“Or over to our house. You know all of you are welcome anytime,” Sebastian says.
“Helena would love to babysit any and every time,” Julian says.
“Thank you all. I’m sure we’ll have some playdates but I want to give the stay at home dad gig a try. I just hope I can talk Manda into leaving him when she has a class.”
“You’re a good man, Aidan,” Andrew says. “What are the rest of you guys getting your partners?” Everyone tells him their plans and he nods in the appropriate places. We can all see he is dying to tell us his gift to Liam.
“I wasn’t going to ask what you are getting Liam but you look like you’re about to climb off the couch and dance you’re so excited,” Sebastian says.
Liam and Andrew look at each other and Liam takes Andrew’s hand. Smiling he says, “We’re getting married now that it’s legal. It will be a civil service at home with a judge on Christmas Day and we want you all to be there.” Andrew kisses him chastely, which is not Andrew. You can see the emotion on their faces. Love.
“Yes!” Sebastian slaps Andrew on the back so hard that he nearly spills his drink. Everyone crowds around the couple and wishes them well. Andrew takes a hankie and wipes at the corner of his eyes. “Afterwards, will you come to our house and celebrate? Lily has gifts for everyone, especially the children. I think she’s already cleared it with the ladies.”
“Of course we’ll come. You better uncork the good champagne for this, too. It’s not every day I get married,” Andrew says.
“Hopefully the only day,” Liam says taking Andrew’s hand.
“Definitely the only day,” Andrew says and kisses Liam again. Julian smiles on like a proud papa. I guess he is, in a way.
“Hey, old man, you’re the only hold out. Going to ask Helena to marry you?” Sebastian asks.
“I would love to but she refuses to even think about marriage. She says it’s an institution designed to keep women enslaved.” We’re not surprised by this. It’s not the first time we’ve heard Helena say this.
Sebastian hits him on the arm. “You have your work cut out for you.” Everyone laughs and commiserates with Julian. He looks sheepish and I wonder what he is hiding.
“Julian, what are you planning?” I ask.
He grins and ducks his head. I’m definitely intrigued.
“I bought Helena a ring. I’d planned on giving it to her Christmas morning and proposing. I know she’s going to be pissed. But I have to ask her. I want to be tied to her in every way possible. If she won’t marry me, she can wear it on another finger.”
“Good man,” Sebastian says. He claps him on the back and then takes a few puffs from his cigar. The other guys follow suit and I know they are thinking of their wives/partners just like I am.
6. Lilith
I stand outside the front door of Manda and Aidan’s house – five bedrooms plus office, entertainment room, and gourmet kitchen – with Hannah, Helena, Annie and our kids. Finn proudly knocks on their door with the brass knocker when his mamma holds him up. Now all three of the kids want their turn. They are strong, independent children like their parents. Sammy, Aidan and Manda’s son, is a sweetheart and the youngest of the four. He is quite docile unless we try to separate him from Mattie. Then all hell breaks loose. He also has a strong mischievous streak running through him. He keeps Aidan and Manda on their toes.
Manda answers the door before a full rebellion breaks out between the kids. Sammy is on her hip and she looks her usual model self. Beautifully coifed hair and big pearl earrings. She is wearing jeans and a cashmere sweater in coral. It does something to her mocha colored skin, making it glow.
“Hey, everyone. Come in, it’s cold out there.”
Mattie pulls on Manda’s pant leg to get her attention. “Can Sammy play with us?”
“Sure thing, sweetheart. He just finished eating. Are you hungry?” Manda asks the children. They all shake their heads and run off to the play room except for Mathilda. She waits for Samuel. As soon as he grasps her hand, she pulls him along behind her. They are inseparable. Aidan loves it but it makes Bast nervous. He keeps saying the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Everyone is watching Sammy closely to see if he has any djinn magick in him.
“Is he still eating just blood?” Helena asks.
“Yes, though he was making a sucking noise towards me the other day and he isn’t drinking as much blood as Mathilda did. Aidan thinks he’s supplementing with energy.”
