Beautifully Damaged(111)

He started to lean in to kiss me but the doorbell sounded again. He brushed his lips over mine before he rose. "Rain check, sweetheart."

"Definitely."

He reached for my hand and pulled me up as we walked together to the front door. As soon as Trace opened the door we were greeted to the sight of two very unhappy men.

"Daddy." I whispered as I walked over and wrapped my arms around him. He was practically shaking with rage but when his arms came around me he was so very gentle.

"Emmie, girl." he whispered.

Trace shook my uncle's hand and when I turned to greet my uncle, Trace led my dad into the kitchen where the pictures were still sitting on the counter. Trace and I stood back and watched as the two studied the pictures and when my dad stepped back his reaction to them was much the same as Trace's had been.

"God, damn it."

My eyes moved from my dad to Uncle Josh. "Did you talk with Dr. Cavanaugh and Dr. Grant?"

"Yes."

We settled at the table as Trace plated the frittata and a fruit salad and as we ate my uncle filled us in.

"Obviously, Grant wasn't interested in digging up his past particularly since his actions were unethical. However, after much posturing and repeated promises from me that I didn't give a damn about his actions he admitted to giving Teresa the scripts. As far as Dr. Cavanaugh, apparently Mandy was asking questions regarding the protection of minors and the steps required to involve DHS. I called DHS after my meeting with Dr. Cavanaugh and there was a file opened but before Mandy could give them all the details, she was..."

He didn't finish the sentence but then he didn't need to. I felt the tears but I didn't let them fall because when I looked over at Trace he had that lost look burning in his eyes. My uncle spoke but my eyes stayed on Trace who had lowered his head as he listened.

"I did a little digging and discovered that Douglas, like Teresa, was a Fishtown local and, more interesting, they knew each other since they were kids. Teresa's friendship with Mandy didn't really blossom until Mandy started her nursing degree."

My eyes pulled from Trace to look at my uncle.

"You think Teresa was looking to use mom?"

"It certainly fits her pattern. I think that Teresa must have been gloating to Mandy and that's what put Mandy on the scent. I believe she went to Trace's house that day to help his mom but her focus changed after that visit; she was working to get Trace and his sister out of that house."

Trace's head came up at that and his face was just ravaged with guilt.

"The thing is, Trace, the only way that Mandy could have learned that you and your sister were in danger was from your mom."

I inhaled, almost painfully, but my eyes never left Trace as my uncle continued, "Your mom was trying to do the right thing."

"What I don't understand is if Mandy's goal was to get Trace and Chelsea to safety then why kill her? Also the thought that it was Teresa that killed Douglas and Victoria doesn't make much sense either since Teresa moved on to bigger fish and landed Charles. She got exactly what she wanted so there's no motive. Douglas coming after Teresa, I can see that since Teresa moved on and left Douglas behind which could have sparked jealousy but not the other way around."

This came from my dad but I was too busy thinking about my mom as a wave of pride for her washed over me. She was trying to be Trace and Chelsea's avenging angel. She wasn't one who saw, heard and spoke no evil but tried to do the right thing and knowing that about her had me feeling an even greater love for her. Trace, though, was clearly not thinking along the same lines as he attempted to stand but my dad stayed that action with a hand on his shoulder.

"I want to say something to you, Trace, and I ask that you please hear me out."

Trace sat back down but he didn't look happy.

"Mandy was my life. What I felt for her is exactly as you feel for my daughter. We belonged to the other from the moment we set eyes on each other. When I lost her to such a senseless accident it nearly undid me but knowing that she was trying to do the right thing -- that she died as she lived with honor and an indomitable sense of right and wrong -- I don't know somehow it makes it easier to accept her death. With that being said, all that I have left of Mandy is in Ember."

"I understand, sir." Trace started to rise again but my dad stopped him.

"You don't though, Trace, please let me finish. I love Ember with all that I am; she's my life, and not just any one will do for her. As a father you'll understand when you and Ember have a daughter. How you will know that no one will ever be good enough for her and how you absolutely will not allow her to settle. Trace, look at me son."

Trace did and I saw the tears in his eyes as he listened to my father.