NAYERT
Chapter Six-The Question
Jessie stepped in front of me shielding me. He was glaring at Mike with such rage that I've never seen in him before and neither has Danny or Joey from their expressions.
"You mess with Emma, you mess with me," Jessie snarled.
"And me," Joey growled.
"Me too," Danny replied.
"Us too!" the girls shouted including Becky.
Mike smiled.
"But see, I don't want you people, I want her," Mike said as he moved the gun around Jessie and aimed it now at my knee.
He pulled the trigger.
I felt the bullet hit me in the kneecap. I screamed and collapsed. The blood was pooling on the hardwood floor and the leg to my jeans was stained and sticking to me. Jessie at that point grabbed Mike's arm and brought his knee up into Mike's stomach…hard.
Mike dropped the gun. Danny rushed over and helped Jessie with Mike. They tied him up real good and dumped him on the floor near the chair.
Joey rushed to my side, followed by Stephanie, and Michelle. D.J. ran and called the police and an ambulance for me.
"The pain," I sobbed bursting into tears.
Jessie came over and crouched down beside Joey.
"He got her right in the knee cap," Jessie said putting a hand on my shin.
I pressed my face into Joey's chest and sobbed.
"God…Joey gets into an accident then Mike shoots Emma," Stephanie said, swallowing.
"Because he's a scum sucking, piece of crap," I hissed glaring over at Mike lying tied up on the floor. "Who doesn't know when things are over."
He began calling me names that were rude.
"Okay…I've had enough of that," Jessie said, as he went into the kitchen and came back out with silver duct tape. He crouched down in front of Mike and pulled a piece of the tape off and put it over Mike's mouth.
"There. That's better," Jessie said grinning.
Mike was still mumbling, but the tape muffled it.
About 4 minutes later, the police came and so did the paramedics. The police asked us how Mike got tied up and what was with the tape over his mouth.
Jessie just shrugged and said that Mike was muttering obscenities and that he didn't want the kids to hear them.
The ambulance came and took me to the hospital.
I was released four days later. I had to lean on Joey and Danny for support coming home, but no permanent damage had come out of it.
Everything was back to normal.
Jessie called his band together and they were holding an audition down in the basement for me. Jessie wanted me in the band, but he wanted to hear what the other's thought.
I was dressed in a navy straight skirt and a light blue shirt. My hair was fluffed around my shoulders. I stood in front of the microphone and waited patiently for Jessie and the Ripper's to get going.
Joey was holding Michelle in his arms; D.J., Stephanie, Becky and Danny were standing on the other side of the room eager to hear.
"Okay…what song are you guys doing?" I turned around.
"Do you know "Miracles Happen"? It was originally done by Myra," Jessie replied.
I broke into a grin.
"I know that song well…it's one of my absolute favorites,"
They started the music.
"Miracles Happen…Miracles Happen…
I can't imagine, living my life without your love, never having you around…we found a way out…
Don't have to look back to realize how far we've gone…there are a million reasons I'm looking up I don't want this to end.
Nothing, nothing should ever bring you down…no way, what goes around will come around…
You showed me faith is not blind, I don't need wings to help me fly, miracles happen once and a while when you believe.
You showed me dreams come to life, that taking a chance on us is worth the right, all things will come with a little time, when you believe…
There is no question…we found the missing pieces…our picture is completed…it's falling into place.
This is the moment you and I are looking up, someone is watching over us…keeping me close…closer to you every day.
Nowhere, no where on earth I'd rather be…no one can take this away from you and me,
You showed me faith is not blind, I don't need wings to help me fly, Miracles Happen once and a while when you believe.
You showed me dreams come to life, that taking a chance on us is worth the right, all things will come, with a little time, when you believe…"
I began moving with the music as I sang. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the kids moving too.
Once the song was over, everyone cheered.
I turned and faced the band.
"Well? What do you think guys?" Jessie asked eagerly.
"We thought you were the lead singer?" the guitarist said.
"I know guys. But she's been through a lot this past week. She was supposed to return home last week, but when Joey had the accident and then she was shot, she decided way before all of that to move here to California," Jessie said, meaningfully.
The band leaned close and they began talking amongst themselves.
Jessie and I exchanged looks.
"We're sorry, Jess, but we can't change singers now in the middle of this whole thing. She's got a great voice, no doubt about that," the drummer said solemnly.
Jessie was shocked.
"We're sorry, Emma," the guitarist said, apologetically.
"That's okay," I said, forcing a grin. "Excuse me, I think I'm going to take a nice, hot bath."
I looked at Danny, Michelle, Joey, D.J. Becky and Stephanie. They looked upset and stunned too. I gave them bright grins. They grinned back.
I headed upstairs. Danny and the rest of the bunch followed me.
"We're sorry, Emma. We think you should've made the band," Stephanie said grimly.
"It's okay. I'm sure there's another job out there waiting for me," I grinned.
Suddenly, Joey's face lit up and he put Michelle down.
"I've got an idea!"
We turned to him curiously and eagerly.
"I can talk to my boss on "Ranger Joe". I'm sure we can find a new character to add to the show!"
"Joey, that's a great idea!" Becky said, enthusiastically.
"I'm going to call him right now," Joey said as he eagerly went over to the phone and dialed.
Stephanie came over to me and gave me a hug. I hugged her back.
We listened intently to Joey's conversation.
"Huh-uh…" a pause, then: "I understand…thanks again,"
Joey hung up the phone. He faced us.
"Well, the boss thinks it's a brilliant idea! You get to be "Ranger Joe's" partner!" Joey cried.
We all cheered. Joey came over and hugged me.
