AN: Finally the introduction of the characters taken from Roswell, Angel, and Buffy will be introduced in Chapter 11.
CHAPTER 10
WEEK LATER: HOUSE
"What do you think?" Ian asks as he watches Sara walk through the downstairs of the large house as the realtor gives them some space.
"I like it." Sara smiles at him "Think Emma will like it?"
"She should. The backyard is big enough for the dogs. Martha will have the garage apartment to herself. Emma will still have a big bedroom. Other than the master bedroom, there are four bedrooms. Not counting the master bathroom there are two full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. In the basement there is enough room for the pool table and the gym equipment."
"Cool."
"You know..." Ian pulls Sara close "there is a room here for you."
"Is that wise Ian?"
"How so?"
"Emma's never had to share you. How do you think she'd react to having to share her Dad at all times?"
Ian lifts his shoulder
"How about we give her some time to get used to all of this." Sara suggests
Ian nods "As you wish." He kisses her sweetly. "But will you consider it?"
Sara nods "Yes."
Ian grins "Good."
Sara pulls back looking around "So are you going to buy this place?" She asks looking around.
Ian looks around "Yes." He answers after a moment. "I think Emma will love it."
"I'm sure she will." Sara kisses him lightly. "Why don't you go talk to the realtor? I'm going to look around upstairs."
Ian nods watching her walk away. He makes his way to the front of the house where the realtor is on the phone.
Seeing the dark-haired man, the realtor quickly hangs up. "So Mr. Nottingham, have you made a decision?"
"This is exactly what I am looking for Mrs. Lynch."
"The last offer was 350."
"400 if your client can decide within the next half hour."
Mrs. Lynch nods "I will call them and see." Mrs. Lynch says stunned by the offer.
Ian nods "I will be upstairs let me know their decision."
Mrs. Lynch watches as he walks up the stairs then takes out her phone dialing the clients' number.
Ian finds Sara in the master bedroom. "What do you think of what could be our room?" He asks wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
Sara tilts her head back. "Ours?"
"You could have your own room as well but I would love to wake up every day to find you next to me."
Sara smiles "Sooner or later."
Ian kisses her sweetly. "I waited 15 years for you. I can wait longer."
20 MINS LATER
"Mr. Nottingham"
Ian looks over to see Mrs. Lynch in the doorway of one of the rooms. "Yes?"
"They agreed. My office has started the paperwork. I will send it to your office."
Ian nods "I will call my accountant and have him get the money together."
Sara glances at her watch. "Ian I have to get to work or else I'm going to be doing nights for life."
"Thank you Mrs. Lynch."
Sara gives the woman a small smile as she slips her hand into Ian's.
30 MINS LATER
Ian pulls the car up to the precinct. He brings Sara's hand up to his lips. "Want me to pick you up from work?"
"Nah. I'll just have Jake drop me off." When she sees Ian's eyes narrow she lifts her brow. "Jealous?"
"No."
"Oh really?"
"I'm not."
"Yes you are." Sara grins
"I'm not jealous. I just don't like him."
"Why not?"
"I don't know."
Sara leans over kissing him lightly. "You're cute when your jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
"Sure honey whatever you say." Sara says patronizingly smirking "I'll see you later." She opens the car door. "I love you." She grins
"I love you too." Ian watches as Sara hurries into the building and once she's inside he pulls away from the curb.
LATE EVENING: VORSCHLAG
"How did it go Ian?" Kenneth inquires knowing Ian took Sara to the house.
"Good. The paperwork will be finished tomorrow."
"And did the Detective like the house?"
"Yes."
"And will Emma be coming down to see it?"
"She's coming down this weekend."
"And Martha?"
"She's staying in Boston. The realtor is going to start showing the house next week. Martha is going to pack up the things that need to be moved, mostly the weapons."
Kenneth nods waving his hand in dismissal.
LATE NIGHT: SARA'S APARTMENT
"Emma sounded excited." Sara laughs as Ian hangs up the phone after telling their daughter of the news.
"She loves traveling. When she was little, she'd get so excited when we'd go on a trip. When we used to visit Father, she'd get so excited that she'd be bouncing around and wouldn't calm down. Even after she started hating him she would always be excited about going on a trip to see him." Ian tilts his head. "It's been about 2 months since we've gone on a trip."
"Where did you go?"
"Father had a meeting in Toronto and requested that I attend as well."
"Do you always take Emma on business trips?"
