spoiling our son,” Sage said as he hooked his arm around Lavender’s.
“I love this idea, dads,” Reginald said as he tried to take Sage’s hand but he pushed him away.
“Get in the fucking car,” Lavender ordered Reginald and pointed at the limo he and Sage weren’t riding in.
“I am wounded,” Reginald declared then sulked out the door and down the steps.
“Come on. Robin’s waiting and we’re going home!” Sage whispered excitedly and Lavender felt a rush of warmth and joy as they finally left Blackhurst.
“Absolutely nothing could make me happier.”
Epilogue 1
“Are you sure she wants a goose?” Cyril asked then swore as he hurried across the foyer when a leaf blew in.
“Would you calm down?” Farris called from the front steps.
“Goose, though? Are we in a Dickens’ novel? Do you think she’ll like the room?”
“Yes! I see her. Get out here!” Farris urged. Cyril dashed to the door and shoved the leaf at one of the footmen and dusted off his hands. “She’s always wanted to have a traditional Christmas dinner with a goose. She’s studying British literature,” Farris whispered as Cassie’s smart little Fiat came down the long drive and steered around the fountain. She parked and quickly threw open her door so she could run to Farris. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart!” He said and laughed as he caught her and Cyril had to look away and discreetly wipe tears from his eyes as Farris rocked his daughter. Cyril recognized Farris’s big, easy laugh more from the pictures of the two of them but he was seeing and hearing it more and more around the house too.
“I can’t believe I’m actually here!” Cassie whispered loudly as Farris guided her up the steps and her eyes were huge as she took in the house. They grew wider and her hand shook as she bravely held it out to Cyril.
“Cyril, this is Cassie. Cassie, this is Cyril,” Farris said and she coughed softly as her tiny hand was engulfed by Cyril’s.
“It’s very nice to meet you. I hear that you’d like to date my father,” she said with as much bravado as she could muster. Cyril chuckled as he bowed over her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“I want so much more than that. But, first, welcome to Blackhurst, Cassie,” he said and waved grandly as he stepped aside. Her head tipped back as she stepped into the foyer and her jaw hung as her eyes darted from the chandelier to the Christmas tree to the giant picture window above the grand staircase.
“Holy shi...” She yelped when Farris elbowed her and flashed Cyril a pained smile. “You have a very lovely home.”
“I am overjoyed to have you here,” Cyril said warmly. She was just as effervescent and curious as Farris described and she was full of contagious joy and optimism as she bounced excitedly next to him.
“This is so amazing! Can I see where you work?” She asked Farris and he nodded.
“Sure! This is nice but the really cool stuff is downstairs,” he said as he led her to the elevator and Cyril wanted to follow but he wasn’t sure if Farris would want him there.
“This is all pretty cool,” Cassie said and her chin stretched as she unabashedly checked out the study. Farris winked at Cyril as he pulled the elevator door open and waved her in.
“We’ll end up in there soon enough. Cyril makes his own scotch and you’re going to be so glad you’re staying the night because you’re not driving anywhere after a few glasses,” he warned and Cassie made a giddy sound as she grabbed Cyril’s sleeve.
“It is so, so lovely of you to let me stay the night! I surprised Fred and Alice with a weekend at a bed and breakfast but I hate being alone at night,” she told him as she towed Cyril into the elevator with her and he nodded.
“Of course. You’re always welcome to stay here. Farris was the one who said no,” he said and she gasped as she pointed at Farris.
“I knew it!” She hissed at him then turned to Cyril. “I bet you’re not nearly as terrible as he said you were.”
“No. I definitely am,” Cyril replied but she shook her head.
“I don’t see it and I don’t want to,” she stated and put her nose in the air. Cyril laughed as he looked at Farris.
“I guess I’ll have to behave, then,” he said. And it wasn’t hard to be nice and they had a great time showing Cassie around