We all began talking excitedly.
"When do I start?" I asked happily.
"Tomorrow. We're taping and you get to wear a Ranger's uniform," Joey said, grinning.
"Cool!" I cried.
At that moment, Jessie came up from the basement.
"Emma, I'm so sorry! I really thought they would…"
I held up my hand.
"Jess, it's okay. Joey got me a job with him on "Ranger Joe","
Jess looked surprised.
"That's wonderful!" he cried.
Jess came over and hugged me.
"Thanks. I'm going to take that bath now," I grinned as I headed upstairs.
BECKY.
Emma headed upstairs. I turned to Joey. He was grinning broadly for some reason.
"What's up?" Jess asked.
"Tomorrow will be the perfect time to ask Emma to marry me on TV,"
We squealed and gave Joey a huge hug.
"I hope she says yes!" D.J. said, happily.
"I do too," I said, grinning.
"I don't want you two ruining it," Joey said, as he lightly scolded Stephanie and Michelle. "This is going to be a surprise."
"Our lips are sealed," Stephanie said, drawing her finger across her lips.
"You got it dude," Michelle said, giving Joey a thumbs up.
I chuckled.
A half an hour later, Emma came back down from the bath. She was dressed in gray jogging pants and a white tee shirt. Her hair hung in damp curls around her shoulders, framing her honey colored brown eyes.
Emma raised an eyebrow at us and looked from Joey, to Danny, to Michelle, Stephanie and D.J and finally Jessie.
"What's going on?" she asked, slowly.
"Nothing. We're just happy you're getting the job with Joey," Stephanie grinned.
Emma still eyed us skeptically for a moment, then shrugged.
"I'm making dinner for everyone since this is a happy occasion," I volunteered.
Moans went around.
"Hey. My food is not that bad," I said, indignantly putting my hands on my hips.
"The meatloaf you made three days ago is still sitting in my stomach. I feel like I swallowed a rock," Jessie said.
I smacked him up the back of the head.
"That's probably because you did," I grinned.
"What are you going to make?" Emma asked, eagerly.
"Tuna casserole," I replied.
"Hey! How I make dinner tonight?" Emma asked, cheerfully. "I'll make my favorite dish."
"What's that?" Danny asked.
"Spaghetti and meatballs," Emma's eyes twinkled.
Moans went around again and Stephanie burst into laughter.
"Seriously. I'm going to make Lasagna," Emma replied laughing.
"Sounds good!" Joey said.
Emma began making dinner. Around six o'clock, she called everyone in from the living room.
"Dinner!"
We eagerly went into the kitchen. It smelled delicious.
We all sat around the table. Emma began dishing out the lasagna. She sat down in-between Stephanie and D.J. We dug in. Emma watched us eagerly.
"Mmm," Danny said.
"Emma, this is delicious!" Jessie cried, digging in more.
"Yum!" Michelle said, eagerly.
Emma beamed.
The lasagna really was delicious.
"What did you use?" I asked, helping myself to some more.
"Secret," Emma said, her eyes twinkling.
EMMA.
I beamed. They all loved the lasagna.
I was also so excited to work with Joey tomorrow.
After dinner, we all headed to bed early
The next morning, Joey and I headed to the studio where they filmed "Ranger Joe". Michelle had come with us.
They gave me a uniform. It consisted of dark tan pants, a light tan short sleeved shirt and a black belt. I had a badge clipped over the left breast pocket. On the cuffs of the sleeve had "RANGER" stitched on a patch.
Joey was going to introduce me. He had Mr. Woodchuck.
"Hey kids. There's a new member to the Enchanted Forest," Joey said eagerly.
I heard the kids cheering.
"Give a Ranger Joe welcomed to Ranger Emma!"
The kids cheered and I stepped out onto the stage. The kids were sitting on tree stumps in a circle around Joey. I grinned. Michelle was clapping the hardest of the group.
I stood beside Joey.
"Now, Ranger Emma has a special gift she'd like to share with us," Joey said, looking at each of the kids. "She's going to sing!"
"What kind of gift is that?" one of the kids asked. He was sitting on stump opposite Michelle.
Michelle glared at him
"Because her singing will keep everyone quiet," Michelle said, angrily.
The boy fell silent
I began blushing and whispered to Joey.
"I didn't know I had to sing on my first day!" I whispered.
"Trust me…they'll love it," Joey said, still grinning.
I looked around at all the kids shining faces. It was hard to say no.
I felt myself grinning.
"Okay,"
The kids cheered loudly and clapped.
"Dancing bears…painted wings…things I almost remember
And a song someone sings…Once upon a December…
Someone holds me safe warm…horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully...across my memory.
"Far away, long ago…glowing dim as ember…things my heart used to know…Once upon a December.
Someone holds me safe and warm…horses prance through a silver storm…figures dancing gracefully…across my memoryyyy…far away, long ago, glowing dim as ember…things my heart used to know…things it yearns to remember…and a song someone sings…Once...upon a December."
While I had sang I had crouched down in front of the kids. Joey was standing behind me. I had sang the song from Disney's ANASTASIA. It was my favorite movie.
The kids were like glued to me.
"Still think it's not a good gift?" Michelle asked the boy smirking.
"Wow she's good!" he cried shifting his weight on the stump.
They clapped again. I stood up and turned to Joey.
"Now kids, Ranger Joe has an important question to ask Ranger Emma," Joey said, handing Michelle Mr. Woodchuck.
I looked at Joey with nervousness and anticipation.
Joey got down on one knee in front of me. My heart began pounding loudly in my chest.
"Will you marry me?" he asked.
