Under the Mistletoe

Posted on Mon Aug 24th, 2026 @ 5:36pm by Bartholomew Addington & Lola ‘Myth’ McDowell & René Rouen & Juliet Parrish & Victoria Bell

4,218 words; about a 21 minute read

Mission: Justice
Location: Pub
Timeline: 24th December 2012

The Christmas Eve party was in full swing by the time René and Lola arrived. René spotted Juliet and Travis standing by a camera setup by the entrance. He gestured for Lola to take the lead. Social gatherings were still a relatively new situation for him. Most settlements did not take much opportunity to celebrate living in the daily struggle to survive. It was what he found special about Thistledrift. Friends, family and loved ones came together to celebrate special times.

Lola sighed as she stepped into the pub and shook off her boots and started on her scarf off. She could not see Cassandra and she had been worried about her as she had not seen her all day. “I’ll get you something to drink.” She said knowing he wanted to go to late service with Maureen but it would be freezing.

Juliet spotted René and Lola enter and called for them to stop as she stepped next to the camera. She smiled at them and pointed to the ceiling above their head. "Hold up a second. There's a contest this year. We're taking pictures and taking a vote on the cutest couple in Thistledrift. The winners will be guest of honor for the New Year's Eve party next week. All tou gotta do is have a picture taken while having a kiss under the mistletoe."

René blinked several times as he listened to Juliet speak. His face went pale as he looked up at the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. He glanced at Lola and froze.

Lola looked at the man and shrugged. “Just mistletoe. And we aren’t a couple.” She added quietly. “But I did see that neither Cassandra and Nathan are here.”

René looked down at the floor for a moment before raising his head and addressing Juliet. "Lola and I are just housemates nothing more."

Juliet looked at them both and finally nodded. "Very well." She glanced at René. "Could you di me a favor René? Do you mind operating the camera for a bit? Travis and I wanted to grab a drink and maybe get a dance in."

René nodded and gestured to the bar. "Of course. Go enjoy your evening." He glanced at Lola. "Go and have fun too. You deserve it."

“I will get you a drink and come back to help you I want to grab Cassandra. I have not been able to find her in days.” She sighed hating how her friend seemed to be hiding herself away.

René gave Lola a friendly smile and gestured to the bar. "Don't worry about me. I don't mind being camera man for a while. You have fun with your friends and I will let Ms. Lenn...Cassandra know you wish to speak with her when she arrives." He turned to Travis and Juliet. "Please take Lola and make sure she enjoys herself."

Lola looked at the doctor and stablemaster daring them to try and take her into the party. “Have you seen Cassandra?” She asked off Juliet knowing the pair were close.

Juliet shook her head. "Honestly, I don't know. She's been making herself scarce the last few days."

Travis spoke up after Juliet. "My daughter said Cass was reading in the library earlier. Library is supposed to have closed at sundown but I saw a light on earlier when I was bringing in the camera and tripod. I'm sure she will be here soon.

Victoria entered and looked around the pub curiously. She seemed a bit confused by the revelry, as if she was unused to seeing people celebrate a holiday.

Bartholomew arrived and grinned at Victoria slinging his arm over her shoulders. “Here’s my new friend. Settling in okay?” He asked slurring his words just a little to show he might have been a little drunk already. Lola looked over noticing Bartholomew being a little more jovial than normal and smiled.

“I guess you are right. She’ll be along soon.” Lola was not convinced as she had not seen the woman since she had revealed all her baggage and then it opened a can of worms around Smith.

Victoria looked up at Bartholomew and smiled. "I'm adjusting I suppose. It's strange finding a place that actually greets strangers with not just open arms, but genuine kindness too."

René noticed Victoria's expression as she looked into Bartholomew’s face. He felt a twinge of envy wishing that Lola would look at him like that. He glanced at Juliet and back to Victoria and Bartholomew. "Um, Juliet says that cute couples are required to have their picture taken as they kiss under the mistletoe." He pointed to the small sprig of mistletoe hanging over Victoria and Bartholomew.

