CHAPTER 36
NEXT DAY
Ian kisses Sara's head as she rests her head on his shoulder while they watch Emma play chess with Mobi. "She took the news about Hugo and Felix well."
"She keeps things inside." Sara remarks.
"I know." He sighs. "It would probably cheer her up to hear the other news."
"Let's wait for a while."
"As you wish."
"Anyway the house is no longer a crime scene. Martha called the carpet people and their going to pull up the carpet in the hallway and clean the carpet in Emma's room."
"Good." Ian nods "I don't want that to upset her."
"School knows she'll be out for a while." Sara informs him.
"Not too long... only until I'm out of here. I want her to go back to her normal life."
"She's going to need some counseling Ian."
"Probably."
"Come on Ian she's got a lot kept inside."
"I know."
"Daddy, Mobi's cheating." Emma whines
"No I'm not." Mobi protests.
"Are too" Emma sticks her tongue out at him.
"Mobi, why don't you take Emma to get some food." Ian suggests
"I'm not hungry."
"You are always hungry."
"I don't want to go." Emma says stubbornly.
"Go. You've been cooped up in here all day."
"But" Emma protests.
"No arguing."
"Come on kid"
"Fine." Emma says reluctantly.
"Mobi" Ian looks at his brother.
"Won't let her out of my sight brother." Mobius assures as they walk out of the room.
"So we didn't finish our conversation." Ian remarks as the door closes
"Which conversation? We have many unfinished conversations." Sara says dryly.
"You know which conversation."
"Ahh, the newest member." Sara grins.
"Speaking of the newest member... when will he or she be making their appearance?"
"Best guess... is just over 8 months. The doctor didn't do a sonogram... didn't have time."
Ian sits there in silence "Sara?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you finally going to move in?" He asks hopefully.
Sara tilts her head looking at him. "Are you sure you want that? I'm a slob, a grumpy morning person, and a general pain in the ass... ask anyone."
"I know all that but I love you anyway."
"Charmer" Sara says dryly.
Ian grins, "You know you do spend more time at the house than you do at the apartment." He points out.
"True." Sara agrees. "You sure about this Ian?" She asks hesitantly.
"I'm sure." He answers "I missed out on everything when you were pregnant with Emma. I don't want to miss anything this time around."
"I don't want you to miss anything either."
LATE THAT NIGHT
"What are we going to do?" Sara murmurs watching Emma sleep.
"About what?"
"Everything... Dante was looking for grounds to fire me before this and he has the grounds now."
"How so?" Ian asks puzzled.
"He could get me fired for not reporting a crime."
"I will just tell him I didn't tell you everything."
"He won't believe it."
"It was my decision not to report it."
"He won't care."
"It will be fine."
Sara sighs, "How long are you going to be in here?"
"For a few days. Immo wants to be sure I don't have another seizure."
Sara nods
"When are you going to move in?"
"When do you want me too?"
"Now."
"Now huh?"
"OK as soon as possible." He amends
"All right, once you are back to normal I will move in."
"Finally." Ian says with a grin.
"Hey"
"What?"
Sara shakes her head and leans in kissing him lightly. "I love you, Nottingham."
Ian smiles, "I love you, Pezzini." 'One day hopefully it will be Nottingham.'
CHAPTER 37
NEXT MORNING
Ian watches Emma as she quietly goes through her schoolbook. "Emma?" He calls after a moment of watching her.
"Yes Daddy?" Emma looks up.
"I think we need to talk."
Emma sets her book aside and moves over to the other bed settling beside her Dad. "What is it Daddy?"
"Are you OK?"
Emma nods slightly. "My head doesn't hurt anymore. My nose is still a little stuffed up and my throat still hurts."
"That's not what I mean."
"Then what Daddy?" Emma asks confused.
"We haven't talked about what happened."
"I'm fine."
"Are you?"
Emma nods "I knew you and Uncle Mobi would find me."
"I would never let anyone hurt you."
"I know."
"Emma I know these last few days have been... hard." Ian says hesitantly.
"I was only scared that you wouldn't be OK." Emma says softly.
"You don't need to ever worry about me." Ian assures
"Who gets me if something happens to you?" Emma mumbles
Ian brushes her hair back. "Nothing will happen to me Emma. I promise."
