Chapter 29: A House of Unhappiness

The surgery finished without a hitch. Once she was able to eat and walk a bit on crutches, she was free to go. As promised, Emily was back at the apartment by the time school let out. Elizabeth and Hotch were there to take care of her, even upon her insistence that they didn't.

She was given medication to take and strict instructions to take it easy. She was to use the crutches all the time and wasn't even allowed to shower for at least 48 hours. Still, it felt like there was so much she needed to do and being laid up wouldn't help.

"Stop," Hotch hissed after the third time Emily tried to get up off the couch where she said she wanted to be. He set it up so she could put her feet up on a pillow atop the coffee table and be comfortable, and still she kept trying to go somewhere. "You really don't know how to relax, do you?"

"Have you looked at your life, Hotch? Mr. Business all the time. I don't think relax is in your vocabulary."

"I've adjusted." He patted her good leg. "You need to, too. If you need something, let me know. You're supposed to take it easy for today."

"Fine. At least send my mother home."

"Yeah. I'm not doing that," he told her. "You're going to need to send her packing if you want her gone."

"Thanks a lot," she quipped, throwing her body back into the cushions. "I have things to do and your hovering isn't helping."

"Emily, it's one afternoon. You can stay here for one afternoon without a laundry list of things to do. What's so important?"

"I want to check in with the hospital about James."

"Your mother was with him for a few hours. He's fine. No change, but they're getting him on a regular therapy schedule. Elizabeth told him about your surgery and that you wouldn't be there to see him today. I called Dave when we left. He's going to spend some time getting to know James as soon as he's done at the office. You don't need to worry about him for now."

Groaning, she said, "Fine. I'll stay here like a good little girl."

"Narcotics make you irritable. Good to know," Hotch said. "Tell me what you want to do, and I'll bring it to you."

"My computer. I need my computer."

"Alright. I'll get that for you before I leave to get the boys. Your mother is in your room."

"Doing what?"

"Don't ask me," he said holding his hands up.

"Well go find out." He looked reluctant. "Come on. You won't let me do it, so you have to."

"No, I think I'll hold off on that. Stay here," he teased as he walked away.

Truthfully, Elizabeth was making sure Emily's room didn't have anything on the ground she could easily trip over, something he already assured her was taken care of, and getting out some more comfortable clothes for her daughter. It was nothing to worry about, but it was fun to tease Emily. Maybe a little mean.

Hotch got Emily her computer and a book she kept on her bedside table.

"I'm going to the bus stop to meet the boys. Be nice to your mother."

"Yes, please be nice to your mother," Elizabeth added, coming back into the room. "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on her, and then I'll be out of your hair."

"Mom… I…"

Hotch slipped out as they talked.

"It's ok, Emily. I understand. Even as a child I was never who you went to for comfort."

"I don't really need comfort, Mom. I'm just… I really am thankful you're here and for all your help with everything."

Elizabeth smiled almost longingly, like she was looking at Emily as her small child rather than the adult she was.

"I'm just glad you allowed me to be there this time."

"Can you do one more thing for me?"

"What?"

"Can you check in on James sometimes, during the week when I can't get there?"

"Of course."

"And then, when Hotch gets back, go home. I'm fine and I'm just going to rest like doctors ordered."

"Emily –"

"Really. I'll be fine here with Hotch and the boys. I have a feeling Nate is going to be a little overprotective anyway."

"I can help out."

"I know, Mom, and I promise to call if I need anything, but I really am just going to have a quiet evening with Nate. I don't plan to do anything."

"If you're sure," Elizabeth said.

Emily was. Having her mother around and getting along was great, but that didn't mean she wanted her around all the time either. What kid did?

When Hotch returned with the boys, Nate ran to greet Emily. He had been anxious all day and needed visual reassurance that she was ok. He asked her about the surgery, Jack at his side looking for the same answers.

"Everything is fine. I'm doing good. I'm just going to rest a little until I can start physical therapy. I'll be good as new in no time."

