Saved for Macha

"Heh. Easier to say that at home sweets aren't really permitted. We got good at stashing hidden snacks and such. Old habits die hard I suppose." I finished my plate and settled back in the chair. "I'm glad I got to spend the evening with her. It was a nice change and I've missed her."

Emily:
"Well like I said before, you're welcome to spend the night. I dont have another guest room but the couch pulls into a bed," I offered. If he was staying with his other military friend I thought he might be more comfortable here, with his sister. I glanced at the stairs, waiting for Lexi to come back down to say goodnight so I could get the candy out of her room.

"Ah. Should probably head home. I appreciate the offer and I'm sure Lexi would love it if I did stay but...procedures to follow and such. They prefer we stick with our caretakers while we adjust again. Maybe after a few days and I get my tests back we can talk then." I said with a faint pained smile. Soon Lexi came rushing downstairs in her usual pajama set.

Emily:
I smiled and nodded. "Lexi, come say goodnight to your brother," I said, hearing her run down the stairs. I stood up to put the dirty dishes in the sink, deciding to deal with them tomorrow. "And when you're done with that, you can go upstairs and look really hard around your room and make sure there's not candy in there, because if I find it, I'll have to throw it away," I told her with a pointed look.

Lexi hurried into the room, stopping by the table to look up at me while I stood. A betrayed scowl darkened her face for a moment before she giggled. I hugged her then, kneeling to her level while her arms wrapped around my head to hold me tightly.

Emily:
I leaned against the door frame with a smile as I watched the exchange. She really did look a lot happier than usual. I just hoped it lasted.

I kissed her temple and gave her a gentle push towards the door way. "Go on. I'm still going to be here tomorrow. I'm not going anywhere kiddo." She took a long look at me before nodding and slowly going back into the living room and up stairs. I stood slowly then and puffed out a breath. "She's changed so much...it's hard to know where to begin to ask questions."

Emily:
I ruffled her hair again when she passed me to go back to her room and sighed. "Well luckily she's still young. You'll have a lifetime to be there for her if you put in the effort," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "You really made her day...probably her week."

"Hopefully....hopefully I can do more than just that you know. I want to make her life better if I can. Help her become the person she wants to be, not just what our parents want her to be." I said with a rueful smile as I adjusted my uniform.

Emily:
I nodded and smiled. "Speaking of your parents, I know they pressure her a lot...but they're not exactly around all the time. She spends a lot of nights here. Even if shes supposed to go home, she doesnt want to." I said. "Do...do your parents know that you're home?"

"....No. Well maybe not yet. I went by the house and I'm sure once they actually come home they'll learn of it. Possibly this weekend depending on the information." I smiled at her fully, "They won't be happy but can't really stop me from seeing her. No matter how much they don't want me in their lives."

Emily:
I smiled back. "Well im glad to hear that. And you're welcome here anytime, no need to wait for an invitation," I said. "She's kind of my life and you happen to make her really happy," I told him.

"She brightens up the world around her." I agreed with a soft chuckle. Folding my arms I gazed at the ground, "For helping her...let me know if you need anything alright? Help, money, just someone to talk to."

Emily:
I ran a hand through my hair and chuckled. "You got it. I could use a goodnights sleep and thats about it," I joked. "Since you're not staying the night, how are you getting home? You can use my car again if you need it," I offered.

"Ah. I can recommend a few things to help with that. Medicine that sometimes works, work outs, massages, so on." I shrugged then looked towards the front door, "I was going to take a walk after calling Cole. He will be waiting for me to call."

Emily:
I couldnt help the giggle that escaped. "A would actually kill for a massage," I said. I followed his gaze to the front door. "And its pretty dark. Dont walk for too long," I said.

I laughed then at her giggle, "It's a deal then. When you would like one let me know. I'm not that good but...I know how to work out some of the kinks."

Emily:
I laughed again and shook my head. "Oh yeah?" I asked. "Do they teach you that in the military?" I asked.

"Not exactly." I rubbed the back of my neck with a sheepish look before continuing, "They do however pay for classes over seas. Spent a few days in a massage therapy class while at a base to get patched up from an I.E.D."

Emily:
"First of all, I have no idea what an I.E.D is. Second, they pay for you to take classes and you take a massage therapy one?" I giggled again and covered my mouth.

"Instructor was cute. Married, but cute. Was more convincing than a drill sergant with how loud she bullied people into her lessons. Not the weirdest class I took during that month." I gave a low chuckle, "As for I.E.D. Improvised Explosive Device. Home made bomb."

Emily:
I was laughing and rolling my eyes at his obvious 'guy' comments, right up until he explained what an IED was. "Wait...what? A bomb?" I asked. I took a few steps closer to him with out realizing it. "You were that close to a bomb?" I asked. Even though he was standing here in front of me, clearly alright, my eyes scanned up and down his body twice to check for injuries.

"Not right close to it. About..." I glanced around then gently placing my hands on her shoulders I moved her to the side a few steps. "Standing side ways like this. Bomb went off...about how far you are from the fridge. I got lucky. Most of the blast went down into the ground and not at me." The distance between her and the fridge seemed roughly ten feet by my best guess and the best guess they had from the crater.

Emily:
"Thats close enough!" I said loudly. "Not right close to it? Its a bomb!" I told him, like he wasn't the one who was way more aware than I was. I had to check my volume, trying to remember there was a little girl asleep upstairs. I also tried to remember that this might be shocking and upsetting to me, but he was the one who lived it. "That seems...really dangerous..." I finished with a mumble at the floor.

I gave her a strained smile. "We'll save the really bad stuff for another time then. The old phrase 'war is hell' is very true." I spread my hands in a helpless gesture then took a step back. "What matters is I'm alive, not that I don't move like I should."