Page 50 of Unwrapping Ember

"Ember, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about us, about our relationship," he begins, his gaze searching mine for a hint of what I'm feeling. My heart races in my chest as I await his next words. "I don’t want you to go back to college. I want you to stay with us." His declaration fills the air with a mix of excitement and disbelief. My thoughts whirl as a smile blossoms on my face.

"Koda, I’ve been waiting for you to say that," I reply, leaning in to kiss him, my lingering doubts dissipating like mist. "I promise I'm considering it."

"I hope so. I can’t shake the feeling of unease knowing you'll be back there with him. Honestly, I'm not sure I could bear the thought of not seeing you regularly. It feels like I’ve just gotten you back after so long."

"I understand, Koda. I feel the same way. Um, was that what you wanted to discuss?"

He shakes his head, his expression shifting to one of seriousness, anger sparking in his eyes. "No, there's more, and I’m not sure how you'll take it."

His admission sends a rush of nerves through me, prompting a fight-or-flight response within me. Determined to delay the inevitable, an idea strikes.

Standing before Koda, I wrap my arms around his waist and gaze up into his eyes. "How about I give you your gift first?"

I watch his eyes light up, a delightful smile deepening the dimples on his cheeks. "I'm so eager to see what you’ve gotten me, but you really didn’t have to go through the trouble."

"Koda, it’s the least I could do. You've been wonderful to me since I arrived, and I wanted to give you something that might help you feel... a bit at ease."

He gently cradles my facein his hands and brushes kisses on my forehead, filling me with warmth. "Let’s go to my room so I can receive it in private," he suggests, and I take his hand, leading him toward the sanctuary of my space.

"Ooh, is it like that?" He quips playfully, but I shake my head, wide-eyed.

He’s misinterpreting my intentions. "No, Koda. Not quite yet. This is something different, and honestly, I’m uncertain how you're going to react to it."

"I'm sure I’ll love it, my little Ember."

I guide him into my room and have him sit on the bed. As I retrieve a small box from my bedside drawer, I place it in his hands, my heartbeat quickening as he opens it slowly. I cross my fingers, hoping it brings him the joy I intended...

Koda

Cradling the box in my hands, I struggle to fathom what it could possibly contain. The nervous expression on Ember's face reveals a whirlwind of worry and sadness in her beautiful brown eyes. I take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for what’sto come.

“Take your time, Koda. Open it when you’re ready,” she reassures me, sitting beside me for support.

Her gentle, manicured hand massages the small of my back, sending shivers down my spine. The thought of revealing our plan to visit Shawn terrifies me—what if she despises our decision? We’re only trying to protect her, and I’d do anything for her. This should show her that.

As I cautiously peel back the wrapping paper, my stomach churns with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Inside the box, I find a thick envelope bearing my name on the front. Confusion washes over me as I take it out, feeling its weight. Ember’s hand never leaves my back; I love the sensation of her touch.

“Do you want me to open it now?” I ask, looking at her.

“Whenever you’re ready. I’m not rushing you.” There’s a depth of meaning in her words, and I can sense that this gift is significant.

Flipping the envelope over, I tear at the sealed flap and withdraw a stack of photographs. “What are these?”

“Just take a look and see if you can figure it out on your own. Oh, and I hope you don’t mind that I used your printer,” she adds, a timid smile playing on her lips, accentuating her beauty.

“What’s mine is yours, Ember.”

As I shuffle through the photos, I see a teenage boy with a bright smile and a mop of curly, dirty blonde hair. Confusion lights up my face as I glance back at her, noticing a tear escape down her cheek.

“Flip them over,” she prompts, her voice thick with emotion. I do as she says, reading the words scribbled on the back: Koda Landon Whittaker Jr. My heart plummets, and I feel as though it's about to burst from my chest. I try to speak, but my voice fails me. My hands tremble, desperately gripping the pictures.

Ember's hand tightens on my back as I search for the right words.

“Is this… is this my son?” I manage to whisper.

She nods, tears cascading freely now, and I instinctively wrap my arms around her, pulling her close.

“He’s your son, Koda.He’s a junior... He’s a teenager now, Koda. He’s thirteen and doing really well.”