Edinburgh to NYC

The Bridge of Promises

Last night, the snow hadn't fallen heavily. The next morning, Jayden was waiting, wearing a black baggy T-shirt with a black leather jacket, black baggy pants, and black sunglasses. He was leaning against his Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge.

Emma stepped in front of Jayden and said, "Hey! 10 a.m. sharp."

Jayden looked at her, totally stunned. Emma was also wearing a black frock with a cropped leather jacket. "Punctual. I like it," Jayden said with a smile.

"So? What’s next?" Emma asked.

"I heard you love it simple, and for me, simple is luxury," Jayden said with a bright grin. "So, I’d like you to try a famous, authentic NYC egg cream."

"Sure, Jayden," Emma said, returning his grin.

"Hey, can you call me something shorter? 'Jayden' still sounds formal," he said, lowering his eyebrows playfully.

"Oh! Yes, sure, why not? How’s 'Den'?" Emma asked.

"My house is already the den and I am the lion of the den, but still, it's fi—"

"Jade? How’s 'Jade'?" Emma asked, interrupting his sentence.

Jayden looked at Emma with a slight smile. This was probably the first time Jayden wasn't at all angry about being interrupted; instead, he looked at her with eyes full of affection. "As you wish, Emma," he said.

They began their shopping, moving from one store to another. They visited every luxury brand in Times Square. They eventually stopped for the famous, authentic egg cream—which isn't actually made of egg and cream, but a mixture of cold milk, seltzer, and Fox's U-Bet chocolate syrup.

"It's so tasty! I love it," Emma said, licking her lower lip.

"Then I'll order one more," said Jayden.

"No, Jade, it's fine. I don't want to get fat," Emma said, laughing.

"But you liked it, so you have to have another," Jayden insisted, ordering a second one anyway. Afterward, they resumed their shopping and tour of NYC.

Slowly, it started to get dark. "Em?" Jayden asked as evening fell.

"Yes?"

"Do you want to go somewhere with me? Only if you want to, and if you trust me," Jayden asked.

"It’s late, but... no worries. I’ll go," Emma said with a smile.

"I’ll drop you at your place right after, don't worry," Jayden promised.

"I know that, Jade," Emma replied. Jayden opened the car door for her, then got into the driver’s seat.

While driving, Jayden played "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. "Is this your favorite song?" Emma asked.

"Yes, it is," Jayden said.

"It was my father's favorite, too," Emma said, looking down.

"Oh! That’s so cool. I mean, we have similarities then," Jayden said with a bright smile.

"He’s no longer with us," Emma said with teary eyes. Jayden stopped smiling and looked at her.

"I am sorry," he said softly. "You know, then it’s not just your father—you have similarities with me, too. My father had cancer."

"I am sorry, Jade," Emma said.

"Em, never apologize to me," Jayden said. "And what are we even discussing? Sad topics. Scratch that. Guess where we’re going?"

"No idea!" Emma smiled.

"And... we’re at our destination," Jayden said. Emma looked out the window as Jayden opened the door for her. She stepped out, her mouth hanging open as she admired the beauty of the scene.

"The NYC High Bridge. My favorite place. And the river you see is the Harlem River. Me, Dad, and Mom used to come here on my birthdays, and each year we used to make a promise. A promise of staying together, forever. You could say it’s the bridge of promises for us. We stopped coming here after Mom left us," Jayden explained.

"C’est magnifique," Emma said in French, admiring the view.

"What does it mean?" asked Jayden.

"It’s French; it means 'It’s magnificent,'" Emma said.

"Wow, so you know French?"

"My mother, Louise Howard, was from Paris," Emma said.

"That name means 'warrior,' I think," Jayden noted.

"Oh! Yes, maybe. No wonder she was brave, just like a warrior," Emma agreed. "What was your mother’s name?"

"Evelyn Morgan," Jayden replied. Emma smiled softly and said, "It’s sweet."

Emma walked straight to the railing of the bridge. With a soft sigh, she leaned forward, resting her chin on her crossed arms to watch the city lights shimmer on the river's surface, letting the breeze pull at her hair. Jayden did the same, looking at Emma. Everything was quiet, peaceful, and calm.

"Since this is the bridge of promises, would you like to make one more with me? A new promise, right here?" asked Jayden softly. Emma looked at him.

"I love you, Emma," Jayden said softly. The sudden weight of his voice made her freeze. She turned to look at him, seeing a version of Jayden she had never seen—calm, raw, and full of emotion.

"I love you," he repeated, his eyes searching hers.

Emma stared at him, her heart racing. Jayden started to look slightly nervous. "But, it’s okay if you don't. You don't have to—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Emma kissed him as if she were sealing that very promise with her lips. It was tender at first, then deep and certain. When they broke apart, breathless, Emma let out a laugh of pure happiness.

"Yes, Jade," she whispered against his lips, her hands tightening against his shoulders. He hugged her tight, feeling her heart beating as fast as his. Their hug made the beauty of the place even more profound—the quiet of the Harlem River, the shimmering city lights, and the moonlight falling directly on their faces.