Thought I'd upload a little early this time. Hope everyone is safe and practicing social distancing. Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 13: Reach Out

The concierge doctor showed up about an hour after Elizabeth called. The wait gave them just enough time to talk through a few things, meaning, mainly Elizabeth asked questions about the situation that Emily answered. That, and Elizabeth all but lectured Emily in an indignant tone about how incredibly rude and inconsiderate it was not to tell her what was going on.

"I'm your mother, and when you are hurt, I want to know about it. When things happen in your life, I want to know about it. Our relationship has been strained in the past, but I'm here, Emily, and you need to make the effort too. You could have been killed. Damn it, Emily. How do you always attract these situations? Even as a child, you almost created an international incident by spitting on the Saudi prince's son."

"I was nine. He pushed me because I wouldn't tie his shoes for him. He was eleven. He should have been able to do that himself."

Elizabeth glared.

By the time Elizabeth was done and the doctor was about to arrive, Emily was all talked out and Nate was comfortably resting by her side while talking cartoons with Elizabeth, leaving Emily's mind to wander. The door sounded, breaking her sad thoughts.

"Who's here?" Nate asked.

"I got a doctor to come and make sure you and Emily are ok after traveling," Elizabeth explained, getting up to answer the door.

When she returned, the doctor was with her, supply and equipment bag in hand. "Hello. I'm Dr. Northup," he introduced himself. "I hear you two were in an accident and then decided why not do some international travelling. Who would like to go first?"

"Nate, Dr. Northup's going to quickly check you over."

"But I already went to the doctor and I feel good. Nothing hurts."

"No aches?" The doctor asked. "Not even the arm?"

"Only a tiny bit."

"Then our exam should be quick and easy. It'll be painless."

Huffing, he allowed the doctor to look him over. Everything checked out. All the bruising was healing nicely, and the arm didn't look swollen or anything. He was in excellent shape given what he had gone through.

"Now your turn," Northup said to Emily. "What was the ER doctor's verdict?"

"Torn ACL, bruising, concussion."

"Wonderful. We'll start with the head and work our way down. Headache?"

"Yes."

"Consistent or occasional?"

"It hasn't been as bad, but more consistent than occasional, I think."

He nodded and asked her a few more questions as he took her vitals. Not giving her any insight into his thoughts, he asked her to lift her shirt to see the bruising. Like Nate, she was healing well where that was concerned.

"I'm going to take the immobilizer off. Try to stay still," he warned her, unfastening the brace straps.

She groaned as he did and was surprised to see just how swollen her leg was. She didn't remember it looking like that when she was in France. She never remembered it looking like that.

The doctor just shook his head. "You're a difficult patient. I can already tell."

"I haven't even done anything. I'm cooperating," she defended.

"Now. I bet you were told to take it easy and given crutches."

"Ha ha!" Emily declared victory. "That's where you're wrong. I wasn't given crutches."

Northup rolled his eyes. "Any medication?"

"None until I took an Ibuprofen a few hours ago."

He jotted that down in his notes. "The inflammation in the leg is not good. It should be going down. I'm afraid that, with the overuse and the travel, it made it worse. I was warned you might need them, so I have a set of crutches in the car for you but try to lay off it. Leg up and resting as much as possible. I know it's hard with a child, but you're risking permanent damage. Take it easy. I'll give you some medication to help with the pain and swelling, but it will only do so much if you continue to push yourself."

"I understand," she assured him. "I won't push it."

"Good."

The doctor set her up with crutches and some medicine with strict instructions not to drink and to soak her leg in a warm bath. That was one piece of doctor's advice she was not inclined to ignore. A bath sounded nice. Northup told her they would do a follow up in a week or so to check on the inflammation and told her to call if she had any concerns before Elizabeth saw him out.

"I need to get him to bed," Emily told her mother as a sleeping Nate rested against her.

"Let me help you."

Emily's attempts to argue were thwarted. Her mother was going to help whether Emily wanted it or not, so she just allowed it to happen.

"Nate," Elizabeth gently coaxed him. "Time to go up to bed."

"Do I have to? I'm cozy."

"It'll be cozier in bed. Come on, please."

He rolled over and off the couch, slowly getting up. "Are you staying?" he mumbled.

