I will lower the moon for you

by Becca Randall

  My deep thoughts were interrupted by a knock at my door. "Oh, they are here already." I thought out loud.

  As soon as I opened the door, both Britney and Niki squeezed me in a hug.

  "Hi, Emma." They said in unison.

  "Season's greetings my love, your hot and happening Santa are here. ho ho ho!" They both were wearing Santa caps, and giggled their way inside my apartment, with their hands full of shopping bags.

  Christmas is not a day or a season, it's a state of mind, and also my favorite time of the year. At least was until now, this year I just didn't feel like myself anymore. I had imagined a hundred different ways to celebrate it with Jake; it would have been our first festivities together.

  "Dude I think I forgot the Christmas gift I bought for Max at our last stop." Britney said with her brows furrowed as she looked into the bags.

  "Did you find it?" I asked curiously.

  "No, it's a small paper bag, blue and white stripes." Her eyes were moving frantically as she scanned through her shopping contents.

  "I think I got something here in one of my bags. This definitely wasn't bought by me. Is this your gift for Max?" Niki took out a pair of a sexy Santa lingerie set, with red velvet bralette outlined by a white feather trim, and a laced see-through nightie covering just enough.

  The moment we saw what Niki displayed, we all burst into laughter as Britney got evidently embarrassed.

  "Hey, come on. We are planning on playing secret Santa." Britney said in between catching her breathe, as she was running behind Niki trying to snatch her so-called gift from her. Niki dodged her, as she laughed and sang Christmas carols along.

  "Eeww! Stop that Britney. I think I will now imagine you and Max doing kinky things every time I see a Santa Claus. You are ruining my pure and blissful image of Christmas." I teased.

  "Yes, we didn't know, you are such a naughty girl, Britney, holy mothers of heaven will haunt you in your dreams." Niki grinned as she finally gave up and handed Britney's extraordinary gift to her.

  These two were total nuts. I rolled my eyes as I began setting the lunch table. Their bickering and

  chuckles filled my otherwise empty home, making a small smile creep up my face.

  After they settled, we sat down to eat together. They bought me takeout food, from my favorite diner in the city center.

  "So, Emma, we already know about Britney's plans for Christmas, what about you? What are you doing?" Niki cooed teasingly, giving Britney a wink.

  Britney nudged Niki, gesturing her to stop embarrassing her, as I responded with a playful grin on my face, "I am going to Benjamin's house. It's his daughters' birthday party tomorrow, I will most likely ring in the Christmas with them."

  "Birthday party will wind up much sooner, but I am sure it will be fun. You can crash at my place post that." Niki said as she swallowed a spoon full of noodles in her mouth.

  "No, you guys carry on. I think I will call in a quiet night at home."

  They both looked at each other and signaled something in telepathy it seems, as they quietly nodded and began eating again.

  I knew they were worried about me, but after my repeated attempts, I had made them agree to not force me into things, I will recover from the current setback in my life at my own pace. I am glad my friends accepted, and that they respect my decision by giving me the space I needed.

  At least, they didn't think I was weak to handle life, and its challenges.

  "Emma, so are you assigned with your new client yet? I heard they were re-assigning you a project." Britney asked.

  "Oh, Yes. I will be working for Brento Corp now, right after the holidays, I will be joining their office."

  "That's great, Emma. I wish you all the luck." Niki replied gleefully.

  They both hung out with me all day, and honestly, they made me lose track of time. I forgot all my worries when I was with them.

  Next day, I woke up and did some routine household chores. Usually, by this time, I used to be hustling around buying Christmas decorations and lights, and baking cupcakes with my mom. This year, well let's just say, I was coping.

  They say, the pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow. That was exactly my state of mind right now.

  Soon, it was evening, and I got ready for the birthday party. I wore a plain red dress that just covered above my knees, and paired it with black warm stocking and boots. I matched a cozy yet comfortable fur coat on top of it and left my hair loose as I applied minimal makeup on my face.

