I was pissed that Mom was trying to hide what was going on. I walked out on her and returned to the room.

I stayed there all afternoon waiting for Emily to return. I went back to the sitting room to grab a plate of chips when the door opened and Emily walked in with shopping bags.

At last, my girl has arrived.

She held three shopping bags and when her hands could not contain the rest, James held the remaining bags for her. It was obvious that they were gifts from James.

"Thank you," Emily said ...