Unwrap these Presents

by Astrid Ohletz

  First Christmas

  A Sigil Fire Story

  Erzabet Bishop

  Sonia stared at the scene in the kitchen with disbelief. Its normally pristine surface was in complete disarray. Flour covered the counter, the smell of something delicious baking was in the air, and Fae, her blood-witch vampire girlfriend, was singing Christmas carols like she was Patsy Cline incarnate. Dressed in low-rider skinny jeans and a vibrant, red tank top, Fae shimmied around the kitchen with a snap in her step. Her long, black hair was loose and flowing, and Sonia had to fight the urge to pin her lover to the counter and run her fingers through it while ravaging her lips.

  She loved to watch Fae in the kitchen. The normally badass, “don’t mess with me or I’ll shove a sword up your nose” woman was pure magic when she wielded a spatula. Or any other kitchen equipment, for that matter. Sonia grinned, a low simmer of heat spreading between her thighs as her eyes followed Fae’s every move.

  Jellybean rested next to the kitchen door, her small, black, hellhound face fixed on Sonia. It seemed even Jellybean didn’t know what to make of Fae’s behavior.

  As Sonia rounded the corner into the kitchen, she caught sight of a stack of cardboard boxes and a half-decorated tree started in the front window of the living room. She’d left for work, and everything had been normal, and now, she’d come home to Chaos Comes to Christmas Town. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready for the Yule party, what else?” Fae came around the kitchen island and placed a light kiss on Sonia’s lips.

  “Party?” Sonia leaned next to the island and let the scent of baking goodies settle over her. Still dressed in her fetish costume from the day’s shoot, she felt like a pornographic elf.

  “I like the corset,” Fae crooned, her eyes sliding up and down the length of Sonia’s body.

  “Thanks. Monty said I could wear it home this time. It feels great.” Sonia did a pirouette and took a bow, letting her full breasts come dangerously close to falling out of the corset. It had been a long afternoon at the photo shoot, but Monty was happy with her work, so it had been worth it.

  “Mmmm. Someone is going to get a spanking for that one. Definitely on Santa’s naughty list.” Fae tisked and waggled her finger, reaching for a spatula.

  “What?” Sonia bit her lip and giggled, scurrying around the island. Something dinged, and she jumped. “What did I do?” Her voice rose in a panic, her eyes darting around the room to find the source of the sound.

  “You’ve never baked cookies before?” Fae padded over to the oven and snapped up the hot pads camping on the counter. She opened the door to the oven, schlepped the pans out, and laid them on the stove. The spicy scent of freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen.

  “No.” Sonia turned away, more than a little awkward. “I’ve never really had Christmas or Yule before. It was always…I don’t know…something for other people. And about takeout.”

  Fae set the hot pads on the counter and came around the island. “I had no idea.”

  Sonia shrugged. “It wasn’t something I ever thought about. I modeled a sexy Santa suit here and there, but that’s been about it.” She walked over to the cookies, the spicy scent tempting her nostrils. “That smells amazing.”

  “Thanks.” Fae leaned back against the counter, lifting her eyebrows. “So in all your years, you’ve never been to a Christmas party or a Yule celebration?”

  Sonia’s lips twitched, and she met her lover’s eyes. “You have to understand: I was an angel before I was changed into this.” She held out her arms and sighed. “I didn’t remember anything from before, and, like I said, the only time the holidays meant much was when Jeannie popped over for a drink or when I had to model for a magazine standing next to someone else’s Christmas tree.”

  “We always had Yule at my house.” Fae gazed off into space. “My mother was the neighborhood Yule goddess of light.” An amused smile tilted up her lips. “She had me baking cookies and making presents by hand at the age of ten.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope.” Fae grinned. “I keep forgetting you’ve only been here a couple of months. It feels like you’ve been a part of my life forever.” She walked over to Sonia and tugged her toward the living room.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Fae dragged her to the spare bedroom and pulled open the top of a chest of drawers. “Open your hand.”

  “Okay.” Sonia lifted her palm and cocked her head.

