I apologize for the late update. The week after the holidays where you head back to school is always crazy, plus my laptop has been acting really stupid lately. Freezing all the time. I'm getting it checked out, so it will be easier for me to write. This is a longer chapter, so I hope you all enjoy it! Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter, by the way. I read them all with a smile.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Read & Review please :)
Placing her empty coffee mug on the counter, Emily gave a heavy sigh as she stared at the answering machine in the corner. Its red light flashing as it mocked her. God, how she hated this machine, another wave of technology created to make her life more difficult. Why didn't people understand she never answered her phone because she just didn't want to hear from them?
She hit the Listen to All Messages, button and listened.
Message one, 1:43pm, December 24th.
"Hey Emily, its Helena. Just calling to make sure you don't forget or try to back out of our Mexico trip. There is no way I am not spending my last hours of 2009 in Canada and neither are you. Start packing girl, New Years Eve is just around the corner!"
Rolling her eyes and pressing the Delete button, Emily gave another long sigh. It had been Helena's idea, going to Mexico for a week and celebrating New Years Eve on the beach. Emily was totally excited to go and happy Helena had asked her, but she wasn't looking forward to it as much as the perky blonde was. She closed her eyes as the next message popped up.
Message two, 2:34pm, December 24th.
"Emily, this is Jane. Please give me a call as soon as you get in. I'll be at my office late tonight so don't bother trying to reach me at home. Till then."
Christmas Eve and her boss was already phoning her, on her break, about another article idea she wanted to try out, no doubt. Knowing the consequences with putting these sorts of things off, she grabbed the cordless phone off its base.
Emily quickly dialled the number to her workplace, drumming her fingers against the counter top as she listened to it ring.
"Blush and Things, how may I help you?"
"Hi, this is Emily Davis. Jane asked me to call her."
"I'll put you through, hold on a second."
Beep...Beep...Beep...Be-
"Hello, this is Jane O'Connor. Who is this again?"
"Um, it's Emily."
"Emily! Yes! Just the person I was hoping was calling me. How can I help you?"
"Uh, you called and left a message for me, Jane."
Jane was a large, middle-aged woman who ate her weight in chocolate about every month. She had long black hair that was always tied up in some sort of bun and her face was covered with every sort of make-up product imaginable, none of it the natural stuff she tried to sell off to her readers.
"Right, I did. What was I...?" There was the sound of keyboard keys clicking and Emily practically shuddered as she imagined Jane's fat fingers, plastered with thick rings typing on the small keys. "Ah! Here it is. Okay, I got a call last week from some of those horrible scientists; you know the ones that live in the western provinces? Anyways, apparently one of them discovered some sort of mineral that helps get rid of dry skin or acne. Something like that. I was wondering if you would want to cover the story."
Emily felt her mouth drop open and reached a hand up to her draw to push it back into place. An offer like this, especially to a simple editor didn't happen very often. She reached up and twisted a piece of her springy hair around her finger, not even bothering to think about her answer, just going with the most logical answer.
"Jane I-"
"Wait, don't answer. I don't want to hear it." Emily heard a loud chewing noise from Jane's end and pulled the phone away from her ear slightly.
"Jane?"
"What? Sorry, my dear. I just got this lovely box of chocolates for the holidays. The cream filled ones are extraordinary." She made some type of delighted noise. "But I don't want to hear your answer right now. Everyone knows that it's better to at least think about the offer for a good two days, that way we know you truly want to do it."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"I'll let you know."
More chewing.
"Fantastic." Jane sighed. "These are truly amazing candies."
"Jane?" Emily questioned and Jane was brought back to earth.
"Oh, of course Emily, if you think that's best."
Emily hung up the phone and placed it back on its base. She felt a headache coming on and headed over to the sink. Grabbing a simple glass from the cupboard and filling it full of water, she swallowed a few aspirins. The sun was already setting, Emily noted as she stared idly out the window above her sink. She caught a glimpse of her reflection and frowned.
