“What?” I ask, frowning slightly. “What are you talking about?”
Mum beams. “We’re going to Winter Wonderland right now!”
Groaning, I say, “Really? Mum, I’ve been on a plane for hours. Can’t we go tomorrow?”
“We won’t have time tomorrow. We have to get back because I have to get everything ready for Christmas Day.” She smiles again. “What are you waiting for?”
“Yeah, come on, Charley,” Dylan adds with a smirk. “It’ll be fun to watch you throw up after going on the rides!”
I glare at him, but even though my body just wants to rest, a small part of me really wants to go and enjoy some family time in a place where we have so many memories.
“Okay, fine,” I say. “Just give me ten minutes.”
I freshen up in record time, quickly changing out of my flight clothes into something clean, brushing my hair, splashing some cold water on my face to revive me, and then pulling my coat and shoes back on. It’s dark outside, which only makes the lights seem brighter, and perked up now, we all head out.
It's just as magical as I remember it. So many happy faces. So much laughter and joy as kids run around, trying to get their parents to buy them sweets and gifts. Couples walk hand in hand, looking around in awe. The cool evening air has woken me up and given me a new surge of energy. I link arms with my mum, and she grins at me.
“It’s great to have you back, love,” she says.
“It’s great to be back,” I tell her. And I really mean it. Not just because I’ll get to see Brayden tomorrow, though, of course, that is a huge deal. But because, no matter how much I enjoyed Chicago, I’ll always be a Brit at heart. I always knew I’d come back to what is so familiar to me.
“Fancy an ice skate?” Dylan asks, nodding ahead to the queue.
“Hmm, maybe not. Too many people,” I tell him.
“Where’s your sense of fun?”
My heart leaps into my throat at the sound of that voice. Warm breath tickles my neck from behind me, and I freeze in place.
I’m hearing things. I must be hearing things.
I swivel my eyes towards my mum to see her biting her lip and looking around innocently. Beside her, Dylan winks at me.
They know about Brayden, of course. I’d told them about him, but he can’t really be here right now, right?
A light tap on my shoulder sends my feet into action and I slowly turn around.
“Oh my God,” I say, laughing in shock as the man I have been waiting forever for is standing right in front of my eyes.
He looks incredible. In that long black coat, his scarf wrapped around his neck, and that smile on his face… just like the first time I met him.
“Hi, Charley. Welcome home.”
“Brayden.” The word is a whisper as it leaves my lips, and I jump up into his arms, the sound of his laughter and the strength of his arms around me enveloping me in pure joy. “What are you doing here?”
He smiles, his eyes holding mine. “Well, I promised you we’d go skating. But, I figured doing it at home was a tad predictable. So, here I am.” Laughing again, I squeeze him tightly. “So, Charley, would you do me the honour of joining me on my first skate of the year?”
I nod. “I would love that.”
As Brayden's lips meet mine, in a kiss I've waited two years for, I suddenly see. Home is not a physical location. Home can be anywhere with the right person, and the right connection.
Home, I realise, is Brayden.
Chapter 17
Brayden
As Charley and I skate, hand in hand, I’m kind of impressed she’s still standing. She has a look of dazed happiness on her face, like she can’t believe what’s just happened.