vampires of san francisco 08 - merry sucking christmas (3 page)

“You spoil her,” Lily says.

“Nonsense. She’s well-grounded. She will never act spoiled. Besides she’s my godchild, I can spoil her if I want.” 

Mattie nods her head with a very serious expression on her face.

“You should listen to Uncle Aidan. He knows I’m a good girl.”

“Oh sweetheart, you’re the best girl. Mommy and daddy know that too,” Lily gently corrects her.

“Yes, my two girls are the best in the world.” Lily and Mattie smile at me.

“Now enough mushy stuff.” Aidan squeezes Mattie until she’s giggling again. “When are Diel and Julian going to be here?”

“Any minute now. We should head into the living room.”

“I need to go change. I’ll meet you there,” Lily says.

Before she can take two steps Aidan has her dressed in skinny jeans and a sweater, long riding boots, and her hair is dry.

“Yay! Mommy got a present from Uncle Aidan too!”

“Thank you, Aidan. A little notice would have been good.”

“Nah. You know how much I love surprises. What are you ladies doing tonight?”

“We’re going to your house to see Sammy, Finn, and Fiona. Mommy said we can have hot chocolate too.”

“This is the first I’m hearing of this. Manda, the little vixen.”

“Me too,” I say.

“Well, we all got tired of waiting on you guys to come home and are doing our own get together. You know, wine, kids and gossip,” Lily explains and shrugs. “We’ve done it the last two times you guys have gone out. We’re also in the middle of watching the movies about the vampires in Forks, Washington. I love the werewolves. Makes me wish I could phase into a big hairy beast. Well, I don’t really want to but they kick butt.”

“I didn’t even know we had a copy of those?” I raise one eyebrow in Lily’s direction.

“Oh yeah, I have a couple. Hannah has the last two and Manda has the first one. I really wish we had the extended versions.” No sooner had she says it, Aidan pops the collection in her hands. “Yes!” Lily fist pumps the air.

“Did you have any idea about this obsession?” I ask Aidan.

“Nope. Didn’t even know that Manda had the movie. You can believe I am going to tease her. Thank goodness there are no djinns in the movie. Less competition for me.” He winks at Lily and she laughs and kisses his cheek.

“Yes, but there are plenty of vampires. And werewolves,” I mumble. Lily walks to me and takes my face in her hands. She whispers in my ear so no one can hear.

“You’re the only vampire that can rock my world though, Bast.”

I want to rock her world now. Instead I dip her and give her a long slow kiss. I hear Aidan taking Mattie to the kitchen for a snack, discretely giving us a minute of privacy when Annie joins them. 

“I promise to rock your world later tonight when Mattie is asleep. I’d like to take you in the cabana but we don’t have time.”

I feel Lily’s legs buckle. I have to hold her up.

“Oh, Bast. You turn me on in so many ways. I look forward to tonight.”

“Me too.”

I kiss her again until I hear Julian and Diel at the front door. Aidan yells to me.

“Come on, lover boy. The guys are here and I want to go eat.”

Lily and I walk into the house arm in arm. Diel and Julian each kiss her on the cheek.

“Bye, love. Have fun watching your movies.” 

I wink at her when she narrows her eyes at me. Aidan lets a chuckle loose as he puts Mattie down. Lily just sticks her lip out as if she is majorly put out. I sweep in and nibble her lip, making her gasp. Her eyes are blazing with lust when I’m done. Mission accomplished.

5. Aidan

We’re sitting around in a cigar bar. The guys are each smoking their favorites while sipping brandy. I’m almost drunk on the energy I picked up at Sebastian and Lilith’s. They are so much in love with each other and their little girl that they sometimes overwhelm me with energy. It’s the same when I’m with Manda and our amazing son. I never thought I’d be married with a child but this is where my existence has led me and I couldn’t be happier.

“What was that, Julian?” I was lost in my reminiscing. 

“I said, what are your and Manda’s plans for this holiday season? Any thoughts on how you plan to tackle Samuel’s first holiday?”

“Manda is a firm believer in Santa. I mean of course she is.” I roll my eyes. “If that woman could have Christmas all year long she would. She goes around the house spreading cheer and goodwill twenty-four seven.”

“You love it and you know it,” Diel says. I laugh and smile.

