NAYERT
Chapter Nine-Older
Stephanie had caught the flu. Danny made sure she had plenty of liquid and soup.
Joey cheered her up by doing impressions with Mr. Woodchuck.
"Hey Steph…is your bed made of…" he paused and had Mr. Woodchuck look around for a moment before replying: "Wood?"
Deciding to cheer Steph up as well, D.J., Michelle, Becky and I came up with a dance routine to Hilary Duff's What Dreams are Made of.
Becky, D.J, Michelle and I were standing in a line in Steph's room. Joey was sitting on the edge of the bed watching.
We put on the music and began the routine.
We sidestepped and clapped our hands. Stephanie was grinning and moving to the music.
We spun around and continued the routine. Michelle was doing each move perfectly and kept up with us with no problem. Stephanie and Joey looked at each other, grinned, then turned their attention back to us. We didn't know that Danny was standing behind us as well watching.
Haley was in Joey's room in the crib. Jessie volunteered to keep an eye on the baby while we did this for Stephanie.
I held my arms out and turned in a circle when the line "This is what dreams are made of," on the last chorus line before the music stopped.
Stephanie cheered.
Becky left and that's when we realized Danny was behind us.
"Oh, Hi Danny," Becky said.
We turned around. Danny was grinning as he stepped into the room.
"You guys were excellent!" Danny replied. "You just made those dance steps up?"
D.J. nodded and grinned.
"Wow," Joey said. "You guys were definitely awesome."
"Thanks. Come on Michelle. Let's head downstairs," D.J. said as she took Michelle's hand and led her out of the room. I sat down on the edge of the bed next to Joey.
"How are you feeling, Steph?" I asked, softly.
Steph clamped a hand over her mouth and leaned over the side as she vomited into a bucket.
"I'll take that as a "not so good"," Joey cringed.
Stephanie leaned back against the bed.
"Sorry," Stephanie apologized.
"Don't apologize," I said, softly. "When you feel better, I'll teach you those steps."
"Deal," Stephanie said smiling.
"Get some rest. If you need anything, just call on one of us, okay?" Danny said as he patted Stephanie on the knee.
"Emma and I will be across the hall," Joey said, also giving Steph's knee a gentle squeeze.
Joey stood up and he carried Mr. Woodchuck with him, gently squeezing me on the shoulder before leaving. I smiled at Stephanie before I turned and left too.
"Emma?" Stephanie asked.
I paused by the door and turned around.
"Yes Steph?"
"If I need help with girl problems, can I come to you beside Aunt Becky?"
"Absolutely!" I said. "Why wouldn't you be able to?"
"I thought maybe the baby would take up most of your time," Stephanie said.
"She will, but I'm not going to just ignore you. If you have a problem that you really need help on, you can always count on me and Becky…as well as your Dad, Jessie and Joey…and your sisters," I said, softly.
Stephanie beamed before turning over onto her side and she fell asleep.
I backed out of the room and gently closed the door. Life was great.
SIX YEARS LATER.
Haley was now five years old. Michelle, Stephanie and D.J. were older and beautiful girls.
"Hey, when's breakfast?" Haley asked, sitting at the kitchen table.
"Soon, squirt," Jessie replied.
Haley looked exactly like Joey.
I was sitting at the table reading the newspaper. Joey, Becky, Danny and the girls came downstairs.
Suddenly, my eyes fell on an article.
"Hey, morning," Joey said, giving me a kiss on the cheek and playfully ruffled Haley's hair.
"Hey," she said frowning.
Joey took a seat next to Haley.
My hands began shaking violently.
"Em? What's wrong?" Joey asked, alarmed.
Even Haley was watching me curiously.
I couldn't take my eyes off the article.
Joey leaned closed and followed my gaze. Danny and Jessie crowded behind me.
"Mike Walters is getting out of prison next week," Jessie read over my shoulder.
"Do you think he'll try and hurt Aunt Emma again?" Stephanie asked, worriedly.
