Emma

After a spectacular brunch at Jean-Georges, Emma couldn’t put off her conversation with her father any longer. The problem was, she didn’t know how to start. How could she tell her father the real reason she left was because a boy broke her heart? Especially if she didn’t want him to kill said boy.

“So any chance you’d like to start this long story of yours?” her father asked glancing at his watch.

“Is there somewhere you have to be?” she asked. “I don’t want to hold you up. We can talk later.”

“Oh no you don’t. I have all the time in the world for you.”

Emma sighed. “Okay, but can you promise me you’ll remain impartial about some of the characters in this story?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I can promise you I’ll try.”

“So last year, when I left New York with Mom, it wasn’t because I was choosing her over you.”

“It wasn’t?”

Emma shook her head. “It was because of a boy.”

“A boy?”

Emma could already see her father’s stern features hardening. “Dad, I can’t tell you this if you’re going to get all Tony Soprano on me.”

That made him chuckle. “I’ll do my best.”

“Okay, so this boy, who will remain nameless for now, I’d kind of had a crush on him forever, but I didn’t think he ever really thought of me that way, until last year when he finally asked me out. I was so excited.” Emma felt her heart squeeze at the memory. “But before we could go out I found out he hooked up with another girl at a party.”

“How did you find out?”

“Some friends sent me pictures of it. And at first I didn’t want to believe it. But the next day I saw them together at school and I just knew it was true. I was so embarrassed and heartbroken. I didn’t know what to do. And then Mom asked me one more time if I wanted to come to Boston and suddenly it seemed like the only way out. So I took it.”

“And what about now?” her father asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I assume you’re telling me this because something has changed?”

Emma shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean in some ways nothing has changed. I’ve always loved the city. And being back here reminds me how much I miss it. And how much I miss you.”

“And what about this boy?”

“I still love him, Dad. But I don’t know if I can trust him. But the thought of not at least trying to make it work . . .” Emma’s face folded in despair.

Her father took her hand. “Sweetheart, I’m going to try to give you advice as someone who’s had their fair share of tumultuous relationships. Love isn’t easy. But it’s always worth it.”

“But how do I know it’ll work out?”

“You don’t. But that’s just the chance you have to take. If your heart is showing you a path toward love, you owe it to yourself to follow it through.”

Emma bit her lip and looked at him.

“Emma, there’s not much certain in life. But love, no matter how long or fleeting, is always worth it.”

“How do you know when it’s real?”

He thought for a moment. “I suppose you don’t, because you never truly know how someone else feels. But you have to be able to trust yourself and your heart.”

“Is that what happened with you and Mom?”

Her father looked sad for a moment before answering. “Your mother and I hadn’t loved each other for a long time. And when I met Tara, it reminded me of that.” He sighed. “I know I didn’t set a good example for you with the way things happened between your mother and I. But don’t let our mistakes scare you away from making your own.”

“But I don’t want to make mistakes, Dad.”

He smiled. “Sweetheart, we all make mistakes. Sometimes it’s the only way we learn what we want out of life.”

Emma thought about that for a long moment. Had Liz been Will’s mistake? Could Emma forgive him for it? Or would trusting him be her big mistake?

“Em, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes when it comes to relationships, but I wouldn’t change anything about my life. Your mother and I did love each other for a while. And when it fell apart, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through. But I survived. And I’d go through it all over again if I had to, because without it I wouldn’t have you in my life.” He smiled warmly at Emma. “And now I’ve found love again.”

“With Tara?”

He nodded. “I know others judge the way Tara and I got together, but I wouldn’t change that either. If we waited for the timing to be right maybe it never would have happened and that would be a shame, because that woman is a blessing in my life. She makes me happy and she’s brought Colin and soon, a new baby into our lives. I really want you to get to know her, Em. She has a good heart.”

“I think I’d like that, Dad. I’m sorry I didn’t give her a chance before. I just felt like you were choosing her over me.”

“It’s not a competition, sweetheart.”

“I know that now. But Dad . . .” Emma chose her words carefully. “What about Mom?”

“What about her?”

“I don’t want to be the one to tell her you’re getting married to Tara and having another baby.”

Her father smiled, shaking his head. “Your mother already knows everything, Emma. I asked her to give me time to tell you.”

