Finding You Always

The Way That Stars Fall

Finding You Always

Chapter 37: The Way That Stars Fall

December 2000

Emma stretched her arms over her head and opened her eyes. She smiled at Neal sleeping beside her and untangled from him, fishing the floor for her clothes.

School was letting out for holiday break after today for a month and a half and she would be going home for Christmas. She missed her family, but also loved her life in Portland.

She and Melanie had become best friends, almost like sisters. She and Neal were also in love, though it had been a bit tumultuous lately. She was going home and desperately wanted him to come. It was a point of contention between them. They had made up last night, but she had a feeling they'd still be fighting again before the day was over.

Still, she loved him. They had been intimate for a couple months now and she had fallen for him, as much as he had her. But sometimes he didn't understand her commitment to her family.

He had experienced a really crappy childhood, but she just knew if she could get him to agree to meet her family, then he'd understand why they were so important to her.

Today was her final exam and then she was packing the bug for a cross country trip home. Her parents were a little worried about her driving so far, but trusted her. It helped that Melanie would be with her. They were both excited for the road trip.

She felt a pair of arms around her waist and smiled.

"What's the hurry?" he asked, as he kissed her neck.

"I have my last final this morning. Then I've got to pack the bug," she replied.

"You should just come spend your break here with me," he insisted. She sighed.

"Neal..." she started. He huffed.

"You're still going home then?" he asked.

"I want to see my family! Why is that so wrong? I miss my parents and the squirts. You should come home with me instead of spending Christmas alone," she argued.

"Em..." he started.

"I'm serious! My parents are really good friends with the owner of the bed and breakfast in town. I know they'd be able to get you a room for the holidays for next to nothing," Emma insisted.

"Emma...I'm just not the type of guy that a girl brings home to meet her parents," Neal argued back.

"They're not like that!" she insisted. He raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Cause I know your dad is going to take one look at me and want his 'little princess' as far away as possible," Neal drawled.

"Daddy is protective, but if you really love me, he'll accept that," Emma argued back. Neal scratched the back of his head.

"Drive safe on your trip," he said. Emma glared at him, as she finished getting dressed, gathered her stuff, and stormed out. Neal sighed and picked up the phone.

"It's done. She's going home," he spat angrily, before handing up and tossing the device angrily.

1 week ago...

Neal finished his latest score and journeyed through a back alley. He felt guilty. He'd told Emma that he found a job and that his days of stealing were behind him. But that couldn't have been further from the truth. A guy like him without a high school diploma couldn't even get low end jobs. But he was ashamed to tell her that.

He hoped he could score big this time though. The watches he'd lifted could fetch twenty grand easy. But he suddenly realized he was being followed and made a run for it.