“Mon Dieu, Sebastian will freak. He’s positive Sammy is going to be a djinn like Aidan and swoop in and marry Mattie.” Everyone laughs but Manda and me. I think we can see it. And it’s not unpleasant. In fact on some level it’s karma.
Helena shakes me, taking me away from my thoughts.
“Everyone, let’s move from the foyer into the living room,” Manda suggests.
“I better go find the rugrats. No telling what Finn is getting into,” Annie says.
“Watch him closely, Annie. He’s been trying to play with fire lately,” Hannah says.
“Oh Lordy, I better get in there,” Annie says as she runs from the room.
“Thank you, Annie!” I yell.
“Yes, thank you,” Hannah and Manda yell in unison.
“Let’s get this party started,” Manda says and leads the way. When we enter the media room we find several bottles of white wine chilling and plenty of red wine on a table nearby.
“Is this your work or Aidan’s?” Hannah asks.
“Aidan’s. He did it before he left. In the fridge we have tons of bag blood too.”
“He gave me the extended versions for us to watch,” I say. “Which one shall we watch?”
“Let’s start with the first one. I want to see what we’ve missed. Julian would laugh his ass off if he knew I was doing this,” Helena says, grinning.
“I hate to break it to you, but I’m sure he knows now. Sebastian found out tonight and he’ll spill the beans,” I say.
“Oh well, he’ll have to deal with it.”
We pour ourselves wine and then find our seats. Manda puts in the DVD and sits with us as the movie starts. We all sigh when the hero comes on screen. Who cares if he sparkles, he has the best bedroom eyes.
We are through with the first movie and half the wine when the guys come barging in. They reek of cigar smoke and brandy. Andrew looks like he is ready to burst with excitement.
“Andrew, spill it. You could never hide a secret. It’s written all over your face. What’s up?” I ask.
“Miss Lily, you’re so clever. I’ll share but don’t freak out. Liam and I are getting married at home on Christmas Day,” he gushes.
“Wooohooo! Yes! Oh Andrew, I’m so excited! What can I do to help?” I’m jumping up and down on my toes. I love weddings and I love Liam and Andrew.
“Andrew said you’d react this way,” Liam says.
“And why shouldn’t I? I love you both and am so happy.”
Sebastian hugs me from behind and kisses my neck sending a shiver down my back. I start wondering if Mattie is asleep yet. I grab Bast’s wrist and look at his watch. Mattie sleeps from two in the morning until two in the afternoon. It gives Bast and me some quality time every night. It is only midnight so all the kids are up still.
“I better go rescue Annie. She’s been working since five this evening,” I say.
“I’ll have Sacha watch the kids next time. We’re still having it at our house, right?” Hannah asks.
“Yes, dearest,” Helena says. “And Lily, don’t you dare watch the next one without us.”
“I promise,” I say with my fingers in front of me, crossed. Aidan laughs and points it out.
“You can’t watch it without us. Call us if you break down and we’ll come over,” Manda says.
“Okay, I can do that.”
“Let’s get our petite fille and take her home,” Sebastian says pulling me towards the nursery. Hannah and Manda follow close behind.
We can hear them all wa
y before we can see them. They have the real train Aidan installed going and they are squealing with delight. It travels through three rooms through a special little tunnel he put in. The train goes through the nursery, the playroom, and a guest room. Finn has been pestering his uncle Aidan for one too but Hannah and Diel say no.
“Shit, the twins are going to plead their case all the way home,” Diel says. Aidan comes up from behind and bumps into his shoulder.
“Just say the word, daddy, and they can have their own.”
“Then it wouldn’t be special when they come over,” Hannah says.
“I guess you’re right. Maybe I can put a gondola up in your house? I can do something to Lilith’s too. That way the kids all have something special,” Aidan offers.
Hannah sighs. “We’ll think about it.” Aidan winks at her before he disappears and pops into the room. The kids love it when he does that and from the screams of surprise Aidan is enjoying it too.
“Uncle Aidan, can you build me a train too. Please, please?” little Finn begs.
