Page 89 of Ten Christmases Without You
“Want to ride together to the airport?” she suggested. “We just have to stop and see my dad first. Do you have time?”
“That sounds perfect.”
Emmy said her goodbyes to Madison, Jack, and the rest of the family. Leaving was bittersweet. While she never would have guessed it, even with the challenges, this Christmas had been one of her favorites. She was taking home a heart full of memories.
She and Charlie climbed into the car and then headed to VCU so she could say goodbye to her dad.
“Promise me you’ll call as soon as you get the test results,” her father said, holding both of her hands in a tight grip.
“I promise. And as we vowed, whatever it says won’t change who we are to one another.”
“I know.”
She gave him a hug, taking in the familiar feeling of his embrace. Then she pulled back. “You look good, by the way. The color’s returned to your face.”
“The nurse says I can go home in another day or two.”
“That’s amazing. I promise not to go a whole year without seeing you. I’m bringing you to New York and showing you around. Maybe if you’re feeling up to it, you can come in February for Fashion Week.”
“Deal.”
When it was time to go, she gave him a kiss and said goodbye. Then she went out to the lobby to meet Charlie. They took the twenty-minute drive to the airport and turned in the rental car. Once they were inside, they busied themselves with checking in and getting through security. Emmy put her phone, coat, and shoes in a bin and went through the x-ray machine.
“How long do you have until your flight?” Charlie asked after they’d reassembled themselves.
“About an hour.”
“Mine’s in an hour and a half.”
They shuffled forward to allow passengers by.
“Want to sit somewhere together for a few minutes?” he asked.
“I’d like that.” She wasn’t going to focus on the fact that she only had a matter of minutes left with him.
They made their way to the retail area to find a spot to sit.
She lumped her bag on the floor and dropped down into one of the chairs at a café. “I think I’ll get a drink,” she said, getting back up. “Want anything?”
“No, thanks.”
“Be right back. Wait with my bag?”
“Of course.”
She got a bottle of water and returned to their seats.
“This was a fun trip,” he said.
She folded one leg under her, took her lid off the bottle, and took a sip. “I know. I promised my dad that I wouldn’t go a whole year without seeing him again. I’d like to make you the same promise.”
“I agree. Maybe the next time we’re in an airport, we’ll be flying somewheretogether.”
She smiled, trying not to allow hope to take over, because if anything got between them, it would crush her.
They sat together until Emmy’s flight was boarding. “Well, I have to go.”
They were going back to their regular lives on opposite sides of the country. By car, it took thirty-two hours to drive from her home to his. How were they going to do this?
