WebNovels

Chapter 42 - 42.

Emma

I admired the promise ring on my finger, letting the weight of it sink in, before finally looking up at him.

"Tommy… where are you going to stay?"

My voice was soft, hesitant, almost afraid of the answer.

He shrugged, a little sheepishly, but his eyes held that same warmth I'd come to trust.

"I've got a room at a B&B for the next few nights. Thought it'd be easier than sneaking around town. I wanted to be close, but not… in the way."

I nodded, quiet, the words catching in my throat. The idea of him so close, yet not fully part of my world, made my chest ache in a familiar way — the ache I'd felt all year since moving here, since the last summer we'd spent together by the lake.

A silence stretched between us, comfortable, but charged, and I realised I didn't want him to leave, even for a night. I shifted slightly, my hand brushing his as it rested on the blanket. "Can… can you walk me home?" I asked softly. My pulse quickened as I added, almost under my breath, "And… say hi to my parents?"

He blinked, a small, almost shy smile tugging at his lips.

"Of course," he said, squeezing my hand gently. "If you want me to."

I nodded, relief and happiness mixing into a lump in my throat. "I do," I admitted quietly. "I… I want them to meet you properly, even if just for a little while. I don't want them to think I'm… sneaking around or hiding things."

He reached for my hand fully, lacing his fingers through mine.

Tommy's smile widened, warm and steady. "Then let's go see them."

As we stood and folded the blanket, he took my hand and I felt that same thrill of being grounded by him, of having him here, close, real. My heart wanted to leap, and yet I could feel the restraint in both of us, the awareness that our time together, though precious, still had boundaries, still had a world outside of these moments to contend with.

We walked slowly through the streets, fingers intertwined, taking in the town around us. The soft chatter from people passing by, even the distant hum of traffic — it all felt different somehow, charged with significance now that he was with me again.

As we approached my house, I felt a tight knot of nervousness twist in my stomach. My parents would be curious, protective, maybe even sceptical. And yet… I wanted them to see him, to see why my heart had never stopped beating for him.

Tommy seemed to sense my hesitation. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Hey," he said softly, voice low so only I could hear, "it's okay. I'm right here. No matter what, I'm right here with you."

I drew in a deep breath, letting the warmth of his hand steady me. "Okay," I whispered, and together we stepped up the path to my front door.

I turned the key and pushed the door open, the familiar scent of home greeting us. My parents looked up from the sofa in the living room, eyebrows raised in surprise, and I felt that flutter of nerves, that mixture of excitement and apprehension.

"Mum, Dad…" I began, voice trembling slightly. "You remember … Tommy. Tommy Whitmore."

Tommy gave a small, polite nod, a quiet, steady smile. "Hello," he said softly. "It's really nice to see you again."

Mum's eyes softened, but there was still a sharpness in her gaze. Dad's expression, however, was calmer. I watched Tommy stand there, shoulders relaxed, giving nothing but respect and sincerity, and I felt a quiet swell of pride.

And for a moment, just for a heartbeat, the worry about moving, about change, about all the things that had loomed over me for the past year, faded. Because right here, right now, he was with me. He was real.

I leaned slightly against him, my fingers still entwined with his, and whispered, "Thank you for coming here."

He looked down at me, eyes soft and unwavering.

"I'd go anywhere for you, Emma," he said, and I felt my chest tighten in a way that words could never truly capture.

Even as the front door closed behind us, and the reality of our worlds outside pressed in, for these few moments, we were just… us.

Tommy stepped further inside, and I felt a flutter in my chest, a mix of pride and nervousness. My parents had been watching the doorway, curious but calm, and now he was here, real and present in our home.

Zoey's eyes went wide as she spotted him. The little three-year-old froze, then bolted behind the doorframe, peeking out at him with suspicion. "Who… who's that?" she whispered. She didn't remember him from the woods.

I smiled softly, crouching to her level. "It's Tommy, sweetie. He's a friend."

She blinked, still wary, before inching a finger toward him. "Friend?"

"Very special friend," I added, letting my eyes meet Tommy's.

He crouched down slightly, holding out his hand gently. Zoey tentatively reached for it, still unsure, and I laughed quietly as she whispered, "Okay…"

Teddy leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed; a small, knowing smirk on his face. Fourteen and already wise to everything, he just shook his head and muttered under his breath, "Knew it." I flushed, but he didn't say another word.

The twins, now twelve, were the picture of excitement. They practically hovered around Tommy, eyes wide as they noticed the small promise ring on my finger. "Oh… he's… he's really cute!" Jessica breathed, while Jemima whispered something about the necklace. They exchanged giddy glances, whispering in low tones, practically swooning.

My mum stepped forward, brushing a hand through her hair with that mixture of relief and curiosity she always carried when meeting someone new. "I'm glad you're nothing like your parents," she said warmly, eyes soft on Tommy.

I nearly choked at the words, but Dad's eyes shot up, sending a small scolding look at Mum. "Mandy… don't say things like that."

He turned his eyes on Tommy, and then back to Mum, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I've always known Tommy was different. Always."

Tommy swallowed, clearly caught off guard by the warmth in the room, and I felt a swell of love for him all over again.

Dad leaned slightly forward, voice careful, but firm.

"Tell me about your father's plans… the woods. What's happening with them?"

Tommy took a deep breath, steadying himself.

"The plans… they've fallen through," he said slowly. "Aunt Stephanie — I'm sure you remember her — she never stopped campaigning against it. Rallying the town, appealing to council rules, environmental groups… she made it impossible for him to go ahead."

My parents' faces softened, but there was still a flicker of surprise in their eyes. They exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them.

Dad exhaled slowly, shaking his head.

"Well… that's a relief. I'd hate to think of those woods being destroyed, all that history, all those trees…"

Mum nodded, her voice gentle. "I'm glad they're safe. But, really… we're happy here. I wouldn't consider moving back. Not after settling in, not after starting over."

I felt a sharp pang in my chest, my eyes flicking to Tommy. He met my gaze, his expression tight, a mixture of sadness and understanding passing silently between us.

Tommy's lips pressed together, his fingers fidgeting slightly.

"I… I understand," he murmured, though the sadness in his voice betrayed the words.

I squeezed his hand, a silent anchor, knowing he felt the same as I did.

And in that bittersweet moment, I realised that love didn't need proximity to exist — it only needed recognition. And we recognised it. Every glance, every touch, every quiet smile between us spoke more than words ever could.

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