“Your mommy and daddy don’t have room for one yet. Maybe you can come over more often and play on Sammy’s. Is that a deal?”
“Yes!” Finn and Fiona say at the same time.
Aidan laughs loudly and scoops them both up and bounces them on his hips. The twins squeal and laugh making Aidan’s grin grow. He truly loves all the children almost as much as he loves his own.
My baby is missing and I have to search her out. She’s off in the corner with Sammy playing nurse. Sammy is haphazardly wrapped in bandages made from the scarves in the play clothes box. She’s taking his temperature. I hear Sebastian mumble “merde” under his breath.
“They’re already playing doctor. What are you going to do about this, Lily?” Bast asks.
“Nothing. It’s innocent, Sebastian. Relax.”
Manda’s trying not to laugh as she and I unwrap Samuel and see what other damage Mattie handed out. When we get closer we start giggling as we see her make-believe doctor’s bag. She is using a spoon as a thermometer and has various other “instruments” out. Annie is close by keeping an eye on them. She smiles and winks at me as if to say, aren’t they cute? I wink back. Manda starts to unwrap her son and Mattie puts her things away.
“Momma, can I have a real doctor’s set for Christmas?” Mattie asks.
“Maybe, we’ll have to see.” I have already bought her a kid-friendly doctor’s set. She just doesn’t know it yet. Internally, I’m bouncing up and down. I love getting her something she wants. She’s a very simple child when it comes to her wants and needs. She rarely asks for anything. We try not to spoil her. Usually if she gets gifts we try to go through her older toys and donate them. She loves doing that, generous to the point that she’s always ready to give too much away.
Sebastian scoops Mattie up, making her giggle. It’s such a sweet sound. Thinking of our lives before her is like watching a sunset through a mask. Only getting a small glimpse of the beauty. Mattie ripped off our masks and now our world is made of blazing colors. Sebastian and I meet in a knowing gaze. I lean up and kiss him and then our little girl.
We make our goodbyes from there. Mattie will need to go to sleep soon and I want to give her a bath. Annie has worked hard today and I want to send her off for the night. She used to sleep in a spare room but we decided she needed real down time and so we put in a grandma house in the back yard. Aidan helped, of course. Construction is so messy.
Sebastian wraps his arm around my waist with Mattie in his other arm as we make our way across the street.
“Home again, home again, jiggity jig,” I say while I tickle Mattie’s side. She giggles again, lighting up the night.
“Mamma, you’re so silly.”
“I think we should tickle momma and get her back,” Bast says to Mattie. The look in his eyes is pure trouble. I get ready to run.
“Yes! Get her, Daddy!” Mattie screams as she launches at me. I spin and she misses. That’s all the warning I need. I take off for our bedroom to hide. I hear the pounding of little feet and big ones behind me. Giggling, I rush in the closet to hide.
From my hiding place I can see Mattie looking under the bed, behind the antique floor length mirror. I have to cover my mouth to keep from making any sounds.
“Ma petite cherie, use your other senses when you can’t see your prey. Try smelling where momma is.”
Mattie sniffs the air and gets a big grin on her face. I see her crouch and sneak towards the closet. I quickly pull back into the clothes so she can’t immediately see me. In the next second, little hands grab me.
“I got you, Momma! I caught you!” Mattie shouts while jumping up and down.
“Very good, sweet pea. You did very well. How did you find me?”
“Daddy told me to smell you and then it was easy.” Sebastian is grinning proudly at his daughter.
“Daddy is very smart and you, my little one, are very talented.”
“Yes, I know,” Mattie says with the confidence of a well-adjusted child. It still makes me laugh. I ruffle her hair.
“Come on, kiddo, let’s get you into a nice bubble bath.”
“Yay! Daddy, will you read me a story while I take a bath?”
“Of course, ma petite. Which would you like or do you want me to surprise you?”
“Le Petite Prince. We’re almost done with it.”
“Only if I read it in French.”
“Oui!”
Mattie and I settle in to listen to Sebastian’s velvet-smooth voice whisper the words in French to us. I wash Mattie’s long ebony hair while we listen. I realize that I am totally blissed out. My life is perfect and I can’t imagine anything that could make it better.
