When Sonny came home, he found Emily, Michael and Morgan sitting by the fireplace. Morgan was sitting in Emily's lap turning the pages of the story Michael was reading. It was a funny story about a dog that went to the zoo looking for his mommy. Morgan was giggling and it made Emily smile. For a moment, all Sonny could do was watch. He was so happy to see Emily truly smile for the first time in a very long time. He wished he could wrap this moment up for her so that she could always feel that way.
When the story was over, Michael looked up to see his father standing at the door.
"Dad! You're home. Did you hear me reading? Didn't I do a good job?"
Sonny looked at Emily who was beaming with pride. Emily smiled at Michael and let Morgan down to go run over and hug Sonny. As Sonny picked Morgan up, he smiled at Emily. "You did a great job champ. I'm very proud of you."
"Aunt Emily has been helping me to read better. Isn't she great?"
"Yes Michael, Emily is really great. We're all very lucky to have her here with us. It's almost bed time, please take Morgan upstairs and get ready for bed, and I'll be up in a few mintues."
"Okay Dad. C'mon Morgan, let's go." Sonny set Morgan down, and he grabbed ahold of Michael's hand and let his big brother lead him upstairs. Sonny smiled at them as they went. Then he turned to look at Emily.
"You're doing a really good job with them. I meant what I said to the boys about being lucky to have you here. I don't know how we would have managed without you. Ever since Carly lost it, the boys haven't had it easy. But you've managed to teach them to smile, laugh and live again. It means more to me than you'll ever know."
"It's not a big deal. They've helped me to find some joy in my life as well." Emily sat down nervously on the couch. She looked down at the floor for a moment and then looked at Sonny. "I'm sorry about last night. I hope I didn't freak you out. I know that eventually I'm gonna have to tell you what's going on with me, but I just can't right now."
"Emily, you don't ever have to tell me what's going on with you if you don't want to. The choice is up to you. I'm not going to push you. I want to do whatever I can to help you, but only in whatever way will work best for you."
"Being so understanding about it is help enough for now. I can't thank you enough for being here for me. Between you, the boys, and my friends, I'll get better eventually."
"Well since you don't feel comfortable talking to me about whatever it is just yet, I got you something that might work for you." Sonny handed Emily the wrapped box.
Emily smiled as she delicately opened the gift. When she opened the box, the smile faded from her face.
"Did I make a mistake? I thought writing about whatever it was might help. I can always take it back if you don't want it."
Emily shook her head no and looked at Sonny. Traces of tears were visible in her eyes. "This is perfect Sonny." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "This is absolutely perfect. I've been wanting a journal, but never got around to getting myself one. It's been hard to go out in public these days. I don't feel safe out there."
"The lady at the store said this one has a voice recognition lock on it. So even if the boys stumble upon it and try to open it, they won't be able to. I wanted you to know that whatever you wrote in there would be private."
Without warning Emily came over and hugged Sonny ever so gently. She kissed him lightly on the cheek and then looked at him. "Thank you so much Sonny. This means so much to me."
"Anything for you Emily. I really mean that. If there is ever anything you need, please let me know."
"I think I'm going to go upstairs, say goodnight to the boys, and then go write my first entry in my journal. Thanks again Sonny."
Emily smiled and went upstairs. Sonny watched her go, and when she was out of sight, he put his hand on his face where she had kissed him. She had totally taken him by surprise with that one little action. He had hoped that she liked the gift he had gotten her. He never expected her to hug him and then kiss him on the cheek.
"Maybe she's learning that she really can trust me to be here and not to hurt her."
Upstairs Emily goes into her room after telling the boys goodnight. She reads the instructions on how to program the voice recognition lock, and then starts her first journal entry.
"Dear Diary,
Sonny brought you home for me tonight. I couldn't believe it. I acted like such a freak yesterday and instead of being upset with me, he did something to try and make things better for me. I'm so lucky to have him in my life. Jason always said that I could trust him, and I know now that I can. Do I trust him enough to tell him about the rape? I'm not sure yet. Only time will tell. Until next time, chow."