“You plan. I’ll just turn up on the day.”
Sophia released me with a chuckle. “Three days from now, everyone will be here.”
Great.
Aunt Liz smiled before opening the oven and pulling out the freshly baked bread. Yum.
“You know I was thinking,” she said. “We didn’t really celebrate Christmas.”
On account of my tortured body and injured soul. “I know. I’m sorry.”
She spun around, her forehead crumpling. “Don’t be ridiculous. We should have a Christmas redo since everyone’s coming.”
That was a good idea. Gives everyone something other than my impending nuptials to fuss over.
Maggie and Rebecca hurried down the hallway, their excited tip-tapping indicating they’d overheard and were making sure I didn’t veto the idea. There was no need. I loved my family and had missed our closeness this season because I couldn’t even get out of bed.
“It’s a great idea,” I agreed, making everyone’s eyebrows raise. Was I really that difficult?
“I’ll get the decorations back out,” Maggie exclaimed, rushing off to make sure the house looked like a snow globe.
The wards clanged, and my heart beat sped up. Hudson was here. I stuck my head out of the kitchen, finding him and Dave stepping through the door. His gaze caught mine, and he smiled. Dave sniffed the air.
“Your aunt is here.”
My lips twitched. Cabbage rolls were truly the way to anyone’s heart.
“In here, Dave,” Aunt Liz called out.
Hudson jerked his head. There was a thin folder clutched in his hand. I stalked toward him, passing Dave on my way. What had The Principal brought me?
“Let’s go upstairs,” he said after I’d greeted him with a heated kiss.
“Later. I’m hungry.” We both knew that if we landed in bed, we wouldn’t leave until tomorrow, and I needed fuel.
He smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement. “I need to show you something.”
I batted my eyes at him. “I’ve seen all your things, Principal.”
“As much as I want to show the million things you haven’t seen yet, Cora, this involves us keeping our clothes on.”
Sadly.
He ushered me up the stairs, and I rocked to a stop at the sight of my father sitting in my overstuffed armchair, reading a popular fantasy book. He smiled at me and put the book down. “Principal, did you get it?”
“Get what?” This felt like a trap.
Hudson pushed on my back, leading me to the sofa. Lucifer stalked out of my bedroom. What the hell? Wait. “How did you get inside my house?” I asked.
Lucifer smirked, holding up two cans of Diet Coke from my refrigerator.Help yourself, Uncle.“You think your wards could actually stop us?” Lucifer answered as he offered Abaddon the other can and took a seat in the other chair.
“Well, yes.”
“You are strong, Daughter, but we are stronger.”
“So you’ve been fooling me this whole time?”
“No,” Abaddon answered. “We have been learning and picking them apart with each visit.”
