Hastein laughed, “That is true. It would definitely be fun and quite the sight to see.” Xander snorted, “A Dragon you guys. She’s a Dragon.” I offered, “A royal one too.” Xander laughed, “Of course she is. Queens of the Hackura are usually daughters of a lord. Naturally, Kingsley is a Princess. Are there more Dragons somewhere?”
Kingsley answered, “Your Uncle Aiden says there are. The Dragon realm closed themselves off as you know. Your Uncle gave me several books about our history, and likely who my family is.” I hugged her. Kingsley added, “I don’t remember a lot about my life. I always knew I was a Dragon and that I had Kayda, but I didn’t know I was royal until Melanie looked into it. Your Uncle Aiden is actually being quite helpful.”
Hastein snorted, “Because he wants something in return.” I thought about it then blurted out, “Yes and no. K gives him access, but Fairies are also curious by nature. Aiden would want to know more about Kingsley.”
“When you factor in that it will be important to Haley to help Kingsley… Aiden does actually care and want to help. He just has added bonuses in it for him as the King of Faerie. You can’treally fault him for it. Because of who she is mated to… his main motivation is to make his sister happy. Your dad would do the same.” Kingsley smirked at me.
Hastein sighed, “Fine. That’s somewhat true.” I laughed, “It’s all true. Aiden is a good guy. He’s also a King. You understand the things he does. If K wasn’t mated to someone important to Haley, he would still offer to help because Haley would want to help someone in need. It just wouldn’t be as important to him as it is now because of who she is.” Hastein tussled my hair.
I gasped, “Hey! I spent a long time getting the tangles out of my hair.” Hastein laughed, Kingsley wiggled her eyebrows asking, “Did you?” I answered, “Well, yes. When you have sex for four days straight without seeing a hairbrush your hair revolts.”
I clapped a hand over my mouth. Hastein laughed and Xander chuckled. Kingsley smirked, “Four days straight huh? Nice.” I offered, “Well, I slept… some… not much… or it didn’t feel like much. I mean you just wait for when you feel the need to get your breeding cave in order to nest… then you’ll see.”
Hastein asked, “Excuse me? Did you just say breeding cave?” Xander chimed in, “She mentioned nesting too.” I flushed, “Well, that’s just… what the books call it. I’m pretty sure it doesn't have to be in an actual cave.”
“Kayda would know… they just get the sense to start making sure that they have everything they need near them… and stocking up on things. They create their own little cave to nest and breed in. I’m pretty positive it does not require a real cave… but Kayda does like those so… ya know.” Kingsley laughed.
Hastein teasingly asked, “Is that so, K?” Kingsley smirked, “I get more warning than wolves. I’ll feel the need for you to be near. Then, as she said, to make sure we have everything we need to hole up for a period of time. I’ll find some place that feels safe and protected and start nesting so to speak.”
Hastein smirked, “Well, I can’t wait.” Kingsley giggled, “Neither can I.” I couldn’t help myself, so I squealed, “Aww, you guys are so cute!” Hastein laughed, “Let’s get back and start this Christmas tree picking ordeal.” I smiled.
Xander popped us all back where everyone was already waiting. Xander must have linked them. My family was here along with his siblings. Cassie looked ready to burst at any moment with her twins. Tristan linked, “Merry Christmas, Ladybug.”
I took a deep breath because I never thought I’d hear my brother say that ever again. My mom ran forward and swung me around. Several people shouted, “Merry Christmas, Ladybug!” I smiled replying, “Merry Christmas!”
Xander snapped his fingers then instructed, “Let’s go pick a tree.” Rena popped in with Dax, Caine, Judy, and Buck even came. The Kyle’s were popped in and it felt like a whole moment. It started snowing outside.
I gasped, “Did you do that, Xander?” My mate winked at me saying, “It didn’t feel right without snow.” I squealed and ran outside and gaped at the tree choices. Sierra said, “These are much better than the ones we got to choose from on Christmas Eve.” I gently pushed her saying, “Our trees were awesome.”
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!” Tristanasked, “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.”