"Until then, though," Hotch told them, "You two need to help her with things around the house when I'm not around to do it."

"Ok, Dad," Jack agreed.

"I always help. I like to help," Nate said.

"You are both great helpers."

"I'm going to start dinner," Hotch said. "Be careful with Emily's leg."

Hotch began dinner, Jack following shortly after to help and giving Emily, Nate, and Elizabeth a moment. Elizabeth just wanted to see Nate before taking off. She thought, after hearing how he reacted to news of his father's condition, a little update would be nice. It didn't really do much, but it didn't hurt either.

"Call me, Dear. Anytime. Ok?"

"Ok, Mom. Thank you. Drive safely."

Elizabeth waved goodbye to Hotch and Jack on the way out.

Just the two of them, Nate asked, "Are you going to be ok now?"

"What, my leg? Yes. Definitely. The surgery went well. Now I just have to wait for the procedure site to heal and then start on making it like normal again."

"No more surgeries?"

"Not if I can help it," she assured.

"I'm really happy you're here with me."

"I'm happy to be here with you, Nate."

"Dinner," Hotch called from the other room.

"Help me up?" Emily asked. Nate was happy to oblige. He offered her his hands and she hoisted herself up, grabbing the crutches.

They had a nice dinner and the guys were extremely helpful with everything. Not just the ones she was staying with, but everyone in her life.

The first few days of Emily's recovery were the calm before the storm. Emily took it easy. The only walking she could do was with crutches and the only exercises she could perform were toe touches to stretch out. Everyone waited on her like she was a fragile doll. They wanted to take care of her, and she tried to let them. Nate and the Hotchner boys were very attentive. They made life easier, as did her friends who seemed to be over every day. She didn't know if they were there to babysit or just be with her. Either way, she imagined Garcia set up one of her visit charts assigning people days.

But as her rehab program progressed and James' started really going into effect, things got harder.

The surgery was over a month ago now, and life had changed for Emily and Nate in that time. She spent those four weeks running herself ragged doing everything for everyone, trying and failing not to neglect her own needs. She was intently focused on being everything everyone needed while working her own recovery and rehab plan.

Her daily routine generally consisted of a 6 am wake up call, lunch making, breakfast for everyone, and taking the boys to the bus before seeing Hotch off. It was all very domestic. It was only missing a peck on the cheek and a, "Goodbye, Honey. Have a great day at work." She didn't mind the mundane of it all.

Having the place to herself, she would start her home exercises, keeping up with her regime. When that was done, it was shower and off to the hospital where she would go with James to his multiple therapy sessions. Speech and occupational therapy followed by light strength and mobility exercises which Emily usually did with him to both help support him and work on herself. Once afternoon hit, she was back at the apartment to be there when the boys got home, make dinner, and just try to keep up with everyone. Then soccer practices, games, and school events started creeping in.

Between all of that, there was dealing with her life back in London, her job, apartment, and expenses, as well as meetings with James' doctors and follow ups with her own doctors. Her recovery was going well. James' could have been going better. With him, it just depended on the day. His moods fluctuated and so did his enthusiasm for getting better. When his mood was good, he fought hard, when it wasn't, he barely did much at all.

Emily was just trying her best. They all were. But things weren't easy. Nate was having a rough go of it. It started after the first time he really spent time with James.

The Sunday after her surgery, Emily approached Nate about visiting his dad. Nate seemed hesitant to go, even when she asked if he wanted to go with her the day before. So, she talked with him. She told Nate that, whatever was happening with James, he was still his father. If he was nervous or even afraid, that was ok, but they couldn't avoid him forever.

"Ok… We can go see him. I don't want him to be sad because he misses me," he replied.

"Good."

Emily had Nate get ready to go and told Hotch about her plans.

"Is this a good idea?" he asked.

"I have no idea, but I have a man who wants to see his son and needs something to fight for and a boy who is afraid, but still needs his father."

