104. Christmas

Lilith

I woke up early, I had only ever done Christmas with Rob. I didn’t really know what to expect. This whole month I had gone overboard. I had found things Eric and Noel had in storage which turned out to be a large amount of decorations for every season. I had gone overboard buying some new things and using what they already had. I had bought Christmas trees for every room in the house. All live ones. Eric had not stopped me and our whole home looked like it exploded with Christmas cheer.

I made sure the staff had the day off. They had made so much for the party last night; I didn’t want them working today of all days. I even made sure that Noel, Eric, myself all had matching pajamas. I didn’t know if their dad was coming but I had hoped and got him a set to which I made sure got placed in the guest room just in case. Much to Eric and Noel’s dismay he had accepted my invitation to stay for the holiday. I hoped he knew to put on the pajamas.

Eric was sleeping when I got out of bed. I had to be careful removing his arm from around me not to wake him. I wanted to make breakfast for everyone. Rob had done that when I spent Christmas with him. As much I was excited about enacting my revenge and killing him, I was grateful I had some kind of tradition on this particular holiday. I knew exactly what I would be making. It was orange rolls. Cinamon rolls were delicious, but orange roll was the tradition on Christmas with of course warm apple cider. I crept downstairs and checked on everything.

I had hardly slept last night. I told Eric I wanted to do all the Christmas stuff and that included stuffing the stockings. I had never done any of it but had seen it in movies and wanted to try it all out. We would have kids this time next year and I wanted to find out which things I liked and would do with them growing up. Of course, the problem now was I liked way too much of everything. I looked at the stockings hung up they were all homemade. I was guessing Eric and Noel’s mom made them for them. They had designs on them Eric’s was dark red, and it had a white owl with holly around it.

Then there was Noels and his was green and had a reindeer looking up into a tree. Their fathers were white with a Santa clause Nome. My eyes traveled to mine. I had tried to make mine, but I was not near as skilled as their mother, so it was not near as neat. But mine was navy blue with a penguin in a hat on its head. All of them had our names at the top in felt. I nodded and went to the kitchen and began to cook. I had holiday music playing and was having a great time. Everything looked picture perfect. I wish I had this growing up, but I was happy my kids would have it.

“Someone looks happy” I turned around to see Eric smiling at me leaning against the kitchen door frame. I looked him over and tried to hold in my laughter. He had worn the Christmas pajamas. It was funny with him being all muscular and large standing in holiday themed clothes. “What are you doing?” He asked and I smiled. “Orange rolls obviously, one of the only traditions I have so we are having them.” He nodded. “Please continue, you look cute.” I rolled my eyes and went back to baking.

Just then Eric’s father came in, I glanced and saw he was wearing what I left him. I flashed him a smile. “Thanks, Lilith, for the jammies.” I tried not to laugh at the comment. “I don’t think I told you the place looks amazing. My wife would be happy to see it like this. I also like that you hung her stockings, you know she made those.” I responded to him. “Well Leo I tried to make mine, but it is not as good as your wife's. She had some talent.” I could tell he was smiling. “What are you baking?” He asked and Eric told him. “Where is your brother, is he still doing that thing where he sleeps in until someone gets him up.” Eric must have nodded. “God, every Christmas, I will go get him.”

I heard his steps receding. “I have no idea why he is acting like this. I have not seen him like this since before my mom died.” I looked at him. “He is happy you are having kids.” Eric squinted. “Okay maybe when I sent his invite to the party, I included a letter.” Eric responded, “What did you say to him to get him to act like this?” I looked at Eric. “I told him the whole truth about myself.” Eric’s eyes got big, and he said, “You told him about you being a Draco wolf?” I nodded.

“He will kill you Lilith.” I gave him a look. “Has he yet?” I asked and Eric shook his head. “Anyways the letter said a lot. I told him about my relationship with Missy and how it has been dysfunctional and I am trying to mend it and really just a lot of stuff. I didn’t tell him I was pregnant but did tell him I wanted him to be a part of our children's lives when we had them. I told him about the imprisonment and some other stuff, but I did tell him that as of right now all of his kids hate him. That his wife would not want that. I also may have dug up on of your moms' diaries, well a few of them and sent them with the invitation. Don’t worry I didn’t read them, but I thought he should have them. They were in storage, and I found them when I first looked for decorations.”

