A Guardian Angel
Chapter 120
Twenty-four Hours Part 2
(8 months until tour ends)
Marshall woke three hours later, stretching as he reached for his vibrating phone. Checking the time he winced at the brightness of it. It was close to seven in the morning meaning it was nearly nine in the evening back home. He'd missed bedtime...
Seeing the pictures from Ellen he couldn't help but laugh a bit seeing Fionna stuck in the chair. Her belly was so big now.
He had a new video waiting for him, and pushing himself up from the bed Marshall walked over to the table. He glanced over watching as Ignitus turned over on to his back still snoring away. Lookin back he smiled as Ari's face filled the screen.
"Say hi to Daddy!"
"Hi Daddy."
"You gonna tell Daddy what you're doing?"
"No."
"Are you being shy and wanting privacy?" Fionna asked as Ari nodded her head.
"Bye bye Daddy pribacy, Luh you." Ari handed the phone back to Fionna who smiled at the camera.
"Someone's a big girl and started potty training today." She said with a smile.
"She picked out the green dinosaur toilet. Mom picked the princess one, I can't say Ari's a fan, but that might just become our new car potty. By the way we now have a car potty." Fionna said with a laugh.
"I wanted to let you know that mom's throwing a baby shower in the next two weeks. To be honest I didn't want to do it because I didn't want you to miss anything...But I can't stop living because you aren't here with me. So I told her to have the party." Fionna said in a resigned voice.
"I think our baby should be celebrated, and I know it'll sound silly, but this is really hard for me, having you across the world missing this. I wish I could see you Marshall. I miss you so much, and Ari misses you. I know you'll be home soon... Just a few more months."
"I have my thirty six week appointment tomorrow morning at eight thirty, so that'll be ten thirty pm your time. I can't wait to find out what we're having."
"Mama, I done." Ari said piping up from off screen.
"You're done going pee?"
"I done."
"Hold on Marsh." The screen went dark, and Marshall could hear Fionna talking to Ari about the good job she did on the potty. He could hear the sink running and finally Fionna returned.
"Sticker!"
"Yup it's time for a sticker." Fionna said swapping the camera so Marshall could watch Ari put the sticker on the wall chart.
"Every time we go to the bathroom in the potty we get a sticker to put on the wall." Fionna said sounding more than amused. Marshall could see a small cluster already on the sheet of paper.
"Let's just say she's more than excited to get her stickers. But on that note, we're going with pull ups in the evenings and big girl underwear during the day. Right?" She asked turning the camera to Ari who was putting a sticker on her cheek giggling as she did so.
"Oh you silly girl." Fionna said tickling her, Ari laughing as she did.
"What do you think, are you gonna have a little brother or a little sister? Fionna asked still focusing the camera on Ari as she approached now rubbing Fionna's belly with her little hands.
"Little baby."
"That's right, we're gonna have a little baby when we bring them home." Fionna said softly, the screen now turning back to her. " I really don't think she realizes we're keeping this baby for good." Fionna said with a laugh.
"But I know dinner's almost ready for us here so I'm gonna let you go. I love you, have a good morning Handsome."
Fionna blew a kiss to the camera Ari doing the same before getting distracted with more stickers. Fionna smiled at the camera before the video stopped.
Marshall smiled, maybe tonight they'd finally find out what Mystery Bean was.
The room was quiet now, and this felt odd to Marshall. Genuinely he was surprised Ignitus was sleeping so soundly, especially after what had taken place only a few hours ago.
Walking over Marshall shook his shoulder listening as he gasped and started snoring again, but otherwise getting zero response.
"Yo, get up, you have to check on Ember."
Nothing.
"IG, GET UP!"
Nothing.
This he didn't like. Ignitus for the most part wasn't a heavy sleeper, not even after a heavy night of drinking. Now Marshall shook him.
This was weird, he hadn't been anything similar to this since before he'd gotten a grip on his addiction problems.
Marshall held his hand in front of his face and felt relief, he was still breathing. Rolling him onto his side, Marshall grabbed FP's bag, dumping the contents onto the table. He was quick to start going through things, and heard a familiar rattling. Marshall fished out the bottle of pain pills swearing as he did. Checking the pill count Marshall dumped the bottle onto the table quickly counting them out. Only three were gone.
Now Marshall began wracking his memory. How much had FP had to drink? Would whatever he took be exacerbated by the alcohol? Now he looked at the bottle again. It probably would. It clearly said on the bottle not to mix with alcohol.
Walking to the bathroom Marshall dumped the rest of the pills in the toilet, leaving the empty bottle on the sink. He didn't even bother to flush it, instead he walked from the bathroom back towards the bed.
Everything made so much sense now. Why he'd passed out so quickly. Why he looked more than shitfaced. Marshall felt so much anger at this, but more than that was heartache.
He had damn near three years under his belt, and the one thing that had pushed him over the edge was this. This was something Marshall couldn't hold against him. He'd have wanted to block out hearing what he'd heard too.
Grabbing his shoulders again he shook Ignitus violently, watching his head shake back and forth. He was gonna have one hell of a headache when he was done.
Finally though his eyes slowly opened.
Seeing this Marshall pulled him into the sitting position, turning him so his feet were on the floor.
"Come on Ig, get the hell up."
"Whassa matter?" He mumbled barely able to keep his eyes open.
"You're high right now, that's what's the matter. Hell I don't even know if you'll remember this." He said watching his head dip.
"Hey!" Marshall said sternly watching Ignitus' eyes snapped back open meeting his.
"Look at me." Marshall watched as he struggled, but finally focused on him his eyes watering. "Ig, I'm not mad at you, okay? I'm not mad."
"I messed up Marshall, I really messed up." He said wiping his eyes.