Her hair was a mess, her make-up looked smudged and faded and her dark brown eyes looked exhausted. Basically, she decided, she looked shattered- like a stained glass window in a church had shined its bright, colourful lights on her in many different, jagged patterns. So basically, instead of seeing a picture of beauty and life, you saw pieces.
Emily's Mother wanted her at the house by 3:00 o'clock, so they could have their traditional, early Christmas Eve meal and open a few presents before tomorrow morning, something Emily had done ever since she was a little girl still using training wheels on her bike.
Slowly pushing herself away from the counter, Emily trudged into her bedroom. After throwing on a clean red shirt, a different pair of jeans and fixing her hair, she was ready to leave. The wrapped presents were already sitting in her car, so all she had to do was turn off all the lights, feed Norman and walk out the door.
---
Turning into the familiar neighbourhood of her childhood, Emily felt a sense of nostalgia wash over her. Her parents still lived in the home they had first bought when they moved to London, although both she and Dimi didn't live at home anymore.
Seeing the familiar house come into view, she gave a sigh of relief and slowed down. Her Dad's car was parked in the driveway, so she pulled up along the curb. Getting out, Emily squinted up at the dark, cloudy sky. Snowflakes were fluttering down softly, and a cool breeze whipped through the streets, blowing some shovel snow off the snow banks. Shivering, Emily reached into the backseat, snatching the wrapped gifts and kicking her car door shut.
The wind howled and Emily ran up the slick driveway to the front door without dropping anything or slipping. She managed to hit the doorbell button with her hip, as she juggled the many packages she was carrying. Emily barely had time to blink before the door swung open and she was ushered into the warm entrance.
"Emily! You're home!" Brenda cried, wrapping her daughter in a tight embrace.
"You better hope you didn't squish any of these." Emily choked out, trying to shift the gifts out of the way.
"Don't be silly." She chided, pulling back slightly to grin at her daughter. "Look at you. A beautiful young woman."
Laughing, Emily replied. "I don't think being in your thirty's allows you to qualify as young." Brenda made a tsk sound and waved her hand absently. "You're younger than me, so that counts."
Emily gave her Mom a big smile. Even though Brenda was correct, she still had a youthful side to her. Emily could see it in her Mom's warm brown eyes and kind, wide smile. She was still the same Mom that played tag with her at the park and bought her Barbie dolls.
"You aren't old, Mom." Emily argued.
Brenda scoffed. "That's nonsense. Look at these grey hairs." She gestured to the aged hair at the tips of her temples. "Plus," She said with a smile. "I'm already a Grandma."
Emily's eyes widened. "That's right! Is Dimi here yet? I can't wait to see all of my little nieces and my baby nephew again."
Brenda shook her head. "I'm afraid not. They won't be here until at least 7:00 o'clock. I'm making a late supper, so you'll have to wait a while."
Emily grinned, suddenly feeling a surge of thrill.
"No problem. Let me know what I can help with."
---
After she had placed the presents under the pine tree in the corner of the living room, Emily headed into the kitchen to help her Mom with some of the final meal preparations.
They were in the middle of chopping and peeling vegetables when a familiar voice asked, "Is this the person who was ringing the doorbell?"
Both women turned to see Frank, Emily's Father, leaning against the doorway. A heavy novel in one of his hands, his reading glasses still on the bridge of his nose. His moustache twitched as he smiled at his daughter and Emily smiled back.
"Hi, Daddy." She hurried over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug. Frank followed her example, and Emily could feel the book pressing into her spine as he held her close.
"Our big time, editor daughter is here in our kitchen, Brenda. Can you believe it?" He asked.
She heard her Mom sigh from somewhere behind her.
"Let the poor girl go, Frank. She needs to breathe."
Frank pulled back, grinning over at his wife. "Like you didn't do the exact same thing when you first saw her."
