Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Shattered Girl Chapter 37

"Wow, Partick, your parents' house is beautiful," I exclaimed as we pulled around the circular drive. The house was set back far enough from the road that you could not see it through the trees. It was a two-story house painted a light gray. A large lawn surrounded the home, giving the property a light open space before a long-established woodland took over. I saw a hot tub off to the right, with a stone path leading to it from the backyard. A basketball court had been built by the side of the garage. Another stone path led off around the other side of the house, and I couldn't wait to be able to explore. Patrick parked his car at the end of the circular drive, leaving enough room for the guys to park beside him. He approached my side of the vehicle and helped me out.

We were walking up the front steps when the door opened, and a man who looked very similar to Patrick and Conner greeted us. He was just as tall as Patrick, with short dark brown hair and bright green eyes. He had a short, trimmed beard, and I saw tattoos covering his "Hey, kid, it's good to see you. We have all missed you; your mom has looked forward to this all week." He stepped forward, giving Patrick a guy hug and slapping his back.

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"Emmy, this is my Dad, Liam. Liam, this is Emmy." Patrick smiled at me, squeezing my hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Liam." I said softly, giving him a shy smile. When Liam approached to hug me, I cringed, and Patrick put a hand on his dad's shoulder. Emmy has some bruised and cracked ribs, Liam, so be careful if you touch her." Patrick explained.

Liam took me in from head to toe, and a frown creased his face. I stepped closer to Patrick, and Liam, seeing me move, immediately wiped the expression from his face. He gave Patrick a meaningful look, and Patrick nodded. "It's already being handled, Dad," Patrick told him. Liam gave a nod, and he gave me a bright smile as he turned to lead us into the house.

The entryway was beautiful; black slate tiles covered the floor, and a floor-to-ceiling window showing off the backyard stood opposite the front door-two hallways leading from the entryway, one to the right, the other to the left. We followed Liam to the left down a short hallway that opened into a large open floor-plan kitchen, dining, and family room. A woman who had to be Patrick's mother stood by the island in the kitchen, cutting up vegetables. She was tall and slender, with long reddish-blond hair that had been intricately braided. She had a white apron over her dress, and she put down the knife, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel as she came around the island to hug

Patrick.

Patrick, love, I'm so glad you are home safe. Now, who did you bring to dinner? She is such a pretty little thing." Before she could embrace me, Liam stepped forward, wrapping her in his arms and whispering into her ear. Her face showed a quick flash of sorrow, but her smile returned as she introduced herself.

"My name is Shannon, Love; now, why don't we let these men visit? They would keep you standing here all night if I let them." She reached for my arm, and I gave Patrick a panicked look. Thankfully, he saw my expression and gently took his mom aside; after a couple of minutes of quiet talk, they came back to me. Patrick placed a hand on my lower back.

Mom, this is Emmy; Emmy, this is my

Wom, Shannon," Patrick said, gently squeezing me.

It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. O'Kelly," I said, smiling and nodding.

"Oh Patrick, she is just perfect and so polite too. Now, love, would you like to come with me? I don't want you trying to sit on a bar stool, so let's sit over on the couch. You will be more comfortable." With that, Shannon took my good hand and led me to a sectional. She was pointing to the spot where I could rest my splinted arm easily. She then fussed over me, making sure I was comfortable, getting an extra throw pillow for my arm, and pushing a button on the side of the couch so I reclined.

Now, love, how would you like a nice cup of tea? My gran always said that tea was the best cure for aches and pains, especially how she made it." Shannon was sitting next to me and gave my good hand a gentle squeeze. Even though it was summer and relatively warm out, the air conditioning made the house quite pleasant, and a hot cup of tea sounded nice. "I would love a cup of tea, thank you." I smiled.

5

Shannon jumped up and hurried into the kitchen, filling a kettle and turning it on to heat the water. She turned, spotting Patrick and Liam sitting at the bar talking; walking to them, she placed a hand on each of their shoulders." Patrick, be a dear and message your dads that Emmy is here and could they come help with dinner. Liam, love, would you start the grill? lan said he would grill the steaks, and I want the grill hot when he gets down here." Having received their orders, Patrick got up and pulled out his phone; coming to sit next to me, he typed out a message in what looked like a group chat with his dads. Within minutes, his phone was alerting him to incoming texts. Meanwhile, as Shannon was turning to go back into the kitchen, Liam grabbed her around the waist; she squealed in surprise as she landed on Liam's lap, where he turned her and kissed her thoroughly. I blushed, and the throw pillow supporting my splinted arm became very interesting. Patrick wrapped an arm across my shoulder.

"My family has always been very open with their affection; there's no need to be embarrassed." Patrick lifted my chin until I looked at him and softly kissed me. Just then, two more men walked into the room. Patrick stood, helped me to my feet, and led me to them. "Dads, this is Emmy, Emmy, my dads Michael, and lan." Patrick nodded to each man in turn, and I smiled at them.

"So this is the Emmy we have heard so much about." The taller of the two brothers said, stepping forward. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Michael."

"Hello, nice to meet you, Michael." I replied. Michael was tall; he must have easily been six-five, with buzzed hair that looked like it might have been reddish brown if it was ever given a chance to grow. He also had a long scar that ran from next to his ear to the top of his head. He, too, was covered in tattoos, but where Liam still had some bare skin on his arms, Michael had complete sleeves, with several continuing to his neck, and I assumed his back as well. lan stepped forward next, greeting me and raising my hand to kiss the back of it. I giggled and blushed as Patrick and Michael groaned.

"Don't mind him, love. lan's a horrible flirt and thinks he can get away with anything since he's the youngest." Michael told me. lan gave him a dirty look before turning back to me with a charming smile.

"Aww, now don't mind him any love. Michael's just grumpy because Ma liked me best. I was her sweet lad who never came home with rips in my shirt or holes in my best pants." With one final look at Michael, lan turned and walked toward the pack patio, stopping on. His way was to give Shannon, who was still sitting in Liam's lap, a kiss before heading out a glass door to what looked like an outdoor kitchen. lan turned on some lights and began setting up the grill.