Emily set the pancakes her supervisor had made her on her counter before looking up into the living room. Billy was sitting on the couch next to Jack. Jack was poking a pillow in his lap and laughing along with something Billy had said. Emily ran a hand through her hair and exhaled a long breath before putting on a smile and walking into the living room. She knelt beside a smiling Jack and rubbed his arm. "So baby, how was school yesterday?"
Jack smiled without looking up from the pillow he found so interesting. "Me and Becca both had cwackers fow a snack and then me and Jamie played on the swings. Ms. Hart gaveded me-"
"It's gave, honey."
Jack looked at her sympathetic smile and nodded. "She gave me candy 'cause I did good on a test!"
Emily nodded and smiled as she raked her fingers through the small boy's hair. He, again, found interest in the pillow he was holding, while Emily looked up at Billy. He was glaring down at her with his hazel eyes. The light eyes gave her dark thoughts as she remembered the night before.
She quickly snapped out of her trance when she remembered the pancakes. "Jack, do you want some of the pancakes you made for me? They look really yummy."
"Yes pwease!"
Emily smiled as she told him to go and get one. He ran into the kitchen, leaving Billy and Emily. Emily began to stand, but was pulled against Billy's chest. His grasp on her wrists was tight as she struggled, but he brought his face down to hers. "You're good."
Emily's scared eyes looked into his. "Good with what?"
"Kids."
She nodded slightly. "Well, thanks. People have said that-"
"Don't talk!"
Emily's eyes shut as he shook her, and she whimpered. She opened her eyes again to see his soften. "Billy?"
"Emily I'm sorry."
She quickly shook her head. "It's ok, I know you didn't mean it."
He let her wrists go as he ran a hand through his dark hair. "Are you sure? I didn't mean to-" He was cut off by Emily putting her hand on his cheek. He looked at her to see a tear running down her cheek, but she shook her head. "It's ok, I promise."
He gave her a kiss before bringing her into a hug. "It won't happen again."
Emily nodded against his neck as she put a hand on the back of his head to calm him down. It wouldn't happen again. It wouldn't…