Elizabeth looked to Emily who shrugged, saying if she wanted to, she could. She wasn't up for a fight any more than her mother was. Whatever the doctor gave her made her sleepy, and she knew her mother was worried about her. She wanted to make sure her daughter was fine.

"Yes, I'm staying," Elizabeth told him. "Someone needs to take care of Emily."

"I take care of her," he indignantly stated.

"But you don't need to. Now, get moving."

Elizabeth helped them both upstairs, Emily happy on a drug high and leaning on her mother like a child might. Elizabeth reveled in the moment. They didn't come about often when Emily was a child, so she was thrilled to be taking care of her now.

Emily was helped into bed, Elizabeth placing a few small pillows under her leg for comfort and support.

"Thanks, Mommy," Emily groggily mumbled, rolling onto her side and surrounding herself in blankets. "You can stay here."

"Are you sure? There's another room that no one's using."

Still groggy, she managed, "No linens. You like clean."

"Well, ok."

Elizabeth relished the thought of continuing to mother her daughter. The situation was terrible, but, for the night, she was excited about it. She changed into some of the pajamas she brought for Emily and slipped into bed. She didn't know what to do next. Despite the late hour and the two very tired occupants, she wasn't quite ready for bed.

She laid there, watching Emily and thinking about how, yet again, she almost lost her daughter and she had no idea it was happening. At least she turned to me this time. That gave Elizabeth a warm feeling. Her daughter turned to her. Even a year ago, she doubted that would have happened.

"My poor baby," Elizabeth whispered as she brushed her fingers through Emily's hair. She could feel the slight bump from the accident.

Not budging from her comfortable position, Emily just grumbled, "What are you doing?"

"I could have lost you," she responded. "You could have died."

"Mmhmm."

"And I'm angry that you always get yourself into a mess, a mess that could cost me you, but I can't help but be proud too."

"Why?" her voice was marred by the pillows.

"You're so brave, so fearless, and much too generous for your own good. What you're doing for your friend and that boy is incredible."

"Had to," Emily said, half asleep and still high as a kite.

"No, you choose to, and that's the person you are."

"Wanted to help… James and… and m… son."

Though Emily's voice was muffled by the blankets and pillows she was speaking into, they hit Elizabeth like a biting bullet. She swore she made out the words "my son." It was enough for her eyes to widen and look at Emily in great question.

"Your what?" She shook her daughter gently. "Emily?" Her daughter was asleep, so it was no use, but her mind went from zero to sixty and she was positive she, unlike the others, would be getting no sleep that night wondering exactly what she heard and what Emily meant.

By the time morning rolled around, Elizabeth was more exhausted than when night fell and half sure she imagined the whole interaction with Emily. Was she hearing things? Her mind was going crazy with all the possibilities, but no matter the conclusion, there was one thing that was clear as day. Emily loved Nate, and so, Elizabeth wanted to get to know him.

Nate woke up before Emily and, Elizabeth caught him just as he was about to wake Emily up. "Let her sleep a little more," she told him. "She needs it."

She guided him down the steps and into the kitchen. "Want to help me make breakfast? We can bring it up to Emily and do breakfast in bed."

"Yeah!"

"Shh. No yelling."

"Sorry."

Elizabeth smiled and passed him a bowl. "Know how to crack an egg?"

Of course he did, in the same messy way most children did, but it was fun. The two went simple with an omelet and toast, nothing extraordinary. Elizabeth used the opportunity to get to know Nate.

She asked about little things first like his favorite things, the stuffed dog he carried around, and the normal get to know you questions before jumping into the harder stuff.

"So, you have two dads?" Subtle…

"Uh huh."

"What's that like?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, not realizing that having two dads was any different than everyone else who had a mom and a dad or two moms even.

"Never mind," she said. "You ever see your mom?"

"My mom?" he questioned.

"Yeah. Do you see her often?"

He looked at her like she was crazy and Elizabeth didn't know if that was because Emily was his mom and he thought she should know that or if he just had no idea where she was going with any of it. Anyway, he answered vaguely in a way that didn't tell her anything either way.

"Can we go take this to her now?"

