“Oh, yes. My warming duties are available at your disposal, Miss Johnson.”
“Why, thank you, kind sir,” I laughed, bowing.
Simeon wrapped his arm around me as we walked to the bar. I knew he wasn’t Stephen, but he was the only person I had left to whom I could relate. Simeon understood as well as I did how much we needed each other. We were the only ones left—at least that’s what I thought.
“Here we are,” Simeon said as we pushed the door to the bar open.
The crowd was rather large, considering it was Christmas Eve. Chris was laughing and joking with a couple of his friends and his brother, Terry.
“Cassie!” Chris bellowed as he turned to face me. It would seem he was already well on his way to being merry.
“Chris,” I said, coming in for a hug.
Looking around, Chris pointed towards me. “This is the closest person I have to a daughter.” Chris’ eyes welled up as he looked at me.
“I’ve only just got here and you’re crying already? Now stop that and enjoy your evening. You’re getting married tomorrow.” I tried to joke, but it was hard considering the lump in my throat.
“Let us get some more drinks then. This is supposed to be a celebration.” Terry slapped some money on the bar. “What are you two having?”
“I’ll have a brandy and coke, please.”
Smiling, I looked up at Simeon. He looked down to me briefly before meeting Terry’s gaze. “I think I’ll have the same.”
Terry got the attention of the barman. “Can I get two double brandy with coke, a Vodka tonic, and a lager and lime, please?”
Oh boy! This was going to be a long evening. Terry’s already starting me on the doubles and we’d only just begun.
Smiling, I remembered Stephen buying me a double brandy the day after we had just met. The day he introduced that song to me. The day I’d never forget.
“Are you okay, flower?” Chris’ voice halted my thoughts.
“I’m fine, Chris. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
He smiled, placing his hand on my shoulder. “So am I. It is time, don’t you think?”
Nodding, I kissed him on the cheek. “Yes. The day was meant to come. Now that it’s here, you both need to embrace it.”
Simeon’s arm was around me as he tugged me to him. “Any day where two people celebrate a coming together is special.” Holding out his hand to Chris, they shook. “May your days be filled with joy, your nights filled with love.”
My eyes widened as I took in Chris’ shocked stare. “That was beautiful.” Chris was enraptured by him. You could tell his touch was affecting him just as much as an angel’s would with anyone. They just seemed to be able to hold people’s attention.
“It’s like a blessing, shall we say.” Simeon smiled.
“Thank you,” Chris whispered, tears in his eyes.
“Oh, my god. Is he off again?” Terry asked, handing us our drinks.
Grabbing my glass, I smiled. “Leave him alone, Terry. It’s not every day you get married, is it?”
Shaking his head, he held up his drink. “Now, I know my brother and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye.” Chris laughed and shook his head. “Especially when we were younger and he kept nicking my Walkman.”
Chris bellowed a hearty laugh, obviously remembering their childhood.
“But what I will say about him is he is loyal to a fault. He might be my brother, but he is also my friend. So I wish to raise a toast. To my brother and my best friend. May you continue the happiness you found in Billy. May you laugh, cry, and live out the rest of your lives as one. To Chris and Billy!” Terry bellowed.
“To Chris and Billy!” we all shouted, clinking glasses together. We all took a gulp of our drinks as the music seemed to get louder.
We were soon onto another drink as we chatted, laughed, and danced until our feet got tired. The night was just beginning and I was determined to savour every moment of it. It wasn’t every day someone got the opportunity to see two people they loved dearly get married. Chris was right. Despite the fact I did have a biological father who I would never forget, Chris was like a father to me. He was always there for me when I needed him. Always there to bathe my sores when I was hurt, make me laugh when I was sad. I was eternally grateful that I was given two people who loved and cherished me. I wouldn’t be where I was today without them.
By the end of the second double brandy and coke, it was time to leave to go be with Billy. I was a little merry, just bordering on tipsy. I think having the coke drown out the brandy helped.
Hugging a very drunk Chris, I said my goodbyes. “I don’t think you should drink anymore, Chris. You don’t want to be sick tomorrow.”