Four Letters For Christmas

—ONE YEAR LATER— EMILY "This is perfect!" Juliann, my mother, squealed with excitement at the many, many flashes of cameras. Of course, she thinks this is perfect. I was thinking quite the opposite. But why should I? I was engaged to a celebrity. Eric 'Noah' Smith. Instead of Eric, I call him Noah. He was America's top action movie star and tonight was the premiere of his new movie. He invited me and said it was alright to bring my mother along. But I was starting to regret it. She constantly made remarks on how everything is as it should be. One year ago, back when I was in Canada, visiting my truest friend, Jennifer Monroe, I got the chance to meet her parents. Her mother was simply sweet but her father was a handful. Treating his daughter like he did was completely foolish and unnecessary. Yes, she was young and got pregnant but it was not called for to shut her out completely. When I met Jen, I saw a woman who needed a friend and a job. I gave her the job and not from pity. I gave her the job because she had the requirements and journalism was her passion. Her brother, Marcus Monroe, was a heart. He was so sweet and he was an easy person to talk to. After the mistletoe kiss, things between us took a turn and there was no denying the strong attraction between us. But I remember our last kiss and final kiss. I had to end it. It could have never worked between us even if we tried. He lived in Canada and I lived in the states. Too much of a distance so, we both agreed to move on and cherish our fun that happened. We both could go out and find a love like Jennifer and Diego. There was no s*x. Just sweet affectionate kisses and passion. And two years later here I am. Twenty-six-year-old journalist and engaged to a celebrity. I met Eric on a random outing. We held a great conversation and we made that one gathering into multiple. Then it became something more. A passion for sweet. We've never had s*x and I was happy because he was patient with me. He said we could take everything slowly because I was different from the other women. About a year and a few months later of being together and containing his wild urges, he proposed to me. We both loved each other and nothing could break that. I was happy and was happy with him. The black shiny limo pulled into a halt on the curb and security immediately aided us. A man opened the door and helped my mother and me out of the car. We walked the red carpet, my mother smiling and waving to the flashing cameras. "Look, it's Emily!" "Emily!" "When is the wedding?!" "Are you pregnant?!" "Emily over here! Look!" "You're gorgeous, Emily!" They continued to call out. I smiled and waved to everyone as security led me to the entrance. There stood Eric on the other side of the glass doors with a smile on his lips. I smiled, taking in his appearance. He was dressed in a nice suit. His hair was perfectly gelled down and his muscles were visible. Security opened the door and his arm was out for me to take hold of. "Hey, baby." He smiled, looking me up and down. "You look radiant as always." I smiled. "Thank you, love." He kissed my cheek before turning his attention to my mother. "Mrs. Ryan, you look beautiful tonight. I'm glad you are here." "Thank you, Eric. And please call me Juliann. I'm glad I did make it." She smiled and she took his other arm. Eric leads us inside and in his arms, everything became easy. I smiled and enjoyed the time I spent with him. MARCUS I took another swing of my beer as I watched the television. She was still gorgeous. Her hair was longer and she glowed. No doubt it was her husband to be. I'm a fool. It's been two years and months and I still want her. When she left back to the states, I felt a piece of my heart go with her. I know it's been a short period of time back then but, I couldn't ignore that feeling. A feeling that most likely doesn't come back again. A feeling that happens once in a lifetime. And she's engaged. I should have gone after her but I didn't. I couldn't not to. I chose to stay here and I agreed with her that we could meet different people. We are strangers but we're not at the same time. I sighed and reached for the remote about to cut off the tv but stopped myself when a camera got close to Emily. She smiled, her pretty white teeth glistening with each flash as she waved to those around. I shook my head and powered off the tv and placed the remote back down to its original spot. I swiped a hand over my face before standing to go to my bedroom for bed. I would go out but it was snowing heavily outside and I rather not get caught in that. I stripped away from my shirt and went to head into the bathroom when my phone rang. I grabbed my cell and looked down at the screen. I smiled and answered. "Jen, how are you?" "Uncle Mars!!!" Destiny, my beautiful niece, sweet voice rang through the line. "Dessy, what are you doing on your mother's phone?" "I wanted to talk to you! When are you coming to visit? I want you to come to my first concert." I smiled. "I will see. I'll let you know." Muffled voices then Jennifer was on the line. "Hey, big bro." "Jen." "So, how you been? I know it's been a few months since I last talk to and told you about....you know." I sighed. Told me about the engagement. "I've handled everything well. "How's little Dominic?" "He's great. Growing healthy as ever." "That's great." Silence hovered over the phone for a while before she spoke and I did not expect her to say this. "You should go." "Jennifer—" "Marcus, I know you had a connection with Emily. I just think the two of you are being slightly stubborn. I think she is getting married and all and Noah is a sweet guy but there's just something about him." "I can't, sis. She's made her choice." "And you honestly believe it? Come on, Marcus, you're smarter than that." "If I say yes, will you let it go?" "Yes. It will prove and possibly get you to move forward if things are how they should be." I sighed before I made the one mistake I ever did in my life. "I'll catch the next flight."