CHAPTER 22
MONDAY MORNING
Sara looks up as Ian joins her in the kitchen. "Is she going to school?"
"Yes. She's getting ready." Ian replies
"Is she ready to go back to school?" Martha asks as she prepares a plate for Ian.
Ian lifts his shoulders "If she's not then she can come home."
"If she's not ready" Sara trails off.
"Her idea not mine."
Sara looks at the clock and groans "Damn I'm going to be late for work." She kisses Ian's cheek then hurries out of the kitchen. "Bye."
HOUR LATER: SCHOOL
Ian looks at Emma as she stares at the building. "Emma are you sure that you want to back to school today?"
"No but I can't sit around and think all day. Makes my head hurt." She smiles wryly.
"If you want to go home call me and I will come pick you up."
Emma nods chewing on her lower lip then takes a deep breath opening the car door she steps out grabbing her backpack. "Bye." She mumbles closing the car door.
Ian watches as Emma slowly walks up the steps. 'She'll be OK.' He pulls the car away from the curb.
Emma trudges up the steps stopping when she hears Dawn call her name. Looking over her shoulder she sees Dawn hurrying up the steps. "Hey"
"Hey you OK? Your Mom told me what happened."
Emma shrugs "I'll deal. People die."
Dawn starts at her calm words. "Why are you here? Doesn't this require a few days of moping and major ice cream?"
"Bored sitting at home." Emma shrugs continuing to walk up the steps. "Thanks for emailing me the homework."
"No prob. Get any done?"
"Yes. When you have insomnia you find ways to amuse yourself." Emma says as they enter the building.
LUNCH TIME: CAFETERIA
Dawn looks at Emma as she sits in silence staring at the food before her. "Emma you OK?"
Emma flinches as a shriek of laughter fills the cafeteria. "Yeah. I uh have to get out of here." She stands hurrying out of the cafeteria.
"Geez what's with her?" Lonnie sneers.
"Lonnie leave her alone." Zan snaps at his sister.
"Why should I?" Lonnie retorts.
"She just lost her best friend Lonnie." Liz says "How would that feel to you?"
"Whatever." Lonnie mutters.
As Emma hurries out of the cafeteria she bumps into a body. "Sorry" She mutters looking up to see Connor.
"My fault." He frowns "You OK?"
Emma nods continuing to walk.
Connor stands there for a moment "Emma"
Emma flinches her hand going to her head.
Connor frowns at her action. "You OK?" He asks as he joins her.
Emma leans against the nearest locker. "Just a major head pounding headache." She grinds out.
WHILE LATER: VORSCHLAG
Ian is looking through a file when his phone rings. He grabs it and flips it open. "Yes?" He says in greeting his eyes on his paper.
"Mr. Nottingham this is Nurse Kraft from your daughter's school."
Ian frowns leaning back in his chair. "Is she OK?" He asks concerned.
"She came in with a severe headache. I gave her an aspirin but she said it hurts too much."
Ian stands "Tell her that I will be right there." He hangs up grabbing his overcoat as he walks out of his office. Seeing his secretary he stops. "If he calls tell him I had to go pick Emma up and I will be back in a while."
"Is she OK?"
Ian nods "She's fine. She just wants to go home."
20 MINS LATER: SCHOOL
Ian enters the nurse's office. "How is she?" He asks the nurse when he sees Emma's boots her head covered by a blanket.
Nurse Kraft swallows nervously at the imposing man. "She's just resting."
Ian nods "She's had a long few days." He goes over to the bed and gently pulls the covers away from her head. "Emma"
Emma groans "Too bright."
Ian reaches into his pocket removing his own sunglasses. "Here you go."
Nurse Kraft stands off to the side pretending not to be paying attention to the father and daughter. 'For such an imposing man he seems very gentle around his daughter.'
Emma puts the sunglasses on "My head hurts."
"So I heard." Ian brushes her hair back. "You'll feel better at home."
"Do yours hurt this bad?"
"Worse." Ian says grimly. "Come on let's get you home."
45 MINS LATER: HOUSE
Ian pulls the covers up to Emma's chin. "Just get some rest and I will call and check on you later OK?"
