Welp, I got home late last night and forgot to post this. Whoops.
But you know what that means?
Double posting today! Whoo!
Merry Christmas Eve/Christmas to you all, depending on where you live! And Happy Hanukkah as well!
Disclaimer: I own the plot and idea. I do not own Vampire Academy. All rights go to Richelle Mead.
"Please tell me those aren't all for my kids," Aiden sighed.
I looked up at my abi. "Of course not-"
"Good," he blew out a breath.
I held out a bag, a much smaller one than the other dozen or so I had laden up my arms. "This one is for you and Mia!"
I grinned, he sighed.
"Aunt Wose!"
A stampede of tiny feet could be heard, and soon I had three little beings climbing all over me.
"Guys!" Mia laughed. "Do not break your Aunt Rose."
"I'm fine," I said as I wrangled Liana from behind my back and Luke from my waist. "They're just excited because it's almost Christmas! Right guys?"
"One more week until Christmas!" Luna cheered from where she was hugging my knee.
"Chwistmus!" Her siblings attempted to parrot back. It was the cutest thing.
I finally managed to set Liana and Luke down, and Luna release my knee. She took a step back, and they finally noticed all the bags.
"For us?" Luke squeaked, his eyes bright with hope.
I looked down at the bags, spotting the two not for the kids. "Well these are for Daria and Vasily. But yes, the rest are for you guys!"
"Rose!"
"What?"
"Cool!"
The kids were now joyfully preoccupied with the gifts, leaving me to smile at their mother.
"C'mon, Mia! Look how happy they look! And plus, isn't it the most wonderful time of the year? They deserve a little treat."
"I wouldn't consider this," Mis gestured to all the bags, "little." And then she sighed, looking down at her exuberant children.
And I knew I was forgiven.
"Ok, fine. Guys, let's put Aunt Rose's gifts under the tree. You'll open them on Christmas day with the rest of your gift."
"Aw, but mommy!" Came the groans.
"No, buts!"
"Oh wait, there is one that you guys can open now," I smiled as their eyes brightened again, taking the kit out of the bag.
"Ooh! Gingerbwead house?" Liana looked up at me.
"Mhm, it's a kit! There's enough so that you guys can all make your own houses! And you can decorate them however you like."
"Sweet!" Aiden suddenly cheered from the kitchen. He poked his head out of the door. "Can we make one too?"
Mia and I shared a look.
My brother is such a dork.
A warm laugh broke through the air then, Daria coming out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Mr. Aiden always love gingerbread. We can bake a gingerbread family after dinner, what do you say?" She looked around, smiling.
"Yes!" Came the booming reply from Aiden and the kids.
Well. I guess that settles it.
"Ms. Rose, you look a bit thin," Daria clucked after releasing me from one of her signature bear hugs.
Really? I had been stuffing myself with food since Thanksgiving. Tis the season and all that…
"It is ok," she patted my cheek, "we plump you a bit before you leave. I'm making-"
"-pierogi?" I interjected, hopefully. I loved Daria's pierogis. Dear lord they were good.
She laughed heartily. "Yes. I've been making them all day. I just sent Vasily out for more ingredients. That man better come back with the proper ingredients. I once sent him out for cabbage and he came back with brussels sprouts. Silly man, you'd think after all these years of marriage he'd know what I mea-"
Daria stopped short as we entered the kitchen.
I, on the other hand, was trying my best not to laugh.
"Oh for heaven's sake!" She rolled her eyes, exasperated. "I leave the kitchen for five minutes and come back to this."
"You guys look like snowmen," I laughed, watching as the kids' expressions brightened up.
"Cool!"
"How did the happen?" Daria demanded, eyeing the flour that had gotten everywhere, though most of it on Aiden and the kids.
Aiden shot his kids a look.
The kids shot each other a look.
"Daddy did it!"
Aiden looked betrayed, but then sighed. "Did Aunt Rose teach you that?"
See you soon!
Until then, have a nice day/night wherever you may be!