“Ems, I think the tree looks a little crooked.”

“No, it’s not! It looks fine,” Emma grumbled as she tried to fluff one of the branches that was limping to the left a bit. Emma had just gone out with Karen yesterday to the Christmas tree farm to get it. The two of them spent nearly two hours walking around the field looking for the perfect tree to put in the living room and after her fingers and toes had officially gone completely numb the two of them gave up and settled for the lanky one in the corner of the field that no one wanted. The tree towered over her quite a bit and had a bit of a tilt, but it reminded her a bit of her James and this Christmas that was what she wanted, him.

“The reindeer you just hung up is about to fall off, Emma” he mumbled from the screen of her computer as he face-timed her from the studio in LA. Rushing over to the left side of the tree, she scooped up the ornament quickly just as it was beginning to slide off of the scrawny branch she had placed it on earlier. As she less than gracefully began to pick herself off the ground, Emma heard a wolf whistle come from her fiance.

“On second thought, if you keep bending down like that I think I might actually like this tree.” James stated with a smirk as she gave him the middle finger. “Your mom and I picked it out yesterday cause we thought it looked like you. A little lanky, a little scrawny… looks like he just rolled out of bed” she replied with a laugh.

“I’m going to spare my ego and pretend you didn’t just compare your beautiful, loving, and supportive fiance to that sad drooping tree you have in the corner.”

“Emma, is that James you’re talking to in there? Tell him he better be making it home for Christmas Eve dinner or I’m going to be having a stern talking with Jeff,” Karen shouted from the kitchen where she was finishing up some cookies for Lily and Michael’ today.

She could see the color drain from James’ face as he scratched the back of his neck. Emma and James have been engaged now for a little over a year but had been dating for well over three, so she knows his every tick and giveaway and when James begins to scratch and rub at the back of his neck you know it’s bad news.

“I’ve got this really good chorus started with Mitch, but were still trying to figure out whether-”

“James”

“We spent all of yesterday working through the tracklist and I think I’ve narrowed it down to-”

“James”

“I think I’m going to end the album with the song I wrote on our first date. I tweaked the melody but it’s still-”

“James” she whispered for the last time before he finally stopped his rambling. Emma could see him by the way he was avoiding her stare that he didn’t want to say the words she both were dreading. He isn’t coming home for Christmas. Emma both knew it was a possibility when he flew out to LA nearly five weeks ago to finish the album before the new year. Despite James’ offer of having her come to LA with him, her job didn’t allow her the luxury of taking off that much time especially during one of her busiest times of the year. Emma had held out hope that Kid Harpoon and James could tie up all of the loose ends ahead of time, but clearly, that wasn’t going to happen.

“I tried, baby, I really did. There are just too many little things that need to get done here. I promise I’ll try and make it back next week, we can have our own little Christmas together in London” he started trying to lighten his crushing words. This was supposed to be your first Christmas as an engaged couple together so to say she was disappointed would be an understatement, but she knew that if you let James know he would be on the first flight out to North Carolina.

“It’s okay, we both knew this could happen. I’m sure Karen and I will spend way too much time fussing over Adelaide to even notice you’re not here,” you replied back trying to lighten the mood a bit more by mentioning Lily’s adorable two-year-old niece.

“Stop rubbing it in,” he joked as Jeff called his name in the background. “I need to get back in before they all have my head for keeping them here past midnight again. I’ll try and sneak another call later tonight if you’re still up.”

“So good, James. I love you.”

“I love you too, Emma, See you soon!” James replied back as he hung up. Emma closed her laptop and continued her quest to finish decorating their slightly distorted Christmas tree. Securing the lights onto the tree had somehow become the hardest part of decorating the tree, so while she  was wrapped in a mess of bulbs and strings she didn’t even notice Karen come in with two cups of hot chocolate.

“Oh dear, let me give you a hand.” Karen muttered as she placed the mugs on the coffee table before rushing to your side, delicately untangling her from the lights while placing each string perfectly in its place. Emma gave her a quick thanks before she walked over to the couch to admire her work.