"Usually, when it works out with her school schedules. When she does go with me, her teachers send her homework along. The only times I don't take her is when its going to be longer than a week during the school year or when she has a test."
"Does Martha go along?"
"She used too go all of the time. Now that Emma is old enough to take care of herself Martha only comes along when its long trips. Father's security is usually five or six other than me. One of them usually hangs out with Emma when she goes out when Martha isn't with us."
"What is Martha's job now?"
"Mostly housekeeper. Emma's old enough to take care of herself. Martha just keeps an eye on her."
"So who does Parent-Teacher conferences?"
"If I'm in town I usually go... with the strictest rule of all."
"What?"
"No scaring her teachers."
Sara giggles "I can see that." She climbs onto Ian's lap facing him. "Dark clothes and all you must scare people."
Ian shrugs "At times. I never mean too but..." He trails off.
"It happens."
Ian nods
"What do her teachers say?"
"Pretty much that she's an above average student. Her principal thinks she should skip a grade but Emma doesn't want too."
"Why not?"
"She never really said. Just said she didn't feel like it."
"Her teachers like her?"
"Mmm," Ian nods "only had one teacher who didn't."
"Why not?"
"One time Emma challenged her teacher in front of the other students."
"Never a good thing to do."
"No and she learned that."
"When was this?"
"When she was ten. She came home and was upset."
"Poor baby."
"Emma rarely gets upset over things like that. The only reason she was so upset was because she knew that she was right."
"What happened?"
"After I explained to the teacher why she did that and he apologized to her."
"You didn't scare him did you?"
"No." Ian assures "Just pointed out that Emma was right and showed him how and he realized that he shouldn't have become angry with her."
"Wow all my teachers hated me because of Aras's little pranks."
Ian lifts his brow. "I seem to remember my love that you pulled a few pranks of your own."
"Yeah but mostly it was Aras." Sara grumbles
Ian leans forward kissing her neck. "Mmm, you smell good."
Sara giggles as his beard rubs against her skin.
LATER
Sara lifts her head looking at Ian with a small smile. "That was fun."
"Always is."
"Are you going to stay tonight?"
"I can't. I have to get back... sooner or later."
"Let's make it later." Sara kisses him.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON: AIRPORT
"Dad" Emma grins barreling into her Dad.
Ian hugs her back "It's good to see you too Em." He laughs. "How was school?"
"Long." Emma scrunches up her nose. "Mom with you?"
"No. She's working tonight. You'll see her tomorrow. This all you have?" Ian looks at her backpack.
"Yep. Did all my homework at lunch so all that's at home."
"Always thinking light." Ian chuckles his arm going around her shoulders. "So how is Lauren?"
"Panicked as always." Emma rolls her eyes. "You know how she gets. If there is anyone is this world who needs to be heavily medicated it would be Lauren."
"And Martha?"
"Made me clean my room yesterday."
"Good."
"Hey"
"You definitely have your mother's ability to create a disaster in under five minutes." Ian says dryly.
"Hey" Emma protests.
"Did you pack decent clothes for dinner tonight?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Do I have to be in the same room as him?" Emma grumbles
"Yes. I know you don't like him Emma but he is your Grandfather."
"By default."
"Emma" Ian says warningly.
"Sorry."
"Look Emma with living here it means we'll have to eat dinner with him every so often."
"I know. I'll try not to start any arguments with him."
"Thank you." Ian kisses the top of her head. "Now tell me about school" He requests as they walk through the airport heading to the car.
EVENING: 1111 FAUST
"So Emma how was your flight?" Kenneth inquires as the three sit at the dining room table for their first meal as a 'family' in a long time.
"Good." Emma says warily half expecting him to start another of their many arguments.
"You always did like flying." Kenneth remarks with a faint smile.
Emma looks at her Dad startled by her Grandfather's almost wistful tone.
"You used to sit and clap when the engine would start." Kenneth muses "You rarely ever cried on the plane."
"You loved to fly. I had to keep you buckled up to keep you still."
"You would just stare out the window and point at the clouds." Kenneth chuckles lightly
'He's up to something.' Emma thinks.
"So how is school?" Kenneth asks politely.
"It's OK." Emma shrugs
11PM
Ian enters Emma's bedroom to find her staring out the window. "Time for bed little one."
"Dad what was with his niceness attitude?" Emma asks as she crawls into her bed.
Ian lifts his shoulder sitting beside her. "I don't know. Perhaps he's just in a good mood."
