AN: I DID NOT WRITE THE SONGS. Emily didn't either. I'm pretending she did.
Michelle Branch or someone who works with her wrote the songs. She sings
them. I know for a fact she wrote All You Wanted, but I'm not sure who
wrote The Game of Love. DONT SUE PLEASE.
Shit.
Francie had no idea. She had no idea and yet she just turned everything upside down. I thought if I didn't mention anything, it would never be questioned.
I can't explain this to her. I can't tell my own daughter that her grandmother killed hundreds of people. I can't tell her that she's locked up in a high security prison.
I can't tell her that her grandmother killed her grandfather.
Michael can't either. He doesn't say it, but the whole ordeal was just as bad for him.
The only person that can tell her everything is the one who was hurt the most.
Dad.
He will know how to say it without breaking down. He's a part of our family. He deserves to explain his side to his granddaughter. He's going to come to Los Angeles. He knew that we were going to tell Emily when we left. He didn't say it out loud, but he wanted to come. I'm sure he has to talk to Devlin anyway. He's getting a phone call and a plane ticket. My only problem is bullshitting Emily long enough for him to get here.
I need to say something. Emily is looking into my eyes. Not a good sign. She knows something's wrong. Even Will's eyes have widened.
"Is there a band playing here tonight?" There's a stage, but no one's on it.
"Yea, but they come at 7. Its only 2:00." Francie seems a little distracted too. "Do you have anything else planned for today?"
"We need to get settled into our hotel. We only dropped the bags off. I haven't even seen the room yet." That's the truth at least. If we go to the hotel, Emily will head straight for the pool. I'll be able to call Dad.
"Alright, why don't you go do that, and we'll meet you back here for dinner? 6:45 sound good? Maybe I'll bring Jonathon by." Francie knows that I need to talk to Emily more. Maybe she should have been the spy.
I look at Michael. He seems perfectly happy with the suggestion. Emily's fingers are twitching abnormally fast. I know she wants to leave. "It sounds perfect. 6:45 it is."
"Good. Oh, Emily, bring your guitar and I'll see about the electric one. You can start the band off." Francie's statement makes Emily's mouth drop. Looks like I'll finally get to see her perform. She always stops whenever I enter the room.
I hug Francie and Will goodbye. Will is stiff when I touch him. I hope he doesn't do anything stupid. Emily hugs Francie and shakes Will's hand. Michael shakes all around. We walk out the entrance together. As a family.
The car ride to the hotel is silent. None of us know what to say. This has been a very long day. Layer upon layers have been ripped off. Old wounds have opened. Emily is no longer ignorant of her parent's past lives. We're all in a state of shock that won't wear off for a long time.
The hotel is nicely decorated. It surprises me. Most CIA hotels have very bad interior decorators.
As I assumed, Emily heads straight for the pool. She knows that if I were going to explain anything, I would have mentioned it. Michael goes with her. He knows I need to do this alone.
The phone looks intimidating. I slowly pick up the receiver and dial Dad's cell phone. It's the only one he answers all the time.
"Hello?"
"Hi Dad. It's Sydney. There's something I need to ask you to do for me."
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
"Yes, something's wrong. Emily knows that she's been lied to about her grandparents. I don't think I can bring myself to tell her. Could you?" My words sound selfish as I say them. They are selfish.
Silence.
"I'll be there tomorrow." The line goes dead. I sigh with relief.
Tomorrow.
There is a balcony that looks out over the pool. I can see Emily and Michael swimming laps. The pool seems to beckon me with its blue-green waters. I've never been able to swim in large quantities of water. Too many bad things happened in large amounts of water. I start to panic. The shock of almost losing Michael in Taipei and then almost losing him again to the virus has made water an enemy. It doesn't help that I had to breathe by tire-air underwater for 10 minutes.
I put on a bathing suit and head down to the pool. The Canadian cold doesn't do much for my tan. If I come back with nothing else, I will have a tan.
The sun is warm and there is a light breeze playing around the trees. I stretch out on a chair. I can relax for the first time in days.
Three hours pass before Emily and Michael wake me up. They use the most annoying way possible. Water.
Luckily someone has covered me with towel to prevent sunburn. It receives most of the shock of the cold water.
"Wake up sleepyhead!" They shout in unison. I respond by sticking out my tongue.
"We need to get ready to go to dinner. It's 5:00." I say, glancing at my watch. Good thing its waterproof. Emily and Michael dry off and we head up together.
Michael turns on the TV as soon as he walks into the room. He only takes 10 minutes to get ready. Emily and I take our time.
