Sean waited anxiously. The phone had stopped ringing and now he was just waiting for confirmation of what he already knew. Emma was alive, but he needed someone to say the words.

"What's happening?" Craig asked groggily, the phone waking him from his slumber.

Sean didn't answer but instead looked towards the stairs where Snake was descending.

"Was it Emma?" Sean questioned.

Snake took a deep breath and his eyes filled with tears. A sense of dread overtook Sean.

"Don't you dare say she's dead," Sean warned, "because I know she's not."

"She's not dead, Sean. Spike talked to her, she's alive." Snake sank down on the steps and covered his face with his hands and began to cry. He couldn't begin to vocalize the relief and joy he felt. Biologically he wasn't Emma's father but the love he felt for her in his heart told him that she was his daughter.

Sean was at a loss as to what to do. It was strange to see Snake cry. His own dad never showed any emotion other than anger. Not wanting to stare, Sean made his way back into the living room and sat beside Craig.

"Emma's alive?" Craig asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Yeah."

"What happened?"

"She was in an accident," Snake answered as he rose from the stairs and made his way into the living room. "She and some other workers went into the city to get supplies. They were on their way back when they got into an accident. Emma has a concussion and some internal injuries from hitting the dashboard. They had to remove her spleen but she's going to be fine. They're going to wait forty-eight hours to give her time to heal and then she's coming home."

"But what about the attack on the camp?" Craig questioned.

"It was a separate incident that occured at some point while they were getting supplies. Emma was lucky that she wasn't there."

Craig looked at Sean. He'd been strangely silent since Snake's announcement. "Are you okay?"

"Emma's alive," Sean said slowly.

"Yes, she's alive. You said you already knew that." Craig replied.

"I did," Sean said, his hand touching the tattoo that had hummed cool and steady for the last hour. "But I still needed to hear the words. Emma's alive!"

"Emma's alive?" Manny asked as she entered the room. She'd heard the phone from the basement but it had taken her a few minutes to process what the ringing could mean.

"Yes, she is." Spike replied as she came down the stairs. "She's going to be home soon!"

Manny let out a laugh of relief as tears started streaming down her face. "I should have known. Nothing ever keeps Emma Nelson down for long."

"Right," Craig agreed as he moved to put his arm around Manny.

Sean looked around the room. The Nelson's were silently hugging and Craig and Manny were sitting on the sofa quietly talking. Sean was left alone but he didn't feel alone. This was his family and the one person who would complete that family would be home soon. A smile made its way across Sean's face. His Emma would be home soon. His world wasn't quite right but it would be as soon as she walked through those doors.

I'm sorry this is short but I didn't want to combine this chapter and the chapter together. Thanks to everyone who's been reading and reviewing. I think you guys are being too nice but I do appreciate the support.