by Mj Fields
Brody walked into the family room, and the room exploded into applause and ���Welcome Homes.���
Brody laughed, ���You mean literally here.���
���Yes,��� Emma laughed, ���Now sit please.���
Brody sat, and each child carefully hugged him except for Lexington, she all but dove on him. He held her tightly and laughed through the pain. Henry and Caroline explained that they brought them home the night before, and Collin had people check the premises before. Dinner was already made, and they all ate together.
���Where are the pups?��� Brody asked Maddox.
���Outside, so they don���t jump on you,��� Maddox smiled. ���Birdie is upstairs shall I������
���Maddox I don���t think I could handle that right now. I���m awfully ill you know,��� Brody smiled. ���What did you name them?���
���Hey London, Dad wants to know what we named the pups,��� Maddox called her over.
���Mine is Bailey,��� London smiled waiting for Maddox.
���Mine would be Shakespeare,��� Maddox chuckled.
���Very nice names,��� Brody smiled.
Lila and Mark stopped in as well. Plans were set in place for an interview with Matt in three days.
���Look at you,��� Emma rubbed Lila���s belly.
���Unreal isn���t it?��� Lila smiled at her.
���It���s going to be amazing, you are going to have the coolest baby,��� Emma grinned.
���I hope it���s a girl, her and Lexi would be so close.��� Lila rubbed her belly.
���They would, they shared a womb,��� Emma giggled.
���Sort of womb mates,��� Lila laughed out loud.
They looked at each other in silence for a brief moment, ���What a crazy two years.���
���Definitely crazy but more than worth all the heartache. I have you back in my life, a husband who I adore and three beautiful children, two are thanks to you.��� Emma smiled and looked at the children talking with Brody.
���Two?��� Lila looked confused.
���Lexi for obvious reasons and Maddox, well had I never met Brody I wouldn���t have him,��� Emma���s smile was full of gratitude.
Lila giggled, ���Awe thanks, and I wouldn���t have met Mark if not for you. I have to tell you I think I got the better end of the stick.���
���I���m glad you feel that way���but my Music Man, well he rocks my world.��� Emma laughed at how corny she sounded.
She looked at Brody who was listening in, and he smiled and winked.
* * *
���Your parents have decided to move in,��� Brody smiled.
���I���m very glad they did,��� Emma sat next to him in bed.
���I���m as well, it���ll be good for all the kids,��� Brody laid back and groaned.
���The medicine will kick in soon,��� Emma said sadly.
���It���s going to knock me out,��� Brody frowned.
���At least you won���t be in pain,��� Emma kissed him quickly.
Brody grabbed her face, ���I want more.���
Emma kissed him cautiously, and he laughed, ���I���m not that fragile Em.���
���I don���t want to hurt you,��� Emma smiled, ���I have an idea.���
Emma reached her hand down under the covers, and Brody smiled, ���Whatcha gonna do with that?���
���Anything you want,��� Emma smiled back.
���Em, these meds are starting to kick in,��� Brody fought to keep his eyes open, and his smile slowly began to disappear as he fell asleep.
Emma reluctantly let go of him and watched him sleep. He was home, he was safe, and he was hers, always and forever.
She lay down next to him and rubbed his cheek softly, and he opened his eyes briefly and smiled and closed his eyes again.
* * *
Emma walked down the stairs and went into the kitchen and made a cup of decaffeinated tea, she sat on the couch and turned on her iPad. She looked through her email and read a letter from her boss. She smiled at the kindness they had given her over the past year and responded sending her gratitude and expressing her need to get back into work mode.
She heard someone clear their throat and looked up at Maddox and smiled, ���You can���t sleep?���
���No,��� he sat next to her.
���Are you nervous about school?��� She asked.
���A bit,��� he admitted.
���That is perfectly normal,��� Emma smiled. ���Did you pick out what you���re going to wear?���
���Well, London and Grandma Caroline did,��� he smiled, and Emma laughed.
���You wear whatever you want,��� Emma patted his hand.
Maddox smiled, ���Will you tell me what is going on?���
���Ask me anything you want to know Maddox,��� Emma stood up. ���But first would you like a drink or a snack?���
���Water would be great,��� Maddox answered.
Emma returned with water and a sliced apple, ���Alright ask away.���
���Is he dead?��� Maddox asked.
���Yes,��� Emma answered.
���Good, and do they know what role he played?��� Maddox asked quietly.
���They���ve figured it out, they will figure more out during the investigation.��� Emma looked at Maddox and saw relief flooding his face.
���And the other children, have they found anything out about them?��� Maddox looked at her.
Emma took a moment, ���Maddox can I ask a question?���
���Anything,��� he answered.