  “Here.”

  Sonia looked down and found a small, round shape made from yarn with beads sewn into it. The dark evergreen yarn was over-dyed, the colors natural and earthy. The beads sewn into the fiber were red and resembled shiny ornaments made in miniature. It was topped off with a red bow. The shape reminded her of something.

  “What is it?”

  “It’s a wreath, silly.” Fae chortled. “I made it last year. It gets slow at the shop, so sometimes I pick up my mother’s old crochet hook and make some quick presents for people. It’s fun.”

  “You made this?” Tears prickled behind Sonia’s eyes. “I can keep it?”

  “Of course.” Fae looked at her curiously. “Are you crying?”

  Sonia turned and shook her head. “No.” She stared at the tiny wreath and at the wonderful woman who surprised her every day and smiled. My first Christmas present. “I’m happy.”

  * * *

  “I’m telling you, Monty, you won’t believe it.” Fae hugged the phone to her ear. “I want everyone over here right now. She’s gone to grab a bite of someone at the bar, and I need all you guys tout de suite.”

  “She’s been to a Christmas party before.” Monty growled through the phone. “At least, I thought so. We had one at the studio a few years back.” Fae could positively hear him counting back the years in his head.

  “I don’t think so.” Fae shook her head, even though she realized the demon couldn’t see it. “She’s completely clueless about Christmas. They must have scrambled her brains pretty good when they changed her into a succubus. I mean, what kind of former angel hasn’t gotten the down low about gingerbread cookies and little crocheted wreaths? It’s unnatural.”

  “No it isn’t. Our girl’s been through a lot.” Monty paused, his rich, chocolate voice revealing his surprise. “Come to think of it, she wasn’t there. Always ducked out before the festivities started. Every time.”

  “I thought so.” Fae mused. “Every year, we have the party over here at Forbidden Ink. It helps me keep relations with the customers, and with Cirque Nocturne hanging around longer than normal, I kind of want to have an extra fun one. I want them to stay in town. Will you help me give her a good Christmas? I want her to understand she’s got a family that loves her.”

  “She does.” Monty agreed. “The girl is special. But the guys can’t come right now, actually. There’s been some trouble at one of the clubs downtown. A zombie was sighted in one of the back alleys. Not a good situation.”

  “Crap.”

  “I know. Got to get a lid on it quick or it’ll start to spread. But anyway…I digress. What time do you want this shindig to start?”

  * * *

  “No, you hold it like this.” Fae grabbed Sonia’s hands and tried to position them around the crochet hook.

  Sonia squirmed in frustration. “I’m hopeless.” She moaned, holding out the knotted-up piece of yarn and the ugly swatch of stitches. “This is hideous.”

  “No, you’re not hopeless,” Fae said. “But you are pretty frustrating.”

  “Hey!” Sonia’s lips slid into a frustrated pout.

  “Come on. Put that down for a minute. I want you to come into the kitchen. We have to make some crescent cakes for the party and stir the soup.”

  The whole second floor was decorated stem to stern with holly, Christmas trees, and garlands. Holiday music filled the air, and even Jellybean seemed to realize there was something going on. She roamed from table to table, sniffing out
possible tidbits in need of rescue. Platters of chicken and vegetables were laid out along the sideboards, and an assortment of cakes and pies lined another table to the other side of the dining room. The tree sparkled in the front window, laden with white lights and crystal snowflakes. It was a dream.

  One of the girls she’d seen down in the shop nodded at Fae as she headed out the door.

  “Thanks, Wanda.”

  “You’re welcome! See you in a couple of hours.”

  “Did you drop by the bookstore and the bakery?”

  “Yes. Now stop worrying.” Wanda grinned. “It’s going to be amazing.”

  Sonia gave Fae a dubious glance. “I’m not sure why you’re trying to make me into a domestic goddess, Fae. I’m not.” She frowned.

  “I realize that. But a few people from the shop are coming, and I wanted some time alone with you before they show up.” Fae winked. “Monty’s even coming this time.”