“He texted me to check up on you, that crazy son of mine. Swear I love him, but sometimes he’s got just no sense of priorities. Leaving his fiancee all alone for the holidays, just not right.” Karen said as she passed her a mug and sat down next to her.

“I appreciate you belittling your son for my behavior, but rest assured that I am okay. I’m sad we won’t be able to spend our first Christmas together as an engaged couple, but I’m sure we’ll have our own little Christmas once he gets back. Besides, I still get the full week off of work and I get to spend time with you and baby Adelaide for the next couple of days and it will be great!”

“Well if you ever need me to put him in his place you let me know, okay sweetheart? Can’t have my favorite future daughter-in-law feeling upset.” she said as she wrapped her arms around her.

“Thanks, Anne.” she replied as she  gave her a tight squeeze, placing a kiss on her cheek.

“Anytime dear. Now quick, turn on channel Hollywood Gossip before Lily shows up,  she never lets me watch this show. I hear Elizabeth Hurley was spotted with an ex-boyfriend again”

The two of them spend the next hour catching up on some gossip and making lists of everything that still needs to be done before Christmas in two days. If there was one thing she was certain about, it was that she was going to make the most of her situation and try and have the best Christmas possible

**********

It was Christmas Eve and Emma had spent the entire morning cooking and prepping for the large family meal she and Karen were hosting for Lily and Michael and a couple of close friends. The two of them had been absolutely buzzing and Christmas tunes had been playing throughout the house since they both woke up bright and earlier at 7 am. Emma had scoured her suitcase for the perfect Christmas outfit but after spending 20 minutes trying on outfits in the and had settled for one of James’ red cardigans and some dark washed jeans. The smell of the vanilla candle that smells just like James that Anne had left in her room last night made her miss him even more as she  finished getting herself ready just in time to hear the doorbell ring downstairs.

You peeked out the window and saw Lily and Michael standing at the door with little Adelaide at their feet and quickly ran to the door to greet them. Once she opened the front door a pair of small arms wrapped themselves around your legs as Adalaide screamed her name.

“Well hello, my sweet girl. I missed you so much! Did you miss me?” Emma asked as she nodded quickly. She picked her up carefully and smothered her face in kisses just as Karen came over to greet everyone. The five of them made their way out of the foyer and into the kitchen as Lily wrapped her arms tightly around her and dragged her to the far end of the kitchen.

“Good afternoon my favorite future sister-in-law. How is engaged life treating you? Any surprises I should be worried about this Christmas?” she asked as she stole a Christmas cookie off of one of Karen’s various dessert displays.

“It’s been very nice, thank you. I don’t think you’ll be having any surprises from me this Christmas.”

“I was hoping they would be able to be in the same class as their cousin could go to school together,” she said nonchalantly, smirking at her as she stood there confused.

‘What do you mean cousins? Adelaide already in day-care and I don’t– Oh my gosh Gemma are you -”

"Shh don’t say it out loud, but yes. About eight weeks along, but we haven’t told anyone yet. I’m telling you because last time I told you everything went well, so I think you’re my good luck charm… and I need you to drink all of the shots Chloe tries to feed me tonight,” She mumbled as she laughed and gave her a big hug.

“Well congratulations Lils, I wish you both the best. Hey Adelaide, did you know what special person is going to be joining you really soon?” Emma asked the little girl in her arms as she played with the butterfly necklace James had gotten her for their second anniversary together.

“Santa!”

“You’re right baby Santa is coming tonight. Why don’t you help me and Nana Karen finish decorating these last cookies before everyone gets here.”

