Author's Note:  To all my reviewers, thank you.  You're so nice to take the time to review.  I just love Degrassi and I'm just so psyched that you guys like my story.  I'm having fun writing it. 

Disclaimer:  Of course this goes without saying…I don't own Degrassi or its' characters.

Take My Breath Away

A Degrassi: The Next Generation Story

Chapter Three: I miss you

One Week Later…

Manny's house

Emma carried her overnight bag downstairs.  Her mom and Snake were coming home today.  "Thank you so much for letting me stay here, Mrs. Santos," she told Manny's mother.  "I really appreciate it."

Mrs. Santos smiled.  "It was no trouble, Emma," she assured her, "you were the perfect guest.  I plan on telling your mother that the next time I see her."

Emma beamed.  She didn't like to brag, but she did like hearing good things said about her.

"Mama?  Have you seen my sneakers?" Manny called as she came running down the stairs.

Mrs. Santos turned to her youngest daughter.  "They're right where you left them, Manuela, in the living room.  Now is that where they belong?"

"No, mama," Manny said, rushing into the living room.

"Well, I guess we're off," Emma said, "I want to drop my bag at my house before school."  She told Mrs. Santos as she headed toward the front door.

Manny grabbed her book bag and followed Emma out the door.  "Bye, Mama."

They stepped out into the bright sunlight that awaited them and started for Emma's house.  "I can't believe how fast this week went by," Manny exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know," Emma agreed.  "But I'm excited to see my mom and Mr. Simpson…I mean Archie again."  She giggled.  "It's going to take me awhile to get used to not calling him 'Mr. Simpson'."

When they reached Emma's house, she led them inside and screamed with joy.  "Mom!! You're home!"

"Emma!" Christine exclaimed, grabbing her daughter into a bear hug.  "I missed you so much, sweetie."

"I missed you too, Mom," Emma told her.  When they broke the hug, Emma turned to Snake.  "Welcome home, Mr.…umm, Archie," she said, as she gave him a hug.

"Thank you, Emma," he returned the hug.

"What are you doing here, honey?" Christine asked.  "Don't you have school today?"

Emma nodded.  "I just wanted to drop off my bag this morning before school, so I wouldn't have to worry about it later."

"Pretty smart thinking, kiddo," Snake told Emma.

"Yeah," Christine agreed, looking at her watch, "but now you two have to scoot or you're going to be late."

After one more hug from her mom, Emma and Manny left for school.  They arrived at DCS and were seated in homeroom without a second to spare.

Just as the bell rang, Manny whispered breathlessly, "just in the nick of time."  She was met with a sharp "shh!" from Ms. Kwan.

**********

Joey's house

"Angie!  Come on, sweetie, Daddy's going to be late!" Joey called to his young daughter, as he placed her breakfast on the table.

Ang walked into the kitchen.  "Daddy, I don't feel good," she told him, quietly.

Joey knelt down to her level and felt her forehead.  "What's wrong, sweetie," he asked her, "does your tummy hurt?"

Angie nodded.  "It feels funny."

Joey glanced at his watch.  Eight-thirty.  He still had time to catch his mother before she left her house for the day.  Maybe she could watch Ang for him.  "Come on, sweetie, let's call grandma," he said, as he stood and picked her up.  Ang laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.  "yay, grandma," she managed weakly.

After he made arrangements to take Ang over to his mom's house, Joey carried his sleeping daughter out to the car.

After dropping her off, Joey got back into his car and drove on to the car lot.  While stopped at a stoplight, his cell phone rang.  "Joey Jeremiah here, at your service," he answered, with a grin.

Caitlin laughed.  "You are such a goof, Joey."

"Cait!" Joey smiled.  "Where are you?"

"I'm in Vancouver still," she told him, "but guess what?  I'm on my way back to Toronto."

"Really?  For how long?" Joey asked her.

"Well," she teased, "I'm staying.  I got a new job."

"Really?  What happened to your show?"

"I'll tell you when I get back," Caitlin told him.  "I just wanted to call and let you know the news.  I'll call you when I get back, okay?"

"Cool, I'll be here," Joey told her.  "Thanks for calling, Cait.  I missed you."

Caitlin smiled.  "I missed you too, Joey."

(Okay, I know this was short, but I had to leave off there.  That's a perfect ending for this chapter.  Coming up…Caitlin comes home!!)