Hello everyone! Please enjoy this very special, and very long, chapter.
There is a very important message at the end, so stay tuned.
(Six days until Thanksgiving)
"Hey, John." Emily looked up at John. They were sitting on John's couch together.
"Yeah?" John answered, turning the volume down on the television.
"What are we going to do for Thanksgiving?" Emily asked.
"I don't know." He answered.
"Nicholas and I always spend it together." Emily added.
"Am I invited?" John asked.
Emily sighed, jokingly. "I guess so." She paused. "Peyton will probably come this year, and Rudy. Jason and his sister will be there. I think Dorian can come, too."
"Wow, that's a lot."
"You're lucky you won't have to cook anything."
John laughed.
XxXxX
(Four days until Thanksgiving)
Emily pulled out her cell phone and called Nicholas.
"Hey, Em." Nicholas answered.
"Did you get the guest list I sent you?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, it's good." Nicholas replied. "Did everyone say yes?"
"I haven't asked Dorian, but he'll definitely come."
"Alright, we'll make food for eight."
"How are we dividing it up?" Emily asked.
"Well, Peyton loves to bake so she'll take on the desserts. Jason could do the casserole and cranberry sauce?"
"Sounds good." Emily answered.
Nicholas continued. "Rudy can do the sweet potatoes with marshmallows. He loves making that."
Emily smiled. "He does. He gets very sciency with it."
"Could Dorian pick up some dinner rolls? Or maybe John?" Nicholas asked.
"Sure. I'll ask one of them." Emily answered. She paused. "So that leaves us with the turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes."
"Yeah. That good?"
"Sure. Did you put in an order for a turkey?" Emily asked.
"Yes, with the place we always do."
"Good." Emily nodded. "I'll pick it up Wednesday."
"Are you doing the food shopping?" Nicholas asked.
"I'll buy what we need and drop it off at your place this afternoon." Emily offered.
"Alright." Nicholas agreed. "Will you call everyone and tell them what they need to make?"
Emily sighed. "Sure."
"Thanks." Nicholas sounded cheery.
"Get out the nice tablecloth. Bring it to a dry cleaners or something." Emily ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." Nicholas sounded stern.
Emily chuckled. "I'll be by in an hour."
"Bye, Em."
"Bye, Nick."
Emily hung up. She rested her cellphone on her chin. She dialed everyone and told them their dishes.
Rudy was ecstatic he had mashed sweet potatoes this year. As if it ever changed.
Emily started her car and went to the grocery store.
XxXxXxX
(Three days until Thanksgiving)
"Dorian, of course you can come!" Emily exclaimed.
"I don't want to impose." Dorian insisted.
"Nonsense!" Emily honked her car horn. "Move it!" She yelled at another driver. "Of course you're welcome."
"You sure?" Dorian heard tires screeching through the phone.
"One hundred percent." Emily insisted.
"Alright, I'll be there." Dorian agreed.
"Wonderful." Emily smiled.
"Okay, bye, Emily."
"Bye." Emily hung up.
She took a left and then a right and then parked off to the side of the street in front of a liquor store.
XxXxX
(Two days until Thanksgiving)
Emily stood on a step stool, bending slightly, in a closet in Nicholas's house with Nicholas down on the floor next to her.
"Why is this shelf so messy?" Emily huffed.
"Why should I know?" Nicholas protested. "I thought everything was the next shelf up."
Emily sighed and straightened. She looked around until she saw what she was looking for. She pulled out a box and gently handed it down to Nicholas. He took it and set it down on his kitchen table. Emily pulled out another box and handed it down to Nicholas, who was ready and waiting. He set that box down next to the first one. Emily pulled out the third and final box and handed that to Nicholas. She descended down the step stool and put it away in the closet. She closed the closet door. She walked over to the boxes.
Nicholas was opening the first one. It contained all the good china they had inherited from their parents. Nicholas set aside eight dinner plates, eight salad plates, and eight dessert plates. The extras stayed in the box to be put back. Emily opened the second box and pulled out all the serving platters and serving bowls. The third box, which Nicholas and Emily both opened, contained all the silverware for the dinner. They set aside eight of each item needed.
"You're picking up the turkey tomorrow?" Nicholas asked.
"Yes." Emily answered. "I'll bring it over and we can start prepping."
"Okay, good." Nicholas nodded.
"I'm bringing John." Emily added.