“You know I do. I suppose that we will do the whole night before Christmas and then open presents on Christmas morning. She’s almost talked me into a Santa costume for Christmas Eve. I mean good gods, me dressed as Santa. Things I do for Samuel and Manda.” I sound like I’m complaining but they all see through me. Still, I have to keep appearances up in order to hold onto my man card in this group of manly men.

“Sounds like someone’s whipped,” Sebastian says as he holds his hands up. “Don’t get me wrong, Lily and Mattie have me wrapped around their fingers.”

Everyone laughs and takes a minute to enjoy their cigars.

“Diel, what are you getting Hannah for Christmas?” Sebastian asks.

“A motorcycle.”

I almost choke on my laugh. Only Diel.

“What? It’s a Harley and very stable. I’ve even thought about putting a side car on it to help stabilize it but she’d just put the babies in it and I don’t think I’m ready for that.”

“What on earth made you think of a motorcycle for a gift?” I ask.

“She’s a kick-ass girl and she needs a kick-ass hobby. Besides she needs to cut lose some times. I don’t want her to lose the woman I fell in love with. I’m afraid she sees herself only as a mother and wife now and that’s not going to happen on my watch.”

“You’re a good man, er, Demon, Diel,” Julian says.

“I can’t wait to see her on it,” Sebastian says. 

“What did you give Helena for Saturnalia, Julian?” Sebastian asks.

“A long velvet cape for her Solstice celebration.”

“Nice,” I say. “Did she like it?”

“Oh, I’d say the outcome was definitely worth it,” he says and winks. We all burst out laughing. The deep belly laugh that comes from bonding with a bunch of guys. It’s cathartic and healing.

“What about Lilith? What did you get her, Sebastian?” I ask.

“I had an artist put together a photo book and then I wrote a small story for each picture,” Sebastian says proudly. Everyone grunts and nods. He had to go there.

“You just had to make the rest of us look bad by making a handmade gift. You know all we’ll hear about is how Sebastian made the perfect gift,” Julian says. Sebastian laughs at him.

“What can I say? Lily needed something special and jewelry was not going to cut it. She buys all the clothes and shoes and purses she needs and some she doesn’t.” I chuckle remembering the major undertaking moving her closet to the new house.

I look up to see Andrew and Liam come in. We’d invited them but weren’t sure they’d show. They had made other plans to attend a play.

“Good to see you, man,” I say giving Liam a strong handshake. He pats me on the back and finds a seat. Andrew doesn’t bother with the universal man hug and gives me a real one.
The waitress comes by and both of them decline a cigar but give their drink orders. Andrew takes a small sip of his martini and crosses his hands over his crossed legs.

“Our play was canceled because the lead and half the cast have the flu,” Liam explains.

“What were all you manly men talking about before we got here?” Andrew asks.

“What we got the women for Christmas. Hey, did you know they watch those ridiculous vampire movies when they get together?” Sebastian asks Julian and Diel.

“I laughed when Hannah bought hers and thought it would be a gag gift for someone. I was floored when she explained they were for her. I tease her about it all the time,” Diel says, his eyes full of mischief.

“I couldn’t believe they watch them. At least the characters aren’t real. Can you imagine Liam and Lily turning into huge beasts on the full moon?” Sebastian asks and the guys answer by laughing and poking Liam in the ribs. 

He’s classy enough to look offended but underneath I know he and Andrew both have crushes on the leads in the series. I found out about their stash of movies by accident and promised them I’d keep it a secret.

“Well, Aidan, you didn’t get the third degree yet. What are you getting Manda?” Sebastian asks.

“It was really hard to think of something I haven’t already given her.”

Julian grins at me.

“I decided to get her accepted, pay tuition, and transmanifest her every day to the University of Colorado at Boulder. It’s where she’s wanted to go forever. I think she gave up on it when we got married and Samuel was born.”

“Man, that rocks,” Diel says and knuckle bumps me. “What are you going to do with Sammy when she’s gone? You know he can always come over.”

“Or over to our house. You know all of you are welcome anytime,” Sebastian says.

“Helena would love to babysit any and every time,” Julian says.

“Thank you all. I’m sure we’ll have some playdates but I want to give the stay at home dad gig a try. I just hope I can talk Manda into leaving him when she has a class.”

“You’re a good man, Aidan,” Andrew says. “What are the rest of you guys getting your partners?” Everyone tells him their plans and he nods in the appropriate places. We can all see he is dying to tell us his gift to Liam.

