January 9th, 1971

    “Are you ready to go?” I asked my sister.
    We were just about to leave for the restaurant where we would celebrate her birthday, and neither Cameron or I had told her that Lee would be waiting for us there.
    “I guess so,” Liliane answered. “We don’t have to go out, you know. We could cancel and just stay here,” she mumbled.
    “Nonsense,” Cameron replied. “A Scot never turns down a celebration.”
    “Fine,” she gave in with a chuckle. “Let’s go.”
    We took a taxi into Aberdeen, to the restaurant Cameron had chosen. He’d been there before and assured us that the service was as good as the food.
    The drive only took twenty minutes. I was pleased by that, as the three of us had dressed up for the evening; Cameron in a casual suit and both myself and Liliane wearing very presentable skirts and blouses.
    “We’ve a reservation for eight o’clock,” Cameron informed the restaurant host when we walked in. “Under Cameron Thom.”
    “I’ll get you seated,” the host replied cordially. “One of your party has already arrived.”
    “Who else is here?” Liliane whispered to me as we followed the host into the dining room.
    I said nothing, instead letting her see for herself as we approached the table. He stood as we arrived, and looked very sharp in his own casual suit.
    “Happy birthday, Liliane.”
    Lee pulled her into a hug and she returned the embrace.
    “I didn’t expect to see you here, Lee,” she told him, looking rather shy.
    We all sat at the table, and were promptly served water and ordered a bottle of wine.
    “I couldn’t miss your birthday,” Lee answered. “You look beautiful.”
    Liliane avoided his gaze but I saw her cheeks redden. “Thanks, Lee. You look great, too.”
    The wine arrived soon after, followed by our meal. I raised my glass and looked directly at my sister.
    “Happy birthday, Liliane. Here’s to turning thirty one, and hoping the coming year treats you well.”
    They raised their glasses in response, and Liliane spoke.
    “Thank you, Emily. And both of you as well,” she added with a glance towards Cameron and Lee. “I’m glad to be here with you all.”
    The meal continued in a festive mood. Cameron had been right about the restaurant; the food was delicious and the service was prompt and efficient. We were just about to finish the second bottle of wine when Cameron discreetly pulled a small item from his shirt pocket and placed it in front of me.
    I picked it up and handed it to my sister. “This is for you,” I told her. “Just a little something.”
    Liliane grinned and accepted the gift, slowly unwrapping it.
    “Emily, this is gorgeous,” she gasped. She picked up the brooch and inspected it closely. “Gran’s hummingbird.”
    “We had it made,” I told her. “From a drawing I did. I remember how much you loved Gran’s, and this is the first year without her.”
    My sister smiled at me, though I could see that she missed our grandmother as deeply as I did.
    “I love it,” she told us both. “Thank you.”
    Cameron assured her that it was our pleasure to have gotten it made for her. I saw Lee reach into the pocket of his jacket, which hung on the back of his chair.
    “I have a present for you as well, Liliane,” he spoke in a soft voice.
    “You didn’t have to get me anything, Lee,” she answered shyly.
    “I know.” Lee placed a small box on the table in front of her. “But I wanted to.”
    My sister smiled at his words, I knew she had feelings for Lee, and I hoped for both of them that it wouldn’t end in heartbreak.
    Liliane lifted the cover of the box to reveal a thin silver bracelet inside. Her eyes shined as she took it into her hands and gazed at it. Even from across the table, I could see that the widest portion of the bracelet, meant to be engraved, was smooth.
    “Oh, Lee! This is so beautiful,” she breathed. “Really, it is.”
    “Might I put it on your wrist?” he asked hesitantly.
    “Of course.”
    Lee smiled widely when she extended her arm, and took the bracelet from her other hand before clasping it around her wrist.
    “I haven’t put an inscription on it,” he admitted bashfully. “I couldn’t think of few enough words.”


    We invited Lee to join us after dinner, for hot drinks and dessert at our house. He graciously accepted and even insisted on paying the cab fare once we’d arrived.
    I headed into the kitchen to make tea, as Cameron and Lee chatted in the sitting room. Even I had to admit that they both looked very handsome in a suit.
    Liliane’s voice behind me announced her presence. “Here, I’ll get the cups,” she offered.
    “Thanks,” I replied. “The bracelet he got for you is really nice.”
    My sister put the cups down and leaned against the counter. “If only I had the sense to refuse him,” she said with a quiet chuckle.
    “You’d refuse him?” I asked.
    “I can’t, even if I wanted to.” Liliane shook her head and met my gaze. “Even if this is all impossibly complicated.”
    “Has love ever been easy?” I retorted. “I’ve never known a woman to say it is.”

    “I suppose you’ve got a point.”

    “I know I have a point, Lil. You know Gran’s story. She was sad sometimes, and missed her family. But she did it for love. Even Mom,” I added scoffingly. “I’m sure at one point, she loved her husband.”

    Liliane sighed and agreed with me, just as the kettle began to whistle. She poured the cups of tea and I helped her bring them to the table.
    “I never expected to meet Cameron,” I told her as I walked to the fridge. “Even less to fall in love with him. But I’ve done things for that stupid man,” I laughed. “And I’d do them all again.”
    I took the plate of cupcakes from the fridge and closed the door as I handed them to Liliane.
    “He’s not that stupid,” she insisted. “Not if he chose you.”