"Um… Can't he not cook?" Nicholas scratched his head.
"He'll help us prep. No cooking necessary." Emily smirked.
Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "I'm trusting you."
Emily rolled her eyes. "Don't strain yourself, Nick."
Nicholas laughed.
XxXxX
(One day until Thanksgiving)
"John, come on." Emily urged.
"You sure I'm not going to ruin some sacred one hundred year old family recipe by coming along?" John worried.
"Unless you can somehow screw up toasting bread, I don't think so." Emily laughed.
John sighed and got in the car.
Emily drove to Nicholas's house and parked in the long driveway.
"Can you take the turkey in?" Emily asked John. "Thanks."
John rolled his eyes and took out the large bag the turkey was in, where there was melting ice in plastic bags. John carried the twenty-five pound turkey into Nicholas's house.
It was a large two-story, cream-sided house with sprawling rooms and a large kitchen that led into an elegant dining room. Upstairs, there were three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The basement contained a home office and a media room.
Emily rang the doorbell and Nicholas was at the door in moments.
"Hey, Em." Nicholas gave Emily a quick kiss on the cheek. "John." Nicholas smiled and nodded. John held out his free hand and Nicholas shook it. The two went inside and Nicholas closed the door.
"Be honest, Nick." Emily started. "How much bread did you eat that we need for the stuffing?"
"Honestly, I lost count." Nicholas answered.
Emily slapped his arm.
"Kidding! I only ate the end pieces." Nicholas insisted.
Emily gave Nicholas an evil eye as they walked into the kitchen.
"Okay." John set the turkey in the fridge. "Where do we start?"
Nicholas was putting on a black apron. Emily was tying a red apron around her waist.
"Apron." Emily turned and held up an apron for John.
"You've got to be kidding." John sighed. "Pink?"
Emily laughed, waving the pink apron back and forth.
"Pink it is."
XxXxX
(Thanksgiving morning)
"John!" Emily yelled for John upstairs.
"I'm coming." John quickly came downstairs. He was messing with his tie.
Emily was waiting at the door with the car keys. Both were dressed up for Thanksgiving dinner. It was 10:00 in the morning.
Emily smiled a little. She went over to John and took his tie. She readjusted it and started to tie it.
"Thanks." John smiled down at Emily.
"Mhmm." Emily answered. She pushed the knot upward and flattened out the rest of the tie. "There we go." Emily looked up at John.
"Thank you." John replied.
Emily yanked down on John's tie and kissed him. "You're welcome."
John chuckled.
Emily let go.
John straightened his tie and the two went out the door.
XxXxX
(Thanksgiving afternoon)
"Nick, check the turkey." Emily ordered, as she added more heavy cream to the mashed potatoes.
"Alright." Nicholas went to the oven and opened the door. "It's done."
"Take it out to rest. Scoop the stuffing onto a sheet pan and let it cook some more." Emily added.
"I know the drill." Nicholas answered.
Emily finished the mashed potatoes and put them in a serving bowl. She set that bowl on the kitchen island counter.
"John can you get the wine and beers?" Emily called out.
"Yes." John went to the fridge and retrieved the liquor.
The doorbell rang.
Emily quickly washed her hands and went to the front door. She opened it.
Rudy was there, holding a ramekin of mashed sweet potatoes. "Emily." He happily smiled.
Emily hugged Rudy, careful of his dish. She kissed him on the cheek. "How are you?"
"Good. I need to set this in the oven because my blow torch malfunctioned. I didn't have time to fix it, I panicked and thought the oven would do fine. I hope I'm not too early." Rudy rambled.
"Rudy, it's fine." Emily laughed lightly. She let him in and shut the door. "The oven is yours for the using."
There was another doorbell ring. Emily sighed lightly and turned on her heels. She opened the door. It was Jason, and his sister, Julia.
"Hi, Jace." Emily hugged Jason and let him in. "Hey, Julia!" Emily smiled and hugged Julia.
Julia was Emily's height with light brown hair and blue eyes. She had a beautiful smile.
"Emily! How are you?" Julia hugged Emily back.
"Good, good." Emily answered, letting Julia in.
"Emily!" Someone called out.
Emily turned to look. Peyton was rushing down the driveway to make it in the door. "Peyton!" Emily opened her arms wide. Peyton squeezed Emily tightly.
"Don't drop those pies!" Emily joked as they separated.
