Free vampires of san francisco 08 - merry sucking christmas by Jessica McBrayer

fly up to my mouth as emotion hits me like a hurricane. It’s a picture of me pregnant with Mattie. Sebastian is standing behind me and our entwined hands are over my baby bump. Under the photo Sabastian has written what he remembers of the memory. His words, etched in his strong slanted calligraphy, flow off the page and go straight to my heart. Each word and photo is a gift. I get up and kiss him long and hard.
    “Thank you,” I whisper. “It’s so beautiful and thoughtful, just like you.”
    “Get a room,” Julian says and smirks. I give him a look and he laughs at my attempt to glare.
    “Let me see,” Helena asks. “I’ve been hearing about this for weeks.” I hand her the memory book reluctantly. 
    “Hannah’s turn.”
    “Aidan.” Diel says and then nods at him. “Babe, we have to go outside to see your present. Get your jacket, honey.”
    “What is it, Diel? We have to get the twins dressed…”
    “Sacha, will you watch the kids? Thanks,” Diel says not waiting for a reply. He helps Hannah with her jacket and then covers her eyes as he walks her out of the house. All the adults hurry behind them.
    Sitting in front of the house is a spanking new Harley with a big red bow around it. It’s been custom painted to have blue flames on the black paint. Very Demon meets Goth. A perfect combination for a complicated woman.
    “Fuck yes!” Hannah fist pumps the air and looks sheepishly to see if any of the children hear her. “I’ve always wanted one of these! Thank you!” Hannah says while running to the bike. She quickly gets on and starts it up. When she learned to ride a bike I’ll never know. Diel looks as surprised as I do by it. He looks at me and I shrug so he laughs and helps Hannah find her helmet. With a wink from Aidan, the ribbon is gone and Hannah takes off. Everyone starts talking at once. Congratulating Diel on his brilliant gift. 
    Hannah comes around the corner, roaring to a stop. She waves Aidan over and they have a brief conversation. He nods and Hannah turns her bike off.
    “I know this is out of order but since we are already outside I thought I could give Diel his present. Aidan, if you would.”
    Aidan snaps and next to Hannah’s Harley is another new Harley, this one for Diel. She had his custom painted with red flames. These two know each other so well it’s scary.
    “Babe! Yes! I love it.” Diel lands a long kiss on Hannah until she melts like goo.
    “Let’s get you two lovebirds inside before we all freeze,” Sebastian says.
    “True, true,” Doxie says. He pats his son on the back. “Well done, son. You’ll have to bring the bike down under and we can take a trip. You and me and the wide open road.”
    Diel stumbles and looks at his dad like he can’t believe him. “Sure dad, I’d like that.”
    Doxie grins, showing his very sharp teeth. It gives me a shiver. Bast mistakes it for me being cold and wraps me in his arms. I don’t bother correcting him.
    “Everyone, please keep your jackets on. Sacha and Annie are going to keep the children for a few minutes. I have to give my gift to Sebastian. Well, Aidan had a lot to do with it too, sweetheart. I couldn’t have done it without him.” I take hold of Bast’s hand and entwine our fingers. “If you all would join hands, Aidan is going to take us to Bast’s present. It’s too big to fit under the tree.” I wink at my husband and take Aidan’s hand.
    When we are all connected, Aidan transmanifests us to darkened door in downtown San Francisco. The door is a replica Tiffany glass inset in a huge blue wooden door. I can tell Sebastian is completely confused. I love this. I wink at Aidan. Reaching into my pocket I pull out a ring of keys and hand them to Sebastian.
    “I believe this one will open the door.” I pick the right key out and give it to Bast. He starts mumbling in French under his breath as he opens the door. Something about humoring crazy women.
    “Welcome to Sin, Sebastian. Your second