“I wasn’t going to ask what you are getting Liam but you look like you’re about to climb off the couch and dance you’re so excited,” Sebastian says.

Liam and Andrew look at each other and Liam takes Andrew’s hand. Smiling he says, “We’re getting married now that it’s legal. It will be a civil service at home with a judge on Christmas Day and we want you all to be there.” Andrew kisses him chastely, which is not Andrew. You can see the emotion on their faces. Love.

“Yes!” Sebastian slaps Andrew on the back so hard that he nearly spills his drink. Everyone crowds around the couple and wishes them well. Andrew takes a hankie and wipes at the corner of his eyes. “Afterwards, will you come to our house and celebrate? Lily has gifts for everyone, especially the children. I think she’s already cleared it with the ladies.”

“Of course we’ll come. You better uncork the good champagne for this, too. It’s not every day I get married,” Andrew says.

“Hopefully the only day,” Liam says taking Andrew’s hand.

“Definitely the only day,” Andrew says and kisses Liam again. Julian smiles on like a proud papa. I guess he is, in a way.

“Hey, old man, you’re the only hold out. Going to ask Helena to marry you?” Sebastian asks.

“I would love to but she refuses to even think about marriage. She says it’s an institution designed to keep women enslaved.” We’re not surprised by this. It’s not the first time we’ve heard Helena say this.

Sebastian hits him on the arm. “You have your work cut out for you.” Everyone laughs and commiserates with Julian. He looks sheepish and I wonder what he is hiding.

“Julian, what are you planning?” I ask.

He grins and ducks his head. I’m definitely intrigued.

“I bought Helena a ring. I’d planned on giving it to her Christmas morning and proposing. I know she’s going to be pissed. But I have to ask her. I want to be tied to her in every way possible. If she won’t marry me, she can wear it on another finger.”

“Good man,” Sebastian says. He claps him on the back and then takes a few puffs from his cigar. The other guys follow suit and I know they are thinking of their wives/partners just like I am.

6. Lilith

I stand outside the front door of Manda and Aidan’s house – five bedrooms plus office, entertainment room, and gourmet kitchen – with Hannah, Helena, Annie and our kids. Finn proudly knocks on their door with the brass knocker when his mamma holds him up. Now all three of the kids want their turn. They are strong, independent children like their parents. Sammy, Aidan and Manda’s son, is a sweetheart and the youngest of the four. He is quite docile unless we try to separate him from Mattie. Then all hell breaks loose. He also has a strong mischievous streak running through him. He keeps Aidan and Manda on their toes.

Manda answers the door before a full rebellion breaks out between the kids. Sammy is on her hip and she looks her usual model self. Beautifully coifed hair and big pearl earrings. She is wearing jeans and a cashmere sweater in coral. It does something to her mocha colored skin, making it glow.

“Hey, everyone. Come in, it’s cold out there.”

Mattie pulls on Manda’s pant leg to get her attention. “Can Sammy play with us?”

“Sure thing, sweetheart. He just finished eating. Are you hungry?” Manda asks the children. They all shake their heads and run off to the play room except for Mathilda. She waits for Samuel. As soon as he grasps her hand, she pulls him along behind her. They are inseparable. Aidan loves it but it makes Bast nervous. He keeps saying the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Everyone is watching Sammy closely to see if he has any djinn magick in him.

“Is he still eating just blood?” Helena asks.

“Yes, though he was making a sucking noise towards me the other day and he isn’t drinking as much blood as Mathilda did. Aidan thinks he’s supplementing with energy.”

“Mon Dieu, Sebastian will freak. He’s positive Sammy is going to be a djinn like Aidan and swoop in and marry Mattie.” Everyone laughs but Manda and me. I think we can see it. And it’s not unpleasant. In fact on some level it’s karma.

Helena shakes me, taking me away from my thoughts.

“Everyone, let’s move from the foyer into the living room,” Manda suggests.

“I better go find the rugrats. No telling what Finn is getting into,” Annie says.

“Watch him closely, Annie. He’s been trying to play with fire lately,” Hannah says.

“Oh Lordy, I better get in there,” Annie says as she runs from the room.

“Thank you, Annie!” I yell.

“Yes, thank you,” Hannah and Manda yell in unison.

“Let’s get this party started,” Manda says and leads the way. When we enter the media room we find several bottles of white wine chilling and plenty of red wine on a table nearby.