Victoria looked up. She then looked back at Bartholomew her smile growing noticeably. She glanced at René "Let us know when you have the picture." She turned back to Bartholomew and one hand wrapped around the back of his head as she went on tippy toes and pressed her lips to Bartholomew’s.

Bartholomew had no chance to react to anything until the woman’s lips were against his and his arm that had been slung across her shoulders dropped to her waist. “Well kindness doesn’t need that kindness back.” The man murmured as he finally pulled back from the kiss breathless.

Lola snorted at her almost brother’s reaction to the kiss and shook her head. “Definitely cute though.” She assured.

René gave the couple a thumbs up, indicating he had successfully taken the picture. He glanced at Lola and chuckled "Oui, ils le font (Yes, they do)."

Victoria gave a faux frown. "Not cute enough I think." She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him down for another kiss. This one deep and passionate.

Bartholomew let out a surprised sound but soon melted against the woman seeing she had kissed him.

Juliet was astonished and Travis let his jaw drop open before the two exchanged looks.

René was at a loss for a moment, but figured he was supposed to take another photograph, which he did.

Lola snorted. “Victoria let the man breathe or get a room.” She encouraged laughing at the reactions around her. Bartholomew pulled back breathless and caressed her cheek.

“That was nice.” He said simply.

René snuck a peek at Lola while her attention was focused on Victoria and Bartholomew. He wondered for a moment what it would be like to be kissed by her the way Victoria had kissed Bartholomew. He bent down to inspect the camera in an effort to hide the blush running to his cheeks.

Travis gestured to the bar. "Ah, perhaps we should all grab a drink. Shall we?"

Victoria nodded at Travis before turning back to Bartholomew and smiling. She went up on her tippy toes again and whispered so only he could here. "I wouldn't mind giving you a Christmas gift after the party. If you're interested that is?"

Bartholomew smiled. “I think I can be persuaded.” He whispered as everyone went to get a drink. They had flirted in and off over last couple of days but this was certainly something different that what he had expected. “Drink?” He offered.

Lola could barely hide her mirth at the man getting surprised and snogged. She had not seen the man with anyone since he had appeared and settled into the town.

Juliet had been quiet during the groups last verbal exchange. She had noticed René furtive glance at Lola during Bartholomew’s and Victoria's most recent and much more passionate kiss. She turned to Travis briefly. "You guys go on ahead. I'ĺl catch up with you in a few."

Victoria nodded and slid a hand down Bartholomew’s neck and arm before lacing her fingers with the constable's fingers and tugging him towards the bar.

Bartholomew grinned and easily followed. He had not had anyone show interest in him in a long while and even longer since he had shown interest back. How could he not when she had made the first move?

Travis smiled at Juliet and nodded. He glanced at Lola and hitched his head in the direction of the bar. "Coming, Lola?"

Lola grinend nad nodded. "Yeah." She laughed, shaking her head, not noticing as Juliet stayed behind.

Juliet watched the group move off and turned to René she quietly observed him for a moment. She didn't say a word to begin with.

René glanced up from the camera and noticed Juliet’s gaze. His blush deepened slightly. "There a problem Doctor Parrish?"

Juliet shook her head, but glanced at the bar where Lola and the others were grabbing drinks. She turned back to the young Frenchman, the corners of her lips rising in a slight smile. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Have you been behaving yourself René?"

The question startled him for a moment. His eyes shifted to Lola laughing and drinking at the bar. He looked back at Juliet and nodded. "Oui. I have done my best to keep my promise to you, mademoiselle."

Juliet quietly observed René's tone and body language. "Just making sure. It kind of looked like you wanted to kiss Lola when I first pointed out the mistletoe to you both. Why didn't you?"

René's cheeks went a deep shade of crimson. He glanced at Lola and turned to Juliet. "I made you a promise. I...don't want to be the man who wants to kiss Lola under the mistletoe,"

Gema raised an eyebrow as she stood there trying to work out what she had just walked into. She was dressed in civilian clothes to try and elevate the tension and hoped she was still invited to the celebration. "And what is wrong with wanting to kiss Lola under the mistletoe?" She wondered curiously.

