Hello all! I hope everyone is doing well! Summertime is almost here! Whoo hoo! Enjoy.
Thank you Angel of the Night Watchers, Loverofgoodstories27, Lilly, and Luli Cullen for their lovely reviews. Keep it up! ; )
Chapter 26
Christmas Time
After nearly an hour of cautious driving, Peyton walked up the front steps of the Garwin Mansion and quickly stepped over the threshold, not even bothering to knock. Inside it was warm but silent, Peyton strained her ears for any sound. Quinn stepped in behind her and closed the door then was at her side.
"Where is everybody?"
Peyton shrugged her shoulders and dusted off the clump of snowflakes that had collected on her cream wool coat. No light came from any of the surrounding rooms. "Rae?" she called into the darkness.
Seconds later, a light at the top of the stairs switched on and Rae appeared, her head the only thing visible over the wooden banister. "Shh, everyone's sleeping. What are you doing here?"
"I went home but my mom wasn't there," Peyton said. "I thought you told me she wanted me home. Where is she?"
"I don't know. Maybe they're still over at the Simms'." Rae gave a yawn and rested her elbows on the banister.
Slightly annoyed, Peyton crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against Quinn who wrapped his arms around her waist. A blush colored her cheeks at remembering his fingers playing against the bare skin of her stomach.
Rae's eyebrows rose a little as she took a closer look at her best friend and Quinn, both looked slightly disheveled. A slow smirk tilted Rae's pink lips. "I'm sorry, did I interrupt something when I called?"
The blush on Peyton's cheeks grew to a color near to red but she deflected the comment by asking another question. "Care to tell me what happened with Rome and Bethany?"
Rae's amused expression faded from her face. She pressed a finger to her lips, telling them to be quiet then waved at the two to follow her.
Quinn grabbed Peyton's hand and ascended the stairs, footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Rae ushered them into her room, closed the door quietly and jumped right into the story.
"Rome had to tell Bethany about us and the Covenant," she began as Peyton took a seat on the bed. Rae told them about the car wreck and how Rome teleported himself and Bethany from the car before the collision had happened, how Rome pulled the guy from the other car. She told them everything that Rome had told her.
Peyton rubbed her forehead as Rae finished. "So the cops believed him? That they just walked away from a car wreck unharmed?"
Rae nodded. "Surprisingly, yes. But then again, Rome is charming so I don't blame them for believing him."
"Seems like your Covenant is growing," Quinn commented. "And not to the right people. I mean, magical people." He raised his fingers and air quoted the last two words.
Peyton smiled and placed her hand on Quinn's knee. "You and Bethany are the right people. You're going to be in my life, Quinn." She stared at her boyfriend, longing to be in his arms again, the way they were only an hour ago. Her fingertips itched to touch the bare skin of his well muscled chest and torso. By the look in his eyes she knew he felt the same way.
Rae cleared her throat, bringing the attention back to herself. Both Quinn and Peyton turned to her sheepishly. With a small smirk, Rae spoke again. "Rome obviously feels the same way about Bethany because he could have told her any other story. She thought she had passed out or something."
"Well if he could have lied then why didn't he?" Peyton asked.
"Because he loves her," Rae said simply. "He wants Bethany in his life. If you were in his shoes, would you lie?"
Peyton bit her lip and thought about it but she didn't have to think very long. She shook her head. "No, I wouldn't have lied." She paused. "So now she knows. That's weird. At least she took it well."
The blonde laughed and pulled her hair to one side, braiding it over her shoulder. "Rome said it was strange just how well she actually took it. But then again, your man took it."
"I guess I did," he laughed. Next to him Peyton gave a loud yawn and laid her head upon his shoulder.
"I'm tired," she announced.
"Crash here," Rae said, falling onto her bed face-first.
"What about me?" Quinn asked with a laugh as the two girls cuddled closer together and closed their eyes.
"There's a guest bedroom down the hall," