A new face after the race

Chapter 40

Emily didn't know what to say. She should feel so betrayed again. Lucky had just presented her with a gift of her past, something she hated to be reminded of. But she didn't.

She stared down at the box, and into it. It was a doll, but not any doll, one she received when she was three, when she desperately needed a friend. It was an exact replica of the one she had.

The same blue dress with the same flower pattern on it the same hair style the same blond color. The smiling face that was painted on there, that looked never-ending.

It wasn't a painful memory; this doll was the only friend she had for years because the other kids misjudged her. The girls hated her for taking the male attention away from them, the nerds for being smarter than them, the boys for her being girly though she was practically a tomboy compared to everyone else. She could get near bugs, get dirty, always had energy, but then that "coodies" thing started. She was alone again.

She distanced herself from then on, and then found another reason to keep her distance. She still aced every test, was the smartest despite skipping two grade levels, and always did her work. They rarely did group work, because the school decided they needed to be an individual before a bunch of them could be a group.

All the times when free time or lunch was given, the other kids would spend time with the other students, but no one cared for the outcast and she pretended not to care. But inside, she felt so lonely, craving attention and was deeply miserable. She always hid behind books, drawings, and she never really got any food, ever.

Usually, the kids always had lunches to share. She'd seen the kids trade a cookie for a few chips, or their pudding perhaps. She didn't have lunch most the time. The few times she did, she never had the appetite to eat it anyway. She saved it just in case she didn't get any dinner, which happened a lot.

She couldn't ask for free lunch, everyone thought her dad was rich and well able to pay. But that was only on the surface, realistically, he was almost bankrupt. He had recently found alcohol and gambling, and that led to major money loss. They were to lose everything. He finally realized he was broke and far into debt, they sold everything that had meaning.

Her mom had barely had enough to pay for the small due of graduating at the top of her elementary class. The real trouble started from there. For the rest of her years up until his murder, she was being starved, beaten, neglected, lonely, and deeply depressed, but no cared to notice. No one cared at all, their lives were perfect, why ruin it to help someone crying out for help.

Yeah, and everyone wondered why she was so depressing and against happiness and humanity. Happiness never lasts, and humanity was just a bunch of selfish jerks that only cared for them. No one else matters. Survival of the fittest, they say. And ironically enough the selfish brats never made it, only the ones with the hard life and set determination did. The people like her.

Lucky had never met with such standards. Sure there was that on the run because people wanted to kill you thing, but he had a good life overall. He had a big family who loved them. Married parents, who love each other to death, loved him, their eldest child and only son, their junior. He had food and shelter, love, everything she desired her whole life.

And what was she? A smart, attractive girl that kept everything hidden. Who lived the happy life as long as she could, having seen it so little in her young life. Yeah, she and Lucky made a good match, the only thing they had in common was their wits and where they lived, the high school they attended.

Lucky got deeply concerned by the silence that ensued. It was dead silent, and he immediately felt like a heel. He'd brought into this already depressing room, a piece of Emily's past. Good thinking Lucky, she really needed to replay her past now of all times. Notice the sarcasm.

Emily was probably lost in thought, but she seemed about to burst out in tears and she hadn't even taken the doll out of the box. He reached for her hand and rubbed the top of her hand to get her to come home. "Emily." He called. "Em." He called again, using her nickname that he used occasionally.

At that point Emily came out of her revelry. She blinked and saw him, but still said nothing, but somehow Lucky knew she was listening. So he explained the gift while he had the chance. "While I was reading your diary, I came across that entry. And I thought from how you wrote it gave you happiness and security, something that is needed now. I can't stay here and at your side all the time I regret to say, but I thought it would keep you company when I wasn't around. I'm not saying I want it to be a substitute when I'm around though." Lucky explained.

Emily processed this and took the doll out of the box and gave it a big hug and nuzzled it slightly. She said nothing for a few moments, but Lucky saw it was a good sign. "Your right, she did make me happy and feel safe, she was my only friend in the world besides my mom, during those days." Emily explained back. She gave it another big hug, and appreciated the gift, despite the memories that probably came with it.

Silence ensued as Emily checked every part of the doll out. She played with the hair, straightened the dress, and stroked it lovingly. "Thanks Lucky." She gave him a small smile.

Lucky returned it. "Your welcome, I'm glad you like it." He said and appreciated the picture there for a moment before reluctantly breaking it. "I should be going; I'm over the visiting hours as it is." He told her.

Emily looked at him with the small smile still. "Okay, see you tomorrow?" She asked, cuddling the dolls some more. It was becoming a real comfort; he was starting to get jealous.

"Yeah, but until then it's bedtime for you and your new friend. The least I could do is tuck you in before I go though." Lucky got up and went to where Emily was.

