Page 118 of Emma
The room suddenly fell silent, only the sound of Carmen sniffling to be heard. Then Freya scrambled forward and wrapped her arms around Emma and Vanessa’s necks. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Emma held her tight, blinking back tears. “You’re my sister. I’ve lost a lot of time doing things like this with you…so now we make up for it.”
When Freya pulled back, her eyes shining, Vanessa reached over and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “We’reveryhappy that you’re a part of our lives, Freya.”
Freya grinned. “Best Christmas ever!”
And just like that, all was well with the world.
Emma sat back, her heart swelling so fiercely that she had to wonder if it would ever settle. She quickly took Vanessa’s hand, squeezed it, and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Thanks, babe.”
Even though Emma had loved the last few Christmases, something had always felt as though it was missing. She’d often put it down to her lack of relationship with family, but now she knew what it was. Her heart had known all along that there was someone out there who was meant to be here with them like this. And that someone was Freya.
Shoulder to shoulder, Vanessa leaned in and whispered, “Thankyoufor letting me be a part of something so beautiful.”
By the timeHome Alonestarted blaring from the TV, the house had given way to that perfect Christmas lull. The firecrackled, candles burned low, and the mess in the kitchen had been forgotten about for now. It wasn’t going anywhere. They could tackle it all once everyone had left for the night.
Emma lounged on the couch, her head tilted back, while Vanessa’s arm was draped over her shoulders. Bliss, that’s what she was feeling. The kind that only came from a day filled with food, laughter, and most importantly…love.
Freya was spread out on the floor like she owned the space, Kindle open but largely ignored, her signed trilogy stacked proudly at her side. She’d spent half an hour setting up her new phone earlier, proudly announcing that her first message had been to Emma and Vanessa…even though they were right there in the room.
Ben was stretched out in an armchair with his alcohol-free beer, chuckling at the film, while Carmen was slouched against a cushion, glass of wine in hand. That edge of uncertainty was gone, and it had been replaced with the stillness of people who had nothing against one another. As they sat here, each and every one of them knew it was for a reason.
For Freya.
Emma tightened her hold on Vanessa’s hand, brushing her thumb over her knuckles. Everything about today had felt surreal. It had been easy in so many ways she hadn’t dared to hope for.
“Emma?”
Her gaze landed on Freya as she shuffled up from the floor and climbed onto the couch without hesitation, squeezing herself into the space at Emma’s side. Emma looped an arm around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Comfy now?”
“Mmhmm.” Freya snuggled closer and pulled the blanket over her knees. For a while, she was quiet, just watching the film, the glow of the tree lights playing over her face.
Emma settled in again. She couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d missed all the other Christmases and all the birthdays. All the everyday, ordinary things. But here, tonight, Freya was warm and cosy against her side…and Emma clung to it with everything she had.
It was almost the end of the film when Freya tilted her head back, her voice barely above a whisper. “Emma?”
“Yeah?” Emma stroked her hair gently, bracing herself for one of the impossible questions Freya sometimes carried around with her.
“You’re the best sister in the world.” Freya’s gaze held steady. “I love you so much.”
Those words knocked the breath right out of Emma, tears stinging her eyes before she could blink them away. She hugged Freya tighter, pressing her face into her hair. “I love you, too. More than I can ever explain.”
Vanessa’s hand slid over Emma’s back, grounding her, and as Emma glanced up through the blur of tears to see Carmen watching, her own expression was caught somewhere between pride and sorrow. She regarded Emma with a smile, nodding slowly, likely acknowledging what they deserved with one another. A chance to figure out the bond that was so cruelly stolen from them.
Freya sighed, her whole body relaxing against Emma as though she’d been waiting for this moment all along. Emma absorbed it all. Freya’s words, Vanessa’s gentle touch, and the quiet warmth of a Christmas she would never, ever forget.
EPILOGUE
Six months later…
The late Junesun beat down across the pitch as Emma shaded her eyes with her hand, her heart pounding harder than it ever had during her own sport tournaments. She wasn’t the one out there in shin pads and with grazed knees, but in a way, she felt as though she was.
Vanessa gave her a nudge, holding out a lukewarm bottle of water. “You’re sweating more than the players.”
Emma blew out a breath and took the water. “That’s because my entire life, aside from you, is out there running around in a number nine shirt.” Emma followed every move Freya made. “God, look at her, babe. She’s everywhere.”
Vanessa followed Emma’s line of sight to Freya, who had just intercepted the ball with precision. She sprinted down the wing, braids flying behind her, her eyes fixed on the goal.