"He knows about Vince, right? James, I mean?"

"Yes."

"How did he take it?"

"I think he knew all along, just didn't want to face it. I brought it up with him and… It wasn't good. He was emotional, which was expected, but then nothing. I don't know. It was weird. Different. I think seeing Nate will help him, but I don't know whether seeing James is the right thing for Nate."

Though she knew he couldn't avoid his father, Emily also worried about his reaction.

"Everything will be fine," he told her. "I can come with you if you'd like."

"No… Absolutely not. You've done a lot for me, but now you and Jack need a day free of us. Do your father-son thing. Go out and have some fun before the next case comes or life gets too busy. I have this covered."

"I think I'll do that. Call if you need anything."

They all left at the same time, Jack and Hotch going to a nearby bowling alley, something he hadn't done in ages, while Emily and Nate went to the hospital.

Nate was antsy. He knew what Emily told him and tried to tell himself that it was still his father underneath the gruffness. That didn't stop him from being scared. When they went into the room, his father still looked the same, just like he had from the first time he saw him in the hospital. In other ways, he wasn't the same at all.

James was resting when they came in. He just finished with some of his therapies before they arrived. Nate was being shy, which was not at all usual, not with James.

Emily quietly told him, "It's ok. Say hi. You can talk to him. Remember what I told you. He can still understand you. It just might be hard for him to respond."

"I know," Nate answered, but he seemed uncertain.

Nate approached his father as Emily stayed back to observe. She silently prayed it went well, but she had a sinking feeling growing in her gut. When he went to James' left side, she was relieved. The damage that caused the aphasia also left him with extreme weakness in his right arm and leg. The doctors said the two things were commonly found together. James was weak all over from the coma, but that side was much worse. Thankfully, he was a lefty.

"Hi Dad," Nate started.

James used his hand to give a soft wave.

"Emily says you're going to be in the hospital longer trying to get better. You don't have to worry about me. Emily and I are living with our friends. Hotch and Jack."

Emily watched James' face contort in confusion and something she couldn't quite identify at first.

"Jack is my best friend. I've never had a real best friend. We even share a room. He took the top bunk because I had a broken arm and couldn't climb up."

James looked at Emily. She didn't tell him about the arm, and he didn't wake up until the cast was off.

Things seemed to snowball from there.

Nate, oblivious to the growing tension between the adults, kept talking and James became angrier. It didn't help that every time he tried to talk, the wrong thing came out. It was worse when he was stressed, and he was stressed then.

He tried to yell at Emily, causing Nate to jump.

"What's wrong?" he asked with big, wide, scared eyes. "Are you ok, Dad?"

A sting of random words came flying out of his mouth, louder and louder.

It was a flurry of emotion directed at both Nate and Emily. He was upset at Emily for keeping things about Nate from him and upset at Nate for just… He wasn't sure. For being happy, maybe. Happy in his life without him or Vince. Happy with Emily and his new network of people. He felt like he was being replaced and that feeling wasn't going away.

Nate talked with him, trying to understand and reason with his father, but that fueled the anger and Nate became more afraid.

That man who was yelling at him and Emily, that wasn't his father.

James, though weak, had a grip on Nate's arm. The boy pulled away and ran out of the room before Emily could even react to his movement.

"Nice job," Emily hissed at James, scowling and rushing after Nate.

He was still yelling as she left, scuttling after Nate and finding him huddling in a corner, practically shaking.

"Nate, it's ok. I'm sorry that happened. You're ok now."

Sniffling, he shook his head and looked at her in a way he never had. "I don't want to go back. I don't ever want to come back," Nate cried. Tears were pouring out of his eyes.

They didn't go back after that. Nate hadn't, not until the aphasia lessened. That was also when James was more determined than ever to get better, especially after Emily paid him a solo visit.