René's head snapped to Gema and her curious expression. He looked between the two women for a moment and then up at the mistletoe. "I...wish I were the person she wanted to kiss under the mistletoe. If that makes sense."

Gema shrugged a little. "Well, if you won't kiss her, I will." The woman said brightly with a wink at him.

René glanced at Gema and then Lola. He couldn't help but wonder if perhaps Lola was a lesbian. It wouldn't change the way he felt about her, but it wouldn't change that he would always be her friend either. He turned back to Juliet and Gema with a nod to the others having drinks at the bar. He gave the two ladies a smile. "You ladies should join the others. Have fun. I can handle camera duty."

"Sorry. I was just teasing." Gema assured. "She's a beautiful woman, but she's never responded," Gema said brightly as she looked around for any of the ship's crew. "No one else here?" She wondered, having hoped to see Nathan or Daniel before she found her friend.

René's gaze traveled to the lovely, laughing Lola at the bar. He nodded as a sigh escaped him. "Oui, she is that."

Juliet followed René's gaze and then studied the young Frenchman's expression. "Perhaps you should tell Lola how you feel. She might surprise you." She knew René would probably not do as she suggested. He had seen him show remarkable courage against the undead and yet he seemed terrified to admit his feelings that were becoming more obvious everyday to nearly everyone who knew him. She turned to Gema. "Come on Gema. Let's grab a drink." She headed off to join the others at the bar.

“Yes ma'am.” The Spanish woman said easily moving through the crowd to where the bar was Lola and Travis were waiting. “So how are things?” She wondered looking around. “Are you okay?” Gema asked specifically to Lola.

“I am fine.” Lola assured quickly.

Juliet got a drink and slammed it back just as the band started getting their instruments tuned and broke into a fast rock ballad. Juliet set down her shot glass and grabbed both Gema's and Lola's hands and pulled them to the dance floor. "Let's have some fun!"

Gema was a little taken aback to be included but happily let the woman pull her on the dance floor. Lola was a little more reluctant but she quietly followed and took Gema’s hand letting the woman swing her around. “Where are all our leaders?” Gema called over the music as they started to play familiar songs that she knew from previous parties. The British were repetitive in the songs that make them happy at parties.

Juliet glanced around as she danced with the two women. "I don't think Cassandra is coming. She hasn't been in a good mood the last few days."

“Cannot blame her. I came in to the meeting with smith. The tension was… thick.” Gema admitted with a sigh. She hated that her friend Nathan was left out in the cold because he was a good man even if he had a stick up his ass sometimes.

Juliet knew of the tension between Cassandra and Nathan. Cassie was looking stressed out and she could tell it was taking a toll on Cassandra's health. She was looking pale and tired a lot the last few days. She wondered if Cassandra had even been sleeping or eating.

Victoria glanced casually about. She turned to Bartholomew. "Care to dance Constable?"

The man laughed and put his pint down on the bar and offered his hand to her. “What kind of dancing do you want to this?” He laughed. It was not the type of dancing for flirting people.

"Surprise me." Victoria smiled at Bartholomew as she pulled him out to the dance floor.

A man walked up and relieved René from his camera duties. He circled the dance floor towards the bar and got himself a pint of ale before taking a seat and watching the group of friends laughing, dancing and generally having fun. The band took a break, promising to be back in fifteen minutes.

As the band returned, people split off, leaving Lola to head back to the bar and get one of the non-alcoholic drinks that would help her cool down, as it was hot in the pub with so many people there.

René nodded to Lola, a friendly smile on his face. "It's a pleasure to see you having fun with your friends. You should do so more often. Maybe pick a night and have them come over. I can always spend a night at the Blackthorn Inn so you ladies can have a girls night in."

