Embracing Emma (Companion to Brisé) (5 page)

“Is it because it’s William?”

“In part.”

“But you love him.”

“I do. But so do you.” The light bulb goes on.

“So if it was anyone else, things would be different?”

“Maybe. I don’t think I’d feel like I was sucker-punched in the gut. I see you two. I feel what you have.”

“I do too, Daddy.”

“I know, Princess. Just make good choices.”

“I will.”

“And know your mom and I are here . . . no matter what.”

“Love you.”

“Love you, baby girl.”

Nana arrives before everyone else and is busy fussing over my cupcakes and decorations. I sit back and watch her, idolizing her. Nostalgia has filled me since my talk with Dad last night. “Nana, how did you and Papa meet?”

“Oh, we knew each other our whole lives. Went to elementary school through high school together. He went off to college, and I stayed here working in the bakery. It’s that dry cleaners on Seventh Street now, but when he came back after that first year, he turned my head. Not just mine either. That damn Sally Green tried to move in on him, but I got there first.” I can’t hold back the giggle at Nana’s fierceness in recounting that detail.

“So you got your man?”

“Emma, a young lady doesn’t chase a boy. She ensures he has no choice but to chase her.” She shoots me a wink over her shoulder as she continues to ice the cupcakes. “I couldn’t help that I was inadvertently in his path wherever he went.”

“My Nana has game.”

“Yes, she did. But I didn’t need it. Turns out Papa had been waiting on me to notice him. Sometimes the best things are right in front of our face, but until we stop scanning over them, we don’t truly see their value.”

“So he asked you on a date and the rest is history.”

“No, Princess. He never asked me on a date. He walked up to me after I was done ringing up his momma’s cake and told me he’d be back around when I got off and we could go pick out my wedding set because I would be his wife.”

I choke on air and sputter, “You’re kidding?”

“No, it only takes removing the blinders you’re wearing. That man came back at six, escorted me to the jewelry store, bought a simple solitaire.” She pauses showing me her wedding set I’ve admired for years. The simplicity of it all enamors me. “He picked it up the next week, and I’ve never taken it off since.”

“You didn’t date?”

“Oh, he courted me, just
after
he told me I was going to be his wife.”

“When were you married?”

“Four weeks after that day. He went back to school for another year, came home, and opened the real estate office.”

“Wow, Nana. That’s not what I expected.”

“He wasn’t what I expected, Emma. He was so much more.” I see her wipe the tear slipping down her cheek, but she continues without missing a beat, “I had sixty years with that man and would have been lucky to get sixty more.”

“Nana…” I let my voice trail off because I don’t know what to say.

“I’m not telling you to run off and get married after your first date, but I can say I’m proud of you for never wearing those blinders around William. You’ve seen that boy for what he is . . . your future. And Emma, he sees you. Clearer than anyone else does.”

I feel my eyes well up with tears. “I’ve got to get ready.”

“Yes, you do. Wear green, baby; it’s your color.” I walk into her embrace and hold on a little tighter than I normally do, a little longer, letting her love surround me.

I make fast work of my shower and stare in my closet for eternity. I have no idea what I’m doing. I should have let my mom take me shopping after all. Nothing is drawing my attention, and I want to look nice.

This is William. I remind myself of that over and over. He’s seen me dolled up, dressed down, and everything in between.

It feels different.

It feels exhilarating. Yet terrifying.

It’s my dream.

Now the dilemma with my hair. It’s usually up in a messy ponytail, but he deserves better tonight. I painstakingly blow my long locks dry and after settling on a green tank top, jean shorts, and flip-flops, I pull it up and braid it along my shoulder.
As good as it gets
I think as I stare in the mirror. I hear everyone arriving and nothing stops me from dashing to the dining room . . . once I see him, remember what we are embarking on tonight, a peace fills me, and just like breathing, I gravitate to his side, and all is stable inside me.

No nerves.

No doubts.

No fear.

Only him.

Chapter Six

William

As she finds her way next to me, it’s second nature to touch her, circle her waist with my arms, and draw her closer. With her next to me, I become what I’m supposed to be.

Hers.

It brings unity, solidarity to my core I can’t deny . . . nor do I want to. I notice Luke avert his eyes as soon as I touch her. While the way we are standing isn’t disrespectful in any way, I kiss the top of her head, and pull back, nodding to her dad. She shakes her head in understanding.

Nana brings the cupcakes, interrupting the standoff. “Happy birthday, Emma.” She places the treats on the table and turns to kiss her granddaughter. “You’re as beautiful as your momma.”

“Thanks, Nana.” I hear the break in her voice and notice the grip she has on Nana.

“Let’s eat and then presents.” Phoebe ushers everyone to get comfortable.

“No singing this year,” Emma announces to everyone.

Her request is met with groans and grumbles. “What kind of birthday celebration is it with no singing?” James teases her.

“Have you guys listened to yourselves? Besides my dad, none of y’all can carry a tune. I’m sixteen not six.” I know that compliment aimed at her dad was for his reassurance.

“We’re singing,” I declare. We all break into our own rendition of “Happy Birthday,” and it’s horrid. Emma doesn’t look away from her dad as he softly sings
just
to her.

The destruction of sugary treats is completed in mere seconds. My girl has presents piled up in front of her, and presents are her weakness. As she reaches for the first present, I lean down to her and whisper, “My present will come later. I wanted it to be just us.” She smiles and nods at me.