"Yes. I found a tray. It's on the table. Grab it please. Careful with the arm"

When the tray was ready, they loaded it with the three plates and drinks. Elizabeth carefully carried it upstairs with Nate helping her.

Emily was very surprised to be woken up to breakfast in bed. "Wow, you did all this?" she asked Nate.

"Me and your mom," he responded. "And it's yummy."

"Thank you. Thanks Mom." Emily began to eat before asking her mother if she would join them. "The more the merrier on the bed, Mom."

Elizabeth was hesitant only because she was enjoying watching, truly observing, the two interacting. Emily was so natural with him and it only increased her suspicious thoughts. She did join them, though, sitting on the opposite side of Emily, next to Nate as not to hit her leg. While eating, she watched them both carefully, looking for similarities in their movement, of which, she found many, and resemblances, of which, she also found some. But she had to wonder if she was seeing something that wasn't there because that was what she thought she should see or if it was really there. The only way to know was for Emily to tell her.

"You ok, Mom?"

"Perfect," she said. "I'm going to go clean up."

"You don't need to. I can handle it."

"No. The two of you should get dressed while I clean up. I can take care of it. It's no problem."

"If you're sure," Emily said, somewhat disbelievingly.

"I am. Now, get dressed. It's a beautiful day out today and I know there's a little boy who has been dying to get out there."

Emily didn't know how to feel about her mother weaving herself into the web, but she was grateful for the help. Being hurt and trying to be on the run with a kid was harder than she thought. At least when she did that with Declan, everyone was safe, and Louise was there to help. Then, as much as she loved Declan, she was able to separate herself from him. She left the mothering and care mostly to Louise. She was just a spy helping a little boy.

Stop thinking about that… she chastised. No way did she want to think about anything Doyle right now.

Nate caught her attention as he started running down the stairs. The broken arm wasn't slowing him down one bit. Emily struggled behind him. Crutches didn't make stairs any easier, just more of an obstacle, but once she was down, she joined them on the back deck.

Emily immediately reiterated the rules. He could play, just be mindful of his injuries and stay in the yard where she could see him. No going past the water. She didn't want to limit him too much. They were secluded and safe, and he should have a chance to run and play like any kid. The only thing she regretted was that she wasn't up to playing with him, but there was plenty to keep him busy.

"So, we need to have a chat," Elizabeth broke Emily's trance. Her eyes were fixated on Nate before her mother spoke.

"About?"

"About last night and what you said."

Emily thought back in confusion. She remembered the doctor giving her a shot of something, even remembered her mother helping her and Nate to bed, but she didn't remember anything they talked about.

"We talked last night?"

Distrustfully, Elizabeth asked, "You don't remember?"

"No… What did I say? Was it embarrassing? I knew I should have said no to the medicine. How bad was it?"

"You honestly don't remember?"

Elizabeth needed to make sure this wasn't some kind of ploy. She didn't want to go about this the wrong way. She didn't want to confront Emily. Rather, she hoped Emily would bring it up. Now, either her daughter was faking a drug induced fog to keep what she said hidden and hope Elizabeth let it go, or she truly didn't remember.

"No. I remember you helping me to bed and then we said goodnight."

I should have known she was out of it when she called me Mommy, Elizabeth thought. "Ok. And don't worry. You didn't say or do anything embarrassing."

"Good. Then what did you want to talk about?"

"I just wanted to know how you came to be involved in all of this."

"I told you. James came to me for help. He, Nate, and Vince were in trouble and they turned to me. I couldn't say no. I wouldn't."

Elizabeth sighed. "I know. Why is he here with you though? How come he wasn't with them?"

"We were separating when they were attacked. I promised to take Nate to safety, and we were all supposed to meet up later."

"Emily, correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't it been years since you and James have talked. You never told me what happened or that anything happened, but he used to come with you for an occasional visit and then, nothing. I hadn't heard from him and you didn't speak of him, so I assumed something happened and that you lost touch."

"I… It's complicated and I really don't want to get into it now," Emily said with an air of finality.

"Ok…" Elizabeth had to let it go. She would find another way to get the information. She snuck in a few more questions attempting, again, to lead into the deeper questions, but, like with Nate, it wasn't working. Before she could even try to ask about anything else, Nate came running up asking if he could please go fishing. They found poles in the mud room.