Emma nods
Ian starts to stand when Emma's voice stops him.
"Hug" Emma requests
Ian leans down hugging her.
"I love you Daddy."
"I love you too." Ian kisses her forehead. "I will see you later."
"'k" Emma mumbles
OVER AN HOUR LATER: VORSCHLAG
Ian enters Kenneth's office and waits beside the desk for his father's acknowledgement.
"Where were you?" Kenneth demands without looking up.
"I had to pick Emma up from school and take her home... she wasn't feeling well." Ian explains.
"How ill is she?" Kenneth asks looking up.
"She has a headache from all the stress."
Kenneth leans back in his chair regarding his 'son'. "You think that it is more than a headache." He states
"I don't know."
"You have been having yours since you were a child." Kenneth muses "You used to scream and cry through them until you learned."
"If it is more than a normal headache then I will take her to Immo."
Kenneth nods "This weekend I would like you and Emma and the lovely Detective to join us for dinner."
"Is Xenobia still in town?"
"She just returned."
"I will talk to Sara about coming."
"Good." Kenneth nods
MIDNIGHT: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
Ian enters the house and heads to the livinigroom where he finds Sara sitting crosslegged on the floor with files spread around her.
"Damn it." Sara mutters standing she begins to pace. "What am I missing?" She asks herself.
"Something wrong?" Ian questions
Sara looks over and smiles slightly "Hi." She greets looking back down at the papers. "I'm missing something."
Ian joins her looking at the papers and crime scene photos. "Like what?"
"I have no idea I just know its something." She glances at him. "You're home late. How was your day?"
"Long." Ian wraps his arms around her shoulders kissing her cheek. "How was your day?"
"Same." Sara turns her head meeting his lips in a brief kiss. "Why are you home so late?"
"Had to finish up something." Ian shrugs "How is Emma feeling?"
"Better I guess. Martha gave her something to help her sleep. I think she's asleep."
"Good."
"Anything interesting happen at work?" Sara asks turning in his arms.
"No same as every day. Now I know why you hate paperwork."
Sara laughs "Welcome to the World of Paperwork, baby."
"Father would like you to join us for dinner this weekend."
"I don't know." Sara hedges "Me and him in the same room..."
"Sara you can't ignore him forever. He is my Father."
"I don't like him." Sara grumbles
"If I make him promise to behave will you come to dinner? And no accepting work last minute?"
"Is what's her face going to be there?"
"Most likely."
"I'll behave if they do."
"I will talk to Father and try to get him to agree."
"I must really be in love with you to agree to spend any amount of time with those two." Sara grumbles.
"Daddy"
Ian tears his eyes from Sara's to see Emma standing in the doorway rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Emma you should be in bed."
"I know."
"What's wrong sweetie?" Sara asks "Can't sleep?"
Emma shrugs
"How's your head?" Ian questions
"Eh" Emma yawns
"Still hurt?"
"A little."
"Go on back to bed. I'll be right up."
"'k" Emma nods shuffling out of the livingroom.
As he hears Emma head up the stairs Ian sighs heavily.
"What's wrong?" Sara asks
"I was hoping she wouldn't get the migraines."
"Come on Ian its probably just a headache."
"I hope so."
"Look she needs some sleep and to get everything out and she'll be fine."
Ian sighs
"Look go make sure she's back in bed." Sara kisses his cheek.
"I love you Sara."
Sara smiles "I love you too." She replies watching as he walks out of the room. She then turns to the papers before her and sighs "Better pick this up." She mutters and begins to gather the papers.
Emma crawls under the covers and yawns just as her Dad enters her bedroom. "Daddy?"
"Yes?" Ian sits on the edge of the bed.
"Tell me a story." Emma requests sleepily.
"What kind of story?"
"A me story."
"A you story huh?" Ian brushes a strand of her hair away from her face. "There are many you stories."
"Baby me." Emma says after yawning.
"All right." Ian tilts his head searching for a memory then slowly he begins to speak his voice soft. "One day when you were five, six months old I was doing some reading and you were quietly playing on the floor of my room."
