Chapter 16 Roscoe
SIXTEEN
ROSCOE
Christmas Eve at Right as Rain(deer) was extra special this year because it was Holly’s first.
I was inside chatting on the phone to a client but while my mouth was engaged, my eyes were watching my mate and daughter through the window. Reed had our four-month-old bundled against his chest, and he was chatting to a tree and she was kicking her legs and gurgling.
I had to get out there once I helped my client off a ledge, not literally, but he was worried about a deal possibly going wrong. But the pack were on the tree lot along with another pack who’d been enlisted to help.
“That's Isa, sweetheart,” my mate’s voice drifted across the lot. “She wants to say hello.”
Our daughter cooed. Reed told me every babble and burble was Holly telling the trees how smart they looked.
“Roscoe?” I ended the call as my mate appeared at the back door. Holly grinned when she caught sight of me. “The other guys are busy. Could you help this family load their tree?”
“Be right there.” I kissed him and Holly's nose, breathing in her baby aroma that my beast assured me carried the reindeer scent. “How's our little Christmas baby doing?”
“The trees are showing off for her,” Reed grinned. “Richard rustled his branches.”
The afternoon and evening passed in much the same way as last year.
Holly had napped earlier but woke when the reindeer entered the lot and I helped her feed them carrots.
Santa flew over head with Erik pulling the sleigh.
He was now a semi regular and hoped to be promoted next year when one of the older reindeer retired.
And when the evening wound down and we were at home, Reed and I collapsed into bed, knowing we’d have to be up early to welcome Erik home.
Holly woke us and when she’d been fed and changed, we made our way to the barn just as Erik returned.
The pack had put on a huge Christmas feast, not only for him, but for everyone.
We had voted that only the children would get gifts because we were so fortunate to be living on land where the pack could grow and flourish.
Everyone fussed over Holly and brought her gifts. Baby shampoo and moisturizer from Herbal Harmony, cute sweaters and overalls made by Daphne, while Reed and I had paid Anthony to make her a tiny wooden toboggan.
But when everyone had finished eating and the last gift was exchanged, Erik stood up and waved for everyone to be quiet.
Reed was holding our daughter because she didn’t want to be in the high chair, and I took her hand. She stopped blowing raspberries at the kids across the table, and focused on Erik.
“This is our second Christmas here but it’s Holly’s first and as reindeer shifters, a child’s first Christmas is special.” He grinned and looked at the pack seated around the large table.
Our daughter squealed on hearing her name and everyone laughed.
“As you know, every child in the Dark Crown Pack receives a gift from a special someone on their first Christmas Day.”
Reed mouthed at me, “What is it?”
“You’ll see,” I whispered.
From under the table, Erik pulled out a bell. Not just any old bell. This was a shiny silver one to put on a harness and it had Holly’s name engraved on it.
Our daughter’s eyes grew wide and she reached out for it. The pack cheered.
“This isn’t a toy, little one.” Zelda chimed in. “This is a gift from Santa and he gave it to Erick to give to you.”
Reed’s face was a mixture of confusion and pride, tinged with fear.
“Please tell me our daughter won’t be up there with Santa next year? You told me—”
I put a finger to his lips and slung an arm around him. “Every reindeer shifter is gifted a harness bell. I have one, it’s on our mantlepiece.”
“Oh, I thought that was a present from the pack.”
Erik gave us the bell and we took pics of me, Reed and Holly with the gift and more photos with everyone.
As we walked home and Holly tried to grab her present, I explained that having a harness bell was a rite of passage for reindeer shifters. But not everyone learned to fly and not all who did were chosen to pull Santa’s sleigh.
“My gut is telling me our daughter will be clamoring to fly as soon as she meets her beast.” Reed sighed. “And I’ll have to worry about her whenever she takes off.”
“She’ll probably be pestering Santa with videos of how proficient she is,” I joked. I hoped not or she might get banned from Santa’s Village.
My mate rested his head on my shoulder. “Or she’ll fly up to the North Pole and tell him herself.”
We passed the office and the holly that was blooming near the door, and continued on to the house. Reed put our daughter down for a nap while I made coffee.
“I could have done that. I’m so much better than I was at brewing it than I was a year ago.”
That was true, though his coffee-making ability had stalled and not improved enough for my taste.
“We have the cabin booked for next week. Are you ready to unplug and unwind?” I placed a tray on the table.
“So ready.”
Reed had hired a full-time manager for the lot which gave him more time to spend with Holly but the lead up to the holidays was exhausting no matter how many people were helping out.
My mate pulled out a wrapped gift from behind a cushion. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
“Oh, a present. What a surprise!” I brought his gift out from behind the couch. “Merry Christmas, darling.”
“I wonder what this could be.” Reed tore at the wrapping paper. “A sleigh bell? With my name on it?”
“I didn’t want you to feel left out. We can put it with mine and Holly’s.”
Tears slid down his cheeks. “I love it. Thank you.” He threw himself into my arms. “Now you.”
I unwrapped the present to find a framed family portrait, drawn by Zelda. It was Holly, Reed and me, but me with antlers, like that day when I’d revealed myself to my mate.
My heart was so full, I had no words so I rested my head on Reed’s and breathed in his scent. In the distance, a car on the highway was blasting Christmas carols. Jingle Bells rang out across the lot and the remaining trees swished their branches.
This was our Christmas magic. It wasn’t just about the trees that had passed down knowledge over generations, or Santa flying across the sky, it was us, me, Reed, Holly, and the pack creating our forever home.
THANK YOU FOR READING.