"What are we doing tomorrow?"
"We're going to pick your Mom up first then go out to breakfast then head over to the house."
"Is Mom going to spend the day with us?"
"She has to work at 3."
"Oh."
Ian kisses her temple "Soon you'll see her a lot."
"Is she going to be living with us?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because we thought it best if we wait for things to settle down before we make that decision. You'll still see her... I wouldn't be surprised if you see her every day."
"OK." Emma snuggles against him. "Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Will you read me a story like you used to?" Emma asks hopefully.
"Sure I'll be right back." Ian kisses the top of her head getting off the bed.
Downstairs in the library Kenneth looks up from his reading as Ian enters the room. "Is she in bed?"
"Yes but she wants a story like old times."
"You always cave into what she wants." Kenneth says disgusted.
Ian ignores his Father's remark. "Where is that book about the mouse?"
"Which mouse? You bought her many books."
"The one about the mouse who saved money for a rainy day."
"Bottom left." Kenneth answers
Ian scans the bookshelf finding the book he returns upstairs to find Emma waiting. "Found one of your favorites."
"The one about the mouse who saved all his money?"
Ian smiles "Same one." He settles beside his daughter on the bed opening the book.
Emma snuggles against him her eyes on the pictures as she listens to her Dad read.
15 MINS LATER
Ian kisses her forehead. "Get some sleep OK?"
Emma nods burrowing into the covers. "Night Daddy. I love you."
Ian smiles "I love you too Em." He stands walking out of the bedroom.
CHAPTER 11
8AM
"Emma time to get up." Ian says walking into the bedroom where he finds the teen sprawled on her back her arm flung over her face. He turns on the light.
"DAADD" Emma whines pulling the covers up.
"Come on Em. We need to leave in a half an hour to pick your Mom up."
"What time is it?"
"8." Ian answers pulling the covers off the sleepy teen.
"Do you have to be so cheerful in the morning?"
"Definitely a Pezzini." Ian says amused "Now get out of bed. I'll be back to check on you in five minutes. If you aren't out of bed I'll pick you up and carry you into the bathroom and dump you in the shower." He warns
"I'm up." Emma grumbles throwing the pillow at him.
Ian catches the pillow "Did you just throw a pillow at me?" He lifts his brow
Emma sticks out her tongue then laughs as her Dad starts towards her and she bounds off the bed slamming into the bathroom.
"Half an hour Emma." Ian calls through the door.
45 MINS LATER
Ian glances in the rearview mirror to see Emma curled up on the seat her eyes closed. He smiles slightly. 'That's my Em.' He turns his attention back to his driving.
10 MINS LATER
"Emma"
Emma opens her eyes yawning "Where are we?"
"Your Mom's. Do you want to come up to the apartment or stay and sleep?"
"Sleep Daddy."
Ian smiles "You'll have to wake up for breakfast soon."
"I know."
"We'll be right down all right?"
"OK" Emma closes her eyes.
Ian gets out of the car locking the doors he makes his way to the doors heading up to Sara's apartment.
Inside Sara hears a knock as she's searching through a box. "It's open Ian." She calls
Ian enters the loft. "Hello beautiful." He greets
"Hey. Where's Emma?" Sara asks looking up to see he's alone.
"Asleep in the car." Ian answers "What are you looking for?"
"Something." Sara says mysteriously then finds a jewelry box. "Ah ha" She says happily. She settles on the couch opening the box she finds numerous pieces of jewelry then lifts the top part out showing a hidden compartment where she finds what she's looking for. "Found it."
"Found what?" Ian joins her on the couch.
Sara lifts the necklace out of the jewelry box "Remember this?"
Ian smiles seeing the ring he had given her. "You kept it."
"Of course. I wore it while I was pregnant. Not long after Emma was born, I took it off and put it away. This morning I realized I hadn't seen it for a while and decided to look for it." She unhooks the clasp "Can you..."
"Sure" Ian takes the necklace securing it around her neck. He presses a kiss to her neck. "There."
"Thank you." Sara turns her head kissing him lightly.
"Ready to go?"
Sara nods "Just need my jacket." She stands grabbing her jacket off the back of the kitchen table. "Now I'm ready." She says slipping it on she then grabs Ian's hand.
"Let's go see if our girl's awake."
"Think she is?"
"No but she'll be awake soon."
Emma sleepily opens her eyes as she hears the locks click and the doors open.