**********

The night was fantastic. After all of the guests had arrived, Emma all sat down to eat the wonderful roast Karen had been making all day. The room was filled with laughter and smiles as people recounted their most embarrassing Christmas stories. Her favorite was Michael's, who as a child got so excited about seeing Santa at the mall that he actually peed on Santa’s lap while telling him what he wanted for Christmas. Lily discreetly slid her shot glass to you numerous times throughout the night and despite the questioning looks coming from Chloe, no one questioned Lily’s excuse of being the designated driver this year. Overall it was by far one of your favorite holiday meals to be a part of, Emma only wished Harry could have been there to share it with you.

“My pants are about to explode, but does anyone fancy a little Christmas Eve stroll outside?” Michael asked as he cuddled a sleeping Adelaide to his chest.

There was a chorus of agreements and the large group slowly began to clean up their placemats and prepare themselves for the trek out in the snow. Emma helped Lily load the dishwasher as Anne distributed Tupperware for everyone to take leftovers home with them before running upstairs to grab her winter jacket and boots. After everyone was all bundled up, you all headed outside into the snow, Lily, and Michael leading the way as they walked along the sidewalk. Emma watched the way Lily placed a snowflake on Adelaide’s nose and waited for the little girl to giggle before quickly wiping it off just to do it all over again. She continued to watch the interaction with a yearning in her heart at the thought of having her own kids with James and being able to take them on walks and show them ordinary things like snowflakes. Just as she had begun to drift off into her subconscious world Karen came up next to her and wrapped her arms with hers.

“That will be you someday, I can just feel it,” Karen stated as she squeezed her hand tight. She gave her a small smile and nodded her head.

“I hope so. Just have to get your son to stay in one spot long enough.” she joked as she rubbed her hands together for warmth.

“That man worships the ground you walk on, dear. If you tell him you want kids right now he’ll drop everything.”

“Hopefully when I get him back next week we can talk about it all a bit more.” she replied as Karen nodded her head.

Their walk lasted about a half-hour until Adelaide began to cry saying she was tired and wanted to go to bed. Emma all proceeded to head back into Karen's home for a bit to warm up before everyone would drive back to their respective homes to continue to celebrate their Christmases. Being the busy body that she was, you began to make tea for everyone in the hope of avoiding the dreaded interrogation about James and her relationship that always came towards the end of these gatherings, but it never came. Emma thinks Karen must have warned them that she was feeling somewhat sad about James not being there because they managed to avoid the topic throughout the rest of the night. Just as the clock struck midnight everyone slowly began to say their goodbyes and exchange any last-minute gifts that needed to be given. Emma helped Karen gather everyone’s things and waved their  last goodbyes before heading into the living room to relax a bit.

“I’m a bit wiped out dear so I think I’m going to head to bed early. Will you be ok here by yourself?” Karen asked cautiously as she scrolled through some pictures James had sent her the other day of him at the studio.

“Yes, I think I’ll be okay. Have a good night's sleep and thank you for a wonderful Christmas.”

“No thanks needed dear, you’re family now and always will be. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Emma waved a quick goodbye as Karen  left upstairs to her room. The silence downstairs was only making her feelings of missing James worse so she decided to put on the TV and watch a Christmas movie to lift her spirits a bit as she cuddled James’ picture to her chest. Emma knew he was having Christmas Eve dinner with Jeff’s family now and she didn’t want to bother him so she decided that she would suck it up and wait until tomorrow to call him and tell him how much she really misses him. All she wanted this Christmas was to have him sitting next to her, sipping on a couple of hot chocolate and making fun of her weirdly patterned socks.

Emma hoped that flipping through the TV channels would help distract her but the minute she started channel surfing and Home Alone popped up on the screen in front of her, the waterworks began. Emma cried because she missed James. Emma cried because she didn’t get to share all of her happy memories of today with him. She  cried because she could cuddle him to sleep and wake up to his delicious scent. There she sat in his childhood home wrapped in a fuzzy blanket crying. Emma sobbed into the blanket as quietly as she  could in the hopes of not waking up Karen and after what felt like an eternity, she finally fell asleep on the couch

*********

Emma was peacefully asleep on the couch until the sound of the doorbell blasting from the living room.