At 6:00 we're almost ready. My hair's done and Emily is working on her's. Michael was done 20 minutes ago and is now watching the Kings game. I hope it's over before we leave or I'll never get him out of here.
It's 6:30 and we're in the lobby waiting for a cab. Emily brought her guitar. It's resting against her leg. That guitar gives her comfort. It's almost like Donovan. He used to comfort her when she was sad. She was so heartbroken when he died. Emily was only 10. We finally catch a cab.
I was nervous the whole time Emily and I were getting ready. I kept thinking she was going to ask me about Mom. The cab driver looks Emily and I down like we're strippers. Michael clears his throat angrily and sits in the front. He's so cute when he gets defensive.
The restaurant is busy. There are about fifty people waiting to be seated. I try not to look arrogant as we approach the maitre de. He escorts us to a nice table by the stage. Francie and Will are seated there, along with a boy that looks seventeen. I assume that he's Jonathon.
"Thanks for escorting my friends safely to the table Colby." Francie says to our escort. She smiles at him. He must be a favorite.
"No problem Mrs. Carstairs." He bows as he leaves.
"Everyone, this is my son, Jonathon. Jonathon this is everyone." Jonathon smiles up at us. He stands and shakes everyone's hands. His soft brown eyes linger on Emily longer than necessary. I notice his eyeline is on her face, not on her chest. Looks like Francie raised him a gentleman.
"I'm Emily. Nice to meet you." Emily is obviously taken too. She rests her guitar against the table and sits down in-between Jonathon and Michael. I sit next to Michael and Will. Francie and I will probably die of happiness if the spark is real.
"I got the electric guitar. Are you ready to play?" Francie questions excitedly. I begin to anticipate. Emily has never played in front of me. I don't understand why.
"Sure. Dad, will you help me out?" Emily looks at Michael slyly. Something's going on. He doesn't know how to play. Francie goes onto the stage and announces that there is a warm up for the band. Michael put the electric guitar on. He must have learned how to play. How could they hide this from me so well?
Emily warms up with a few notes and then steps up to the microphone. "This is my first public performance. I didn't write this song. My friend did. Enjoy."
Michael starts the song and Emily adds on with her guitar after a few chords.
Tell me just what you want me to be
One kiss and boom you're the only one for me
So please tell me why don't you come around no more
Cause right now I'm crying
Outside the door of the candy store
It just takes a little bit of this
A little bit of that
It started with a kiss
Now we're up to bat
A little bit of laughs
A little bit of pain
I'm tellin you, my babe
It's all in the game of love
It's all in this game of love
You roll me
Control me
Console me
Please hold me
You guide me
Divide me
Into what...
I'm amazed by my daughter's voice. It's amazing. I'm also amazed at Michael's ability to play the guitar so well. He's doing a solo right now. I can't believe they could hide this from me. Everyone's clapping. They must be done. Francie stops Emily before she can get offstage. Michael continues down the steps. He sits close to me and whispers in my ear.
"Surprise."
"Does everyone want to hear Emily sing a solo?" The applause is almost deafening. Emily's cheeks are flushed. I bet she didn't think she would be so well received. She gets a stool to sit on and pulls the microphone closer. Michael pulls me closer and I lean into him. We're listening to our daughter sing. In Francie's restaurant. Life has many twists and turns we can never expect.
"I wrote this next song with the help of my dad. It's an anniversary present from the both of us. Its how he felt when he first met her." My smile widens. That's why I've never heard her sing. She was saving her voice as a gift. I could never ask for a better one.
Emily concentrates on her guitar. Music flows from her fingers.
I wanted to be like you
I wanted everything
So I tried to be like you
And I got swept away
I didn't know that is was so cold
And you needed someone to show you the way
So I took your hand
And we figured out that
When the tide comes
I'd take you away
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted was somebody who cares
I'm sinking slowly
So hurry hold me
Your hand is all I have to keep me hanging on
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted was somebody who cares
All you wanted was somebody who cares
If you need me, you know I'll be there
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
My eyes are filled with tears. How true those words are. That was all I wanted.
A single tear slides down my cheek. Emily's voice can make anyone weep. Michael smiles at my tears. I used to be in control of my feelings. Now everyone can read me.
I've been granted my wish. I have a normal life. I have a loving husband and a beautiful and talented daughter. Life couldn't be better.
There's only one problem.
My past is going to haunt me. There's a secret I've never told anyone. Not even Michael. It was revealed to me when I was locked in a room with my mother for five hours. There was no surveillance. Only a truth that I wished I'd never learned.
I have to tell my father. I've had nightmares. I thought I was protecting him, but he needs to know. Just like Emily.
Before he tells Emily about my mother, I have to tell him about his son.
