“And we will,” Emily promised her. “Perhaps even sooner than you think.”
Danica wasn’t sure what was going to happen yet, but she believed now that she and Emily would find a way to stay together if they both wanted it enough.
“I’ll put them on in front of the mirror later if that’s alright,” Emily said. She had small Santa studs in at the moment.
“That’s fine,” Danica told her, smiling.
“So the second present?” Emily suggested, offering it to Danica. This one had a bow.
Danica took it from her and gave it a shake. “It rattles.”
“I’m not sure it should,” Emily replied.
Danica untied the bow and unwrapped the gift; she found a small, dark red cardboard box. Inside, there were two tickets.
“You’ve been at home so much, I thought it might be nice to take you out somewhere special. It’s even better because you mentioned going out on the town.”
“It sure is. What are they for?” Danica asked, looking closer.
“They’re tickets for a musical, if you would like to go with me?”
“Oh yes, I definitely would,” she replied. It had so long since she’d been out somewhere nice like that.
“Then I’ll wear my earrings,” Emily promised.
“That would be perfect.”
That was when Danica remembered the other present she’d bought for Emily... and for herself. She shouldn’t feel nervous, after all they were back together now. It didn’t feel as risky a gift as it was when she’d ordered it.
Danica handed it to Emily. “This is for both of us, if you would like it too.”
“That sounds mysterious,” Emily mused as she shook the box.
Danica winced when she did that, so Emily stopped and began to unwrap it. Unlike the other gift, Danica had wrapped this one in white paper with gold stars on it, which may or may not have added to its allure of mystery.
Emily gave her a curious smile when she revealed the box inside, and when she opened that, her expression grew more emotional. She leaned in to kiss her girlfriend.
“It’s beautiful and perfect,” Emily said, as she ran her fingers over the two halves of the gold heart. Each had one of their names engraved on it, and the two pieces joined together to create a whole heart.
“It seemed right,” Danica replied, taking her own necklace from the box.
“When we’re apart it’s a reminder that together we’re whole.”
Danica nodded. “And where we belong.”
“Who we belong to,” Emily added. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
As Emily put on her necklace, Danica decided to help her with the clasp. It looked lovely on her, and Emily helped Danica with her own.
Peter, Emily’s father, had returned to the doorway and was watching the exchange of gifts. He approached Emily and Danica, his expression more at ease than Emily had seen him in days.
“I know you two want to stay together. This college thing; one way or another we’ll get it sorted out,” he said. “If you’re sure it’s what you really want?”
Emily climbed to her feet and hugged her dad. “Oh thank you so much! Yes, it is. You mean I can change colleges?”
“If you don’t find a better alternative, then yes. I want you both to have a good Christmas,” he said, “and to be happy afterwards.”
“That means so much to me,” Danica told him, smiling as her eyes grew damp with tears.
When Emily’s father returned to the dining room where Jeremy was carrying platters of food out to the table, Danica took Emily’s hand.
“This Christmas has been like a dream come true for me in so many ways. Thanks for making it so special and wonderful.”
Christmas lights twinkled in the background, and the air was rich with the aroma of Christmas dinner, as Emily and Danica held each other tenderly.
Emily
The snow had melted in the weeks since Christmas and only patches of frost remained. The day was bright with a blue sky and a scattering of clouds, but there was still a chill in the air, so Emily was dressed warmly in her jacket and scarf. The weather wasn’t all that was different; so much had changed in her own life and there were new adventures on the horizon for herself and Danica.
“I’m so excited that we’re going to live together,” Danica said, as she walked with Emily toward the coffee shop.
She was free of her crutches now, and while she walked carefully and slowly, she was making huge progress.
“Me too,” Emily said, musing on how wonderful it would be to have Danica close-by all the time.
“I’m glad we managed to reach a compromise,” she said. “Incredibly glad.”
Emily felt Waverley-East College was just so far away and there weren’t many colleges in the area that she could transfer to. She’d settled on one a little further away, Elmore College of Design. It was close enough that she and Danica could visit their families at the weekends, while building a new life for themselves. Even better, Emily had been able to retrieve a semester of fees she’d paid.
Life felt different—full of hope and love, with lots to be done. Emily couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so alive and motivated. On this day she and Danica both wore their heart necklaces, and when they sat down in the coffee shop, they weren’t just enjoying each other’s company; they were planning their life ahead, together.
It had been the most wonderful Christmas. Emily had experienced a whirlwind of emotions, and she hadn’t expected it to be as magical and meaningful to her as it was. This journey home was more than she could’ve hoped for. She had a new brother, an even closer bond with her family—including her father, and her heart was full with love.
Even in her most secret Christmas wishes, Emily hadn’t hoped for so much, but it was with joy and her appreciation for Christmas that she found it. And just like that, Emily found her happily ever after with the love of her life, Danica Swanson.
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