7. Hannah
Diel and I get the twins into bed and open a bottle of wine. Nothing better than sitting on our balcony looking out at the ocean and the few boats moving through the night. Diel holds my hand and is kissing my fingertips.
“I love your hands and fingers. They’re delicate and graceful. It’s such a contrast to the tough attitude you throw around,” he says, eyes twinkling.
“Those dainty hands can pack quite a wallop and don’t you forget it,” I growl. He captures my mouth with his and kisses me. Slow, hot kisses. Soon I’m squirming in my seat.
Diel’s mouth reaches my neck, nibbling and kissing his way across my collar bone. His mouth is warm and his lips are gentle, worshipping. I relax into his mesmerizing touch.
“Ahh,” I cry out as he massages my breast through my clothes. It’s an exquisite kind of pain and pleasure. He scoops me up and carries me into our room and lowers me to the bed. He reaches into the side drawer and takes out a blindfold and I shudder.
“I think you’ve seen enough, hun.” He slips the blindfold over my head and onto my eyes so I can’t see a thing. Not being able to see heightens all my other senses. I moan into his mouth as he kissed me.
I feel Diel move to slowly lower himself over me. He starts to unbutton my blouse. After each button is released he replaces his fingers with his mouth. He slowly kisses his way down my chest and stomach making me want his hands everywhere. Fuck he is good. He opens my shirt and the cool air hits my already hard nipples, pebbling them further. He unclasps the front closure on my bra and then I’m open to him.
He laves my breast at a lazy pace, driving me wild. I find his hair and bury my hands and fingers in it. It’s so soft and smells delicious like his shampoo. Spice and musk and all demon. I sigh as he changes from one breast to the other. It’s a hellish torture and I’m loving it.
“Diel,” I gasp. He chuckles because he knows I’m loving what he’s doing to my body. The sound vibrates against my skin.
It’s not long before we’re both naked and my mask is off. We stare into each other’s eyes as we make love. We connect soul to soul. I love him so much.
“So what did you get me for Christmas?” I ask as I lay in his arms. He laughs and rubs his stubbled chin against my neck.
&n
bsp; “No way. I’m not telling. What did you get me?”
“A surprise. I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it. It’s from you. You can’t go wrong.”
“I love you,” I say and sigh.
“Not as much as I love you.”
I drift to sleep as the sun crests the horizon. My last thought is on my small family and how lucky I am.
8. Helena
Winter Solstice is today and the entire family will join us to celebrate. I know they all love Christmas and I celebrate it to an extent but it’s not the holiday season without a solstice celebration.
I celebrate with my coven at sunrise, wearing my new cloak from Jules. We dance, chant and eat well. After leaving the coven’s property, I hurry home and start preparing for our sunset celebration.
Julian helps me tie red raffia around the oak yule log, fixing the holly in place. When that is done we haul the yule tree into the library so we can decorate it later. Next we drag the boxes of sun ornaments and the red and gold ball ornaments out of storage. I am almost ready. I have to pick out some wine to mull and make sure I have plenty of apple cider for the children. Since Finn and Fiona can eat food I had some fresh cookies delivered from a fun bakery near our house.
Everyone is due just before sunset. I still have to place all the red candles and set up the candelabras so we have a place to put our lit tapers after the lighting ceremony. I’m giddy with excitement and warm feelings.
As sunset approaches, the family starts to trickle in. Mattie is beautiful is a grey silk dress that sports a bright red bow. Lily matches in a grey sheath and Sebastian has a grey and red tie. Their little family is always exquisitely dressed and have happy, glowing faces too. Lily has fun dressing them all up but I know she would be just as happy with rags on her back.
Hannah, Diel, Finn and Fiona arrive next. The twins have been dressed all in red with reindeer head bands with little jingle bells around their ankles so we know where they are at all times. The twins are a country unto themselves. Not only do they share a language that is unique to them like a lot of twins do, they are developing their Demon traits, like Finn’s affinity to fire. It keeps us busy.
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