Brenda rolled her eyes at her husband. "That reminds me," She turned to look at Emily. "Why did you ring the doorbell? This is still your home, Em."
Now it was Emily's turn to roll her eyes. "I know that, Mom." She stated, annoyed. "It just doesn't feel right to waltz into any home without giving some notification that you've arrived."
Brenda shook her head. "That doesn't matter. From now on, I want you to do just that. Got it?"
"Got it."
---
"So, what was this big conference like?"
Emily looked up from the carrots she was chopping to peer over at her Mother. "Which conference?"
"The most recent one you went too. That one in Edmonton."
Emily closed her eyes and tried to push back the nauseating feeling that was bubbling up, inside her stomach at the mention of that night. "It was pretty good. The Christmas ones are always better than the regular ones; better food."
"But you seemed so excited to go," Brenda persisted, upset with her daughters lack of information. "What all happened?"
Emily thought very carefully about what her answer was going to be. Her Mom was just as much of an expert on Derek Venturi as she was which made sense, after all Emily had told her a lot about him over the years. She could recall sitting on her teenage bed, hugging a Kleenex box to her chest as she cried softly into her Mom's shoulder.
---
"This isn't fair, Mom." Emily cried into her Mom's shoulder.
Brenda gently rubbed her daughters back. "I know, honey. I'm sure he isn't doing it on purpose."She said soothingly.
Emily looked up then, grabbing a fist full of tissue and wiping it under her eyes clumsily.
"No, he is." She hiccupped slightly. "Last week when I was standing with Casey by the water fountain, he came over and was fighting with her, as usual, but before he left..." She took a deep breath, feeling more tears pricking the back of her eyes. "He looked me over, up and down and smirked before he sauntered away. He smirked at me, Mom!"
Brenda just gave her eldest a knowing smile. "I know he did."
"And then," Emily gave an angry sigh as the tears she was trying her hardest to hold back, broke free. "Th-then he asked Irene out. Irene! Irene, the slut that has blonde hair and green eyes and boobs the size to here." She held her hand out several feet in front of her chest.
Brenda just nodded and brushed her daughter's hair back. "I know."
Sniffling, Emily asked. "Why, Mom? Am I not pretty enough? Am I fat?"
"You are beautiful and perfect."
Emily gave her Mother a sour look and pouted.
"You have to say that. You're my, Mom."
Brenda shook her head.
"No, I'm saying that because you are beautiful and perfect."
It was quiet for a moment as Emily digested this.
"Thanks..." She finally murmured quietly, looking down at her pink and white flower bedspread, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"And Derek has no idea what he's missing." Brenda continued. "You are a smart, gorgeous girl that any guy would kill to have. You are unique and perfect and I love you." She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of her daughter's curly head.
"Now I'm going to go start supper." She stated and moved towards Emily's bedroom door.
"Wait, Mom...Thanks."
Brenda just flashed her daughter a smile. "Any time."
---
"Not a whole lot." Emily finally answered. "I met this young girl, though. She's the daughter of Derek Venturi. You remember him, right?"
Brenda just looked at her daughter.
"Yes," She said after an awkward silence. "I remember him."
"He plays for the Calgary Flames hockey team." Emily heard her Dad call from the living room, where he had headed off to after the hugging was finished.
Her Mom was still looking at her with an expression that was unreadable. It was eerie and Emily felt her heart tighten, feeling like a complete, utter fool for even bringing it up.
"Her name was Marissa. She was really nice. Looks a lot like him. Same hair but different eye colour." Emily continued, rambling, which she always did in awkward moments. A flash of her first date with Derek, at Smellie Nellie's and the total uncomfortable feeling that never left until the date was done, went through her mind. She blushed and looked back down to concentrate on the carrots.
Brenda nodded. "I've seen her."
Emily, startled, dropped the knife she was using on to the counter, and it made a clang, echoing in the tiny kitchen.
"When?"
"I had tea with, Nora a few days ago and she was showing me the school pictures of her grandchildren."
