Chapter Eight: Reception Fades

You talk about the way things were
But I can't hear what you're saying
A time when life was not this hard
Blessed by the innocence

Emma

"What the hell did you do that for?" I yelled. Seriously, how many guys are going to kiss me when the only kiss I want isn't going to happen? I'm so sick of this.

"Emma…I…" he started.

"What?" I yelled again. "You're in love with Manny; I'm in love with Oliver! End of story!" I stood up, grabbed Danica, and stormed off into her bedroom. But, of course, he followed me. Why couldn't there be a lock on her door?

"I'm sorry," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. Without acknowledging him, I changed Danica's diaper, put her in her pajamas, and kissed her goodnight. I know he wanted to say goodnight to her, but I was pissed at him.

"Get out," I said. He reluctantly turned around and plopped down on the couch. I put Dani in her crib and stroked her cheek until she fell asleep. I turned the light off, shut the door, and stomped to my room.

"Emma?" he whispered through the door.

"Craig, just leave me alone!" I yelled.

Is the best yet to come?
Or did it pass by long ago?
Are we holding on to a thread
Of something already dead?

Craig

"It was just a kiss Emma…it…it didn't mean anything…I just…" I trailed off. Of course it meant something. I don't just kiss people for no reason. Don't get me wrong, I love Manny and I want to be with her for the rest of my life. But I just needed to see if anything could happen between us. It's just Emma is the mother of my child. I owe it to Danica to try and make things work. Maybe they still can…

"You promise?" she asked, pulling the door open. "It didn't mean anything?"

"I promise. Emma, can we just sit down and talk?" I asked her.

"I guess." She led me to the couch, where we sat down and faced each other. "Look Craig, you're a great guy, and a really good friend. But that's all we can be. Friends. I know that it's hard because we have a daughter together, but that is all I can handle," she said.

"I just needed to see if…" I trailed off. Now I'll probably sound stupid.

"If what?" she asked.

"If there was any way that the three of us could be a family. Emma, I've always wanted a family of my own. I do have Joey, but he's only my step dad. And Angie's only my half sister. I have a daughter though, and you're her mother. So I thought we could be together with our daughter. We'd be a real family. I almost had that with Manny, but then…" I stopped mid-sentence. I can't break down in front of her. I just can't.

"I understand. But that can't happen. One day you'll have kids with Manny and you'll see that it was all worth the wait. But I think it's time that you talk to her. Tell her how you feel and that she's the only one for you. Tell her you want a family with her. And tell her that you can't live without her."

"You really think I should?" I asked her.

"Yes. And I think it's time you live back at Joey's. I need my space here. And hopefully Oliver will wake up and be able to come home soon," she said.

"I guess I should go now then," I told her.

"You don't have to rush off or anything."

"I should. I told you I only needed a few days and ended up here for three weeks. Thanks for being so great about it," I said.

"Except all I did was yell."

"I understand that this was all too stressful for you. Do you mind if I say goodnight to Danica before I leave?" I asked her.

"Of course you can," she said.

I'm not your reason to stand up straight
Shoulders back, chest out, and eyes raised
Stepping back, I hesitate
I can't let myself be taken

Emma

I watched him walk into her room, being as quiet as he could. He crept up to the crib, reached down, and picked her up. She didn't wake up, but I could tell that he just wanted to hold her. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, whispered 'goodnight' and put her back in. I smiled. He really is a good father. I just can't help but wishing sometimes that Oliver is her real dad.

He closed her door behind him, then moved to the couch. I stood up and watched as he packed his clothes up. He folded the blankets and put the pillow on top of them in a neat pile at one end of the couch.

"Thanks again Emma," he said to me as he grabbed his two bags.

"Don't worry about it. If you ever need a place to stay for a few days then I'd be happy to help you out," I said, laughing.

He leaned forward, and I thought he was going to kiss me again. And he did, but it was just on my cheek.

"Dani's lucky to have you for a mom," he said. Then he turned around and let himself out.

As much as Craig and I fought, and as much as he pissed me off in these past three weeks, I'll still miss him.

The reception fades the signals breaking up
And am I moving on or am I giving up?
If you walk away from this with anything
Live your life today.

A/N: Don't kill me, I know it's wicked short! I just needed this to happen because no, they are not gonna be together! Sorry…but don't worry because there will be way more drama than this. The song is "Reception Fades" by Rise Against and they own it. This chapter takes place on Sunday, October 21st. Okay guys, Corrine told me that chapter seven was messed up in the beginning. I fixed it now so you should go back and read it so you understand what was going on! It was fine when I put it up, so somehow it got screwed up through the site. :shrugs: but it's better now. I figured I'd put this chapter up because I just wrote Chapter Nine. That one is way more exciting than this one, I promise. Anyway, here it is.

JemmaFan: Thanks for your review, it was really sweet.