  The moment I stepped out, I saw Mark in the corridor, pacing up and down my apartment. He was wearing a close-fitted brown jacket with blue jeans and a grey muffler around his neck.

  "Hey, Mark. I didn't expect you to be here. What were you doing?"

  "Hi Emma, I am sorry I called you an hour ago. Honestly, I was deciding whether to knock at your door or not. I was in the neighborhood for some work, but you didn't answer the call, so I thought just to drop by. Sorry for intruding, umm, Merry Christmas!" He said nervously, with a sheepish smile on his face, as he handed me a bunch of beautiful red roses. I checked my phone and saw his missed call. I was busy getting ready and didn't realise he called.

  "No worries. It's absolutely fine that you dropped by. Merry Christmas Mark! These roses are so pretty. Thank You." I took the flowers and gave him a polite reply.

  "They aren't as pretty as their owner. You look great, Emma, I regret not calling you again, as I see you are heading somewhere."

  "Umm yes. I have to attend Benjamin's party. I mean, my boss at S&M. It's his twin daughters’ birthday today." I was taken aback by his compliment and his piercing brown eyes. I saw warmth in them.

  "Ok Great! Please carry on. We can meet some other time. Have a great evening."

  "Sure. Thank you for dropping by and for the flowers Mark. I will call you."

  We both started walking downstairs, and when we reached the front of my building, Mark greeted me goodbye and headed to his car.

  Meanwhile, I waited for the cab I booked, which should have been here by now. A few minutes later, Mark's car stopped in front of me.

  "It's freezing. Is your ride here yet? Or can I drop you somewhere?"

  I was not sure if I would want his company any longer, I got a very different vibe from him, friendly yet complicatedly different. He was a great friend, yet his eyes said a lot more than that.

  "Earth to Emma. It's going to snow soon, what do you say?" He honked his car to get my attention.

  "Umm, sure." Reluctantly I agreed as I looked at the wintry sky, and sat in his car. It was cold, and my cab was nowhere near.

  "I think I never asked before, where do you stay Mark?" I initiated the conversation.

  "I live in Madison Park, almost two streets away."

  "Wow That's almost like 10 mins walk from my place. I didn't know you lived so close."

  "You don't know a lot of things, Emma." He whispered; his eyes still stuck on the road.

  "What?" I asked, not quite sure of what he said.

  "Umm nothing, ya we stay quite close."

  The rest of the ride was full of small casual talks, as Mark drove me to Benjamin's place.

  "Thank you, Mark." I said as I got ready to step out of his car.

  "You're always welcome, Emma."

  The moment I stepped out, I felt small snowflakes slowly making their way on my head and shoulders. My heart fluttered as I loved snow. But then I realised it would be difficult for Mark to drive in this weather, so I bent to his car window again, "It's snowing. Would you like to come inside for a while?" I was genuinely concerned about him reaching home safely.

  "Only if you want me to." He replied in a stern voice, his gaze fixed on my face again.

  I felt a bit nervous whenever he looked at me like that.

  "Umm sure. Come on in!" I tried dodging eye contact, and gestured him with my hand, asking him to hop out of his car. The moment I did, I saw the brightest smile own up his face, and he happily stepped out to join me
for the party.

  We entered Benjamin's home that was full of kids and smelled like strawberries. The sweet aroma of various desserts immaculately displayed on the table filled our nostrils as we made our way in.

  "Aunt Emma. You are here." Both the girls hugged me as I bent down to take them in my arms.

  "Happy Birthday to my favorite girls in the world." I gave them pecks on both their cheeks, as I handed them their respective gifts.

  Soon Benjamin and Raina joined us too, Raina was holding little Justin in her arms, he was almost nine months old now.

  "Hi, Emm. You look radiant as always." Raina hugged me as I took Justin from her and he snuggled in my arms.

  "Hello, Mr. Behan. Sorry for crashing your party. I just happened to visit Emma unannounced and gave her a ride here."

  "Hello, Mr. Hanly. It's a pleasure to have you with us. Please come on in and make yourself comfortable." Benjamin said as he took our coats.