"Really? Do they still live next door?"
"No," Her Mom answered slowly. "They moved to a smaller house across town. Why are you asking me all of this?" Brenda questioned.
Emily shrugged. "Curious."
It was quiet for a few moments; the only sound was the TV coming from the next room and the cutting of vegetables.
"Do you think I could have the address to George and Nora's new house?" Emily asked at last.
"Emily..." Brenda gave a groan, pressing the heels of her hands against her forehead. "If this is still about that ridiculous school girl crush..."
"It isn't, Mom." The words sounded hollow to Emily's own ears, but she ignored it.
Brenda closed her eyes, and rested her head on her folded arms on top of the counter. "They're happy, Em." She assured her daughter without opening her eyes. "I don't want you to interfere with all of that. I know you liked Derek for a long time, but he's a grown man now with a family of his own." Her eyes flickered open. "He's happy."
The feeling building up inside, Emily's chest is one I can't explain. Mainly because Emily herself, has no clue what it's is. A mixture between frustration, betrayal, and miserable.
"I'm not going to try to make him leave Casey-" Emily started.
"You know he married, Casey?" Brenda asked her, shocked.
Emily shrugged. "I figured it out." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I miss having Casey as a friend, chatting with Derek and...I promise you, I'm not going to do anything stupid or reckless. I just want to find a way to get in touch with my friend."
There was a painful pause.
Brenda grabbed a blank piece, wrote something on it and handed it to her daughter. Emily grabbed it and hurried out the door.
"Be back by seven!" Brenda called after her as the door shut.
---
1760, Habble Street. The new address of Nora and George.
Emily drove slowly down the charming neighbourhood covered with Christmas lights and blow-up reindeer, looking carefully at the numbers on each house.
The snow was still falling, but more severe now, and her windshield wipers made swishing noises as they scraped over the glass.
1754...1755...1756...1757...1758...1759...1760. She pulled up alongside the yard.
The house was small with a carport and a little porch that covered the front part of it. There was a bright picture window facing the road and Emily watched someone, Nora possibly, moving around inside. Her stomach flipped over as her gaze shifted to the driveway.
She had no idea if Derek and Casey were inside, as it would make sense to go home and visit the parents for the holidays. It bothered her that she never considered this possibility before she left. A car started down the road ahead of her and Emily watched it back out and drive down the street. It was leaving the neighbourhood and as it passed her car, she made her decision.
Climbing out of the car, she quickly made her way across the driveway, around the car that was parked there and up the small wooden steps to the front door.
She planted her feet down, forcing herself not to make a run for it. Emily's stomach felt like it was full of butterflies, and the headache she had tried to stop a few hours earlier was threatening to come back.
"This is stupid. Just knock on the door."Emily whispered to herself angrily. "Don't be a wimp." Before she could stop herself or think about what she was doing, her gloved hand reached up and knocked.
As soon as her hand dropped, she held her breath. Someone was walking around inside, and she heard their footsteps head over to the door, in her direction. Frantically looking around her, she half considered running back towards her car, but she couldn't make herself move. The footsteps got louder and she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Please don't be, Derek. Please, please." She hissed silently under her breath, trying to get her knees to stop shaking. "I knew I shouldn't have come here."
The sound of the door opening, and warm air fluttering out to meet her, caused Emily to turn back around.
"Emily?"
---
Nora smile was a little confused as she took in the distraught young woman on her doorstep. She looked a lot like how Emily remembered her, but different. Older. Her hair was curled slightly and pinned up at back of her head. She was wearing a simple green sweater with snowflakes printed on it and black sweat pants.
"Hello, Mrs. Venturi." Emily squeaked out, feeling like a bank robber being caught with her hands inside a safe.
"Come inside, you look half frozen."