Sara gets into the passenger seat and looks back at Emma, smiling slightly when she sees her daughter rubbing at her eyes. "Hey sweetie."
"Hi." Emma yawns sitting up.
"You awake now?" Ian asks as he starts the car.
"Uh huh"
"Hungry Emma?" Ian questions
"Yeah."
"What do you want for breakfast?" Sara asks
"I don't know."
"There's a place not far from the house. How about we eat there?" Ian suggests
"Fine with me." Sara says
"Just lead me to food." Emma rests her head on the seat. "Daddy"
"Yes?"
"Can I have ice cream for breakfast?"
"No."
"Mom" Emma says hopefully
"Nice try kiddo. Not gonna work." Sara laughs patting Emma's cheek.
"Had to try." Emma grins impishly.
Sara looks at Ian seeing the faint smile on his lips.
20 MINS LATER: RESTAURANT
"What can I get for you?" The waitress asks.
"I'll have cheese omelet." Sara requests
"All right." The waitress nods her eyes going to the teen. "What would you like?"
"Blueberry pancakes." Emma requests happily.
"Sir?"
"I'm fine." Ian replies
"I'll bring your food out as soon as possible." The waitress says taking the menus, she walks away from the table.
"How was school yesterday?" Sara asks Emma
"It was long." Emma scowls
Sara smiles slightly. "Anything interesting happen?"
"Not really. It was a boring day. Then again most days at school are boring."
NOON: HOUSE
"Emma what do you think of the house?" Sara asks her daughter as they sit on the floor of the empty living room eating lunch.
"I like it." Emma answers after swallowing. "What about school?"
"I'll take care of that this week." Ian says "Still not going to private school?"
"No" Emma snorts taking a bite of her sandwich. "Evil One won't like that will he?"
"Emma" Ian sighs
"Sorry."
"I know you two don't get along but can you please attempt to get along?"
"When hell freezes over." Emma retorts
Ian sighs at her tone "Why do I get the feeling my life is going to be even more chaotic than it used to be?" He wonders aloud.
Emma shrugs chewing she watches as her parents talk. Once Emma is done with her sandwich she shifts, lying down she rests her head on her Dad's leg.
Ian looks down at Emma "Tired huh?" He gently strokes her hair.
Emma shrugs
"You've had a long few weeks." Ian muses "It'll be over soon." He assures
Emma sits up and settles on his lap snuggling close. "No more leaving?"
"No." Ian promises.
Emma looks at her Mom. "Mom?"
Sara blinks back tears reaching out she brushes her finger down Emma's cheek. "Never Emma." She says firmly "I just got my baby back," She gives Emma a small reassuring smile. "I won't let you go again."
Emma smiles back relieved she snuggles into her Dad's arms.
2PM: SARA'S APARTMENT
"I'll see you tomorrow all right Emma?"
Emma nods "OK." She looks out the window catching her parents kissing from the corner of her eye. 'As weird as it is to see that I'm glad to see it.'
"Call me later?"
Sara nods "Have fun you two." She gets out of the car.
As he pulls the car away from the curb, Ian glances at Emma in the rearview mirror. "What's wrong Emma?"
"Nothing. Just thinking." Emma leans between the seats looking at her Dad. "Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Are you and Mom gonna get married?"
Ian starts in surprise at the question. "Emma I think its too soon for us to even think about it or even discuss it. She and I have changed over the years... we don't need to jump ahead in our relationship."
"Oh."
Ian reaches up patting her cheek. "I adore your Mom Emma, but I don't think either of us are ready to jump into marriage right now."
"OK."
"You know I was thinking." Ian changes the subject "Since you're going to be starting over how about we go get you some new rollerblades." He suggests
"And a new board?" Emma asks hopefully.
Ian laughs "Sure baby you can get all new gear. You deserve it... you've been really good through all of this."
"Can I get a raise in allowance?" Emma asks hopefully
"Nice try Emma." Ian smiles "If you do more chores I'll think about a raise."
"Oh all right." She grumbles
"There's a skate shop not far from Vorschlag."
"OK."
15 MINS LATER: SKATE SHOP
As the door opens punked out Lonnie Jenkins looks up to see a tall dark haired man dressed in black enter, 'Ooh hottie.' She thinks then scowls seeing a teenaged girl about her brother's age enter behind him. "Yo Zan, get your ass out here!"