Emma nods
SAME TIME: 11TH PRECINCT
"Hey boys." Sara steps into the office.
"I thought you were taking some time off." Danny states.
"I am." Sara answers "I just wanted to return some files on some open cases that I had at home." She sets the file on the desk.
"How's Emma?" Jake asks.
"Good. She's staying at the hospital with Ian. She refuses to leave his side for too long."
"She had major trauma." Jake remarks.
"I know." Sara sits on the edge of the desk.
"When is he getting out of the hospital?" Danny inquires.
"In a few days... Immo wants him to stay until he's sure Ian won't have another seizure."
"How long are you going to be gone?" Jake asks.
Sara shrugs, "A week or two. I'm going to use some of my vacation time that's been sitting around for a few years."
"You are going to be bored within a few days." Danny laughs.
"Maybe but the other choice is for Ian to stay with Irons and that is not a good idea."
"So you become Nurse Sara." Danny snickers. "That I would pay to see."
"Watch it." Sara warns glaring at her best friend.
"Nottingham made it on the news last night." Jake informs Sara.
"What did they say?" Sara asks curiously.
"Just that the heir to the Vorschlag money was shot and in surgery. They mentioned the break-in, but that's about all."
"Mention Emma?"
"Briefly but they didn't say anything about what happened."
"Good. Ian doesn't want it to get out. He wants Emma to go back to a normal life and if people always bring up she's an heir then it makes it not a normal life."
"Yeah well she's one of the richest teenagers in the world. Almost out does the Olsen Twins." Jake remarks.
"And how would you know what the Olsen Twins are worth?" Danny lifts his brow.
"VH1. I couldn't sleep one night." Jake says sheepishly.
Sara and Danny laugh.
OVER AN HOUR LATER: HOSPITAL
Sara enters the hospital room and smiles when she sees Emma snuggles against Ian's side. "Hey you two."
Ian smiles "Hello Sara."
"Hi Mom."
"Hey sweetie, you OK?"
Emma shrugs
"Emma, finish your homework." Ian suggests
"Do I have too?"
"Yes. When I'm out of the hospital you are going back to school."
"Can't I stay home with you?"
"Not up for discussion." Ian says firmly. "You're going back to school."
"Dad"
"Go on back to your homework." Ian watches as Emma returns to the other bed then looks at Sara. "How was your visit with Danny and Jake?"
"Good. Jake told me you two made the news."
"Great." Ian mutters. "What did they say?"
"Jake said it was brief. All they mentioned was the break in and you were later shot."
"Mention Emma?"
"No. I think that whole issue is being kept secret."
"Good. That means he managed to convince everyone involved to keep what happened to her secret." Ian says relieved.
"And if it leaks out?"
"If we're lucky it won't."
MIDAFTERNOON
"So where are the lovely Detective and the girl?" Kenneth inquires as he enters the hospital room.
"They went with Aras to get some lunch."
"And how are you?" Kenneth asks his concern managing to creep into his voice.
"A little sore. Ready to get out of here."
"Why don't I take Emma back to the house... she would be more comfortable there."
"She won't go. I can barely get her to go with Sara or Mobius." Ian informs Kenneth. "She's having issues right now."
"You baby her." Kenneth says annoyed.
Ian ignores the remark.
"It is bad enough you are involved with the Detective but you need to control the girl. I keep telling you to send her to boarding school."
"My relationship with Sara has nothing to do with you. Emma is fine and I am not sending her to boarding school."
Kenneth scowls. "Now the lawyers are talking with the police. It looks as though they will consider it self-defense. I had to give them access to Derek's files though."
"And Sara?"
"I discussed it with the chief, mayor, and her captain and it was agreed that by you handling Derek you probably kept the police from getting involved in a situation that they had no idea how to handle. No disciplinary action will be taken against her despite her Captain's loud protest."
"I know you don't approve of my relationship with Sara, but thank you for doing that."
Kenneth waves his hand. "Now the press has been dealt with. Every thing they have reported so far has been assumption... at least to the public." He glances at his son, "Though I did learn something interesting from one of the reporters." He moves to the window "Did you know that one of Emma's friends is the grandson of one of the wealthiest and influential lawyers in New York?"