"I know you did, mistakes happen, being overwhelmed happens. What cannot happen is you escaping all of this with drugs again Ig. That cannot happen." Marshall said now pulling him to his feet.
"Let's go, you need something in your stomach aside from just the pills and alcohol." Marshall said handing him a half full glass of water and motioning him to drink it.
Grabbing a sweatshirt Marshall pulled it over Ignitus' head, helping him get his hands through the sleeves. He had on his sweat pants already. Pulling out socks and grabbing his shoes, Marshall made sure Ignitus was dressed and dragged him stumbling from the room.
The visit to his own room was a short one. He doused his face, arms, and hands in sunblock, pulled on his own hoodie, grabbed his umbrella, and slipped his shoes on.
In that time, Ignitus had leaned against the wall and had begun snoring again.
"No, no, no. We're not doing this." Marshall said shaking him awake again.
"What's Ember gonna say? Or Marcy huh?" Marshall asked as he pushed Ignitus from the room. "Do you want me to call either of them right now?"
"No!" He said quickly sounding more awake than he had before.
"But I will if you don't stay awake and moving. Do not stop until I do. If I'm standing you are too, not leaning on anything, or sitting, or any of that crap. You feel me?"
"Yeah."
"Good let's go. This isn't how I imagined exploring Tokyo." Marshall said with a sigh as they walked from the hotel. The hotel was located in the heart of the city, and the moment they stepped out there was a sea of people.
Taking no chances Marshall grabbed FP's hand walking down the street the smell of food pulling him along.
"I'd have held your hand, all you had to to was ask." He mumbled trudging along behind him.
"There he is." Marshall said with a grin.
"Mmmhmm."
Marshall followed his nose to a street vendor cooking sizzling meat.
"What is it?" Ig asked sleepily.
"I dunno." Marshall pulled out his phone before looking at the man.
"Sumimasen, nan desu ka?" He asked pointing to the meats watching as the man smiled.
"Yakitori." Marshall checked his phone again.
"Ikura nan desu ka?"
"The hell are you saying?" Ignitus asked looking at Marshall in confusion.
"I'm asking how much it is and what it is."
"Hyaku yen." He said now pointing to the price of 100 yen.
"A hundred? Can we afford that?" Ignitus mumbled.
"Dude a hundred yen is less than a dollar." Marshall said now holding up six fingers to the man who nodded enthusiastically. He pulled the cooked ones off the stove top handing them three each. Marshall exchanged the money, thanked the man, and again they were off.
"Have a good day!" The man said waving as they walked away.
"Dude that guy knew English and still let you try." Ig mumbled biting the chicken on a stick, sighing in appreciation. It was good, really really good.
"Good. I'm not back home, I'm not gonna expect anyone to speak English to please me. That's some entitled American bullshit right there. In my opinion it's rude to not even try to speak their language first." Marshall said as they walked into a park.
Immediately Ignitus went to sit on the park bench. Marshall though hooked his arm under his and pulled him back to his feet.
"Nope. Not having this. We already talked about this. Walk." He said pushing him forward harder than he'd intended to, listening as Ignitus grumbled under his breath.
"I didn't quite catch that." Marshall said tossing the Yakitori sticks in the waste bin as they passed.
"I said screw you!" FP snapped now glaring at Marshall who shrugged.
"I love you too Ig." Marshall said rubbing his head as he passed by him. He continued on several steps listening to the silence. Before he could pause to check, Marshall heard the scuff of Ignitus' shoes as he continued following him.
o0o0o
Kate woke feeling snug and warm. The smell of Mo's bodywash made her smile. Slowly her eyes opened and she took in the soft morning light. Stretching she pushed herself up rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Walking over Kate turned the blinds lightening the room just enough to not wake Modestus. Climbing on the bed Kate leaned forward to kiss him awake, but paused seeing the dried tear tracks on his cheeks.
"Oh Shug." Kissing his head, Kate slid off the bed. Last night had been so surreal that she'd thought it had been a dream. Walking over towards the couch Kate grabbed her glasses, and made her way into the kitchenette.
Everything in her wanted cook up a storm, but at the same time they really hadn't had the time to get groceries yet. Digging through the drawer Kate found a room service menu, and decided to order breakfast for them instead. After a short phone call Kate had nothing to do but wait.
Digging out her yoga stuff from Mo's duffle bag, Kate set herself up in the open spot near the window. This wasn't something she'd been doing long, only a few weeks, but it was a nice distraction.
Taking a deep breath she began stretching, moving with the flow of each position. What Kate liked about this was how after a while, she didn't have to think about it. She could close her eyes and sink into one pose, and just breathe into the next. It was funny, with how much she wanted to move and do things, how her choice of outlet was so controlled and still.
Closing her eyes Kate allowed her body to stretch, sinking lower as she touched her feet. She settled into each pose, her mind drifting into silence. This though was what she loved about it, the settling of her mind.
She could hear the ticking of the clock, and feel the warmth of the sun against her skin. She could smell the fresh clean scent of the room. Stretching Kate pushed herself upright pausing as she heard the knock of the door. Getting up she checked it, and seeing room service let them in.
The food was dropped off and again Kate was left with the silence. Deciding to wake Modestus now, Kate walked over climbing on the bed. Leaning over him, Kate began kissing his cheek watching as he smiled.
Mo stretched, and wrapped his arm around Kate pulling her down on the bed with him. He began covering her in kisses listening as Kate giggled.
"Breakfasts here." Kate said from between kisses. "Go wash your face and I'll set it up for us."
After another kiss, he released her making his way to the bathroom. After washing his face and brushing his teeth Mo returned finding the table covered in food.
"Any plans for tonight?" He asked watching as Kate shook her head.
"Not that I know of, did you have something in mind?"