Sara stops in the doorway and looks in at Ian sitting on the bed and leans against the doorframe.
"At that time Hugo's older brother Zanus was still alive and he was very protective of you. Whenever you rolled over he would push at you with his nose to make sure that you were all right. He was very patient with you and would allow you to crawl on him and pull at him." Ian chuckles. "Anyway this day I was so focused that I didn't hear that little giggle you used to get when you learned to do something new. I felt this nudge at my leg and I looked down and there was Zanus his tail wagging so fast his whole body was shaking. I looked over and there you were crawling across the floor towards me. That moment I knew keeping you still was going to be a big task."
Emma yawns "I like baby me stories." She burrows into the covers "Just don't tell them to my friends." She warns
"Never." Ian promises tucking her in. "Now will you go back to sleep?"
"Uh huh" Emma says sleepily.
Ian leans down kissing her forehead. "Sleep well Em." He murmurs
"Love you Daddy." Emma mumbles.
"I love you too."
Emma snuggles into the bed. "Night Daddy."
"Goodnight." Ian sits there and watches Emma drift off to sleep then he slowly stands and turns to see Sara leaning against the doorframe. He joins her frowning when he sees the sadness in her eyes. He reaches out cupping her cheek. "What's wrong Sara?" He asks concerned.
Sara turns her head pressing her lips to his palm before stepping away and walking into his... their bedroom.
Ian closes Emma's bedroom door then follows Sara into the bedroom pulling the door closed behind him. "Sara what's wrong?" He asks again as he watches her pick up a picture of he and two month old Emma.
"Just thinking." Sara whispers sadly.
Ian joins her his arms going around her waist. "The first time I saw Emma she was asleep in Martha's arms. When I first held her the first thought that popped into my head was that our daughter was perfect... just like her Mom."
Sara sighs "I'm not perfect Ian." She swallows heavily. "I'm far from perfect."
"To me you are." Ian murmurs.
Sara sets the picture down and leans into his embrace. "You always have been good at making me feel better."
CHAPTER 23
OVER A MONTH LATER: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"Daddy?" Emma asks as she sits on the counter while her parents clean up the dinner dishes on Martha's night off.
"Yes?"
"What do you want for your birthday?"
"Nothing." Ian answers "I have what I want."
"Oh really and what is that?" Sara lifts her brow.
"The two most important people in my life in one room."
Emma rolls her eyes as her parents stare at each other. "Hey neglected, only child wanting attention here."
Sara laughs "Emma you may be an only child but you definitely aren't neglected."
"Yes I am." Emma pouts crossing her arms over her chest. "I want attention." She demands
"Why is that?" Ian asks
"Because one day there might be Kid #2 or 3 or whatever running around here and Kid #1 won't get as much attention."
"Kid #2 or however many there will be won't be here in a long time." Sara assures.
"I want a brother." Emma says stubbornly.
"So I heard." Sara chuckles "And why a brother?"
Emma shrugs "I don't know. Just always wanted a little brother."
"Emma when is your project going to be finished?" Ian asks changing the subject.
"Connor is coming over tomorrow and we're going to finish it. Its due on Monday."
"Good. You two have been working hard." Sara says
"Yeah I know. Hard to believe I only had to threaten him twice."
Sara laughs "That's my girl."
"Summer vacation is in a month." Emma says happily.
"What are you going to do?" Sara asks
"Not sure. Dawn is supposed to stay with her Dad in LA for the summer. Liz is going to do a summer program at Harvard. Mija is going to see her parents for the summer. That leaves Ava, Lonnie, and the guys for me to hang out with. And we have a bet going that Zan ends up spending most of his time in Massachusetts if he can get away with it."
"What exactly is the bet?" Sara asks
"My bet is that he's going to last two weeks without Liz before going to see her. Lonnie says a day same with Ava. Rath says a month. Connor and Dawn say a week." Emma shrugs "My summer is pretty much open."
"Well Martha is going to spend most of the summer with her parents and then she's going to see her sisters. You're old enough to take care of yourself this summer."
"Imagine the trouble I can get myself into." Emma muses thoughtfully.
"Emma" Ian says warningly.