Authors Note: I know most people know where this is going, but I like twists. The next chapter is a surprise. Sorry if the songs look funny, I don't know how to get them how I want.
Shit.
Francie had no idea. She had no idea and yet she just turned everything upside down. I thought if I didn't mention anything, it would never be questioned.
I can't explain this to her. I can't tell my own daughter that her grandmother killed hundreds of people. I can't tell her that she's locked up in a high security prison.
I can't tell her that her grandmother killed her grandfather.
Michael can't either. He doesn't say it, but the whole ordeal was just as bad for him.
The only person that can tell her everything is the one who was hurt the most.
Dad.
He will know how to say it without breaking down. He's a part of our family. He deserves to explain his side to his granddaughter. He's going to come to Los Angeles. He knew that we were going to tell Emily when we left. He didn't say it out loud, but he wanted to come. I'm sure he has to talk to Devlin anyway. He's getting a phone call and a plane ticket. My only problem is bullshitting Emily long enough for him to get here.
I need to say something. Emily is looking into my eyes. Not a good sign. She knows something's wrong. Even Will's eyes have widened.
"Is there a band playing here tonight?" There's a stage, but no one's on it.
"Yea, but they come at 7. Its only 2:00." Francie seems a little distracted too. "Do you have anything else planned for today?"
"We need to get settled into our hotel. We only dropped the bags off. I haven't even seen the room yet." That's the truth at least. If we go to the hotel, Emily will head straight for the pool. I'll be able to call Dad.
"Alright, why don't you go do that, and we'll meet you back here for dinner? 6:45 sound good? Maybe I'll bring Jonathon by." Francie knows that I need to talk to Emily more. Maybe she should have been the spy.
I look at Michael. He seems perfectly happy with the suggestion. Emily's fingers are twitching abnormally fast. I know she wants to leave. "It sounds perfect. 6:45 it is."
"Good. Oh, Emily, bring your guitar and I'll see about the electric one. You can start the band off." Francie's statement makes Emily's mouth drop. Looks like I'll finally get to see her perform. She always stops whenever I enter the room.
I hug Francie and Will goodbye. Will is stiff when I touch him. I hope he doesn't do anything stupid. Emily hugs Francie and shakes Will's hand. Michael shakes all around. We walk out the entrance together. As a family.
The car ride to the hotel is silent. None of us know what to say. This has been a very long day. Layer upon layers have been ripped off. Old wounds have opened. Emily is no longer ignorant of her parent's past lives. We're all in a state of shock that won't wear off for a long time.
The hotel is nicely decorated. It surprises me. Most CIA hotels have very bad interior decorators.
As I assumed, Emily heads straight for the pool. She knows that if I were going to explain anything, I would have mentioned it. Michael goes with her. He knows I need to do this alone.
The phone looks intimidating. I slowly pick up the receiver and dial Dad's cell phone. It's the only one he answers all the time.
"Hello?"
"Hi Dad. It's Sydney. There's something I need to ask you to do for me."
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
"Yes, something's wrong. Emily knows that she's been lied to about her grandparents. I don't think I can bring myself to tell her. Could you?" My words sound selfish as I say them. They are selfish.
Silence.
"I'll be there tomorrow." The line goes dead. I sigh with relief.
Tomorrow.
There is a balcony that looks out over the pool. I can see Emily and Michael swimming laps. The pool seems to beckon me with its blue-green waters. I've never been able to swim in large quantities of water. Too many bad things happened in large amounts of water. I start to panic. The shock of almost losing Michael in Taipei and then almost losing him again to the virus has made water an enemy. It doesn't help that I had to breathe by tire-air underwater for 10 minutes.
I put on a bathing suit and head down to the pool. The Canadian cold doesn't do much for my tan. If I come back with nothing else, I will have a tan.
The sun is warm and there is a light breeze playing around the trees. I stretch out on a chair. I can relax for the first time in days.
Three hours pass before Emily and Michael wake me up. They use the most annoying way possible. Water.
Luckily someone has covered me with towel to prevent sunburn. It receives most of the shock of the cold water.
"Wake up sleepyhead!" They shout in unison. I respond by sticking out my tongue.
"We need to get ready to go to dinner. It's 5:00." I say, glancing at my watch. Good thing its waterproof. Emily and Michael dry off and we head up together.
Michael turns on the TV as soon as he walks into the room. He only takes 10 minutes to get ready. Emily and I take our time.
At 6:00 we're almost ready. My hair's done and Emily is working on her's. Michael was done 20 minutes ago and is now watching the Kings game. I hope it's over before we leave or I'll never get him out of here.