"Yes. That would be Connor Delaney."
"Did you do background checks on her friends?"
"Yes."
"Good. Keep an eye on them. I don't want bad publicity coming from her association with them."
"Yes Father."
CHAPTER 38
2 DAYS LATER: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"Finally." Ian sighs as they enter the house.
Sara laughs "Glad to be out of the hospital huh."
Ian looks at her "Definitely."
"Ugh stop being mushy." Emma scowls
"Hey we aren't being mushy." Sara protests
"I'm going back to bed." Emma yawns heading up the stairs.
WHILE LATER
"Finally I get you all to myself." Sara says happily as she leans against Ian her legs across his. "No nurses coming in and checking you out."
"They were just doing their jobs, love."
"Only partially." Sara grumbles
"Mmm?"
"They kept checking you out." Sara says jealously. "Especially that blond chick."
"Why are you jealous?" Ian asks puzzled.
"Why shouldn't I be?" Sara counters.
"Because you are the only woman I want... the only woman I even notice."
"Really?"
"Really." Ian kisses her sweetly. "I love you... the mother of my children."
Sara smiles "Is that all you love about me?"
"No, but it is a big part. I mean as upset and angry as you were at me 14 years ago you still loved me enough to have our baby."
"How could I not? From the moment I knew Emma was on her way, I loved her. Same as this one." Sara guides his hand to her middle.
Ian smiles "So do I."
"What else do you love about me?" Sara asks resting her head on his shoulder.
"Do you want the whole list?"
"Nah."
"Good because I'm too tired to go through it."
"Need a nap?"
"Mmm"
"I talked to Aras."
"About?"
"She's going to move into the apartment."
"That's good. It will get her out of that hotel."
"Yeah."
"So when are you going to move in?"
"It will take me a few days to pack up. I'm leaving Aras the furniture." Sara rubs her temple against his cheek. "When are you going back to work?"
"When Immo says I'm healed enough, he's very particular about my health. Not really a surprise considering he's been patching me up for over half my life." Ian yawns
"Go to sleep." Sara gently strokes his hand as it rests against her middle.
"Stay?" He asks sleepily.
"I'm not going anywhere." Sara assures
"Good." Soon they fall asleep cuddled together on the bed.
NEXT MORNING
"Is Emma going back to school today?" Sara asks
"No, its Friday. Why bother trying to make her." Ian joins Sara in bed. "She went back to sleep."
"Are you feeling better?"
"A little sore. Pain is less."
"That's good." Sara tugs on one of his curls. "You were pretty much out yesterday."
Ian shrugs "The painkillers wiped me out. I think I'm going to cut them back."
"Why?"
"I don't like the feeling they invoke."
"Poor baby." Sara leans in brushing her lips over his then grins, "Mmm."
"Morning." Ian smiles
"Morning"
Ian deepens the kiss until their both breathing heavily. "God I love you." He murmurs
Sara brushes her fingers over his lips her eyes locked on his. "I love you too."
"You know if I didn't have these damn stitches we'd celebrate."
"We'll celebrate when you get the stitches out." Sara promises
"Emma was happy to learn you're moving in." Ian remarks as he gently smoothes Sara's hair back.
"Mmm" Sara sighs enjoying his touch.
"She's going to be ecstatic to learn she's going to have a little brother or sister."
"I know." Sara sits up leaning against the headboard.
"Then why are you so... hesitant to tell her?" Ian asks curiously as he slips his hand under her shirt.
Sara lifts her shoulders. "I just want to enjoy the fact with just you for now. Like, we should have been able to enjoy it with Emma. Its just for a few weeks."
Ian nods as he carefully shifts to his side and leans down brushing his lips across her flat middle. "Hey little one." He murmurs against her skin. "I love you, your Mom, and your sister more than anything in this world. I'm not going to let anyone keep us apart." He smiles at Sara then continues "We're family... granted its not the typical family."
Sara laughs, "That we're not." She brushes a strand of hair out of Ian's face.
EARLY AFTERNOON
"Momma stop." Emma laughs as her Mom tickles her.
Ian watches amused as Emma squirms on the living room floor as Sara tickles her.