"Relax Dad I'm not going to do anything stupid or illegal. Unless..."
"NO!" Sara and Ian say together.
"Oh come on you two can't take a joke?"
"Stay out of trouble." Ian warns.
"All right all right."
MIDNIGHT
"You're going to be 31 next week." Sara remarks as she trails her fingers over his chest.
"That I am."
"And you want nothing for your birthday?"
"I have everything I have ever wanted... the woman I love and our beautiful yet stubbornly willful daughter. I don't need anything else."
Sara lifts her head looking at him. "Nothing?" She lifts her brow before kissing him.
MIDAFTERNOON NEXT DAY: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"Where are your parents?" Connor asks curiously
"At work."
"You know I am going to be so glad when this project is over with."
"Same."
"What are you going to do over the summer?" Connor asks after a moment.
Emma shrugs "Hang out. Originally I was supposed to split my time between Boston and New York but now..." She bites her lower lip. "I'm just here." She sighs "What about you?"
"Not sure." Connor answers. "So um do you think you might want to hang out sometime?" He asks shyly.
Emma looks at him hiding her surprise. "Yeah sure."
Connor nods
"So it looks like we're done here." Emma closes her book.
Connor groans with relief. "So what are you going to do the rest of the day?"
"Not sure. Want to order a pizza and watch a movie? Sort of a celebrate the end of the project?"
"Sure."
OVER AN HOUR LATER
Emma looks up to see her Dad enter the livingroom. "Hi Dad."
Ian notices Emma sitting on the floor with Connor. "Emma" He nods at Connor. "Hello Connor."
"Hey" Connor greets
"Finish your project?" Ian asks
"Yep" Emma says happily.
"Good" Ian nods "I'll be downstairs if you need anything."
"OK" Emma turns her attention back to the movie.
MONDAY EVENING: DELANEY/SUMMERS HOUSE
"So your project is done huh?" Angel asks his son.
Connor nods "Presentation was today."
"How'd it go?" Angel asks
"Good." Connor says shortly.
"What kind of grade do you think you'll get?" Buffy asks
"Probably a good one." Dawn says "Emma is beyond smart... she's some sort of genius."
"Come on Dawn don't you think your being extreme?" Buffy asks her sister.
"No she's serious." Connor says "Liz looked up Emma's transfer papers. Her IQ is in genius range."
"You guys know better than to invade someone's privacy." Buffy says
"Emma knows we know." Dawn assures "She's a little shy about the fact. She says that she wants to be a normal every day kid."
"Yeah well she is the granddaughter of one of the richest men in the world as well as a genius." Connor mutters.
"Guys treat her like everyone else all right?" Buffy sighs
"We do." Dawn assures "She's just a normal kid and we treat her like one."
"Well the rest of us do. Lonnie treats her like crap."
"Lonnie treats everyone like crap... even her own brother." Dawn says dryly.
"Oh Connor your Mom called." Angel informs his son.
Connor snorts. "She's not my Mom. She's just the bitch you fucked 14 years ago."
Angel flinches at Connor's words and tone. "She's still your Mother."
Connor scowls "I'm out of here." He stands
"Where are you going?"
"Out!" Connor snaps
Angel sighs rubbing his forehead.
"Dawn eat your peas." Buffy says
"No."
"Yes."
SAME TIME: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"Emma how did your presentation go?" Sara asks as the four of them sit at the kitchen table.
"Good I guess. Just glad its over."
"How was it to work with someone?" Martha inquires
"Weird." Emma admits after a moment of thought.
"You never had group projects at your old school?" Sara asks
"We did but my teachers usually let me work on my own." Emma shrugs
"I always hated group projects... I usually ended up working on my own because the other people would ditch."
"Usually Aras huh?" Ian asks
"Of course." Sara says bitterly.
"Emma drink your milk." Martha instructs
"No."
"Emma" Ian warns "drink your milk."
"I hate milk."
"You drank it yesterday." Martha reminds
"Yeah but that was chocolate milk. I can stand chocolate milk."
"Well put the chocolate syrup on the list." Martha says
"I did" Emma grins "I know" She starts to stand
"You are not putting a candy bar in your milk so sit down." Ian says
"But Dad your not being fair."
