Wrapped in Silk (44 page)

Johna’s mother cried and fell to her knees in prayer. Emma held Brody’s hand tightly.

“Awesome, I mean I am happy but someone died? Mom I don’t know if I can,” Johna said with tears in his eyes.

“Johna, you don’t have a choice darling,” his mother said as she stood and held his hand.

Brody stood and stared at the floor, “Mr. Hines what would you do?”

“Well Johna I would take it
, you have many years ahead of you. Things happen for a reason. Think of it as a gift from God,” Brody smiled and kissed his head.

“Okay, are you sick? Why are you here?”
Johna asked as curiously as any eight year old would.

“I am here to see you, and now that I know you
’re going to be okay I can leave,” Brody smiled.

~

Brody, Emma, and Rebecca walked into the house and Henry met them at the door, he looked at Emma and at Brody.

“What can I do to help?” Henry asked.

“Thank you Henry but there isn’t much we can do at this hour. Rebecca why don’t you go rest, call our brother and Bo. You and I will make arrangements and get back to them,” Brody looked at Emma, “You should rest, we can’t do anything for a couple more hours.”

“I will when you do, I am going to make some tea,” Emma kissed him and
disappeared into the kitchen.

~

The funeral service was small and private, held graveside. It was held two days after Robert’s passing. Bo, Bobby, Rebecca, and Brody stood together quietly. London and Emma behind them and Caroline and Henry were there as well. The minister read several passages and shook their hands before he walked away.

“Emma, Dad and I are going to take London back and get lunch set up,” Caroline said hugging Emma.

“Grandma I want to stay with Brody,” London said and started to cry.

Emma hugged London, “We have to let him grieve London. We will be there very soon okay?”

London looked up and Brody took her hand, “London, thank you.”

London hugged Brody tightly, “Brody I am so sorry.”

Brody scooped her up in his arms and held her, “Me too.”

“Do you need me to stay?” London asked.

“I need you all the time but maybe Grandma Caroline needs your help setting the table,” Brody wiped London’s tears as he put her down, “Sometimes I wonder if she knows where the fork goes.”

“I know where it goes,” London smiled and wiped his tears.

“I know you do,” Brody kissed her finger.

“Okay but if you need me Brody,” London said raising her eyebrows.

“I know where to find you and I can promise I will need extra hugs this evening,” Brody smiled.

“Okay, like a hundred?” she asked.

“Maybe a hundred and fifty,” Brody winked.

Brody took
Emma’s hand and walked towards Bobby and Rebecca.

“Bobby this is Emma, Em this is my brother,” Brody introduced them.

“I am so sorry for your loss,” Emma said and shook his hand.

“Thank you, I am sorry this is how we had to meet,” Bobby smiled slightly.

“Me too,” Emma said softly.

They stood looking at the grave quietly, “Well he is with Mom now.”

Bobby shook his head, “Ya, what the hell happened? Did he have a heart attack, was he drinking?”

“He had not drank in awhile, he left our home ad hit a tree,” Brody said scowling down.

“He stopped drinking?” Bobby asked surprised, “What caused the accident?”

“I
haven’t had time to get a copy of the accident report,” Rebecca said quickly.

“We have been busy, Rebecca it’s alright,” Brody said and hugged her.

“I will look into it, I know a few people in the police department,” Bo offered.

“No, I can do it,” Brody scowled.

“Brody let him, you guys leave in two days. I will call you as soon as we know anything,” Rebecca patted his back.

“Fine.” Brody let out a breath.

They all drove back to Brody’s and ate. Bobby was staying the night and Bo and Rebecca left shortly after dinner.

“He stopped drinking?” Bobby laughed.

“Yes,” Brody smirked.

“Well I guess miracles do happen,” Bobby laughed.

“So tell me how are things with you?” Brody asked.

“Great, busy but great,” Bobby smiled.

“Do you hear from Claire anymore?” Brody smiled.

“Not in awhile, I kind of messed that up huh?” Bobby chuckled.

“I guess you did,” Brody laughed.

“I am
settling down, work had me very busy, not a lot of time to get into trouble. And you are married again,” Bobby winked.

“Yes, this one is forever, we are having a child, and then there is London. It couldn’t be anymore perfect. Dad was here before the accident, he was going to move to the States with us. He and I talked, things were good,” Brody said staring into the fire.

“I am glad that you two patched things up. He hurt for many years and then there was Bo,” Bobby looked at Brody.

“
Ya about that, father was no longer a fan of Bo’s. Do you know why?” Brody asked.

“Well if he was
sober maybe he saw what truly was going on around him,” Bobby scowled.

“The parties?” Brody asked.

“Ya the parties,” Bobby laughed.

“What am I missing?” Brody asked.

“From what I remember nothing, you were ass deep into the lifestyle until Jemma’s death,” Bobby rolled his eyes.

“Things change Bobby,” Brody looked away.

“I am glad, none of the Hines family want anything to do with him anymore, he is out of control. They cut him off. I have no idea how he is able to afford that place and that lifestyle anymore and honestly I don’t want to,” Bobby sat back, “Stay away from him Brody.”

“Well what about Rebecca?” Brody asked.

“She is running that charity for you now, she knows better,” Bobby patted his brother’s knee.

“And you are knee deep in Hines family business now,” Brody laughed.

“It’s legitimate Brody. And you’re a Rockstar,” Bobby smiled.

It had been a few weeks since they had returned from England. Brody and London had been working on a piano piece
, writing it and practicing everyday for London’s end of year recital. Emma was busy with work and Lila.