"Kiss my ass Lonnie." Zan Jenkins snaps at his sister as he walks out from the back. "Need help?" He asks
"Need new skates, board, and gear."
20 MINS LATER
Ian watches as Emma talks gear, blades, and boarding with the young man with piercings, tattoos, and spiked hair. He sighs hearing his phone ring "Em I'll be outside."
"'k" Emma nods glancing at her Dad briefly.
Ian walks out of the store removing his phone from his pocket and flipping it open. "Yes?"
"I need you here." Kenneth orders.
"Father I'm spending the day with Emma" Ian reminds
"I don't care. I have a situation here that I need you to take care of." Kenneth snaps hanging up.
Ian swears under his breath then closes his phone returning it to his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he walks inside the shop where he finds Emma still talking with the young man. "Emma"
Emma looks at her Dad.
"Are you finished? I need to head over to the office for a while."
"But..." Emma scowls "All right."
"Have everything you need?" Ian asks
Emma nods "Yes."
A few minutes later Ian looks at his daughter as she sits beside him in the car pouting. "I'm sorry Em. I had hoped that this wouldn't happen. I don't think this will take long though." He lifts his hand running it over her head. "At least I hope it won't."
"He's going to keep doing this Daddy."
Ian sighs "I know baby but I have no choice." 'I won't risk him even trying to take my baby girl from me.' "You know I have an idea."
"What?"
"There's a skate park not far from Vorschlag and you have new gear... why don't I drop you off there and pick you up when I'm done."
"How long will it be?"
"An hour or so. If its more than an hour I'll call you."
"OK."
A few minutes later Ian pulls the car over. "I shouldn't be more than an hour but if I am I will call you, OK?"
Emma nods leaning over the seat she kisses his cheek then gets out of the car opening the back passenger door. She quickly shoves her new pads and helmet into the new backpack grabbing her new blades.
"Taking your board?" Ian inquires glancing back at her.
"Nah."
"All right. Have your phone?"
"Yes."
"Call me if you want me to come get you otherwise I'll see you in about an hour. Be careful."
"I will. Bye Daddy." Emma grabs her things closing the door.
Ian watches her make her way towards the park then pulls the car away from the curb. 'I wish I could spend this time with both my girls.'
10 MINS LATER: VORSCHLAG
Ian enters Kenneth's office "Yes sir?"
"Where is she?"
"I dropped her off at the skate park."
Kenneth nods "I need you to take care of this." He hands Ian a file.
"Yes sir."
30 MINS LATER: PARK
"You're good kid."
Emma notices the boy from the skate shop standing beside her. "Thanks."
"Name's Zan Jenkins... you saw my sis Lonnie at the shop."
"Emma Nottingham." Emma smiles
"Who taught you to blade?" Zan asks curiously
"Two of my Uncles bladed and boarded. They taught me when I was little."
Zan nods looking around "So where's your Pops?"
"Had to go to work for a while." Emma answers "He dropped me off."
"So where you from?"
"Boston. I'm movin' down here in a few weeks."
"Sweet" Zan grins
Emma nods smiling back.
"Hey Zan" A girl calls
Zan turns to see a girl with long brown hair walking towards them with a brown haired boy at her side. "Hey Summers. Hey Delaney." He greets "Emma Nottingham these are two of my buds Dawn Summers and Connor Delaney."
"Hi" Dawn smiles
"Hi" Emma nods her eyes on the boy beside Dawn. 'Wow he is cute.'
"Hey" Connor greets
"Thought you were spending the day with your Pops Connor." Zan states
Connor stiffens
"Angel had a call in." Dawn explains "You're a blader huh?" She says nodding at Emma's blades.
"And a boarder" Emma adds
"Emma's moving down here in a few weeks."
"Parents divorce?" Dawn asks sympathetically.
"Nope parents got back together. Dad's work brought him back here and I go where Dad goes." Emma explains with a shrug. At their expressions, she laughs "It's a long, complicated story."
"Come on I'll introduce you to some of the others." Dawn offers
Emma is about to respond when her phone rings. "Excuse me." She opens her insulated pants pocket removing her phone she flips it open. "Hello?" She greets
On the other end, Ian stands at the window. "Emma"
Emma grins hearing her Dad's voice. "Hey Dad. What's up?"
"Em it looks like this will take longer than expected."
Emma sighs "How much longer?"
"Two maybe three hours."
"But... oh all right. I'll hang out here."
"Do you want me to send the driver to pick you up and take you back to the house?"
