Aqua - Christmas in New York City (Aqua Romance Travel Series) by Amanda S. Jones Page A

never come with her to the tree lighting and she often skated on her own, looking back toward the tree towering above the ice rink.  
    “But it’s a world-wide symbol of the holidays, Roger.”
    “You know I hate crowds. We can see the tree when we’re Christmas shopping.”
    “It’s about the moment, Roger. When the switch is flipped on that Swarovski star–topped tree. Giggles, ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ spring up from the crowd.”
    He had waved her off, “I can get that watching it on TV.”
    It was Roger’s lack luster approach to everything that had Casey half-hearted about children as well. When she discovered her gene mutation, she resigned herself to the fact that she wouldn’t have children. Her mother and aunt had already died from the disease and she didn’t want it passing onto another generation. It was a bittersweet decision but Roger, couldn’t have been happier and that eased the feeling of loss she experienced whenever she spent time with children.
    Now, in the midst of toddlers shrieking in delight and tugging at parent’s arms, a longing opened up within Casey, especially when sharing the moment with Harry. He so wanted children and Casey wanted to give him every wish he had, but a child was something she had to warm to.  
    They skated by a group of children when a little girl lost control and tumbled onto the ice. Harry caught her arm just in time, scooped her into his arms and set her straight on the ice. “Adorable wasn’t she?” he put his arm around Casey and they skated into the center of the rink. “If we had a daughter, what would you name her?”  
    “Ann. After my mother.”
    He held her hands toward his chest. “And a boy?”
    She took a long glide before answering. Since her diagnosis, she hadn’t given having children much thought, let alone their names. “Liam.”
    “That’s Irish isn’t it?”
    She nodded.
    “Why that name?”
    “He was a favorite uncle of mine.” If she were honest, it was the first name that came to her mind, and because they were overnighting in the very place Liam took Casey every year as a child. He would walk with Casey and her mother, from the metro station through the Madison Avenue courtyard that led to the grand lobby of the New York Palace. The first time her uncle took her, he paused in front of the Christmas tree as Casey stared at the twinkling lights, and pulled a gold tiara from his coat. Casey tugged it taut over her wool hat when Liam explained that the broad staircases and crystal chandeliers were what princesses’ castles looked like.  
    “I never got to know my relatives. I want our children to.”
    “Well, we don’t have any siblings.”
    “All the more reason they should get to know our fathers.”
    The thought ran a shiver up Casey’s spine. Having her father over for dinner was bad enough, but having him be a part of an innocent child’s life was even more disturbing. And it didn’t seem that Harry’s father was a better role model. She glanced back at the Norway spruce glittering against the night. “It would be better if our mothers were still alive.”
    “You don’t sound so enthusiastic.”
    “You know dad isn’t my favorite person.”  
    “I mean about having children.”
    “You know why.”
    “Yes, but all the more reason.”
    “So I’m not the last Trevitter?”
    “Not at all.”
    “I don’t feel a sudden urge to clone myself.”
    “That’s not my reasoning. If anyone, I certainly know that children carve their own identities, completely independent of their parents’ wishes. Look what I did to my parents!”
    “Did your mother want you to have grandchildren?”
    Harry looked into Cassandra’s deep blue eyes. She had an uncanny way of seeing right through a situation and understanding him so deeply. He had never considered this but his mother always did ask about a grandson. How could she not - she was Italian! “She did, but not on her deathbed if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s