Maia and Riley stayed home to give Maia some more time to heal. Alex had finished her day at work, and after going home to shower and change, was now back at Riley’s to watch over her patient. This time she’d brought back a cot to set up beside his bed.
When dinner was ready, Riley stood on the front porch and let off a shrill whistle. Lucas didn’t have a cell phone. Roman did, but it was the old flip kind and often didn’t get a good signal. So, a high-pitched whistle did the job. Riley went back inside and took his place at the table, Maia to his right, Cristie between them, and Richie at the other end of the table. Scotty sat to Riley’s left. That left two places empty. One to Richie’s right and one to Richie’s left. The one to Richie’s left was where Lucas usually sat. The one to Richie’s right would obviously be for Roman now. So, Libby wasn’t sure where she should sit. Riley got up and went to the living room, coming back with the chair that matched the desk in there. He put it on the side of the table Maia sat on, between Maia and Lucas’ chair. “We need to get a bench, like Kaid had,” Maia said.
“Yes, we do. And we will,” Riley answered. “But in the meantime, Libby, this is your place.”
“Thanks, Riley,” she answered, taking her place between Maia and Lucas’ chairs.
Minutes later the front door opened and closed, and they could hear footsteps coming down the hallway toward the kitchen. Lucas and Roman turned the corner, Lucas leading the way, “You rang?”
Riley chuckled, “I did. Dinner’s ready.”
Lucas said, “Oh, man, that smells good. What did you make, Richie?”
“I made Chicken Marsala over egg noodles. Hope you like it.”
Roman hesitated, his eyebrows raised, his eyes wide.
“Is there a problem, Roman?” Maia asked.
“Not exactly,” he said, meeting her eyes. “I’m just surprised. Do we all eat together every meal?”
“We assume we will, but if you’d rather not, you don’t have to. You are welcome to come join us for a family meal, or you can fend for yourself.” Riley explained.
“How much extra do the meals cost?” Roman asked.
“What?” Maia asked.
“Well, I haven’t asked about the dues yet, but I’m thinking the meals must be extra. I want to be sure I can afford them.”
Maia shook her head, pushing her chair back to stand. She walked around the table, took Roman by the hand and led him to the empty seat beside Richie. “Sit down. This is your seat. I will be offended if you don’t sit here most of the time. If you say you want to eat alone once in a while, I’ll deal with it, but you should eat here with us. There are no dues. There is no charge for food. We are family. We eat together as a family so that we strengthen those bonds and spend quality time sharing our meals, just like any other family.”
Roman was a big male, and seated he barely had to look up to meet Maia’s eyes.
Maia stood there, looking right back at him. “Understand?”
Roman nodded, “Yes, Reigna.”
“Maia. My name is Maia. My position is Reigna, but I’m Maia.” Maia turned and headed back to her place beside Riley. She said, “But, if I’m raging, it may be a good idea to call me Reigna. Just saying.”
Roman chuckled, and when the serving dishes came around to him, he happily dug in and scooped some of the delicious smelling food onto his plate.
Riley explained while they ate. “We do not have dues, and as far as I’m concerned, we won’t. We will work for what we have, just like everyone else should. You decide what you want to do with your money, how much you want to save, how much you want to spend. It’s your money, not mine. If you’re struggling financially, talk to me, we’ll figure something out. We are not a commune or a dictatorship. I expect you each to prosper and be successful in your own right. We’ll talk about issues, make decisions as a group. I’m sure there will be times that I’ll demand we proceed in a certain direction, but for the most part we are a family. Here to help each other, lift each other up, and ensure that we are all happy, healthy and safe at the end of the day. But at the end of the day, your personal business is your personal business, unless you choose to bring me or any of us into it. It’ll stay that way, unless you make poor decisions that affect us as a whole, then I’ll step in.”
“Any questions?”
A round of nopes and no sirs followed his short explanation.