Emily took a few days before returning to see James again. In the interim, she asked her mother to visit with him so that he wouldn't feel alone. She just needed a little time. When she went home with Nate, the boy was distraught and sullen. That hadn't exactly gotten much better.

Still upset, she met him at one of his therapy sessions, getting there before it began.

"James," Emily tried to get his attention. "Hi."

He waved. At least he had the wherewithal to look ashamed. He pointed to his communications card at the phrase, "How are you?"

"I've been better," she said, honestly. "And we need to talk. By we, I mean that I need to say something, and you need to listen."

He nodded.

"What happened the other day can't happen again. Nate is terrified. All he wanted while you were in a coma was to have you back. He finally does and that's how you act?"

She was aware that it was possible he had a personality change. Things like that happened with comas and brain damage, but, whether he was now just a moodier person, that behavior was unacceptable.

"I had to comfort a crying little boy who just wanted to see his dad. He is your son, James. Ourson. I know you don't like that fact right now because I'm the one taking care of him day in and day out while you can't. But you chose me for a reason. In your will, you stipulated that he go to me if you and Vince couldn't take care of him. Well, guess what. Neither of you could! Vince is dead. He's not coming back. Nate had to deal with that without you. Now, you treat him like that. And why? Because you are upset about his living situation? This is life. My life."

She sighed. Now she was just venting, but she needed to get it out.

"I gave up everything to help you and take care of Nate. And I don't regret it, but you can't be upset because Nate is happy with me."

He tried to say something, but Emily stopped him.

"No. Let me finish. Nate is happy and healthy, and he has been through a lot. Now, I have him settled. He has friends and goes to school. He's playing soccer. He's an amazing, normal kid. And now he needs his dad back. He needs you to stop pitying yourself and start focusing on your recovery. What happened sucks, but you can't lash out at him."

He pointed to the card that said, "I'm sorry."

"I know you are. I forgive you. This time. It's going to take time with Nate, though. He doesn't want to come back."

She could see tears start to form in James' eyes.

"But he will eventually, and when he does, you better show him that you're trying. I need you to try to get better. Do your rehab. Follow doctor's orders, and, hopefully, when Nate is ready to see you, you'll be ready to see him too."

He looked at her with sad eyes full of determination, and when the therapist came in asking if he was ready to get started, he nodded and answered, "Red… Red." They both knew he meant ready. He wanted to get better. He didn't want to be frustrated all the time.

After that, James made good progress in his speech as time went by, something the doctors said was promising. If he hadn't shown significant change within the first three months, it was unlikely he would ever recover from the aphasia. It was good, but it still wasn't enough to make Nate return, no matter how much Emily tried to convince him, until it was clear he was going to be discharged from the hospital soon.

Emily didn't know what to do. It had been two weeks since Nate even asked about his father. She could see he was acting like he wasn't even around. Maybe it was a coping mechanism, but it wasn't healthy. He wanted his father. She knew he did, but he didn't even want to talk about him.

Hotch told her she needed to just let him go through what he was going through. She couldn't force it. Sitting around with JJ, catching up as the boys played, she told her the same thing.

"I have to do something, don't I? That's his father. A week ago, he wanted nothing more than to have James back. Now, he's clingier than ever and doesn't even like when I bring up James."

"He's scared."

"Obviously," Emily hissed. She was frustrated. She could deal with anything, but a sad child, a sad child that was hers, was new terrain.

"You just have to let him be. He'll come to you when he's ready. Right now, he's not ready to deal with it."

"But he's so… He's all over me. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but he's usually so independent."

"He's still a kid. Independent or not. And kids like to have a constant. You're his."

That made sense to her. Nate needed her to stick around, and she planned to, but she wanted him to have no regrets later in life where his father was concerned.

"I shouldn't do anything?"

"No. Let it play out. If there comes a time when something changes, then you bring it up."

Emily was thankful for the motherly advice. Parenting was hard…

She followed their advice and let Nate come to terms on his own. Eventually, after a few weeks of pretending his father didn't exist, but going on as normal, he asked about his dad. When Emily told him he made progress, he was willing to at least talk. But then things accelerated much more quickly.

