vampires of san francisco 08 - merry sucking christmas (6 page)

“That’s okay, Aidan. I’m kinda glad I have some mystery left.”

Aidan laughs loudly and tugs on her hand. We end up at Mattie’s door.

“I’m going to make this hard to find so that with the help of a camera…” he points and one appears above the door and then fades into hiding. “…we will know if they try to get into her room. There, done.”

“How do we find the lock?” Annie asks.

“When you get in front of the door, you whisper Mathilda Mae St. John and it will glimmer. Even if they figure out the password it’s fingerprint guarded. As a last defense I will put a button on the inside of the door for Mathilda to trigger if she is scared. It will bring me here in a flash.”

“Thank you, Aidan. I really will sleep better now knowing you are a part of the protection. Will you wait in Mattie’s room and explain it to her?”

“I will. That way Doxie and tramp will not know about any of it. I’ll just let myself out after I talk to her.”

“Talk to you soon, Aidan,” I say and stand on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. He throws his arms around me to keep me from falling and to kiss me back on the forehead.

“Anytime, Lilith,” he whispers.

I leave with Annie and go to make some food for our guests.

10. Sebastian

I’m not sure what I was thinking. I know I didn’t want to see Hannah’s family miserable and scared for the holidays. I knew we wouldn’t enjoy Doxie’s stay but at least he hadn’t tried to kill us. 

I gently and then not so gently herded them next door to our house. I heard Helena let out a deep sigh after they closed the door. She had spent so much time getting the house cleansed for Solstice and now a couple of Demons burst through the dimensions to foul it up. It was a beautiful celebration until they came. At least we got to complete it before their arrival. That would have ruined everything.

“Sebastian, where are you pushing us too? It’s quite chilly here, foggy too. Dreadful weather. Always nice down under. Shame we came at this time of year,” Doxie whines.

“Pooksie, it’s fine. This is an adventure. I can’t wait to tell baby, Pooksie, that we were here while still mommy’s tummy.”

“We just live next door, Doxie. I’m putting you in a special room at our house. Aidan magicked a window to look out on Paris in real time. It’s amazing.”

“Oooh, Pooksie, Paris!”

“Maybe we can have Aidan do that to our house down under, eh, Ce-Ce?”

“Ohh I love that you think about my needs, pooksie.”

I stifle my groan. These two are making me sick. Thank the gods we are almost there.

“I love your window, Sebastian,” Celine says in her high-pitched voice. It sounds like a cat in heat. 

“Thank you, Celine. It’s a Tiffany. Came with the house.”

“Oh, Tiffany’s. I want to go while we are topside, pooksie. Can we please?” 

Did she know any other word besides “oh” and the pitch in her voice just went up two octaves. Please Doxie, take her to Tiffany’s already. I think my head is starting to hurt. Vampires don’t get headaches. 

“Of course, Ce-Ce. Want the best for my girl. You can pick out a nice big diamond.”

“Oh Doxie, you are so good to me.” She gives him a sloppy, wet kiss that makes my blood want to come up. 

“Lily, we’re home, ma cherie. Where are you?”

“Coming, Sebastian. I was just putting some finishing touches on the guest room. Where’s Mattie?”

“Aidan is fetching her from Julian and Helena’s. I saw him just as we were leaving and he said he wanted to show something to Mattie.”

“Ah yes. He told me about that. We’ll just get some refreshments for Celine and Doxie. Come on, Annie. You were human more recently than me. I’ll need your input with real food.”

Annie follows Lily into the kitchen. I lead Doxie and his Demon equivalent of a cat fight to the guest room. 

“Here’s your room Doxie. I hope it is adequate for you. Your bathroom is right in there.” I am just about to let them freshen up when the damn Demon puts his hand through dimensions and pulls their luggage into the room.

“This will have to be okay, I guess. Not quite up to the mansion at home. Eh, Ce-Ce? We’ll have to slum it until New Year’s. Think of it as camping, kitten.”

Lily would be livid if she’d heard Doxie talk about our home this way.

“Oh it’s fine, Pooksie. Look at this window. It’s amazing.” She stands gawking in front of Aidan’s window. It really is a nifty piece of magick.

“I’ll let you freshen up while I help Lily put together a snack for you. Just come out when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Sebastian,” Celine says and winks at me. Um yeah, my blood is definitely going to come back up. I quickly leave the room and find my beautiful wife before she kills me for this. It’s either going to get me a humanitarian award or end in divorce.

