A Surprise under the Mistletoe

"Thanks so much for helping me clean up," Ernie said.

"No problem," Emma cheered.

"Tis the time of giving," Gia called with a smile.

"I think that's the last of everything," Noah said.

"I think I see a few more boxes and bottles over there," Emma called.

Troy stepped out from behind the counter going around to the center of the shop. Everyone had cleared out expect for him and his friends, they decided to stay behind lending Ernie a hand.

"Gia let me help you with that," Jake offered taking the large trash bag.

"Thanks," she replied with a wink.

"Ernie, I'll go and toss that for you," Noah said grabbing one of the boxes.

"Thanks!"

Troy was happy to see that everyone was still in bright spirits.

"Excuse me Troy," Emma said trying to slid pass him.

"Oh…I'll get that for you," he said taking the trash bag.

"Troy...you don't have to do that I got it…"

"I insist…what you can do for me is open up this door."

"Sure," she sang brightly.

Troy hobbled through the employee only door setting aside the trash bag. He stepped back inside, following her over to the front entrance. Emma leaned against the wall taking a look around.

"Looks, like we cleaned up just about everything."

Troy nodded in agreement and from the looks of it, seemed like that had managed to tidy up the shop quite nicely. Emma turned her attention over to him, flashing a pearly white smile. Troy couldn't help but return her smile with one of his own. If there was anything he admired about Emma was her presence, she always had that special aura about her herself that was so warm, friendly and inviting, and not to mention that sweet compassionate nature.

"Troy…thanks again for the book…" she said in a small voice.

"I'm really glad you liked it."

"Of course I did," she said with chuckle.

Then they stood there lingering in each other's presence. He noticed her slowly stepping closer, her fragrance started filling his senses. Troy stood there, wondering what to do, as much as he enjoyed Emma's presence, he felt that there was something else on her mind. He saw her smile widen as she stepped closer to him. Not sure of what to do Troy just stood there, wondering what she was up too. She stepped closer wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"Emma?" he cried.

She remained quiet, he felt her tighten her grip. Troy didn't know why, but he felt compelled to return her hug. He wrapped his arms around her feeling the comfort and warmth in her embrace, it something he hadn't felt with anyone in really long time. She pulled away, as did he, but instead of letting go, she held on to him.

He watched her leaning forward towards his face. Troy felt his heart racing inside, was Emma really about to do what he thinks?

He slowly started pulling away; knowing he wasn't ready for this moment. All that subsided, when he felt her lips pressed against his cheek. This time, she pulled away stepping out of his grasp. She winked turning away. Troy fell against the wall touched his cheek slowly running his hand over it. He swallowed hard; both speechless and stunned. Not only did he feel his face growing flush, but he couldn't slow down his fluttering his heart. As shocked as he was over her kiss, he actually liked it.

So did that mean if he liked the kiss, that he was admitting his feelings for her?

Troy wasn't sure, but he knew one thing, this Christmas was certainly turning out in his favor. Stepping out of his own tangled thoughts, trying to gather back his composure as he stepped back inside Ernie's...

"You kids have a good evening and a Merry Christmas!" Ernie chirped from behind the gate.

"You too Ernie," Emma said waving.

"Have a merry one Ernie!" Jake said.

"Thanks for awesome party!" Gia said blowing him a kiss.

"You're welcome!" Ernie said turning away.

He started swaying and bobbing his head to some of the jingling tunes.

"Oh Ernie…" Gia cried with laughter.

"Hey guys we should get going if we want to catch the carolers down at the plaza," Noah said glancing at his watch.

"We definitely wouldn't want to miss that," Gia said.

"Nope…we don't," Emma called.

As they headed for the exit, Troy stopped at the Christmas tree in the center of the mall.

"Robo Knight," Gia said glancing over at Emma.

"Girls…remember Robo Knight has to stay still for 24 hours," Noah reminded stepping between them.

"That's right," Jake said with a chuckle.

Troy walked over to Robo Knight, "Merry Christmas," he said.

"Merry Christmas," the others echoed in unison.

"Let's get a move on it guys," Jake said trotting ahead.

Troy lingered behind looking around the empty mall trying to savor the all the cheer and that special moment one last time, before departing for Christmas.

"Troy!"

"Yeah?!"

"Let's go," Emma called holding open the door.

"Thanks," he said stepping through the door sliding his hands into the pockets of his brand new windbreaker.

Troy wrapped his scarf tightly against his face as he felt the rush of the chilly winds and their vice-like grip cut through the air.

He watched Emma step away from the door, winking as she trotted passed him.

"Emma is something else..." he said with a smirk.

"Troy… buddy let's get a move it!" Jake called out gesturing for him to hurry.

Troy stepped out his daze running to catch up with his friends.