Thank you for all the follows, favourites and reviews I've picked up since the last episode. Even though I am still receiving far more attention for the first story. Astonishingly, people actually seeming to be signing up to the site purely to bookmark these stories which is incredibly humbling so a big thank you.
EPISODE THREE: A Date to Remember
CHAPTER ONE
Since first moving to Scotsdale, Emma had spent far too much time at the hospital. It was a fact she was forced to reflect on as she, Sutton, Mads and Laurel hurried into reception, Laurel in the lead as they approached the desk. "How's Jordan Lyle?"she asked.
The receptionist checked her computer. "Are you relatives?"
"I'm his girlfriend. We live together."
The receptionist nodded. "Take a seat and I'll get a doctor to speak with you shortly."
The four girls sat in the waiting area. Emma placed a comforting hand on Laurel's leg. "He'll be okay. Ethan said the ambulance got to him really quickly."
"I don't know what I'd do without him. I love him, Emma." Laurel buried her face in her older sister's shoulder.
Emma glanced over at Mads, who seemed to be struggling to hide how upset she was. She nodded towards Sutton, who seemed to take several seconds to realise what her twin was tying to tell her before awkwardly patting Mads' hand.
A female doctor approached them down the corridor. "You're here about Jordan Lyle?"
Everyone stood up. "Yes,"Laurel answered.
The doctor smiled at her. "Don't worry, it's good news. He needed stitches for a cut on the head and he's got a mild concussion so we're going to keep him in overnight for observation but he's going to be fine."
Laurel breathed a sigh of relief. "Can he have visitors?"
"Yes but just for a short time and only two of you."
"Emma, can you come with me?"
Emma wavered uncertainly and looked at Mads, worried about usurping her. Mads gave a brief nod and Emma took Laurel's hand. "Of course I will."
Laurel hugged Jordan so tightly when she saw him that Emma was afraid she was going to crack his ribs. "I was so scared,"she said quietly.
Jordan grinned. "Hey, you should know my head's thicker than that."
"I can't believe someone would do this to you."
"Well, maybe I short changed them. Or scratched their car when parking it."
Laurel bit her lip nervously. "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."
Jordan stroked her face gently. "Likewise."
Emma watched them. She'd never been entirely comfortable with the speed with which Jordan had moved from Mads to Laurel. But seeing them together, she realised for the first time how much he loved her sister. She was pleased. Laurel deserved someone who loved her.
Jordan seemed to notice that he was the focus of her attention. "Something wrong?"
"No,"Emma answered. "Nothing wrong. Just watching the two of you."
Sutton was sat in the waiting room with Mads. "It's all right, you know,"she told her.
Mads looked at her in confusion. "What is?"
"It's all right for you to still worry about Jordan. Even though you're not together anymore. You meet someone and you think they're the one, think that's where your future is. And then it turns out you were wrong, it's over. But you can't switch those feelings off. You can't stop caring about them."
Mads looked closely at her. "Are we still talking about me?"
"Can I move in with you and Char?"
Mads blinked at the abrupt change of subject. "Where did that come from?"
"I don't know. Can I?"
"Well, Mum and Graham are using the guest room at the moment but if you don't mind them being around…"
Sutton waved a hand dismissively. "We'll get on fine."
Dan found Ethan waiting outside the trailer when he arrived home. "You don't still live here, do you?"
"Emma's still at the hospital,"Ethan explained. "Thought I'd come and check how you went."
Dan sighed. "At the moment…we've got nothing. Jordan didn't see who hit him, there were no other witnesses, no security cameras directed at that area, we've yet to locate the weapon and the assailant didn't leave any forensic traces. We can't even find a motive."
"Tough break."
"Yeah." Dan noticed Ethan shifting uncomfortable. "Was there something else?"
"Sutton."
Dan sighed. "Something else you got from Emma, I suppose?"
"I just figured you might want to talk."
"What's there to say? You went out with Sutton too. You know what she's like."
"She was a challenge,"Ethan admitted. "But you were with her a lot longer than I was. And I thought she'd grown up a bit since then."
"So did I. But turns out that underneath it all she's still the same spoilt girl who thinks she's too good for people. And I really don't have time for that." Dan inside the trailer, leaving Ethan alone.