"Nothing solidly planned, maybe we could find a place to go dancing?" Kate perked up immediately hearing this.
"I'd love that. I feel like the phase of self care I'm in needs movement."
"Well it's a date then, we'll go dancing." Mo said reaching over taking her hand in his.
o0o0o
Ember had tried and failed to fall asleep. To be more than honest she wasn't sure she'd ever fall asleep again. But knowing she needed rest, Ember lay on the bed listening to the sounds around the apartment.
She could hear the swish of the brush while Finn scrubbed the rug. She heard, feeling as Wolfie lifted his head letting out a hushed bark, as the front door opened.
From the creaking sounds it was making, Ember was sure Finn was cleaning that as well. She listened as he swapped out his water. Ember took note of their bedroom door creaking every time he'd passed, poking his head in to check on her. Ember listened as Finn exited the apartment again.
Minutes later the apartment door opened, and closed again. She listened to the footsteps in the hall, and as the bedroom door opened, closing softly.
Ember in that moment had been so close to sleep. Finn laying on the bed and holding her would be so perfect right now. But the moment Wolfie began growling, her eyes snapped open with a gasp.
"Cut it out you." Feuer said as he sat on the edge of the bed. Reaching out he rested his hand on Ember's cheek rubbing it gently.
"How are you doing Sweetheart?"
"I'm so tired but I can't sleep. Where were you Papa?"
"I had a meeting with the realtor about those other properties." He said pulling out a ring of keys.
While she'd been listening to everything, she'd been thinking as well. Ember wasn't stupid, willfully ignorant yes, but not stupid. She knew her Papa's money didn't come from nowhere. After he'd gifted them the house today, she was more than certain of the fact that he'd gone back to his old dealings.
The way she saw it, it was a don't ask don't tell situation. If she didn't ask he'd never have to tell...but now she had to ask. Because of something 'Ricardio, ' if that even was his name, had said. Because of what he'd called her.
She'd seen her Papa's record, she knew what his street name was. She'd seen it in the file.
The knowledge of the name came with the realization of why her father had flipped out the way he had, after Papa had dubbed her brother Flame Prince. He was where the nickname had come from. Her brother had kept it solely to spite their father... This though was how Ember had connected the man from earlier to her Papa.
She'd never gone by Flame Princess. Logic told her that in a family of royalty she would still be viewed as such, even by an enemy, especially if her Papa was assuming the position of leadership.
The fact that Wolfie still had not stopped growling at him bothered her. She knew that the chances were good that that man, and her Papa had met at some point today, Wolfie obviously could still smell him on him.
"Is that really where you went?" Ember asked skeptically looking at him. "One meeting took that long?"
"Why are you asking me that? Did Finn put you up to this?" Hearing this Ember blinked in shock, she knew things were off with Finn and her Papa, but she didn't know it was this bad.
"No. He didn't, and he never would." Ember said firmly.
"Then where's this coming from Sweetheart?"
"He called me a name that could only ever be derived from you." Ember said now sitting upright, her eyes burning with tears.
"How do you know that man?"
"Emmy, sweetie-
"How do you know that man Papa?!"
"Don't you raise your voice to me young lady."
Ember knew a deflection when she saw one, and swore she felt her heart break.
"Do you know what he did to me because of you?" Ember asked, shaking her head fighting back the tears.
Wolfie now had jumped to his feet growling as he startled Feuer off the bed. The dog though never left Ember's side.
Ember sat staring him down, waiting for a response. Recieving nothing but silence she spoke.
"He grabbed me from behind, during a power outage, like a coward." Ember said glaring at him.
"He slammed me to the ground so hard I couldn't breathe, and ripped my shirt open." Ember said he voice catching.
"He touched me. I can't even say he felt me up because that's not, what that was. Every time he recognized that he hurt me he smiled." She said unable to hold back her tears now.
"He WANTED to hurt me. He tried to rape me, and the only reason he didn't is because Wolfie attacked him. What do you think would have happened to me if he wasn't here?" Ember asked trying in vain to dry her eyes.
"Because I know what would have happened. Why do you know somebody like that? Why?"
"Honey it's just business. That's all-
"What if he comes back?! What if this happens again? Or what if it's someone else? Or Finn's out with the dog? Or there's more than one person-
Feeling overwhelmed Ember buried her face into her hands sobbing.
"Please, just leave Papa."
Finn walked into the room wrapping his arms around her shoulders, holding her tightly.
"Feuer I think you need to stay at a hotel tonight." Finn said watching as he walked from the room saying nothing to either of them.
o0o0o
"Will you freaking stop it!" Ignitus snapped as Marshall handed him a Taiyaki, a fish shaped bean cake.
"Stop what?"
"This! All of this!" Ig said now waving around angrily. "Why aren't you mad at me? Why are you being so nice to me? I messed it up. I threw away three years for three damn hours! Why the hell aren't you mad?!"
They had stopped in the middle of the park, other people had stopped to watch them as Ignitus stood there staring him down.
"You seem to be doing a good enough job beating yourself up, don't you think?" Marshall asked taking a bite of the fish shaped roll in his hands. Ignitus seemed to deflate in front of him, and Marshall sighed.
"But I-
"Dude. You made one mistake, and you regret it. You've cried about it, been miserable over it. You're clearly angry with yourself. Why am I going to pile on to that?" Marshall asked now motioning to the bench ahead of them.
He sat down under the shade of the tree. Folding the umbrella, Marshall pulled his hood back. After a nod from Marshall Ignitus sat down.
"Ig, you made one mistake in three years. That mistake happened during a moment of weakness. It happened after you listened to a guy attack your baby sister. That's a hell of a heavy situation for a normal person. You made one mistake, in three years. One. Because of that. I'm not mad, because that would have destroyed any man. Not a single one of us would have been able to handle that without turning to something.
