Careful, Ali ➳ Emison

Chapter 11 | Help

Emily sat in her desk, biting the end of her pencil as she debated how to move along the algebraic equation she was working on. She had been less than focused in school lately, due to the clutter of thoughts and fears in her mind. But she knew succeeding in school was important, especially for her mom, who had enough to worry about as it is with her father being in the army, so she tried her best to stay connected and insightful in all of her classes, even though it was like bending over hell.

She was successfully moving to the next question when she heard the sound of a car being pulled up in front of her house. She didn't think much of it, going back to her work. Her mother was home, so she didn't feel surreal danger at the moment, and she truly needed to get these homework done, knowing she won't have the time later on, since she was going with the girls to try and discover some leads about A.

A faint knock on her door pulled her out of her thoughts and she turned around in her chair, calling out, "Come in."

Her door was pulled open and the sheer smile that grew on her face was an indication of how elated she was to see the person behind it.

"Dad!" she called joyfully, rushing to hug him.

He stumbled a bit from the impact, but chuckled heartily all the same. "Hello, Emmy," he replied, and she didn't realize just how much she had missed his kind voice.

"I thought you weren't coming back until next week," she remarked in surprise, refusing to let go of his solid, protective body.

"They didn't tell me until last night, and I wanted to surprise you and your mother," he answered, rubbing his hand on her back.

She tenderly parted away from him, sniffing slightly as tears threatened to escape her eyes. She could finally comprehend how safe her father's hold made her feel, and just much she needed that, considering the circumstances, and she never wanted him to leave again, because her heart broke every time he did.

Her mother appeared soon, hugging her husband's side and staring up at him like he hung the stars. Emily was grateful to be a part of such a strong family, with two very caring and functioning parents. She felt terrible for Aria for the wrongful actions that her father took, but she also felt a bit of relief deep down, knowing she will never have to worry about one of her parents making that mistake.

"Honey, I just had an idea," Pam said, and Emily's eyes turned to her smiling mother. "Tonight is for us, but how about you invite your friends over for dinner tomorrow? Your father hasn't seen them all in a long time."

Emily nodded with a consenting smile, "Okay."

"Well, I missed my two girls," Wayne said as he hugged Pam closer and reached his other hand to gently ruffle Emily's hair, causing her to shake her head playfully, "but I'm just craving a shower. I'll be right back."

Emily watched the back of his army uniforms as he left them to enter the ensuite in the master bedroom, peacefulness taking over her. Her father's arrival gave her a feeling that everything was going to turn out okay.

*-----------------------------------*

"Wait, so your dad's home right now?" Hanna asked as her, Emily, Spencer, and Alison waited outside of Lucky Leon's Cupcakes for Aria to arrive.

"Yeah, he surprised us," Emily answered good-naturedly, her lips twitching upwards. "I missed him a lot," she added earnestly.

Alison gave her a soft smile, knowing just how much Emily yearned for her dad's presence every day. The brunette was always very proud of her father's service in the army, appreciating the fact that he was doing something meaningful and significant for their country, yet like any other girl, she simply wanted her father around.