"We're not taking any precautions," Joey said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I lowered the newspaper and put it on the table.
"Don't worry. We're not going to let anything happen to you," Danny replied, gently squeezing my shoulder.
I started to feel better.
"I know," I said, grinning up at Danny.
"Michelle? Can you play with me?" Haley asked.
"Sure," Michelle said, as she extended her hand. Haley took it and they headed upstairs.
"It's Haley I'm worried about. What if Mike finds out about her and tries to do something to her?" I asked, looking worriedly at everyone.
"We won't let anything happen to you or Haley," D.J. said, firmly.
"Exactly," Stephanie said nodding feverishly.
I smiled. I was lucky to have such a great family.
"What are we doing today?" I asked, taking a deep breath.
"Well, Jessie and I have a segment to do on RKO radio. Would you like to come?" Joey asked.
"I'd love to! Who's going to watch Haley?"
"I will," Danny replied. "Plus there's D.J., Stephanie and Michelle to keep an eye on her."
"Sounds great. You girls don't mind do you?" I asked, looking at D.J. and Stephanie.
"Absolutely not," Stephanie replied.
"No way," D.J. said.
"Great," I grinned.
Later on that afternoon, Jessie, Joey and I headed to the RKO Radio station.
We entered the booth. Joey and Jessie were sitting down in front of two microphones. Behind them were tons of CD's. I sat down beside Joey in front of one of the microphones.
"It's RKO radio with Joey and Jessie," Jessie said, turning a switch on and speaking into the microphone.
"That's right, and today, we have a special guest," Joey replied, speaking into his microphone. "My wife, Emma Gladstone."
"Say hello," Jessie urged.
I leaned forward.
"Hi," I grinned.
"She's got an excellent singing voice," Joey continued. "Why don't you sing a little something for us?"
I began blushing and shook my head.
"Aw, she's a little shy," Jessie replied, grinning and turned to face us, the microphone near the corner of his mouth.
"Okay…okay," I said, laughing.
I leaned forward into Joey's microphone.
I began singing a few verses from Haley Duff's song, "Girl in the Band". Haley Duff was Hilary's sister.
"I'm a girl in the band…the world looks good from where I stand…do you hear me? Raise your hand! For the girl in the band,
Let the party begin, I'm feeling good inside my skin, the world at my command…I'm the girl in the band,"Joey and Jessie were moving to the words. I finished the song and sat back against the chair.
"Wow, if you liked what you heard, give us a call and let us know what you thought!" Jessie replied.
There were hundreds of calls coming in, each button was alight.
"Whoa!" Jessie cried as he hit the first one.
"RKO radio,"
"Man that was awesome! She's got an excellent voice!" a girl's voice came across the line.
I beamed.
Joey pressed a button next.
"She should have her own music contract!" a man's voice came on next.
"Wow, people love you! Okay, who's next?" Jessie replied.
He hit another button and that's when I felt as if the world came to a screeching halt.
"So, you married that 'thing' did you?" Mike's voice came over the line next.
Joey, Jessie and I exchanged looks.
"Leave me alone," I growled into the microphone.
"Oh no…the funs just begun,"
Then, there was a dial tone.
"Why can't he just leave me alone?" I asked, near tears.
Joey just wrapped his arms around me and hugged me. Jessie put his arm around my shoulders as well.
About an hour later, the producer knocked on the glass.
Jessie got up and opened the door.
"There's someone here to talk to Emma," she replied.
"Oh okay. Send her in," Jessie replied.
The producer smiled.
"It's a 'he',"
"Oh," Jessie replied.
The producer stepped away and Mike appeared. I jumped up from my seat. Joey did as well.
Joey protectively stepped in front of me. Mike walked past Jessie and stood in front of Joey.
"Why can't you leave her alone? It's over," Jessie growled angrily.
"Because I still love her," Mike replied.
"But I don't love you! And I thought you were getting out next week!" I cried.
