“Let’s go ice-skating like we used to do when I was little. Remember how you used to tell me it would get those creative juices flowing?”
Henry laughed and pulled back. “What happened to taking it easy?”
Emma looped her arm through his and pulled him toward the door. “I’ll keep an eye on you. Come on, it’s not cold today. It’s a shame to waste this weather sitting inside.”
Henry smiled as he bundled up in his puffer jacket and boots.
She helped him wrap the scarf around his neck and handed him his gloves. In the car, the two of them sang along to Christmas songs with the windows rolled down. At the park on High Street, Emma pulled up into an empty spot and ran around to help her father out. After securing a pair of skates for each of them, Emma led her dad to the nearest bench.
He was huffing and grunting at the laces when she saw Jack and Derek near the railings, deep in the throes of a conversation. Henry put his legs down and followed her gaze. “So, I take it we’ll be seeing a lot more of Jack, huh?”
Emma rolled her eyes and stood to hold out her hand. “I think you already know the answer to that.”
Henry chuckled and draped an arm around her shoulders. “I’ve still got to ask. Just because you’re not my little girl anymore doesn’t mean I can’t still care.”
Emma pushed the gate open and paused to help Henry step onto the ice.
After almost falling a few times, they managed to find the right balance and began to move with Emma’s arm around his waist, his arm draped over her shoulders. A cold breeze whipped through her hair, making her eyes water. She smiled and usedher free hand to pat her head and adjust the hat. Then, she leaned into her father, the warm smell of sandalwood washing over her.
It felt like she was a little girl again.
She half-expected her father to hoist her over his shoulders and point out the differently shaped clouds above them.
When she turned to her father, he was looking at his feet, a furrow between his brows. His movements were slower and much more strained, but he was just as determined and enthusiastic as ever.
Emma was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for the second chance they were getting, for the chance to reconnect with her parents, and for the opportunity to find her way back to the person she wanted to be. While she knew it would be a while before the Boston chapter of her life was completely over, it was a relief to know which path lay ahead of her.
Her hometown was brimming with possibilities and magic, just like it always was.
As if it had been waiting for her to come back and reclaim it all those years.
Henry began to sweat as they moved in slow circles, many of the other skaters darting past them. “Maybe I should just sit down. You can have fun without me.”
“Dad, don’t be ridiculous. I’m not doing this without you. I’m here so we can have fun together.” Emma tightened the grip around his waist and helped him straighten his back. “Now, come on. What happened to the Sullivan fighting spirit?”
“What Sullivan fighting spirit?”
“Remember what you used to tell me when I was little when you brought me out here?”
Henry scrunched up his nose and scratched his chin. “I said a lot of things when you were little.”
Emma laughed and patted his back. “I don’t remember the exact words, but it was something about how we Sullivans always find a way to make things work. No matter how long it takes.”
Henry shivered when another cold gust blew past. “That sounds very wise. What else did I say?”
“Are you fishing for compliments?”
“If I said I was, would that change anything?”
Emma steered them toward the railing and paused to help him secure his footing. “Not really. I loved going on adventures with you and listening to your stories.”
Henry twisted to face her, and his easy smile vanished. “I’m sorry you felt like you had to keep Jules away.”
Emma linked her fingers together and cleared her throat. “It wasn’t that I wanted to keep her away.”
She’d just told herself it was for the best.
She’d been afraid that they’d only ever look at her and see Andrew.
