shoulder until he had himself under control again.
“You’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been and I feel like I truly have everything, for the first time in my life,” Cyril said. He’d spent his entire life hunting for something to fill the emptiness inside of him but all he needed was Farris.
“I’m not going to yell at you about this insane ring tonight but seriously!” Farris scolded then hit Cyril in the chest with his left hand. “I know what this is! I tried to get it from Sotheby’s for your Deco jewelry collection because it’s... Jesus!” He said as he pushed his hand at Cassie. “I called the morning after we talked about it and they said it wasn’t available. I was so bummed,” he murmured. Cyril felt like he was two feet taller as Cassie stared up at him.
“That’s so romantic,” she sighed before her eyes dropped to the ring. “I know it’s really tacky to ask but how many carats is this?”
“If I remember correctly the center diamond is reverse set and a little over five carats and it’s framed with a single piece of onyx,” Farris said and his voice shook as he turned his hand so the diamonds would catch the light. “The original band had baguette diamonds as well but they were a little daintier,” he added and gave his head a shake. “I can’t wear this out of the house!”
“That’s fine. I’ll get you something simpler for when you go into town. I wouldn’t want you to get robbed,” Cyril said and Farris laughed.
“What am I supposed to buy for you?” He asked. Cassie’s face scrunched as she considered.
“This is going to be really hard to follow.”
“What?” Cyril asked, then shook his head. “Please don’t,” he said then waved at the door when Alon reappeared. He didn’t think about Farris buying him a ring. Cyril instinctively clenched at the idea of someone else buying something he’d have to wear every day but he remembered it was Farris and his taste was impeccable.
“Don’t worry. It might take a lot of hunting but I’ll find something perfect,” Farris said as he turned and walked backwards across the foyer. “I have no idea where or what that is but I’ll get it right,” he promised and Cyril grinned as he led Cassie to the seat across from Farris’s. She’d be at his left and Cyril was oddly emotional as he pulled the chair out for her. He sincerely hoped this would be the first of many family meals as he sat in his seat at the head of the table.
“Farris said you’ve always wanted to attend a traditional British Christmas feast but traditional British food can be...” Cyril’s hand rolled airily and she laughed and gasped up at one of the footmen as her glass was filled with wine and the first course was set in front of her. “I asked my chef to give us a modern twist on a Dickensian Christmas feast,” he explained as a tray of gorgeously decorated mince pies were set in front of her. Cyril glanced at Farris and he was fighting to hold back tears as he watched Cassie touch one then lick powdered sugar off her finger. She was incandescent with wonder and excitement and Cyril decided every Christmas Eve would be this magical.
Epilogue 2
“Hey!” Paul whispered in Reginald’s ear and he grinned into his pillow and reached for him.
“Why are you up and dressed?” Reginald asked as he stretched then checked the window. The sun was up but it was chilly and grey out and chunks of snow stuck to the window pane.
“It’s Christmas morning!” Paul said and gathered Reginald’s face in his hands so he could kiss him. “Breakfast is almost ready and Lavender’s about to wake Robin up!” He said and Reginald gasped and pushed Paul off of him.
“Get out of my way unless you want to blow me,” he ordered and Paul growled as he threw Reginald back onto the bed.
“It wouldn’t be Christmas,” he said wickedly. And he was so wicked. He fingered Reginald slow and hard until he shattered deep in Paul’s throat. Reginald was clear as he showered and dressed because he didn’t do hard drugs when Robin was in the house. It was a state of clarity and calm he associated with Robin and being in Lake Cliff. Reginald could stand himself without the gentle, protective haze of drugs more and he liked the novelty of being alone with