Emily, wanting him to have fun, gave in and even braved the patio steps and uneven terrain to fish with him. Elizabeth watched on, happy to be the observer. She missed a lot of time in her daughter's life, but being a part of these little, seemingly inconsequential, moments made her happy. It made her realize what she missed out on with Emily and it made her realize that, should Emily make her a grandmother, she would very much like to take a more active role.

"Why are you smiling?" Emily asked when she returned later.

"I like seeing you with him."

"Yeah?" Emily smiled.

"Yeah. It's nice to see you with kids."

"Don't go getting any ideas."

"You never think about it?"

"About having kids?" Emily asked. Her mother nodded. "I'm a little old, don't you think?"

"Nonsense. Women are having babies well into their forties these days. I'm sure it could happen if you wanted it to. Money can help with doctors if need be."

"I'm not in a relationship, Mom. So, you're jumping the gun a little here."

"So, you have thought about it?"

Emily shrugged and said, "Doesn't every woman think about it in one way or another?"

"I suppose," Elizabeth agreed. "You know, you don't need to be in a relationship to have kids."

Trying to steer the conversation away from the topic and knowing a way to get her mom on board with that as well, Emily joked, "Are you telling me I should go sleep with the first man I see and ask him for a little donation?"

"Absolutely not!" Elizabeth was aghast. "I would never suggest such a thing."

Laughing, Emily just said that she knew her mother wouldn't. "Don't worry, ok. I don't want to think about this right now. I have too much going on as it is."

"I understand."

"Good. And I also have a hungry kid and sore leg, so want to help me out of this chair? I need to make him lunch."

"Sure. I'll join you."

Elizabeth helped her up and guided her into the kitchen after Emily told Nate not to leave that spot and call if he needed anything. They cooked together seamlessly and called Nate back in for food. As soon as he was finished, he asked to go back out.

"Sure," Emily said. "But not for too long."

"Ok."

It didn't take him long to run out and Elizabeth to take over the cleaning. As she did, though, Emily thought it was time to address something.

"Emily, I was thinking that later Nate and I can watch a movie while you finally take your bath."

"I'm not sure about that."

"No. Why not?"

"Mom, I really appreciate all you've done for me… Honestly, it has been great and it helped me really see that you are there for me, something we've both had issues with in the past, but you need to go."

"What? But Emily. I can stay. You need help, and I can provide that."

"I know, Mom. Trust me. Whatever you may think, this isn't me trying to get rid of you. I've… I've actually liked having you here, but you still can't stay."

"I still don't understand."

"My friends have checked in with you, that means that they're probably tracking your movements and looking for any changes. You already broke your pattern by setting up everything for us, then again yesterday for shopping and then again by staying here. If the team is tracking you, you can lead them here."

"Would that be so bad?"

"No. No it wouldn't. But they're not the only ones trying to find me and Nate. There are bad people out there and, until I can figure out how to deal with that, I don't want to bring them all in and lead everyone to Nate. I don't want to lead them to you either. On top of that, I have a little boy out there who is about to get some very bad news. I need to tell him about Vince, and I think it's best that we're alone."

Sadly, Elizabeth did understand the protectiveness. "Ok. I'll go, but please reach out Emily. Now that I know what's going on, all I'm going to do is worry."

"You have a burner phone and you have the number to mine. We can check in. I promise. I didn't want you involved in this, Mom, but I am glad that you've been here."

"Me too," Elizabeth responded, hugging her daughter. "I guess I should go now. I'm just going to say goodbye to Nate if that's ok."

"Go ahead."

Nate was sad to see her go, but happy to have Emily all to himself again. Though, Emily had a feeling that wouldn't be the case for long. Before she left, Emily made sure to tell her mom to up her security. She knew that her mother was resourceful and could get from point a to point b with minimal trace, but she also needed to be cautious. Elizabeth agreed, though was angered when Emily didn't want any hired guards for her and Nate.

"I'd love the help protecting us, but how suspicious would that look?"

Elizabeth knew better than to fight her daughter, especially when things were going so well between them. Honestly, she understood on some level. She wanted Emily safe, but she was already at risk just because she was there with them.