“Oh, and another thing, if you want to work somewhere else, that’s fine. You don’t have to work for us. But know that we are opening a convenience store and a diner. I plan to, as we take on more members, start a construction business, too. I have the backing of my former Alpha. And he’s promised the umbrella of his license and insurance if we want to proceed that way. We would be a sister company to his.”
“I’m in,” Roman said. “All of it. Whatever you need me to do, just point me in that direction.”
“I guess I’m alright with it,” Lucas teased.
Riley chuckled, “Good, then we’re all on the same page.”
“What about Alex? Didn’t she want to eat?”
“I made her plate and took it to her in Lucas’ bedroom,” Richie said. “She didn’t want to leave the bodyguard since he’s in and out of consciousness right now. She wants to be there the next time he wakes, so she can ask him about his injuries and what he’s feeling. She’s really getting attached to him, I think.”
“I think so, too,” Riley agreed.
“Oh!” Maia said, “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We are having a celebration here. Food, songs, fun and family. So, unless you don’t celebrate Christmas, I’d appreciate it if everyone came. It means a lot to me.”
“Can I come, too?” Scotty asked.
“You better, or I’ll come find you,” Riley said, grinning.
The rest of the meal was a relaxed, bonding time. Just as Riley had wanted it to be. Riley sat back and watched everyone interacting. The laughter, the smiles, the easy teasing that passed around the room. It was just as he’d hoped it would be. Just like Kaid’s clan was. He’d watched Kaid, watched the way they all were with one another and taken the best parts of it and employed it in his plan for his own Pride. And it was working. He had good people with him, in a good place, and there were smiles throughout his home and his Pride. Life was good.
Chapter 33
The next day was filled with excitement. Maia had only a small nagging headache when she woke so she wasted no time jumping right in. She hurried downstairs and pulled out the wrapping paper and ribbons, wrapped everything she’d bought, and taped name tags on them. She placed them under the tree and went to the kitchen to start breakfast, only Richie had beat her to it.
“Morning, Reigna.”
“Maia. My name is Maia.”
“Yes, and you’re our Reigna.”
“But we aren’t that formal. Please call me Maia.”
“Fine. But there will be times I’ll call you Reigna. It’s a form of respect, like Ma’am or Sir.”
Maia decided that she was more interested in whatever he was cooking than convincing him to call her Maia. “What is that amazing smell?”
“It’s cream cheese stuffed French toast. My mom always made it for Christmas Eve breakfast. And now that I’m in my new home, I decided to continue the tradition.”
“Oh, Richie, it smells wonderful.”
“It is. And I have warmed maple syrup, or you can have strawberry preserves or fresh peach slices, or all of the above on top. And I sprinkle them with powdered sugar. And I have breakfast sausage, too. I’m getting ready to cook those right now.”
“Can I help?” Maia asked.
“Sure. Can you cook the sausage patties?”
“On it!” Maia said, taking her place beside him.
By the time the rest of the house woke up, breakfast was ready, and Maia had already eaten one piece of French toast and was picking on the next.
The day passed in a flash, and before they knew it, the sun was setting, and Maia and Libby were se
tting platters of warm artichoke and crab meat dip with crusty rounds of bread to dip in them, sliders with both chicken patties and burgers, meatballs in marinara sauce, tiny smoked sausages in barbecue sauce, a platter of cheeses and pepperonis and salamis, bowls of chips and nuts, a huge platter of cookies, tiny pies and brownies. They covered every surface in the living room with platters and trays, and then set out paper plates and red and green paper napkins beside all the food. They took their time, enjoying good food and good company and laughing at “Elf,” the movie that Maia insisted on watching as part of her new Christmas tradition. The only person missing was Scotty, and he was expected shortly.
Alex had called earlier in the afternoon and said she was working late at her veterinary practice, and she was expected at her mother’s home afterward, so they knew not to wait on her. But that she’d be there before the night was out to check on their patient.
Just about the time everyone had eaten their fill, there was a knock at the door. Roman said, “I’ll get it.” He hurried to the door, his mostly empty plate in hand, and after looking through the peep hole, grinned and opened the door. “Merry Christmas!” he said, his voice booming.
“Merry Christmas!” Scotty answered, walking in as Roman pulled the door wide for Scotty to enter.
To Riley’s surprise, Roman continued to hold the door opened, standing there expectantly. Then, Riley saw why. Travis stepped into the door way, and looked his way.
“Merry Christmas, everybody,” Travis said nervously.
“Merry Christmas!” Riley answered. “Come on in and join us.”
“You sure you don’t mind?” Travis asked.
“Not at all, Travis,” Riley said. He stood to face Travis, “You are always welcome here. Don’t ever wonder if you’re welcome. You are.”
Travis nodded, an unsteady smile on his face as he looked down, then up again to meet Riley’s eyes.
Riley was surprised when he raised his eyes to Riley’s from the floor and said, “Thank you, Alpha.” He covered his surprise well by stepping forward, and laying a hand on Travis’ shoulder to guide him into the room. “Come on in, we have more than enough food. Make yourself a plate and relax.”
Scotty had already filled his plate and sat on the floor cross-legged, laughing and shoveling food into his mouth.
Travis served his plate then took a seat on the couch. He made eye contact with Libby and then with Lucas, who got up from his previous seat to drop down next to Libby. “Merry Christmas, Lucas, Libby.”
Lucas, always making an effort to be positive, despite the air of darkness that from time-to-time hung around him, said, “Merry Christmas to ya, Travis!”
Libby thought about not answering him, but she was so tired of the angst she dealt with thanks to his presence. She decided to try another avenue and let it go. She smiled warmly at Travis, “Merry Christmas, Travis. I’m glad you came.”
“Really?” he asked.
“Really. No one should be alone on Christmas.”
Cristie was making another round of walking through all the packages under the tree. She’d been walking back and forth, gently moving one aside, then another before yet another caught her eye, and she’d go toward that one. “Can we now? Pleeeeaaaaassssse?” she begged.
Riley looked at her, cocking his head to the side exaggeratedly. “Can we what now?”
“Doddy!” she said. “Please can we open presents now?” she begged, her hands pressed together in front of her, leaning over and fluttering her eyes at him.
Riley laughed, “Fine, we can open presents now. Who’s going to be Santa’s helper and hand out the gifts? Libby? Will that be you?” Riley asked.
“Sure, I’ll do it,” Libby answered. She got up and went to the tree. “My gosh, there are so many gifts!” she laughed.
“Here, I’ll help,” Roman said.
Together they made short work of sorting the gifts and getting them to all the right people. Even Scotty and Travis were handed gifts with their names on them.
Travis looked up at Riley, “I… we didn’t expect gifts. I didn’t bring anything.”
Riley grinned, “Sure you did. The Christmas tree was a gift, was it not?”
Travis swung his eyes to the tree, now decorated with homemade ornaments and sparkling lights, he nodded his head, “It was.”
“Can’t be Christmas without a tree, so just get over yourself and open your gift.”
Travis smiled, nodding. He slid a finger under the edge, tearing it open. He dropped the paper to the floor, turning the book over in his hands. Travis reverently smoothed a hand over its cover, an emotional smile spreading across his lips. He opened the book and read the first few lines that had been handwritten there, ‘I didn’t write it, but I think your story belongs in here among these. Just in case you ever forget who you are, open these pages. You are one of the most honorable males I’ve ever known. I’m proud to know you. Thank you for your service. ~Riley.’
“Hold it up! What is it?” Maia asked.
Travis looked at Riley, the emotion clear on his face, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Riley replied.
Travis held up the book so Maia and everyone else could see, ‘Medal of Honor, Portraits of Valor.’
“Wow. That is so perfect for you,” Maia said.
Scotty grinned, nodding, “Yeah, it really is.”
