Kneeling across the coffee table from the couch, Cordelia lit a match and touched the flame to the large candle in the middle of the table. It was white, unscented, but calming. Flicking out the match, she watched the candle for a moment, then rose to her feet and turned to watch candles on the mantle light as if by magic.
Or a ghost.
"Thank you, Dennis," she said as she walked into the kitchen to check on the roast.
The front door opened and closed and she popped back out of the kitchen. "I was just checking on it."
Wesley cocked an eyebrow at her. "You didn't touch?"
"I don't burn everything I touch in the kitchen," Cordelia replied snarkily.
Giving her an indulgent smile, he passed her, then yelped as she swatted his butt.
"I don't."
"Yes, dear." He set down the bag containing the vegetables he'd forgotten to purchase, then checked his watch. "I wonder where Gunn is and if he thinks he's getting out of peeling the veg."
"He said he might be late, something about checking on some demonic something."
"And that's what makes you a brilliant secretary," Wesley teased.
"Hey!" She smiled, though, and brushed her lips over his. "I don't know why I put up with you."
"I'll remind you later tonight," Wesley leered and smacked her butt.
The front door opened again and Cordelia exited the kitchen. "Your apron's waiting, Gunn."
"Damn, I was sure I'd hung out...er worked long enough...er." He flipped her a grin and dropped his weapon's bag before heading for the kitchen.
"And don't waste time smooching. I'm hungry!"
"Why do we let her order us around again?" Gunn asked Wesley as he joined him in the kitchen.
"She'll remind us later tonight."
"Oh...right."
Shaking her head, Cordelia walked over to the window to pull the curtains, then moved around the living room extinguishing the lights and leaving the room lit only by the candles. They gave off a soft, romantic glow, and she smiled and sank down onto the couch, thinking about the last year and all the changes, both good and bad.
After Angel had kicked them out and gone off the deep end they'd started up their own business and it had grown at a slow, comfortable pace. They continued to do good, help the helpless, and even made enough money to keep the three of them going.
When their close friendship became something more, it hadn't really surprised any of them. Well, Gunn had been a bit shocked at his gay feelings for Wes, but Cordelia hadn't been at all surprised by English school boy's feelings for Gunn. That she wanted both of them was absolutely no surprise to her.
Some people might think she'd begun with one or the other first, but that's not how it had happened. It had always been the three of them.
And the desire had slowly turned to love.
"Deep thoughts, Cord?" Gunn asked, holding out a glass of white wine which she took.
"Reflecting. It's that time of year." Smiling, she took a sip of her wine and watched him return to the kitchen.
*****
After a hearty dinner, they sat on the floor and built a small fire on the hearth to lend itself to the ritual for Winter Solstice. Cordelia wasn't sure she believed in it anymore than she believed in Christmas, but it meant something to Wesley, and the meaning behind the ritual actual made sense. On the longest night of the year, they beckoned back the light by lighting candles and making noise with cymbals and drum.
They each spoke their wishes for the new year and burned prayer flags in the fire, then shared a glass of mulled wine before Wesley recited the final prayer.
"...and with the sunrise, the new year is reborn."
Silence fell, then Cordelia added, "I'm not staying up till sunrise."
Gunn laughed and Wesley rolled his eyes at her. "I don't think you've seen a sunrise since I've known you."
"And I don't plan on seeing one any time soon." Laughing, Cordelia rose to her feet and helped open the circle before heading for the kitchen and more wine. "Chocolate truffle cake," she squealed loudly on discovering the pastry box on the counter.
"Shall we go help her eat it?"
Gunn jumped to his feet. "If we want to get any of it for ourselves."
Feeling renewed and hopeful for the new year, Wesley joined his two lovers in the kitchen, just in time to snatch the box away from Gunn before he plunged his fingers into the cake. "Plates, forks, a knife."
"Not how I eat cake."
"Me either," Cordelia chimed in even as she fetched the dishes. "Hope I'm not too full to participate in the smutty part of the celebration."
Wesley cut very small pieces of cake.
End