Chapter 3 – Lies and Confessions

Hours later, the three were sitting in the den, a movie playing but no one really watching it. Oliver and Chloe were lying on the couch, Chloe resting her head over his heart, Oliver with one arm wrapped around her. Emily sat on the floor, back leaning against the couch, holding onto Oliver's free hand, as if reassuring herself he was really there. To the outside observer, they were the picture of a perfect family, one that had gone through the same routine for years. No one would have guessed that they had been reunited only a few hours previously after six years. Suddenly they heard the doorbell ring and the front door open.

"Hey Em, you ready yet?" came a voice from the foyer.

"Oh no." Emily said standing and bolting from the room.

"What was all that about." Oliver asked, turning to look at Chloe.

"Sarah. She and Em were going to a party tonight. I'm guessing Em hadn't messaged Sarah to let her know she wouldn't be going out."

Emily walked into the foyer, and Sarah looked her over.

"Uh, Em I know you like to go against the norm, but showing up to a party in your pj's is pushing it." Sarah told her.

"Uh...yeah about that, I can't go out tonight. I meant to call you earlier, I'm so sorry."

"Was your mum mad about the detention? 'cause I can go explain it to her, tell her it was all my fault."

"No it's not that, it's just something's happened and I can't go out tonight."

"Come on Em, Gage is going to be there, you know you wanna see him. And he really missed you, you can't let him down, come on."

"Sair, I really can't, I wish I could, but you go, have fun and have a drink for me. And tell Gage I'm really sorry, but I'll call him tomorrow."

"If you're sure, I'll let him know. Are you really sure you don't want to come out? I mean I know what today is and I really thought you were making some progress in moving past that."

"It's not about that Sair, trust me, I'm just not up to it tonight, ok, maybe next weekend."

"Ok, well, I'll call you tomorrow sweetie. Have a good night." Sarah hugged her goodbye then left. Letting out a sigh, Em went back into the den with her parents.

"Well, she's gone. I promised I'd call her tomorrow and go out with her next weekend."

"I know you hate lying to her, Em, but it'll only be until we can sort everything out with legally bringing your dad back from the dead." Chloe told her.

"I know. I just hate lying to her. Did you call the others?" Em asked switching topics.

"Yeah they'll be here tomorrow."

"Ok, I'm going to head to bed."

"You sure baby?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah daddy, it's been a long day. I'll see you in the morning." She turned to leave then turned back to them.

"What is it sweetie?" Chloe asked. Emily thought for a second before shaking her head.

"Nothing, it's silly." She said.

"No, what is it?" Oliver asked.

"It's just, it really is silly, but could you come tuck me in?" she asked rather sheepishly. A smile spread across Oliver's face, as Chloe moved to let him stand.

"Of course baby, come on." With an arm wrapped around her shoulder the headed upstairs. Emily climbed into bed and Oliver pulled the covers up around her before placing a kiss on her forehead. He then walked over to her stereo that was on a shelf opposite the bed. Just as he went to turn on the c.d. Emily bolted upright in bed.

"No, don't turn it on." She told him.

"What? Why not?" Oliver asked startled.

"Just don't, ok." She told him. Walking over, Oliver sat beside her.

"Why not, baby? You never used to be able to get to sleep without music on."

"I still can't, I've just got used to running on about two hours sleep every night."

"Why?"

"Because I made the mistake of turning the stereo on after mum told me you had died."

"What happened?"

"Well, first, I ran out of the room and down to the piano, when mum asked if I wanted to play something, I yelled at her and ran back to my room. I turned on the stereo and there probably could not have been a worse song to have played at that moment."

"What song?" Leaning over, Emily opened the top drawer of her bedside table, and pulled out a remote. Pressing play, a song soon filled the room. Soon the first line was sung and it all made sense to Oliver.

Somebody told me, you were not coming home.

Emily turned off the song and looked over at her dad.

"The way mum explained it to me was that something very bad happened and you weren't able to come home again." Realisation registered on Oliver's face and Emily asked, "Now do you get it?"

"I'm so sorry baby, I wish I could take all this back for you." He told her, pulling her close, and holding her tight.

"I know you do, wish you could erase it all too." Oliver settled himself beside her on the bed so she was lying down and held her as she fell asleep. Picking up the remote, he turned the stereo back on, letting the music lull Emily to sleep.

A.n. so here's a new chapter that i promised about three/four months ago. sorry it took so long. i promise to update again soon. the line from the song is from 'how come the world wont stop turning' by Anastacia. luv yas all, please review. Ciao Emi.