  We spent a great time, Mark was surprisingly comfortable in the company of little kids, and he even participated in one of their games. He was no stranger here; he surely didn't behave like one.

  Almost around ten pm, we bid goodbye to everyone, and Mark offered to drop me home.

  While on the way, he broke the silence and asked, "Do you mind if I take a quick detour and pick my favorite coffee?"

  "You really do love coffee, don't you?"

  "Absolutely. Coffee is my guilty pleasure. You know why? Because Coffee never complains, it never asks silly questions, and Coffee always understands; that's why I love its company the most."

  I smiled at his sudden bout of excitement and nodded for making a quick stop.

  We both were sitting in the car, our side doors open, parked on the driveway outside the coffee shop. The streets were well lit and decorated, and the snow by the sides of the road just added to the beauty.

  "So how do you like your Christmas?" Mark asked while sipping his coffee.

  "Usually by this time, I am decorating my Christmas tree and, preparing plumcakes and chocolate mousse pudding, along with many other special delicacies," I replied, reminiscing the old times, and holding my coffee mug tight, letting its warmth comfort my freezing palms.

  "Wow. That's fancy. So, your family and friends must be looking forward to a treat tomorrow?"

  "Umm, not this year. I gave it all a pass. I am just allowing myself a quiet day of self-reflection. I may visit my parents for dinner tomorrow, but nothing special."

  "You are not even doing the Christmas tree?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

  "Nope." I replied.

  We both silently sipped our coffee, enjoyed the calm Christmas eve, and later Mark dropped me home.

  The next morning, I woke up with a thudding sound.

  I immediately jumped out of my bed, adjusting my eyes to the morning light. Someone was banging my door.

  I was annoyed and still in my pajamas, but I didn't care and just rushed to open the door, mainly to stop the noise.

  It was Mark, with a heavy Christmas tree in his hand and huge bags of decorations tied on his arms.

  "Merry Christmas Emma! Just hold this please." He handed me one of the many bags. He was panting, almost breathless.

  "Mark? What is all this? Did you carry all this by yourself? And what's in this bag?"

  "No, I got the tree delivered downstairs. Umm, and that bag has plumcakes, chocolate mousse pudding and strawberry cupcakes. I baked all night." With that, he just entered my apartment lifting the tree with both his hands, paying no heed to my agitated expressions.

  "What??" I turned to ask him. This was all so unexpected.

  "Oh, just come on in Emma. We have a lot to do. Move your butt and help me here. You can throw your tantrums later."

  Chapter 47

  Vancouver

  Mark

  Two months later - Britney's Wedding

  "Hey, Niki. Yes, I picked up Emma, and we will be reaching the airport in the next ten minutes."

  It wasn't even three full months, but slowly and gradually, I became part of the lives of all these beautiful people. There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends who become family.

  Celebrating Christmas with Emma was a turning point, we got close post that, and her hilarious yet lovable clan came in the package along. I will be forever grateful to Emma for touching my life and making it blissful. She had been the source of pure joy and happiness in my otherwise dull existence.

  What is Life, if not for good friends and great adventures? And after meeting Emma, I got just that and a lot more.

  We were heading to Vancouver for Britney's wedding, Niki and Barry were already waiting for us at the airport. The bride and groom to be, headed to their hometowns a week back.

  "You are coming for the hiking trip to Joffre Lake too? Right Mark?" Emma and her beautiful hazel eyes asked in anticipation. This was the same trip that they planned during Halloween last year. Unfortunately, I wasn't a part of the plan then, but I was invited to join them all now.

  "Umm yes, I am not completely sure Emma, but if everything goes as planned, then definitely." I stuttered nervously if only she knew what was going on in my head.

  "No way, Mark. I am not going on this trip without you. What will I do between two couples? Moreover, I want you to be there with me, please?" She looked at me with puppy eyes, as she held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze in persistence.

  "Okay, Emma. I will come."

  "Yes." She literally jumped in excitement; her eyes twinkled with joy.