Emily stomped her boots outside before she shuffled in. The house was quaint, with bright painted walls and hardwood floors. Emily's eyes locked onto the three pictures hanging on the wall opposite to the door. They were school pictures, judging by the dull blue background. Instantly, she recognized Marissa. Her brown hair curled around her face as she beamed at the camera. She didn't know who the other two children were but assumed, since they were by Marissa, that they would be Nathan and Olivia.
The boy wasn't smiling but his lips were curled up at the corners in the usual, teenage boy fashion. His dark brown hair was long and fell into his chocolate eyes. He looked a lot like Derek, Emily decided. The other photo was of the little girl who was grinning at the camera, her face lighting up the picture. Her hair was the same colour as the boy's and curled like her sister. Her eyes were a sparkling blue colour that looked like gems.
"I hope I'm not intruding on any family time." Emily apologized, unzipping her jacket.
"Oh, not at all." Nora took the coat and hung it up in the closet by the door. "The only children that come home for Christmas are Marti and Caroline. They won't be here till tomorrow evening though." She led Emily into a dining room.
"Would you like any tea? I was just making a pot."
"Sure." Emily answered with a smile, sitting down on one of the chairs and clasping her hands together on the table top. Nora disappeared into the kitchen joining the dining room.
Nora came back with two mugs full of hot liquid and a glass jar filled with sugar. "Here you go."
"Thanks." Emily responded as Nora sat down across from her.
They sipped in a comfortable silence for a moment before Nora placed her mug down, clearing her throat.
"I'm guessing this isn't a simple social visit."
Emily smiled. "You're guessing right. I actually was hoping I could talk to you about something."
"Be my guest." Nora said with a smile.
Emily had contemplated on the drive over to Nora's house, the best way to bring up the subject and finally decided on just spilling the story, so she did just that.
"I was at a Christmas conference for my work a week or so ago, and I met your granddaughter, Marissa."
Nora's eyes instantly brightened. "Oh, how is she doing? I haven't seen her for a couple months."
"She's doing well." Emily took a drink of her tea. "Marissa's a really smart girl, you are lucky to have her as a granddaughter."
"I know. She's so much like Casey, but there's a lot of Derek in her too. It balances her out. Nathan and Olivia as well, they're all perfect." Nora replied, already guessing that Emily knew about her daughter and step-son's relationship.
Emily wrapped her fingers around her teacup, looking down.
"I've lost touch with, Casey."
"And meeting Marissa has brought back old memories of both Derek and Casey and you now want to get back in touch with them?"
Emily's head shot up. "Yes. Exactly. How'd you know?"
Nora reached across the table towards the girl.
"I think you're forgetting I'm a Mother, Emily. We know these things. Now, what would you like my help with?"
"Nora?" A voice called from the kitchen. "Is there any tea left?"
Nora grinned at, Emily. "George, I'm in here."
He entered the dining room, mug in hand, stopping short when he saw Emily.
"Why, Miss. Emily. Hello." George grabbed the back of one of the chairs closest to his wife and sat down. His hair was shorter than Emily recalled, and it was quite grey. He looked healthy though, and smiled warmly at his step-daughters old friend.
"To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Nora turned to him then, handing him the sugar as he stirred the tea around in his cup. "She saw, Marissa last week."
"At that thing in Edmonton?"
"Yep." Emily answered, directing the attention back to her. "But what I was wondering was...how did Casey and Derek get together? I mean, there is nothing wrong with it, but after high school ended... I lost touch with Casey and I would just like...to...know." She ended pathetically and resisted the urge to bury her face in hands.
"I understand, Emily." Nora said quietly, with a smile. "It all started like this..."
---
The day had been going perfectly. Nora had got all the laundry done before lunch time, Caroline had fallen asleep for her afternoon nap without much fuss and slept for a good three hours straight before waking up. The pot roast she was making for supper was already in the oven and the potatoes were boiling on the stove. The table was set, George was home early and Lizzie had aced her most recent math exam.
Life was good.
