The Institute's annual Christmas party was a fundraising gala which brought together some of Britain's wealthiest people for an evening of cocktails and games, pulling money out of their pockets to pose as benefactors of orphans.
However, the Christmas Eve dinner was a closed party. Only the children of the Institute and their teachers were present.
As a former resident and still part of the institute family, Tessa was of course also invited every year. This time, however, accompanied by another alumni.
It was a peaceful evening, with lots of laughter and a friendly atmosphere. It was easy to converse with the descendants of his best friends. He had already noticed at the other meetings how quickly they had accepted him as part of their family. As if you've known him all their life. In a way they did. The stories of his youth were as familiar to those present as they were to his own mind.
He was always kept alive within these walls as if he had never been away.
After the meal was served, Owen rose from his seat and asked for silence. Everyone present turned in his direction, eager for his toast.
"My dear friends," he began. "It's an honor to welcome Jem Carstairs to this year's Christmas dinner." Tessa turned in his direction smiling and happily squeezed his hand. "As most of you know, he was the best friend of our late grandfather, Will. Who always prophesied to us that the time would come when Jem would return to the bosom of his family. He told us about his brother coming home. Of course none of us believed it. I think most of the time I didn't even believe he was alive. But that was how grandfather was. He had always had such a strong opinion that faith alone could make the things he wished for come true." Owen laughed to himself. "I'm sure at that moment in heaven he is telling everyone who didn't get away in time how he was always right."
Laughter rang out in the room as everyone imagined Will's smug grin.
That sounded like him.
"But most of all, I want to thank Jem. Who not only supported grandmother with her illness, but also brought her back to life." He turned to Tessa, tears in his eyes. "I haven't seen so much life in your eyes since grandfather died." Then he looked at Jem and raised his glass. "I am eternally grateful to you for that, Uncle Jem. Welcome to the family"
Everyone in the room, except for him and Tessa, also rose, their glasses trained on them both.
The light in everyone's eyes filled Jem with an emotion he had never felt before. He had never been anything of a mentor or father figure, there was no one who ever thought of wanting to be like him when they grew up. That had been the consequence of his life in isolation.
But now, as he looked into the faces of the young people who looked at him in a way that made them want to learn much from him, he could feel the pride swelling in his chest.
"To Tessa and Jem. That they can have a long time together."
Jem knew how much the people here loved Will. Seeing that they not only accepted him, but were grateful for his relationship with Tessa, touched him in a way he didn't expect.
He looked at Tessa. Seeing her for the person she had been, was right now and also who she would become.
He saw Will next to her, with an encouraging smile and a knowing twinkle.
He saw the future they never had.
He saw the present, which they are now allowed to share.
What they mean to each other and what they can still give each other despite their age. They weren't teenagers anymore, didn't have a whole life to plan together. Their illness robbed them of any ability to plan.
And yet he felt an anticipation of the time to come.
He was grateful for the second chance they were given.
Rising, he put one hand on her shoulder and the other on his glass. "Thank you, Owen," it wasn't easy to speak after that speech without crying. "I'm glad to see that Will's spirit is all over the place. I recognize him in every wall, in every face. And my Tessa." He pressed his lips to the top of her head. "I've always been grateful for my Tessa. For all eternity I will always love you. It doesn't matter if you know who I am, if you lose yourself. My love will always be a star that will show you the way."
Tessa had tears in her eyes too.
She rose and kissed Jem, the first time in front of her family. Those smiling with joy as they brooded.
And at that moment they didn't feel anything of the raging war. At that moment, the love and contemplation of Christmas was so present that the loss was almost forgotten.