So, continuing with longer chapters, here is another installment. Just so you know there won't be B/D for a little while yet, I've decided to go with the Jason and Bren storyline for a little while. Although SERIOUSLY mushy and not much with B/D or B/J this is a VERY important chapter for the plot so stick with me here guys. Love ya!
I'll Always Be With You
"Mom," Emma said the next morning, walking into Brenda and Jason's bedroom the next morning. She crawled on their bed in hopes of waking the two up faster. Brenda's eyes fluttered open and she smiled seeing her daughter staring back at her.
"Good morning sunshine," she replied, stretching a little.
"Morning, Mom have you forgotten about my dentist appointment? And look it's already seven-thirty! Ms. Roberts is going to kill me if I'm late again!" Emma cried. Brenda chuckled. If there was one thing that got on her daughter's nerves, it was being late for things, especially school.
"Well, Ms. Roberts is going to be mad today because you're not going to school." The young girl's eyes widened.
"Mom, is he coming to take me today? Am I going to America?" she asked with worry.
"No, no," Brenda assured her quickly. She had no idea her daughter was so worried about being taken away. "Em, he's not taking you. Today, you, me and Jason are just going to waste the day away doing anything your little heart desires." Emma's eyes gleamed with adoration.
"Does that mean Jason can make me chocolate chip pancakes today?" Brenda laughed.
"I'm sure if you ask him really nicely he will." Then, as if on cue, Jason awoke, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"What's all this talk of Jason making his famous chocolate chip pancakes?" he asked. Emma smiled.
"Please," she pleaded and he couldn't help but smile.
"Well, if you weren't so adorable I'd definitely say no," he joked. She smiled and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you. Oh and today, I want to go EVERYWHERE. Like the aquarium, the zoo, the museum-"
"Emma, we can't go EVERYWHERE, there are only so many hours in day," Brenda cried, cutting her daughter off before the list got any longer. Emma rolled her eyes.
"Fine, can you make pancakes now? Pleeeease."
"Alright, alright," Jason replied, pulling away the covers and making his way to the kitchen. Brenda smiled and lingered in bed for a few minutes longer when all of a sudden, a wave of nausea hit her, sending her running for the bathroom. Great, she though, I'm getting the flu. Just what I need. She washed up then went back to her room to lie down, hoping she'd feel a bit better.
Indeed, she felt better but it was as if she had never gotten sick. She shook her head and decided not to dwell on it as she had much bigger problems to dwell over. She walked into the kitchen and smiled, finding Emma helping Jason flip the pancakes, both her hands and his on the flipper. Emma giggled as the pancake they were flipping, landing on Jason's shirt.
"Hey, I thought you were supposed to cook the pancakes not wear them," Brenda commented, taking a seat at the table. Jason shot her a look, wiping the pancake off his shirt.
"Em, how about you set the table and I'll finish the rest," Jason suggested.
"Okay," she giggled, grabbing some plates from the cupboard and placing them on the table in an orderly fashion. Jason then placed a heaping plate of chocolate chip pancakes on the table and the little 'family' dug in.
"These are great!" Emma commented. Jason smiled.
"Well, you are definitely a great little cook." Emma smiled back.
"I know. Mom, do you like them?" she asked. Brenda nodded and quickly covered her mouth, running off to the bathroom again. Five minutes she walked back to the table receiving looks from both Emma and Jason.
"Honey, you alright?" Jason asked with worry.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm probably just coming with something. Nothing to worry about," she replied, shrugging off their worry.
"Bren, seriously, we don't need to go if you're feeling sick." She rolled her eyes.
"Thanks, but, really, I'm fine and besides, we are going to have a fabulous day today." Jason nodded and went back to eating his pancakes but his concerns definitely didn't leave him.
An hour later, the three of them approached the aquarium.
"Alright Emme, lead the way," Jason said, as they entered the attraction. Within minutes, she was off running towards the shark exhibit with Brenda and Jason following, hand in hand. Emma was so fascinated by the sharks, she didn't even realize how far behind they were.
"You sure you're feeling okay?" Jason asked as they walked over to the shark exhibit. Brenda nodded.
"Jason, I'm fine. Seriously, I love you but, I'm fine and you need to stop worrying." He cocked his eyebrow.
"Uh, Bren, do you realize that you've just gotten sick twice for no reason at all? That is definitely something to worry about and you need to go to the doctor tomorrow." She rolled her eyes.
"Yes, mom," she shot back, leaning into his shoulder as they met up with Emma. The rest of the day went quite well. They spent some time at the aquarium, then went to an afternoon play and finally, shopping.
"Bren, why don't you go get us a seat in the food court," Jason suggested once they had entered the mall. She nodded.
"Okay, where are you two going?" she asked.
"I had my watch taken in a few days ago and I just wanted to see if it's ready yet," he replied.
"And you need Emma with you to do that?" she asked, cocking her eyebrows with suspicion. He nodded.
"I most definitely do," he replied smartly. Brenda just rolled her eyes.
"Fine, I'll go get a table. I'm dying for curly fries anyway," she said before making her way to the food court. Jason and Emma faced each other.
"Since when does she like curly fries?" Emma shrugged.
"She definitely hated them last month when Doug brought them in during rehearsal," she replied. He shrugged.
"Odd. Anyway, I really need your help." Emma cocked an eyebrow but followed him none the less.
"A jewelry store?" she asked as they approached the store. He nodded and the two entered.
"Jason!" a woman cried once the two had entered. He smiled at the woman and Emma followed him over to the counter with curiousity.
"Charlotte, it's so great to see you again!" he exclaimed, giving her a warm hug as she slipped out from behind the counter. She smiled.
"Yes, it's great to see you too! I'll have you know the ring looks spectacular! Restored it myself and I'm sure you'll be satisfied," she replied, grabbing a small box from the back. When she opened the box for Jason to see, Emma's eyes instantly lit up.
"It's for Mom, isn't it?" she asked with certainty. He nodded.
"Yes, it is. It was my great grandmother's," she answered admirably. Emma investigated the ring. It was positively gorgeous. The band was white gold, glittering aimlessly in the light with a beautifully cut square diamond in the middle and two much smaller diamonds of the same cut on either side. It was magnificent and the best part, it had been in his family for generations.
"She'll love it," Emma said, interrupting him from his thoughts. He smiled.
"I sure hope so. Listen Em, I want you to know, no matter what happens, if things don't work out between me and your mom, if things don't work out with your dad, no matter what, I'll always be there. I'll always be with you." She looked at him intently.
"Promise, promise you'll never leave me…like my dad?" she asked. He nodded and held her closely.
"I cross my heart and hope to die." She sniffled a little. Emma had always had a hard time in school. She'd never really fit in and never really made friends with people but Jason made her feel special, he was like a best friend and he meant a lot to her even if her mother didn't feel the same about him. He was the closest thing to a father she'd ever had and she honestly didn't think her 'father' or rather Dylan McKay could do better than or even touch what Jason had given her.
"Hey, Jason, the other piece you ordered a few weeks ago is ready if you want to pick it up," Charlotte stated, holding out another black velvet box.
"Thanks Charlotte," he said, taking the box from her and opening it. Inside was a gold heart shaped locket. He took it out of the box and carefully fastened it around her neck. Emma opened the locket and smiled. It was a picture of Emma and Jason during a day when it had been just the two of them; just laughing and having a great time. She smiled at the inscription which read I'll always be with you.
"Thank you Jason," she said, after closing the locket and hugging him fiercely.
"Hey, what do say we go find your mom? I'm sure she's going insane by now," he suggested. Emma nodded and Jason carefully placed the box containing the ring in his pocket and followed the young girl out of the store.