  Sonia perked up, laying down the offending crochet hook.

  “Whoop! Really?”

  “Yes. Perry and what’s-her-name are supposed to come too.”

  Sonia rolled her eyes. “Her name is Charley.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Fae whistled as she finished a batch of cookies and slid them into the oven. “Whatever. She’s still a pain in the ass.”

  “Who else?” Sonia eyed her suspiciously. Her lover was hiding something.

  Fae looked down, pretending to be busy putting dishes in the dishwasher. “Oh, you know…a few people.”

  Sonia bit her lip and tried not to panic. “I’m not sure how to have Christmas, Fae.”

  “It’s easy, babe.” Fae tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear and smiled. “You just come to the party and gawk at the pretty lights, eat a few snacks, and if you’re especially good, you might get a present.”

  The timer dinged, and Fae reached down to take out the tray.

  “But you already gave me a present.” Sonia pointed to the small crocheted wreath pinned to her blue T-shirt.

  Fae blinked. “You haven’t taken it off.”

  “No. You gave it to me. It was my first Christmas present. Why would I ever take it off?”

  “How about I help you?” Fae pressed her lips to Sonia’s and wound her fingers in her hair. Her hands cupped Sonia’s breasts and Sonia moaned. “Come here.” The shimmering lights of the tree flickered in the darkness of the room. Fae urged her forward with beckoning fingers.

  Sonia sat down on the carpet in front of the tree.

  Fae followed close behind and sank down beside her onto the floor. Their lips met, and Fae groaned. “They’ll be here in an hour.”

  “Good. I want to see what you look like underneath my first Christmas tree.” Sonia breathed, desire moving under her skin like molten fire. “No clothes. Just you.”

  “Your eyes are so beautiful in this light.” Fae tugged Sonia down to meet her hungry lips. One of Fae’s fangs drew blood.

  “Ow!” Sonia drew back, quirking her lips into a grin. “So, you’re going to be feisty tonight. Oh, good.” Her life had changed so much since she had met Fae. The sex between them did something for Sonia on a primal level that went way beyond the norm. They fed off each other—Sonia giving blood, Fae giving her the life force she needed without having to feed as often. It was sexy and hot, and Sonia had never been as happy as she was right now. Her needs as a succubus were met. But there was so much more than that between them.

  “You have no idea.” Fae grinned, the feral being in her coming out to play. “Look under the tree there. The package with the red paper. Open it up.”

  “But I can’t open it yet. Christmas is still a few days away.” Sonia wiped a loose strand of hair out of her eyes.

  “Oh well, I guess I’d better get back to my party preparations. Wouldn’t want to forget to…I don’t know…maybe rearrange my sock drawer before they show up.”

  “Ugh. You’re incorrigible.” Sonia got on her hands and knees and shuffled under the tree to find the package in question. Moments later, she held the shiny, red-paper-covered box in her hand and brought it back with her.

  “Now, open it.” Fae sat back up, folding her legs beneath her.

  Sonia grumbled and did as she was asked. The paper was slick under her fingers. She let her hands roam along the seams and tried to peel back the tape without ripping it.

  “Oh my Goddess, give me that.” Fae scowled. “You just rip it. Like this.” She grabbed hold of one end of the paper and tore, leaving the wrapping hanging off in tattered pieces.

  “Hey!” Sonia pouted. “I was getting there.”

  “So is Christmas, and, at that rate, it’s going to be here before you even get past the first piece of tape.”

  “Mean…” Sonia rolled her eyes and stared down at the ravaged package in her hands. She tugged the torn wrapping off and considered the box sitting there.

  “Open it.”

  “Okay, okay.” Sonia lifted the flap on the cardboard box, revealing two smaller boxes within. She reached inside and picked up the larger one.

  “You can open them both, but what do you want first? Naughty or nice?”

  Sonia blinked, indecision eating at her. “Naughty.”

  Fae grinned. “Good. Open that one.”

  Sonia lifted up the lid on the glossy black box. Buried within a layer of tissue paper was a wooden paddle, her name painted on the wood of the business end.