"Nah. I'll hang out here."
"If you change your mind just call me."
"I will."
"Don't go far."
"I won't." Emma promises.
"I'll see you soon and we'll go out for dinner."
"With him?"
"No. He has a meeting."
"OK. Bye Dad."
"Have fun Emma"
Emma hangs up "Sorry. Just my Dad. He has to work longer than expected."
"Where does he work?" Dawn asks curiously.
"Vorschlag." 'No need to say much.'
"Ah" Dawn nods "Later boys."
2 1/2 HOURS LATER: PARK
Ian watches as Emma races a boy and smiles slightly. 'That's my girl.'
"She's good. She's beat everyone so far."
Ian looks at the boy from the skate shop and nods looking back at his daughter. "She is good." He agrees
"The runs almost over." Zan informs him
Ian watches as Emma skids to a stop touching the wall then seconds later the boy touches the wall.
Emma notices her Dad standing with Zan and skates over. "Hiya Dad."
"You did you Em." Ian smiles "Are you ready to go?"
Emma nods "Sure."
"See you around kid." Zan says walking away.
Emma leads her Dad to where her things are and removes her padding shoving it in her backpack. "So what did you do?" She asks as her Dad takes her backpack.
"He had a last minute meeting set for tomorrow after you leave and I had to take care of the security for it."
"Oh."
"Did you have a good time?"
"Yep. Zan introduced me to some of his friends."
"Good."
"Is Mom going to join us for dinner?"
"No baby. I called her earlier but she can't join us."
"Oh."
MIDNIGHT
Ian stands under the cold water taking a deep breath. 'Come on Nottingham as much as you want to go to her you can't.' He hears his phone ring over the shower and turns off the water getting out of the shower he goes over grabbing his phone off the counter he flips it open. "Yes?"
"Hi"
Ian smiles hearing Sara's voice "Hi"
"So what are you doing?" Sara asks
"Just got out of the shower. You?"
"Getting ready for bed." Sara answers. "Any chance you can come over?" She asks hopefully
"Sorry love but I don't want to leave Emma here alone."
"I know." Sara sighs heavily.
"What's wrong?" He asks concerned by her frustrated tone.
"I want you... bad."
"Same but unfortunately this is not the best night for me to leave."
"I know."
"Hopefully tomorrow night."
"Yeah. So what did you two do?"
"Nothing really. He called me in so Emma hung out at the skate park for a few hours."
"Did she bring her gear?"
"No. I bought her new gear. She's been asking for a while and since she's been good through all of this I thought she deserved it."
"You spoil her huh?"
"Yes" Ian admits "I can't help it."
"You are such a softie." Sara teases
"I know I can be."
"She asleep?"
"Yes. I had to convince her to sleep in her own bed."
"Why?"
"X returned earlier than expected. I'm just glad he decided to sleep on the other side of the house."
"Has she left you alone?" Sara asks with slight jealousy.
"Yes. I think after she saw that Emma's not so little she realized she'd get more than a bruised shin." Ian chuckles
"Good."
"Emma asked me something today." Ian says as he pulls on his pajama bottoms.
"What did she ask you?"
"She asked me if we were ever going to get married."
"What did you say?"
"Perhaps one day when everything has calmed down and if I'd be able to convince you."
"You'd probably succeed." Sara admits
"Really?"
"I'd never say no" Sara says "I'd say not yet or yes but never no." She exhales slowly. "I know it sounds weird but since the moment we met I couldn't see spending the rest of my life with anyone but you." She sits on her bed "You're right though... can't jump ahead into marriage or anything yet. It wouldn't be fair to Emma."
"I agree this is her time."
Sara groans "I should get to bed... don't want to be exhausted tomorrow."
"I'll drop her off at nine."
"All right. I love you Ian Nottingham."
"I love you Sara Pezzini."
"Give Emma a kiss for me."
"I will. Sleep well."
"You too." Sara hangs up.
Ian closes his phone and quickly dries his hair with a second towel then leaves the bathroom. He grabs a shirt from the dresser pulling it on he walks out of the bedroom across the hall to Emma's bedroom. He enters the dimly lit bedroom to find Emma asleep sprawled on her back the sheets shoved off. 'She sleeps just like her Mother.' He thinks with a smile as he goes over to the bed pulling the covers up.
"Daddy?" Emma stirs
"Shh just go back to sleep." Ian soothes kissing her forehead.
"M'kay"