Or, at least it was until the phone had rung. Nora was sitting on the couch with her feet up, flipping through one of Lizzie's fashion magazines. Since Lizzie had started high school, she had changed so much. Her hair was dyed blonde with coloured highlights; she even was on the yearbook committee.
"Phone!" Edwin called from upstairs and Nora rolled her eyes at her youngest step-son. He had recently gone through a falling out with one of the girls in his school and was avoiding the phone like it had the plague.
Derek's Cell, it said on the caller ID and Nora felt confused. Derek never called home, especially around supper time.
"Hello?"
"Mom? It's, Casey."
Now Nora was even more perplexed. "Casey? Why are you calling on Derek's cell phone? He isn't hurt or anything is he?"
"No he isn't, he's fine. At least for now." There was the sound of someone speaking in the background and Casey shushing them.
"You still there, Case?" Nora asked, her brow furrowed.
"Yeah, I'm here." Casey answered, her voice coming back into the receiver. "Look, Mom. I need to tell you something."
Here goes my good day, Nora thought. She could just imagine what Casey would say. "Mom I'm going to stop drinking the coffee that the University provides ," or "I stole two dollars out of your purse in grade six and never told you." Something silly that would seem like such a big deal to her daughter. Something that would cause her to lose sleep worrying about it. Casey must have got her dramatic side from, Dennis. I don't ever recall acting like that.
"What's wrong, Case?"
She heard her daughter swallow. "Well, Mom...I lik-"
"Mommy?"
Casey was cut-off by Caroline. The little two year old came tottering towards her Mother who was still sitting on the couch.
"I'm sorry Casey." Nora apologized hastily into the phone. "Give me a second." Casey sighed on the other end. "Now sweetie," Nora turned to look at her baby. "What's wrong?"
Caroline bit her lip and looked at her Mother with her big, blue eyes. Her blonde hair was falling out of the braids slightly and Nora reached over to pull the elastic bands out, letting her daughters' hair flow freely.
"I'm hungwy."Caroline complained. Nora sighed, immediately dreading the battle that was about to take place.
"But sweetie, supper is going to be ready soon. And I made you some Kraft Dinner to eat. Your favourite."
Caroline crossed her little arms across her chest, and replied. "Yuck."
"Are you trying to be difficult?"
Caroline just looked at her Mother with a blank look. Her eyes were glaring as she watched her Mother.
"Caroline?" Nora asked in her most soothing voice. All she got was a stone cold glower.
"Baby? Come on, answer me."
When she still got no acknowledgment from her daughter, she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "What do you want, Caroline?"
The little girls face broke out into a devious smirk. "Cwackers."
Not even bothering to argue Nora grabbed Caroline's little hand in her own, and while balancing the phone between her shoulder and ear, she made her way into the kitchen. Filling a plastic Dora the Explorer bowl with animal crackers, she handed it to Caroline.
"Go sit at the table." She told her, shooing her out of the room. "You still there, Casey?"
Another sigh. "Yes, I'm still here, Mom."
"Sorry about that. Caroline's just been in a really weird stage lately. She won't eat when I ask her too, and when she does eat its always something like crackers or cookies. I usually just let her eat what she wants, I mean, at least she's eating."
"Yeah but it's not healthy for her, Mom. She should be eating real food at regular meal times. You don't want to get her stuck on bad habits."
Nora rolled her eyes at Casey's remark and felt her defensive, maternal side lash out. "When you have your third child, while trying to keep tabs on your two eldest in university, while helping the two middle ones study for high school exams and driving the pre-teen to play practice every other day, you learn not to let these things bug you as much and to just go with the flow."
"...Okay. I'll try and remember that." Casey said hesitantly.
Nora sighed brushing her bangs off her forehead. "I'm sorry, Case. It's just been a good day and I'm trying to keep it that way. Now, what did you want to tell me?"
"Well I-"
"Mom can you sign this permission slip so I can go to the science museum next week?" Lizzie asked, entering the kitchen with a yellow piece of paper.
