Since their talk, Damien was really going out of his way to make Daina feel special. He sent flowers, took her out to dinner, and even introduced his youngest daughter to her. She was so sweet.

Daina knew he was trying, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. It was Saturday. She was in town with Damien and his daughter Feona. It was busy – music blasting Christmas songs on almost every street, hordes of people walking up and down, and the stores were cramped. Daina wasn’t in the mood, but with Damien leaving later that afternoon, she was determined to share every moment with him.

Feona was nice ... chatty, bubbly, and incredibly intelligent for a six-year-old. Watching Damien with her, she couldn’t help but hear the “tick-tock-tick-tock” of her biological clock. She allowed herself to think about it ... just for a moment ... the thought of actually having a baby. It was something she and Colin had talked about, but at the time, she was too busy building her career to think about having kids. Now, however, with a secure job (for the moment), a promotion on the way, and a promised raise for the new year, she let her mind drift just for a moment.

But then the thoughts of diapers, interrupted sleep, and crying sliced her dream – nope. She was not ready for that ... besides, who would she have the baby with? She laughed out loud at that one, and was brought back into the conversation with Damien and Feona.

They dropped her by Damien’s mother, and said goodbye. His mother was going to take him to the airport, even though Daina had offered. As Feona told Daina bye and ran inside, she and Damien lingered outside for a bit. She really was disappointed that he wasn’t going to spend Christmas with her.

Holding her close, he touched her lightly on the lips, and hugged her tightly.
 “We have the new year, okay babes ... I’ll call you when I get in.”

Driving off, she thought of her plans. She was going by Jaycie. Her own mother wanted her to come to New York for Christmas, but Daina wasn’t in the mood for the family drama. She and Kyle would hang out by Jaycie for the day.

She’d gotten a half day for Christmas Day, so she and Kyle when into town. In spite of missing Damien, who’d called every day since she’d left, she was still feeling down. Watching all the couples walk up and down St. John’s she really wished she could create a similar memory with him.
Sensing her sadness, Kyle took her hand. Daina almost forgot about his Christmas too – even more disappointing than hers. He was going to propose tomorrow. She squeeze his hand a little tighter.

Having enough of bumping into people, they headed to C&C Winehouse, and over glasses of muscat and coconut shrimp, for the moment they forgot about their sorrows. She forgot about the year she had, and Kyle forgot about his own heartache.

As they toasted, they resolved to have a great Christmas, enjoying friendship and Jaycie’s mom’s amazing lasagne and Christmas cake... just thinking about the rum soaked desert brightened their night. It was going to be a great holiday, and Daina wasn’t going to let anyone or anything stop her from enjoying that warm feeling.

Besides, she had already ordered a few bottles of muscat to take with her, and warm her during the night. She smiled to herself. Nothing like a bottle of muscat to bring out the Christmas cheer.