"Don't worry." Peyton answered. They both walked into the house. "I've got ice cream that needs a freezer."
"Don't panic, go straight to the kitchen." Emily instructed.
"On it." Peyton rushed away.
John came up to Emily with a glass of wine. "How are you doing?" He asked.
"We'll see." Emily took the glass, regardless if it was for her, and took a large sip. Then Emily had a look of fear on her face. "Oh, shit."
"What? What?" John asked, taking his wine back.
"What time is it?" Emily asked, panicking. She grabbed John's wrist and wrenched it around so she could read his watch. "2:14?! I need to pick up Dorian!"
"Easy, easy." John gently pulled his wrist away from Emily. "I'll pick him up. You attend to the guests." John insisted.
"Okay, okay." Emily took the wine and had another sip. "Did you meet Julia?" She asked as John put his jacket on.
"Yes, she's very nice." John answered.
"Yeah, she is." Emily took another sip of wine.
"I'll be back." John kissed Emily on the cheek and went for the door.
"I told him I'd pick him up at the precinct and take him to the bakery for bread." Emily added.
John turned to her and smiled gently. "Relax." He opened and closed the door.
Emily stood there. She downed the rest of the wine.
She exhaled loudly.
XxXxX
(Thanksgiving night)
Everyone burst out laughing. Jason wiped a tear from his eyes.
"And then," Nicholas continued, "he walked out without the coffees!"
Everyone laughed again.
"Who wants more wine?" Emily asked. Everyone raised their glasses.
Emily smiled.
XxXxX
(Twenty days until Christmas)
Emily sat on her couch, compiling online coupons and patrolling for good deals.
"What are you looking at?" John came in the room.
Emily held her computer to her chest.
"Ah, I see." John smiled as he sat down next to her. He kissed Emily. "Can I at least peek?"
"Absolutely not." Emily kissed John.
"Are you going shopping today?" John asked.
"Probably."
"Can I come?"
"Probably."
"Do you want me to come?"
Emily playfully smiled. "Probably."
John smiled back. "What made me get on your naughty list?"
"You've done very naughty things." Emily kissed John again.
"Is that so?" John raised an eyebrow.
John pulled Emily close as she set her computer down on the coffee table.
"What are you doing?" Emily laughed.
"Trying to get on the nice list." John kissed Emily's neck. His fingers traveled up Emily's shirt, their coldness tickling Emily.
Emily laughed. "Stop!" She and John fell backwards onto the couch.
John kissed Emily, longer and more passionately. "Mistletoe." He announced.
"There's no mistletoe hanging above us." Emily laughed.
John craned his neck and looked upwards. "Huh, would you look at that."
Emily laughed again.
XxXxX
(Fifteen days until Christmas)
"What are you getting Emily?" Dorian asked John as they sat in their car, waiting for the heat to get to maximum strength, as Emily was inside a coffee shop.
"I don't know." John answered, rubbing his hands.
Dorian sighed lightly.
There was a beat of silence, filled with the sound of heat circulating.
"Well, you're screwed." Dorian spoke.
John nodded once, sighing. "Yup."
XxXxX
(Ten days until Christmas)
John wanted to beat his head against the wall.
He started beating his head against the wall.
"Ready?" Emily called out.
"Ready!" John answered, voice happy. He sat up straight in the chair he had scavenged for.
Emily came out of her dressing room. She was wearing a stunning red dress, gems and jewels along the sloping neckline.
"Oooo, beautiful." John marveled.
Emily turned to a nearby mirror. "I don't know." She pulled and tweaked the dress at her waist, trying to figure out if she liked it. "I feel like a chili pepper."
"Spicy."
Emily laughed and smiled a little. She looked in the mirror again. "Mm, no." She went back into her dressing room.
John slumped among the six shopping bags that surrounded him.
He started beating his head against the wall.
XxXxX
(Five days until Christmas)
Emily sat at John's kitchen table, surrounded by boxes. They were all in different sizes and colors, some with patterns like stripes and polka dots. She had a tablet next to her, ready to print out electronic labels for each box. She typed out each, putting who it's for and who it's from.
When she finished, she put the boxes below the Christmas tree in John's living room. Emily smiled at her handiwork.
"Did Santa come early this year?" John called out from the kitchen.
"He might have." Emily smiled. She walked to the kitchen. She kissed John. "You'll have to see Christmas morning."
"In the meantime..." John trailed off. He held up a mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows.