“You did?”

“Yes. You were the one I was worried about telling. And I realize I didn’t do you any favors by keeping it from you. I’m not perfect, sweetie. Can you forgive me for screwing up?”

“Of course, Dad. I don’t need you to be perfect. I just need you to be my dad.”

Her father squeezed her hand. “I’m really glad we had this talk, Emma. I think it’s put us on the right track. And tomorrow we’ll all go out for a big Christmas dinner so you can finally get to know Tara a little better.”

“Actually, I’ve been thinking, I’d really like to have our Christmas dinner at home, like we used to.”

Her father smiled. “I think that’s an excellent idea. We can order in and—”

“No, Dad. I want to cook dinner. It was always our family tradition and it would be nice to share it with Tara and Colin.”

Her father’s face filled with so much emotion his eyes sparkled. “Tara would absolutely love that. She’s been dying to make her family’s lasagna recipe. I guess it’s what her grandparents used to do for Christmas, but I didn’t think you’d be up for that.”

“I don’t care what we eat, Dad. I just want to spend time together.”

“Me too, sweetheart.” He squeezed her hand. “Is there anything else that would make your Christmas day special?”

“Do you think it would be okay if Will joined us? His parents aren’t home and I don’t want him to be alone on Christmas.”

Her father tried to school his expression, which had quirked into a smile at the mention of Will. “This might be a shot in the dark, but is Will the boy from your story?”

Emma bit her lip but nodded.

“I know you don’t need it, but you have my blessing when it comes to him. He’s a good kid. And I know he cares about you deeply. I don’t know what he may have done in the past. But sometimes you have to be willing to let it go if you want to have a future.”

Emma smiled. “Ya know, you’re pretty good at boy talk, Dad.”

He laughed. “Well that’s a relief. But I’m still praying Tara’s having a boy. I don’t think my hairline could survive another daughter,” he said running a finger through his thinning silver hair.

“Hey!” Emma swatted him and they both laughed.

“I may have one more piece of advice for you,” he offered.

“Oh yeah, what’s that?”

“Why don’t you invite Will to the Christmas Eve party on the rooftop tonight?”

“I told Tara I’d watch Colin while you both went.”

“I think it would do us good to go as a family, don’t you?”

Emma smiled. “Actually, yeah. I think that’s a perfect idea.”

Will

Will was practically giddy as he unwrapped the corsage. He was confident with his selection. It was a simple white gardenia with a few pine sprigs. Understated and elegant, just like Emma.

The corsage was much simpler than the holiday themed arrangements the florist had suggested. He’d shivered when the woman tried to hand him one made of pale pink roses and iridescent icicles. It was nearly identical to the one he’d held for hours on the night Emma stood him up. That’s not gonna happen again, Will told himself. Not this time.

Will placed the delicate corsage in his refrigerator and checked his phone again. Still no messages from Emma. He’d sent her one after talking to Tara, saying to text him when she got home. But that had been hours ago. He didn’t want to text her again. It seemed too desperate. But he wanted to give her enough time to get ready for the rooftop party. It was a formal affair and he knew she’d need time to get ready. That is, if she agreed to go with him.

Emma

When Emma got home she glanced at her phone again. The message from Will was taunting her. Text me when you get home. She had every intention of doing so, but first there was something she needed to take care of.

Emma knocked on Colin’s door, peeking her head in. He was lying on his bed with Hodor, reading a thick book that looked beyond his years. The scene made her smile.

Colin’s face lit up when he saw her. “Hi Emma!”

“Hey buddy, do you have time to help me with a secret mission?”

He sat up. “What kinda mission?”

“One for Will.”

“Is it another Christmas gift?”

“No, it’s more like an I’m sorry gift.”

Colin scrunched up his face. “What are you sorry for?”

“Lots of things, but mostly for not being able to see the future sooner.”

“What does that mean?”

Emma sighed. She hadn’t expected so many questions. “He’ll know what I mean.”

“But how?”

“It’s a girl thing, just trust me, okay?”

Colin rolled his eyes. “Girls are weird.” But then he shrugged. “Okay. I’m in. What do you need me to do?”

Emma grinned. “Do you have any paper?”