Christmas Forever

by Sophie Love

  Emily thought of Terry, of the share of the money she’d promised him. The quicker they sold the silver the quicker he’d have enough money to buy a new farm and home.

  “It would also save on the hassle of getting them insured in the meantime,” Jennifer explained.

  “I’d not even thought of that,” Emily confessed, but the lock and key approach, she realized now, was hardly the most secure way of storing expensive antiques. “You’ve given me a lot to think about,” Emily added. “I’ll speak to my family first and let you know my decision tomorrow at the ball.”

  “Fantastic,” Jennifer said, smiling widely. “I look forward to hearing your decision tomorrow!”

  Emily showed Jennifer to the door, waving her off. As Jennifer’s car went down the drive, Emily saw Amy’s turning in at the top of the road. She watched as she drove a little too fast towards the house, before parking diagonally and throwing open her door.

  “Emily! Emily! Guess what!” she cried before she’d even fully got out of the car.

  “What?” Emily exclaimed.

  “The house!” Amy shouted. She hurried for the bottom step of the porch. “Our offer was accepted! We’re buying the house!”

  She hurried up the steps and, on reaching the top, threw herself into Emily’s waiting arms.

  “Oh my God, that’s such great news,” Emily cried, hugging her tightly. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “We’re going to be neighbors,” Amy laughed. “With nothing but some trees between us.”

  “Well, as long as we don’t let Raven Kingsley get between us again,” Emily said, her cheeks warming.

  “Never,” Amy replied. “That reminds me, what happened after the meeting? You went off with her because she was crying. What sob story did she give you?”

  Emily chewed her lip. “Actually, well, I sort of bought the inn off her.”

  Amy froze, her mouth literally dropping open. “Did you really?”

  Emily’s bush deepened. She crinkled her nose. “Yeah. Raven wants to leave Sunset Harbor. I realized she’d never find a buyer and it just seemed to make sense at the time.”

  Amy still looked stunned. But not angry, Emily noted, just surprised.

  “You have got to stop dropping these bombshells on me,” Amy said, laughing. “Oh my God, Em, you bought a house too! We just need Daniel’s shop offer to be accepted now. And your baby to be born, of course.”

  Emily grinned then. “You know, I have a suspicion that it’s going to happen sooner rather than later. The stars are aligning, Ames. I can feel it. Everything is going to work out in the end.”

  *

  That evening, everyone was sat around relaxing in the living room. Chantelle and Roy were putting the finishing touches onto her clock.

  “There,” she announced. “It’s done!”

  She sat back, and held the clock up to everyone.

  “That’s really amazing,” Emily told her.

  Daniel looked beyond proud. “I can’t believe my little girl made that.”

  “Pretty much on her own as well,” Roy added. “I only helped her with a few technical bits.”

  Chantelle grinned, clearly feeling very accomplished.

  Just then, Daniel’s cell phone began to ring.

  “It’s the agent from the shop,” he said, looking shocked.

  “Answer it,” Emily told him, feeling excited.

  Daniel did. Everyone watched with bated breath. Daniel was nodding, frowning, nodding again. Then his eyes widened. He looked up at Emily.

  “Wonderful. Great. Thanks. Yes, Happy New Year to you as well.” He ended the call and looked at them stunned. “My offer was accepted. The shop is mine.”

  Everyone erupted into cheers. Before they’d even had time to calm down, the doorbell rang.

  “I can’t take any more news,” Emily said.

  But she headed to the door, her family in tow, everyone filled with anticipation for who their mystery visitor could be. Emily opened the door and her eyes widened with shock.

  Standing on her doorstep was her mother.

  “Nana Patty!” Chantelle screamed.

  “Mom,” Emily gasped.

  But Patricia’s eyes were looking past her, focusing on Roy.

  “Hello darling,” Roy said, opening his arms for his ex wife.

  Emily watched, stunned, as Patricia hurried into the inn and flew into his embrace. It had been over thirty years since they’d exchanged more than passing insults at one another, and here they were, together, burying decades of hatred and fighting.

