Her Guardians Lost(91)

I didn’t know what this meant now. Does knowing change things? When I die, would I earn my seat back with the Archangels? I wasn’t sure of the answers. What I was certain of was wherever Stephen went, I went.

“Okay then,” I said with a happy sigh. “I shall gear up all my calming energy and bring it with me.”

“Thank you, Cassie. You know I love you, don’t you?”

I felt the tears well up. “Of course I do, Billy. I love you, too. You’re my hero.” And he was. He was there for me when I was conflicted about my emotions for Michael and Stephen. He was there for me when I needed advice on the door in my dream. He offered me solutions every time and I was eternally in his debt.

We said our goodbyes because we both knew we’d end up emotional wrecks otherwise. I hauled myself out of bed, opened the curtains, and was surprised to find this Christmas morning was a beautiful sea of white. The sun was shining, adding to its picturesque beauty. At the park in the distance, I could already see the children out playing in their brand new toys. It was a marvel to watch.

With a smile, I went to work taking a shower and getting ready for the day. I was as high as a kite, singing and dancing as I went. I didn’t quite know what came over me.

As my sheets were in the wash, I set about throwing away all the clothes Simeon wore. I placed his things in a plastic bag, then threw them inside the bin. I still felt dirty and violated after what he did, but my mind was focused on something much more important now and, quite frankly, if it wasn’t for everything that happened, I may never have remembered. It was almost as if it took the events of last night to finally make me see.

With a sigh, I got on with the rest of my chores as quickly and efficiently as possible, and once I had completed the washing and drying of the sheets, I put on my dress and stood there in front of the mirror again, inspecting it. This one was black-and-white sequined. The top part was shaped like a Basque, hugging my body in just the right way. It was beautiful and I couldn’t wait to get out there and celebrate.

Grabbing my bag and presents, I walk out of my flat, closing the door behind me. On the way, I texted Lisa-Marie. She said she would come around in about an hour. All was set, all was ready. Now all that needed to happen was for my Stephen to show up.

When I got to my uncle’s door, I knocked and waited. Once the door swung open, his eyes opened wide. “Oh, my god, Cassie. That dress was made for you. You look absolutely stunning.”

“As do you,” I said, admiring his attire. Billy always knew how to look good. He was like a fashionista. Chris always talked about how he liked to have everything new. Whatever the latest look was, Billy was sure to be wearing it.

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen you in a suit, Billy.”

Adjusting his tie, I knew he was feeling flustered. “This is not the most comfortable of suits, I must say.”

Walking through the door, I offered to help. “Why don’t you take it off for now? The wedding isn’t for another two hours yet.”

“After the length of time it took me to tie this thing around my neck? I don’t think so.”

Laughing, I placed all my things down by the sofa and went over to calm him down. I placed my arms on his shoulders and forced him to look at me. “This is your day. Here is where you are meant to be.”

Seeing the calm radiating all over him, I now realised I must possess the natural gift of being able to relax people. If it helped my uncle, I was all for it.

“Deep breaths, Billy. You can do this.”

He did as he was told and, after a couple of breaths, he looked at me and smiled. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Moving away, I went into his kitchen to make him some tea. “Lisa-Marie and Catherine should be around soon.”

“Oh, good,” I heard him shout. “It will be nice to see them again. It wasn’t under the best of circumstances last time, was it?”

Thinking back to the funeral made the sadness come back. I never knew Lisa in the physical world, but it still hurt. I couldn’t even imagine how it would feel for a parent to bury their child. It wasn’t the way the world should work. Parents first, then the children. Nothing could change the fact that a person was going to die. It was the one thing in life of which everyone could be certain.

But today wasn’t about dying. Today was about reliving. Today was about celebrating a true love that I was sure would last this lifetime, and maybe even future lifetimes.

“No, it wasn’t, Billy, but today is different. Today is going to be special. I can feel it. Even with you getting married in a phone box of all places.”