Emily inhaled. "Yum." She took the mug and drank some.
"Well?" John asked, Emily still drinking it.
Emily laughed, lowering the mug. "We've finally found something you can make."
John half-smiled. He wiped a finger over Emily's upper lip. He licked the marshmallow foam off of it. Emily set the mug down.
John looked up. "It that mistletoe?" He raised an eyebrow.
Emily looked up. "There isn't any-"
John kissed Emily, pulling her into a hug so she couldn't escape. Emily couldn't refuse. She melted into John's embrace.
Emily kissed John, regardless if there was mistletoe or not.
XxXxX
(One day until Christmas, or Christmas Eve)
John slid one small box under the Christmas tree. He smiled. He knew Emily would love his gift.
He snuck back into his bedroom. He climbed into bed and wrapped an arm around Emily.
"Did you set out the milk and cookies?" Emily asked.
"Uh, no. Did you want me to?" John was clearly confused.
Emily sleepily laughed. "No, silly."
"Okay." John settled down, pulling up the covers.
"Merry Christmas, John." Emily snuggled against John.
"Merry Christmas, Emily." John kissed Emily on her forehead.
Emily smiled and soon fell asleep. John pushed back some of Emily's hair. He wrapped his arms around her.
He, too, fell asleep.
XxXxX
(Christmas Day)
"Wake up, John!" Emily jumped on top of John. "Come on!"
John groaned. "What are you doing?"
"It's Christmas!" Emily answered, pulling the blankets away from John.
John groaned again.
"Time for presents!" Emily pulled on John's arm to get him upright.
"Alright! Alright." John got out of bed and let Emily drag him away. They stopped in front of the Christmas tree, all lit up in its glory, decorated with ornaments from past and present.
John and Emily settled down, distributing presents to each other.
Of course, there were knick-knacks and small gifts, but they each saved the best for last.
John opened his gift first. "Em…" He smiled as he pulled out what was inside. It was a Knights soccer jersey, number 27, Max Soto. John turned it around to see that the jersey was signed by Max Soto himself. "Oh my God."
Emily smiled.
"Thank you." John kissed Emily, gently on the cheek.
"You're welcome." Emily put a hand on John's cheek. "I love you."
"I love you, too." John answered. "Now, open yours!" He urged.
"Okay." Emily smiled, pulling the small box into her hands. She opened it to see something beautiful. It was a necklace, with a diamond pendant. "Oh, John. I love it!" She held it up.
"You like it?" John was feeling proud.
"I absolutely love it." Emily marveled. "Would you put it on?"
John took the necklace and clasped it around Emily's neck. Emily stared down at it. "Thank you, John." She kissed him.
"You're very welcome." John brushed Emily's bangs to the side.
"I love you." Emily hugged John. "Mistletoe." She whispered.
"Hm?" John looked down at Emily.
Emily pulled John closer and kissed him, passionately and lovingly. "Oops." Emily giggled. "I was mistaken." She turned serious. "There was no mistletoe above us."
"Are you sure?" John joked.
"Not completely." Emily answered.
John pulled Emily in for another kiss.
XxXxX
(New Year's Eve)
"10!"
John and Emily set down their empty drinks.
"9!"
"Any resolutions?" John asked.
"8!"
"I guess I want to do everything better." Emily answered.
"7!"
"How about you?" Emily asked.
"6!"
"Maybe be a better person." John replied.
"5!"
Emily smiled. "That's a good one."
"4!"
"Ready to ring in the New Year?" Emily laughed lightly.
"3!"
"Absolutely." John pulled Emily close.
"2!"
"I love you." Emily put her arms around John's neck.
"1!"
"I love you, too." John leaned down.
"Happy New Year!"
John and Emily kissed. They kissed and kissed.
The New Year was here.
And all was well.
For now.
Please review with your thoughts!
Thank you, everyone! Thank you for your support and help throughout all of this. You all are really wonderful. I see your support in your views, reviews, favorites, and follows. I hope you'll come back to this story again and again. I know I will. I hope you found Almost Synthetic compelling, action-packed, romantic, with bits of angst and comedy. I know I did.
Here's that important note:
This marks the end of John and Emily's adventure... For now. Yes! I know! A tragedy really, but I will continue. I am starting on another adventure that will still follow John and Emily. So fear not. You will get more.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Have a wonderful New Year!
Goodbye, everyone.
(For now.)