cvssidys:
It had been Cassidy’s first Christmas since moving back to Pine River, and she wasn’t quite sure what to expect over the holidays this year. The months that preceded the forthcoming festivities had been ones of big change; graduating from college, moving back home, and resuming training for her forthcoming Olympic bid. Given these events, it stood to reason that the next few weeks would be equally as chaotic. But to her surprise, the old adage had proven to be true: the more things change, the more they stay the same, a fact of which Cassidy was entirely grateful.
Keeping in the spirit of the season, Cassidy and Weston had made their usual Christmas Eve plans: indulge in their favorite cookies, mocking the newest lineup of Hallmark holiday films, and playing a game of Gin Rummy before heading to Christmas Eve dinner. This tradition had been one that included their families in previous years, but with the exception of the latter activity, it would just be the two of them, a fact of which Cassidy was not at all upset about. As much as she loved her family and deeply cared for his, she far preferred the prospect of spending the day with Weston over anybody else.
Not wanting to prolong their day together any longer, Cassidy threw on her green parka, walking the short distance from her home to his, a place she planned to frequent with far more regularity now that the pair of them were settling back into life in Pine River. Stepping within the threshold of the patio, she rang the doorbell, giving four taps on the door — a customary greeting they started as children and maintained as adults, one that signaled it was her at the door, instead of another neighbor, family member, or a random solicitor.
“Hey, you.” A full-beaming smile appearing as he emerged through the doorway, Cassidy’s gaze remained fixed upon his as he ushered her indoors. There was a certain air of expectation present in the air between them, though she was unsure what exactly to make of the sentiment. Breaking apart from him only for a moment, scooping her up in her arms, effectively closing what little space remained between them. “And how is my favorite girl?!” she exclaimed, offering a series of pats before Maple nestled herself within Cassidy’s embrace. A series of soft laughs were soon to follow, both at the animal nestled in her arms and Weston’s apology towards the state of his home. “Westy, I’ve seen you through your paste-eating phase, your drop-crotch pants phase, and even that God-awful frat boy phase. Do you really think a tool belt and a few fabric swatches are going to be the straws that break the camel’s back?”
the simple act of seeing the blonde was enough to make weston smile. growing up cassidy and him were attached at the hip; so much so, that surprised everyone who knew them when they said they committed to colleges on opposite sides of the country. however, no matter how much time they spent apart it felt like no time had passed when they finally did come back together.
that was exactly what was felt by weston today. they were back to hanging and spending christmas together in the traditional manner. everything was just as he liked it. he hated change even good change was scary to him. which was why he guessed he was so nervous to tell cassidy how he felt. as soon as weston said anything about things were going to change “ glad we could continue the tradition. ” he said pushing his thought about change away and smiled his typical big goofy smile. as she talked the nerves he was feeling floated to the back of his mind. it felt like old times once he able to ignore his thoughts. “ i have feeling you only agreed to come over for maple. ” he laughed as he let cassidy take maple out of his hands before shutting the door behind her.
it was very obvious that his dog loved cassidy. whenever maple would see her she would want to right up next to her. “ not that blame you. she’s pretty damn cute. ” he smiled at the blonde and the puppy and gave the puppy scratch on the head. weston thought about correcting himself and say that she was the cute one her and the puppy was a close second. however, he pushed that thought back unsure of how she would react. sure, the brunette was a bit of a flirt but he had never acted like that with cassidy; no matter how many times he had wanted to.
“ hey, you signed yourself up for all of that when you made me be best friends with you the day i moved nextdoor. ” he laughed. he often joked about how she made him be friends with her but he was really grateful they became thick as thieves. “ though, i’m not sure what ‘god-awful frat boy phase’ you are referring to. ” he spoke shaking his head. “ it’s a little more than fabric swatches and a tool belt. it’s just contained to the kitchen. ” he corrected her with a smile. “ i know you don’t care. but i figured apologizing was the right thing to do. ” he shrugged.