Emily got situated on her right side, with the doll in her arms as if she was a small child again, and Lucky made sure she was covered with the hospital bed sheet. He kissed her softly on the forehead and left with the image of Emily fast asleep in the bed, the doll enclosed securely.

The next day, Lucky arrived only to find a redhead race past him. He heard voices calling for him to stop. He turned and saw the one, the only Sonny Corinthos. He was surprised to say the least, though it was expected. Sonny seemed to be one who didn't give up without a fight.

He held an infant, maybe six months old, with him. "Michael!" Sonny called lightly, not hoping to make a scene, "Slow down, this is a hospital." He ordered and Michael stopped by Emily's door.

So, Lucky guessed, this was Emily's half brothers. The redhead, as was obvious, was Michael. He was skinny, seemed to be excited to see his big sister, and was maybe a year older than his sister, Lulu and Emily's sister, Melissa.

Morgan was shy and had dirty blonde hair, and held onto Sonny tight and was watching as his older brother raced ahead, agitating their father. Michael was still stopped at Emily's room and impatiently waited for his dad and little brother.

He encountered Lucky along the way. "Lucky, hey." Sonny said pleasantly.

"I take it this is your other kids?" Lucky asked, knowing the answer anyway.

Sonny nodded. "This is Morgan, and the runaway was Michael, but I believe you figured that out." Lucky smirked in reply. Sonny made the introductions the other way. "Michael, Morgan this is Lucky, Emily's boyfriend." He finished.

Michael looked up at him. "Your name's Lucky? Cool." Michael said, amazed. Morgan obviously too young to be talking, said nothing, but only huddled closer to Sonny for security.

"How is Emily this morning?" Sonny asked.

"I haven't seen her, but I think she's fine. But don't push it okay? She's still weak and vulnerable." Lucky advised him.

Sonny nodded and heeded his advice and gave Michael the permission to go in. He followed and Lucky followed him as well.

Emily was awake and staring out of the window that expressed sunshine rays through it. She looked surprise when Michael popped in, but lost it to an unexpressive face when Sonny walked in. That explained it, Lucky knew she was thinking.

Michael smiled brightly at her. "Hi, I'm Michael." He said, politely, introducing himself.

Emily managed a grin. "Emily." She said, she couldn't put out her hands for a handshake because they had IV"s in them.

Sonny got in the conversation. "Emily, this is my other children, Morgan and you've met Michael." He switched it around again. "Michael, Morgan, this is Emily. My eldest child and your half-sister, the one I told you about." Sonny said.

His cell phone rang as he finished the introductions between half-siblings. He checked the caller ID. He frowned. "I have to get this, would you take Morgan?" He asked Emily.

Emily agreed and took him into her arms. Morgan was resistant for a few seconds, but soon found Emily safe to be with, even after just meeting her. He immediately noticed the doll he gave Emily the night before. He reached for it in want. Emily handed it to him and he happily had it in his grip. He played with it for a little, and Emily told him "My boyfriend gave that to me. You like it? I do too." She told him sweetly, cooing like a young mother.

While Morgan played with the doll, Michael made conversation. "Your boyfriend's name is Lucky isn't it?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, it is. It's a nickname he goes by." Emily told Michael, while still watching Morgan play happily.

"That's so cool! I want a name like that. What's his real name?" Michael continued his questions.

"As unhappy as I am with Lucky at the moment, I don't think I'm the one you should be asking that." Emily answered.

Michael looked to Lucky, standing in the corner watching this scene. "What's your real name?" He asked him, still wanting an answer.

Lucky grinned. "That's a question for another day I'm afraid." Lucky said and winked at Emily. She just shook her head in response and paid attention to Morgan.

Sonny came in just then. "Sorry that took so long, important call. Is everything good in here?" He asked, though he saw all was.

"Yeah, I was just asking Lucky his real name, but he didn't answer. Just said ask again later." Michael told his father and it wasn't hard to figure out he absolutely loved Sonny to death.

"That's his right." Sonny told Michael and looked towards Lucky. "Are we interrupting something?" He asked him.

"No, I need to head to work anyway. I was just checking in to make sure everything's okay here. " Lucky told him, but kind of wished he said yes, just to get sometime with Emily, alone.

Sonny nodded and tried to get Morgan away from Emily, but he whined in response. Sonny let it be and made some space for Lucky to say goodbye. Lucky walked to where Emily was and kissed her softly. She had a smile on her face and that made him happy too.

"I'm going to work okay? I don't want you to push yourself though. Eat and get some sleep, all right? I'll be back at lunchtime." He told Emily lovingly.

Emily smiled at him. "I will." Lucky pulled away and gave her a look that said "I love you". She returned it and he left the room.

Last thing he heard was Michael asking, "What does Lucky do?" Lucky laughed and made his way out of the hospital, on his way to work.