Chapter 2

(A/N – In this chapter, a flash back will be italicized. As before, signing is bold, and spoken words are in "quotes".)

When we got home from the hospital, I went to take a shower before I broke the news. I sighed and stepped under the warm mist, my eyes filling with tears.

"Mom? Mommy! I can't hear! I can't hear anything!" I screamed. I pulled at the I.V. in my arm, tears in my eyes. "Mommy? What did they do to me? Why can't I hear you?"

My mother looked at me with blood shot eyes. She had been crying. I saw her write something on a piece of paper, before handing it to me.

'You're deaf honey. Your father threw you into the wall and beat you senseless. You suffered severe brain damage, which effected you're hearing. You may one day get your hearing back, but chances are, you won't. The doctor said there is no way of knowing how much you suffered from the trauma, other than the deafness. Only time will tell.'

I looked at her in shock. "I'll never hear again?" I asked.

She shook her head no.

I shuddered as the memories kept flowing. That was the hardest news any 8 year old girl could take. To lose her hearing, her only way of communicating.

Years later, however, I met Emmett and Daphne. It was an unexpected chance that we met. I was at the park, walking my golden retriever, who had been trained to alert me when a car horn honked, or the doorbell rang, or I was almost hit by a car. The young dog was bright, and at the time, my only friend.

I was throwing her ball around the park when a group of boys from my school came up, shouting and pointing at me. I looked at them in shock, because they were talking far too fast for me to read their lips. Though I had grown very good at reading lips over the last four years. But when people were shouting and speaking fast, it was nearly impossible to catch it all.

When one of the older boys pushed me, I let out a sharp yelp as my wrist snapped under my weight and the force of the shove. The boys laughed and kicked my dog, before turning, their eyes wide with shock. There stood Emmett, his mouth open in what seemed like a scream. Daphne was coming to my side and slowly helped me up, before handing me my dog's leash. The boys took one last look at me, before running as if the devil himself was after them.

Are you okay? Emmett had asked, using his hands. I stared blankly at him, until he mouthed the words. I nodded, though cradled my sprained wrist in my good hand. He took it softly, and ran his hand over it. I flinched when he touched the most painful spot, but didn't pull away. He made me feel safe.

He and Daphne took me home to Melody, Emmett's mother, and through writing and gesturing, I learned their names, that they were also deaf, and a lot of other helpful information.

If it hadn't been for Emmett, I probably never would have learned to sign.

I stepped out of the shower and pulled the plush towel around my thin frame. I hadn't always been thin, five years ago, I was chubby and self conscious. But time with Daphne and Emmett had changed that. From running around all the time, to countless hours exploring and just having fun, I lost the weight and soon began to have guys from both Carlton and Buckner Hall started to try and go out with me. I always refused, because I knew one day, I would have my dream, my Emmett.

I smiled at that thought. Daphne hated me when she found out I was dating Emmett. He was too good for me, she insisted. I proved her wrong. But when Daphne moved to Mission Hills to locate her birth parents, I met Bay Kennish. Now mind you, I love Bay, she's a sweetheart under that hard ass attitude, but she has a major problem with me dating Emmett, it's one thing Daphne and her can agree on. It drives me crazy, because what makes them any better for him than me?

Well, sure, I'm the 'bad girl', I'm the one who has a screwed up life, but what does that have to do with my ability to love? Absolutely nothing. Emmett sees that.

I pulled on my white cotton sweater and a pink, pleated mini-skirt, which actually wasn't too short on me, considering I was only 5'1", it came a few inches shy of my knees. I scrunched my hair, and let it fall against my back. I looked in the mirror and sighed. Make up or no make up, it didn't matter. I was sure I would end up crying by the end of this little meeting.

I slowly walked out of the bathroom and grabbed my purse. It held the evidence I needed. I stood in the doorway of the living room, and took a deep breath before I flickered the lights to get their attention. Melody and Emmett turned to look at me as I walked in and set my purse down next to the love seat. I signed for them both to sit down.

What's going on Kanzii? You've been acting strange the last few weeks, Melody commented.

And with good reason. Emmett, you know I love you, more than I've ever loved anyone before? I asked him. As soon as the words were signed, I found myself remembering my last few moments with my mother and older brother.

"I love you, Kanzii. I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention, this is all my fault," Dameon had said. His breathing was shallow and pained. "I'm sorry,"

"Mom, you have to hang in there too," he sighed, looking at our mother, who laid in a coma next to his bed.

"The doctors said you…you and mom won't make it…" I signed and spoke at the same time. Dameon was too weak to try and decode sign language right now.

"I-I know. I-I love you baby s-sis. Hang i-in there. F-find Emmett, he'll b-b…" Dameon started, but was cut short. His breathing caught in his throat, and before I knew it, the nurses were calling a code.

At 1:06 am, my older brother died. 25 minutes later, my mother joined him. They left me a lone to face the world, to face the darkness. The last words I remembered whispering were "I'll always love you more than life itself."

I remembered the call at midnight. There had been a terrible crash. I had Regina answer the phone, because they were calling, not video calling. She signed that my brother and mother were in critical condition, and that I should get there right away. Emmett drove me. I remember after they died, I clung to him, refusing to let go even when Melody told me there was nothing else we could do. I refused to let go.

I was 16, an orphan, who was madly in love with her best friend. Melody had agreed to let me live with them, since I was young, and close to Emmett. We started dating a month later. Emmett had been my hero, my saving grace. He was there for me through it all.

Kanzii? Emmett signed, as he got to his feet. I smiled and shook my head, motioning for him to sit back down.

I love you Emmett, and Melody, I consider you another mother, I started And I hope what I'm about to tell you doesn't change your opinion of me… Tears welled in my eyes. I could only pray that this didn't end badly.

Just tell us, Kanzii, Emmett signed. He looked worried.

I'm pregnant.