Here we are, me and you

 

They were staying in. Brick guessed it was OK that Mercer showed up when he did. He hated to think of him as the third wheel. After all, Lily was still here.

"It'll be fine," Izzy told him. "I hear she wants to transfer back. And maybe Mercer can help."

"Well, you know how bad it was when we brought him along at Halloween," Brick gave his girlfriend a serious look, and she only laughed.

"But that was Vanna, this is Lily," Izzy said he shouldn't compare the two. "I know it's hard. Having your past around."

"What would you do if your ex showed up?" He wanted to know as they went to his grandmother's kitchen and got out dips and chips along with the veggie tray they'd worked on earlier together.

"Well, I don't have one," she confessed. Of course, this elated Brick, and yet he kind of wished she'd had one. Why did he have to have such mixed feelings?

It wasn't long until his friend Mercer showed up. Thank god he didn't show up with the saxophone like he said he would, to ring in the new year. Of course, maybe Lily would have been impressed. Brick shook the thought. He sighed, this had to be the worst idea ever, staying in on New Year's Eve.

"Oh, you didn't ask about Simon?" Alfie reminded Steve that Jools and Mick were tight with Simon and his new friend as of late.

"I did send him a Christmas card," Steve nodded. As it was the girls were busy in the kitchen and they were getting ready to play a board game. It felt as if it was all old-fashioned these days. And Alfie was happy about it. 

Things were good with Poppy, which he still felt was unbelievable. What if they went back to fussing once the new year arrived? Oh, he'd nurse on a beer in the meantime. Christmas was good, he'd gotten her an engagement ring. Still, he was certain it would be a very long engagement. Now, Alfie wished he hadn't brought Simon up.

"You still send out Christmas cards?"

"Well, I sent you one," Steve said. He'd also given Steve and Poppy a gift card from the Downtown Bakery too. Of course, Steve was always giving. Alfie wasn't sure what Poppy gave Steve and Victoria, probably homemade fudge. Yes, he was definitely an old-fashioned guy. He knew nothing when it came to the holidays. He was glad Poppy took care of that.

"Did you?" Alfie naturally didn't notice if Poppy taped all the Christmas cards on the inside of the front door. Honestly,  he knew the little things meant a lot. He'd have to take notice, but maybe next year.