Chapter 22: 22: MOVING DAY

Brayden was ecstatic when Jackson and Emma called to tell him the good news. “I can’t believe this is really happening. You guys have no idea how happy I am right now. My life is now complete. How fast can we get you here? I can have moving trucks and men there tomorrow.”

Jackson and Emma laughed. “Wow, now let’s slow down.” Jackson said. “I have a lot of loose ends to tie up first. I need time to get my brother adjusted to running the farm by himself. Let’s say about three weeks and we would be ready to start the move.”

“Done!” Brayden said. “I’m not excited to wait three weeks, but I understand. Also, Emma don’t worry about bringing furniture or appliances, leave those for Billy so he doesn’t have to purchase anything. I have already hired an interior decorator and she will be calling you on Monday to get ideas about your style. She is amazing at what she does, you will love her. The sky is the limit, so you get anything your heart desires.”

“Oh Brayden, you do not have to do all of that.” Emma protested.

“Do not spoil this for me Emma. I have never been able to spoil anyone before now. So, let me do this for you.” Brayden said in a pleading voice.

Emma gave in rolling her eyes at him, but smiling at how sweet he always was. “Okay, Brayden.” They continued talking out details for a while longer before ending the call.

A few weeks had now passed by, and Emma had been working hard to get all of their belongings packed up, labeled, and ready to be picked up. The moving trucks were to be arriving any minute now.

Jackson walked inside just as she heard the moving truck rumbling up the narrow driveway, kicking up dust that had settled on the overgrown grass flanking the driveway. Jackson, his brow slick with sweat despite the winter chilled air, whistled a tuneless melody as he started hefting boxes outside. Emma, her brown hair escaping its braid, trailed behind him, her arms full of her collection of houseplants.

“You nervous or excited or both, Em?” Jackson asked, his voice tinged with a nervousness he hadn’t felt since their first date.

Emma stopped, her gaze sweeping over the sprawling farmhouse, its white paint peeling, the porch swing creaking rhythmically in the breeze. “Yes, I am both but I’m more than ready for this adventure.”

Her voice had a cheerfulness that he could not miss, but a tinge of nervousness was still there. Leaving their cozy farmhouse in a town they had both lived their whole lives and moving to a brand-new home and a brand-new place was a bit nerve-wracking. They were always surrounded by familiar faces and now they would have to make new friends.

The movers helped them load the last of their belongings inside the truck before they started their long journey. The plan was for the movers to drive straight there and unload it all inside the new home. Jackson and Emma were taking a plane ride so they could get there quicker. Of course this was at the request of Brayden. He said the sooner the better. Thinking about that made Emma smile and laugh, shaking her head.

“Well, this is it.” Jackson said as he handed Billy the keys to his new home. Billy stood in the doorway of the old farmhouse with a proud smile on his face. You couldn’t help but be happy for him. It was the start of his new life, and he was being given a wonderful start. It made Emma and Jackson happy also to know that the farm would stay in the family. Seeing as how they were never going to have children, there would be no one to pass it down to. Hopefully, Billy will marry his longtime girlfriend, settle down, and have some children to carry on the family tradition. Emma and Jackson hugged and kissed their family goodbye as they got in the taxi that had arrived to take them to the airport.

A small tear ran down Emma’s cheek as they departed down the long and curvy country road. Jackson wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Emma nodded and with a quivering voice said, “Yes, I will be okay once we get there.” They settled in for an hour-long ride to the airport.

Their flight was smooth with no delays that got them to their destination in great timing. Emma was a bundle of nerves and just ready to see Brayden. As they approached the lobby to get a taxi outside Jackson suddenly stopped causing her to run into his back.

“Jackson what the hell?” She yelled rubbing her face. As she rounded around him, she saw what he stopped staring at. Brayden stood there with a bouquet of roses waiting to pick them up in a limousine. They were both excited running to Brayden and enveloping him with a giant hug. All three intertwined together was probably a sight to behold, but Emma did not care. “I thought we wouldn’t see you until this evening?” Emma asked him.

“You know I could not wait that long.” He said laughing as he placed a kiss on her soft plump lips. “Mmmm… I have missed that mouth of yours.” Brayden wiggled his eyebrows at her causing her to laugh and hide her face in his chest inhaling that wonderful scent of his.

Jackson still stood gazing at the limo. “Are we riding home in this?” Excitement interlaced in his voice.

“Yes, I thought it would be fun.” Brayden opened the door to the limo for them. “Get in. There are refreshments waiting for you also.” Jackson was the first to lunge inside. They all got a kick out of seeing him so excited.

“Wow, this is so cool, Brayden. You really do spoil us.” Jackson said while pouring them all a glass of champagne and munching on chocolates nearby.

“I am glad you like it.” Brayden said to Jackson. Then he turned his attention to Emma’s beautiful face, grazing his hand down the side of her cheek. Emma leaned into his touch. “God, I have missed you.” He said as he placed his lips onto hers kissing her so gently and affectionately. Emma returned the kiss just as passionately, her heart growing with love for him.

When they finally came up for a breath, Brayden looked deep into Emma’s bright blue eyes, “I love you, Emma.” Emma could not believe her ears. Brayden just confessed his love for her. She thought her heart may burst from the emotions she felt.

“I love you too, Brayden. So much that it hurts.” Emma’s voice was full of emotion and her eyes were brimming with tears.

Jackson crawled over beside them wrapping them into a hug, “I love you both so much too.” They both gushed at Jackson’s showing of his emotions. Jackson wasn’t a lovey dove. He was a manly man who didn’t leave his feelings on his shoulders.

They arrived at the new house a short time later. Emma was so excited to see what the interior decorator had done with the place. She could not contain her excitement as the limo slowed to a stop and she burst out of the door, running towards the house. Both guys laughing at her excited behind her.

Emma took her key out of her pocket and opened the front door. What she saw was more than she had ever dreamed of. Could this all really be there’s?