Free Kink the Halls: A Christmas Novella by Dawn Robertson Page A

to think I am.
    I pray Paisley can repair me.
     

(Seven)
    I haven't seen four in the morning in years. I mean, of course I have pulled all-nighters, but I have never gone to bed only to get up a whole three hours later and watch kids tear presents open under a Christmas tree. I’m sure this is something I’m going to have to get used to, but this whole picture perfect Christmas morning stuff is doing a number on me.
    I yawn and fall back on the couch. Levi's arms wrap around me, and I snuggle in close to his chest. Maybe if I doze off no one will notice.
    “O-M-G!” Magnolia screams through the sea of wrapping paper covering the floor. Kids actually speak in text now? What is this world coming to? She stands, leaping across the room heading straight for me. Fuck!
    “THANKYOUSOMUCHAUNTSEVEN!!!!!!” Take a breath child, please. Don't pass out on account of a damn present. I look at elf Levi next to me wondering what the hell he bought this child that has her bouncing off the walls. He gives me a wink and she waves the box through the air.
    “Just what I wanted!!!!!” she yells some more. An iPad box presses tight against her chest. She is hugging the box. Well, at least I get super aunt points my first year in this game. Counts for something right?
    “Be sure you thank Uncle Levi too,” I give her a hug, and go right back to my human body pillow. I smile when I think about the box under the tree I wrapped for Levi. I hid it all the way in the back, so the kids and everyone else would have their excitement first.
    Star sits next to the tree, in between Chrome's legs passing out all the presents. Reading each label carefully, and tossing the gift in the appropriate direction. I’m almost asleep again when I hear her call my name. A present? For me? No way. She tosses a small box in my direction, and I grab it before it nails me right in the forehead.
    “I'm gonna get you back for that, bitch.” I growl at her while I read the label. It reads:
    To: Seven
    From: Levi
    I thought we have agreed no gifts? I mean, yeah he agreed to it. I didn't. But I didn't want him to get me anything. Fucker. As I pull at the corner piece of wrapping paper, Levi wiggles out from under me. Moving a safe distance away, because I am sure he thinks I’m about to chuck this box at him.
    Inside there is an overwhelming amount of tissue paper, I pull and I pull until there is nothing left in the box but two tickets. Plane tickets?
    “We're going to Paris before the baby is born. Call it a baby-moon.” I think I’m going to cry. Wait. Seven fucking James can't fucking cry, especially in front of all these people. I choke back the lump in my throat, and I pull my scheming husband into my arms. This is probably one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. Hell, he is the only person who has ever gone out of his way for me, and I love him for it. Without a single doubt in my mind.
    “Wait, Levi... there is something here for you too,” Star interrupts, and hands him the box. It is small, but the contents of it have such meaning in our relationship. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to give him as a gift. It is more than just a present, it is a commitment, a step in our relationship. While we have gone at warp speed, we are still wading through the waters of each other. We are new. We are anxious, and wary at times. He walks on eggshells, and I try to be gentle with him. Because that is what he deserves.
    “I thought we said no presents, Seven?” he questions me while he works on the sleek silver bell wrapping paper. I give him a grin, and give it back to him. “I thought that’s what we said,” and holding the tickets up I laugh.
    “Okay...” he opens the box.

    (Levi)
     
    I’m not sure what I’m supposed to make of this. I think Seven knew I was going to break our no present rule, but I never expected anything from her. Now, I’m sitting here staring at the most cryptic present I’ve ever been given. There