"This is just a slip. This doesn't take away from the three years of sobriety you had, and this doesn't mean you have to let this slip turn into a spiral." Marshall said now leaning his head back, looking up at the leaves and branches above them. He could see bits and pieces of sky through them.
"This doesn't have to end in failure Ig, and it doesn't have to be the be all end all either. You can choose to give everything up, and give into that pain and fear. You can choose the drugs, and you can choose to block everything out." Marshall said now pushing himself to his feet.
"Or you can choose to live. And I mean really live Ig. Staying present, and dealing with things, not escaping when things get extremely hard, but asking for help when it's too much. Things may not have been perfect in these last three years, but damn, it's been good having you be you man." Marshall said not bothering to hide it as he wiped his eyes.
"Wait, are you crying?"
"Yeah, I am. I'm not afraid to be honest with you Ig, because you're my best friend and we've always been real with each other. But for real? Yeah I'm scared right now. I don't know what's going to happen next. I don't know what you'll decide to do, but I hope it's to stay with us. I can't lose you again. It was hard enough doing it once. I can't lose you again man, I can't."
"I'm sorry."
"I know you are, and I'm sorry you and Em both had to go through that yesterday. But don't let this stop you. You know Em isn't letting it stop her." Hearing this Ignitus nodded, Ember was damn near fearless. Nothing could stop her. She wouldn't let anything stop her.
"I think I need to talk to Em and Marcy."
"I think you should. I think it'll help. It'll help to get that weight off your chest. To relieve some of that guilt. I can promise, that while they'll be upset, it'll be the situation and not at you dude."
o0o0o
"Smirk at me one more time you prick I dare you." Declan said his face slick with sweat. It had taken two hours with four breaks, but gritting his teeth he tied off the last of the stitches he'd put into his arm.
"Hey, I'm just saying the irony is...well hell it's just funny."
"Funny how Prismo?!" He snarled glaring at the lanky, curly haired man before him.
"Well, you're terrified of dogs, but you got your ass mauled by one, and to remedy the situation you come to me...At the vets office...surrounded by dogs."
"I came to you because you owed me. You're a medic, and I can't exactly go to the hospital right now."
"I know, which is why you're here. It's just funny is all, kinda monkey's pawish."
"Piss off."
"I'd love to, but you see I indebted myself to some asshole whose currently risking my job stealing surgical supplies to fix something he probably earned."
"Prismo, you're lucky I NEED this right now because I'm this close to beating your ass." He said as he began wrapping his arm.
"And yet you need me Dec. Before you can ask, yes I also got you the pain meds, and I brought some antibacterial wound wash for you to bring home." Prismo said handing over the bottle of wash and a baggie of pills.
"My debt is officially repaid. Now please get out, and take the smell of my bullshit from the past with you." Prismo said taking the tray of dirty equipment to the sink to disinfect them.
"Wow, nothing else?"
"Not unless you're a paying customer, and I don't see you getting a dog any time soon. Besides, your ass passed out and if it weren't for me you'd still be stitching. I'm paid up."
Rolling his eyes Declan stood.
"Such disrespect for your old commanding officer. Fine, you're paid up. If you ever want to get back in, you know how to find me." He said now lighting a cigarette.
"Keyword old. I'll die before I ever think of making that call, but thanks Dec. I'd say I'd do the same any time but that's a straight lie so yeah..." Prismo held the door open, Declan walking through and back out into the rain. The door slammed shut behind him as his phone began to ring. Grabbing the phone he answered it.
"D.C."
"Have you negociated a deal yet?"
"Anderson, when it rains it pours. Let me guess my boys are giving you a run for your money?"
"You left to find out what the hold up on funds is. Where's Feaster?"
"Feaster's old news. His ticket got punched. Speaking of old news, word on the street is that The Flame King's back from the dead. I can confirm that."
"I want a meeting with him."
"You want a lot of things. I already attempted to reach out, and let's just put it blatantly. The King does not like me. Call it a conflict of personality. If there's any chance for this connect to work you're going to have to reach out, because I burned the shit out of that bridge."
"What the hell did you do?!" Now Declan smirked.
"We already discussed this. I don't answer to you. Whatever I choose to do outside the bubble of your world is my business. But in the spirit of honesty between fifty fifty business partners. I found his granddaughter to be particularly appealing for multiple reasons." Lich's scoff of disgust made him laugh.
"Relax, she's legal. She was a sweetheart. Smelled like apples, with real soft skin."
"Do you have his information? I can have my people reach out."
"I'll send it over. I'm glad you decided to reevaluate our business arrangement Anderson, I much prefer being a partner. Don't forget to reach out with an update."
Declan snapped the phone shut pocketing it. His meeting with Lich the week before he left, had been an interesting one. It had been more than easy to strong arm him into a deal. Lich needed him far more than Declan needed Lich, so he'd used that to his advantage with a simple ultimatum.
Make him full partner or the problems would only continue, and get worse.
Obviously Lich had taken that statement with a grain of salt.
His message with Kitten though, had said everything he wanted it to. Namely: 'You don't control me.' 'You can't control me.' and 'I'll destroy you for the sheer pleasure of it.'
Lich had been far more receptive after that. It had been simple really, and what better reason to 'send him home' than to blame it on play time with Kitten? Lich could pretend it was the guitarist having him sent home all he wanted, but Declan knew the truth.
Lich didn't care about anything but the money. As long as the money started flowing again, he could do whatever he wanted. There was also his paranoia about the conversation they'd had with Kitten on his lap. She, Lich feared would remember everything. Loose lips sink ships or something like that. Declan was more than sure that of all the things that happened that night, their conversation would be the least impressionable moment.
