Chapter 9 One Normal Thing #8
Caine said, “These are more what I was thinking, but they are bigger.” Dax agreed, “Same.” Valentina laughed, “Our trees were Charlie Brown trees.” I muttered, “They were still awesome… because they were ours.”
We walked around the whole area Xander had snapped. I saw other members of the pack were out here getting trees too. I couldn’t help but feel incredibly special and loved that my mate had done this for me. Eventually we all agreed on a tree.
Tristan insisted on cutting it down with a saw instead of having it snapped done. Dax clapped, “And there it is!” Tristan asked, “Huh?” Kai said, “Daddy’s right, cutting it down is part of the experience.” I hugged him, “It so is.”
Kai whispered, “I’m so glad you’re here this time.” I admitted, “Me too.” I refused to think about all these moments I’d missed with my nephew. I was here now, and we could make up for lost time. Everly squeezed my hand briefly then let go.
Caine chuckled, “I knew there was a reason you insisted Dax or I cut down the tree. It’s because T did it.” Dad said, “Or me but yes that will be why.” It was… a tradition. Tristan winked at me and had Kai helped make some cuts before all the guys joined him.
Tristan, Jason, and dad carried it inside while Kai held onto the end of the tree. Decorations were snapped and conjured to us in boxes. I jumped into Xander’s arms and kissed him when I saw our beat up boxes of decorations from Nashville there too.
I pulled a nice box off the bottom. I took it with shaking hands. Sierra linked, “You can finally give them to him.” I could. Kai asked, “What’s that box, Aunt Ladybug?” I whispered, “Umm so… it’s just that… well… Uncle Duncan…. He always got me an ornament every year…and it’s silly but…”
Kai laughed, “He still does that. We have an Aunt Ladybug tree. We sent you pictures, but it wasn’t you.” Xander squeezed my waist. I whispered, “Uncle Duncan still… I mean… he didn’t… break them?” Dad growled, “What?”
Addison said, “Melanie got three ornaments that she said were hers and they were all smashed.” I admitted, “They were Uncle Duncan’s presents… well the ornaments he got me. I glued them back together… so I do have them.”
I dug through the box and pulled them out. I rambled, “I was always good at jigsaw puzzles… and putting things back together… so… I kept them… which I just figured Uncle Duncan knew I could do… and... umm yeah… so this wasn’t the point.”
Mom said, “Ladybug, we still have those. Someone must have just bought replicas.” Ok…
well, I wasn’t going to cry. Freya said, “This is going to be an adorable moment.” I gave Kai the box, “So, I just thought… umm… that since you were born… that I’d buy you an ornament… and I put them on the tree every year.”
Everly said, “That’s really sweet, Melanie.” Kai asked, “Can I open them?” I answered, “I mean… they’re yours… so definitely.” Dad came over and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Kai opened the box.
Kai pulled the one I had with a blue ribbon. It was a custom shadow box that I made. I put a tree in it with a heart. I put a tape measure decoration piece that said how long he was at the time he was born, his weight, the year and cut out of the state of Tennessee.
Kai yelled, “This is so cool! Dad, is all this right? Was I twenty-three inches long?” Tristan answered, “It’s all correct.
” The only thing I didn’t have correct about Kai was who his dad was.
Kai opened the next one, “An excavator! And look!!! Look dad, I’m driving it!
” Kai yelled, “Mom, look I’m dressed as a ninja turtle in this one! AND I AM A DINOSAUR HERE!”
Kai ran over and hugged me, “I love them! Best tradition ever! Thanks, Aunt Ladybug.” I choked up, “You’re welcome.” Kai ran to the tree to hang them up, and I turned to wipe my eyes. Xander kissed the top of my head linking, “That’s an adorable tradition you kept up.”
Dad hugged me, “Your Uncle would never break a single one of those ornaments he got you.” I was glad because thinking he had hurt a lot. We started drinking and got to decorating. I nodded. Tristan hugged me, “Thank you for doing this for Kai.” Everly simply squeezed my arm.
Kai grabbed me, “Come on, Aunt Ladybug. Help me hang myself as a ninja turtle.” I went around and picked him up so he could put it where he wanted. Tristan had to help him with others. Mom hugged me and wiped her own eyes.
Jason teased, “I see you’re showing me up with ornaments.
” I snorted, “Uhh I will easily show you up with the toys I bought him. Some might call the presents excessive… ok they are excessive… BUT Haley put out a paper about how Aunts and Uncles have to spoil their nieces and nephews. It’s literally a chemical reaction. ”
Haley yelled, “Damn straight you do!” Kai yelled, “You got me presents?” Sierra snorted, “You all are not prepared.” Tristan replied, “We actually are on this one.” Addison dryly replied, “Ok.” Jason tickled her, “Mel always went all out for her presents.” We focused on decorating the tree.
