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

is a letter with my name on the outside of the thick off white envelope, and a set of keys.
    “What is all this?” I look at her, and she is damn near bouncing up and down on the couch. A big change since she was dead asleep on me a few minutes ago. I pick the keys up out of the box, and she fumbles with her cell phone. She taps the screen a couple times and clings the device to her chest.
    “You ready?” she asks, and all I can do is nod. She turns the phone in my direction, and there is a picture of a house. The white picket fence type. Its blue with perfect country white shutters. A big wrap around porch, and a perfectly manicured lawn.
    “Those keys, go to this house,” she takes a deep breath, and drops the phone. “I know I wasn't ready before when you wanted to make this step, but I needed to do it on my terms, Levi. This is our new home, it’s a five bedroom county home in Greenwich. We can both still commute into the city. This is our home, Levi. Our family home.”
    Of all the things I’ve never expected from this woman, it was her giving up the city. Giving up her easy commute, her penthouse palace. Seven James moving to the 'burbs? Wow. I can't say anything because, for once, this woman who typically drives me up a wall has left me utterly speechless. Which is pretty damn hard.
    It’s more than just a house, it’s a new chapter for us. I can still hear her asking me to leave when I brought up getting a place together. Those weeks were fucking agony. But, it all makes perfect sense now. The control freak herself could make this step, as long as she was the one initiating it.
    “This is the best gift, well, besides our baby,” I grab her and pull her into my lap. She kisses my cheek, and squeezes me tight.
    “Open the envelope,” she whispers in my ear.
    “Not the documents for the house?” she shakes her head, and I pull out the letter.
     
Dear Levi,
In the short time we have been together, we have been through a world of change. We are about to embark on this biggest and most wild ride either of us have ever been on. I knew life would be different, so this is my way of telling you effective January 1 st , I am resigning as CEO of Alexander Mobile.
In the long run, this is better for our family.
I will be focusing on starting my own firm, and I hope you will join me in this project. Together, we can take over the world.
A new baby, a new home, a new beginning.
Your Seven
     
    I never thought I would see the day when Seven James could walk away from Alexander Mobile. It was more than a company and business takeover for her. It was revenge. But with Daniel gone I guess she doesn't need it anymore.
    I feel like I want to cry. We have come so far. She has let her walls down so much for me. I only hope that I can never let her down like I have let so many down in my lifetime. I swallow the lump in my throat, and squeeze her as tight as she is still holding me.
    “I would follow you anywhere Seven, anywhere.”

    (Star)
     
    HA! Seven Fuckin' James just fucking gave up Manhattan. I don't know whether to laugh or cry because I’m pretty sure the apocalypse is coming. I want to wave my hands and scream about the end of the world. The zombies are coming! Dooms day prepper's were right! I should have a storm cellar filled with guns and tear gas. Dammit!
    “Congratulations on leaving Manhattan,” I laugh as they maul each other on the couch. Good for them. It warms my heart to see Seven so damn happy for once in her life. It has been such a series of ups and downs over the years. She deserves it.
    All the presents are distributed, the family is happy, and I am pretty sure Christmas is a fucking success. I didn't think I could pull it off, and for a while, I was worried everything was going to crash and burn. But it didn't. A giant damn surprise, but it didn't.
    Chrome's arms tighten around my stomach, pulling me in tighter. Closer to his hard chest. My favorite place to snuggle up. River gets up, and