Chapter 1
“Where do you want these?” one of the men in housekeeping asked Jasmine while pulling a large trolley filled with boxes into the living room of the family suite she shared with her mate, Silas. Lips pursed, she scanned the large room for a clear spot free from Christmas decorations or gifts. In one corner stood an eight foot blue spruce tree prepped for decorating later that day. Twin cream and blue sofas were situated into a loose L shape in the middle of the room to free up more walking space. Boxes, cartons and a few crates of holiday goodies filled the nooks and crannies of the room. Since they rarely used this formal space, preferring the coziness of their bedroom suite, she’d delved deep into her creative juices to turn this room into family Christmas central. Spying a semi-clear area in the corner, she pointed.
“Over there, please.” She moved out the way as he moved in that direction and unloaded more things she had ordered. If she had her way, they’d all be on their way to Silas’ private island in the Caribbean for a week of sandy beaches instead remaining in the wet, cold West Virginia weather. But with their enemy, Lancaster on the loose and the rest of the Liege on the run, Silas refused her request for anything that would take them away from the security of the compound.
Consequently, she intended to turn the place into a holiday wonderland and begin a boat-load of new traditions with her mate.
Her mate.
She didn’t think she’d ever get over saying that or looking at the exquisite ring on her finger. After they returned from the mating ceremony Silas registered their marriage with city hall, making it official in the human courts so everyone would know Jasmine Knight, wife and mate of Silas, La Patron.
Victoria, Rose, Lilly and Danielle walked into the room, stopped and stared at all the boxes. “You’ve made your point,” her mom, Victoria said peeking into one of the opened cartons filled with new Christmas decorations. “The place will look like Christmas this year. Silas will definitely get the message not to mess around with this holiday ever again.”
Jasmine’s gaze narrowed at the women who chuckled. “That’s not the point.”
Her mom’s brow rose but she didn’t argue.
“It’s not. The children are old enough to have fun at Christmas. At some point we need to let them be kids and enjoy some of the things we enjoyed growing up. Thanks to Silas’ super genes and the rate they’re growing, we should’ve started with the normal traditions last year. They’re ready.”
Rose, whose large stomach preceded her, sat on the edge of the sofa, pulled a box close and looked inside. “Mom was Jewish. At least she had been born Jewish, but we didn’t practice much. Remember when we were small, we gave gifts for seven days and then arranged a feast during that time, lighting the candles and then talked about things we were thankful for and spent time reflecting on things we'd like to do.”
Lilly shrugged and took the seat next to her. “I remember, how old were we when she stopped? Six? Eight?”
“When she met that tall red-haired guy who liked to laugh. He said everyone should celebrate Christmas. He put up a tree and filled it with gifts. Mom liked him and went along with everything for a few years,” Rose said.
“Then she met Thorne’s daddy. That man was so cheap. He tried to act like he didn’t believe in Christmas and giving gifts. I think that was the last time we had a tree, right?” Lilly looked at her twin and then pulled out the box of brightly colored ornaments.
“Don’t remember, but that is beautiful,” Rose said looking at the string she held and then turned them around and continued to look closely. “What do you need us to do, I can’t do a whole lot with Batman doing flips in my belly but I can point and organize.”
Jasmine smiled at her daughter-in-law. Rose and Tyrone, her son would be having their first child in two months,
“Where do you want these?” one of the men in housekeeping asked Jasmine while pulling a large trolley filled with boxes into the living room of the family suite she shared with her mate, Silas. Lips pursed, she scanned the large room for a clear spot free from Christmas decorations or gifts. In one corner stood an eight foot blue spruce tree prepped for decorating later that day. Twin cream and blue sofas were situated into a loose L shape in the middle of the room to free up more walking space. Boxes, cartons and a few crates of holiday goodies filled the nooks and crannies of the room. Since they rarely used this formal space, preferring the coziness of their bedroom suite, she’d delved deep into her creative juices to turn this room into family Christmas central. Spying a semi-clear area in the corner, she pointed.
“Over there, please.” She moved out the way as he moved in that direction and unloaded more things she had ordered. If she had her way, they’d all be on their way to Silas’ private island in the Caribbean for a week of sandy beaches instead remaining in the wet, cold West Virginia weather. But with their enemy, Lancaster on the loose and the rest of the Liege on the run, Silas refused her request for anything that would take them away from the security of the compound.
Consequently, she intended to turn the place into a holiday wonderland and begin a boat-load of new traditions with her mate.
Her mate.
She didn’t think she’d ever get over saying that or looking at the exquisite ring on her finger. After they returned from the mating ceremony Silas registered their marriage with city hall, making it official in the human courts so everyone would know Jasmine Knight, wife and mate of Silas, La Patron.
Victoria, Rose, Lilly and Danielle walked into the room, stopped and stared at all the boxes. “You’ve made your point,” her mom, Victoria said peeking into one of the opened cartons filled with new Christmas decorations. “The place will look like Christmas this year. Silas will definitely get the message not to mess around with this holiday ever again.”
Jasmine’s gaze narrowed at the women who chuckled. “That’s not the point.”
Her mom’s brow rose but she didn’t argue.
“It’s not. The children are old enough to have fun at Christmas. At some point we need to let them be kids and enjoy some of the things we enjoyed growing up. Thanks to Silas’ super genes and the rate they’re growing, we should’ve started with the normal traditions last year. They’re ready.”
Rose, whose large stomach preceded her, sat on the edge of the sofa, pulled a box close and looked inside. “Mom was Jewish. At least she had been born Jewish, but we didn’t practice much. Remember when we were small, we gave gifts for seven days and then arranged a feast during that time, lighting the candles and then talked about things we were thankful for and spent time reflecting on things we'd like to do.”
Lilly shrugged and took the seat next to her. “I remember, how old were we when she stopped? Six? Eight?”
“When she met that tall red-haired guy who liked to laugh. He said everyone should celebrate Christmas. He put up a tree and filled it with gifts. Mom liked him and went along with everything for a few years,” Rose said.
“Then she met Thorne’s daddy. That man was so cheap. He tried to act like he didn’t believe in Christmas and giving gifts. I think that was the last time we had a tree, right?” Lilly looked at her twin and then pulled out the box of brightly colored ornaments.
“Don’t remember, but that is beautiful,” Rose said looking at the string she held and then turned them around and continued to look closely. “What do you need us to do, I can’t do a whole lot with Batman doing flips in my belly but I can point and organize.”
Jasmine smiled at her daughter-in-law. Rose and Tyrone, her son would be having their first child in two months,
Similar Books