It's 6:30 and we're in the lobby waiting for a cab. Emily brought her guitar. It's resting against her leg. That guitar gives her comfort. It's almost like Donovan. He used to comfort her when she was sad. She was so heartbroken when he died. Emily was only 10. We finally catch a cab.
I was nervous the whole time Emily and I were getting ready. I kept thinking she was going to ask me about Mom. The cab driver looks Emily and I down like we're strippers. Michael clears his throat angrily and sits in the front. He's so cute when he gets defensive.
The restaurant is busy. There are about fifty people waiting to be seated. I try not to look arrogant as we approach the maitre de. He escorts us to a nice table by the stage. Francie and Will are seated there, along with a boy that looks seventeen. I assume that he's Jonathon.
"Thanks for escorting my friends safely to the table Colby." Francie says to our escort. She smiles at him. He must be a favorite.
"No problem Mrs. Carstairs." He bows as he leaves.
"Everyone, this is my son, Jonathon. Jonathon this is everyone." Jonathon smiles up at us. He stands and shakes everyone's hands. His soft brown eyes linger on Emily longer than necessary. I notice his eyeline is on her face, not on her chest. Looks like Francie raised him a gentleman.
"I'm Emily. Nice to meet you." Emily is obviously taken too. She rests her guitar against the table and sits down in-between Jonathon and Michael. I sit next to Michael and Will. Francie and I will probably die of happiness if the spark is real.
"I got the electric guitar. Are you ready to play?" Francie questions excitedly. I begin to anticipate. Emily has never played in front of me. I don't understand why.
"Sure. Dad, will you help me out?" Emily looks at Michael slyly. Something's going on. He doesn't know how to play. Francie goes onto the stage and announces that there is a warm up for the band. Michael put the electric guitar on. He must have learned how to play. How could they hide this from me so well?
Emily warms up with a few notes and then steps up to the microphone. "This is my first public performance. I didn't write this song. My friend did. Enjoy."
Michael starts the song and Emily adds on with her guitar after a few chords.
Tell me just what you want me to be
One kiss and boom you're the only one for me
So please tell me why don't you come around no more
Cause right now I'm crying
Outside the door of the candy store
It just takes a little bit of this
A little bit of that
It started with a kiss
Now we're up to bat
A little bit of laughs
A little bit of pain
I'm tellin you, my babe
It's all in the game of love
It's all in this game of love
You roll me
Control me
Console me
Please hold me
You guide me
Divide me
Into what...
I'm amazed by my daughter's voice. It's amazing. I'm also amazed at Michael's ability to play the guitar so well. He's doing a solo right now. I can't believe they could hide this from me. Everyone's clapping. They must be done. Francie stops Emily before she can get offstage. Michael continues down the steps. He sits close to me and whispers in my ear.
"Surprise."
"Does everyone want to hear Emily sing a solo?" The applause is almost deafening. Emily's cheeks are flushed. I bet she didn't think she would be so well received. She gets a stool to sit on and pulls the microphone closer. Michael pulls me closer and I lean into him. We're listening to our daughter sing. In Francie's restaurant. Life has many twists and turns we can never expect.
"I wrote this next song with the help of my dad. It's an anniversary present from the both of us. Its how he felt when he first met her." My smile widens. That's why I've never heard her sing. She was saving her voice as a gift. I could never ask for a better one.
Emily concentrates on her guitar. Music flows from her fingers.
I wanted to be like you
I wanted everything
So I tried to be like you
And I got swept away
I didn't know that is was so cold
And you needed someone to show you the way
So I took your hand
And we figured out that
When the tide comes
I'd take you away
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted was somebody who cares
I'm sinking slowly
So hurry hold me
Your hand is all I have to keep me hanging on
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted was somebody who cares
All you wanted was somebody who cares
If you need me, you know I'll be there
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
My eyes are filled with tears. How true those words are. That was all I wanted.
A single tear slides down my cheek. Emily's voice can make anyone weep. Michael smiles at my tears. I used to be in control of my feelings. Now everyone can read me.
I've been granted my wish. I have a normal life. I have a loving husband and a beautiful and talented daughter. Life couldn't be better.
There's only one problem.
My past is going to haunt me. There's a secret I've never told anyone. Not even Michael. It was revealed to me when I was locked in a room with my mother for five hours. There was no surveillance. Only a truth that I wished I'd never learned.
I have to tell my father. I've had nightmares. I thought I was protecting him, but he needs to know. Just like Emily.
Before he tells Emily about my mother, I have to tell him about his son.
Authors Note: I know most people know where this is going, but I like twists. The next chapter is a surprise. Sorry if the songs look funny, I don't know how to get them how I want.