"Daddy, make Mom stop." Emma pleads between laughter
"I can't make your Mom do anything."
Sara grins releasing the giggling Emma. "You are ticklish."
Emma looks at them puzzled, "Who did I get that from?" She asks curiously.
"Unfortunately both of us." Sara admits
Emma looks at her Dad surprised. "Your ticklish Dad?"
Ian lifts his shoulder "Not as much anymore."
"Aras and I tormented your poor Dad." Sara laughs.
"They sat on me and tickled me until I agreed to help them with their math homework."
Emma snickers
"It was funny." Sara laughs.
"How ticklish is Dad?"
"Not as bad as you." Sara brushes Emma's hair back.
"Mom when are you moving in?"
"Within the next few weeks." Sara answers, "Are you OK with me moving in?"
"Yeah Mom I'm fine with it." Emma nods as the phone rings. "I'll get it." She jumps to her feet and heads to the kitchen picking up the phone.
"I told you she's fine with it." Ian says as Sara settles beside him.
"I know, I just... I want her to be OK with all that's going on."
"Sara" Ian strokes her cheek with his thumb. "She's happy. She loves having you around."
LATER THAT NIGHT
Emma snuggles under the covers yawning as her parents enter the bedroom to tuck her in and say goodnight.
"One day you won't want to be tucked in." Ian says sitting on the edge of Emma's bed.
"Nah" Emma yawns "Dad?"
"Yes"
"What happened to Hugo?"
"Father had the groundskeepers bury him with Zanus and the others."
"Oh" Emma yawns
Ian looks at Sara then back at Emma who's eyes are drifting shut. "Good night Em."
"Night." Emma yawns.
"Night sweetie."
"Night Mom."
Ian pulls up the covers and kisses Emma's forehead. "Sleep well." He stands and walks out of the bedroom with Sara closing the door behind them. "So what should we do?"
"Since we can't do what we normally do after she's in bed" Sara shrugs.
"We'll just have to find someway to occupy ourselves." Ian kisses her nose.
MIDNIGHT
"DADDY"
Ian sits up with a start just as Sara stirs beside him.
"Ian?"
"Go back to sleep." Ian gets out of bed and hurries out of the room to Emma's bedroom. He enters to find Emma sitting up in bed crying. "Emma what's wrong?" He asks sitting on the edge of the bed only to have Emma throw her arms around his neck. He winces painfully but strokes her hair as she cries. "Shh," he soothes "it's OK."
"Daddy"
"Shh."
"You went away Daddy."
Ian frowns slightly as he realizes she's reverted to her childhood mixture of languages. 'She's really upset.' "Never." He promises fiercely.
HOUR LATER
Sara stirs as she feels the bed shift. "Emma OK?" She asks sleepily.
"Bad dream. Took a while to get her to go back to sleep."
Sara carefully curls her body against him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing... go back to sleep."
"Ian?"
"Mm"
"I love you" Sara says sleepily.
Ian smiles 'I love hearing that.' "I love you." He echoes.
CHAPTER 39
MONDAY MORNING
"I don't want to go to school. I want to stay with you and Mom." Emma pouts sitting on her bed.
Ian sits beside her "Emma I know you're scared, but it's time to go back to school. Don't you miss your friends?"
Emma shrugs
"Derek's gone. He won't bother you."
"Daddy"
"Everything will be fine."
Emma takes a deep breath "OK."
"Mobi will take you to school and Martha will pick you up."
Emma nods
"Finish getting ready for school." Ian kisses her forehead before walking out of her bedroom. He enters his and Sara's bedroom to find Sara still in bed. "You OK love?" Ian asks concerned.
"Just feeling lazy." Sara shrugs. "How is Emma?"
"She's getting ready for school. She's a little freaked."
"Maybe she's not ready to go back to school." Sara says thoughtfully.
"She has to go back sooner or later."
"Ian she's had a traumatizing event. It will take her time to readjust."
"I know but she can't hide Sara."
"I'm not suggesting she hide."
"She at least needs to try. If she wants to come home then she can come home. I just want to give her the chance to try going back to a normal life."
"Your choice." Sara says with a shrug.
45 MINS LATER
Mobius pulls the car up to the curb. "You OK?" He asks Emma.
