“I did it to protect you.”
My head snapped up to find my Alexander—my Stephen. The door was shut and I knew I didn’t need to open it again.
Rising from the floor, I faced Stephen. “What do you mean?”
“The same night we were together was the same night Simeon was with Elizabeth. He followed me and knew what we were about to do. To get me out of the way, he went to Elizabeth. He had always known that Elizabeth held a torch for me. He used the fact he was my twin to his advantage. He wanted me punished. He wanted me out of the way so he could get to you. He knew that if I denied being with her, I would have to prove where I was. I couldn’t do that to you. I had to protect you, Cassie. I had to make sure you were safe from any harm, any punishment your father would unleash. I took the punishment he gave me because it meant our secret would be safe. Your honour needed to be shielded. You had mated with me and he never would have forgiven you for that.”
Walking towards him, I held my hand out to touch his face. “You took all this pain for me? How could I ever repay you for that, Stephen? How could I ever begin to make up for all the hurt I’ve caused?”
Taking my hand, he pulled me close to him. “Don’t you understand that you already have? You remembered, Cassie. You were so strong and determined to fight for us, you remembered everything. Knowing you’ve done that is all I need.”
Finding his lips, I desperately wanted the release of our pain. We were like two star-crossed lovers doomed to fail, doomed to be apart. We defied everything and everyone in our path, refusing to give in. We could be together now, couldn’t we?
Pulling away, I looked into his eyes. “Why aren’t you with me? I’m still dreaming, aren’t I?”
Nodding, he searched my face and stroked my hair. “I will have to go to the Council now and await their decision. We just have to be patient one more time, Twinkles.” He winked.
“I love you more than words can say,” I whispered.
Stroking a strand of hair behind my ear, he leaned down and kissed my hand. “I know you do.”
Feeling the tears burn, I had to say it. “I’m so sorry I hurt you, Stephen. I’m so sorry I ever doubted—”
“Shh,” he uttered, placing a finger on my lips. “You don’t have to be sorry for anything. I’d do it all over again if I had to.”
We grew silent for a while, just staring into each other’s eyes. A low murmur of a song could be heard in the distance. It was the sounds of Taylor Swift’s and Ed Sheeran’s voices echoing all around us.
Pulling back, I smiled at Stephen. “Even in my dreams you can play me this song?”
“It’s not in your dream, Twinkles. You’re waking up. You’re radio alarm is playing our song.”
Feeling him being yanked from me, I panicked. “Stephen!” I screamed, not wanting to wake up yet. I was being pulled further and further away from him, and the pain grew faster and harder.
“Don’t worry, Twinkles. Just remember—you are all my yesterdays.”
Waking up with a jolt, I heard those words being played back to me. “All I know since yesterday is everything has changed.” I let the words sink in as the tears fell down my face.
“And you’re all my tomorrows,” I said, smiling.
Chapter 23
Stretching, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I felt a new lease on life today, and I knew the reason was because of Stephen. My phone chimed next to me and my smile grew wider as my uncle’s name popped up on the screen.
“Good morning, and Merry Christmas,” I chirped.
“Well, I never would have thought you would answer the phone in such a chipper mood.”
If Billy could see me now, he’d have a hernia. I had the biggest grin I think I have ever mustered in my life. “I have a reason to be chipper. Two people I love are getting married today. I can’t believe it’s in a phone box, of all places…but, hey, whatever.”
“You were the one who suggested it, Cassie.”
It still bewildered me how Billy and Chris could have taken me so seriously. “I know I did, but I said it as a joke. I never thought you would take it literally.”
“We like the element of surprise.”
Still grinning, I sighed. “Well, you’ve certainly surprised me.”
“Stop deviating from my observation. Spill it. Why are you so damned cheery?”
I wanted to tell him. I really did. But I didn’t think today was the day to reveal everything. It was Billy and Chris’ day, and I didn’t want anything to ruin it. “I told you. I have a wedding to attend, and—”
“I know, but that’s not it. There’s something different about you. I can hear it in your voice.”
