Page 101 of A New Chapter

Chapter 44

It was Christmas Eve, and Emma geared up for a whirlwind of activity, starting with work. A New Chapter would be open until five o’clock, and she and Kelly expected to be busy right up until closing time. After her fainting spell the night before, Zack had tried to convince Emma to take the day off, but she didn’t want to abandon Kelly. Besides, it would help keep her mind occupied before she met up with him later. Now that her parents knew about the baby, she and Zack had decided to tell his parents too. They figured that if they waited, Gracie would surely spill the beans on Christmas Day, so this was the better alternative.

If Emma had been nervous about her parents’ reaction, she felt doubly nervous about telling Zack’s parents. She recalled the conversation she had had with Alex on Thanksgiving, when Alex had expressed her concerns over her granddaughter. Even though Gracie had reacted positively to the baby news (as long as it was a girl!), would Alex feel the same? Emma worried that Alex and Joe might have difficulty accepting the idea of Zack and Emma having a child out of wedlock. Emma would find out soon enough, but in the meantime, she would immerse herself in the comfort of the bookstore.

The store bustled with activity until the noon hour, when shoppers took their lunch break. Emma was forced to do the same when Zack showed up bearing sandwiches.

“How’s my girl doing today?” he asked, setting the bag of food on the counter.

“Which one?” Kelly flirted and gave him a wink.

“Save it for your own man,” Emma reprimanded while she dug through the bag.

On cue, Damian walked into the store clutching a tray with four drink cups.

Kelly instantly lit up at the sight of him. “Oh, I didn’t know you were coming too,” she purred.

Damian’s lips curled up in a seductive smile, and he handed her a drink.

“So, since we’re all here, what’s the latest on Gracie’s Christmas surprise?” Zack asked before biting into his ham and cheese sandwich.

“I took the cat to the vet yesterday, and she checked out fine,” Kelly replied. “According to the vet, he sees cases like this quite often. Someone probably decided that they didn’t want a pet anymore and just let her go. Since no one has claimed her, she’s all yours!”

“Oh, goody!” Zack said.

Emma swatted him on the arm. “Just think about how excited Gracie will be on Christmas morning.”

“Something about this reminds me of the heart-shaped waffle maker,” Zack said, raising his eyebrows accusingly.

Kelly and Damian looked confused, so Zack, completely enjoying himself, continued the story. “Emma convinced me that I had to buy a heart-shaped waffle maker for Gracie when, in fact, Emma got a bigger kick out of it than her. I’m sensing a pattern here.”

“You’re probably on to something. Emma always wanted a pet, but her parents wouldn’t allow it, and then Mark was allergic,” Kelly offered.

“Hey, whose side are you on?” Emma asked, glaring at her friend.

“Sorry,” Kelly said with an amused smirk.

“So, what’s the plan? Are you and Damian bringing the cat over on Christmas morning?” Zack asked before taking another hefty bite of his sub.

“Yup,” Damian said with his mouth full.

“Eight o’clock sharp. Don’t be late,” Zack ordered, looking pointedly at his brother.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s up,” Kelly said.

Emma felt herself flush as she looked between Kelly and Damian, and then she quickly turned her attention to Zack, who had a similar glint in his eye.

Oh boy! I have a feeling that this is going to be an eventful night—in more ways than one! Gracie is staying with Alicia, and Damian is staying with Kelly, so that means…

A few minutes later, some customers drifted into the store. Emma and Kelly quickly finished their sandwiches and shooed Zack and Damian out.

“See you tonight,” Zack whispered in Emma’s ear.

She still had goosebumps when the door closed behind him. She knew her hunch was right when, a short time later, she received a text from Zack that read: Bring your overnight bag when you come over later. Xoxo

Emma arrived at Zack’s house only a few minutes before Alex and Joe pulled up. That gave her just enough time to stash her overnight bag in Zack’s bedroom and check herself in the mirror. Of all times to look like Medusa! Emma had recently purchased the bestseller What to Expect When You’re Expecting, and she had read that hormonal changes could have an effect on her hair. Just great!

“Hello, darling,” Alex said, and she immediately gave Emma a kiss on each cheek, European style.