"Dad was right. I have to go back sooner or later." She takes a deep breath.
"Stay with your friends all right?"
Emma nods. "Bye Mobi." She opens the door and steps out grabbing her backpack she closes the door. Emma takes a deep breath then starts up the steps ignoring the stares and whispers as she enters the school.
SAME TIME: HOUSE
"Damn" Ian mutters as he notices his hands are trembling.
Sara frowns as he abruptly gets out of bed. "Ian?" She asks concerned as he walks into the bathroom.
In the bathroom, Ian grabs the bottle of pills sitting on the counter and opens it downing a couple. He closes his eyes resting his hands on the counter taking a deep breath.
Sara enters the bathroom to find Ian shaking slightly as he leans against the counter. "Ian, are you OK?"
Ian opens his eyes and meets Sara's concerned gaze in the mirror. "It's minor." He assures before closing his eyes taking a deep breath in an attempt to control the seizure. "Come on." She holds her hand out to him then when he takes her hand Sara leads him into the bedroom where she sits with her back against the headboard as Ian lies down resting his head on her lap. "You OK?" She asks again as she gently strokes his cheek well aware he's still shaking.
"It'll stop soon."
"How long have you been having them... exactly?"
"The drug therapy began not long before we met. I didn't have my first seizure until a few weeks after I left."
"Oh." After a few minutes of quiet talking, Ian yawns and she asks, "Tired again?"
Ian nods "Drugs make me drowsy... which is why I stay away from them for the most part."
"I can see that." She chuckles as she tugs lightly on one of his curls. "You know before we know it I won't have a lap for you to put your head. You'll barely be able to put your arms around me." She scrunches up her nose. "I'll be huge." She brushes her knuckle down his cheek "You going to love me when I'm huge, grumpy, and always hungry?"
"Definitely." He says firmly.
"Definitely huh?"
"Most."
"Ian?" Sara twirls a strand of his hair around her finger.
"Hmm?"
"How is he going to take the news?" She asks curiously.
"Who knows," Ian says dryly. "He's still mad about Emma existing."
"How can he be?" Sara sighs. "She's sweet, smart... adorable."
"I know that it's just... Father never expected me to go beyond being his... creation." When he sees the thoughtful look on Sara's face he frowns. "What is it my love?"
"There's something we never discussed."
"What's that?" He asks sitting up.
Sara looks down and takes a deep breath. "Is it possible what Irons had done to you will affect the baby?"
Ian carefully lifts his hand and runs his fingers through her hair. "Emma was born after I started the process. Immo checks her out every so often just to be sure. The therapy changed after she was born so who knows." He answers truthfully. "I never thought to ask Immo about the possibility." Ian tilts his head "Would you like me to find out?"
Sara nods "Will he tell Irons?"
"He is in Father's employ but I will leave it as a hypothetical. Perhaps that way he won't feel like he has to mention it to Father." Ian muses.
"I'm scared." Sara admits
"About the baby?" He asks puzzled.
Sara shrugs "Some but mostly about you." She chews on her lower lip then continues "I mean Irons loses his temper over a bad stock trade and takes it out on you. What is he going to do to you when he finds out about the baby?" She drops her hand to her middle. "I can't lose you again." She whispers
"You won't lose me." Ian assures. "I won't let anything keep us apart. I'm going to be there for everything for this one and any other we may have."
Sara smiles relieved at his assurance. "You better buster."
"I love you Sara."
"I love you too Ian."
SAME TIME: SCHOOL
Emma opens her locker ignoring the whispers around her. 'Morons.'
"Hey kid." Zan greets joining Emma at her locker with Liz beside him. "How's your Pops?"
"Good. He's stuck at home for a few weeks. Mom took some time off to stay with him." Emma shrugs shoving her books in her locker. "So I take it everyone knows."
"Yeah. It's been going around since Thursday's news." Liz informs her friend.
"Your Grandfather played it up." Zan remarks
"He has a tendency to play things up." Emma says annoyed.
"Emma"
Emma turns to see Dawn and Connor joining them. "Hey guys."
"Hey." Connor nods "How's Loki?"
"He spent all day yesterday and when he was at my Grandfather's hiding under beds. Felix is stuck upstairs or downstairs unless someone carries him."
