The sudden pounding noise awoke both Emma and Manny immediately. They'd both fallen asleep on the couch about an hour ago to some black and white movie that played on TV Land. It was all part of their "Monday Movie Night Extravaganza" but this sudden visitor was unexpected. They looked to each other questionably.
"Who's that at this time?" Manny asked in a dazed voice.
"I don't know," Emma pushed the blanket from her legs and stood from the couch.
"Em, who's that?" Came her mom and Snake, blundering down the steps.
"I don't know," she repeated. Snake ordered for everyone to stay back and keep quiet. He slowly walked to the door.
"Who is it?" he asked in a deep, stern voice.
"Who do yah think?" the familiar voice responded.
"Sean?" he said.
"Sean?" both Emma and Manny repeated. Snake unlocked the door and pulled it open. Sure enough, there he stood; duffle bag in hand.
"Hey!" the boy greeted.
"Uh, hey." Was all Snake could muster up. Not that he wasn't glad to see him, he was just certain that he was supposed to be somewhere else.
"Sean?" Emma said, slowly approaching him.
"Hey Em," Sean entered the house and dropped his bag.
"Um, what are you doing here?" she asked.
"Yeah," Snake began as he closed the door. "I was about to ask the same thing."
"What do you mean? I'm back here."
"Yeah, but you kinda aren't supposed to be." Manny said. "Not that we'd rather you be there, it's just…"
"The army," came Spike.
"Yeah, unless you died and you're a ghost." Manny added.
"No, it's me. They, uh, they deported me back." Sean explained. Questionable looks still flew around the room. "I'm staying… for good."
"Um, wow… that's uh. Wow Sean, great." Emma hugged him. "That's great."
"You're serious? You're really back," Manny asked unsurely.
"Yeah," Sean said. It wasn't long until the little brunette joined the hug.
Neither Snake nor Spike were completely sold on Sean's explanation for his sudden return. They both gave each other looks.
…
"Okay, I know it's like midnight and my dad's probably gonna kill me when I get home, but I haven't seen you in forever. So you, me and Em have to go do something."
"Manny, what is there to do?" Sean laughed.
"I don't know; let's get a bite at one of those all night diners," the girl suggested.
Spike and Snake had relocated in the kitchen as the kids settled in the living room.
"Are you buying this?" Spike finally said. It took Snake a minute to respond.
"I don't know, I mean… I'm glad he's back, but… the army just doesn't deport soldiers back home. My brother served for a while; I should know at least that much."
"Yeah. What do you think happened? How did he… how could he have…"
"I don't know, I just hate to think he's a deserter."
"Should we talk to him?"
"Of course. We're gonna have to, but not now. Let 'em settle in for a while. Get something to eat with the girls; maybe a little rest. We'll talk to him about it eventually."
"Archie, if he's deserted the army then he's broken a law. Maybe a dozen. He could go to jail for life."
"I know, which is why we shouldn't come at him full on with this. Give him some time. We'll talk to him."
"Hey, we're headed out for a quick bite." Emma poked into the kitchen.
"Alright sweetie, be careful." Spike assured.
"What's going on with the long faces?" Emma asked. "Everything alright?"
"Just fine, Em. Go have fun," Snake said, almost as an order.
"Okay." Emma left the kitchen and she, Manny and Sean were out the door shortly after.
"Archie," Spike murmured.
"We'll talk to him," Snake reassured. Although he knew his wife wasn't in full agreement with his plan… and he wasn't too confident in it as well.
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