Scotty couldn’t take it any more. He tore into his gift and immediately responded to what he found inside, “Ohhhhhh, this is so cool!” he said, jumping to his feet. He dropped the large clothing box to the ground, snatching the real, black leather motorcycle jacket from inside and slipping it on. “Oh, man. Riley!” Scotty said, running his hands over the leather.
“You like it?”
“I may never take it off!” Scotty said seriously.
“It’s got a quilted liner in it for winter. If you want to wear it when it gets a little warmer, you can unsnap the liner, and it won’t be quite so warm,” Riley explained.
“And here, we got you these,” Maia said, handing them both smaller packages.
Scotty opened his to find a red and black flannel scarf. He immediately put it around his neck and modeled his jacket and scarf for everyone, strutting back and forth, “I look cool, huh? Huh? Don’t lie, I look good!”
Everyone laughed. Then Travis opened his. It was a deep green, and it was knitted, rather than the flannel that Scotty’s was.
“Try it on,” Maia urged.
Travis rubbed the scarf between his fingers admiring the softness of it. He lifted it to wrap around his neck and throat, and the scent caught his attention. Immediately his eyes flashed to Libby’s. He looked at her, a question in his eyes.
“Do you like it?” she asked softly.
Travis held the scarf to his face, inhaling — once, twice, three times. “Very much,” he finally answered.
“Told you he’d like it,” Maia mumbled to Libby.
“Did you make this, Libby?” Travis asked.
Libby nodded, then she said, “Yes. Maia said she thought you’d really like it. So I made it for you.”
Travis lifted the edge of the scarf to his face once more and inhaled before looking at Libby again. “She was right.”
Libby smiled tenuously, and nodded, “I’m glad. I wasn’t sure you’d like it.”
Then Cristie broke the mood, having just torn the paper from the largest box in the room, “I gots a car!” she screamed, jumping up and down.
Riley laughed, “Yes, you do! Where are you going to go in it?” he said, watching her excited over her battery-operated Barbie Corvette.
“All the places!” she shouted, grinning ear-to-ear. “What else?” she asked in typical kid fashion, looking around at all the other gifts.
Maia said, “Here, baby. All of these are yours. Come over here and let me help you.” Cristie hurried over to the stack beside Maia and sat down to start tearing into them.
“So, how do we do this, does everybody have
to take turns?” Lucas asked.
Riley laughed, “This is Christmas! Do it however you want. Sit back and watch or tear into them.”
Everybody started tearing into the gifts, except Roman.
“Roman, open yours!” Maia encouraged.
“I wasn’t sure they were for me,” he answered.
Maia stopped helping Cristie open her next package, “Is your name on it?”
“Well, yes.”
“Then it’s yours. Open it!”
Riley sat back and watched as his friends opened their gifts from him. Richie opened his from Riley first. He tore away the paper and stopped, shocked. “Riley, I can’t believe you did this.”
“What? You said you didn’t have a computer, so I bought you a laptop.”
“And me, too!” Maia said, excitedly, tearing the paper from hers as well, at the same time she watched Cristie tearing open another of her own gifts to find a Leappad tablet of her own.
“I gots a ‘puter, too!” she announced. Then started tearing through the other gifts. She got clothes and stuffed animals and a new baby doll, and ooh’d and ahh’d over each one.
“You can take your classes online and finish up that way, Maia. Your dad is taking care of it on his end,” Riley explained.
“Thank you, Riley,” Maia said, blowing him a kiss.
“A phone!” Lucas said, holding up his new phone.
Roman tore the paper off his as excitedly as Cristie did hers, almost as though he’d never received a gift, “I got one, too!”
“Now I can call both your asses, whenever I want to. And you can call whoever you want. Roman, throw away that damn flip thing — it doesn’t even work half the time.”
“Thank you, Riley. I appreciate it more than you know,” Roman said, a never-ending grin painted on his face as he looked at his new smart phone.
“The phones are all activated and set up. Ready to go,” Riley said.
Libby opened her gift from Riley and exclaimed, “It’s beautiful!”
“Do you like it? I hope you do. It made me think of you,” Riley said.
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