How I long to pull her into my arms and just sleep, but I know any minute, her brother will see the display and sound the alert.Just as I thought, the instant I snuggle into my mate, his voice booms through the door.
“Oh my God!”he screams.“Look what happened to our living room!”
The strident noise makes Noelle pop out of bed as she forces the sleep from her eyes.Panic laces her haggard breath as she feels around to find me.Through the bond, I see her fear of intruders, death, murder, or mayhem.
“Shhh,” I murmur as I hold her close, willing her heart rate to slow down.“Just a little Christmas magic.Nothing to be alarmed about.Breathe with me.”
She takes a minute or two to process before she turns and looks at me.“What did you do?”
“Do you want to ask me that, or do you want to see for yourself?”
Tearing out of bed, she throws on a pair of worn pajamas as she continues to look at me.Excitement creeps in through the bond, but I can also feel her need to tamp it down.It’s still too soon.She doesn’t know she can trust me yet.Hopefully, this is one step in the right direction.
“You gotta see this,” Daniel cries out again.“I think we’ve been robbed, but like… in reverse.”
At that, she stills and tilts her head.“Okay.Please tell me you didn’t do anything illegal.”
“Me?”I ask innocently as I place a hand on my chest.“Do something illegal?You wound me, madam.”
And that’s when her gaze drifts down to my chest.“You’re already dressed.Have you been at this all night?”
“I’ll neither confirm nor deny.Now come on, sleepyhead.Let me show you how a Locke does Christmas.”
I practically drag her out of the door until she sees the glow of the lights.Then, like a moth to a flame, she drifts forward until she reaches the living room.The soft tears of happiness that shine in her eyes as she clasps her hands over her mouth is all I need.
Through the bond, I feel the conflict.On the one hand, she’s deliriously happy.On the other, she’s guilty.
Why guilty, my love?I ask through the bond.
She turns her tear-stained face to me.Because I have nothing to give you.You’ve done all of this for Daniel, and I have nothing to give you in return.
Oh, don’t worry.I’ll be using your body later today.
I’m serious.
So am I.
/Jason…/
I’m not transactional.I don’t view love that way.I want to give you everything I couldn’t have.Especially Daniel.It heals my heart to see him so happy.Besides, there will always be next Christmas when you transform my house into a home.
You… You mean that?
With all my heart.It will never be more than just a residence without you and Daniel to fill it up with your happiness and love.
Sliding to her side, I press a button so sappy Christmas music fills the space.Noelle leans into me as I wrap my arm around her waist and hold her close.
“Are these really for me?”Daniel asks as he looks at all the loot surrounding the tree.
“Is your name on them?”I laugh.
“Well yes, but…”
“But nothing.Tear into them.”
Through the bond, I can still feel the shock as she watches just how happy her brother is.Despite all the new clothes and fancy things I have for her, I know that will be the gift she will never forget.
As he rips through the paper, sending the festive bits everywhere, I rock Noelle back and forth as I sing along with the song, changing the word Christmas to Slickmas.Aghast, she smacks my arm and whirls around.