He wasn't worried though, even if she did decide to say something, chances were slim it would be anything of weight. Besides, Kitten was going to have one hell of a surprise when they returned to the states though, if she thought she'd seen the last of him.
o0o0o
Finn lay quietly on the bed gently rubbing Ember's back. She was finally asleep. She'd cried herself to sleep granted, but the most important thing to Finn was that she was finally resting.
Feuer had left more than an hour ago. He'd left them the name, and number of his hotel, along with the room number he'd be staying in.
Finn had been relieved to hear that he'd paid for an extended stay there.
Ember had said nothing to him. No good bye, no drive safe, nothing. Instead she turned away from him hiding her face in Finn's chest.
Finn could feel the heat of her tears, and how her body trembled. He knew this was killing her, but he knew that she knew it had to happen. They, and most importantly SHE, wasn't safe while her Papa was up to his old ways. What was worse was that he didn't seem to want to give it up.
The moment the front door had closed, she'd burst into tears openly sobbing into his chest. She'd cried herself to sleep, and still Finn lay there holding her. This felt like the absolute longest day in the history of history, and they hadn't even had dinner yet.
Reaching for his phone Finn ordered pizza online, knowing it was one of the foods Ember would always eat. He stayed in bed with her until his phone pinged that the driver was on the way. With the shop only up the street, Finn leaned over gently kissing her awake. He watched her eyes open as she blinked slowly at him.
"Dinner's on the way." He said gently "I didn't want you to wake up and find me gone."
"What're we having?"
"Pizza."
"Can't go wrong with pizza." Ember said softly now smiling at him.
"Do you want to eat out there or do you want a bedroom night?" Finn asked.
"I wanna stay here."
"Alright Beautiful, whatever you want." Moments later they could hear the ding of a bell and barking. "I'll be right back."
Ember lay there feeling warm and fuzzy as she forced herself to wake from her nap. Already she could smell dinner as Finn made his way back up the hall.
He was entering the room by the time Ember had sat up. She scooted over giving Finn room to place down the food and plates. He handed her the bottle of soda and walked from the room returning with cups.
Ember handed Finn a napkin and a paper plate as he returned. She grabbed a slice from each box for the both of them while he set the TV up, turning on a movie.
They ate dinner together, the first movie passing in a blur of laughs and pizza. The second had been half way over, when Finn turned to her laughing about something, only to pause as she kissed him.
It wasn't a quick peck on the lips, or the cheek, like her last few had been. This kiss was different, it was insistent, almost demanding as Ember ran her fingers through his hair. This was a Kiss kiss, an I want you, kiss.
'What on earth is going on, because there's no way I'm reading this right.'
Almost as if she could sense his hesitation Ember spoke up.
"I don't want to remember what his hands feel like. I don't want to be thinking of the ways he scared me when I'm with you."
"And do you really think doing this will help you? Because I don't want this to be something that hurts you Em, I really don't think we should do anything close to sex until you're okay."
"I'm never going to be okay again if I can't make myself comfortable being intimate with you." Ember said, her hand on his cheek.
"We don't have to have sex, and to be honest I don't know if I'm ready to. What I want is for you to touch me, to hold me, and to kiss me." Finn watched as she looked away now.
"I want to be able close my eyes and only think of you, when I think of someone touching me." She said softly, waiting for his response.
Ember didn't have to wait long. After a moment of hesitation, Finn leaned forward pressing his lips gently to hers. Slipping his arm around her waist Finn paused.
"Tell me the second you want to stop." He breathed watching her nod, her eyes fluttering closed as he kissed her again. Finn wondered what was going through her mind right now.
0o0
He was so gentle, and still Ember had to ease herself into Finn's touch. She was scared and she felt so stupid for it. But she absolutely refused to let this be taken from her, this comfort she had with Finn. This intimacy. She'd never had that with anyone before, and she didn't want to lose it now. Ember felt her breath catch as Finn's hand moved up her waist.
"You alright?" Ember could feel him watching her and knew he was waiting for her answer. Now she opened her eyes to look at him.
"I just needed a second, but I'm okay." Slowly Finn's hand slid up her waist, stopping where she'd paused.
"You're sure? Because I'm okay with stopping if you want to."
Ember shook her head, and leaning forward she kissed him again.
"I don't want to stop."
"We don't have to." He said now kissing up her neck. "What do you want me to do? Give me a little direction Em. I want to know what you need right now."
"I- I just want to not feel so dirty." Ember said, her voice catching. At this Finn paused pulling back. Leaning back down he kissed her forehead before pushing himself up.
"I have an idea." With that Finn walked from the room.
Ember pushed herself upright waiting for a moment before walking out after him. She could hear the running water in the bathroom and followed the sound.
Finn was kneeling down checking the water's temperature as he added bubbles. Turning he noticed Ember and smiled.
"I think that what you need right now is intimacy, not sex. I wasn't sure what to do for you, but I think that this will help."
"But I took a shower at the hospital."
"I know. With hospital soap, and everyone waiting for you to finish so they could poke and prod you. Let me wash your back with your favorite soap, and your hair with that awesome smelling apple conditioner. Then after we can soak together for a bit." Finn said with a smile.
"When we get out, I'll lotion you up good and give you a really nice massage. Then we can get in our pajamas, and I'll hold you until you don't want me to anymore." Finn watched as Ember paused, hesitating for a moment before nodding.
She was slow and careful as she slid her clothes off, climbing into the tub and submerging her body beneath the bubbles.
Finn was quick to follow, sliding in behind her. Grabbing the sponge he loaded it with her sweet smelling body wash, and began gently washing her back in slow steady circles. He moved from her back, to her shoulders, to her arms rinsing them watching as the suds ran down her skin. Grabbing the body wash, he worked it into a lather before using it to massage her shoulders.