~

“You are sure you don’t want to find out what we are having?” Emma smiled as they drove into the city for Lila’s ultrasound appointment.

“I though we had agreed Em, but if you want to we can,” Brody kissed her head and pulled her closer to him.

“No that’s fine, how about names” Emma smiled up at him.

“You choose,” he smiled.

“No I want to discuss it, I want you to tell me what you want,” Emma rubbed his chest.

“I want you, all the time,” he kissed her lips.

“Focus Brody, names, lets have it. I am sure you have some ideas, I want to hear them,” Emma smiled.

“Lexington
Avenue is where I bought the ring, Lexington Grace, Grace after…” Brody started.

“Your mother. Brody it’s perfect. Lexington Grace, Lexi and London,” Emma’s eyes danced, “Yes?”

“Yes,” Brody kissed her gently on the lips.

Emma laughed, “Okay and for a boy name?”

“Robert Henry?” Brody asked.

“Yes, it’s perfect. God I love you!” Emma kissed him.

Brody laughed, “The nursery?”

Emma laughed, “Whatever you want will be perfect, just like you.”

“I have a surprise,” Brody smiled.

“Okay, I like
surprises,” Emma sat up and turned towards him.

“Your birthday is the same week as
London’s mid winter break from school yes?” Brody smiled.

Emma shook her head, “Well I bought you a present and well I want to take you both to see it that week.”

“Okay tell me,” Emma sat on her knees in front of him and clapped.

“Oh no, you’ll have to wait,”
he smiled.

~

“Brody wake up, Brody please wake up,” Emma shook him.

Brody sat up and looked around
, his body was drenched in sweat and he shook slightly. He looked around the room and then at Emma. He held her tightly against him and let out a breath.

“Damn it Em, I am sorry, I am soaked, I need a shower,” Brody stood up quickly and walked into the bathroom.

Emma followed him, “Do you remember this one?”

“No,” he said and turned on the shower.

“Brody…” Emma began.

“I don’t remember,” he snapped.

Emma turned to walk away and he grabbed her hand, “Sorry Em, it’s just…I don’t remember.”

“Okay,” she said pulling her hand from his, “I am going back to bed.”

~

Emma walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. She began making
London’s lunch and felt Brody wrap his arms around her from behind.

“Good morning,” he said and kissed her neck.

“Good morning, I had a late start, I need to get this done sorry,” she said and pulled away from him.

Brody quickly turned her to face him, “Emma I really don’t r
emember. I am sorry I was rude.”

“Okay,” she said and started to pull away again.

“Em, I love you,” Brody kissed her.

“Gross, do you two ever stop?” London laughed as she walked in.

“Good morning London. We are running late, let’s go get those teeth brushed and wow look at that hair,” Brody laughed, “Alright back up those stairs, get dressed, I will be up in a minute. Mom will finish making you lunch, wild one.”

London laughed and Emma hugged her quickly before she continued making her lunch.

“Em…” Brody began.

“I am not mad Brody just worried. You have had those dreams, nightmares since we got back, I am just worried,” Emma smiled and turned back and finished making London’s lunch, “Since your Dad.”

“I know, it’ll get better. Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t remember,” Brody kissed her, “Wish me luck, I am off to try to tame the wild one’s hair.”

Emma turned and smiled, “I love you.”

“Much better Em,” Brody kissed her again and ran to the stairs, “You better be ready Miss London!”

~

“It’s so beautiful,” London squealed and clapped.

“No fa
ir I can’t see,” Emma laughed.

“It’s your surprise
, you’re not supposed to see,” London laughed, “And it’s a very big surprise, wow Brody it’s amazing!”

“Perfect huh?” Brody laughed. “Do you think she will like it?”

“You two are horrible and very lucky I don’t take this off,” Emma laughed.

“If you try I will pull over and tie your hands up Em,” Brody snickered.

“You wouldn’t dare,” London laughed loudly.

“I would,” Brody smiled and looked over at Emma who was holding her breath.

“Breathe Em,” he said smiling.

Emma felt the vehicle stop, “Are we here?”

“Yes, London would you like to go have a peek before I bring your mom?” Brody asked.

“Oh yes!” London ran ahead.

Emma felt him take her hand and help her out. Brody pulled her close to him, “Emma your daughter is out of ear shot and sight. You look completely fuckable right now.”

Brody kissed her hard on the mouth and she moaned into his. His hand skimmed across her chest and he leaned down pulling her shirt up and pulling the cup of her lacey pink bra down, he bit lightly on her nipple and her breath
hastened. His hand grabbed the other and released it from her bra and did the same.

“I want you so fucking bad right now,” Brody kissed her again.

“Okay,” she whimpered.

Brody laughed, “Company Em, but tonight I want you in bows. HEY LONDON, come back here. Breathe Em.”

Brody quickly licked both nipples before pulling her bra to cover them, his breathe was hot on her neck as he turned her and pulled her back to his chest and walked her to the steps.

“One, Two, Three,” Brody turned her to him and untied the blindfold and looked at her eyes.

Emma blinked and looked up at him and closed her eyes and took several breaths. Her eyes were wet and not from tears.

“Emma,” Brody clenched his jaw.

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, “Sorry, but it’s your fault.”

Brody laughed, “And this is
yours, you better stay in front of me until I can get you alone, damn it woman!”

Emma giggled and pulled back and looked down and then up at him.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Very,” she smiled.