Hearts Ablaze

Chapter 9

The morning sun streamed through the windows of Sweet Maple Bakery, casting a warm glow over the freshly baked pastries lining the display case. Emma hummed softly to herself as she wiped down the counter, her mind still replaying scenes from her date with Liam the night before.

The bell above the door chimed, pulling Emma from her reverie. She looked up, a smile already forming on her lips, only to see her sister Molly barreling through the door.

"Alright, spill," Molly demanded, plopping herself down on one of the stools at the counter. "I want every single detail about last night. And don't you dare leave anything out!"

Emma laughed, shaking her head fondly at her sister's enthusiasm. "Good morning to you too, Mol. Coffee?"

Molly waved her hand impatiently. "Yes, yes, coffee. Now start talking!"

As Emma poured them both a cup of coffee, she couldn't help but smile at Molly's eagerness. It was nice, she realized, to have someone to share this with.

"It was..." Emma paused, searching for the right word. "Perfect. Honestly, Mol, it was better than I could have imagined."

Molly leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Ooh, do tell. Where did he take you? What did you wear? Did he kiss you goodnight?"

Emma felt a blush creep up her cheeks at the memory of their kiss in the park. "He took me to this lovely Italian place in the next town over. And yes, he did kiss me. But it wasn't just a goodnight kiss. It was..."

She trailed off, lost in the memory. Molly reached across the counter, snapping her fingers in front of Emma's face. "Earth to Emma! Come on, don't leave me hanging here!"

Emma laughed, swatting her sister's hand away. "Alright, alright. We went for a walk in the park after dinner, and it was all lit up with fairy lights. It was so romantic, Mol. And then we kissed, and... I told him I loved him."

Molly's squeal of delight was so loud it made Emma wince. "Oh my god, Em! That's huge! What did he say? He said it back, right? Please tell me he said it back!"

Emma nodded, unable to keep the smile off her face. "He did. He said he's in it for the long haul, Mol. That he wants us to be partners in everything."

Molly's eyes welled up with tears. "Oh, Emma. I'm so happy for you. You deserve this, you know. After everything you've been through, you deserve to be happy."

Emma reached out, squeezing her sister's hand. "Thanks, Mol. That means a lot."

Just then, the bell above the door chimed again. Emma looked up to see Liam walking in, a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand and a smile on his face.

"Speak of the devil," Molly muttered, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Liam approached the counter, his eyes never leaving Emma's face. "Good morning, beautiful," he said, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her cheek. "These are for you."

Emma felt her heart flutter as she accepted the flowers. "Liam, they're gorgeous. Thank you."

Molly cleared her throat loudly, reminding them of her presence. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the man of the hour. Liam Harper, you and I need to have a little chat."

Liam turned to Molly, his expression a mix of amusement and apprehension. "Good morning to you too, Molly. Should I be worried?"

Molly's grin was positively wicked. "That depends. What are your intentions towards my sister?"

"Molly!" Emma hissed, mortified. But Liam just laughed, wrapping an arm around Emma's waist.

"My intentions?" he said, his voice warm with affection. "Well, I intend to love her, support her, and make her happy for as long as she'll have me. How's that sound?"

Emma felt her heart swell at his words. She leaned into his side, savoring the warmth of his body against hers.

Molly nodded approvingly. "Not bad, Harper. Not bad at all. But just remember, if you hurt her, they'll never find your body."

"Molly!" Emma exclaimed, but Liam just chuckled.

"Duly noted," he said, giving Molly a mock salute. "I promise to treat her like the queen she is."

Emma rolled her eyes, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. "Alright, you two. Enough with the shovel talk. Don't you have somewhere to be, Mol?"

Molly sighed dramatically, sliding off her stool. "Fine, fine. I know when I'm not wanted. But this isn't over, Harper. I've got my eye on you."

As Molly left, the bell jingling behind her, Emma turned to Liam with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. You know how she gets."

Liam just grinned, pulling her closer. "Don't apologize. I think it's sweet how protective she is of you. Besides, I meant every word I said."

Emma felt her heart skip a beat at the sincerity in his eyes. She stood on her tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "I love you, you know that?"

Liam's smile was blinding. "I love you too, Emma Lawson. More than I can say."

They stood there for a moment, lost in each other's eyes, until the ding of the oven timer broke the spell.

"Oh!" Emma exclaimed, pulling away reluctantly. "That'll be the cinnamon rolls. I should..."

Liam nodded, releasing her with a soft kiss to her forehead. "Go on, baker extraordinaire. I'll just sit here and admire the view."

Emma felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she hurried to the kitchen. As she pulled the tray of golden-brown cinnamon rolls from the oven, she couldn't help but marvel at how much her life had changed in such a short time.

When she returned to the front, Liam was chatting with an elderly couple who had just entered the bakery. Emma smiled, watching as he charmed them with his easy manner and warm smile.

"...and you should really try the blueberry scones," Liam was saying. "They're Emma's specialty. Trust me, they're to die for."

The woman nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Well, if they come so highly recommended, how can we resist? Two blueberry scones, please, dear."

As Emma boxed up their order, she couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for Liam. He fit so seamlessly into her world, as if he'd never left.

