“Well, I love him—I’m just not sure I need a husband right this very moment.” I bite down over my lip as I look to Logan. “Nothing personal.”
“Duly noted.” He blinks a wry smile right back.
“Oh come, don’t be silly.” My mother lifts her hands to the ceiling, and a heavenly choir rings out in perfect harmony. “I’ve put some thought into this, and what better eve to commence such a momentous occasion? Christmas Eve is so very special, and to share your special day with the Master is an honor indeed.”
I shoot my father a look and he shrugs.
“You’vethought about it?” A dull laugh rattles in my chest as I look to this illuminated version of myself.
Both Jack and Judy inhale a sharp breath—and if I’m being perfectly honest, Logan might have done just that, too.
“Yes, Skyla.” Her eyes sharpen over mine, and that incredulous tone lets me know I should always consider the fact my mother is mapping out my future without my permission. “If not I, who will dictate where your feet may fall?”
“How about me?” Now it’s my voice that holds the incredulous tone. “It’s my future, Mother. It’s up to Logan and me to decide whether or not we’ll take that step one day.”
“Logan is ready now.” Her eyes widen just a notch, her bubbly demeanor quickly giving way to fury. “This shall be your wedding night. You’ll wed here, before the gentry. I was kind enough to exhume your father and your future in-laws from the heavenlies.”
“Where’s Rory?” I cast a suspicious glance in the vicinity, hopeful that we can change the subject.
A tiny girl steps out from behind my father, her dark hair set in neat twin French braids, her glowing blue eyes pinned to mine with hatred.
“She didn’t ask about me, did she, Grandfather?”
“Sage!” I drop down over her with a monstrous embrace and she wriggles out of it in record time.
“Don’t touch me,” she spits the words out as she heads to my mother’s side. Sage has donned a ruby red velvet dress lined with tapestry piping, and the buttons on her poncho look as if they were hand forged, steel lattice that I could stare at for days.
My mother drapes an arm over her. “Now, Sage. Do be considerate of the one whose womb you were knit into existence.” Her lips curve with a smile as she looks to me, perfectly satisfied by the constant rejection my daughter gives me.
Logan pulls me back and wraps an arm around my waist to comfort me, but it’s my father that heads over and does the same for Sage.
“Of course, your mother wants you, dear.” His soothing tone is a balm to me as well. “I’m willing to bet she’d rid the entire lot of us just to have you all to herself.”
“He’s right.” I don’t hesitate to let her know it. “I love you, Sage. I love you more than you can ever understand. You’re my whole—”
“Are you saying I’m a nitwit?” Her face inches up to mine.
“No, never. Sage, you’re everything to me. You and your brothers—”
“Where are the little pigs?” She sneers just past me. “I suppose they’re with Father. I’m off to tug on their ears.” She heads for the exit. “Their squeals of pain please me. I’ll make sure my new stepmother squeals, too. Consider it my first and last holiday gift to you.”
Judy taps her hand across her nearly invisible chest and shrugs my way. “She’s a lovely girl.”
Her husband nods to both Logan and me. “Upright in every way. It’s a tough transition visiting the home planet.”
Home planet. It makes them sound like aliens, and in a way I guess they are.
“I should probably get in there.” I look to my father, forlorn. “I have to face them sooner or later. And I don’t like the idea of the boys spending prolonged amounts of time with either Chloe or Gage.” I wince as I look to his grandparents. “Sorry.”
Judy crimps her lips. “No apology needed. We are equally vexed and perplexed.”
Logan offers my shoulders an affirming squeeze. “Thank you all for coming down. It’s always a blessing to see you.”
My mother’s eyes ignite with fire. “We’re not leaving. Skyla, you will wed Logan sooner than later. You have an obligation—”
“To my heart,” I cut her off. “To myself. And to Logan.”
She flits her gaze to him. “Are you prepared to wed my daughter?”
