Smiling, he gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Look how times have changed, dear Cassie. It was always me giving parental advice, and now it’s you.”
Laughing, I grabbed his arm. “Isn’t that how it turns out at times?”
“I suppose so,” he hiccupped.
Terry wrapped his arm around Chris. “Don’t worry, Cassie. His big brother will look after him. I’ll take him home soon.”
“Make sure you do,” I nodded.
We all said our goodbyes as Simeon and I headed outside. The air was fierce with cold as I gripped onto Simeon with all my might.
“I told you you’d get cold.”
Gritting my teeth together, I was determined not to back down. “I’m fine.”
Simeon looked at me and laughed. “Okay, whatever you say. Luckily, the other bar is only around this corner.”
Breathing in the cold air, I took in the sights around us. All the decorative lights were twinkling in full force. In the distance, singing could be heard as the Christmas carolers were out spreading their joy.
Looking around to locate the sound, my eyes locked onto a group of women and children. They were all dressed up in Victorian-era clothes, nestling baskets in their arms. They were simply magical to watch.
“Can we watch for a moment?” I asked Simeon.
“Of course.”
We stood there as they bellowed God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. Simeon had his arms around me, radiating his warmth. For a moment, I felt content and relaxed. However, I knew that once the evening ended, I would go back to my studio alone and face another night without Stephen.
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the song Silent Night filed the air. I breathed in and closed my eyes. For a moment, I lost myself, imagining I was in Stephen’s arms. It was so easy to get lost in the moment. So easy to imagine that it was real.
The song ended, but they soon picked up with Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. As if my senses couldn’t cope with much more, I was assaulted by the sounds of children laughing.
My heart twisted. The sounds that had become all too familiar to me now echoed around, trying to get me to hear, trying to get me to listen.
“Cassie, are you okay?”
Snapping out of my stupor, I looked up at Simeon. It would be so easy to imagine him as Stephen, to take him in my arms and kiss him. But, despite what he looked like, he could never compare to Stephen. He would never be Stephen.
“I’m fine,” I finally said with a smile. “Shall we head in? I’m sure my uncle must be wondering where we are by now.”
Nodding, he squeezed me tighter. “Sure. Let’s go.”
Heading into the packed bar filled with Christmas celebrators, Simeon and I trudged through the crowd looking for Billy. It wasn’t long before we found him with his friend, Clayton, laughing. I could tell he was already well on his way to becoming very merry. His chubby cheeks were red, and his blue eyes had that drunken glaze.
“Cassie!” he shouted rather drunkenly.
“Time for round two,” I whispered to Simeon with a smile.
Simeon bent down so I could hear him better. “Time to suck it up, Cassie. That’s what families are for.” He winked.
“Come here and stop hogging that handsome man to yourself. Other people want to appreciate him.”
“Billy!” I scolded, embarrassed. He was never very subtle with his approach to anything. Billy told it how it was—pure and simple.
“It’s okay, Cassie. I don’t mind people appreciating me.”
Rolling my eyes, we sat down. “Can your head be any bigger?”
Simeon stared at me with a mischievous glare. “I don’t know. Can your tone be more sarcastic?”
“Now, now, you two. Let’s not have a domestic on Christmas Eve. Remember, I’m getting married tomorrow.”
“How could we forget?” I knew I was being slightly rude, but I also knew Billy would take it in stride.
“Cassie, don’t be rude to your uncle,” Billy joked.
“Sorry, Billy,” I replied with a pout. “What can I get you to drink?” I knew the question would bring him around again. I could see it in his drunken grin.
“Both Clayton and I will have a whiskey, please.”
Nodding, I rose out of my chair, but Simeon stopped me. “I’ll go get them. I assume you want the same as before?”
I stared at him for a moment as he stood above me. His blues eyes twinkled in the light. “Yes, please.”
I watched as Simeon disappeared. I couldn’t help the sigh that escaped me.
“I would be like that if I had someone like him in my life, too.”
Snapping my head around, I turned to see Clayton smile. He had a tender smile, which quickly lit up his rough features. If you didn’t know him, you would feel like he was unapproachable at times, but behind his rough exterior, he was a little pussycat. He was tall and slim, with chocolate eyes and long dreadlocks. He was an avid fan of Bob Marley, and everyone who saw him could tell.