“Billy, it’s not about me today. It’s about you, and—”
“Stop beating around the bush and tell me, woman!”
Chuckling in the phone, I couldn’t help the euphoria. I was on cloud nine, and was stupid to think I could keep something as huge as this to myself. “I opened the door, Uncle Billy. I know who I am. It means Stephen can come back.”
I heard his intake of breath as he screeched into the phone. “Oh, my god, Cassie! I’m so happy for you. Do you think he’ll come to the wedding? I really hope he comes to the wedding.”
Laughing, I thought how much I would want that more than anything. He asked me to be patient, though, so I’d have to be patient.
“I don’t know, Billy. I hope so.”
“Well, at least you’ve got Simeon with you until then.”
My heart lurched into my throat. I felt the nausea burn my stomach as I frantically swallowed over and over again to keep it from piling up.
“Cassie?”
“Yes, sorry. Just felt a bit queasy then.” Closing my eyes, I remembered the feeling of having Simeon’s hands all over me.
“Oh, so we haven’t completely escaped the drinking wrath?”
Hearing Billy’s voice snapped me out of it. “No, I haven’t. What about you?”
“I’m fine. I sobered up pretty quickly when I had my niece to worry about. I wondered whether to call and see if you were okay. You seemed convinced that Simeon was Stephen.”
His name was like a battering ram to my head. I wouldn’t care if I never heard that name again. Hopefully, he is back there now and hopefully, my father will give him the suitable punishment he sorely needs.
“I’m fine. Honestly. He’s not here anymore, Billy. I sent him away.”
“He didn’t hurt you, did he? He promised me he would take care of you.”
Unlike Stephen’s promises, Simeon liked to break his. He did hurt me, more than anyone would know, but if it wasn’t for the cataclysmic events of last night, I may never have remembered.
“I’m fine, Billy. He’s gone and I’m happy. What I want to do now is concentrate on your day. Let’s see to it that we make it as special as we can.”
“I’m sure it will be, Cassie.”
I felt my heart swell with absolute pride. “I’m sure it will be, too.”
“When will you come over?”
It couldn’t be soon enough because I was eager to see my uncle. “As soon as I get off the phone with you, I will hop in the shower and get ready. Once I’m done, I will be right over.”
“Good because, frankly, I’m a bundle of nerves.”
Feeling guilty, I closed my eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because talking about you helped ease it a little. It was a bit selfish of me, really.”
“You could never be that. I need to go because the sooner I get ready, the sooner I can be there to hold your hand.” And I truly meant it. It was almost like I had had my engine replaced with a brand new one and I was just raring to go.
“Good. I think I need your calming presence now. You always know how to make people calm.” I thought about the feeling I get whenever I’m around an angel.
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.”
“Sometimes you come up with the most genius of ideas. What can I say?”
“That’s your department, not mine. You’ve been there for me every time, Billy. You got me to see it was Stephen I truly loved and not Michael. You got me to find my head when I was in that dream trying so hard to open a door that wouldn’t open. So simple a solution, but you thought of it all. Not me.”
“Anyone could have thought it, Cassie. You just needed someone on the outside looking in. It’s so easy to get clouded with thoughts when it’s your own problems you’re having to deal with. That’s why sometimes it’s so nice to have someone around with whom you can share your burdens. Someone who can listen without judgment and offer a solution.”
I cringed, thinking about my argument with Simeon only a few hours ago. He pretended to be all those things when he was plotting and scheming the whole time. Another angel who thought he was above everyone else. I just couldn’t understand how he could be brought up to love unconditionally, yet he seemed so consumed with hate.
With a smile plastered on my face, I walked over to Billy and straightened his tie. “You’re one in a million, Uncle Billy.”
Shrugging, he waved his hands in the air. “Well, you know, sometimes the world needs a ‘Billy’.”
