The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 21

I'm not gonna give a normal excuse on why this chapter is late. None of that "busy with homework" stuff. So I'll tell the truth and say I was busy in Disney World instead :P

I had so much fun writing this chapter :3

Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I loved writing it!

I love Christmas

-CFF

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The door swings open by my mom. She opens her arms and I step into her warm, tight hug. She steps back and takes a look at me. "Emilee, my college girl." I smile and laugh softly. "That's me." I step back and gesture to Xander. "Mom, this is--" She interrupts, "I know." She smiles softly at Xander. "Nice to meet you. I'm Shannon, Emilee's mom." Xander smiles sweetly at her. "Nice to meet you ma'am." She nods slightly, and leads us into the house, with me closing the door behind us. I can hear Christmas music playing softly in the background. Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Amy Grant, Brenda Lee, Andy Lee. The same ones always playing every Christmas. I smile as a rush of memories comes back to me. Decorating the house, prepping the turkey, eating Christmas dinner. All involving these songs that I love so much.

Mom leads us into the kitchen where Dad is preparing the turkey. He looks up when we come in. I rush over and give him a huge hug. He laughs, "Careful Em! I'll get grease on you!" I smile up at him, "Dad, I really don't care. I've missed you too much." Without using his hands he hugs me back and plants a kiss on my forehead. I back up a little bit and tell him, "Daddy, this is Alexander Ludwig." Dad quickly washes his hands before shaking Xander's. "I'm Ray. Good to meet you son." He says. Xander smiles softly back at him, "Same sir." I smile, this is going much better than the time I brought Dylan home for the first time.

Mom asks, "Em, do you have stuff in the car you want to bring in?" I shake my head. "I just have two small bags, we rode the cycle. But those are still tied on it..." Dad nods, "Okay, then let's go bring them in. Alexander, why don't you come and help me?" Its not a question. I smile softly at Xander before he follows Dad outside. I lean against the kitchen counter. I smile at Mom. "Its so good to be home." She smiles back. "Its good to have you back. Its been very different its been without you and... without you here. But I'll say, I didn't think you'd be bringing a superstar here when you called and told me you were bringing a friend." Mom starts taking her china dishes out of their soft holders and setting the table with them. I help as I reply, "Right. Not the first thing parents think of, bringing a star home for the holidays. Mom?" She sets a plate down. "Hmm?"

"Are you okay with the fact that I brought Xander to spend Christmas with us?" She smiles at me as we start to fill the glasses with ice. "I'm okay with it. You know... I read the article about you two."

"Oh."

"Is it true?" I shake my head no. "No, its not. Complete Hollywood fabrication." Mom pauses for a minute before saying, "But that's going to change soon isn't it." I sigh. "I don't know Mom. I'm still... I mean, I like him. A lot. A lot lot. But.... I don't want to make a mistake by going out with him." She laughs. "Sweetheart, I don't think you will. I can already tell that boy is in way over his head when it comes to his feelings about you." I look up sharply at her. "What do you mean?" She winks at me. "You'll figure it out."

The men come back in, halting any further progression of this subject. Dad stands by Mom, Xander by me. Dad says, "We set the bags by the door." I nod. "Thankyou. I'm gonna show Xander his room and we can put those bags away." I leave the kitchen and grab my bag in the living room as Xander follows, doing the same. I lead him up the back staircase. We head past Lily's room into the guest room. I stand outside as Xander puts his bag on the floor, next to the bed. "This is yours for the next two nights, and the bathroom is right next to my room." I say before turning and walking to my room.

I set my duffel bag on my bed. I turn and see Xander lean against my door frame. I sit down next to my bed and sigh. Its so good to be back. I'm about to start unpacking when Xander asks me, "Emilee?" I look up at him, watching as he walks over and sits down next to me. "Yeah?" Xander reaches into his jeans pocket and pulls out a fancy light blue envelope. He hands it to me and I can see little white snowflakes dotting the paper. "What is it?" I ask him. Xander is smiling when I look up at him "Your Christmas present. Go on---open it." He nudges me with his shoulder.

Carefully, I peel open the envelope. Inside are two small rectangular pieces of paper. They're both the same, with the words, "This ticket grants entrance for the Noel Ball on December 30th." I look up at Xander again. "A....ball?" I aks. His face looks a little flushed as he replies, "Its just a fancy Christmas dance for famous people. I went last year and it was nice. One of the hotels in LA hosts it. There is complete privacy thankfully. They don't allow just anyone in, especially the press. I thought it would be fun...if you want to go. Its not a you-have-to-go kinda thing..." I can tell he's nervous. I smile softly up at him, speaking quietly. "I would like to go." His face brightens, his smile dominating it. I can fell myself melting. I swallow a giggle before saying, "This is really sweet." Xander opens his mouth to reply when I hear Dad call up the stairs, "Food's ready you two!" I smile and stand up. "I'm pretty sure you're going to like the meal. Mom's a really good cook."

"Good, cause I am starving. Leaving at eight in the morning and driving for three and a half hours with no breakfast or snacks of any kinds makes you really hungry." I elbow him as we walk down the stairs. "I told you to eat before we left!"

"I wasn't hungry then!"

I shake my head as we enter the kitchen. It smells absolutely lovely. My eyes take in all the dishes on the table. The turkey's out of the oven and sits in the middle by the punch bowl filled with home-made eggnog. They are surrounded by the other dishes; jellied cranberry sauce, broccoli salad, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy. There's so much food.

Dad is sitting at the head of the table with Mom on his left. Xander takes a seat at the other head between Mom and I. We bow our heads and say the blessing like we do at every meal. After we've finished, Mom starts to pass the food around. Xander smiles at Mom saying, "Thankyou for cooking Mrs. Thorn. This is excellent." Mom smiles back, "I'm glad you like it Alexander."

Dad starts acting like a dad and begins questioning Xander. "What do you usually do for Christmas Alexander?" Xander replies, "Usually I spend them up in Canada with my family."

"Any particular reason why you didn't go up there this year?"

"My family is currently all in Italy. I didn't join them this year, partly because of my job and partly because Emilee invited me to come here."

"What is your job?"

"Its a role in a movie I've been aiming for for a while. But I'm not allowed to reveal any details." I shake my head at Dad to silently tell him not to ask. So instead he heads on a different route. "Do you get jobs often? And by that I mean do you have a good income?" Xander thinks for a minute. "For an actor I'd say yes. I get more jobs now than I used to, when I first started. And because they're bigger roles, I'm paid more." Dad nods, like that's a good answer. Mom just watches the two of us silently. I know what's going through her head and I really don't want it to. Right now, Xander really just is my best friend, and he's going to remain just that. At least for a little while longer.