Unexpected

Chaptet 9: Hiding in Plain Sight

Emily and Mingus spent the day together. They laughed a bit, cried, held each other as they watched chick flicks- it was a mother-son bond if you's ever seem one. Truth is, Helena has stopped having time for Mingus. She is so involved in her career that she hasn't really had time for the teenage boy. Emily feels bad for Mingus- having to go between his Mom and Dad- okay that his birthday is split into two days- every other Christmas is with the other parent- all the holidays, seperate. She is more than thankful that her parents never had that kind of trouble- they never seriously fought, never cheated, never threatened to leave: her parents are so inlove that they treat everyday like it's their honeymoon. Emily wants that. For the longest time she has dated guys in hopes of finding it- forcing it in a way. Now, she just feels like her time has passed- being 29 and having already lost her unborn baby- she just feels like she'll never have that happiness.

As the last movie ends, Emily realizes that Mingus is dead asleep, arms wrapped around her waist, head on her chest, softly snoring comfortably. She can't move cause of the fact his leg is over hers and she doesn't want to wake him. So with no choice, she falls asleep too.

**Two Hours Later**

Using the spare key, Norman opens the door and shuts it behind him before laying the key on the table. Heading to the living room, he stops and is beyond confused as he finds the two blondes of his life, snuggled under a blanket sleeping on the couch. Taking his jacket off, he drops it on the back of the chair amd sits on the other couch just watching them.

Mingus was supposed to be at his friend, Josh's house, but obviously he isn't. Staring at the sight, Norman just imagines that Mingus is not Mingus for a moment but the baby he and Emily will never have- even though the baby was meant to be a girl. It hurts him to imagine their baby having a bad day and just curling up with his mother for comfort. It hurts. It hurts so bad that Norman has to go to the bathroom to conseal his tears. While he's in there, his eyes glimpse down to the trash bin, where two halfs of the saunagram is tore up amongst tissues. Taking both halfs out, Norman sits on the toilet lid and holds the pictures together.

She would have been so beautiful- like her mother. She would've been my little princess, my everything.

Taking the picture, he angrily tears it up into smaller and smaller pictures- trying to erase the pain. After throwing them away, Norman wipes his eyes, and goes back to the living room. Tapping Mingus on the shoulder, the boy wakes up from his father's touch. His eyes become slightly nervous as he sees his father, but once he notices that Norman isn't angry, he calms down and slides out of Emily's grasp.

"Dad...I'm sorry." Mingus whispers and Norman just hugs his son. "O...kay...."

"Mhmmm....Norman?" Emily stirs on the couch and Norman lets go of Mingus and goes to her.

"Hey... You okay?"

"Yeah...." She rubs her eyes and yawns deeply. "Is it just me ahhh... Or do you Reedus men like to sneak into my apartment when I'm sleeping?"

"I was coming to check up on you today. I had an early meeting and came right over when it was done. Mingus, you were supposed to be at Josh's." Norman kindly chatises him and Mingus raises an eyebrow.

"I was gonna go...but I wanted to check up on Emily." Emily blushes as Mingus sweetly says her name. Norman sighs and looks back at her, calling her tired attention to him.

"Em, I'm sorry he barged in when you were asleep...." Emily stops him by putting a hand firmly on his chest before standing up to get away from him. For some reason just his presence is pissing her off right now.

"Stop Norman!" Both father and son look at her shocked and Emily just sighs desperately. "I appriciate you both coming over to check up on me....but I really just wanna be alone right now. Mingus- thank you for the lovely day, I really enjoyed it. And Norman- mind yer own business. I'm not a little girl! I'M FINE!"

She bites before stomping off into the bathroom. Neither of them imagined that would happen- the outburst. Looking around, neither know what to do. To Norman, it seens obvious- she doesn't want him, not now- maybe ever. Standing up, Norman grabs his jacket and is about to go when Mingus grabs his arm. From the bathroom, Emily fumes, but calms as she hears the conversation being held.

"You okay Dad?"

"Fine."

"Ya know Dad...you don't have to be alone." Mingus says softly. "You don't have to bottle up yer feelings or hide them. No one will think less of you."

"Mingus...let it go." Norman clamly says as he tugs his jacket on.

"No Dad...all my life, I've watched you hide the sadness. Like when Mom finally left. You acted like you were fine. But at night...I'd sneak out of bed and here you crying alone in your bedroom. It hurt me to know you couldn't trust anyone with that emotion."

"Mingus, drop it. Please."

"Even now you feel it bursting inside you but you hold it in like it's going to discinagrate. You act like you're alright with what just happened, but truth is- she's killing you. You try to save her, but you can't even save yourself."

"Mingus...stop." His passed frustration? His voice is softer than a babies sleepy coo.

"I wish I could save you Dad. I wish you could save her. But you can't save something that doesn't want your help."

"She won't let me save her..."

"I wasn't talking about her." Mingus says before pulling his own jacket on and sneakers. Going to the door, he hugs his Dad goodbye and before leaving looks at him brightly, yet dull with sadness. "If you love something, set it free. If they love you, they'll come back someday...I'm going to Josh's now. I love you Dad."

Frozen in his spot, Norman doesn't notice Emily standing in the doorway of the bathroom. She's been selfish thinking Norman doesn't feel sad himself. Watching his stillness, Emily feels her own heart clench up tight as she tries to imagine all the times Norman has suffered in his own sadness. Slowly going to him, Emily is about to reach out and put her hand on his arm, when he walks away from her and shuts the front door behind him. Looking down at where he stood, she breaks to her knees.

I've never felt like a terrible person, until now. Oh Norman...forgive me.