A Change of Priorities
By Misha

Disclaimer and Notes in Chapter One.

Chapter Four

Early the next morning, Emily was on her porch, staring at the ocean when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Emily, its Conrad."

Emily repressed a shudder. Talking to Conrad actually creeped her out more than making nice with Victoria. Maybe because Victoria made such a good adversary or maybe because her hostility meant that Emily didn't have to play nice, she could let a little of her disdain show. Whereas Conrad had given her no reason for hostility, at least none that the world knew about, so she had to fight to hide her antipathy for him.

"Has the judge made a decision about Daniel?" Emily asked instead.

"Yes, he's being released on 10 million dollars bail," Conrad informed her, "He's on his way home now."

That was good news. Emily let out a sigh of relief. Daniel would be safe. For now.

"Is Victoria coming with him?" She inquired as she moved inside to begin packing a bag for her stay at Grayson Manor.

"I haven't been able to get a hold of her," Conrad told her dismissively, "Obviously our son's freedom isn't as important to her as she pretends. Besides, while Victoria might pretend otherwise, she's not the first person Daniel will want to see when he gets released. You are. I trust you'll be here waiting for him?"

"Of course," Emily assured him and then paused, "Conrad, I hope you and Victoria don't mind, but I actually promised Daniel that if he was released on bail, I'd move in with him for the time being."

"That's a good idea," Conrad told her, "It'll be good for Daniel to have you close and it sends a good message to the press, that you believe in him and will stand by him. You have good instincts, Emily, definitely Grayson material."

There was pride in his voice and it made Emily more nauseous than she already was. Being considered Grayson material was the last thing she wanted. She might have genuine feelings for Daniel, but that didn't change her opinion of his father. She loathed Conrad Grayson and she was committed to bringing him down, but unfortunately it would have to wait until after Daniel's freedom was assured.

"Victoria might object, but she already has to live with the fact that I've moved back in for the duration," Conrad continued, "Besides it's not like this place doesn't have room for one more."

Emily smirked a bit. Poor Victoria, having to live with her estranged husband and the future daughter-in-law that she despised. At least her beloved son would be home and obviously that was all that mattered to Victoria.

"There's no place I'd rather be than Daniel's side," Emily assured Conrad, "I'll be over as soon I finish packing."

A couple hours later, Emily was standing in the front hall of Grayson Manor, alongside Conrad, watching as Daniel was escorted into the mansion.

"Hi honey," Daniel greeted her, "I'm home."

It was obvious that the greeting took a lot of effort and Emily gasped at the sight of his bruised face and swollen lip. "Oh my god."

She stepped closer to him, intending on embracing him, but was stopped by one of the police officers.

"One second, ma'am." He told her and then turned to Daniel. "This is your EHM bracelet." He put something around Daniel's ankle. "It's a GPS-enabled monitor that confines you to a 5,000-foot radius of the base unit. Tamper with the base or step outside of the perimeter and this light turns from green to red."

"And if that happens?" Conrad asked.

"If that happens he goes back to jail for the duration of his trial." The officer informed them. He turned back to Daniel. "Do you understand these conditions?" Daniel nodded. "Ok. Have a good day."

With that, the two officers left and as soon as they were gone, Emily stepped towards Daniel and wrapped her arms around him, which caused him to wince in pain.

"Oh, God. I'm sorry." She apologized and stepped back, but kept her arm around his neck. "It's ok, you're home now." She assured him.

"Why don't you take Daniel to the pool house?" Conrad suggested after a moment. "You still need to get settled in and he can probably use some rest before the lawyer comes."

"Of course," Emily said, stepping away from Daniel and offering him her hand instead. "You can show me where to put my things."

0

"You're really okay with staying here?" Daniel asked her once they arrived at the pool house.

"I want to be wherever you are," Emily told him, "and the manor is more secure than my beach house." She made a face. "I don't think your mother knows yet, though, so there could still be an explosion once she finds out."

"I'll deal with my mother." Daniel assured her. "I'll make her understand that I need you close." He looked at her carefully. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm not the one who was attacked." Emily admonished.

"No, you're just the pregnant one," Daniel reminded her. He put a hand on her still-flat stomach. "I can't believe it."

"Me either." Emily confided. She placed her hand on top of his. "I'm feeling ok. A little nauseous and I tire more easily, but other than that, no complaints."

"Except that you could end up a single mother before the baby is even born." Daniel pointed out grimly. "What I don't beat this? What if I go to jail?"

"That won't happen." Emily told him sternly. "We're all going to do everything in our power to prove your innocence, you have to know that."

"I do know that." Daniel told her. "It's just hard to stay positive when there's so much at stake." He sighed. "This should be the happiest time of our lives and instead we have this black cloud hanging over us."

"No storm lasts forever," Emily told him, "This is only a temporary blip on the radar and once this passes, we'll be able to focus on our baby." She moved her hand and placed in on his face. "You should lay down for a little while before Mr. Brooks get here."

"Will you lay with me?" Daniel asked softly. She could see the circles on his eyes and guessed that he didn't want to be alone. He had spent too much time alone lately.

"Of course," Emily assured him and she placed her hand in his, leading him towards the bedroom.

She watched as he carefully settled down on the bed and saw the effort that it took and she felt a rush of anger towards Victoria. At the same time though, when she took in his haunted eyes, she was grateful that he was out of jail and that was safe. At least for the time being.

Once Daniel was settled, Emily carefully climbed in next to him. Daniel motioned her closer, but she hesitated. "I don't want to hurt you," she said quietly, mindful of his broken ribs.

"You won't," he promised her and then he wrapped his good arm around her, his hand resting possessively over her stomach. Emily settled into his embrace, taking care not to hurt him, but enjoying the moment.

She was usually so wrapped up in her quest for revenge that she never paid attention to the little moments, but just this once she was going to try. She was going to put her plotting and scheming on hold and just be grateful for the fact that Daniel was out of prison and that he was here with her and he was safe. Everything else could wait.
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