Just Convenience

Chapter 14

Peyton's POV:

I was falling in love with Emma; there was no getting around it, and seeing her - gaze fixed on my parent's lit-up mansion teaming with people - I knew I had to tell her and soon. The only issue was how to tell her and when to tell her. I'd have to think about that later, though, as we pulled up to the front of the mansion where valets were waiting to take my car. I parked and got out before opening the door for Emma. She stepped out, the dress she picked out flowing beautifully around her legs as she stood. 

"Good evening Mr. Thatcher," The valet greeted, and I nodded my head, handing him my keys; he handed me a ticket in return, and I slid it into my pocket. 

Offering Emma my arm, I steered us up the steps to the entryway where my Mother and Father were greeting the partygoers. My mother wore an elegant black evening dress, and my father was dressed in a suit. As we neared, my mother's eyes lit up, and she set a hand on my father's shoulder, drawing his attention to where we stood. I smiled, and Emma tightened her hand on my arm. "You are going to be just fine," I whispered in her ear before kissing her temple. 

"You promise?" she asked, her stunning deep green eyes were wide as they found mine. 

"I promise," I kissed her temple again before walking to where my parents were stationed. 

"Oh, Peyton," my mother gushed, bringing me into a hug before she turned to Emma, "And Emma, how wonderful of you to make it." 

Emma smiled, and my mother pulled her into a hug which she returned earnestly, "I wouldn't have missed it." 

They broke apart, and I gestured to my father, who was studying Emma with a wan expression, "Emma, this is my Father Edward." I said, and she started to extend a hand to him, then remembered he was completely paralyzed from the neck down, "Dad, this is my girlfriend Emma." 

He looked between the two of us before saying, "A pleasure to meet you," His voice was rough as it had been since he came down from that rope. It made me want to cringe, but I kept a pleasant smile painted on my face. "Enjoy our party," he said, and I nodded, taking Emma's hand and leading her away into my childhood home. 

I scanned the crowds of people for someone I was comfortable enough to bring Emma around them. Just as I spotted Blithe, she spotted us, a wide smile spreading across her face as she left the people she was talking to to come to us. I looked down at Emma, "Warning, sister incoming." 

"Oh?" She asked, her eyes scanning the room to find someone she had never met. 

Before I had a chance to point her out to Emma, Blithe had broken through the crowd and strutted toward us, a bright smile spread across her face. She was wearing a black a-line dress that seemed to be draped around chainmail that covered her arm and leg and up to its high neckline. She was stunning, and I wondered who the dress was by. She opened her arms and, before I could stop her, pulled me into a hug. "Peyton!" she exclaimed. 

I returned the hug, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "Blithe," I said as she hugged me tighter. "How's life been?" 

She let go, only light enough to look up at my face, "It's been good, and how is yours?" She asked, glancing between Emma and me. 

"It's been really good, B. I want to introduce you to my girlfriend, Emma Felter," I reached out to hold Emma's hand, and she took it instantly with a smile on her face as she watched us. 

"I'm so happy to finally meet you," she said, and Blithe let go to shake her hand. 

"You are really pretty," B said earnestly. 

Emma blushed, "Thank you; I could say the same for you; you are gorgeous," she gestured to Blithe and what she was wearing. "Also, you are so tall, I'm sure you get that a lot, but shit." Both Blithe and I laughed.