Embracing Emma (Companion to Brisé) Read Online Free PDF Page A

booms as he wraps my mom in his arms.
    “Nobody, Dad. Mom was trying to get me to give the plastic a work out, but I declined. I don’t want to spend all my inheritance before I have to drop y’all off at a nursing home so I can gallivant all over the world.”
    “Thanks for thinking of us, my child.” He isn’t too shabby in his sarcasm. “Is there something in particular you wanted for your birthday?”
    “No, Luke. William is taking her out. Remember I warned you. Our baby has her first date tomorrow.” I watch my dad’s face pale as he swallows . . . hard.
    He just nods as he takes exit from the room. “I take it he’s thrilled?”
    “Emma, he’ll come around. You’re his princess.”
    “I’m not worried, Mom. If it was anyone but William I may consider his feelings . . .”
    “I get it.” My mom winks. “He’ll get on board. It’s just hard. He still sees you as the little girl with pigtails and a scraped knee. He used to being the only man in your life.”
    “If it makes him feel any better, my knee is scraped right now, I can go show it to him.”
    “Emma Nichols, you are a mess.”
    “I’ll be in my room.”
    “Do your homework.”
    I mock salute her like the drill sergeant she is as she smacks my butt. I rush to the sanctuary of my room and text my best girl friend, Holly.
     
    ME: I HAVE A DATE!!!!
    Holly: Who did you pay?
    ME: Nice. You’re learning.
    Holly: Who?
    ME: William
    Holly: William Jacobs?
    ME: YES!!!
    Holly: Call me!
     
    So I do. She knows how I feel having witnessed my adoration for six years. Why is the first question people ask me about is what I am going to wear. William has seen me puking from the flu, hair unkempt, covered in mud, and he still chose me. I doubt I need to be dressed in debutante attire.
    Dinner is a strained affair, my dad pushing his food across the plate, and my mom doing her best to quiet the storm brewing behind his eyes. Her sympathetic looks don’t quell my apprehension. My dad is going to change his mind in regards to me dating. I don’t see that happening any time soon. I push my chair back and find myself outside sitting in the gazebo. The one my parents got married in. I don’t understand my dad’s anxiety about William. He’s known him all his life, loves him, and above all he should begin to trust my judgment.
    “You’re right, Princess. Those are all valid points.” I guess I was griping out loud. “But let me tell you my side before you continue berating me.”
    He nods at the seat next to me asking permission, and I scoot over to make room for him. “Dad, did I do something to make you doubt me?”
    “No, Emma. Neither did William. This is just a dad thing. I know we’ve told you our history. There were certain parts we omitted. We just weren’t sure you were old enough.”
    “Star-crossed lovers, best friends, mom’s cancer. You had a big fight, broke up, Mom ran to New York, danced professionally, and realized she loved you, so she found you again.”
    “That’s the CliffsNotes version. You and I have always had a special bond. You’re my princess, my baby girl no matter how old you get. I’ll go to my grave still thinking of you as my baby.”
    “I know that, and I love you. Is that what worries you? You think I won’t love you anymore?”
    “Not really. It’s just hard watching you grow up, knowing you’ll make mistakes. It’s inevitable. You’ll get hurt . . . not necessarily by William, but at some point you guys will fight. My instinct is to protect you from life’s heartaches, but I know I have to let you experience them even though it goes against everything I am.”
    “Tell me the non-condensed version of you and Mom.”
    “You know we were neighbors. I can’t remember her not being in my life. In my heart. Well, when your grandparents were killed, she was only seventeen. I was in college but was home that weekend. It was her prom, and out of spite she didn’t take me.”
    “Spite?”
    “I was a