Winter Love (Seasons in Montana: Winter)

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Emmanuelle

This morning turned out better than I could’ve imagined. I knew how connected Lukas and I were before but it’s the best feeling to know that he still loves me. That it wasn’t just me that felt this way all these years. Now to put in for a transfer to Wintervale. I need to talk to him about it and see if there’s an opening at his station.

“So, we need to talk about how we’re going to do this. I can’t just move here and not have a job. And I don’t want to quit being a firefighter.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to. We’ll go to the station later and talk to my captain. We can see what positions are open. Maybe we can start the transfer today and get you moved here as soon as possible. Because I don’t want you to change your mind.”

“I won’t change my mind. You’ve always been my future, I just didn’t know how to leave my family.”

“Do your parents hate me? For leaving you…”

“They could never hate you. My maman told me she could see how much we loved each other. She never understood why we gave up on our love.”

Lukas laughs and shakes his head.

“I never gave up. I just didn’t know how to make it work without one of us sacrificing everything to move to the other. Oh, and you need to pack your stuff and check out of the resort.”

I frown up at him.

“Don’t look at me like that, you’re staying with me.”

“I’m only staying one more night. Why don’t you stay here?”

“Can you stay longer? Or do you have to get back for work?” he asks.

“I need to get back for work. I’m on shift on Tuesday.”

Lukas pouts at me. I feel the same way and if I hadn’t been afraid of him rejecting me, I would’ve taken more time off. But knowing that I’ll be coming back to be with him makes leaving easier.

“I’ll be back soon. That’s making it easier to leave this time.”

“That’s the only reason I’m not fighting you more to stay longer.” He laughs. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come and help you pack?”

“I’m sure. There’s nothing big that I’ll be taking with me. Only my clothes and my personal things.”

“Okay, whatever else you need, we can just buy when you move here.”

“I need to find a place to live.”

I want to live with Lukas, but I don’t want to assume, either. The look that Lukas gives me tells me that he didn’t like what I said.

“Do you really think I’d allow you live somewhere other than with me?” He frowns.

“Well I hoped you’d want me to, but I didn’t wast to assume—wait did you say you won’t ‘allow’ me to live in my own place?” I squint my eyes at him.

Lukas bursts out laughing.

“I did say ‘allow,’” he says, using air quotes.

I punch him in the arm as he laughs more. I’m pretty sure my hand hurts more than his arm. Lukas and his brothers work out everyday and it shows.

“Ugh. You’re an ass.” I laugh as he takes my hand and kisses it.

“I don’t want you to live away from me. We’ve spent the last three years apart. I’m ready to never spend a day without you by my side.”

I wrap my arms around him and lay my head on his chest. He’s always known just what to say to make me feel like the most important person to him.

Lukas

I never thought this day would come. I’d hoped for it, but I never let myself believe it could happen. It seemed hopeless when Emmanuelle and I split up. We just couldn’t figure out a way to keep going. But now she’s telling me that she’s ready to move here to Wintervale. To be with me. I’m going to make sure she knows how much this means to me.

I’ve had my mother’s engagement ring tucked away since the weekend I met Emma. When my mom was alive, she said that I’d know when I found the right girl. And I knew when I met Emmanuelle that she was the one. Now I just need to find the right time to propose. Because Emmanuelle will be my wife. I’d marry her right now if I thought she’d say yes to it. But I know her family needs to be here for that.

I’m surprised that Emmanuelle’s parents don’t hate me. I thought after we broke up that they would for sure. I mean I told her papa how much I loved her and wanted to marry her. And yet in the end, I couldn’t make it work.

“I’ve been promoted to lieutenant at my station,” I say to her.

“Oh my God! That’s so awesome! Congratulations,” she says as she kisses me.

To have her in my arms again…I can’t even describe the feelings I’m having. I hope this isn’t a dream.

“How about I come down to Storyville in two weeks? You can put your notice in and get packed. I’ll come down and we can drive back together.”

“I’d love that. And my parents will love to see you. Wait till I tell them that we’re back together. Should we call them now?”

“Hell yes. Call them.”

I watch her pull out her phone and call her parents.

“Maman, I have some news for you.”

“HI LUKAS! WELCOME BACK TO THE FAMILY!” her maman yells into the phone.

I laugh.

“I’m putting you on speaker, Maman.” Emmanuelle laughs.

“Thank you, Mrs. Rousseau.”

“Juliette. Or Maman. We’ve talked about this, Lukas.”

She laughs.

“Are you still coming home Monday?” Juliette asks.

“Oui, Maman. I have to work on Tuesday.”

“Ah ok, mon ange. When will we see you, Lukas? And how are Paxton, Rhett and Felicity?”

“I’ll drive down in a couple of weeks. And then Emma and I will drive back together. They’re all doing well.”

“I’m so happy for you both. Tell them we can’t wait to see them too. We’ve missed all of you.”

“Welcome back to the family, Lukas,” Emma’s papa, Reynaud says.

“Thank you, Mr. Rousseau.”

“Lukas…” Juliette gives an exasperated sigh.

I laugh as Emmanuelle talks to her parents, sisters and brothers. Their family is like ours, they’re all very close and I know they’re going to miss her. I need to make sure they know that they’re always welcome here. They took all of us in when we needed it the most. Reynaud and Juliette remind me of my parents. They are loving towards each other and make sure each of their five children know they’re loved. At first they made me miss my parents even more. But after a while, it felt like my parents sent them to us to help us move on.

Emmanuelle’s family is the reason that I started making flavored popcorn. The first night I met her family, they came to Wintervale and I wanted to impress them so much. That night I cooked a three-course meal. I made stuffed mushrooms for the appetizer, my mom’s recipe for lasagna and crème br?lée for dessert. After we had dinner, we set up the outdoor projector in the backyard like we did growing up. Because it was still winter, we set up a tent and heated it. We watched The Santa Claus and I made my first flavored popcorn. I took inspiration from dessert and made a crème br?lée powder to put on the buttered popcorn. It was the best night I’d had since before my parents died. And that was the night Reynaud and Juliette said that no matter what, my siblings and I had a home with them. That our parents raised us to be wonderful adults and they wished they could’ve met them.