A/N: I love adding new characters, especially when they are going to be the main parts of the lives of the Clancy children. Each of them lives different fascinating lives :) Enjoy a little glimpse into Emma's adult life.

Ages:

Emma - 22
Griffin - 24
Willow - 16

Mentioned:

Melinda - 68
Katie - 43

Enjoy xx Mariah

Emma shot up straight in bed, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. Her heart was racing, her eyes closed as she tried to catch her breath. She opened them, looking all around her, trying to get a sense of where she was.

Just a second ago, in her dream, she'd been shoved into a brick wall. Unflinching, unblinking, the man had pressed her further into the wall. Her body had frozen as she looked back at the man, his eyes dark to her, a handkerchief covering his mouth. The knife that was being toyed with in his thick fingers glimmered in the moonlight as it was twirled so deftly. It wasn't new by any means though, rust had set in on the handle and blade, but it was strong and jagged - more than enough to kill her.

"Money, jewelry. Don't get smart," the man had muttered, a knife pressed into her coat as she jumped, footfalls in the region behind her told she was surrounded by at least three people. The man in charge spoke without any nerves, this wasn't his first dance in a Grandview alley-way, but it was the woman's first rodeo.

The woman's hand shook and as she looked down at her hands, she saw the messy blue nail polish only a child could paint. Was it a sibling or a child? Or was she just clumsy? Her hands shook more as she handed over the goods. The woman stood there sweating, shaking.

"I'm sorry about this," the man spat, driving the knife into her back. He twisted the blade in his hands, sinking it deeper. Her skin and jacket were torn as the knife rotated, the sound of her muscles and nerves being gouged growing louder.

The woman's cry was a loud sound, guttural chokes mixed with an agonized roar. The man smirked and pulled the blade out of his now deathly pale victim. He shoved her to the ground, grabbing her purse as he ran off, leaving her trembling like a rabid animal and thick blood flowing freely from the wounds in her back.

Emma watched as her vision began to fade, seeing four scrawny men climb into a truck and take off. She immediately grabbed the notepad on the side table, writing the letters remembered. U*4-S*R4. Two numerals were missing. The more she strained her mind to remember, the more she realized she'd not be going back to sleep tonight.

The bedroom door opened and a redheaded man entered. Her husband. Griffin.

"Hey, you're awake." She glanced at the clock as he came in with a plate, breakfast for her on it. He was strictly on a no fatty food cleanse to run a 5k soon, so he wouldn't be eating bacon. He smiled, giving her the plate. "I made you some breakfast after canceling last night. I know you had a ghost, but I should've tried to work with you. I could've been there, but a student was being stubborn about a deadline."

"Oh, yeah?" She asked, eating a bite of bacon. "I'm not mad. I did have a ghost. Dinner is easily rescheduled."

"Yes, but still..." He whispered, sitting down next to her. He hugged her, kissing her cheek. "It was our wedding anniversary. Four years."

"Well, you are a fantastic husband," she said, moving the plate to the side table. She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "I think I could squeeze you in now before we both have to work."

"Oh yeah?" He answered softly. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"Yeah, but I'm going to play with you first instead of my food," she giggled, pulling her on top of her. "I can eat after to replenish." This would definitely get the ghost off her mind.

When Same As it Never Was opened, Emma was in charge. She got a full hour before her mother got there. She'd set out to sweep, dusting off all of the displayed as she turned the lights on. Her mother had quite well for herself in her little store, she was so happy to be passing it on to her kids one day. It had been a slow day until Willow showed up, being the one tasked with deliveries today.

"Hey Emma," the sixteen-year-old smiled, handing her a coffee. Willow had a study hall right now and her mother had written her a note to get out today. She usually brought coffee for whoever was working if she was doing deliveries. Usually, if her niece was working it was on a weekend when Katie helped out, but she'd needed the extra cash for her insurance payment. The newest responsibility the teen had been tasked with now that she was driving. "How many today?"

"Just three. Do you want me to come with you?" Emma was looking at the clipboard, walking with her niece into the backroom. "Mr. Robinson can be a pain. He doesn't like it when people wearing shoes in his house, even if it's super hard to take them off while moving packages, but this package is light today."

"I should be fine. I can handle myself," Willow sighed, sending off a text. "Will my mom ever stop texting me? She's supposed to be teaching. Why does she worry about everything I do?"

Emma laughed, hearing a scoff that was too much of a reminder of her sister. "You're just like her, you know. The same scoff and eye roll." Emma said, grabbing two smaller packages for her. "Be careful with these."

"Yeah, whatever," Willow said to her, holding onto them as she looked over her. "You look cute Ems. Did Griffin do something big last night for your anniversary?"

"It was causal," she shrugged. "He got stuck at work and you know how it is with your mom. End of the school year stress will always make her tighten the reins a bit."

Her niece shrugged. She definitely knew how long her mother's hours got during crazy school year times. "You still look cute," Willow said, going out into the main floor, slipping out the door carefully.

Emma looked over her outfit. She didn't look half bad, she supposed. Her white tank top was tucked into a black skirt, with a cardigan thrown over and ankle boots. She grabbed the other package, following her out to her car. "Thanks for the compliment." She said. "And hey, you should surprise your mom. Eat lunch with her or something. She misses you."

"How can she miss me?" The girl put the packages in the backseat carefully before fixing her hair in the window. "I see her like every day. Why do I have to sacrifice my lunch?"

"Because she's my sister and your mother and if you don't I'll tell her about the wine coolers I got you. Katie carried you for nine months in her stomach, breastfed you for two years, and taught you everything you know. The least you could do is eat lunch with her because she loves you and wishes you'd talk to her like you used to. I shouldn't have to threaten to rat you out to hang with your mom," Emma muttered, rolling her eyes at her as she put the last package in the backseat, closing the door. "I'm just saying being nice to her will get her on your side, you know, like you want."

"I guess that's not a bad idea," Willow shrugged, hugging her. "Thanks, I guess. I'll let you know when I have them all done."

Emma just nodded, going back into the store. A few people were looking around at displays now as she sat on the stool. She definitely could get used to running this place.