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December twenty fifth. Christmas day and we’re snowed in. Tonight is the full moon and we’re going to have to dig our way out of the house. If we don’t we’ll likely destroy it. Besides that we promised Big Mike that he could come over here for supper. It’s just him and his new farm hand at the house now, as Jackie his wife is out of town on an emergency. We haven‘t met the new guy yet, but Mike swears that he’s worth his weight in gold. The Twins are on their way back to help us get out of the house. I can hear them singing carols tryin’ to be funny. Violet had the forethought to make sure they put the shovel on the plow, so it shouldn’t take them too long to get in to us.
‘You’re gonna love your Christmas Present!’ I can hear Kale singing in my head. They make such a habit of it now that I find myself talking out loud and lookin’ like a damn fool when I’m in town. They still think it’s funny to watch me squirm when they start talkin’ dirty. I’m not into that and they know it drives me up the wall.
“Oh yeah? What is it?” I ask smiling at Violet. They had tried their projection with her, but she couldn’t deal with it. It made her nauseous. So I am their plaything. The baby seems to like it. When they start talkin’ it starts kickin’ hard! Oomph, gonna be a little punter. I don’t know it’s a boy, but I feel like it is. I’m gonna call him Jacob, after his father. Every man deserves their legacy.
“Can’t tell you, you’ll have to wait and see.”
***
IT TAKES THE TWINS about forty five minutes to get us a path from our ranch to Mike’s. It is quarter to three when Mike arrives. By three he is dancin’ around with Daniel. He loves that boy. He makes me sit down and won’t let me get up to do anything. I love him, but he can be damn bossy!
“So... Where’s the new guy?” I ask sipping some hot chocolate by the fire.
“On his way. He’s coming from town, insisted on getting’ some pies from Letty’s Bakery.”
“Well that’s nice. Meant Violet didn’t have to break herself too much. Not that she minds. Girl loves to cook!” I wince as the baby kicks again.
“He’s awfully excited today.” Kale nudges Orion.
“Sure he is, we all want to see what he’s got for Christmas.” Orion teases.
“Have we missed something?” Violet asks popping her head out of the kitchen. “Would you two come help me? That turkey isn’t going to get itself to the table.”
She is beaming. This is her thing, feedin’ people. And she is damn good at it.
“Sure.” They answer together.
Even Big Mike gets up, handin’ me Daniel. I smile as he reaches for my chocolate. I ease the cup to his lips and he giggles as the warm liquid goes down his little throat.
I am content when the door flies open, and the wind kicks in the snow. The smells from the kitchen mingle with the scents outside and my heart skips. I turn my head to see a figure come in from the cold. I can’t believe my eyes. It is J.D.
I stand up, putting Daniel on the ground. He just smiles at me. I am standing there, barefoot and pregnant and J.D. is just starin’ at me, tears in his eyes.
“Merry Christmas.” He chokes it out and I faint.
***
WHEN I COME TO, EVERYONE is standin’ around me, Violet is beside herself. Huggin’ on J.D. the two of them each holding my hands. I blink and J.D. is still there.
“How?”
“Turns out I had a run left in me. My wolf wasn’t gonna let me die.” He kisses my hand. I pull away just enough to wrap my arms around him and Violet. I kiss him and her both. This is how it is supposed to be. All of us together. Happy. Forever.
~The End~