Juliet wandered over and glanced at René's drink. "How do you like Thistledrift's famous hard cider?"

René faced Juliet and took a sip. He swished the liquid around for a moment before swallowing and nodding. "Pretty good, though I think I prefer my Grand-pere's winter wine a little more. It has a subtle flavor more to my liking."

“It’s just cider, Juliet.” Lola laughed a little at the insistence on calling it hard. It was just the normal flavouring, and she had to admit she liked it, she was relieved that it was available a lot of the time thanks to the apple orchards.

The bartender made his way down to Lola, Juliet and René. "Can I get you three anything?" The band was returning to the stage after their break.

"Oh, I am good with this," Lola assured, taking a sip of the cider. She was in a good mood despite the last month sending her through a spiral.

"Non merci, um no thank you. I am good too." René didn't like to drink too much. One never knew when reflexes would be needed to fight off the threat of the undead.

Juliet shrugged and set her empty glass down on the bar. "I will indulge myself with one more."

The bartender nodded and took the empty glass with him as he moved off to get Juliet another drink. She glanced at the two housemates. "So, you guys ready for Christmas Day?"

René looked at Juliet and glanced briefly at Lola. "I believe so. We have a Christmas tree and decorations up."

Lola smiled. “We found some lovely old decorations in the attic and donated the rest if you are wanting anything for your house.” Lola offered thinking of the old decorations. She had kept anything home made to honour the people’s home who she had acquired.

Juliet shook her head. "I don't really need decorations. Travis and his children have invited me to stay with them over Christmas. It's, um, very nice, but a little scary too. We've sort of been discussing me moving in with and...I'm just not sure. I think it might be too soon for the kids actually."

The band returned to the stage after their break and started playing again. The bands last set had been fast and energetic. This time the beginning was a bit more slow.

Juliet glanced at Lola and then Rene. "Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe you've had the opportunity to dance yet. Lola, you should get your housemate out on the dance floor for a song or two."

Lola laughed and shook her head. “Only if he wants to dance.” She said holding out her hand but she hoped that he would say no if he did not want to.

Rene looked like a deer caught in the headlights for a moment. "I'd love to." The words came out of his mouth before he realized what he said. His hand took hers. "Uh, if you want to dance that is."

“I offered my hand.” Lola said smiling as she squeezed his hand. “Let’s go then roomie.” She said looking over and saw Bartholomew and Victoria dancing.

René stepped onto the dance floor with Lola. He lightly placed his hands on her hips, but was careful to keep plenty of distance between them. They simply looked like two good friends sharing a dance. "So...are you excited for Christmas Morning? Seems like there's a lot going on tomorrow. Tonight too I suppose, what with the party and midnight services at the church."

“I am excited. There is lots going on of the good kind which is nice.” The woman said smiling as she stepped a little closer to make things less awkward. “You are busier though with service.” She laughed knowing she was sleeping in despite requests to go.

René's heart beat faster when Lola closed the gap between them just a little. He gave a nervous smile. "Church has always been important to me. Well, I suppose Faith in God more than any one church. I think God led me here. It was here that I reconnected with my family, thanks to you."

“Anytime.” The woman laughed. “I’ve never really had much faith but that’s a me thing and not a you or religion thing.” She commented quietly as she glanced around at the other people dancing around them.

Victoria was dancing with Bartholomew. She had kept a somewhat respectable distance between them as the first song started, but by the end she was resting her cheek on his collarbone and was pressing her body close to his. She breathed in deeply, enjoying his manly scent, and exhaled with a content sigh. She tilted her head up, not breaking contact between her cheek and his collarbone to whisper in his ear. "Mmm, this feels nice."

Bartholomew laughed a little. "It is meant to." He told her softly, smiling back.

René looked around with Lola. He caught sight of Victoria and Bartholomew and felt envious. He wished Lola were inclined to dance with him the way Victoria danced with Bartholomew. He looked away to and focused his attention on people sitting at the bar.

The band finished their first slow song and immediately slipped into a second slow one. This one was a love ballad, Nothing Compares to You by Sinéad O'Connor.