11. Lilith

Annie and I chop some veggies and fruit along with imported cheese and crackers. Sebastian comes sailing into the room to open a bottle of wine from the wine cooler. I think he is testing the waters. I can’t hold in my snicker at his apparent nervousness.

“What’s so funny,” he asks, cocking a brow high.

“You. You’re so nervous. I like it. You should be.”

“Chou-chou, I’m so sorry I didn’t ask you first. I just saw the train wreck in front of me and wanted to help Diel and Hannah. She was beyond reason, as she should be.”

“I know. I was a little shocked at first but then I was so proud of you for doing it.” I lower my voice. “Aidan put in the security you wanted, plus a panic button that goes straight to him. That’s what he’s showing Mattie now.”

Speak of the devil. Aidan and Mattie pop into the kitchen making me scream. That, of course, sends Mattie and Aidan into roaring laughter.

“Are you two quite done?” I can’t be upset and they know from my huge grin.

“Nope. That was priceless, wasn’t it, Mathilda?”

“Mommie, we got you! We got you!” she sings as she dances circles around me. Give me strength. She’s going to want to do it over and over again. I hope my heart can take it.

“Yes, you did, sugar pie. Why don’t you have a bedtime snack and then Daddy and I will tuck you in?”

“Oui oui!”

Annie beats me to the fridge and gets Mattie’s blood ready. I give Aidan a cross look and he just laughs at me. Dammit, I can’t stay mad at him.

“Does Mattie understand the security?” I ask him.

“Yes, she does. She’s excited to use it so expect me popping in at all hours so she can try it.”

“I’m sorry, Aidan. I’ll talk to her about it,” I offer.

“You will not. I don’t want her to hesitate to use it. And I’ll get to have some one on one time with her. Haven’t had that in a while.”

“Thank you, Aidan.” Bast claps him on the back. “Get home to your wife and son. We’ll hopefully not see you until morning. Remember, Lily has us all serving dinner at the mission tomorrow evening.”

“I couldn’t forget. What with the texts, emails, and face timing she has been doing to everyone to make sure they are not late. Oomph! You don’t have to hit me.”

I laugh because I know he’s not hurt at all.

“It’s important, Aidan. I’m just nervous about it. It will be the first time I’ve tried something like this and I really want it to work.” I cover my mouth. “Oh, no. What are we going to do with Doxie and Celine?”

“Let’s talk to Diel and Hannah tomorrow. Maybe he can stay home with the kids and cater to his dad while Hannah helps out?” Sebastian offers.

“What do you have to do with us? We can go sightseeing. Ce-Ce wants to see the Golden Gate Bridge and seals,” Doxie says interrupting everyone as he walks into the kitchen. Celine is staring around the kitchen in awe. Yep, Aidan and Sebastian spoiled me. It’s decked out with everything. And I mean everything. It’s a shame that I can’t eat. I have been taking cooking lessons from Julian and Helena because I want to be able to cook for my god children. 

“I’m sure Diel would love to go with you. You can take the babies too,” Sebastian says. Celine frowns at that. Hmm.

“I would like to spend some time with my boy and the little ones. Never really got a chance to see them. I’ll call him now.”

Celine out and out pouts. Lip stuck out and eyes narrowed at Doxie. For once he is oblivious. I think it’s pissing her off the longer he goes without doting on her. She is fake and plastic on a good day and when she pouts she’s just ugly.

“Pooksie, why don’t we just go by ourselves?”

“What…? No, I have Diel on the phone right now.” Doxie walks out into the dining room to talk in privacy. Celine scowls.

“Celine, would you like a glass of wine?” Sebastian offers, wielding his charms. Celine simpers.

“Yes, thank you. This is a lovely home, Sebastian. It’s not quite as glam as our place down under but it’s nice for its size.” She runs her fingers along Bast’s arm and he looks pointedly at her hand but she doesn’t pull it away. In fact she winks at him. When she rubs up against him, like I am not standing across the room, I lose it. 

Aidan grabs me in an instant, knowing I’ve had enough.

“Love, let it go. You know he loves you more than anything save Mathilda. He’s uncomfortable, look at him.”

“All the more reason to rescue him or maybe kill her… not sure if I could take on Doxie, though.” Aidan chuckles and pulls me into a hug. Poor Bast is looking at us, pleading with his eyes.

Finally, Celine leaves Sebastian’s side as we hear Doxie come closer. 

“Sounds good, son. Look forward to seeing you in the morning.” Celine’s shoulders sag along with her fake boobs when she hears they have plans with Diel.

“So what is the happy family doing tomorrow?” I ask. I don’t miss the glare Celine sends my way as I stifle a chuckle. Payback and all that.

“Diel will pick us up at ten. Then we’re going to Fisherman’s Wharf and over the bridge. He promised some excellent seafood. Can’t wait. Everything down under is frozen and then shipped. Nothing fresh. Eh, Ce-Ce? Won’t that be a nice treat?” Doxie gathers Celine into his arms. She runs her hands up and down his rotund chest and plays with his tie.

“I don’t know, pooksie. Does he have to come with us?”

“What’s the matter? Of course he has to come with us. We don’t have any idea where we are going up here. I want to see my boy, Ce-Ce. Not going to get your way on this. Now, that cheese looks good.” He rubs his hands together and dives into the platter that Annie and I have put together. 

I have to say that I think better of Doxie after hearing him talk to Celine about Diel. He’s a weak man, influenced by the women in his life, but he cares for Diel. I can see Sebastian and Aidan giving him a more respectful look.

“Have a glass of wine, Doxie. We bought this on our honeymoon in Italy. You can almost taste the sunshine,” Sebastian says as he offers the Demon a glass of the fantastic red wine.

“That sounds like an enjoyable day,” I say. Poor Diel will have to put up with Celine. Hopefully he will find some kind of redeeming quality in her.

“I have to be leaving. I want to tuck Samuel in bed. Until tomorrow.” Aidan blinks out and Celine gasps. I guess she hasn’t seen him do that yet.

“He’s so powerful. Does he ever get tired?” Celine practically purrs. Gross.

“No, he doesn’t.” I can’t help but glare at her. She feigns concern.

I will end up killing her, I just know it.

12. Diel

I rub my hand across my face trying to ignore the clingy fake blonde hanging on my father. If her squeaky voice says “pooksie” one more time I’m going to toss her into the Bay. The only thing that makes this day worthwhile is the fact that Dad is completely smitten with the twins. He dotes on them, making Celine jealous. Then she acts like a child. Even though he seems to love his wife, even he is getting tired of her lame attempts to draw attention to herself and away from the kids.

“Pooksie, let’s take the Duck Tours. It looks like so much fun,” Celine squeaks.

“I think the twins would have a good time. What do you think, son?”

“I think they would have a good time. I think we might be tired of them quacking before the day is over. I can always feed the duck call to Hades.”

My dad laughs and pats me on the back.

“I’ll go buy us some tickets,” he says.

Celine drops her sweet, gag-inducing, façade once Dad is out of sight. She pulls out a tube of lipstick and starts applying copious amount to her over-huge lips. She’s a cross between Mick Jaggar and Tammy Fae. It is truly grotesque. I have to look away to keep from gagging. I haul Finn over my shoulder while holding Fiona’s hand and guide them towards the Duck Tour mobile. It’s an amphibian vehicle that tours the city and the Bay. It’s actually a great way to see the most famous parts of San Francisco in a short amount of time.

“Got the tickets!” Dad shouts with a boyish gleam in his eyes. I think he is more excited than the kids. Finn keeps trying to climb over me to get to the duckmobile. Dad chuckles and takes Finn off my hands for me and we all make our way to the tour.

The tour guide helps us up and we find seats. We are all given duck calls and told to quack whenever we want. It’s a brilliant marketing ploy. The duck sounds draw all kinds of attention. Everyone tries theirs out and, much to the twins delight, they can make theirs work. I look over at Celine and she keeps trying to work hers. Her hyper-plumped up lips are drooling all over the call, getting her red lipstick everywhere.

“Mine’s broken,” she whines. She resorts to shaking it up and down to make it work.

“You’re not doing it right, Ce-Ce. Watch the babies. They have the hang of it.”

Dad has Finn on his lap and I have Fiona. Finn decides to use his powers to obtain Fiona’s call too. When it appears in Finn’s hand making Fiona wail, Dad chuckles and gives Fiona’s back to her.

“Chip off the ol’ block, eh, son? He’s a regular treasure hunter already. Is Fiona showing any talents yet?”

“Pooksie, mine is broken,” Celine whines again interrupting me and dad. Dad actually rolls his eyes before turning to Celine.

“Just hold onto it for now, Ce-Ce.” Dad sighs but quickly puts on a smile for Finn.

“She’s starting to have some telekinesis and levitate. It causes problems with Finn. If he takes something of hers she brings it back to herself or if she wants something of her brothers she just flies it over. Of course then Finn makes it appear in his hands again. I’ve watched them fight back and forth forever before one gets frustrated and knocks the other over.” I chuckle and Dad’s face lights up.