Now here she was, staying in the Hadley house with James and Nate, no Hotch or Jack around and a whole mess of responsibility sitting on her shoulders. Emily had no idea how she ended up there. Yes, she did. James asked her.

Just a few weeks ago, the hospital said he was just about ready for discharge once the next phase of his care was set up. The doctor approached her about continuing his care in a way they couldn't support for him there. They recommended a care facility that specialized in brain injuries and rehabilitation. Emily, though she didn't want to send her friend away, thought it was a great idea. It was just what James needed, specialized around the clock care that gave him the best shot at recovery.

He made it clear it wasn't what he wanted. James, who had been able to communicate almost completely normally with writing and who was starting to speak in a way that made much more sense, was not happy about the potential situation.

He begged and pleaded with her to help him, to not send him away.

I need to be around for Nate. I need to get better and I can't that far away, he wrote. I already missed so much. That was what she wanted to hear from him, that he wanted to get better and be around for his son. He was playing on her emotions and guilt.

And it seemed he had an answer for everything. When she asked how that was possible when she didn't have their own place to stay, he offered his house. He owned it. They could stay there.

Exasperated, tired, and just worn down, Emily said yes. She should have thought on it. She should have said no, but she didn't. She couldn't. What happened wasn't her fault, but there would always be a part of her that wondered whether she could have done something to help them.

The three of them had been working so hard to make things better. Nate helped Emily with her rehab and Emily helped James with his. Nate finally started speaking with his father… Sending him away and separating them again didn't seem fair. It wouldn't feel right, but this didn't feel right either. Her friends seemed to be on that page too.

Emily went straight home after James convinced her to move into his house with Nate and help him out.

Hotch was there, having just returned from a case that morning. She entered the apartment in a fog, and he noticed as soon as she was in sight.

"What happened? Are you ok?"

"What?" Emily looked to him on the couch with his coffee and papers. "Yeah. I'm fine. Is there anymore coffee?"

"In the pot," he replied and when she walked to the kitchen, he followed. "What's going on?"

She stayed quiet as she poured herself some coffee.

"James is doing really well."

"That's great, Emily, but your face is telling me that there's something else."

"He's getting out of the hospital soon."

"Wow," he said, shocked. "He's ready for that?"

"Well, he has regained some strength, though he can't walk on his own yet. His speech is much better. It's not perfect, but he gets more words right and is able to write more so we can have conversations. Slower and simplified, but still a major improvement."

"Sounds like it."

He was waiting for whatever had her looking so frazzled. He kindly took her cup and put it on the table for her so that they could sit. She was off crutches, but still needed the brace for a few more weeks.

"He needs to continue his rehab, but the hospital can't keep him there. He's at the point where he can sustain himself out of the hospital and meets their criteria for discharge. He still needs care."

"A rehab center?"

"They recommended a great one in Baltimore."

"So he's going to go there? I can help with the transfer or anything else you might need."

"No…"

"You don't need help?"

"No… He's not going."

"What? Why not?"

Emily told him everything that happened and what James had said. What they agreed to…

"Emily… That's a big decision. You have your own recovery to think about."

"I know…"

"I don't want you jumping into this."

Feeling like she was being chided for her choice and treated like a child, Emily said, "With all due respect, Hotch, it's not really your decision."

"No, maybe not," he calmly said, "But I care enough about you and Nate to say what I think and know you can take it. This is… It's a mistake."

"Why?"

"I will support you if this is really what you think is best, but I also don't think you thought this through. That house is not handicap friendly and James can't walk. He'll need to be driven to the hospital for his therapies for hours each day and he needs constant help. How are you going to do that while caring for yourself and Nate?"

"I don't know, Hotch. But I'll figure it out, and I hope you'll support me like you say."