"I don't care sit down and drink your milk."
"Oh fine" Emma grumbles
AFTER MIDNIGHT
Ian awakens with a start his heart pounding, his breathing ragged as his body is soaked with sweat. He runs his fingers through his hair taking a deep breath.
Sara awakens startled by his abrupt change in position beside her. "Ian baby what's wrong?" She asks sleepily as she sits up. When he doesn't answer she touches his shoulder "Ian?"
"I'm fine." Ian manages to say after a few moments.
"Your shaking."
"I'm fine." He turns his head rubbing his cheek against her hand. "I'll be right back." He throws off the covers walking out of the bedroom leaving Sara to stare after him. He quietly enters Emma's bedroom and exhales slowly as he sees his daughter asleep in her bed. "Just a dream." He whispers slowly making his way over to the bed careful to avoid the sleeping dog. Carefully he pulls the covers up to her chin and brushes his knuckle down her cheek. 'My sweet girl... I won't let anything ever happen to you.' After a few minutes of watching Emma sleep he quietly leaves the bedroom returning to his own.
"Ian you OK?" Sara asks as he joins her.
"Yes my love." Ian turns slinging his arm across her waist burying his face in her neck.
"Bad dream?" She asks stroking his hair.
"Yes." He mumbles
"What was it about?"
Ian sighs heavily pulling back slightly so she can hear him he answers. "Since Emma was a baby I've had dreams... nightmares really... that she's gone." He pauses "Its like I know she's in danger yet I have no idea from what or who." He rubs his cheek against her shoulder "And that scares me... and I can't get it out of my head until I know she's OK. A few times I had that dream when she would be at Lauren's house and I'd call over there and Lauren's Mom would always wake her up for me... no matter how late at night it was." He laughs "Weird huh? An assassin who gets freaked out by dreams. God he'd never let that one go if he ever knew. His prized possession scared."
"You worry."
"With all I've done sometimes I worry that someone is going to try and hurt her to get to me." He lifts his head his eyes meeting hers. "I will kill anyone who tries to hurt her."
Sara inadvertantly shivers at the coldness in his eyes and voice. "I know." She whispers her hand going to his cheek.
Ian nuzzles his cheek into her hand. "It's late my love you should go back to sleep."
"What about you?"
"I don't need much." Ian shrugs "Just go back to sleep." As Sara snuggles against his side Ian hugs her. "Sleep well my love."
WEDNESDAY MORNING
"DADDY"
Ian turns catching Emma as she barrels into him. "You are in a good mood this early in the morning." He frowns "What have you done to my daughter?" He teases
Emma grins "Happy birthday Daddy."
"Thank you baby." Ian kisses the top of her head.
"Do you have to go to work?" Emma grumbles "Can't we ditch and go do something fun?"
"You know your Grandfather doesn't do birthdays... and you know he won't give me time off."
"Not fair." Emma pouts
"What's with the pouting?" Sara asks entering the kitchen.
"Daddy won't ditch work on his birthday." Emma grumbles hoping up to the counter beside her Dad.
Ian looks at Sara "Are you working on Sunday?"
"No why?" Sara asks pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"Dinner at Father's. He wants you there."
"Do we have to go?" Emma whines
"You have no say." Ian says pointedly. "You are going."
"Damn Evil One."
"Can you not call him that." Ian requests.
"No" Emma says after a moment.
"Emma" He sighs heavily.
"Daddy" Emma mimics. "If I have to go Mom has to go."
"Oh do I?" Sara lifts her brow.
"Come on Mom please" Emma pleads
Sara groans at the pleading look. "You just had to get your Dad's puppy dog look. I never could say no to that look."
Martha enters the kitchen and sighs seeing her charge still in her pajamas. "Emma you're going to be late for school. Go get dressed."
"No." Emma retorts.
Ian looks at Emma "You have school. Now go." He taps the end of her nose.
"Oh fine." Emma hops off the counter and walks out of the kitchen.
45 MINS LATER: SCHOOL
Dawn joins Emma at her locker. "New sunglasses?" She asks seeing her friend's hair being held back by a pair of sunglasses.
