Page 61 of Little Pieces of Light

Emery

Xander drove in silence back to his house. He pulled the car into the drive and sat for a long moment, gripping the wheel.

My throat felt thick. “Xander…”

“A thousand times, I imagined what it would be like if I saw my mother again,” he said gruffly.

“A universe of possibilities for how she might react or what she would say. In some scenarios, she was sad and remorseful. In others—when I was feeling angry and vengeful—she was broken, pleading to come back on her hands and knees. I even imagined some where she was cool and indifferent. But not once did I imagine she’d deny I was her son. ”

He bowed his head, and I scooted closer in the front seat, put my arms around his shaking shoulders. “I’m so sorry. We shouldn’t have gone back.”

“No, I’m glad we did.” He took off his glasses and wiped his eyes in the crook of his arm.

“For you and for me. I needed to know and now I know. The mystery is solved. Like getting the letters back. We can’t change what happened, but there’s tremendous relief in closing the circle, once and for all… ”

I nodded. “I know.”

He touched his fingers to my chin. “Come on. We’re running out of time.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked softly. “Xander, we don’t have to go.”

“Yes, we do,” he said. “We absolutely do. I can’t think of a better way to end this night than spending it with you, surrounded by your creativity. I’m sure you made that place more beautiful than it’s ever been.”

“Only if this is what you want.”

“It’s exactly what I want. But what about you, Em? Are you okay?”

I smiled. “I’m sure it hasn’t hit me yet. But I know in my heart I did the right thing, even if it hurts. And that counts for a lot.”

Inside, the house was dark and empty. I waited in Xander’s room while he changed, then I went to the bathroom to change into my white dress. I had no makeup—I’d cried it all off—and my hair hung limply around my shoulders, but when I stepped out of the bathroom, Xander’s hand went to his heart.

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than you,” he said, slipping a corsage over my wrist.

“Thank you,” I said. “And Xander, you’re…”

He was simply devastating with his hair slicked back and the black tux fitting his lean, muscled form to perfection. I was overcome with a sense of pride that he was mine.

“We have to hurry,” he said. “Let me put my contacts in.”

“Why?”

He stopped. “I thought you would want me to.”

“Absolutely not. I love you just as you are: my super genius in an athlete’s body.” I heaved a sigh. “It’s a lot to deal with, but I’m doing my best.”

He chuckled. “If you insist.”

We drove to the country club and pulled up to the valet. Xander tensed beside me. “The Buick isn’t quite a stretch limo…”

“I don’t want a limo. Everything is perfect.” I raised a brow. “And maybe I should remind you that as of tonight, I own literally nothing but this dress, a book, and a stack of letters. I’m not in a position to be picky about transportation.”

He laughed and regarded me. “You’re radiant.”

I kissed him softly. “That’s because I’m so happy.”

It was a little after nine o’clock when we stepped through the front doors.

I tucked my hand in the crook of Xander’s elbow, his left hand covering mine.

He stopped short when we stepped inside.

The prom was still in full swing with Academy students dressed in their finest. I watched Xander, my heart in my throat as he took in the decor: the black balloons that looked like glass orbs, the clear lighted balls that bobbed between tables set with elaborate centerpieces.

“Jesus, Emery,” he said. “I knew it would be amazing. I couldn’t have imagined this.”

“Turned out pretty good, I think.”

“Good?” He gazed down at me and started to speak, but I shook my head.

“How you’re looking at me right now…like you really see me? That’s the best compliment. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“I see you Emery,” he said. “And I pity anyone who can’t.”

I reached up to touch his cheek. “I feel sorry for your mom. What a treasure she had that she let slip through her fingers.”

Xander cleared his throat and blinked hard. “Will you dance with me?”

“I’d love to.”

We made it exactly three steps.

“Emery! Xander! Oh my God!”

Delilah, in a black dress, raced at me and engulfed me in a hug. “You look so beautiful! And Xander…” She hugged him too. “I’m so glad you made it. You told me that you weren’t going to make it, and I was so sad. But now I’m so glad! I mean, look at it, Em! Come see the centerpieces in this light…”

“Wait,” I said. “I don’t have a phone. Is Harper here? Have you heard from her?”

“She was here earlier. Just to see, she said. Haven’t seen her since. Orion’s not here either…” Delilah shook her head. “Nope, I am done gossiping. Come on. We have to tell everyone you’re here.”

“No, we don’t—”

Delilah led us through the ballroom, past the drink and food stations, to the crowded dance floor. Tucker and Elowen were wrapped in each other’s arms, his hand on her ass, a satisfied smile on her face.

Delilah ran ahead to the DJ booth and the music suddenly stopped.

“Everybody, everybody,” she said into the microphone. “I just want to interrupt really quick to say, on behalf of the prom committee, welcome to your senior prom!”

The room broke out in cheers and applause, and once the crowd quieted, she said, “I’d also like to recognize Emery Wallace, whose vision and artistry made all of this possible!”

“Oh, Delilah,” I murmured as the room erupted again, everyone turning their smiling faces toward me and Xander.

“Soak it up,” Xander said in my ear. “You made this happen for them.”

Delilah relinquished the mic and then “She Will Be Loved” played over the sound system.

Couples moved together, and Xander took my hand and held it against his heart, his other wrapping around my waist and pulling me close.

He drew me into his space, his warmth, and the hard, protective strength of his body.

He was my sanctuary, a place where I knew I’d be safe forever and where he would be safe with me.

After all his hurts, he trusted me with his heart, and I vowed to keep it close to mine, always.

“It’s been quite an eventful evening,” I said.

He sniffed a laugh. “You can say that again.”

I glanced up at him. “You called me your wife tonight.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. It just slipped out.”

“Don’t be sorry,” I said. “There’s no use fighting what we are to each other, right?”

He shook his head. “And I don’t want to anyway.”

“Neither do I.”

He brought his hand to my face, his thumb brushing over my lips. “I love you, Emery. You make me believe in magic.”

I smiled, my heart full. “I love you, Xander. In this universe and in all the rest.”

***

When prom was over, we went home to Xander’s place.

“This is your house now too,” he said fiercely. “Whatever I have is yours. Whatever happens to you, happens to me.”

In his room, I stood with my back to him while he unzipped my dress.

It fell in a puddle at my feet, and then he unhooked my bra and let that fall, too.

He took off his clothes, down to his boxers, and the gravity of the night hit us at the same time, pulling us down with exhaustion.

Xander stood for a moment, his skin warm against mine, his hands touching my cheek.

That’s my husband, I thought, the purest joy sweeping through me. We then lay down together, kissing and holding each other. I took his glasses off and set them on the nightstand, then tangled my fingers in his hair.

“My beautiful boy with the mismatched eyes,” I murmured.

He kissed me. “Forever and always.”

My heart sang because I knew in that moment that as long as I was with Xander, I was home.