I laughed at that. How true he was. The world definitely needed a Billy. “Are you feeling more relaxed now?”
He pursed his lips a little in thought. “You know what? I really am.”
Patting his shoulder, I sighed with a smile. “Good.”
The doorbell rang, interrupting any further conversation. “That must be Lisa-Marie and Catherine.” I virtually skipped to the door to answer it. I didn’t know what was quite wrong with me this morning. I had a definite spring in my step. Who was I kidding? I was in love and loving every minute of it. What I had before was a glimpse at the tiniest bit of hope for Stephen and me. Now it blossomed so wonderfully, I thought my heart would burst with pride. I didn’t know what the future held for Stephen and me, but I could go away with the knowledge that I had been strong enough for us. I had broken down those barriers and remembered something no other angel had ever achieved. I could be a little bit proud of myself for that at least. And, okay, a little bit smug.
All I knew was I hoped my father would honour his side of the deal and finally let Stephen and I have our time. Unfortunately, though, I still had this little seed of doubt in my mind that he would let Stephen go quietly. Because I now knew who I was, I also knew just how against our matching he was. No one could help falling in love with one another. I just couldn’t understand how, as a father, he couldn’t see it in him to respect and trust my judgment. I was his daughter, and I had never given him just cause to warrant his ferocity against our being together.
I could only sit and wait, hope, and pray he would let Stephen be with me. Surely my father could see the good in him by now. Surely, by now, he had realised he saw the bad in the wrong brother. I knew my father was a very proud man. I knew him admitting anything of the sort would be like prying candy from a baby.
Whatever worries and doubts I was feeling now had to be pushed aside for today. It was Billy and Chris’ day, and I had to concentrate on them. It still didn’t damp down the hope that maybe Stephen would turn up for the wedding. If I had him there to hold my hand, it would complete the day.
Answering the door for Lisa-Marie and Catherine, I was met by two very excitable girls. Lisa-Marie looked stunning with her auburn locks, light brown eyes, and cream floral dress.
Catherine looked equally as stunning with her long blonde hair up in a bun, her cheeks flushed a healthy pink, and a beautiful off-the-shoulder lilac dress.
“Wow, you both look stunning. Merry Christmas.” The hugs began and the shrills of excitement rang throughout the hallway.
“Merry Christmas, Cassie. You look beautiful, too. Where’s Stephen?”
Oh shit. I wasn’t prepared for that. Of course everyone would want to know, but how did I explain? They could both tell there was something wrong.
Stuttering, I managed to get out something that was conceivable. “He…he has really bad stomach flu. He’s been up all night. He feels really bad he can’t make it, but he’s too sick to come. Besides, he doesn’t want to infect anybody else.”
With their sympathetic stares, Catherine wrapped her arm around me. “I’m sorry, Cassie. You’re all on your own today. We’ll keep you company, though. We’ll be your chaperone, won’t we, Lisa-Marie?”
“Without question,” she smiled. “Now, where’s the groom-to-be?”
Rolling my eyes, I directed them into the living room. “In there, getting himself into a right state. It’s been twenty-five years together today, but you’d think it was his first day all over again.”
“I think it’s sweet.” Catherine clasped her hands together and held them to her heart.
“I know. It really is. If it were me, I would be exactly the same.”
Nudging my shoulder, Lisa-Marie winked at me. “I’m sure that time will come soon enough. It’s a pity I couldn’t hold your hand and tell you when.”
Feeling my heart sink, I wished that it would be true. Although Stephen and I had only known each other on this earth for merely a few weeks, we’ve actually known each other our whole lives. It was almost as if we were created for one another.
Deciding not to dwell any longer, I offered Lisa-Marie a sweet smile. I wasn’t going to let it be known how my heart ached without him.
“Let’s go and see to the groom, shall we?” I ushered them inside. Billy was standing there, an edge of exhilaration in his stance. He almost looked like he had itching powder in his pants.
Her Guardians Lost (Her Guardians Trilogy #2) Page 24