  Emily felt tears well in her eyes. Her whole family was here, united, together.

  Just then, she felt a sudden tightening sensation in her back as her muscles spasmed. A pre-labor contraction. A sign from Charlotte. She realized, grinning, what Baby Charlotte had been waiting for all along. She’d been waiting for everyone to be together.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  “Look at you guys,” Emily exclaimed, as Marnie, Lois, Vanessa, Parker, Alec and Matthew emerged into the living room in their formal attire.

  Each of them was working at the ball tonight, and it felt so wonderful for Emily to have them all reunited again. The inn had felt so empty without her staff around. They looked stunning, with the boys dressed up in black tie and the girls in white satin ball gowns.

  “I have some exciting news,” Emily told them all. “The inn is fully booked from next April onwards. So I’m going to be able to recuperate you your lost earnings this month. I’m really sorry for the stress it must have caused you guys not knowing what was going on.”

  She handed them each a silver envelope. Inside each was a paycheck covering their December earnings, plus a small belated Christmas bonus. They took them gratefully, uttering their gratitude.

  Emily checked the clock then. It was almost party time. The bash was beginning at eight, with Roman scheduled on stage for an hour between nine and ten, and the fireworks display starting at midnight exactly. Emily was so excited for everyone to arrive and see how incredible the ballroom looked. And she was equally excited to know both her parents were going to be in attendance.

  Everyone left the living room. Marnie and Lois took their positions at the main entrance to the inn, whilst the others headed towards the ballroom. Emily dimmed the main foyer lights, turning on the twinkling little fairy light trail that led the way to the ballroom. It looked great. Then she turned on the music -- a collection of classy classical pieces -- and hurried off to the ballroom to make sure everything was perfect.

  Inside, the ballroom looked stunning. Blue lights made the whole place look like a winter palace. There was an ice sculpture in the center of the room, shaped like a frozen fountain. Around the perimeter of the ballroom there were chairs and bistro tables, each one adorned with flowers and an ice bucket for orders of champagne. Raj Patel had come early to fuss over the floral displays, making sure each one was perfect.

  Across the other side of the ballroom was the stage, which had a backdrop of black velvet and twinkling lights to look like a midnight sky. Owen was making his way around the instruments to check they were all in tune, and Serena watched on. They were using the evening as their unofficial leaving party, because they’d be leaving for Singapore in just a few days time.

  Emily noticed that sitting to one side were all her nearest and dearest; Roy, Patricia, Daniel, Chantelle and Terry. They all looked fabulous in their glitzy party clothes. Even the dogs were sporting big bows on their collars. She made a beeline for her family, her heart swelling with love for them as she approached.

  Daniel reached for her when she got there and kissed her hand. “Are the staff all caught up?”

  “Yes, they were thrilled by the news,” she told him. “I’m so glad to have been able to offer them their old shifts back.”

  “We have a lot to thank Brynony for,” Daniel added. “She’s been a real star.”

  “She has.”

  Emily’s sentence was cut off by another twinge
in her back. Her pre-labour contractions were completely sporadic, sometimes lasting for a long time, sometimes only fleeting. There was no rhythm to them, which was the only way she knew she wasn’t properly in labour yet. But everyone reminded her that Baby Charlotte was getting ready to make her appearance. 42+4, Doctor Arkwright had confirmed with a whistle in their appointment that morning, followed by, “I’ve never known anyone go this long!”

  Emily touched her stomach then, the velvet fabric of her dress stretched taught against it. Charlotte had been waiting for her family to surround her and now they were. They just needed to employ a little more patience, that was all.

  Just then, the first guests began to arrive, filtering in through the large white lace curtain hanging over the ballroom entrance. They were strangers to Emily, but she could tell from their expressions that they were delighted by what they saw. It felt like a new step to have people come to one of her parties who she didn’t already know. They’d chosen to purchase a ticket and spend a special evening in her establishment. She wanted to make sure everyone had the best time ever.