"How's your Dad?" Dawn asks
"Fine. He's at home with Mom."
"Ahh that can only lead to disgusting mushiness." Dawn scowls
"Probably." Emma agrees
"Did you finish your homework?" Dawn asks
"Had nothing better to do." Emma shrugs "What do you need?"
LUNCH TIME: SCHOOL
"Hey I thought I'd find you here." Connor says as he finds Emma in the stacks in the back of the library reading a book. "What are you doing?"
"Reading" Emma answers
"Avoiding them huh?" Connor sits beside her.
"A little." Emma admits closing her book. "I've always known my Grandfather wanted me in the public but right now I don't like it. I don't like people knowing what my Dad did. They don't understand why it happened."
"They've never seen your normal life like we have."
"I know my Dad's not like normal Dads but he's my Dad. I hear them whisper about why it happened and what they believe is so not what happened."
"Ignore them."
"I am."
"Look come and have lunch with us. We won't let anyone bother you... well Lonnie will but we know that already."
"I could use Lonnie insults now." She muses shoving her book in her backpack.
Connor stands holding his hand out to Emma.
Emma takes his hand allowing Connor to help her to her feet. "So how are things going with you and your Dad?"
Connor shrugs "Trying to tolerate him. Don't know if I'll ever stop hating him."
"Well it's progress."
"What about you and your Grandfather?"
"Still stay away from him."
"Why do you hate him so much?" Connor asks curiously. "You never really talk about him."
"It's a long story. Maybe one day I'll tell you."
"Yeah maybe." Connor gives her a half smile.
LATE AFTERNOON: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"How was school?" Ian inquires as Emma drops on the living room recliner.
"Boring, they pretty much left me alone. I think they were scared that Zan and Connor would do something to them if they made any remarks. Even Lonnie was civil."
Ian gives Emma a small smile. "I told you everything would be fine."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Everything will die down Emma." Ian assures "If it doesn't and the kids at school bother you then we can look into private school."
"I'll be fine. Before long there will be a fight at school or one of the jocks will be arrested for something and they'll leave me alone."
"Emma can you try and get Loki to go outside?" Martha calls from the kitchen.
"Has he been under my bed all day?"
"Pretty much. I managed to get him to come out after you left but I haven't since this morning."
"All right." Emma sighs standing she starts to walk out of the living room.
"Em, take your things upstairs please." Ian calls without looking over at her.
Emma groans "Yes Daddy." She returns and picks up her backpack and jacket before walking out of the room.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, yeah."
EVENING: DELANEY/SUMMERS HOUSE
"How was school?" Angel asks as they sit around the table.
"Emma is back." Dawn tells them.
"How is she?" Buffy inquires
"Good I guess. No ones really asked her about what happened." Dawn shrugs
"She doesn't want people to treat her or her Dad any different than they already do." Connor speaks up.
"We treat her like everyone else." Dawn retorts
"We do because we see her as a normal kid but to most everyone else at school she's a trust fund kid."
"She is that." Dawn reminds
"How is Ian?" Angel asks
"Good. Emma said he's stuck at home for a while. But the people who broke into their house shot Ian's dog Hugo and shot Felix." Dawn informs them.
"Oh no." Buffy says horrified.
"Felix is fine but Hugo's dead."
"That sucks." Connor says sadly. "Emma was raised with Hugo."
"How is everyone at school treating Emma?" Buffy asks
"Stares and whispers. No one's really said anything... not even Lonnie." Connor replies "Emma just wants it to go away."
"I'm sure it will." Angel assures. "It will take time but it will."
"Hope so."
"So did anything else happen?"
LATE EVENING: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"She seems to be doing better." Mobius remarks as he joins Ian in the kitchen where Ian is watching Emma interact with Sara and Martha.
"We'll see. Emma isn't as affected by emotions when awake."
"Has she been sleeping?"
Ian shrugs "Somewhat... she's been having nightmares."
"How is she handling Sara moving in?"
"Good. She's happy about it."
"Have you told Irons?"
"No. I will tell him when I get back to work." Ian glances at his brother "How was he today?"
"Same as always."
"It could get worse." He warns
"I can handle him."
"Good."