Page 90 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

“You’re back,” he said, staring down at her as confusion beat in his temple. He hadn’t expected to see her…maybe ever again.

“I’m back,” she gasped. She’d clearly been running. “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it in time. Parts of the freeway hadn’t been cleared yet and there was a car stalled in the middle of—”

“Why are you back?” he asked, bristling as the surprise wore off. “Don’t you have important rehearsals?”

“Because I made a commitment,” she said. “And I had somewhere else I needed to be.”

Julian started to shake his head. “Charlie—”

She caught his hand. “Please. You were right about so much.”

Julian’s heart dropped into his stomach, the hurt inside him warring with his own regret. “I wasn’t. I shouldn’t have made you doubt yourself,” he said. “Or your decision to go to New York. I should have been more supportive. I’m sorry for that.”

“No,” Charlie said. “You were just telling me hard truths I wasn’t ready to hear. I thought I was protecting myself by closing off my emotions, shoving them away like old Christmas ornaments in a box. But I wasn’t. All I was doing was cutting myself off from the experiences that really mattered… The music… The happiness that Tom would have wanted for me. The happiness I should have wanted for myself. Standing on that stage in the Lincoln Center, I realized that I didn’t have to punish myself for being the one that’s still here. And I’m sorry I had to walk away from you in order to figure that out. But I’m not going to do that anymore.”

“What are you saying?” Julian said, his pulse rushing in his ears.

“I’m saying that you’re part of what I want for myself.”

Julian felt like his heart might punch through his chest. He barely forced the words out. “You’re staying?”

Charlie nodded. “I’m choosing you and Elm Springs and this little life I think we could build. You gave me a safe place to rediscover myself again. And if you give me the chance to earn your trust back, I think I could make you just as happy. You’re the place where the music sings to me, Julian. I love you.”

“Are you sure?” he said, hardly able to believe it.

She laughed. “That I love you? Yeah, pretty damn sure.”

“I mean, are you sure this is what you want?”

“It is. But is it what you want?” she asked.

“I’ve wanted nothing more,” he said, surging forward to capture her lips. The feelings exploded inside him. Contentment. Relief. So much happiness he hadn’t even realized it was possible. He kissed her again and again, until they were both dizzy. “I love you, too.”

When they finally broke apart, he took in her beaming smile. He wanted to whisk her away from here and hold her in his arms, but there wasn’t time for that now. “The choir’s going to be so happy to see you.”

He hugged her tight, knowing he couldn’t spare the time, then he took her hand, tugging her down the stairs and into the hall. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Frank!” Charlie exclaimed as Julian pulled her through an open door. “You’re back!”

“Charlie?” Doris said, letting out a bubbly laugh. “What are you doing here?”

The choir jumped to their feet, eager to embrace her. Julian was loath to let her go, but he knew they needed her more than he did at this moment. Doris immediately wrapped her in a hug.

“How is everyone feeling?” Charlie asked the group.

“Better now,” Maggie said, taking Charlie’s hands. “Not that Julian hasn’t been incredible,” she was quick to add. Julian took no offense. “But it’s good to have you back.”

“It’s good to be back,” Charlie agreed. “And to see all of you. I know that me leaving so abruptly was probably difficult. But I want you to understand how proud I am to be here with you.”

“The choir before us is pretty impressive,” Doris said, cluing Charlie into the somber mood.

Charlie sighed. “And that’s okay. The one thing I learned after all these years performing is that there’s always someone better out there. Someone more talented.”

“Harsh,” Harriet said.

“I don’t know if this is the pep talk you think it is,” Julian muttered.

“It’s the truth,” Charlie said. “But people don’t choose their favorite performers or artists because they’re the best. They choose them because they connect with them. All those people out there who saw your video connected with you. With your joy and your spunk and your passion.” She poked the antlers in Harriet’s hand. “And maybe even your sassy sense of humor.”