“Ding dong… Ding dong…”

Emma jumped from her curled up position on the couch and turned around to the door. The moment she opened the door, she was totally astonished. It was her father. How did her father know where she was?

“Dad...? What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

“Emma, my darling angel. I can explain. Please hear me out. Just for a minute.” Richard said with a frown between his lips.

The two of them stared at each other for a while before you finally processed what was going on. Her dad  was here. He popped in just like a genie with three magic wishes had made it. He was here in front of her doorstep. He came. Emma didn’t know how to express herself seeing her father standing in front of the doorstep with a guilty smile on his face.

“Dad, how did you find me?” Emma asked with a soft look on her face.

“I found a letter you left between the books on the bookshelves. I know that you and your sister are gone. I was so frustrated.” he explained looking down the concrete floor in despair.

Emma just stayed silent at the door when Karen came down the stairs out of the blue. “Emma? It’s 3 in the morning. Why are you still up? When her eyes were fixed to Richard in shock. “Emma, who’s this?” she asked, referring to Richard.

“Karen, this is my father. Richard. Dad, this is Karen Douglas, my future mother-in-law.” Emma introduced her politely to her father. “Mother-in-law? How?” he questioned, puzzled.

“I was engaged to my fiance James last month. And we’re planning on getting married tomorrow.” she said with a small smile.

Richard looked up at her daughter’s face and a tear slipped down her face sorrowfully. “Emma, please forgive me. I came here to say how sorry I am for treating you so aggressively. I was so drunk… I don't know what’s got into me.” Richard said desperately.

“Yeah, but not until you hit the empty beer bottle against my head and left me unconscious on the floor. You treated me badly enough and I'm sick of it. You make fun of my mother’s death and say mean things about her. You’re nice to everybody but me. How much do I feel about that? I’m depressed. Someday, when God calls me back home, how would you feel when I’m not there in front of your eyes? You need me right?” she asked in a sad tone in her voice.

“Yeah… but…” Richard started to startled.

“You don’t need me or Stephanie anymore… All you need are your stupid beers and pubs.” she said in anger.

Richard stayed silent and another tear slipped down his cheeks. “I know I’m sorry I treated you this way. I hope you will forgive me and once you do. I’ll become a good father for you.” Richard admitted to her honestly.

“But once I forgive you, you will be the same dad. Abusive and impolite.” she claimed looking her father straight in the eyes. 

“Please Emma, give me a second chance.” Richard pleaded on his knees despondently.

Emma glanced at her future mother-in-law and back to her father perplexed. “Should I forgive him, Karen?”

“Maybe you should give him another chance, he’s your father, it’s not nice to treat him like this.” she smiled courageously.

She glanced at her loving father and gave him a small smile. “Dad, I forgive you. Please forgive me too.” she said as she broke down crying on her father’s shoulders silently. “Emma, of course I forgive you. You are my daughter and I love you endlessly. He said as he gave her a kiss on the head. As they were forgiving each other, a familiar black car was parked in front of the porch. “I wonder who that might be…” Emma questioned walking up to the car.

When her fiance came out of the car with a huge duffel bag on his shoulder. “James… James! You’re home!” she yelled in excitement embracing him in a huge long hug. “Babe, I’m glad you’re okay.” he said as he gave her a passionate kiss. “Who’s this?” he asked looking up and down at Richard flabbergasted.

“Dad. This is my fiance James. James, this is my father. Richard.” she grinned as she introduced her father to James.

“Nice to meet you sir.” he beamed in a sweet voice.

“You too, son…” Richard smiled, shaking hands with him.

“Sir, may I have your blessing of marrying your beautiful daughter?”

Richard looked at his daughter and beamed, “Yes you may. Make sure you take good care of her and love her.” Richard reminded him politely. “Of course sir. I will.” he nodded and looked at Emma with excitement in his eyes. They shared a kiss and they all lived a happy life together.