"Yep. Dad's guilt present."
"For what?"
Emma shrugs "I hate doctors and he made me go for a check up yesterday."
"That why you got out early?"
"Yeah. After every doctors appointment he feels guilty and buys me something. This time I got the sunglasses and a couple CDs. Last time a pair of kick-ass boots."
"Damn I wish I had that kind of guilt tripping power over my Dad."
"Yeah well Dad blames himself for all the doctor's appointments and check-ups I have to have."
"Why?"
"Before I was born he had a bunch of stuff happen... long and complicated story... and he's always worried that I'll inherit something from him." Emma shrugs "So what are you doing after school?"
"Probably hang out at the park. Maybe go shopping. Gonna come with?"
"Sure but if we go to the park I have to stop off at Vorschlag and get my gear out of Dad's car."
Dawn nods "So question."
"Ask"
"Am I ever going to meet your Grandfather and his skanky girlfriend?" Dawn asks
"Who knows." Emma shrugs "The Evil One and the Bitch aren't really into fraternizing with normal people." Emma rolls her eyes.
"Hey" Dawn protests
"He likes money. She likes his money."
"Works out in the long run huh?"
"Oh yeah."
4PM: VORSCHLAG
As Emma and Dawn enter the security offices Emma grins at her Dad's secretary. "Hi Mrs. Nielson."
"Oh hello Emma." The woman smiles "Here to see your Dad?"
"I need to get something out of his car. He in?" Emma's eyes narrow as she sees a darkhaired woman sitting at her Dad's desk. "What is she doing here?"
"Ms Blacque? Uh none of us ask her anything." Mrs. Nielson stammers. "Mr. Irons gave her free reign."
Emma scowls dropping her backpack she walks into her Dad's office. "What are you doing here?" She growls
"Oh look if it isn't the prodigal brat." Xenobia sneers
"If it isn't the psycho bitch." Emma returns
"No need for name calling. I just came by to wish your Father a happy birthday."
Dawn watches from her position beside the secretary's desk with interest. "So that's the girlfriend huh?"
Mrs. Nielson nods "I should call her Father... before they start something." She picks up the phone.
In Kenneth's office the two men are alone. "Well it is your birthday" Kenneth muses thoughtfully. "I remember your first birthday with me."
"When you gave me the toy guns?"
Kenneth nods "Couldn't get those away from you... you even slept with them." He chuckles.
"I remember that... barely."
As the intercom beeps Kenneth presses the button "Yes?"
"Ms. Blacque and Emma are in Mr. Nottingham's office." The secretary announces.
Ian silently groans. "Those two alone together." He bows slightly then hurries out of his Father's office.
"Inform Ms. Blacque that I would like to see her in my office." Kenneth informs his secretary.
Ian hurries to his office where he finds Dawn waiting. "Are they at the yelling phase yet?"
"No... glaring." Dawn shrugs
Ian enters his office and sighs seeing his Father's lover. "X what are you doing in my office?"
Xenobia smirks looking him over appreciatively. "Just came to wish you a happy birthday."
"You did now don't let the door hit you on the way out." Emma snaps.
"Such hostility." Xenobia says approvingly.
"Bite me." Emma snaps
Sensing his daughter's rising temper Ian places his hands on her shoulders. "Emma." He says gently then looks at Xenobia his eyes hardening and his voice unemotional. "X get out of my office."
"Ms. Blacque" Mrs. Nielson says nervously from the doorway. "Mr. Irons wants to see you in his office."
Xenobia nods "Tell him I will be right there."
"Yes Ma'am."
Ian shivers inwardly at the look in her eyes. 'God I hate that woman.'
Xenobia stands "Better go see what he wants."
"Maybe its to throw you out the window." Emma muses "Gee I'd love to see that."
Xenobia glares at the teen "Watch it kid."
Ian's eyes narrow and with lightening speed be grabs the woman pinning her against the wall. "Never" He says his voice hard "take that tone with my child." He says warningly.
X smirks "I always knew you liked it rough."