Ember he could feel, was relaxing into his touch. He could tell by the way she was leaning into him that she was growing more and more comfortable. Using the sponge he rinsed her back feeling as Ember leaned against his chest once he'd finished. He did a once over of her chest, stomach, and legs. Finally he started working on her hair, rinsing it and washing it.
Closing her eyes Ember felt the warm water wash over her head. Finn rinsed out the conditioner, his fingers massaging her scalp. He had been right. What she'd needed was intimacy.
What Ember wanted and needed were two different things. What she'd wanted was to feel in control of her body. What she thought she needed was to be in control...
Even then though, she'd been scared the whole time.
Although he never said it, Ember had to admit, Finn was right. What she needed right now was not to be in control. She needed to let go and feel the touch of a man, and know no harm was going to come to her. To know that she was safe and protected in these strong arms of his.
She watched as he kicked the stopper, the water draining some from the tub. He turned on the hot water letting it fill back up warming them.
"You know, I never thought we'd both fit in here."
"Look I'm not gonna lie it's a tight fit for me, but baths and showers are kind of our jam." He said kissing her temple.
"You're not wrong. I do feel better Finn, thank you."
"You're very welcome. I'd do anything to make you feel better Em, you know that."
"I know you would, and I love that about you." She said resting her forehead against his. "Finn you always know just the right thing to do to make me feel better."
o0o0o
"Hey Love, I was wondering when I'd hear from you. You never called me last night. Well, your last night..." Marcy said as she walked to her father's office.
Now that Marceline had fallen into a rhythm with her Grandfather and his nurses, she had a lot more free time. Because of this she'd asked her father if she could be allowed to work on some things for him. While he'd been hesitant, he let her work from home in his office. It had been a small victory.
"Marcy, I have to be honest with you about what happened last night." Ignitus said. Immediately she could hear the hesitance in his voice.
"Iggy what happened?"
"I slipped last night Marcy."
"You Drama Queen. Are you okay?" Marceline said with a laugh. Just from the sound of her voice Ignitus knew she misunderstood what he'd said.
"Baby, that's- that's not what I meant." Now he rubbed his face. Marceline's faith in him had been so unwavering she'd straight up assumed he was joking about being injured.
"I'm okay, I didn't fall or get injured. I slipped up last night, in other words a lapse of sobriety. I used." Ignitus listened to the silence on the other line.
"Iggy what- I- What happened? I know you'd never-"
"It was a really shitty decision I made. Nobody forced me or tricked me into it Marcy."
"But why would you do that?! Ignitus answer me."
"Someone attacked Emma yesterday, and I was on the phone with her when it happened. I heard the whole thing and there was nothing I could do to help her. I didn't handle that too well." He said sniffling as Marcy gasped.
"Oh my gosh is she okay? Are you?"
"Finn's with her now, she had to go to the hospital. I've got a text from Finn saying they're home, but I wanted to tell you about this before anything else. It's a slip up, not a relapse, I won't let that happen I promise."
"I'm gonna hold you to that Ig."
"I know you will, and I'd expect nothing less from you. I'm so sorry Marcy."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me." Ignitus shook his head.
"I never reached out for help. That's my fault and mine alone. It's not your job to keep me sober, it's mine. I wanted to push all of it away, and I took the first opportunity I had to do it."
"Where did you get them from?"
"They were my pain pills from surgery. Marshall figured out what I did, woke me up, and went full on Dad mode until I was sober enough to keep myself awake. He's in the other room napping on the couch. We basically went on a food tour and he kept feeding me until I stopped being hangry."
"I'm glad Marshall was there. Where's the rest of your pills?"
"Marsh dumped them in the toilet."
"Good. How're you feeling?"
"Devastated for my sister, completely and utterly useless as her brother. I feel like I failed the both of you, and myself. I thought everyone would be angrier at me about this honestly." He said softly as he gazed out the hotel room window.
"Well, I'm not exactly happy with your choice, but I'm not mad at you Ig. Outside of that one thing, how are you doing?"
"I really miss you Marcy, I can't wait to come home and see you."
"Well when you come home I'm going to have a surprise for you."
"Are you pregnant?"
"No Ig, I'm not."
"Oh good, I'm not ready yet."
"Me either, but you keep asking." Marceline said laughing. "We probably won't ever be ready until it happens. But when you get home, and we go home, you're gonna get to see what I've done to the place."
"I'm sure I'll love it."
"You say that now, but wait until you see what I did to the smallest bedroom."
"I'm extremely intrigued, is it like a cool surprise, or a sexy surprise...or one of those things that's kind of a mixture of both?"
"Do you only have two modes? Cool and sexy?" She asked laughing.
"Without you yes. I'm a simple man Marceline, you know this."
"I do know."
"How's everyone back home? How's Simon and Hunson?"
"Dad's doing well, he's been letting me work on some stuff while I'm here. I'm still not allowed back in the office, but he's letting me work from home so that's a start."
"And your Grandpa?"
"He's been doing better. Ever since Fionna figured out he'll call me when his last session's cancelled, now he just calls every day at five thirty when nobody shows up. He still calls Marshall every now and again, but at his last appointment they said he was doing much better than last time."
"Good, I'm glad to hear that." Ignitus said smiling.
"How're you? How are you feeling with everything?"
"I'm doing okay. I won't lie I'm upset, devastated. But as long as you promise me it was just a slip."
"It won't happen again. I swear it."
"Pinky promise?"
"Pinky, nose, toes, and anything else Baby. I swear it. This was just a slip."
"I'll trust that. But I am worried."
"How about I send you a video chat before I go to bed. So you get to see me, hear my voice and know I'm good."
"I like that idea. Iggy, thank you for being honest with me."