���Where you ever in a tunnel or underground?��� Emma asked.
���Between moves I believe once,��� Maddox looked at her with concern.
���Well we think that���s how they move the kids without being detected. They���re working on that now. We hope that it brings answers,��� Emma smiled gently.
���Is there anything I can do to help?��� Maddox���s tone was full of need.
���I���m sure there���s a lot. But first we need to try to give you time to adjust Maddox, to be a kid.��� Emma sadly looked at him.
���I���m pretty sure I bypassed the kid stage,��� Maddox smiled.
���And I���m truly sorry for that,��� Emma looked at him.
���No, don���t be sorry. I���ve watched my father and Collin who have both been through some horrific life experiences and they are men to definitely look up to. You and Tessa aren���t like women in books, you���re strong yet nurturing, you would do anything for your children, and I���m very proud to be one of them now. What I see in all of you is that you don���t sit idly by waiting for something to happen and you don���t get stuck in your troubles. I won���t either,��� Maddox smiled.
���You haven���t Maddox, you���re such a beautiful soul, I���m in awe of you,��� Emma hugged him. ���When you walk into that school tomorrow you���re going to be older than all of them, not in years but in wisdom. Do not forget that, don���t forget who you are in here,��� Emma touched his heart.
Maddox smiled, ���I���ll remember that. I���ll also remember who my family is.���
���Awe you���re so brilliantly wonderful,��� Emma smiled. ���Okay it���s late, we
have an early morning.���
���Bedtime?��� Maddox smiled.
���Yes, sorry,��� Emma smiled weakly.
* * *
Brody walked down the stairs and watched as Emma and Caroline fussed over London and Maddox. He watched Caroline braid London���s long dark hair making sure that it was perfect. Caroline went after Maddox next. Brody watched his son smile at her and then when she looked away he let out a breath and ran his hands through his hair and messed it up.
Brody laughed, and they all turned and looked at him, ���Good morning everyone.���
Emma smiled, ���Good morning do you need anything? Pain meds and a drink?���
���I wouldn���t want to drop the children off at school today high Love. I���m sure there���s enough talk about me, I wouldn���t want to add to it.��� Brody smiled and walked up to her, ���Good morning Love.���
He kissed her sweetly, and she smiled.
���You should really try to relax,��� he whispered.
���Good morning, you should be the one relaxing,��� Emma kissed him quickly and moved to the counter.
���Alright, money has been added to your accounts for lunch, you should get personal identification numbers from your teacher this morning. I packed lunches but if you���re still hungry feel free to buy. There are notes in your bags with new contact information and emergency contacts. If something happens you���re to call grandma immediately, both of you have cell phones. I don���t care what they say at school, have them on you, hide in the bathroom and text if you need us. It���ll take less than fifteen minutes for us to get to you. There are guards at your schools, you are safe there,��� Emma took a deep breath.
���You���ll both have an amazing day, new friends and opportunities await,��� Brody wrapped his arm around Emma���s shoulder and smiled at her.
���Sorry,��� Emma whispered and he kissed her head.
���Just so you know Maddox, it���s the same every year,��� London rolled her eyes, and Maddox laughed at her. ���You���re lucky you only have one year of it. You���re going to be just fine brother.���
���Thank you sister,��� he kissed the top of her head.
���We ready to roll Clive?��� London yelled.
���He isn���t here yet,��� Brody laughed.
���Who���s driving us?��� London asked shocked.
���We will,��� Emma smiled at her.
���You better, Daddio is all banged up,��� London giggled.
���Did you two feed the dogs?��� Emma asked.
They both laughed and took off to get the dogs food.
���Are you feeling alright?��� Emma felt Brody���s head.
���I���m fine,��� Brody gabbed her hands and smiled at her. ���I was thinking I may need a sponge bath from my naughty nurse after������ Brody stopped when he heard someone clear their throat.
Henry raised his eyebrow and shook his head at Brody and Brody looked down and bit his lips so he wouldn���t laugh. He looked up at Emma and she was bright red.
���It���s not like he hasn���t heard worse out of your mouth Em,��� Brody whispered, and Emma giggled.
���My poor father,��� Emma smiled and watched Henry walk out of the room.
���We should get him a bell,��� Brody joked, and Emma smiled.
* * *
Brody and Emma walked into the house quietly and looked around.
���Wow, this is odd,��� Brody looked at Emma.
���Are you going to be alright?��� Emma asked.
���I���m sick to my stomach and unsure if it���s because I���m hungry or that we���ve just left them ���oh Em, this sucks,��� Brody laughed uncomfortably.
���I know right?��� Emma took his hand and walked to the kitchen. ���I���ll make you some breakfast and then if you want we can spend the day driving between schools and peering in the windows.���
���We would get arrested,��� Brody smiled as he sat.
