I thought it was about time we brought Emily home! As always, enjoy!
CHAPTER 25
A flash of brown eyes and long curly hair was all that Cal saw before he was bowled over by his daughter. She clung to his neck as he grabbed her in a fierce bear hug, lifting her off the ground. "Emily, oh love, Emily…." He could scarcely get his words out, his emotions erupting from him in one giant wave of tears, smiles and laughter.
Emily's giggles turned to sobs as she too was overcome with the reality of finally seeing her father again. The two were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't notice Zoe creeping in behind them, setting some bags on the entry way floor, her eyes doing a once over of Gillian's townhouse.
"Don't I get a hug?" she teased, pleased to have caught Cal off his guard.
Cal planted a kiss firmly on Emily's forehead, released her, and swept Zoe up in an exuberant embrace. "You're a sight for sore eyes love," he muttered happily. Extending his arm to Emily, he caught them in a three person hug, saying a silent prayer of thanks for this much needed reunion.
Zoe was the first to break the circle. "Well, Cal, you look much better than you did when I last saw you."
Cal gave her an amused look. "I might say the same of you Zo."
Taking both of their hands, he led the girls to Gillian's couch and had them sit, plopping himself next to Emily. "I've missed you so much Em," he said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
Emily curled into her father, laying her head on his chest. "I've missed you too Dad. Thanks for letting me come home."
Cal felt the tiniest flash of guilt but then hastily pushed it aside as he reflected on the dead lawyer, the second attempt on Gillian's life and what could have happened to his only daughter if she had stayed in town. Cal could sense the lingering fear in Emily's voice. "It's safe now Em. No one is going to hurt you."
Emily suddenly popped her head up, her eyes huge. "Gillian! How is she? Is she here?" Her eyes searched the hallway leading to the stairs.
"She's doing fine Em. A little banged up still, and extremely tired, but she's healin'. I'll let you go see her when she wakes up." Cal looked at his watch. "How would you two like to stay for dinner? We could whip something up and you can tell me about all of your adventures."
Zoe looked hesitant but finally agreed as Emily hopped up and started rummaging through Gillian's refrigerator.
Cal shuffled himself closer to his ex wife. "How's she doin' Zo? She looks great." Emily's bruises had all but faded, her sunny disposition allaying Cal's fears of lingering emotional trauma.
Zoe stared off into the kitchen and then began. "She had a rough couple of days Cal. There were lots of tears and nightmares. But, having nothing to do but talk while in the car helped a lot. She told me everything, sometimes twice. After about a week, her nightmares lessened and now, she seems to have beaten them back. You should be proud of her. She's a strong girl."
Cal was intensely proud of his strong willed, resilient daughter, and his equally strong willed ex wife. He was having a hard time believing that they were actually here. "And how's Emily's mum doing?"
Zoe chuckled. "Emily's mum is doing fine. My practice survived without me, though I need to fly out on the red eye tonight. We actually had a nice time on the road." She put her hand out, offering Cal the car keys and the cell phone.
"What, no cash left?" Cal teased.
"No," Zoe said defiantly. "We spent every last dime, and there's a bag of souvenirs over there to prove it." She smiled mischievously and then turned serious. "You did the right thing Cal. I read in the paper about this whole Cordova mess. Hard to believe our Emily was wrapped up in the middle of it."
"Thanks Zoe, again, for being so understanding and for keeping our daughter safe. You really came through." Cal looked closely at his ex wife's face. For the first time in a long time he saw an expression that had been perpetually missing from her. Peace. Her anger at Cal subsided, jealousy for Gillian gone, and relationship with Emily cemented and secure, Zoe's countenance screamed contentment. He leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss on the side of her mouth.
Hearing pots and pans rattling around in the kitchen Cal tilted his head in Emily's direction. "What do you suppose she's doing in there?"
Zoe laughed. "It's a good thing Emily gets her cooking skills from her mother and not her father. Beans on toast is just not going to cut it after a week of fast food." With that, Zoe, hopped up to help her daughter, leaving Cal to bask in the glow of his family.
Gillian barely heard the soft knock on her door. Fighting the cobwebs that were still fighting with her brain, she opened her eyes and hoarsely called out permission to enter. What she saw caused her to sit bolt upright, crying out in pain at the much too rapid movement.
Emily quickly set the tray of food on the end table and made her way to Gillian. "Gil, you okay?"
Through tears, Gillian managed a genuine smile. "I'm okay Em, just give me a minute." Taking a few deep, shuddering breaths she willed the sharp pain in her abdomen to go away. She was vaguely aware that Emily had taken her hand. Slowly getting control, Gillian stared at the fresh -faced teenager. "Am I dreaming?"
Emily giggled and tentatively threw her arms around Gillian's neck. "Nope, it's really me. I'm so happy to see you Gil!"
Gillian pulled back and put both of her trembling hands on Emily's sweet face. She looked perfect, no sign of injury or trauma. Gillian started to cry. "You're really okay?"
Following suit, Emily burst into tears and placed her hands atop Gillian's. " Thanks to you, I really am."
They held one another for several minutes, sobbing and muttering tender and loving words to each other. At one point, Cal popped in to announce that he was leaving to take Zoe to the airport but when he saw the two of them, he decided to instead give them some much needed privacy. This reunion was one that they both needed.