“I’m so sore now! But I don’t mind. I earned that sore.” I’d talked to her earlier, but I didn’t mind going over it all again. I was doing that in my mind now anyway.

“He called me a little while ago. He canceled his appointment. Wants to know if you’re available tonight?” She sounded pleased with herself again, as if she’d known all along he and I were meant for each other. At least for a short time.

“Damn!” I looked out the window as Charlotte came into view, a city of lights from above. “I had to come to Charlotte. My sister-in-law is sick and has to have surgery immediately. I promised I’d watch the kids.”

“Oh, honey! You should definitely be there for your family. I totally

understand! Can I do anything on my end? Do you need some plants watered or anything?” I could hear the concern and felt honored. Not many people earned Roxie’s respect anymore, and for her to offer that meant a lot to me.

“No, I haven’t had time to find any plants, so there’s nothing to worry over.

An orange that might start to go moldy on the counter, but I can deal with that when I get back. Do you think he’ll wait for me?” I knew she knew who I meant, although I didn’t say his name.

Mainly because I didn’t know it, and I didn’t want to call him Mr. Dark where someone might hear me. It sounded silly when I wasn’t in that environment or with Roxie alone. I did feel a thrill that he’d called for me so quickly. Obviously, he’d been pleased with my performance. That made my shoulders straighten, and my head tilted back with pride.

“I think he will. The fact that he called me right away means he’s definitely interested and wants more of you, missy.” She gave a throaty laugh, and I joined her.

“Damn, I didn’t even do that much, if I’m honest. He did all the work,” I said, and sighed. “But then, I guess that’s the point, isn’t it?”

“It is, indeed, sweetie. Listen, I have to go; Freddy’s just come in. You call me later, alright?”

“I will. The plane’s about to land anyway, so I should go. Take care. And thank you!”

“No problem, Em. Take care now.” She hung up, and the plane started to descend.

I hated that part of flights, but I still couldn’t stop as I watched the plane descend to the ground once more. I closed my eyes when I thought the tires should hit the ground and held my breath. When the tires held and didn’t sling the plane sideways, collapse, or cause the plane to burst into flames, a crazy idea but still one I worried about, I took a deep breath and relaxed.

I was soon out of the airport, in a car my brother had sent for me, and at the house with two noisy children and a baby who wanted to sleep. I put Francesca down in her crib and took Nick and Alex into the family room to watch a movie.

Mason had taken to fatherhood well, and one of his proudest moments was when

he had this family room built. He’d thought of the children and had the room decorated with a zoo theme. Toy animals filled shelves, stood on their own as giant, almost life-sized giraffes and elephants, and were painted on the walls.

Pastel colors made the room seem soft, and the overstuffed wraparound couch in front of a giant television screen invited all to sit and relax.

The couch, in a muted brown shade, was wide enough to allow two adults to

lie side by side, so it was big enough that both boys could surround me while we watched their favorite movie. Only they didn’t really want to watch it.

“Aunt Emily? Will Mommy come home?” asked Nick, and I clasped him tighter to my chest.

“Of course, darling. She’ll be in the hospital for a little while, but it won’t be long at all really. You’ll see.” He was small enough that my kiss on his cheek didn’t make him cringe. Rather, he burrowed deeper into my embrace. Alex, snuggled up behind me with a pillow under his head so he could see, squeezed tiny arms around my neck, as if he’d needed reassurance too.

Yes, this was what I’d wanted. To be needed, to be loved, but also, to be appreciated. The boys didn’t know how to express that yet, they were too young, but those hugs, that need for reassurance, told me my presence was important to them. Now, if only I could teach my brothers that.

Mason had tried, but he’d called me when he’d needed me. That was all I’d

ever wanted from them, though. I didn’t want to be on standby, but if I was absolutely needed, if it was an emergency, I was more than willing to help.

The only problem was, I wanted to be at home, my new home. With Mr.

Dark. I pushed thoughts of him away as a cartoon elk chased a wild duck through the forest in the children’s movie the boys chose, and I tried to figure out what was happening in the movie.

It wasn’t long before we were all asleep, warm and comfortable wrapped up

together. I found myself in a dark room, with only a candle to light the darkness.

I could see the chair and table were both white, but other than that, I couldn’t see anything.

Then Mr. Dark appeared, and I tilted my head in his direction with a smile on my face. “Hello there.”

I didn’t react when my voice echoed. It seemed appropriate for some reason, and I didn’t pay attention to it. “Hello, Emily. How are you?”

A chair appeared on the side of the table he moved to, and the light expanded to encompass him as well. He looked delicious, and I wanted to curl into his lap, his arms, to forget the world existed. Nothing could get to me when I was with him, I was sure of it.

“I’m well, Mr. Dark.” I took his hand when he offered it, and suddenly we were dancing on a cloud in the darkness. I had on a long, slinky black dress, and I pressed myself into him.

He was warm, and the resistance of his body felt so good. “You aren’t afraid.”

His voice broke into the peaceful place I’d drifted to, and I smiled up at him.

“No, should I be?”

“Maybe. You don’t know me, Emily. You haven’t even told me your real name.” I didn’t point out that he’d just used it; I simply listened to him and then replied.

“You don't need to know my real name. Not yet. I just need what you give to me.” I ran a finger down his smooth cheek that covered high cheekbones and perfect teeth. “I don’t need to know anything more about you, other than the fact that I’m safe with you. I know that.”

“Do you? Because you don’t know me, Emily.” He looked concerned, and I

wanted to wipe that concern away.

“What do I need to know? I know how you make me feel, and that you made

me free. You let me be me. You taught me how to say no.” Which was something I could barely do with my family. And then I could only do that recently. Well, I couldn’t tonight, but this was an emergency, wasn’t it?

“If that’s all you require, then I won’t trouble you about it anymore.” He spun me around, and suddenly, I could hear music. I put my head on his shoulder and stepped through all the steps I’d learned in my many dance classes at school.

He expertly guided me through the cloud, and I didn’t even notice that we shouldn’t be on a cloud.

I woke up when I finally started to wonder how we could dance on a cloud,

and I took the boys up to their rooms to sleep. The dream lingered in my mind, and I smiled the entire time I was in the shower. I still smiled as I put on pajamas and went downstairs to watch another movie. If he’d wait for me, I’d have to ask Mr. Dark to give us more time together. We’d need it. Only another week or two, that was it. I didn’t want to get attached to him, but I did want more time with him. Just a little more. I missed him.

15

DYLAN