JJ, Penelope, her mother, hell, even Clyde tried to talk her out of it over the next week, but they all said the same thing as Hotch. They would support her, but she had to keep taking care of herself. Derek was the most helpful even if he was reluctant.

"Em… are you sure about this?"

"Will you do it or not, Derek?"

"I'll do it, but are you sure?"

"I'm… Yes. This is what I need to do. I need to help him, and Nate needs this. He needs to be around his dad, especially now that they're on good terms again."

"Then tell me what you need."

"I need the house to be handicap friendly. Neither of us can do stairs, so James and I will need to be downstairs."

She asked Derek to help do whatever he could over the next week to make the house James and Emily proof. The small room on the bottom floor would be hers, and a bed would be put in the living room for James. That would give him easy access to everything.

"I can ask Hotch to help, maybe Reid, and get some of my guys that help with my properties to work on this. I'll set up a ramp for the wheelchair and everything."

"Thank you."

"You're really sure about this?"

I have to be, she thought. "Yes." No…

Despite all their logic, which she shared, Emily's emotions won out. Maybe it was a crazy notion that Nate needed both her and James in the same house, getting better together and growing as a family. Like she was giving him the best shot at the American dream, however misguided that was. Or maybe it was the guilt she felt for Vince's death, for James' situation, and for not being a part of Nate's life all along… Whatever it was, she agreed.

It was disastrous.

Nate agreed to it, which was a stipulation that she made clear to James. If he wasn't ok with it, it was a no-go. But he was. Of course, he was. He saw that his dad was more the man he once knew. He wasn't scary when Nate saw him, and he was working hard. So, once he asked Emily if he could still go to his school and see his friends, and she promised he could, then Nate was on board. It was still hard. Keeping her promise put an extra thirty-minute commute on her schedule twice a day using the driver to bring him to and pick him up from school.

That was the least of her worries, though. For Nate, she would travel an extra hour each day, no problem, but things at the house were tense between her and James.

Within the first few days, it was clear that James had a personality shift. It wasn't completely unexpected, but his moods were sometimes unbearable and so unpredictable. When he got frustrated, everyone had to suffer with him. A little over a week with him, and it was like they experienced the full spectrum.

It took some getting used to, and, while James seemed to be content with his new living arrangements, Emily and Nate were less so. While James could sleep through anything, Emily woke up with every sound. She and Nate had to wake up about an hour earlier than they were used to just to get him to school on time. It took some adjusting. For the most part, Nate didn't mind any of the changes. Not at first… He was happy to have both Emily and his dad around, especially when things were calm. Emily tried to keep them calm around Nate all the time, but he caught on with time.

At night, a nurse came. He stayed overnight and helped James if he had to get up and go to the bathroom and looked for any signs that something was wrong. During the day, after two nurses quit on them, everything was on Emily. Not only was it a lot of responsibility, but it was a lot of work, especially for someone who didn't have her normal strength, or the ability to bear the extra weight without aid. Her mother offered to hire a day nurse again, and Emily was tempted, but it was hard to accept that they needed more help and allow more people into their dysfunction. There were enough changes as it was.

One thing was for sure, though. If they hadn't had a driver, Emily would have been dead in the water. In only a little more than a week, her life had become nothing but chores and doctor appointments. She stopped going to her own PT appointments, opting instead to just do it when she could at the house. The therapist was as ok with that as possible if it actually got done.

There was just so much to do and so little time to do it all. Emily's life was a balancing act. She and Nate missed living with Hotch and Jack. She missed having Hotch to talk to, to share thoughts with and be comforted by. Nate missed his best friend. She missed the long talks she had with her friends, even on the phone. Now, she didn't answer calls because she usually had her hands full and was down to just randomly replying to messages when the chance arose.

It was like everyday a different person would leave a message.

"Hi Em, it's JJ. Call me. Henry wants to see Nate and we can have a girl's day. I know you're busy, but you need a break too. Anyway, I want to see how you're doing. How's the knee? Talk soon. Bye."

