A Soldier's Christmas

“Merry Christmas, babe,” he whispered, overcome with raw emotion.

Chapter 23

Emma smiled to herself while she sipped a glass of red wine now that everyone had settled in the living room.

Her father had set the fire going in the hearth, which filled the room with warmth while the snow swirled around outside.

Christmas dinner with her family had been good, better than she’d thought it would be. She was glad that her mom had already made her peace with Logan beforehand because it made things easier.

Logan had laughed and joked with Travis and Gabe and he’d fit right in with her family. Her mom knew that she planned to move with Logan, but Emma wasn’t sure if anyone else had been told.

There had been so much that she hadn’t told her family—so many things that Logan had encouraged her to do. She’d put off announcing the success of her books because the time hadn’t been right, or so she’d told herself. She was just nervous and needed to get it out there, and now was the time. At least, she hoped it was.

“I have something to tell you,” she started, and felt Logan squeeze her shoulder for support before his arm slid around her…providing warmth. Travis nodded and gave her a small smile.

“Go ahead, Emma. You’ve got this,” Travis encouraged.

Taking in a deep breath, she said, “I write books, I no longer work in town, and I’m moving to a different state to be with Logan.” She exhaled her words on the breath, her words rushed out before she glanced around the room at the stunned faces of her family.

The silence was broken when Travis started to roar with laughter. “Well, that’s one way of getting everything over with at once.” He wiped his eyes.

“Travis, as the oldest, I’d have thought you’d have more control,” her mom pointed out.

“Sorry, but I was only expecting the first. At least, right now.” Travis chuckled, and met her gaze. “Carry on.”

Emma rolled her eyes at her brother and, with Logan’s silent support beside her, continued, “I’ve been writing books and self publishing them for a while now. I have a good following and I’ve sold more than I could have ever imagined.” She glanced nervously at her parents, but they just stared back surprised. Her father had a grin on his face, and her mom looked bewildered and had tears on her lashes. “I’ve built a career writing, and because of that I can work anywhere in the world with a Wi-Fi reception so I can follow Logan wherever his work takes him. He doesn’t have long left in the service before he’s completed his twenty years. Until he’s done, we’ll be living close to his base, and then who knows.”

She leaned forward and placed her glass on the table before she settled back and took Logan’s hand. “All I know is that nothing has ever felt so right before. I’m truly happy...so, in a day or two, we’re heading back to Logan’s base before he has to report back on duty.”

She’d left things out, but she just wanted to get everything out and off her chest. She could be more specific in a while once everything she’d said had sunk in.

“You’re leaving when I’m about to have a baby?” Bree sniffled into a Kleenex while Gabe held her close. “I want you here when I give birth,” she cried.

Emma felt her heartstrings pull with Bree’s words. She knew that Bree wouldn’t be happy, but Emma had to live her life, and Logan didn’t get a choice about where he lived until he no longer wore his uniform. “Bree,” she started, “I’m not moving out of the country, and it isn’t all that far away really. North Carolina is only a few hours flight, so I can be back here as soon as you go into labor.”

“She’s right, babe,” Gabe adds. “She can’t put her new life on hold when Logan doesn’t get a choice.” Gabe kissed his wife.

“I know. I’m a selfish woman, who is ten months pregnant with no end in sight,” Bree grumbled.

Emma couldn’t help the chuckle. “Ten months, sis?”

“I feel like a whale.” She pouted as amusement finally lit her face.

“Regardless how you feel, Gabe can’t keep his hands off you, so stop complaining, and be happy for me.”

“I am happy.”

“You published your book?” her mom asked, sorrow lined her features.

Emma nodded.

“I’ve been a horrid mother to you these past couple of years.”

Emma shook her head.

“Yes, I have. It’s been one thing after another that I should have supported you with but I didn’t.” She paused to get her emotions under control. “Can you ever forgive me?”

“Yes.” As soon as the word left her mouth, she knew that she did forgive her mom. Regardless of her mom’s reasoning behind everything, she thought she had Emma’s best interests in mind. It was reassuring that she still had her mom there to worry over her and to try to help, no matter how misaligned her help was.