Real Happiness (12/6/15- )

Real Happiness // Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven: Being Strong

After she had stormed out of the cafeteria, Emma had gone to her last to classes, then headed home. When she had got home, she was met by her grandma saying that her mom was out looking for a job and wouldn't be home till seven. Saying a quick 'ok', she headed upstairs to drop off her bag and change into a pair of cotton shorts and an old track shirt from her old school.

Once done, she found her grandmother in her office, on a serious looking phone call. Deciding to not bother her, Emma went to look around the huge house. Walking the halls of the house, she noticed that many paintings were hung up. Walking up to one, at the end of a dusty hall, she found herself captivated by the sadness of it. The painting was of a funeral, where there was a picture of a little girl standing between her mom and grandma, holding onto a teddy bear, and all three girls were crying over two graves. It was the teddy bear, that made her realize that this was the funeral of her father and grandfather.

The funeral had taken place ten years ago, yet the memory was still fresh in her mind...

"Mommy, when are daddy and granddaddy going to come back?" The innocent seven-year-old, asked her mother, wondering why her dad and grandpa won't back yet.

"Honey, they have moved on to a better place and won't be back." Her mother kneeled down in front of her daughter. Tears were streaking down her normally calm face. Looking over to the two headstones, Emmalee realized that she wasn't ever going to see them again, and clasped in her mother's and grandmother's arms and cried.

Emmalee was suddenly brought back to the present day, by a voice cutting through the memory. "I wondered when you would find that painting," Annabella said, staring at the picture, before glancing over to Emma.

"Who painted it?" Emma questioned.

"Your mother, my dear." Her grandma whispered back.

"My mother?"

"Yes, she is a great artist but hasn't painted anything since this one. She painted this the day after the funeral of your dad and grandpa. She hasn't painted since."

The two fell into a comfortable silence and got lost in their own thoughts. Annabella thinking about the loss of her husband and son-in-law. Emmalee, about how much her life had changed after that day. Remembering her dad's last words and how much they pushed Emma. "Be strong and remember who you are." Those simple words had resulted in her putting up walls, that only her mom and grandma had the keys into, and how it changed her. Her parents had put her in self-defense classes from a young age. She continued them, even after her father's passing, and took them all the way till she was 17 and she had to quit because they moved.

But then the peace and quiet were broken made the sound of Jennifer's voice calling out, "I'm back early, where are you guys?"

"Where are you? We'll come find you." Annabella yelled out, not knowing how her daughter would react to the sight of this particular picture and not waiting to start something.

"In the kitchen!" Was heard, followed by the sound of banging pots and pans.

Sharing a troubled look, they quickly made their way to the kitchen, both knowing what a disastrous cook Jenni was.

~*~

Walking into the school, Emmalee was met with silence, but she ironed it. She looked around for Olivia but found Alex instead. Emma went up to him, asking where Liv was.

"She will be here soon. Ryder is her ride, but he was running late today." Alex replied.

The name Ryder struck Emma, and she was reminded of her lost love. "Ryder?" Emma was convinced that it was just a coincidence, but still couldn't help herself from asking.

"Her cousin, he's in college, but drops Liv off on his way to his classes." Alex looked behind Emma before he smiled and motioned someone over. Turning to see who he was looking at, Emma saw that Liv was walking over. Going over to her, Alex pulled her into a hug, before bringing her Liv.

"Hey, Emma!" Liv cried, pulling her into a hug. "I'm having a BBQ tonight, want to come?"

"Sure, when and where is it?"

"It's at six, and at my house. I can come pick you up, I know where you live."

"Really?"

"Yep, everyone knows where your grandmother's house is, or more like, mansion!" Liv said smiling.

"Okay, sounds like fun. But first let's get through school. You want to come over early, to help me pick out something to wear?" Liv nodded, before dragging Emmalee to their first-period class.

~*~

Walking into the house, Emma called out for her mom. "Mom, I'm home! Where are you?"

"In the sunroom." Her mother's distinct voice replied back. Heading to the back of the house, she did indeed find her mom sitting in the sun room. But what shocked her, was the fact that she was painting.

"Mom, you're painting!" Emma voiced her shock.

"Yep, since we've been back, I've gotten out of my funk and found my spirit in painting." Jenni paused her brush strokes, looking back at her daughter. "Now, what is it you want?" She had gone back to focusing on her painting, but the look on Emma's face, when she had looked back, told her that her daughter wanted something.

"Well, you see, my friend asked me to her BBQ and she was coming over to help me get dress. Is that fine?"

"That's fine. Actually, while I and your grandmother were shopping for groceries yesterday, we were invited to the BBQ."

"Cool, I'm going to go do my homework. Liv will be over soon."

~*~

As Emma and Liv were walking into the party, Emma started to be glad that they had decided to settle on an army colored dress. The dress itself was mid-thigh and strapped. It was made out of a silk and had flowering lace covering the chest area. Paired with a brown, leather waist belt and matching heeled boots. Her makeup was done naturally and her hair was in a half braided crown. Next to her, Liv was dressed similar, but in a peach lace colored dress.

Liv lead Emma over to her parents, who were manning the grill. Liv greeted them. "Hey, mom and dad." When they turned to face their daughter, Emma stumbled back a few steps and sucked in a quick breath. She couldn't believe it. It was them!

"April? Henry?" Emma questioned, breathlessly.

At the sound of their names, the couple turned to face the girl standing there. But were, too, shocked to find that it was Emmalee. "Emma, honey, is that you?" All Emma could do was give a nod before she was pulled into a hug by April. "How is your mom?"

Taking a step back, Emma answered. "She is doing fine. But where is Ryder?" By now, Emma had started getting teary-eyed, but she didn't notice, too lost in the happiness of finally having the chance to be able to see him again.

"I'm right here, Lee."

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