"What we have means everything to me, and I'll do everything I can not to mess it up again." He said softly.
"You didn't mess anything up Iggy, you made a mistake. We all make mistakes."
"Not everyone's so forgiving. I appreciate this more than you know. I love you Marcy."
"I love you too Ig. It's getting late here so I'll let you go so you can call Ember okay?"
"That sounds good, I'll video chat you before I head to bed."
"I'll talk to you later, bye Love."
"Bye."Just as he was about to call Ember, the phone began ringing in his hand. Seeing his sister's name, he answered.
0o0
"Hey Emma."
"Hi Iggy." Ember said softly as Finn rubbed her back.
"How're you doing?"
"I'm okay. Finn's been taking real good care of me."
"Good, anything less and I'd have to kick his ass."
"Be nice."
"I'm never nice, are you kidding me?"
"Shut up you bowl of mush." Ember said with a laugh.
"Emma can I tell you something?"
"Of course."
"Yesterday when everything happened, your phone was on the line with mine and I heard everything. I listened to you crying because I wasn't there, and I'm so damn sorry. I won't lie, that broke me Em. I wasn't okay, and I used the pain meds from my surgery to block it all out. It was a slip up and I'm sorry."
"Why would you do that Iggy?"
"I made a stupid choice, and I was really upset and I- I wanted everything to stop Emma. I just wanted the sound of your screaming to stop echoing in my head."
"I'm gonna punch you so hard when you get home. But I love you Ig. I'm sorry I caused you this stress."
"You didn't do anything Em, this wasn't your fault."
"I know it wasn't, this was Papa's fault. He knows who did this."
"Wait what?"
"He knows the guy. He said he was the head of security at the stadium. He said his name was Ricardio."
"I've never met anyone by that name. The head of security was this psycho named Declan."
"Iggy what's he look like?" Ember asked hesitantly.
"He's a bit shorter than me, sandy brown hair. Kate said he gives off this really messed up predatory vibe."
"He does, he's really scary Ig." Ember said in a small voice listening to the silence on his end.
"Do you think he's the guy that went after you Emma?"
"I do Iggy, you described him to a T."
"They got rid of him here because he kept going after Kate. I'll see what I can do from here Emma, please be careful."
"I will."
"Good I think I need to talk with our grandfather."
"Iggy I threw him out. Like for real threw him out. It doesn't feel much like he cares what happens. I told him what happened, and I asked him how he knew that man. All he could say was that it was just business. I don't know who that man is, but that's not my Papa." Ember said he voice now breaking. Never had she felt more betrayed.
"I'm sorry Emma."
"I know. I just don't know what to do with him. I can't keep him here if this is what's going to happen. I'm hurting in so many ways right now." She said wiping her eyes.
"I know. I'll figure it out. What did you say his info was?" Ignitus asked writing down the information Feuer had given she and Finn earlier in the evening.
"I'm gonna let you go to bed Emma. I'll call and see if Papa's still up."
"Okay Ig. I love you."
"I love you too Squish. I'll talk to you later."
The line disconnected and Ember sighed.
"Everything okay?"
"Iggy used yesterday. Everything that happened was too much for him to handle." Ember said burying her face in her arms.
"Finn, I feel like this is all my fault."
"What happened to you may have been what triggered him, but you're not responsible for your brothers actions and choices. He is. He made that decision himself Ember. He made the decision to stay sober for years, he can make that decision again."
"I know he can do it, and he will." Ember said softly cuddling into Finn's chest as he pulled her close.
"We just need to have faith in him."
o0o0o
Feuer stood in the bar of the hotel with his drink. The call he'd gotten earlier had been interesting enough. The young woman that had set up this meeting had been more than insistent that he make time for her boss.
He'd given them a time and place to meet and left it at that. Eleven thirty tonight at this hotel. She'd told him to expect her boss, a tall man with a dark suit and tie. Feuer watched as a man of that description entered the bar sitting nearby and ordering a drink.
"I'd like to thank you, for taking the time for this meeting." The man at the bar said still not looking at him.
The fool from last time had the audacity to strike up business blatantly in front of everyone. He'd turned him down without hesitation.
"I appreciate the respect and common sense. It's a scarcity nowadays."
"I come with an abundance of both, if you have the time."
"Meet me on the third floor." Feuer said placing his empty glass on the bar leaving the room.
From what he could tell from this brief meeting, this man understood how things were done. He waited only briefly by the elevator for the man to show up. He was exactly as the young woman described. They shook hands, and Feuer walked them to the room.
"Thank you for this meeting, for brevity's sake I'll get right to the point. My name is Anderson Lich, and I come to you with the same deal I had with Feaster. Naturally we would negotiate our own terms, your take, and more."
"You've intrigued me, go on."
"It's trafficking, plain and simple. All we need are the funds to get the wheels turning again. It's possible to run our operation as is, however profit would drastically decline."
"What was Feaster's cut?"
"Ten percent." Lich said knowing full well the man before him would want a much larger cut.
"I'll bet he had no idea the kinds of funds you'd be working with at that point did he?" Feuer asked.
"Not in the slightest."
"Where do you work out of? What's your source?"
"I manage musical artists. I harvest the fans. Whose going to notice someone missing from a concert of thousands?"
"Who do you manage?"
"Our most well known artists are currently Marshall Lee and the Scream Kings. They're a rock band, you may not have heard of them."
"Oh, I'm familiar with them. Now that I have you here let me ask. What's the name of your head of security?"
"Declan. Declan Cromwell. May I ask why?" Lich asked slowly. Maybe this wasn't going as well as he thought it was going.
"Curiosity. I'll bid into this at a seventy thirty split."
"I'll take it, standard rates?"
"Of course and with interest."
