Emily ran into her work "You're late" she heard one of her friends yell
"I know! Family problems" she yelled as she ran into her dressing room
A girl popped her head in the room "is Kaylie ok?" she said
"Yeah, she's fine Alexia, it had nothing to do with her" she responded as she began changing
"Is Sara ok?" a guy responded from the door way
"She's fine Erik. It had nothing to do with her either, it was something totally different"
"Then what's wrong?" they responded in unison
"Chill guys!" Emily said emerging in a totally different outfit. "If you must know, it's my past coming back to screw me over again"
"Your family in town?" Alexia responded, knowing her whole story
"Nope" she replied as she began to put make-up on
"Then what?" she said
"You really want to know?" Emily said looking at her friends
"Yeah" they said in unison again
"Kaylie's father is in town" she replied simply, then went back to her make-up
Bradin, Callie and Lucas walked along the main road in New Orleans. They hadn't talked much since the run in with Sara at the restaurant, which had been almost 5 hours ago.
"She's here" Lucas said finally
"What?" Callie said
"Emily's here. I can feel her presence everywhere. I have to see her, I don't even have to talk to her, just see her"
"well then, I guess we have to find her. Where would she be?" Bradin said
"I'm not so sure this is a good idea" Callie said "She told you to forget about her, you should do what she said"
"I can't Cal, I haven't since she left 3 years ago, I can't now. I just need her. Its uncontrolable" he said
"Ok Luke, but she might have moved on, and you need to know that" Callie said
"I know" he said I just hope she hasn't "I think I know where she is" he said
"Where?" Bradin said
"Remember when we got the car, and the girl said that there was a 19 year old girl who sang at the cabaret who could sing better than the people on American Idol?"
A smile spread across Callie's face. Secretly she wanted to see her friend again as well. "That's her, I'd bet my life on it" she said
"Me too" Lucas said "Let's go"
Emily sat in her dressing room after the show. She loved that she got to be on stage again, acting and singing, just doing what she loved. A knock came on her door as she pulled off her skirt and shirt and put on her jeans and a polo shirt "Come on in" she called.
A tall brunette man walked into the room "Em there's 3 people here to see you, 2 guys and a girl. They said they knew you"
Emily sighed. She knew she would have to face them sooner or later, she was just hoping it would be later "Send them in Jase, thanks" She turned back to the mirror and began brushing out her hair as her three old friends walked in. She noticed them, breathed then turned around "Hi guys" she said quietly
Before he could help it, Lucas ran up to her and threw his arms around her. She closed her eyes as she hugged back and smelled a scent that brought back a whirlwind of memories "Hey babe" she said just as quietly
Lucas pulled away and looked at her. "Where have you been baby?" he asked quietly "Why did you leave me like that"
A single tear slid down her face. "I had to Luke, it's a complicated story" She got up from her chair and walked over to Bradin and Callie "It's really good to see you again"
They each hugged her, tears now in all of their eyes. "What are y'all doing in Louisiana? God, I thought you'd never find me here" she smiled showing the same dimples Bradin remembered seeing on her the first night they met
"We were having some issues at home so we decided to go on vacation, this was where we ended up" Bradin said
"Interesting" she replied "Nice vacation spot, it's not that great here, but I like it. Mardi Gras is a blast, Sara and I have fun that week"
"I don't even want to think about that" Callie said laughing
"Em, can I ask you something?" Lucas said finally
She turned to him "Sure, but I'm not sure I'll answer it"
"Try. Why did you leave without saying goodbye?"
Emily looked at him in the eyes, the same eyes she looked into 3 years ago when it broke her heart to tell him they were done. Again a tear rolled down her face. "It's complicated Luke. I would have said goodbye, but I couldn't. Apparently you couldn't do the one thing I asked of you"
"Did you think I would?" he asked "I haven't been able to stop thinking of you, I loved you Em, and you ran out of my life with nothing but a letter"
"I know that, but you have to know it was for the best. Just trust me when I say that"
"I can't Em. A part of me left when you did. Only now did I realize how much it was"
Emily sighed "I stay true to what I said Lucas, I love you, I always have and I always will, but there are things in my life that led me to believe I needed to be without you, and I'm here today on that note"
"Emily, are you happy here?" Callie said. She knew that they would start yelling if she didn't interrupt
"Fairly" she replied
"Why did you leave Em?" Lucas asked for the third time that night
Emily sighed, quite frustrated. "Do you really want to know Lucas? Is it that important to you and your life?"
"Yeah it is" he replied in a matching tone
"Fine" she said, grabbing her bag and purse "Let's go"
The three followed her down the hall to the back door. Emily said goodbye to her cast mates as they left. They hopped in her car and drove to a condo development
"How can you afford to live here?" Callie asked surprised
"Our parent's pay for it, whether they know it or not" she replied
They got up to a drive way with a red Mercedes to match Emily's blue one "The same concept" she said signaling to the car "Come on" she led them up the stairs into the house "Sara I'm home" she yelled "I brought guests"
"Hey" Sara said entering from another part of the house "I thought they'd be here" she whispered "Kay's in bed, I put her to sleep at 8" she said in a normal voice
"Who's Kay?" Bradin asked.
Just as he said that a patter of little feet ran down the stairs and down the hall. A little girl ran into Emily's arms. "Guys, I would like you to meet the reason I left Playa Linda. This is my daughter Kaylie"