Breaking bail- part 2
Emma asked for a oneshot of a sequel to Ch1951 "Breaking bail" where Cleo confronts Emma and helps her escape with Henry, wanting them to get the chance she never had with Tasha.
Something didn't sit right about this. I didn't want to take Emma in, but she couldn't go on living like this. Not with a kid. He had to have a stable home and be able to use his own damn name. He didn't deserve to live a life always looking over his shoulder. No, I had to do something about this.
I watched as Emma carried the little boy over to a yellow bug. She got him into his car seat in the back. It was then I decided to make my move. As Emma opened the door to the driver's seat, I slammed it shut again.
"Mommy!" Henry called from the back.
"It's ok kid." I promised him, not breaking eye contact with Emma. "Mommy and I are just going to have a little chat." I could see the panic growing in Emma's eyes, but she was doing her best to hide it from her son.
"Don't worry little man." She croaked. "Mommy's ok." Henry didn't seem to believe her, as he kept his eyes firmly on me. He was a smart kid.
"You're not taking me away from my son." Emma hissed in a low voice so Henry didn't hear her. "He's not growing up like I did. Have a heart."
"I'm not going to take you away, although I should." I said back quietly. "You jumped bail Emma, were you not thinking of the consequences? Especially when you have a kid and you clearly know what'll happen to him if you go back to jail."
"He already spent the first month of his life in foster care. He's not spending another damn minute of it in the system." Emma growled.
"So what next then Emma? Change his name again? Move to San Antonio? Or maybe El Paso?" I challenged her. Emma looked down.
"Fort Worth." She mumbled. I sighed. I had been here. Always thinking two steps ahead. Where would you move to if you got caught? It was not the life she or Henry wanted to lead.
"Emma, believe it or not I want to help you." I told her. She looked at me oddly. It was like she was scanning me. I didn't particularly want to tell her that I had my own kid that grew up without me. It wasn't something I really talked about. I looked behind her to the little boy, who was still staring at me. I smiled at him and waved. He just growled back at me. I laughed lightly. "It's really ok Henry." I told him. "I'm here to help you and mommy."
"Mommy and me don't like strangers helping us." He informed me. He really was a smart kid.
"Henry." Emma told him off. "Don't be rude." By doing so, it told me one very important thing, Emma trusted me.
"Growing up changing his name and address every few months isn't a much better option." I pointed out gently. "So here's what you're going to do. I'm going to tell my boss how cooperative you are. We're always looking for new recruits. Bail bondsperson isn't on many people's list of top jobs. I know I can swing you a job in my branch in Harrisburg up in Pennsylvania. It's a big move, but it's the last you'll have to make. Plus, you'll both get to go back to your own names, and there'll be childcare on hand as well as you having a stable job and home. What do you say Emma?" I asked. I was begging for her to trust me. Otherwise one of my colleagues would come after her when I lied and said she'd slipped the radar. And they would not be as understanding. Again, I felt Emma scanning me. She nodded slowly.
"What do you think, Henry?" She said, opening the door and looking at her little boy. "How do you feel about moving one last time? You'll get to be Henry Swan again?" She promised him. He looked at me.
"Really?" He asked. Both me and his mom nodded. His whole face lit up.
"Let's go!" He said excitedly. I chuckled.
"You've made the right decision." I told Emma. "I'll be with you. It's going to be ok, for both of you." I assured her. She still seemed nervous, which was completely understandable. But I wasn't going to let her or her son down.