"Naturally. You'll receive a payment in good faith, and we'll begin our agreement immediately."
"Excellent. Now what can you tell me about Declan?" Feuer asked watching as Lich grinned.
"I hate him with a passion. What would you like to know?"
o0o0o
The drive to the doctor's office had been a quick one, and Fionna was excited. Last appointment after a blood draw Fionna had felt light headed, and to boost her blood sugar they'd given her apple juice and a cookie.
The hour and a half after she'd spent as a human punching bag. So to boost their chances of finding out what they'd be having Fionna drank some apple juice. She was more than amused to find that again, their baby had been given a sugar rush from the juice.
The wait in the office had been short, and once she got back to the room, she called Marshall. He appeared on the screen and they began chatting. Fionna caught him up on shopping with her mom, and the adventures of potty training Ari.
"No Marsh, I'm not kidding. She woke me up because she was on the toilet and the wipes were too far for her to reach." Hearing this he couldn't help but laugh.
"So what's happening now? Just waiting on the doctor?"
"Yeah, they already did the usual testing." Fionna said just as the door opened. The doctor walked in with a smile and began setting up the room. He measured her stomach and asked about the baby's movement. Everything was going exactly like the other appointments, at least until the doctor hummed.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong per say, however usually by now the baby begins readying for birth, usually turning downwards towards the birth canal. This little one has yet to flip. I can physically turn her, but there's always the possibility she'll turn back around."
"She?" Fionna asked finally digesting the doctor's words. He moved the wand again and nodded.
"Yes, she. It's a girl." He said with a smile.
"Marsh-"
"I heard, Ari's gonna have a baby sister." Marshall said the excitement obvious in his voice. "But what's going on Doc?"
"Well it's completely up to you if you'd like me to turn her. The closer we get to delivery the less amniotic fluid there will be so it will be harder to do it at a later period."
"You can turn her." Fionna said softly as the doctor began wiping the ultrasound jelly from her stomach. She felt as he began pressing and manipulating her stomach.
"Okay, I'm going to turn her now, it may feel a little uncomfortable and there will be a little bit of pressure." The doctor said as he pressed down manipulating the baby through her stomach.
"Oh my gosh that's weird." Fionna said with an uncomfortable laugh. The doctor squirted her with the ultrasound gel again.
"Okay so she is now in the proper position, we'll keep an eye on this as we go along. Right now everything is perfect. Do you have any questions for me?"
"None. We're okay?"
"You're both all set."
"Marsh any questions?"
"None. I just can't believe we're already here and I'm a little overwhelmed is all."
"We're finished here then." The doctor said giving Fionna her privacy.
"I can't believe we're having another little girl."
"Girls must be a Wright thing because you all are inundated." Marshall said with a laugh. He watched as she got ready to leave, wiping her belly down and fixing her shirt.
"I'm happy you got to be here for this Marshall. Honestly it's really hard not having you here for these things. And I know if you could be here you would. I'm sorry this is like last week when that commercial made me cry."
"Wait you cried because of a commercial?" Marshall asked with a laugh.
"The baby duck got lost, don't judge me." Fionna said wiping her eyes.
"No judgement. Like none at all. Fi, honestly I know words will never be able to describe how much this sucks. I know you miss me being there. I miss being with you and Ari. This sucks for the both of us, because I want to be there as much as you want me there."
"Fi I wanna rub your belly so bad. I wanna talk to the baby, and feel her kick. I want to help potty train our daughter. I mean come on, you were still breast feeding Aria when I left. Yeah you were weaning her, but do you see what I mean?"
"Words will never describe how it feels missing my daughter become a little person. I've missed so much with her and it's only been eight months. I don't feel like a good father or a good partner right now Fionna."
"I know you don't but you are. You call us every night, or at least you try to. Our girls know who you are. Ari could pick you out of a crowd, and every time she hears your voice this baby kicks because she knows her Daddy."
Fionna said gathering her things and walking from the room. They scheduled her next appointment and Fionna drove home, Marshall simply hanging out on the dashboard while she drove.
"I forgot how nice it is to just sit in silence with you..." Fionna said softly as she wiped her cheek.
"I miss how you make me feel when we're together. I can't wait to come home. I can't wait to see all of you."
"Are you okay Marshall? You seem sad."
"These last twenty four hours have been crazy and really hard Fi."
"But they're over now. Everything that happened, happened. All we can do is move forward from here. We work to do better and to be better." Fionna said softly. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"
"Nothing right now. I just want to enjoy my time with you." Marshall said watching as Fionna reached for the phone. She had parked the car and was walking to the mailbox before heading in the house.
"Anything for me?" Marshall teased listening as Fionna laughed. From his view of the screen Marshall could see Fionna going through the mail, opening a letter as she walked into the house.
Marshall watched as she read the letter frowning as she paled dramatically.
"Fionna what's wrong?"
"They gave him parole." Fionna said in a choked voice. "No. No, no, no, no." Fionna leaned against the wall in the hall way trying desperately to catch her breath. She felt like she couldn't breathe.
"Fi I need to know what's going on." Marshall said feeing as his nervousness increased.
"Fionna is that you?" Fionna watched her father look in from the kitchen.
"Daddy I can't breathe." She said bursting into tears now holding the phone tightly to her chest offering the letter to him.
"What does it say Fi? What's going on?" Now Marshall could hear Steve swearing up a storm between her gasping panicked breaths.
"It's gonna be okay Sweetie, we'll figure this out. We're not going to let anything happen to you okay? I promise."
"I'm not okay right now."
"Can someone tell me what's happening?" Marshall asked watching as Steve came into view on the screen.
"Marshall, we've just been notified that the parole board has approved releasing Mike Satoris."
Well this was a roller coaster.
Enjoy the chapter
xoxo
H09