Wrapped in Silk (46 page)

Henry studied his face, “When you’re ready to talk about it son I am here, is Emma alright.”

“She is fine, wonderful. I love your daughter very much Henry, I always will,” Brody said softly.

Brody climbed back into bed and Emma sat up, “Are you okay?”

“I am Emma, I love you,” he lay down and pulled her onto him.

“I love you more,” she smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

They spent the week in the snow. They cross country skied, sno
w shoed, and ice fished. London had a great time and so did Emma. Caroline and Henry were taking London home with them so that she could have her visit with Troy in the garage apartment.

~

“You haven’t had any nightmares this week,” Emma smiled and kissed him, “Maybe we should move up here.”

“And forget about the outside world, and
responsibilities. I think you prefer it away from home as well,” Brody smiled.

“Why would you say that
, I love our home,” Emma asked looking up at him.

“You seem to let loose more away from home…squirt,” Brody chuckled.

“You did not just…” Emma snapped and he covered her mouth and she pulled it away, “Or do that!”

“Hmmm I did,” Brody’s eyes danced.

“Just so you know that embarrasses me Brody,” Emma said quietly.

“Why?” he gasped.

“It’s not normal,” Emma scowled.

“It’s a fucking gift Em,” Brody turned her towards him.

“Please don’t call me that,” she looked down.

“Make a deal?” Brody kissed her gently, “Don’t hold back on me and I won’t, but Em I was not poking fun at you okay? I would never.”

Brody hugged her tightly and she began to relax.

“Emma, I have to go back to England for a few days to wrap things up with my father
’s estate, as well as do a couple interviews before our tour. I would like to get that out of the way as soon as possible so that I can get back here for our child’s birth. Would you like to go?”

“
I would love to but London is in school,” Emma said softly.

“I know
, I should only be gone a few days, I will have Lila work on it but I want to do it soon is that alright?” Brody asked.

“Okay,” she smiled up at him.

~

Brody and Emma stood at the airport waiting for his flight to be called
. Emma sat playing with her hands and he grabbed them and kissed them.

“Would you stop?” Brody smiled at her.

“Sorry,” Emma smiled.

“
No Em, I am sorry. I wish I didn’t have to go but I must. When I come back it’s happy from here on out okay?” Brody wiped away Emma’s tear and held her tightly.

“I
don’t mean to…Brody you are my happily ever after. It hurts to think you don’t know that. I Love you and us and our life, I wish you understood that. You are my more,” Emma held him tightly.

“You are mine as well love,” Brody kissed her, “Listen let’s be happy we have five minutes before I leave, I want to see you smile Em,” Brody kissed her face.

Emma smiled at him, “That’s better.”

“Just a few days?” Emma asked holding his face in her hands.

Brody smiled, “I will be back before you know it.”

Brody kissed Emma and pulled her up and hugged her tightly.

“The nursery looks good right?” Brody smiled.

“It’s perfect, I can
’t believe you did all of that,” Emma smiled.

“We will do more when I get back,” Brody kissed her again, “I need to get going
, customs, uugghh!”

“I love you Brody, see you soon,” Emma smiled broadly.

“I love you Emma Hines, see you soon,” Brody said and kissed her quickly and turned and walked away.

Brody walked through the gate and his heart pounded, he did not relish the idea of not telling his wife the
other reason for his trip. But it had to be done, he couldn’t go on ignoring what his gut was telling him.

Brody walked through customs and walked to his gate. He looked around to see if his travel companion was waiting. He smiled shyly and sat down.

“Thank you for meeting me. I am sorry about all of this secrecy I just don’t want to hurt her,” Brody put his head in his hands.

“I understand Brody, I don’t want to hurt her either. I am glad you trusted me enough to open up to me about everything. I will not hold anything against you if this does not pan out, I will not say that I am not only
hoping but praying things will go well.”

“I know, but I don’t think I am wrong and it scares the hell out of me. Emma is going to be hurt, I just don’t know how the hell this happened. Never in a million years could I have ever imagined something like this. Unbelievable,” Brody sighed.

Their flight was called and they walked onto the plane and sat.

“It’s going to be a wild few days, I hope you are ready for it,” Brody laughed nervously.

“I am ready, we should rest on the flight over, I don’t think we will get much sleep if we are to get this all wrapped up in a few days. If it takes any longer they are both going to be suspicious.”

“I agree,” Brody turned toward the window, “I should have just told her, damn it. It
’s going to crush her.”

“Why? If nothing comes of it
and you did tell her she would be even more devastated. She does not need to know until we figure it out.”

“Okay,” Brody said and closed his eyes as the plane took off.

~

Emma cried the entire way
home. She couldn’t shake the thought that something was going to go horribly wrong. The first time he went to England they nearly broke up. The second time she was drugged and his father died. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something from her or that something horrific was about to happen.

~

“Em, I am in London,” Brody said softly.

“Okay…Brody is everything alright? I can come if you need me. I love you,” Emma began to cry.

“Shhh Em, I love you. Everything will be fine, I miss you already,” Brody said softly.

“I am going to come, Mom and Dad can watch London, I should be with you…”

Brody cut her off, “Emma I won’t be long, you need to be with London and Lila. I want you to know I wish you could be here as well but it will be just fine. When I come home it will be a very long time before I ever leave you again. I love you more Em. Kiss London for me, I will see you soon.”

~

They walked into the bar that he had first seen the tattoo. Brody ordered drinks and sat in the booth.

“Do you see the
tattoo on that woman’s neck?” Brody asked.

“I do.”

“It’s the same one Henry,” Brody shook his head.

“Well let
’s get the ball rolling, if Elizabeth is alive I need to know,” Henry said with restrained urgency.

“We will
go to the hotel and I will make the call,” Brody said.

He slammed his drink and they left.