  More and more people began to enter, some familiar Sunset Harbor folk and an equal amount of strangers from out of town. Then Emily noticed Jennifer Sutcliffe arriving with her sister.

  “That’s her,” she said, grabbing Daniel’s arm. “That’s the auctioneer for the silver. I told her I’d let her know our decision about the English collectors. What do you think we should do? Hold on and take the risk for a higher payout, or sell it now and have the security of the income?”

  Daniel took her by the shoulders and turned her in the direction of Terry. He was chatting animatedly to Patricia, both of them holding champagne flutes and taking sips between laughter.

  “I think we should sell for him,” Daniel told her. “So his life doesn’t have to be on pause anymore. I think he deserves it.”

  Emily nodded. “I think so too.”

  She kissed Daniel, grateful for the support and compassion he had shown. Then she disengaged from his embrace and approached Jennifer and her sister.

  “Emily, hi,” Jennifer said, putting the vol a vant she’d been halfway through eating into a napkin. “This is my sister Clarissa. Clar, this is the woman I was telling you about, with the William Gamble collection.”

  “You’re one lucky lady,” Clarissa said. “You’re taking up Jennifer’s offer aren’t you, to sell straight to the English collectors?”

  “That’s what I’m here to talk about,” Emily said with a decisive nod. “I’d like to go ahead with the sale.”

  “Fantastic!” Jennifer cried. Forgetting any sense of formality, she threw her arms around Emily, making bits of pastry fly from her wrapped vol a vont into the air.

  Emily laughed.

  “I’m going to call them straight away,” Jennifer said then, taking her cell phone from her purse. Then she paused. “Wait, what time is Roman Westbrook on stage?”

  “You’ve got a little while yet,” Emily told her, giggling.

  Jennifer hurried off to make her call.

  The moment she’d left, Serena came up to Emily.

  “This is amazing,” she gushed. Emily noticed tears twinkling in her eyes. “I’m going to miss you so much when I leave.”

  “Me too,” Emily told her. “Remember none of this success would have been possible without you. You were my first real friend in Sunset Harbor. I’ll never forget all the help you gave me at the beginning, getting the inn off the ground.”

  Serena began to cry then in earnest. “I just wish I could have been more available over the last year. I let life get in the way, my degree, Owen, all that stuff.”

  “You put your happiness first,” Emily said. “I’d never resent you that.”

  Serena wiped her tears away. “Can I tell you a secret?”

  “Of course,” Emily said, taking her hands.

  “We’re going to get married. Owen and I. Once we’re settled in Singapore.”

  “Well that’s fantastic news!” Emily gushed, hugging her tightly. “You’re the sweetest couple in the world. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thank you,” Serena blushed. “You get to know first because I want you to be one of my bridesmaids.”

  “I’d love to,” Emily told her. Returning the favor Serena had given her would be an honor. “Of course I would.”

  Serena let out an exhalation. “Thank you. You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to tell someone that!”

  Emily chuckled, and Serena seemed to relax considerably, returning to her usual chatty, confident demeanor.

  “So when is this baby coming?” she asked. “If I don’t meet her before I leave I’ll be devastated.”

  “I’m in pre-labor right now,” Emily explained. “Which is why I keep wincing in pain and grabbing my lower back!”

  Serena’s eyes widened. “No way. Now? Does that mean she’ll come any minute?”

  “They’re not proper contractions. Not yet. But it’s definitely getting closer!”

  “Are you scared?” Serena asked.

  Emily shook her head. “I’m excited. I have my whole family around me for the first time in decades. And if Charlotte has it her way, I’ll have the whole of the town around me too! I couldn’t have asked for better timing to be honest with you.”

  Jennifer returned then, her face a huge grin.

  “Emily,” she said, “I’m going to give you a piece of paper and the figure on it is the amount that you’re going to receive for the sale of the silver collection. You may want to sit down.”

