CHAPTER 2:
On Christmas Eve, Emily & Benji were getting their apartment set for their parents to arrive.
"It sure is nice that you were able to get your parents to fly in from Phoenix this Christmas." Emily said.
"Yeah. Usually plane tickets are expensive for them. But they started saving up since last year." Benji said.
"And I am so grateful they did." Emily said.
"They also made sure to book plane tickets for our wedding as well." Benji said.
"Well, that's a relief. Wouldn't want them to miss out on that." Emily said.
Just then, the doorbell rang and Emily went to answer it.
"Mr. & Mrs. Applebaum, Merry Christmas." Emily said letting Benji's parents in.
"Same to you, Emily. May I say what a lovely place you two have." Benji's mom said.
"Thank you. Please come in." Emily said as Benji's parents do so.
"Mom! Dad!" Benji said as he saw his parents enter the apartment.
"Son! Merry Christmas." Benji's dad said as the two hugged.
"Same to you, dad." Benji said before everyone sat down at the dining room table.
"It feels so great to finally be able to spend the holidays with you & Emily." Benji's mom said.
"Agreed. My mom's supposed to come by too, but I haven't heard from her yet. Maybe she's on her way." Emily said.
Just then, the doorbell rang again and Emily went to answer it.
"Mom!" Emily said hugging her.
"Merry Christmas, Emily." Emily's mom said.
"Thank you. It'll be great spending Christmas with my mom & Benji's parents." Emily said as she lead her mom to the dining room table.
"How great is this, babe; you, me, and our parents all spending Christmas together." Benji said as everyone sat down at the table.
"And to think it's the Christmas before our wedding is just a bonus." Emily said.
"Though I am curious as what took you so long to finally propose." Benji's dad said.
"Yeah, I was wondering that also." Emily said.
"Well, first I needed to know for sure if it Emily was the one. Second, I spend two years saving up for a good engagement ring. You know how expensive they can be in most cases." Benji explained.
"Okay, I get it now." Emily said as Benji's phone rang.
"Excuse me, I should take this." Benji said as he went into the kitchen to answer his phone.
"Jesse, how've you been buddy?" He asked.
"Not too bad. Hope you're having a good Christmas Eve." Jesse said.
"Yeah. My parents & Emily's mom are here with us." Benji said.
"Great. But listen I'm really excited about your wedding and I was hoping I could be a groomsman." Jesse said.
"That would be really great. I look forward to it." Benji said.
"Great. I'll see you soon for the wedding. Merry Christmas." Jesse said.
"You too, man. Later." Benji said hanging up before returning to the table.
"Who was that on the phone?" Emily asked.
"That was Jesse. He's going to be a groomsman." Benji said.
"Wow, that's great." Emily said nervously.
"Is something wrong?" Benji asked.
"I just don't want things to be awkward between him & Beca." Emily said concerned.
"They broke up after graduation. It's been over 4 years now." Benji said.
"I hope nothing goes wrong in that case." Emily said still feeling nervous.
"Calm down, it'll be fine." Benji said before a timer goes off. "Well, looks like the meatloaf's done." He said as he got up to take the meatloaf out of the oven. Later he brought the finished meatloaf to the table and carved it before serving it to everyone.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: For those of you that read The Unexpected Romance, some updates have been made to Chapters 6 & 8 after learning that Flo's birthday was revealed. What's different is that since Amy & Flo's birthdays are 6 days apart, that the two would have a conjoined birthday party, so go ahead and reread those chapters if you wish to know what those updates are. Next chapter will be Emily & Benji's wedding.