My dads got her a painting she obviously loves. “How did you know?” Her voice is loud, bordering a shout. I study her face as it flushes, and she bounces up and down in the chair.

“Well,” James begins, “I noticed you had a book of his prints. This one spoke to me.” His wink is sly, hiding his face from Luke.

“Who is it, Ems?” Nana is studying it.

“Kim Anderson. I love his work. Simplistic, yet captures the warmth with muted colors. Children are his specialty. I could stare at his work for hours.” I lean over to study the photo. A boy and girl, probably no older than six, are in some kind of model car. The colors aren’t bright, but what is chosen to highlight stands out amidst the grayscale of the rest of the photo. Muted yellows against white. The flowers have color, but that’s it. They bring a sharp contrast and make the viewer see vividness where it’s actually softness. The photo is of a mock wedding. I laugh and throw my head back. How many of these ‘ceremonies’ did Emma make me have . . . I lost count. One day the damn dog was by her side, Brett would marry us, another time Luke walked her across the lawn, and James married us. Officiants changed, but the end result was her dragging me to the simulated altar.

“Right, William. This one spoke to us.” Brett claps my shoulder, and the meaning isn’t lost on any of us.

“It’s a first date not a damn proposal,” Luke snaps causing to Phoebe slap him on the arm and Emma to roll her eyes. She meets her Nana’s look, and I see a secret pass between them. I’ll never keep up.

Phoebe excuses herself and returns with a small box. She hands it to Luke with a kiss to his cheek. Emma’s dad takes a few short steps until he is standing next to her. “Princess, I can’t believe you’re sixteen. It’s like I blinked, and you’re not my baby girl anymore.” Their bond is palpable, unbreakable. “This is from Mom and me.” She hugs him and rips into the box, ignoring the bow and sparkly paper.

“OH MY GOD!” The high pitch of her voice is sure to bust a few eardrums a couple counties over, and the decibel is deafening. She’s dangling a set of keys and runs to the front door. A shiny black Tahoe is sitting at the street complete with a blue bow matching the color of her eyes.

“Emma.” His warning is clear. “It’s not a toy.”

“You mean it’s a real live car, Daddy?” The sarcasm drips from her. “I have to put gas-o-line in it and all?”

Luke glares at his mom. “I blame you for this behavior.”

“Yeah, because you were such a choir boy.” Their quips make me chuckle.

“Dad, I know the responsibility of this. I’ll get my license next week, and you can set the ground rules. For now, let me bask in your generosity.” With a shake of his head, he leads her outside. I watch them from the window, and her animation is killing me. He leans in and pulls a small black box out of the glove compartment. Her hand goes to her mouth as she peers inside. I see her wipe her cheek and grin at them. I can’t read lips, but I’d love to know what he’s saying because she is now pissed. Her hand on her hip, head shaking vigorously back and forth. He holds his hands up in surrender and looks downright crestfallen. I watch her kiss his cheek and hug him, when she goes to step back, he forces himself to release her. He spins her around and clasps a necklace around her neck.

“I remember giving you your truck on your big day.” My parents flank each side of me taking in the spectacle Emma is making.

“Good times,” I murmur.

“They were.” I don’t miss Brett’s wistful tone until James pulls him back to the dining room.

Emma and Luke find their way back inside, and her Nana gives her the present that she had hidden in the corner. A scrapbook of sorts but filled with her Nana’s recipes, funny notes, photos of the family, and finally she reads the card. “Are you serious, Nana?”

“Against your father’s wishes, yes.”

“What is it?” I ask, confused.

“A full year of apartment living for whatever college I choose to go to.” I blink and stare at the same time.

“I’ve read all those statistics about young girls on campus and what can happen to them. No way is that happening to my Emma.”

They build a damn fortress around her, and she constantly busts through it. “It wouldn’t be an issue if she stayed here and let me take care of her . . . for life.” Luke is dead serious.

“Oh, Dad, I think the old age is setting in and making you delusional. I’ll let you furnish it for me.” She bats her eyelashes at him, and he can’t help but laugh.

“I have no doubt you will grant me that honor.”

I clear my throat. If I don’t make the move now, we will be here for hours sucked into the vortex of our crazy families. “Well, we should get going.”

“Let me get my camera.” Phoebe hurries to find it.

Emma groans. I grab her hand and pull her next to me. “Smile, Ems. Shortly we’ll be on our own.”

“Can’t wait.”

I can’t either. It’s been a long time in the making. We pose for pictures, goof off for some, and the laughter follows us out the door with the stern warning, “Eleven o’clock.” I’m hoping Luke will ease up when he gets used to us being a couple, instead of just friends.

“Where are we going?” The excitement rolls off her in waves. I shut her door and ignore her question as I get in and start the truck. “Hey, talking over here.”

“I know. Let it be a surprise,” I plead with her. Truth is, what we are going to do is cheesy as hell. I had no clue how to plan a first date with Emma, but I wanted it to be memorable. She fidgets with the radio and hums along to Luke Bryan’s “First Love Song,” snubbing me. Her little quirks just make me fall for her harder.

I drive and don’t pull her from her tantrum, secretly loving it. She’s so headstrong but full of life. I stop the car and watch the realization take over her. “The skating rink? On a Saturday night?”