"Sure, Lizard. Just grab me a pen." Another sigh from Casey's end.
Quickly scribbling her signature in the bottom corner, she handed it back to Lizzie. "There. Now, what was I...Casey! Right! Okay, what did you have to tell me?"
"Alright, I just want you to know that Derek and I like-"
"Nora?" George questioned entering the kitchen. "What colour tie for my presentation tomorrow?" He held up two. "Green or Black?"
Nora held up her hand, silencing her husband. "Not now, Georgy. I'm talking to Casey and Derek. Alright, now you and Derek like what?"
"We like-"
"When's supper going to be ready?" Marti asked, bounding into the kitchen.
"Oh, for the love of God!" Casey yelled, exasperated. "Mother, can I just tell yo-"
There was a clattering noise in the dining room echoed by a small "Oops."
Nora placed a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. "Marti, go check on your sister."
"Why do I have to do it? Edwin is related to her just as much as I am. Why does he always just get to sit in his room on the computer?"Marti asked, upset.
"Go." Nora pointed to the door, and watched her step-daughter head off in the direction. "Casey."
"Mom." She answered back.
"Hey, Nora..." Edwin wandered into the kitchen, looking down at the history notebook in his hands.
"I AM DATING, DEREK!" Casey bellowed loudly. So loud, that everyone in the kitchen heard her and the room went silent.
George's eyes went wide, Edwin stopped dead in his tracks and Lizzie spat out the water she was drinking. Marti's head poked back into the kitchen and even Caroline looked bemused.
Nora almost dropped the phone.
"What did you say?" She asked in a whisper.
Casey took a deep breath, and then another, and another.
"Casey? Answer me." Nora demanded.
Casey just kept on breathing.
"Nora?" Derek asked, his voice sounding slightly amused. "Put me on speakerphone, I know everyone else is in the room with you, trying to listen in."
She did.
"Okay," Derek continued. "I like Casey. Casey likes me. I asked her out-"
Smack!
"You did not ask me out!" Was the muffled reply the McDonald's and Venturi's heard.
"That is not the point, Case. The point is, I like your daughter, Nora and I want to date her and do all that stuff that you feminine chicks like. Hold her hand and buy her flowers, shit like that. I am going to take her out for dinner tonight and then too this play she has been dying to see. I know this because it's all she's been talking about. We love you all and we're sorry. We'll come visit you soon and explain it to you in person, soon."
And then he hung up.
---
"So that was how it all went down. Casey never told me how they actually got together, and I doubt she ever will." Nora finished.
"And," George continued. "A few years later when Derek and Casey were married and living in Edmonton, at the time Derek was playing Junior Hockey, Edwin and Lizzie told us the exact same thing. They've never left each other since."
Emily had to smile, it all sounded so sweet and like a romance novel. There was something still bugging her, though. "Why don't they all come back home to London, for Christmas? Where do they all live?"
"Well, Edwin and Lizzie moved to Edmonton after they got married. Edwin works as a lawyer up there and he got the best job offer up there. Derek, once he got into the NHL, moved to Calgary so he could be closer to where his team was, the Calgary Flames. He usually has games right until Christmas time, so it's hard for them to get away. We all just get together around New Years."
Emily was suddenly grateful that she would be in Mexico when Derek and Casey would be here. Just then, she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket.
"Excuse me." She said as she checked it. There was a text from her brother.
Its 730, where are you?! Mom's freaking out.
"I need to go. Mom's worried." Emily stood up.
"No problem." Nora stood up as well. "I'm glad we could help."
---
As Emily got into her car, she quickly grabbed her cell phone and dialled Jane's phone number.
"Hello, this is Jane?"
"Jane? This is Emily."
"Emily who?"
"Emily Davis. Listen, I've thought your offer over long and hard and decided to accept. How soon can I head over to Alberta? Also, would you mind if I stayed there a little longer than necessary? I need to go see someone..."
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