Chapter 4.
Emma peered sideways at Wesley as she drove, checking for any signs of forgiveness. He sat still and silent, he hadn't spoken a single word to her since she had picked him up. He hadn't even looked at her, only stared straight ahead at the road. Emma sighed "Oh come on, it's not like you were the last kid waiting there!"
Wesley looked at her for the first time that afternoon, he turned at stared at her with narrowed eyes.
"I said I was sorry! I'm not even that late. Honestly you're overreacting!"
Wesley shook his head and turned back to staring out the window.
"Okay buddy, this attitude has to stop!" she snapped at him "You have been acting up all summer and quite frankly Mom does not deserve it. Mom is finally happy with Jay, but every time she feels happy you put on one of your moods and ruin it!" Emma calmed down and softened her voice "I know you feel like Jay is trying to replace dad, but he isn't. No one ever could, but mom does deserve to be happy." Wesley turned to face her again with a deep frown and nostrils flaring
"I know that! Is that what you think I think?" he shouted at her. Alarmed Emma nearly swerved out of her lane. She pressed her lips together "Is that not what you think?" she asked confused.
"No! I just don't like how quick everyone was to forget dad." Wesley said with his head down "We haven't visited him once since we moved into the new house."
It was Emma's turn to fall silent. Opening and closing her mouth she didn't know what to say. Emma hadn't even realised that they hadn't visited her father's grave since moving to the new house and now she was filled with guilt. They were nearly home, and Emma had to pack a bag for Savannah's house but with another quick glance at Wesley she turned the car around. Wesley looked around alarmed "Where are we going?" he asked
"To go see dad." Emma replied.
Emma realised she felt slightly nervous as she approached her father's grave. They had stopped on the way to the cemetery to buy flowers, as they lay the flowers on the grave Emma noticed Wesley seemed somewhat happy for the first time since they had moved in together with Jay and his daughter. Emma encourage Wesley to talk about all the things their father had missed out on, so Wesley talked about his day at school, his friends, and a girl who Emma suspected he may have a crush on by the way he talked about her. He also spoke briefly about their new home and about their mother being engaged. With a pang Emma realised that Wesley was the saddest when he was at home. Wesley seemed happy about everything else, his friends and his school, but he showed no happiness when speaking about their home for family. Wesley stopped talking and stares at Emma
"What?" she asked uncomfortable,
"It's your turn," he said simply as if it was obvious.
"Oh," Emma hadn't realised she would need to talk as well. This was an exercise for Wesley to make him feel better and hopefully for Emma to learn a bit more about what was making him upset and moody. She stared at the name 'Allen Black' on the gravestone and took a deep breath "Well I think Wesley just about covered it... last time I visited I wasn't doing so well. But I've been getting better I promise. I'm sure you're watching over us and have seen my mistakes, but I'm also hoping you'll forgive me. Mom is happy probably for the first time since you died, and I think I am too." Emma turned now to look in Wesley's eyes "But that doesn't ever mean that I have forgotten about you, or that I will ever not need you. You will always be my father and I will always need you. But my life is moving on, and I just have to trust that you're watching me and caring for me from above. And that any time I need you I can just close my eyes and talk to you, because you will be there, and you will be listening."
Wesley was smiling at her and Emma smiled back, feeling slightly accomplished. At the very least she hoped he would start feeling more comfortable at home.
Looking past Wesley Emma noticed a thick heavy fog had started to form and was moving rapidly towards them. Alarmed Emma stepped forward to grab a hold of Wesley "I think it's time to go" she said. Wesley looked back and his eyes widened and he gave her a nod. As they turned to leave they heard a crow caw and the sound of wings flapping, they both turned to look into the fog as the crow burst out and swooped them. Emma felt the rush of air as its wings flapped just above her head and both she and Wesley screamed and ran as fast as they could heading out of the cemetery and back to their car. With the entrance gates in view Emma tripped forward, her hands flew out in front of her to protect her face and she skidded forward on her palms and knees.
"Are you okay?" someone asked, a firm hand grasped her upper arm and help her to her feet.
Emma looked up and met the gaze of familiar green – gold eyes. Emma's heart was still racing from the fright she'd just had and instead of replying in any appropriate manner she found her self saying "What are you doing here?"
Alexander raised his eyebrows "Visiting family of course. I have relatives buried here."
Emma groaned "Of course … your parents … I'm so sorry that was so rude" Alexander took a step back, his jaw clenched.
"You're bleeding." He stated.
Surprised Emma looked down at her palms, sure enough they had scraped when she had caught her fall.
"Do you not do well with blood?" Emma asked neatly folding her arms behind her back.
"No … blood can make me …queasy." Alexander's answer seemed well thought out. Wesley scuffed "There's hardly any blood at all." He declared holding up one of Emma's arms. Startled Emma tried to pull her arm away, she had all but forgotten Wesley was with her. "There's only a few drops, surely that doesn't bother you." Wesley was all but shoving Emma's hand in front of Alexander who turned his head away his eyes closed shut. Emma managed to rip her hand out of Wesley's grasp "Stop it Wesley, you're being rude!" Emma looked back up at Alexander apologetically "Well we'd best be off. I didn't tell mom we were coming so she might start to worry if we're not home soon…"
Alexander gave her a polite nod as Emma grabbed Wesley's arm and pulled him along with her.
"Who was that guy?" Wesley asked suggestively. Emma made a face at him
"Shut up!" She hissed.
Emma's mother wasn't too happy that Emma and Wesley arrived home late, or that Emma only stayed long enough to get pyjamas and clothes for the next day. Emma pulled up in front of Savannah's house and let herself in. Both Angela and Natalie who were waiting for her to arrive greeted her. Emma was about to ask where Savannah was when she heard the raised voices coming from the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Emma asked alarmed. It wasn't like Savannah to get in arguments with her family.
"Savannah is trying to convince her grandmother to let us order pizza for dinner," Angela answered
"From the sounds of things it's not going well…" Natalie observed.
Emma frowned at them "What's wrong with ordering pizza?" she asked.
"Grams is obsessed with me eating healthy!" Savannah said joining them "And being active. Fit and healthy is all she talks about these days" Savannah said miserably. Emma gave a small laugh "You're not exactly fat, what brought this on?"
Savannah gave her an exasperated look "She's trying to extend my lifespan. She predicted I would be young and beautiful in my grave."