  I had been planning for this day since almost a week now, my love for Emma was an open secret for everyone, except her.

  Yes, I was madly in love with her.

  Right from the first time I saw her when she sat nervously waiting in my office's reception area, wearing a simple green formal attire, and yet looking incredibly pretty and attractive; heedless of the prying eyes that were just glued on her.

  Her angelic face and graceful body language made me weak in my knees when I approached to talk to her for the very first time. She had no idea how amazing she was, and that's what made her more special.

  Part of me knew why she acted oblivious to my feelings. I knew she did it on purpose, she wasn't ready to confront my love for her and to acknowledge and accept her feelings in reciprocation. She was scared of letting go what she had with Jake. She was scared of feeling her feelings again; she was scared to move on.

  However, the other part of me, also saw how she cared for me, wanted to spend time with me and how her eyes searched for me whenever I was out of sight.

  I think our fates would be decided soon, as I had been planning something huge for her. The whole idea formed knots in my stomach, I didn't know if I had the courage to pull this, but truth was that I could do anything for Emma.

  "Mark? You look lost, we have arrived. Let's go." Emma nudged me getting me out of my thoughts, as we reached the airport. We took our luggage and placed it in a trolly, and stepped inside to meet Niki and Barry in the lobby.

  Barry was on the phone, and as soon as he saw us, he gave us a small smile and turned around, heading straight to the airlines' check-in line.

  "Excuse my fiancé Mark, he forgot his manners at home it seems. Come let me give you a hand with all our luggage." Niki was annoyed as she saw Barry left us all behind.

  "It's fine; I will manage Niki."

  "You don't have ten hands, do you? Why don't you rub some of your chivalry on my dickhead lover boy there?" She rolled her eyes as she pushed the luggage trolly, and soon Barry came running back to us.

  "I am so sorry, babe, that call was so urgent. Come, let me help you." He said with apologetic eyes.

  "Fuck off, Barry. You always do this." Niki retorted, giving him the cold shoulder.

  "Oh, Come On, you two. Not again." Emma gave Niki a slight push, taking her hand and making her walk away.

  "Whipped!" I mocked Barry giving him a wink.

  "Like always, dude. God! She
is fire! Why do I love her so much?" Barry laughed along, and we both headed inside following the girls.

  Barry and Niki's quarrels were like music to our ears; they ranted all day and then kissed and made up, the very next moment. They were made for each other. Barry was right. They were like ice and fire.

  The entire flight, Emma snuggled and slept on my shoulder, while Barry was busy watching his favorite thriller movie with his headphones on, totally ignorant of his surroundings.

  "Are you sure about this, Mark? Honestly, I am quite scared." Niki whispered as she sat on my right, while Emma was seated on my left. She was talking regarding our conversation yesterday when I revealed her my plans for the hiking trip.

  "Yes. I am sure Niki. It's time, she must know." I whispered back.

  "I see how much you love her, Mark, your eyes say a lot. I am just not sure how will she react? She has been through so much."

  I let out a deep sigh before replying to Niki, I had such strong emotions bottled up inside me, and this beautiful girl asleep on my arm was unaware of how much she meant to me, "You know what Niki? Love is too small a word to describe what I feel for her. Contentment seeps into me when she is around. Without intimation, without notice, joy finds me and my heart melts just by looking at her. I love watching her, admiring her from afar, smiling at her naive ways, and longing to be able to take her in my arms, someday. I wish someday I can make her mine and show her how much love she deserves. "

  Niki's eyes welled up as she heard my confession.

  ."The hardest part of loving someone is when you don't know if they will ever love you back. But even if she doesn't, my love is enough for both of us."

  "She does love you, Mark. A lot. I am just not sure if it's the same kind as yours, but she truly cares for you. Her eyes light up whenever you are around; it's hard not to notice that." She continued whispering, making sure our conversation didn't disturb Emma's sleep.

  "I know Niki. That's why it's now or never. I can go to any extent to make her happy, I will do whatever it takes, and this is my one chance. Her happiness is what matters in the end."