Page 92 of Ten Christmases Without You
Madison gave her another side hug. “I’m so happy for you. I’m surprised Charlie isn’t here.”
“I know. He couldn’t come. He had back-to-back fishing tours booked.”
“That’s a bummer,” Uncle Brian said.
“It’s okay.” She did wish he could’ve seen the show, but she understood that he had his own career to manage. “I can’t wait to show you all my new apartment,” she said, locking arms with Madison as they all left the venue.
“Think we could fit everyone in there for Christmas this year?” Madison asked.
Emmy frowned. “I doubt it, but I’m not renewing the lease anyway.”
“Why not? You just got it,” her dad said.
Aunt Charlotte and Aunt Elsie shared confused but interested looks.
“I promise to fill you all in, but not yet.”
“I can’t wait to hear,” Aunt Charlotte said.
Madison leaned into her ear. “If you won’t tell us, have you told Charlie your plans?”
“I haven’t told anyone. I don’t want to say anything to him until I have everything signed, sealed, and delivered.”
When they got to her apartment, a delivery man with a bouquet of three dozen red roses was knocking on her door.
“Emmy Brewer?”
She looked wide-eyed at her family before addressing the delivery person. “Yes, that’s me.”
“I’ll need your signature for these.”
“Of course.” She took the pen and signed his clipboard.
He gave her an envelope and then handed over the bouquet.
She let everyone into her airy new apartment and set the bouquet on the table. She plucked the card from between the blooms. “It’s from Charlie. How sweet of him to send this.”
While her family looked on, she opened the envelope and read the message aloud: “Open the door—Charlie.”
There was a collective gasp, and Aunt Elsie threw her hand to her chest.
Emmy rushed back to the entrance and flung the door wide to find Charlie standing in the hallway. She threw her arms around him. “What are you doing here?”
“I know it’s not quite Valentine’s Day, but I wanted to be here for your special day too. I saw the show. I didn’t want to distract you… You were amazing.”
Elation tickled her from head to toe. “You saw it?”
He nodded. “Mm-hm.”
“What a surprise,” Aunt Charlotte said, clapping her hands.
“Speaking of surprise, I’ve got one last surprise for you.” He handed her another envelope.
She opened it and gasped when she pulled out two plane tickets. Emmy threw her hand over her mouth. “Paris?”
“Yep.”
“That’s only two months away.”
