Because I never considered that family could be found.
And that this kind of love could come from people who were once strangers.
Suddenly, the music shifts and drums begin to pound.
They start slow at first and the crowd hushes, holding their breath in anticipation, but when a distant horn blows, echoing through the streets, the drumming picks up, as if it’s beating in time with a racing heart.
My racing heart.
I hate this shit.
Who wants to be scared? Who really enjoys this?
Jovie glances back at me with a grin on her face and can’t help but choke out a laugh.
Oh right.
My kid does.
She’s always been a little bit of a dare devil, but now she had a whole MC behind her, I could only imagine what she’ll be emboldened to do.
The streetlights flicker and a sharp, collective scream comes from the crowd as the outline of a large figure stands within the thick fog at the end of the street. It steps forward, his tall horns leading the way, the chains wrapped around them clanging and clinking as it moves into the light.
The crowd cheers and the Krampus throws it’s arms in the air, celebrating with them for a short second before darting off to the side and lunging at a few small children who cry immediately.
One after another, they emerge from the fog, some carrying large sticks that are on fire, others dragging chains behind them with shackles, eyeing the children in the crowd like they’re trying to decide who’s been naughty and who’s been nice.
The drums continue to pound as what seems like an endless number of monsters work their way down the street. Some whipat people's legs with a handful of thin branches, others are less dramatic, but far more intimidating as they simply lean into people’s faces with their demonic eyes and their sharp teeth spread wide.
A cold shudder shoots up my spine as one Krampus creeps toward us, low and hunched over, right in Jovie’s eyeline. My stomach twists, and my instincts scream at me to get to her.
To remind her they aren’t real.
To make sure she feels safe.
But before I can even flinch, Grizz gives Jovie’s shoulder a squeeze and I hear him murmur, “I got you, Jon Bon.”
She nods once and doesn't shy away.
Because she knows she's safe.
And I know she’s safe.
Because Grizz has proven time after time that I’m no longer the only one ready to stand between her and the rest of the world.
He’s got her.
No matter what.
Suddenly, the bastard leaps at Jovie, and her entire body jerks in fright.
It reaches under the chain fence, grasping at her legs, but she kicks at it, forcing it back far enough to let her breathe. I hold my breath, watching the two seem to stare each other down and a few seconds later, Jovie stands a little taller, her smile growing again.
“That’s not funny, Axel!” she says, laughing as she pushes at the Krampus’ chest, making him fall back dramatically. A couple of them coming up behind help him to his feet, all three shaking their heads and holding their hands up like they’re admitting defeat. Jovie narrows her eyes at them. “Yeah, you better run!”
I chuckle to myself as she high fives Grizz, and he looks back at me, hitting me with a panty dropping wink before turning his attention back to the parade.
This man.
