Saved for Macha

Emily:
I smiled at the two of them and leaned back to play with Lexi's hair. I braided it down her back and then kissed the top of her head. "How are you feeling?" I asked her. Her eye didn't look too swollen but if it was sore, I could give her a pain killer.

Lexi

"Im tired.". I replied, yawning. Between all the crying, the worrying, and the whole event I was drained. The sugar was helping but for once i didn't want to stay up late.

Emily:
I nodded. "Well how about an early nigh then?" I asked. "Why don't you go up to bed?" I suggested.

"Can I sleep with you? I don't want to be alone...". I begged, pulling puppy dog eyes and everything. Michael raised his head off our legs to turn and look up at us with a faint smile.

His smile grew as he saw the look I was giving her, "How can you say no to those eyes hm?"

Emily:
I smirked and shook my head. "I cant say no. And she knows I can't say no," I teased, poking her gently in the side. "Of course you can you silly girl," I said.

Michael:

Chuckling I mouthed the word 'sucker' at Emily. Leaning my head back onto their legs again I focused on the movie. I'd missed out on several of the newer Disney movies and the red headed archer and her bear of a mom were arguing over something on the screen.

Emily:
Somewhere in the middle of one of the movies, my hand made its way into Michaels hair. I always hand my fingers in Lexi's hair and now I guess it was a habit. It had been shaved for the military but it was starting to grow in a little on the top. I lightly ran my fingers through it, tracing over his head.

Michael:

I made a sound of appreciation, closing my eyes to just enjoy the touch. Lexi and I were similar in our enjoyment of having people we cared about play with our hair, scratch our backs, and tracing patterns on our skin. Cracking open an eye I turned my head to look backwards, noting Lexi had heavy eyes and was beginning to doze off and that it was Emily who had been playing with my hair.

Throwing her a brief lazy smile I closed my eyes again, "You've found our weakness I see." I kept my voice soft, not wishing to disturb either the atmosphere nor her touch. "Lexi and I love this."

Emily:
I looked down at the sound of his voice and smiled. "Good thing that you like it because I can't help it," I said. "Lexi usually sleeps when I do it, so it's sort of a habit now," I said, softly, noticing that Lexi was starting to nod off. I wanted her to sleep, so I didn't want to disturb her. "My grandma used to do this and it would put me to sleep in less than five minutes," I smiled.

"I used to do it to Lexi when she was little. And she liked playing with my hair. So we both got so used to it." Sighing happily my smile returned. "I don't nod off from it. Not usually. Tell me about your grandma though, you don't mention family often."

Emily:
"Well this is her house. She left if for me when she died. Thats why we were cleaning out her old stuff the other day." I shrugged. "There's not a whole lot to say about my family. Im not really close to my parents. My grandma would babysit most days," I said. I trailed my fingers down his neck and over his shoulders. "I used to stay in Lexi's room," I said, leaning my head back.

"Really? I never would have figured that. Still this place is nice. I can see how much love has gone into it." I relaxed under her ministrations, shifting up to give her better access. "Lexi's room hm? It's almost as if everything is repeating itself. You stayed in her room while being babysat. Now lexi is there when you babysit her."

Emily:
"Well, hopefully I dont have to give her my house in a few years," I jokes. "Although I love it when she stays here. Its kind of too big for one person. And it should be lived in," I said.

Chuckling I turned his head to look at her. "She does tend to light up the room when she's in it. But so do you. The two of you are good for each other. Im glad that you have been her babysitter."

Emily:
I smiled back. "Im glad i've been her babysitter too," I said, softly. I glanced over at her and my face softened. "She's sleeping." I said in a whisper. I sat up a little straighter and leaned closer. "So who was that on the phone?" I asked. "Was it about her?"

"Yes. It was CPS. They will be here in a while to come pick her up. We will have to give a statement, and then its up to the courts. We have a good case to get her away from our parents. But she won't be able to stay here tonight...not until this is all worked out.". I sighed and raised a hand to squeeze her knee. "Ultimately it will be up to Alexis. If she explains what happens, if she says wants to live with you. "

Emily:
"They're gonna take her tonight?" I asked, shocked. My face crumpled and I put my head in my hands. "I told her she could sleep with me tonight," I mumbled, miserable.

Shifting to my knees I leaned over her, drawing her into a hug. "The sooner this is done the better...I'm sorry..."

Emily:
I pressed my face into his neck and hugged him back, surprised he even initiated it. When I hugged him before, he seemed so stiff and uncomfortable. "I know," I mumbled, sadly. "But how are we supposed to tell her that?" I asked.

"She is a smart girl. It will be scary, we have to help her anyway we can. She'll be home soon. And home is right here dozing off on the couch." I smoothed a hand over her back. I wasn't much of a hugger. I was never sure what to do anymore in a hug and so was always slow to react and respond. Having someone I found attractive like her do it left me all the more awkward. But seeing her like this, watching her face crumple at how scared my sister was going to be, I knew she needed it. "It will be okay. You'll see."

Emily:
I sniffled sadly, but knew it needed to be done. I pulled away just enough to look at him and frowned. "Well what do we do? Can we see her tomorrow?" I asked. "At least talk to her....she doesn't have a cell phone or anything," I told him.