We were all laughing and having a good time together. It was the normal moment I’d been craving and had my heart set on. When we were done Paige raised her glass and said, “I can’t believe we all found our mates, and they are friends or related to each other.” I snorted, “I can.”
Paige said, “Of course you can.” I shrugged, “It makes sense considering we have our core group. We all instantly felt like friends. Kingsley and Angelique bonded so fast for two people who are usually loners. They even kept in touch with each other….so it makes sense their mates are brothers.”
Angelique wiggled her eyebrows, “Brothers who can keep up with our sexual appetites. Which is NOT easy, but they do a damn fine job.” I blushed.
Xander chuckled while Angelique sighed contentedly boasting, “I’m not even joking when I say my man just keeps going.
I’ve thoroughly inspected him for the place where he keeps his batteries, but I haven’t found them yet.
I am on the case.” I snorted and kept drinking.
Kingsley offered, “Kayda has no complaints.” Angelique said, “Well that’s just a testament to Hastein.
The future Hackura King has got it going on.
Not that I find that information surprising in any way, shape or form.
As stated, he’s the future King of the Hackura.
Of course he’s got to be hung like a horse and have the stamina of a god. His brother is and does.”
Avery squealed, “ANGELIQUE!” Angelique laughed, “What? Don’t tell me your wolf doesn’t have it going on. You and Miss Paige. Look at our Witch over there getting engaged and everything. You’re getting married, Paige. YOU.”
“Little Miss ‘it will take so much for me to get married even to my Wick.’ The Alpha dude I thought I was going to have to hate has to have it going on. There’s no shame in the fact that our men can satisfy us. It makes life more fun”
“Plus, they don’t have to worry that we complain about them in bed to our friends.
Trust me. When you have to put in the work to teach them things in bed, it’s worth it but exhausting.
This way is better. I used to think of it as helping women as a whole.
Because I knew the next girl would be getting some good D. ” I bit my lip and kept drinking.
Tristan commented, “I’m going to need Melanie to continue not contributing to this conversation.
” I laughed. Angelique said, “Umm then you can leave Tristan, I still don’t know if I like you, McAlister.
I have listened to the Xander saga for YEARS.
I need the details because it’s only fair.
I’ve even watched videos of him working out. ”
Jason laughed, “Mel had you watching Alexander’s training videos too?” Angelique laughed, “Sure, Jason. Those are the videos we watched. Yeah, those.” I gasped, “Angelique!” Xander was amused but I was not. Freya said, “Oden is so intrigued right now.”
Xander asked, “What other videos would you have?” I squeaked, “Videos? That’s a strong word…
I mean… I do have them… .and they aren’t exactly videos.
I guess they might be… recordings… might be a better word.
We did watch your training videos… that’s a thing we did. Angelique saw those… didn’t you?”
Angelique answered, “Quite a few actually. I’m sure it doesn’t shock anyone that I was often Melanie’s drinking buddy. Those girls stopped her from doing things while I encouraged them.” Cayden snorted, “You couldn’t have told her to call me?”
Angelique told him, “Had my girl called you, I wouldn’t have stopped her. We often talked about guys. Which for her was always her Xander. So Mel, give me the details. You finally bagged your Xander and popped your cherry. How was it?”
Tristan groaned, “No. Just no.” I flushed.
Angelique warned, “I’ll set you fire, obnoxious man.
I’ll do it. Don’t test me. Or get in the way of me and my drama or tea.
” I warned my brother, “She’s serious, T.
” Tristan groaned, “Then I’ll be back later.
” I agreed, “Good call… but with Kai… because I’ve got presents for him. ”
Tristan agreed, “I’ll go tell him there are presents.” Jason got up and left with him. Angelique snorted, “Sticks in the mud. How are you related to them, Mel? Seriously? Anyway, the sex. Was it everything you hoped it would be?” She winked at me while I flushed crimson red.
I drained my drink. Freya told me, “Go ahead and answer. It’s not like they don’t know. He’s a Supernatural and an Alpha.” I answered, “It’s better than I imagined.” Xander felt smug. Angelique squealed, “THAT is what I’m talking about! I mean we heard those noises all the way on Hastein’s island.”
I snorted, “You were there too?” Angelique answered, “Just for a little bit. K and I have our own Christmas traditions. We included our mates in on them. Girlfriend, the NOISES. You’ve got lungs I didn’t know about.” I flushed.