Hotch and her mother stopped by a time or two, but the team got called away on a case. Still, the messages came. First from Derek, then Dave, Penelope just tried every day, and Spencer too. She didn't mean to ignore them, but something always came up when they called or when she was about to call them.

It frustrated her to hear from her friends and know she was neglecting them. It made her question what she was doing and feel bad. She was just sucked into a bubble that consumed all of her. She was teetering between being a good parent for Nate, helping James so he could get back to himself, and work on her knee. She barely had time to shower and sleep. She didn't have time to think about the developing Bardolino case. She didn't have time for anything.

Honestly, she didn't know how she would keep up the momentum if she already felt like she was falling apart. All she wanted was for Nate to be happy, and, though it was difficult, he seemed happy to have his father around. She thought knowing that would make it easier, but all it did was put pressure on her. It wasn't going well. She wasn't doing a good job, and, often, she just wanted to curl up in a ball and quit. She wanted to quit, but she pushed through.

She was doing her best. Right now, that was all she could offer. Thankfully, it was Friday, approaching the second week James had been home. She was going to get out of the house for a little while, just her and Nate. There was a Parent-Teacher conference now that the kids had been in school long enough to get into the swing of the school year, even approaching the midway point of the first marking period. Nate was looking forward to it. He loved his teachers. He loved learning, and he loved that he made a group of friends.

Emily was excited to meet with everyone and really, just happy to be out of the house for a few hours.

Freedom to breathe, she thought.

They had just finished dinner. Nate was upstairs finishing up his weekend homework and getting ready while Emily was talking to James about the night.

It had been a rough day for them. James had a bad PT session and the occupational therapist said they had reached a plateau. They had to work harder and try something new.

Emily mentioned at dinner that it was Parent-Teacher night and that she was going. James immediately became agitated. When she noticed, Emily cut dinner a little short and told Nate to go get upstairs to do homework before they left, promising ice cream on the way back from school. That left Emily and James there to talk. She sensed the anger coming.

"You want to talk about it?"

James glowered at her. Yes, he did want to talk about it.

"Tonight is just a conference so parents can meet the teachers and see how the kids are doing. It's not a big deal," she explained.

It was to him, though. He thought he should be the one there and, her fault or not, he was upset that she was the one going.

"My son," he said.

"Yes he is. Nate is your son. You are his father. And I'm the one taking care of him. Don't make this a big deal."

But he was, and he did. There was an exchange between them that quickly became heated. Emily tried to keep her voice down, but James didn't have the same curtesy. To distract herself as they argued, Emily began limping around clearing the table as he yelled, sometimes random things, at her.

When she went over to his side of the table reaching to pick up a plate when his left hand grabbed her wrist with a surprisingly strong grip.

"My son," James repeated.

She felt for him. She really did. All he wanted was for things to be the way they were before. Back when he was happily with Vince and they were raising Nate together, no Emily around at all. On some level, Emily wanted that too. She wanted that for him, but she wouldn't trade her time with Nate.

"He is your son, but he's mine too. You may have spent years denying that, but you left him to me. I take care of him, I love him, and, legally, I am his guardian. So, you need to accept that right now you're not capable of taking care of him and let go of my hand."

He squeezed her tighter before releasing her with a nudge, one that sent her off balance and caused her to tumble into the wall, landing on her leg a little funny.

Emily was stunned as she tried to pull herself up. The next thing she knew, James was making a grunting noise and tossing a glass against the wall on the other side of the room. A quiet settled as the glass shattered. Emily halted her movements, leaning against the wall and staring at the shards of glass on the ground. She took a deep breath and stood.

"I guess you really are working on getting your strength back. Looks like you have some dexterity there. Maybe you can do it in a more constructive way, but hey, at least now we know you can," Emily said in an eerie calm. "Nate, get to the car," she yelled, storming out of the house the best she could.

The nurse would be there any minute and Emily just couldn't be there a minute longer.