Chapter 28

Emma's arrival home created quite a stir. Her family welcomed her with opened arms, knowing what a difficult time she had been through over the past several months. However, they were unaware of the most recent events, and Emma wasn't up to filling them in. Mary and Carl figured Nick had sent her home for some rest and they were glad to have her. Sam, who read people well, noticed that his sister seemed troubled, but having no idea why, he didn't press her.

Emma had been home for a few days, just taking it easy and not doing much. Her mother tried to tempt her with some of her good home cooking, noticing how thin Emma seemed, but Emma wasn't up to eating a lot. She had taken a book to the living room and had made herself comfortable in the settee. The afternoon was cold and a fire was burning in the fireplace. Emma felt herself dozing and finally gave in to her body's need of sleep.

About an hour later, Emma woke and stretched. She opened her eyes and found her husband sitting across from her, watching her. She sat up, not able to meet his eyes.

"What did I do, Emma," Nick asked. His words were said softly, and Emma looked up at him. She could see how hurt he was. She felt ashamed for running away and for not talking to him. She had regretted her actions as soon as she arrived in Boulder.

"I'm going to have a baby, Nick," she whispered, unable to look him in the eyes as she said this. He smiled for a moment and then the realization of her statement hit him. They had talked at length of her captivity with David. No matter how hard Emma tried she couldn't remember what David had done to her.

"How far along are you?" he asked quietly.

"Two months."

Nick closed his eyes. Two months. That meant she had conceived around the time David had kidnapped her. He looked at her, noticing her strained features. He could tell she was in agony.

"Emma, do you think the baby could be David's? Is that why you ran away?"

Emma nodded. "I just couldn't stand the thought of telling you, Nick. I'm sorry I left. But I couldn't stay there knowing you would hate me."

Nick was shocked at his wife's words. "Why would think I would hate you?"

"I can't remember what happened. What if he...what if he…?" She couldn't bring herself to say the word. She closed her eyes. "I could be carrying his child and I knew that would hurt you. I thought..."

She paused. Nick watched her and then said, "You thought what?"

"I thought you wouldn't want to touch me again. That you would see me as damaged goods," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Nick longed to take her in his arms, but he wasn't sure if she would welcome it. Emma needed to be shown that he didn't see her that way. Finally, unable to stop himself, Nick took a seat next to his wife. As she looked at him, he was reminded of a wounded animal. The hurt in her eyes was too much for him and he drew her into his arms. She didn't fight him, for this was where she longed to be. She began to weep uncontrollably and Nick's hold on her tightened. Mary came in at the sound of her daughter's cries, but Nick shook his head, silently asking his mother-in-law to give them some privacy. She knew Emma was in good hands but couldn't stop her own flow of tears as she walked into the kitchen.

"I don't hate you…I could never hate you. What happened wasn't your fault."

He cupped her face in her hands and lowered his head. He gently placed a kiss on her lips. Emma's eyes closed and she drew her arms around her husband. Their kiss deepened and when they parted, Emma knew she was loved.

"Please come home with me, Emma."

Emma nodded. She would go home with Nick, but she had a request.

"Can we stay here for a while, Nick? It's been so long since I've seen my family."

Nick smiled. "I told the family not to expect us back until after Christmas."

Emma smiled up at her husband. She kissed him again, thanking him for allowing her this time with her family.

It was much later that night as Nick and Emma lay in bed, Nick having fully shown his wife he loved to touch her, that they talked about the baby. Emma cried as she told Nick she hated the fact that David could be the father. Nick assured her, that no matter the baby's biological father, he would love and raise this baby as if he or she were his.

"Don't you worry, Sweetheart. No matter what, this baby is ours. We are going to enjoy this time and not let David have control over us anymore. He's dead and out of our lives."

Nick would never know how much of a balm his words were to Emma's heart. She had made herself physically ill thinking about the fact she could be carrying another man's baby. She had tried and tried to remember exactly what had happened at the Kyle's place, but her mind wouldn't co-operate. She would just have to believe that this baby was created in love with her husband. She eventually fell asleep with her husband's arms encircling her.

Nick and Emma agreed to share with her parents everything that happened the past few months. Carl and Mary had known that David had taken Emma and that he had been killed, but when they found out that he might have assaulted her, both Mary and Carl couldn't hold back their tears.

"As far as we are concerned, this baby is ours and ours alone. We felt we owed you the truth, but like I said, we consider this baby ours." Nick said this with finality, and not for the first time, Carl and Mara were thankful for their son-in-law.

Nick and Emma stayed with Emma's family through Christmas and had a wonderful time. They left for home, feeling refreshed, knowing that their marriage was stronger. They both agreed that there would be no more talk of David or whatever possibilities about the baby's parentage.

When they had been home a week, Jarrod informed the family that he, Sarah and Tori would be leaving for San Francisco until after the baby's birth. It was just a precautionary measure, they explained. Victoria agreed to accompany them, and though Nick and Emma were sad for them to go, they were looking forward to having the house to themselves.

Jarrod's and Sarah's house was near completion, just the final touches needed to be made. Sarah was excited about the house, but sad also. She loved the big ranch house and being with the family, something she didn't have growing up. But she knew it was time for them to go out on their own, especially since their family was expanding. And Nick and Emma would need the nursery anyway.