"I broke out early and stole a car," Mike replied grinning.
"You really need help," Joey snarled.
Mike took a step toward Joey. Joey kept me behind him at all times.
"You're the one going to need help," Mike rasped as he took a swing at Joey.
Then, Joey and Mike got into a huge fistfight.
Joey had a bleeding lip and a bruised jaw. Mike had a black and blue eye. They continued to fight. Jessie tried to stop them, but it was no use. Finally, I decided to step in between them.
"STOP!" I cried, trying to hold my hands out at my sides to keep them apart. Then, Mike shoved me.
I felt myself falling backwards. I hit my head on the edge of one of the wooden counters. Blackness swallowed me up.
JOEY.
Emma fell backwards and cracked her head on the edge of the counter behind us. She was lying on her back, her wrists lying by her ears and she wasn't moving. Her hair was fluffed around her head on the floor.
Jessie angrily punched Mike. Mike fell down and didn't get up.
Jessie yelled at the producer to call and ambulance and police.
"Emma?" I cried rushing over to her.
I hovered above her. Jessie rushed to my side as well.
Jessie put a hand on her head and began stroking her temple.
The ambulance came shortly after that and the police came to arrest Mike.
BECKY.
Michelle, Stephanie and D.J. were playing with Haley in the living room. Just then, the phone rang.
I jumped up and got it.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Becky? It's me," Joey's panicked voice came on the line.
"Joey? What's wrong?" I asked, becoming alarmed.
"Emma…fell…hit her head," Joey rambled.
"Joey, slow down," I said.
Michelle, D.J. and Stephanie looked up.
Joey took a deep breath.
"Mike showed up at the studio and pushed Emma. She hit her head and she's been out for 3 hours," Joey replied, his voice shaky.
"Okay. Don't worry. Where are you?" I asked.
"Alane Memorial Hospital,"
"We'll be right there," I said, as we hung up.
"Becky? What's wrong?" D.J. asked, worriedly.
"Joey called. Mike showed up at the studio and pushed Emma. She hit her head," I said, alarmed.
"Oh my God," Stephanie said.
"Listen…Michelle and D.J…you keep an eye on Haley. Stephanie? Go get your father," I said.
Stephanie rushed into the kitchen where Danny was cleaning.
"Stephanie just told me what happened," Danny cried rushing into the living room.
"Joey and Jessie are at Alane Memorial Hospital," I replied, grabbing my coat.
"Okay…you girls keep an eye on Haley," Danny said.
Stephanie, Danny and I rushed to the hospital.
JOEY.
I was pacing the waiting room. I was close to breaking down.
Danny, Becky and Stephanie arrived at the hospital. Becky rushed over to me.
"Oh my God," Becky said, throwing her arms around me and hugging me.
Danny hugged me next, then Stephanie hugged me.
Stephanie kept her arms around me. I kept my hands on her shoulders.
"It's my fault," I replied. "Mike and I got into a fight."
"It's not your fault, Joey," Danny replied.
"God look at you," Becky said, gently touching my bruised jaw and cut lip.
"I don't care about me…I'm worried about Emma," I said.
I glanced down at Stephanie.
"Who's keeping an eye on Haley?"
"D.J. and Michelle," Stephanie replied.
I nodded.
"Did the doctors come in yet?" Becky asked, looking pale and sick.
"Not yet. The last I heard was that she was out cold for 3 hours. It's been 4 hours now," Jessie replied gravely.
Just then, a doctor came into the waiting room.
We immediately turned to her.
"How is she?" I demanded.
"She's a little groggy, but I have to warn you…"
"Is she okay?" I asked, cutting the doctor off.
"Yes,"
"Can we see her?" Jessie asked.
"Sure. Follow me,"
The doctor led us into a private section of the ER.
Emma woke up a few minutes later.
"Hey, how do you feel?" Danny asked, softly.
"Okay," Emma said, frowning. "But who are you?"
