A/N: Okay, maybe two more. I was able to come home unexpectedly, but I may - just as unexpectedly - have to leave again. One short chapter 'in case'. Enjoy.

Chapter 10:

So the deed was done. One sunny day in October, Emma Charlotte Langhorne became Emma Charlotte Eppes. The Eppes family – all four of them – celebrated by throwing a backyard barbeque and inviting all of their friends. David Sinclair brought his friend Olivia from the community center, Larry arrived with Megan and Amita, and Colby brought along a surprise for the newest member of the family.

"A puppy!" Emma squealed. "A puppy! May I keep him?" she begged. Charlie smiled. He had already approved the pet when Colby phoned him the day before. "Only if you're going to look after him," he replied. "You have to be a big girl about it."

"I will, I promise!" Emma scooped the dog into her little arms and marched off proudly to show everyone her new best friend. Charlie smiled as she proceeded to shove the puppy into Larry and Megan's faces. Megan was properly enthusiastic, but Larry erupted into a sneezing fit. Apologizing profusely, he excused himself and headed indoors.

The party wore on through the afternoon and into the early evening. Emma had made the rounds with her dog, proclaiming to anyone who would listen that his name was 'Melvin Eppes'. Don had to pound Colby on the back at this announcement – he had choked on his hamburger. The solar garden lights had just begun to shine when Charlie glanced around for his little girl. She wasn't in sight.

He fought down a sense of unease at her disappearance and casually made his way to where he saw her last. She could very well be inside using the washroom, after all. Or feeding the dog. Alan had taken her into the kitchen earlier and shown her the brand-new dog dishes and the bag of dog food in the pantry. No cause to be alarmed – yet.

Charlie made casual inquiries of his friends and family, asking if they knew where Emma went. Olivia confessed she thought she saw the little girl dart into the house a few minutes earlier after the puppy. Charlie thanked her and headed inside as well.

His heart stopped beating.

The front door was ajar, and no sign of the little girl or the dog. Charlie called her loudly, but there was no response. Running to the front door, Charlie saw her heading down the walk, scolding the puppy that was trying to run away as fast as its stubby legs would carry it. "Emma!" he called. "Come back!"

She turned and waved. "I've gotta catch Melvin!" she called back. She turned to the dog. "Melvin, you naughty thing," she said sternly. "You come back here this instant!"

Charlie headed down the walk after her. Within ten paces he grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. He knelt down so they were eye to eye. "Emma, sweetie," he began calmly. "You mustn't do that again, okay? You scared me. I couldn't see you anywhere."

Emma nodded, immediately contrite. "I'm sorry," she said, "But Melvin keeps running away!"

"That's because you're chasing him, honey," he explained. "He thinks you're playing a game." He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Now Emma, I want you to go stand on the steps while I catch Melvin, okay?" She nodded. "Alright. Way you go." He stood and watched the little figure runto stand obediently at the front of the house. Nodding his approval, Charlie started after the pup. "Come here, Melvin," he said. Whereas Melvin had been sitting on the sidewalk, watching the exchange between Charlie and Emma a moment before, as soon as he perceived the game was on Melvin came to his paws and took off.

"Come back here you little wretch," Charlie muttered, picking up the pace. By now the puppy was at top speed and Charlie knew he'd be able to catch him in a few feet. Suddenly the brown ball of fur darted into the street. Charlie checked both sides quickly and ran out after him. Losing his patience completely he finally yelled, "MELVIN! SIT!" To his surprise, the little dog did just that.

Charlie scooped him up and looked him in the eye. "Smart dog."

The last thing he remembered was hearing his new daughter scream, "DADDY!"

-x-x-x-x-x-

Charlie opened his eyes slowly. It took a few moments for them to focus on anything, and he was confused by what he saw.Lights. People. He squeezed them shut against the mosaic of color.

"Blood pressure steady… Let's get these jeans off him…" The voices were muffled, indistinct. "He's coming around… Sir? Can you hear me?" Charlie's head was pounding. Something was covering his face. "What's his name?"

"Charlie – his name's Charlie." David? Charlie wanted to ask where everybody was… where Emma was. The dog. He hoped the pup was okay, for Emma's sake. What happened? He opened his eyes slightly once more.

Charlie tried to move his head, but it seemed to be held in place. Suddenly Don was there, looking into his eyes. "Hold on, Charlie – let them help you," he said.

"Don?" He hated how weak his voice sounded. An oxygen mask, he thought.

His brother nodded. "It's me, buddy. Just lie still and let them help you, okay?"

"Em… Emma?"

"She's fine. Megan's with her."

"Dog?"

Don sighed in exasperation. "Charlie, the damn dog is great, okay? Forget the dog."

Charlie squeezed his eyes shut. "Emma… heartbroken," he whispered. He was so tired.

"About the dog?" Don said. "She's more worried about you." Charlie felt a pinprick in his hand and he flinched. Don put a hand on his arm. "It's okay Charlie," he soothed. "They're just starting an IV."

"Sir… you're going to have to move aside so we can work."

Don rubbed Charlie's arm gently. "We'll meet you at the hospital, okay buddy?"

"Emma…" Charlie just remembered something important.

"I'll bring Emma, don't worry." Don stepped back at that point and missed the rest of what his brother was trying to say.

"…called me Daddy."