  Emily took the slip of paper and read the numbers written upon it in cursive writing.

  Four hundred and fifty three thousand dollars

  Emily’s mouth became extremely dry. She fanned her face. It was four times the amount she’d been expecting.

  “I have to tell Terry,” she managed to say.

  She staggered across the dance floor.

  “Excuse me, Terry,” she said, pulling his arm towards her and away from Patricia. She spoke in a hushed voice. “I have some news. About the silver.”

  Terry moved away, shaking his head. “I told you, I can’t accept that money. And besides, I’ve found a new place to live, with space for a Christmas tree farm. Once the insurance payment comes through I’ll be back on my feet.”

  “Terry, you have to allow me to help you,” Emily said. “At least as an investor in your business.”

  He paused then, tilting his head to the side. “As an investor? Well that would certainly be more palatable to me.”

  “Good,” Emily said. “We’ll sort out the fine details later. But just know I’m looking to invest no less than two hundred thousand dollars in your business.”

  Terry’s mouth dropped open with shock. “That would be one hell of a Christmas tree farm.”

  Patricia came over then.

  “What are you talking about?” she demanded. “You both look like you’re about to pass out.”

  “Just some good business news,” Emily told her. “We’re planning on working together in the future, aren’t we Terry?”

  Terry still looked stunned. He reached for Emily, hugging her tightly. “How can I ever repay your kindness?”

  “You could start by dancing with my mother,” Emily chuckled into his ear. “She seems quite taken with you.”

  “Consider it done!” Terry laughed, and he turned to Patricia, offering his hand. “A dance, my lady?”

  She looked horrified. “Me? Dance?”

  But Terry wasn’t going to take no for an answer. He grasped her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. Patricia didn’t even try to hide her delighted smile as she allowed him to twirl her around.

  Emily watched on as more and more of her friends arrived; Yvonne with Keiran, Wesley and Suzanna, Cynthia, Karen, Mayor Hansen. They were all dressed to the nines, and all here to see in the New Year with her. She felt overwhelmed with love and gratitude for this little town. Then she saw Roy and Chantelle dancing together,
the girl standing on his feet just as Emily had done at her age. A lump formed in her throat. Tomorrow Roy would be leaving, but tonight they would celebrate and enjoy every last second of the time they had together.

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  Fireworks ushered in the new year and soon, night rolled into day. Each room at the inn began to fill up with tired residents who didn’t want the celebrations to end just yet. To Emily surprise, she soon had a fully booked inn!

  She left the ball in the capable hands of her staff and went to get some much needed rest. But at six a.m. she woke suddenly to the sensation of a strong contraction. Her first proper one. Labor had begun.

  She turned and shook Daniel awake.

  “I just had a contraction,” she told him. “A proper one.”

  Daniel’s eyes widened with excitement and fear. “Really? It’s going to be today? We’re going to meet our daughter today?”

  “We have to start timing them,” Emily told him.

  He scrabbled for his cell phone on the bedside table. “Okay. The stopwatch is running. How do you feel?”

  “I’m excited,” Emily told him. “I can’t wait. We ought to wake up Chantelle though, and mom and dad.”

  Daniel tore back the covers. “Okay. Yes. I’ll do that right now.”

  He pulled Emily’s bathrobe on, and Emily couldn’t help but giggle at the panicked sight of him. He hurried out, calling Chantelle’s name loudly. Clearly he’d quite forgotten that their inn was fully booked. Emily heard the sound of doors opening and people exclaiming with delight that her labor had started. She blushed as she listened to the call go up, spreading through the entire inn. And considering most of the town folk had stayed overnight at the inn that meant the entire town now knew!

  She got out of bed gently, touching her stomach with awe, knowing it would soon be gone. She wondered if the strange sense of grief she felt was normal. She’d become so used to have Charlotte as a part of her, she would miss her when she was on the outside, so to speak!

  The door flew open and in ran Chantelle.