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Tohome for Christmas My mom and dad had made plans with friends from church She said that’s what e, she didn’t think I’d be co home for Christ to bet the memories of Ben’s last visit to my parents’ home would still be too fresh The way he’d accepted my family and our lifestyle meant so much to me But I couldn’t let h boots and grabbedoutside, I opted to spring for a cab rather than take the subway For soa hermit for the past several weeks I’d hardly spent a diers that I could successfully hail a cab Seconds later a yellow taxi pulled to a stop on the curb next to me The simple accomplishment did wonders for my self-esteem I pushed my shoulders back and slid inside the warm car "The Waldorf Astoria, please," I told the driver The bar I wasEllie at was inside the historic hotel
When I arrived, a uniforreetedhotel I wandered inside the massive and elaborately decorated lobby The scent of leather and citrus furniture polish was in the air as I madealone, chatting casually with the bartender When she spotted ood, you’re here!" She slung her purse over her shoulder
"Are we getting a drink?" I noticed the distinct lack of beverages in front of her
"I’ve arranged for us to have a tour of the hotel This place is supposed to be really cool"
I groaned "I don’t want a tour I just want to sit like a luh adventure Now I just wanted the drink I’d been pro up her coat fro it over her aro hoed
"No, co with a deter Ellie was pointless, I dutifully followed her to the elevators
She pressed the button for the top floor and grinned widely She was being quiet Too quiet, and so bells inside my head I couldn’t take another setup, and I would have no proble if that’s what this was I wasn’t ready to date--now, or maybe ever My life post-Ben was still in a tailspin She just needed to accept that
When the elevators doors opened I expected to find a hotel eroup of tourists for the supposed tour, but the hallas quiet and empty I followed Ellie across the hall to a set of French doors She knocked once and the door was pulled open My brother Porter stood there, s back at me
"Porter!" I squealed and threw reeted me, his southern drawl ged his shoulder How dare he come to New York and not tellin the beautiful living roohly baffled, and gave thes I blinked back a rush of tears as e a kiss onon?" My eyes danced around the lavishly decorated hotel suite A large, bushy evergreen adorned with twinkling lights and red-and-gold ribbon stood in the corner and filled the roolass cart held a combination of crystal decanters and stemware The coffee table was lined with various appetizers and finger foods
"We’re here to celebrate Christ my curls back from my face My dad, Ellie, and Porter stood in the center of the living roo my confused expression
"I don’t understand" My eyes scanned the rooaze
Ben
He stood tall and devastatingly handso alcove just off the living space
"Hi," he said si? Flown my parents and brother here? Rented this lavish room? Filled it with a live Christ me up here? My heart stuttered inthat he was here, fighting forSilent tears rolled down my cheeks as I drank hi me into his arms His eainst hi to let ly tears strea inside esture o from here All I knew is that I’d never felt le word yet He’d spoken toHe’d broughthow important family traditions were to me It choked me up and made my heart ache