���Lexi will be awake very soon, she���ll keep you occupied,��� Emma smiled as she cracked eggs into the frying pan.
���She loves me,��� Brody smiled and sat back crossing his arms over his chest.
���She does,��� Emma giggled.
���You love me,��� he said chuckling.
���I do,��� Emma looked over at him and watched him beam.
���What a wonderful life we have Emma. Well minus the past year or so,��� Brody smiled at her again.
���I love the doormat,��� Emma said as she flipped the eggs.
Emma sat the plate in front of him and leaned on the breakfast counter and smiled. He smiled back at her, ���Thank you love.���
���You���re very welcome.��� Emma watched him eat, and he looked up at her through his insanely long lashes.
���See something you like?��� He winked.
Emma blushed and turned around, ���I���m going to get you some fruit.���
���Hey Em, do you think that, wow this is strange,��� Brody paused, and Emma turned towards him and smiled. ���I would like to take you on a date, when I���m better. I have never taken you on a real date Emma.���
Emma set the plate of fruit on the breakfast bar and shook her head yes and chewed a grape, ���Where would we go?���
���I have no idea,��� Body laughed.
���We are having a breakfast date now,��� Emma smiled and shoved a grape in his mouth.
Brody laughed, ���Yes we are.���
���I don���t need a date Brody,��� Emma smiled adoringly at him. ���Besides, wait until we see what the kids bring home today. Permission slips, different sports and clubs they want to join, homework out of their ears, life is about to get ���well stay crazy,��� Emma smiled.
Brody looked at her, ���Alright then, how about a honeymoon? We haven���t done that yet either Em.���
���Okay, whatever you want, we���ll figure it out.��� Emma looked at the monitor and smiled, ���Lexi���s awake, I���ll go grab her and then you two can finish breakfast together.���
* * *
Brody waited and listened to Emma talking to Lexington through the monitor. Emma was telling her that Daddy was waiting and Lexington was laughing. Nothing sounded as beautiful to him as the two of them carrying on.
���See I told you,��� Emma smiled as Lexi was trying to wiggle out of her arms.
���Daddy,��� Lexi dove for him and hugged him.
���Princess, good morning,��� Brody hugged her tightly and Lexi tried to get down.
���Birdie Daddy, Birdie,��� Lexington clapped.
���Oh wonderful,��� Brody smiled at her.
���Up Daddy, Birdie up,��� Lexington carried on.
���Oh Lexi, Daddy can���t pick Birdie up,��� Brody frowned to her, ���Lets you and I eat.���
Emma laughed at him, and he rolled his eyes, ���What the hell was I thinking?���
* * *
Brody was on the phone when Emma walked down the stairs after putting Lexington down for her nap, he patted the spot beside him, and Emma sat down as he hung up the phone.
He looked frustrated and angry. ���They found where I was held, Clive says it matches the video footage perfectly. I was in a fucking tunnel. They���re holding Bobby and interrogating him, Clive isn���t allowed in.
���
���Okay well there are some answers we were looking for right?��� Emma held his hand.
���Sure Emma,��� he sat back.
Emma looked down at their hands and rubbed her hands slowly across his knuckles.
���Zack���s in there with Bobby, which pisses me off,��� Brody grumbled.
���I���m sorry you���re upset Brody,��� Emma said sadly.
���I just want more answers Em. I want to be able to tell Maddox something good when he gets here,��� Brody closed his eyes.
���Call Zack,��� Emma suggested.
���We don���t have his number,��� Brody laughed.
���I do,��� Emma grabbed his phone and thumbed through it and handed it to him, ���Call him.���
Brody looked at her, ���Why do you have ������
���He sent me a text, the night������ Emma began.
���Oh that���s right, the night you left with him,��� Brody scowled.
Emma laughed, ���Sorry.���
He looked up at her, and his face was unreadable, ���Are you mad Brody?���
He looked up at the ceiling, ���Frustrated as hell.���
���What can I do to help?��� Emma was concerned for him.
Brody laughed, ���Just keep doing what you���re doing Emma, I���m going to be a bear.���
���I won���t let you,��� Emma smiled and kissed him. ���Let me get you some pain meds?���
���Emma, I���m truly fine for a bit,��� Brody held her hand tightly.
���Okay, call Zach, I���m going to make you lunch.���
Brody looked at her and smiled, ���You���re amazing.���
���I know,��� she giggled, ���and so are������
���You know, pretty confident are we,��� Brody kissed her hand and laughed.
���Sure am, I have this guy in my life, who loves me enough to tell me very often and who shows me every day, so yes, I���m pretty confident. I only hope I do the same for him,��� Emma smiled.