René wasn't aware of it consciously, but he closed the gap just enough for his chest to press very lightly against Lola's. He felt a warm, tingling sensation, and for a moment he felt content.

"Love this song." Lola sighed a little as she relaxed properly. It reminded her of her mum singing it in some dingy kitchen on an army base.

Rene glanced at the stage. Tess Harper was singing the vocals and doing a rather good job. René wasn't particularly surprised. He had heard the girl sing in choir at the church before and nodded. Tess smiled as she and the band finished up the song.

"Well, thank you for the dance," Lola said, smiling as the music ended and she pulled back so as not to make things awkward. She bumped back into Bartholomew, who winked over his shoulder and bumped her again purposely.

"C'est moi qui vous remercie ("it is I who thank you")." Rene returned Lola's smile with one of his own. His arms reached out to steady her after Bartholomew’s intentional bump and ended up embracing her fully as she fell back against him. He wasn't sure what to do when another slow ballad began to play.

Juliet watched Lola and René from her spot at the bar. She had that knowing smile and even exchanged winks with Bartholomew. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that René was totally into Lola...and yet, he still refused to make his move.

Bartholomew shrugged at the woman and shook his head. "Want to get out of here?" He turned to Victoria as he could no longer watch Rene and Lola without interfering more.

Victoria had watched René and Lola dance with slight curiosity. 'Interesting,' she thought.

She turned to Bartholomew and smiled. "I was wondering if you were going to ask me that. I would love to." She slipped her hand into his as she stood up.

"Would you like another dance, or do you want to dance without someone else? I am sure that Tess is eager." She teased him a little.

René glanced at Tess who was making her way through the crowded club in their direction. He really wanted to dance with Lola one more time. He didn't have much less before he headed to the church to help set up for Christmas Eve Vigil. "I would like another dance."

Tess arrived just in time to hear René say that. She slipped in between Lola and René. She smiled at René. "Well, that's great. My dance card just opened up." She looked over her shoulder at Lola. "You've monopolized the most handsome bloke in Thistledrift enough Lola."

Lola smiled softly. “Well then perfect timing as he only had time for one more dance before church. I will see you at home.” Lola said smiling as she stepped back and winked at René as she moved away to give the new dance partners space to dance.

René glanced at Lola as she stepped back and Tess stepped closer to place her hands around the back of his neck. He hesitated for a moment and placed his hands on her hips as they began to dance. He glanced at the mistletoe for a moment and wondered, for the briefest moment if he should have kissed Lola.

Juliet shook her head and chuckled slightly as Lola rejoined her at the bar. She glanced at Tess and René dancing and turned to Lola. "You mind if I ask you a bit of a personal question?"

Lola looked at the woman and shrugged. “Never stopped you before Juliet.” The younger woman laughed a little as she started to gather coat and scarf to head home. She wanted a shower and bed in all honesty.

Juliet's expression betrayed a strong curiosity as she studied Lola's face. She (Lola) really had no clue whatsoever. "Out of curiosities sake. Why didn't you kiss René when you guys were under the mistletoe? Tess is right. He is a handsome young man and he's a damn sight better man in every way over that piece of crap Duncan."

“I don’t go around kissing my friends.” Lola laughed shaking her head at the notion of it. “Of course he is a better man than Duncan. I wouldn’t trust Duncan in my home which was the problem when he tried to invite himself in and got kneed in the balls. But anyways I need to go home and sleep as I’m knackered. Do not stay up to late or those kids of your boyfriend will have you up early.” She teased as she waved and headed out the door.

Juliet watched her friend leave before the music ended. Lola really had no clue. She glanced at René dancing with Tess and realized Lola wasn't the only one. Tess was leaning into René, head on his chest, eyes closed and a smile that was full of desise. René was trying not to be awkward and only having marginal success. She rose from her barstool and sought out Travis. Lola was right. The children would have Travis and her up before first light in the morning.

 

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