  “Oh, my God.” Sonia stared at the paddle with wonderment. She and Fae had been exploring impact play, but to have a paddle of her own…Tears prickled behind her eyelids, and she gave Fae a wobbly smile.

  “Do you like it?” Fae moved forward and took the instrument from Sonia’s hand.

  “I love it.” She wiped a tear, reaching over to place a kiss on her lover’s lips.

  “Well, I figured we could try out that nifty song about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and see whose was brighter—his glow-in-the-dark nose or your ass after I swing in a little holiday cheer.” Fae swung the paddle.

  Sonia giggled. “You’re terrible.”

  “Yes. But you love me.”

  “I do. I really, really do.”

  “Good.” Fae’s eyes sparkled in the dim light. “Now, open your other present.”

  Sonia reached into the bag and scooped out the smaller black velvet box. “What is it?”

  “Open it, silly.”

  “You…” The little black velvet box sat there patiently waiting. Small, it loomed large in Sonia’s mind. It had to be jewelry. Nothing else looked like that. In the past, men had tried to offer her trinkets in exchange for her love, but none of those offers had been true. Not really. Just bribes for a physical bout of succubus-induced bliss.

  This was. It was real, and for a moment Sonia’s hands shook as she moved to pull apart the hinged box. The sparkling lights of the tree illuminated the diamond engagement ring as it winked against the black velvet. The trembling in Sonia’s hands increased, and the tears she had been holding back let loose with a torrent of want and need. “Fae…” she choked out. “I…”

  “You don’t like it.” Fae had moved away and was standing by the window, looking out at the street. “I can pick out something else if you’d rather.”

  “No! Yes. I mean, I love it. Come over here, please.” Sonia wiped her eyes and opened the box again, just to make sure she hadn’t imagined it. She picked up the white gold and diamond ring and slipped it on her finger, dropping the box to the floor. The fit was perfect. “Why do you do that? Don’t run away from me.” Sonia sniffled and swallowed, her voice wobbly and full of emotion.

  Fae stared at her with large eyes. “I couldn’t stand it if you said no.”

  “So ask me, then.”

  “Will you marry me?” Fae knelt next to her, a careful expression on her face when she saw the closed box on the floor next to Sonia’s feet. “We’ve only known each other a short time, but I can’t imagine a day going by without you here in my life. A night without you
in my bed. A family without you in it.”

  Sonia held up her left hand, the diamond glittering as bright as any star. “Yes. Oh yes.”

  * * *

  “There’s nothing you could give me that could top this.” Sonia wriggled the fingers of her left hand and rubbed her backside, wincing at the heat that still rolled beneath her skin.

  “Hmmm. I don’t know. That Santa is full of surprises.” Fae winked and laid out the last of the party favors on the table next to the door.

  “Yeah. Shiny red things.” Sonia shuddered and rubbed her sore ass.

  Fae laughed. “I hope you’re ready.”

  The doorbell rang, and a steady stream of demons and humans Sonia had seen around town paraded into their home. It was the holidays, and she knew Fae would be pleased, but Sonia was more used to social situations happening outside of her home and not in the middle of the living room. It was something she was working on. She loved Fae, and sharing the holidays with her friends was important to her.

  Sonia backed up against the wall and tried to pretend she was part of the scenery. Always, she had been on the outside looking in. She’d always felt awkward in large groups, especially during the holidays, like some part of her realized she was severed from the light and couldn’t figure out how to find it again.

  “There you are!” Monty came through the door and lifted Sonia into a bear hug. The demon was smiling, his eyes shimmering red. A large Nordic blond man in a reindeer sweater joined him on the left.

  “Howard, how do you put up with this guy?” Sonia gasped as Monty let go and her feet touched the floor once more.

  “Easy. He makes a killer eggplant parmesan.” Howard winked, and his lips curved into a smile, revealing a hint of fang.

  Monty grinned. His eyes narrowed as he picked up on the sparkling rock hanging from Sonia’s finger. “Something I should know, kitten?”