After the couple left, Liam turned to Emma with a grin. "So, what do you say we close up early today? I was thinking we could have a picnic in the park. It's too beautiful a day to spend it all cooped up inside."

Emma hesitated, glancing around the empty bakery. It was a slow day, and the idea of spending the afternoon with Liam was tempting. "I don't know, Liam. I've never closed early before..."

Liam stepped closer, his hands coming to rest on her hips. "Come on, Em. Live a little. The bakery will still be here tomorrow. But today? Today is ours for the taking."

Looking into his warm brown eyes, Emma felt her resolve crumble. "Alright," she said, a smile spreading across her face. "Let's do it. Let me just put up a sign and pack us some food."

Liam's answering grin was blinding. "That's my girl. I'll help you close up."

An hour later, they were settled on a blanket in Maplewood Park, a spread of sandwiches, fruit, and pastries laid out before them. The sun was warm on their faces, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers.

"This was a great idea," Emma admitted, leaning back on her elbows. "I can't remember the last time I took an afternoon off like this."

Liam reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, get used to it. I plan on whisking you away for impromptu adventures as often as possible."

Emma laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Is that so? And what if I'm too busy for these adventures of yours?"

Liam's grin turned mischievous. "Then I guess I'll just have to be very persuasive."

Before Emma could respond, Liam had leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that made her toes curl. When he pulled back, Emma was breathless.

"Okay," she said, her voice a little shaky. "I think I could be persuaded."

They spent the afternoon talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park, Emma found herself marveling at how easy it all felt.

"What are you thinking about?" Liam asked, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her arm.

Emma smiled, snuggling closer to him. "Just how happy I am. How right this feels."

Liam pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I know what you mean. It's like... like coming home after a long time away."

Emma tilted her head up to look at him. "Liam, can I ask you something?"

He nodded, his expression open and attentive. "Of course. You can ask me anything, Em."

Emma took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Why did you really come back to Maplewood? I mean, I know you said it was because of what happened in the city, but... was that the only reason?"

Liam was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. When he spoke, his voice was soft. "Honestly? No, it wasn't the only reason. The incident in the city was the catalyst, sure. But deep down, I think I always knew I'd come back someday. Back to Maplewood. Back to you."

Emma felt her heart skip a beat. "Really?"

Liam nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Really. Emma, leaving you was the biggest mistake of my life. I thought I needed to get out, to prove something to myself. But all I did was leave behind the best thing that ever happened to me. Coming back... it was like I could finally breathe again."

Emma felt tears prick at her eyes. She reached up, cupping Liam's face in her hands. "I'm so glad you came back, Liam. These past few weeks... they've been like a dream."

Liam leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. "Not a dream, Em. This is real. You and me, we're real. And I promise you, I'm not going anywhere this time."

As the sun set, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, Emma and Liam packed up their picnic and headed back towards town. They walked hand in hand, talking and laughing, both reveling in the simple joy of being together.

When they reached Emma's house, Liam pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her waist. "Thank you for today," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "For taking a chance on us."

Emma smiled, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "Thank you for giving me a reason to take that chance."

Their kiss was soft and sweet, filled with promise and possibility. When they finally pulled apart, Emma felt like her heart might burst with happiness.

"Dinner tomorrow?" Liam asked, his eyes twinkling. "I was thinking I could cook for you this time. Show off my culinary skills."

Emma raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at her lips. "Oh really? And what culinary skills might those be, Chief Harper?"

Liam clutched his chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know I make a mean spaghetti and meatballs. It's practically gourmet."

Emma laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet street. "Alright, Chef Boyardee. You're on. But if you burn down my kitchen, you're banned from cooking forever."

Liam grinned, pulling her in for one last kiss. "Deal. I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful. Sweet dreams."

As Emma watched Liam walk back to his truck, waving as he drove away, she felt a sense of peace settle over her. This, she realized, was what contentment felt like. What happiness felt like.

She entered her house, closing the door behind her with a soft click. The silence that greeted her didn't feel lonely anymore. Instead, it felt full of possibility, of dreams waiting to be realized.

Emma made her way to the kitchen, pulling out a vase for the wildflowers Liam had given her earlier. As she arranged them on her kitchen table, she couldn't help but smile at the burst of color they brought to the room.

It was a small thing, really. Just a bouquet of flowers. But to Emma, it represented so much more. It was a promise, a new beginning. A second chance at the love she thought she'd lost all those years ago.

As she got ready for bed that night, Emma found herself humming a tune she hadn't thought about in years. It was the song that had been playing during her first dance with Liam at their high school prom. The memory, which had once been tinged with sadness, now filled her with warmth.

Crawling into bed, Emma reached for her phone, smiling when she saw a text from Liam.

"Just wanted to say goodnight again. And that I love you. Sweet dreams, beautiful."

Emma typed out a quick reply, her heart full to bursting. "Goodnight, Liam. I love you too. Can't wait for tomorrow."

As she drifted off to sleep, Emma's dreams were filled with images of a future she'd once thought was out of reach. A future filled with love, laughter, and the warm, comforting presence of Liam by her side.

And for the first time in a very long time, Emma Lawson fell asleep with a smile on her face, eager for the dawn of a new day and the endless possibilities it would bring.