"Emma outside." Ian orders
"But"
"NOW"
"Fine" Emma walks out of the office closing the door behind her. "He's mad."
"Wow your Dad mad... that's like weirder than seeing Angel mad." Dawn shakes her head.
A moment later the door opens and Xenobia walks out without saying a word. Ian follows looking at the girls "Now why are you two here?"
"I need my gear out of the car." Emma says
"All right." Ian nods
"I also need money." Emma holds her hand out.
"Didn't I just give you your allowance?" Ian asks
"I left it at home." Emma shrugs
"All right."
"So Dad feeling old?" Emma asks with a smirk.
Ian glares at his daughter halfheartedly. "I'm only 31 Em."
"Still old." Emma teases
"Why must my daughter torment me?" He mutters handing her some cash. "How was school?" He asks the girls as they start walking down the hall.
"Boring." Emma sighs
"Long." Dawn adds
"Why do I have to go to school?" Emma grumbles
"Because I said you do."
HOUR LATER: SKATE PARK
"So that was your Grandfather's girlfriend huh?" Dawn looks at Emma.
"Yep"
"She seems a little..."
"Skanky? Slutty? Freaky? Psychotic?"
"Uh yeah"
Emma laughs "Let's just say the bastard has... very interesting choices in lovers." Emma says dryly. "X is by far the worst."
"Did he like adopt your Dad or something? 'Cuz I've seen pictures of your Grandfather and they look nothing alike."
"I don't think he ever officially adopted Dad." Emma admits. "Dad doesn't talk about it. Dad says he doesn't remember much before him."
"Why hasn't your Grandfather married?" Dawn asks after a moment.
"Not sure. Dad once told me he came close when I was little but she died in an accident."
Dawn nods "I like your parents... they seem so cool about everything."
"Yeah they are cool for parents." Emma grins
"Think they'd adopt me?" Dawn asks hopefully.
Emma laughs "Come on."
8PM: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
Sara leans into Ian's arms as she watches Emma play with the dogs. "She's going to be 14 at the end of the summer."
"She's growing up."
"How was work?" Sara asks after a moment.
"Father was in a... reminiscant mood for a while."
"How so?"
"He brought up the topic of my first birthday with him. He gave me a set of toy guns, a Sheriffs badge, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat."
Sara chuckles "Little Ian playing Sheriff. I would have loved to see that. Any pictures?"
Ian shrugs "If there are Father has them."
Sara lifts her hand to his cheek just as her phone rings. "I better get that." She kisses him lightly then steps out of his arms.
Ian sits on the couch and watches Emma thoughtfully. 'My sweet baby girl... she's growing up fast.' He realizes.
Sensing her Dad's pensive mood Emma looks up to see him watching her thoughtfully. "Daddy what's with thoughtful face?" Emma questions
"What?" Ian asks startled out of his thoughts as Emma talks
Emma stands and walks over to the couch settling on his lap. "Thoughtful look... you always get it when your thinking. What are you thinking about?"
"That you my girl" Ian rests his arm around her shoulders "Are going to be 14 soon."
"Five months." Emma says happily.
"So what would you like for your birthday?" Ian inquires
"I don't know."
"Come on there has to be something." Ian encourages.
"I want a little brother."
"I know you do but that won't happen for a while yet."
"I know."
Ian presses his lips to her hair. "I know you want a little brother to pick on... so you'll stop picking on me."
"Hey someone has to pick on you." Emma teases
Ian chuckles
AFTER MIDNIGHT
"Happy Birthday, baby." Sara murmurs against Ian's lips.
"It was..." Ian runs his fingers through her hair. "I have you in my life again... that's what I've wanted for 14 years. Since she could understand the whole wishing on birthdays Emma's asked me what I've wished for."
"What was it?"
"To have you at my side... to have my heart and soul back."
"What did you wish for this year?"
"This..." Ian kisses her.
SUNDAY NIGHT: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"Dad what is in that?" Emma asks as they enter the house after their "family" dinner at her Grandfathers.
Ian looks at the box in his hands. "I have no idea."
