said you felt inspired. Write Brody, it���s been awhile.��� Emma smiled and picked up the book, ���May I?���
He nodded his head and picked up his guitar and started quietly strumming as he watched her read.
All I Can Do
Slamming the door loud enough for the whole world to hear. The hurt, the hurt in your eyes paralyzing, paralyzing fear.
Oh the pain vibrates throughout my body haunting my soul, twisting the knife driving deeper from the hurts taken toll.
Try to stop the burn instead I fan and it spreads. Ashes rain down from heaven, true love is dead
Nothing to stop the pain, the bottle miles away, distance from her hurt makes it easier each day
What can I give you my words fall on deaf ears, the shouting, hurtful shouting I have to push back tears
For you to see the darkened door I have closed so long ago, would it be poetic justice now to reap what I have sowed
Chorus
Do you know I cry out in need of comfort, Do you know it’s your love I need?
Do you know the hell I will endure for your smile, greater distance from me I walk awhile?
Do you know its pain inside, Do you know I did everything for you I tried oh I tried?
Do you know this broken man on his knees, his true desire for your hearts fullness, his disease?
All I can do is hurt for you, All I can do is try for you, All I would do is die for you, Do you know I would die for you. Do you know I would die for you?
What am I to do, alone I fall apart, Crouched in the darkness desperately piecing back memories of your heart
How will I know if it works far, far away from you Trust in hurt and pain is all I can do oh, oh all I can do
The master of puppets control my every move the bottle I wish with trust would soothe
But in the darkness pain echoes inside of me, one desperately hidden so you���ll never see
Crawling into darkness voice scream inside my head, reminders crumble heart���s desire broken promise monster fed
To give my strength what���s left for your safe existence, to endure the pain from you I keep my distance
The windowed wall I watch in shadows, for just one glimpse of pasts singing sparrow.
Moving on without me doing what I asked, weapons fire I spread my arms to embrace the blast
Chorus x2
Do you know I cry out in need of comfort, Do you know it’s your love I need?
Do you know the hell I will endure for your smile, greater distance from me I walk a while?
Do you know it’s pain inside, Do you know I did everything for you I tried oh I tried?
Do you know this broken man on his knees, his true desire for your hearts fullness, his disease?
All I can do is hurt for you, All I can do is try for you, All I would do is die for you, Do you know I would die for you. Do you know I would die for you?
���Brody,��� Emma whispered holding her hand to her neck.
���I told you dark stuff, and that���s just one.��� Brody set his guitar down.
���I hurt you,��� Emma began to cry. ���I hurt you, and I didn���t even see.���
Brody hugged her, ���I couldn���t let you.���
���You can never do that again, I can never���I love you so much, don���t you ever hide from me,��� Emma sobbed into his chest.
���Things like this morning hurt you Emma, do you think I feel any different about your pain than you do mine?��� Brody lifted her chin, so she was looking at him, ���I don���t Emma, and I don���t feel any different.���
���God, what a mess we are,��� Emma put her forehead to his chest.
���Not anymore Em, stronger than ever,��� Brody kissed her head.
���What you were playing, was it that song?��� Emma asked wiping away tears.
���Yep,��� he smiled. ���As soon as I saw your face I knew what you were reading.���
���We need happy music Brody,��� Emma smiled softly.
���We make happy music Em, kind of raspy, breathy������ Brody started.
���Okay, okay yes we do,��� Emma smiled, ���beautiful music.���
���The doctor scolded me today, she said I needed two more days Em.��� Brody cocked his head to the side and winked.
���You told her?��� Emma gasped.
���I told her nothing,��� he laughed. ���About traveling Emma.���
���But you told me������ Emma began.
���Maddox can travel, kids tend to heal faster. I can���t drive. Who would think a gunshot would heal faster than a knife wound?��� Brody smiled.
���Was that all you talked about?��� Emma looked down.
���Two days,��� he kissed her. ���I even have a note from her to give to you.���
Emma laughed and so did Brody.
���We should go up,��� she smiled.
���I agree, I need to talk to your father, and then���Em do you play catch?��� Brody asked.
���What?��� Emma laughed.
���Our boy is going to have to endure physical education class.��� Brody looked nervous.
���We can figure it out,��� Emma smiled and took his hand and left the room.
* * *
He watched Emma out the window playing with the kids, and made tea for Henry and Caroline.
���Thanks for taking a few minutes away from them.��� Brody set the cups in front of them and grabbed his. ���First thank you, for everything you���ve done for us, all of us. I don���t think I���ve taken the time to actually say the words. I want you both to know how grateful I am���we are, that you���ve been such a great support to us.���
���Of course Brody we���re family,��� Caroline smiled.
���Yes we are.��� Brody gently squeezed her hand returning the affection. ���Emma and I would like you to consider moving in with us.���
Henry and Caroline looked at each other. Brody knew they were each searching for the answer.
���Please take your time making that decision. Emma, the kids, and I are going to head to the lake, and then to the Cape. We would love for you to join us. The kids think we leave Friday morning. We would like t
o surprise them, and leave first thing tomorrow,��� Brody smiled.
���Both offers are wonderful, we would like to discuss it.��� Henry smiled at Caroline.
���Moving in here would mean you would be a direct influence on Maddox���s life. You���re his grandparents, his blood. Emma misses you, and I���m sure London does as well, and Lexington.��� Brody smiled, ���Through all of this hell she seems to have been unscathed, thank God. Of course, you���re welcome here anytime if you choose to decline the offer.���
Caroline smiled at Henry. ���We���ll let you know Brody. Was this Emma���s idea?���
���Actually I was the one who started the conversation,��� Brody smiled as he stood up. ���But we both agreed.���
* * *
After Lexington went to bed Brody, Emma, Maddox, and London watched a movie. Maddox sat next to Emma, and they looked through web pages for clothes.
���I honestly don���t care,��� he laughed.
���Okay, why don���t we wait and you can see what other kids are wearing?��� Emma smiled.
���No thank you, jeans, tee- shirts that London chose, tennis shoes, that���s all I need.��� Maddox smiled and messed London���s hair.
���You have a birthday coming up, is there anything you���d like?��� Brody asked.
���No. Honestly, I have more than I could have imagined.��� Maddox closed his eyes.
���You���ll be sixteen, how about a car?��� London asked.
Maddox laughed, ���I just conquered the bicycle.���
London leaned over and whispered, ���Seriously brother? They would give you anything.���
Maddox laughed.
���Are you conspiring against us London?��� Brody laughed.
���Just helping a brother out,��� London smiled and yawned.
���Would it be alright if I thought about it for a bit?��� Maddox asked quietly.
���Of course,��� Emma smiled.
* * *
Emma came down the stairs and heard Brody arguing with someone on the telephone.