Later that evening, as the sun was just beginning to set, Emily told herself it was now or never. She promised him that when she knew what was going on, she'd tell him, and she didn't want to lie about that.

"There's something we need to talk about, Nate."

"What?" His big, curious eyes were staring into hers.

"Come over here. Sit by me." She patted the lounge chair next to hers.

"What's the matter? You look sad."

"I am sad," she told him, honestly. "Something happened."

"What?"

"I promised you that I'd try to find out what happened with your dads."

Happily, he asked, "Did you do it?"

"I found out what I could."

"Where are they? Are they ok?" he eagerly questioned.

She looked away from him and took a long, deep breath. "No Nate. Your daddy, James, he's in the hospital. He got hurt very badly and had to have some surgery."

"But he'll be ok?" His hopefulness was tearing her apart.

"His brain was hurt, Nate. The doctors are going to do everything they can, but he's in a coma. Do you know what that means?"

He shook his head, no.

"It means that his body is making him sleep all the time so that it could try and get better."

"So he's going to get better? He's going to wake up and be ok."

"He's going to fight his hardest. I know that."

"When can I see him?"

"I don't know, Nate. It's not safe to leave here right now and your dad can't be moved."

"What about my other dad?"

"Oh Nate… Vince… Your dad… He…" Just spit it out. "He died, Nate."

"What?" His already glassy eyes were shaking with tears.

Emily reached out to him, but he didn't even feel it.

"I don't know the details, but he was hurt, and his body couldn't handle it anymore. He went to heaven."

"He… He's gone? But I… I want to see him. I want my dad. I want both of my dads. He's not dead. He's not!"

"Nate…"

"He's not dead!"

Emily tried to reach out to him again, to offer him much needed comfort, but he pushed her away, nearly knocking her back into her seat before running off. He was in pain. She knew that, but she didn't know if she should give him space or go after him. In the end, going after him won out. Since she heard him run up the stairs, he'd still get a little space.

She made her way up there slowly, giving both her and Nate time to process. Emily hesitated at the door. She had been holding in her own grief for some time. Despite their differences and the anger and resentment between them, they also had a unique love and respect for each other. Any chance of working on that part of their relationship more was gone. So, now she was going into Nate's room with a heavy, saddened heart, broken for Nate losing his father and for her losing a friend.

"Nate?" She knocked on the door. "I'm coming in."

"Go away," he yelled as she opened the door. "I don't believe you. My dad's not dead and you're mean." He emphasized his displeasure by throwing the pillows from the bed at her.

"Nate. Please stop."

"No!" He continued to throw pillows at her.

Emily pushed through the attack until she was next to him on the bed. He was now lying face down, head buried in the mattress as he cried. Her hand rubbed his back. "I'm so sorry, Nate. I'm so sorry."

He finally looked to her. "I don't want him to be dead. I want both my dads forever and ever. Please. Please. I want my dads."

Emily cried with him, pulling him into her arms. They stayed there in his bed, Emily holding him tightly and telling him that she was sorry, that she would do what she could to get him James back.

"You're not alone, Nate. I wish I could bring him back for you. I really do. And I'm so sorry, but remember that you're not alone, no matter what."

Nate said nothing back but returned the hug and sunk into her arms. The two of them stayed there for the rest of the night. Nate cried until he fell asleep and Emily just held him, desperately trying to keep herself together for him.

This battle, this… whatever it was, was taking a huge toll on them. They weren't unscathed. And now, Emily realized that she had to take the risk. She reached out to her mother, and that helped, but she still needed more. She needed people in her corner to give her the reach that she didn't have in hiding.

So, in the late hours of the night, while Nate was sound asleep, Emily made her first attempt at contact with the outside world beyond her mother. It would take a day or so for the package to arrive, but when it did, she had no doubt that the recipient would be able to figure out what it meant and get in contact with her.

But it would be a hard few days before that happened. Nate continued to struggle as did Emily. It was just a sad time full of mourning and pain. Emily tried to keep them both busy, minds occupied, and well taken care of. It worked sometimes, and sometimes it just made Nate think of his fathers more. She was hoping though, that, once she had the team helping her, they would be able to take down the Bardolino family and get Nate to James, so at least he could see his father.