"Open it." Sara suggests
"Its not like Father to actually hand me a gift... he usually has the gifts just delivered to the house." Ian says absently as he sets the box on the kitchen counter and opens it to reveal a wooden box. Carefully he lifts out the wooden box and sets it on the counter then lifts the lid his eyes widening as he sees what's inside.
"What is it?" Emma demands joining them she frowns seeing a set of toy guns and a Sheriffs badge.
Ian smiles faintly his fingers brushing over the items. "These were the very first gift he gave me on my first birthday with him." Ian informs Emma as he notices an envelope lying against the lid. He removes the envelope and opens it taking out a piece of paper and a photo of himself dressed in his cowboy gear.
"Oh look at you... you were so adorable." Sara says with a grin.
Ian unfolds the piece of paper to find a note in his Father's hand.
'Young Nottingham,
I thought you would like these. Perhaps one day you will want to give them to your own son.
Happy Birthday Ian. ~Kenneth'
Ian refolds the note and returns it to the envelope. "It's time for someone to go get ready for bed."
"But" Emma protests
"Go on." Ian says firmly.
"Oh fine." Emma grumbles walking out of the kitchen.
Ian stares at the toy guns and badge. "I used to sleep with these." He says with a laugh.
"I can't believe Irons kept these. He doesn't seem to be much of a sentimental guy."
"Sometimes he surprises people... even me."
SAME TIME: 1111 FAUST
Kenneth sits in his study with a large photo album on his lap and opens to the first picture of Ian taken before Ian came to him. Slowly he turns through the album stopping when he comes across a picture of a darkhaired woman playing with 2 year old Emma.
"Elizabeth" he whispers sadly as he remembers the day he first introduced the woman to his "family."
//Kenneth and Elizabeth enter the playroom where Ian is on the floor playing with Emma.
Seeing his Father enter the room Ian scrambles to his feet. "Father did you want me to do something?" He asks
Kenneth waves his hand. "Elizabeth wanted to meet you both."
"Daddy"
Ian looks down to see Emma holding her arms up and leans down picking her up.
"Oh she is just adorable." Elizabeth remarks with a smile at the dark haired child.
Emma looks at the unfamiliar woman then slowly grins squirming she holds her arms out.
"May I?" Elizabeth nods at Emma.
Ian glances at his Father briefly then nods "Sure."
Elizabeth takes the baby "Oh look at you. You are just too cute for words." She looks at Ian then back at the baby. "How old is she?"
"Emma will be 2 next month." Ian answers watching the child carefully.
"Emma... such a cute name for such a cutie."
"Hi" Emma says cheerfully.
Ian and Kenneth look at the child surprised. "She never talks to people she has just met." Ian remarks surprised.
"Shy?" Elizabeth asks her eyes on the smiling baby.
"A little." Ian answers
Emma holds her arms out to her Dad. "Daddy book."
"Another one?" Ian takes the child back. "That's the third one this afternoon."
Emma grins clapping.
"Ian have you finished your studies?" Kenneth asks
Ian looks down. "Almost Father. I will finish once I put Emma down for her nap."
"Fine." Kenneth waves his hand. "We will leave you two to whatever it is you do."
"It was very nice to meet both of you." Elizabeth smiles at the two.
Ian smiles shyly. "It was nice to meet you as well."
"Bye Emma." Elizabeth says
"Bye Bye" Emma says before burying her face in Ian's neck.//
Kenneth sighs turning the page to find a picture taken by Elizabeth on Emma's second birthday as the child smears frosting on Ian's face laughing.
//Kenneth hides his amusement as he watches Ian try to convince Emma not to make a mess while Elizabeth takes pictures of them.
"Emma you eat the cake not smear it all over your face." Ian says amused.
"Daddy" Emma giggles holding up her cake covered hands. "dirty."
"I know... you are going to need a bath when this is over." Ian taps the end of her nose eliciting a giggle.
"No." Emma shakes her head.
"Yes."
Emma reaches out patting his face shrieking with laughter when she sees the cake and frosting left.
Kenneth watches as Ian tries to remain stoic but gives in laughing with the child.//
Kenneth unwittingly smiles at the memory. 'Some of his happiest times have been with the girl.'
TBC...