A Soldier's Christmas

“Tell us more about your writing, honey,” her mom requested.

Emma glanced to her father and was encouraged with his soft smile. “I self published my first book and had no idea it would take off the way that it did. I’m on my sixth book, which is out on the tenth of January. So much is happening, which is terrifying really, but I know that, with Logan by my side, I can do anything. He’s my rock.” She smiled at Logan, and nuzzled against his palm when he cupped her face.

“I’m so proud of you,” her father said. “Do you have any of your books here?”

Emma nodded. “Yes. They’re in my room. I write under the name of R. Logan.” She intertwined her fingers with Logan. “I couldn’t have done any of that without Logan. He encouraged and supported me from thousands of miles away.”

“Which is what we should have done.” Her father stood and moved to stand in front of her. Emma let him pull her to her feet and wrap her in his arms. “I love you, honey, and I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you way back when. But I’m so damn proud of you.” He kissed the top of her head.

Her father held his hand out to Logan. He stood and took it. “Thank you for being there for Emma, and please look after her.”

“Thank you, sir. And I love your daughter, so I’ll always look after her.”

“That’s good enough.” He clapped Logan on the shoulders. “Welcome to the family, son.”

Emma moved into Logan’s side when she realized he fought back his emotion at her father’s words.

After she’d accepted hugs and congratulations from her family, Emma noticed her mom was no longer in the room.

“She slipped out,” Logan whispered.

Emma met his gaze. “I need to talk to her.”

“Go and find your mom.”

Her mom, when she was upset, would always retreat to the kitchen and make herself a cup of English tea. She used to tell Emma and Bree that either a cup of tea or a hot chocolate solved everything.

And that’s were she found her mom—sitting at the kitchen table with a tea cup in front of her, and the tea pot not too far away.

Emma moved and sat beside her. She didn’t hesitate and covered her mom’s hand with hers. “It’s okay, Mom.”

Her mom shook her head, fresh tears on her face. “It isn’t okay. I’m your mom, and I love you very much, but I haven’t acted like that. I’m supposed to be the one to support you and encourage you, and I didn’t. That makes me very sad, and I hate myself right now. I don’t know how you can ever forgive me.”

Emma didn’t need to think and, as she let her own tears loose, she admitted, “Mom, I forgive you because I love you and I don’t want any more regrets between us. There has been too much in such a short time but, after today, I want to move forward. Do you think you can do that? No more regret about the past. We only look forward. I need you to do that.”

With how distressed her mom looked, there was no way that Emma could not forgive her for everything. She’d wanted to hold onto her anger over the letters, but she just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t something she’d ever forget, but she knew that she’d eventually move past it.

“I can do that...I think.” Her mom smiled through her tears. “I’m really proud of what you’ve done, Emma. So proud, honey.”

“Thanks, Mom. That means a lot.” Emma stood and leaned over her mom to kiss her on the cheek.

“Let’s go back into the living room and watch a sappy Christmas movie.”

“Okay. I think National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is on.”

Emma chuckled. “Not sappy but it isn’t Christmas without that movie.”

Her mom finally found amusement. “No it isn’t.”

Chapter 24

Logan had enjoyed himself with Emma’s family over the Christmas festivities, but they’d eventually come to an end once they’d loaded Emma’s essentials into the back of his truck. He’d known then that he’d made the right decision to purchase the truck instead of relying on a rental.

But on day three of their journey to his base in North Carolina, they were stopping in Charlottesville, Virginia to visit with Claire, his friend Matthew’s widow, and Logan’s goddaughter, Alice.

He’d called ahead and felt relief when Claire had sounded more herself than the previous times he’d spoken to her.

So as he turned onto the road that led to Claire’s parents’ property, he felt excited at seeing them again, but nervous with Emma being with him. Although he’d only spoken on the phone with Claire since Matt had died, it always reopened the hole in his gut and the loss he felt. No matter how much time passed, losing his best friend would always feel fresh, as though it was only yesterday. He didn’t think he’d have it in him to act as though everything was okay for Emma, after his visit, which was why he felt nervous.