Life Choices, Challenges and Changes

Part 2 Chapter 43 Flowers/Christmas Party Planning with Emily.

Chapter 43                         Flowers/Christmas Party Planning With Emily.

Rory left school at three-thirty and drove to her grandmother's house. She had sent Finn a text letting him know when she was going. Rory pulled up into the driveway and noticed his car wasn't there. She debated about waiting until he got there; instead, she wrapped her scarf around her neck. She opened the door and got out of her car. Rory walked up to the front door and hesitated as she remembered all the times, she and her mother stood there worried about what they would find on the other side of the door. Would this door and doorbell always be so daunting, she wondered. She quickly pressed the bell.

The door opened. "Rory dear, come in," her grandmother said, stepping aside to let Rory in. Before Emily shut the door, she stepped outside and looked around.

"I thought you said Finn was joining you."

"He will be here shortly. I came directly from school, and Finn is driving over from the Manor."

"Oh good, Richard.... Rory is here," Emily called out to her husband as Rory removed her coat, handing it to a different maid who appeared out of nowhere.

"Thanks Ingrid," Emily said, "Could you please bring in some coffee to the other room?"

"No no coffee for me; thank you. Do you have tea? Finn and I prefer to drink tea in the afternoon, now."

"Really, Finn got you to switch to tea? Well, I'm glad that someone was able to break you of your coffee habits. Richard? RICHARD!" Emily yelled out again. "Where is that man. Rory go ahead to the dining room. I will meet you there after I find your grandfather. I'll be right back."

Rory started to walk into the dining room when the doorbell rang.

" I'll get it, grandma," she yelled as she went to the door.

Opening the door, she saw Finn in his topcoat with a dusting of snow on his head and his black scarf wrapped around his neck.

Pulling the end of his scarf toward her, she stepped outside closer to him. Finn smiled down at her taking her hands in his.

"You look so handsome covered in snow. My personal snowman," she giggled and brushed her lips across his. "Mom always said something magical happens when it snows." Standing on her tiptoes, Rory pressed her warm lips on his. Finn let go of her hands and pulled her closer. They stood there in their embrace, not aware of the snow gently falling around them. The door was still open, and Emily put her head out the doorway.

" Rory? Who's at the door?" Seeing Rory and Finn kissing, she said, "Really you two, come inside before someone drives by and sees you."

Smirking, Finn took Rory's hand in his as they both walked inside. Shutting the door, Emily looked around for Ingrid, who appeared behind her.

" Finn, would you like something stronger than tea?" Emily asked him as Finn handed his coat to the maid. Holding hands, Finn and Rory walked toward the dining room beside Emily.

" Thank you, but a hot cuppa will be excellent," he replied.

Emily looked at Rory in confusion." Cuppa?"

Trying to suppress a giggle, Rory explained," Tea, grandma. Finn's family refer to tea as a cuppa."

" Emily...Emily, I just got off the phone and...oh hello, Rory. Finn, it's good to see you." The two men shook hands. Richard walked with them as they headed toward the dining room.

"I was just talking to the tailor concerning my tux for the wedding..."

Suddenly Finn, Rory, and Richard froze in the doorway. The aroma of the flower arrangements was strong, and it smelled as if they had walked into either a funeral home or a florist. Every surface in that room was covered with different flower arrangements.