I went on “I don’t know why but he seems to be much happier now, I am guessing whatever your mother wrote pulled him out of all that shitheadness he has.” Eric said “Why would you tell him about you having a black wolf? That was risky Lilith.” Eric said. I shot him a look and with confidence said “I am not going to cower when he is around. If our sons have Draco wolves, I can’t have them at risk of being killed by their grandfather, so I just told him. I figured if he did something you would be here to protect me so it would just be better to get it out in the open and not spring it on him.” Eric didn’t comment.

Noel finally came down. “Present time?” I nodded sliding the pan of rolls into the oven. “Yes Noel.” He gave me a sleepy smile. As we all walked to where I set everything up Noel yawned and said “Hey, Lilith, can you shop for me from now on, these are so comfy.” I snorted at Noels comment. Leo decided to be the one to pass out the gifts. Noel freaked out when he opened my gift. It was the game Cards Against Humanity. He laughed and acted like a child. Leo was happy with the growing your own mushroom kit. I didn’t really know what to get him but that seemed like something useful since he lived in the middle of nowhere and Eric told me he finds all his own food. So maybe now he would have some mushrooms. I had no idea, but he seemed to like it.

Eric was shocked by my gift. I had no idea what to get him, he had money to buy whatever he wanted. So, I had made him a photo book. I put it together when I was in town last and it had random photos, I had taken of the two of us and some other people in it. Then there were the sonogram photos too. He hugged me and gave me a kiss. I was glad he liked it. I laughed at what Noel got me. He gave me a knitted cap. It had a patch in the center of a middle finger flipping people off. I laughed. I was surprised by Leo’s present. I looked down staring at the silver charm bracelet.

“I packed up a lot of my mate's jewelry and sent it to Ellen. They were her mother's so I thought she should have them, but I wanted you to have this one. This was the last gift Eric gave her for her birthday before she passed away. I thought you should have it” I saw the E charm on it for Eric. I got up from my seat and hugged Leo and told him “Thank you.” I returned to my seat next to Eric. “Way to upstage me dad.” He said and his dad smiled. He looked at me. “Okay so your big gift obviously was the engagement ring, but I couldn’t help but get this also it is not much.” Eric said handing me a very large thin box. What the hell would be so large.

I ripped the paper over and then my eyes got huge. It was a massive box of chocolates. I screamed in excitement. Noel looked at Eric “Okay you win for best gift this year.” Eric laughed. The alarm from the kitchen started beeping. “Okay you guys stay here, I will bring you your food.” Noel said, “We can eat at the table Lilith.” I shot him a look and then with a sassy tone said. “No, we can’t we have to eat on couches that is the tradition.” He nodded and I left. When I walked into the kitchen, I was happy I was able to this. I had been able to work it out and now could be in the kitchen alone. I served everyone on Santa plates. Then filled up the Christmas mugs with cider. I served Eric first and then his dad, followed by Noel and then myself.

Noel was making provocative sounds as he ate his rolls. “Fucking fuck Lilith this is better than sex.” I raised my brows and then said, “You know there is a cake called that.” He looked at me. “I had it last night on the dessert table.” Noel moaned again eating. Eric and Leo, both liked it, and everyone had seconds and thirds of the sweet breakfast. I was glad I made such a large tray. “Hey I am going to call my mom.” I told the group. Eric was not surprised. I had been trying to patch things up with her. I was walked up the stairs to our room where I kept my phone, I said to my stomach. “You guys are turning me into a fucking pussy.” Kali spoke to me. “Of course they are, maybe it is good, I wonder what our father is like. He has a wolf and would honestly like to see what he is like.” I understood that.

“Kali how are you going to talk to his wolf though, you are not part of his pack, and he obviously is not your mate.” Kali responded. “Good fucking point.” I snorted. I looked at my phone and saw a missed call from Rob. “Call him first, you know he needs to feel reassured.” Kali said and I did as she said to.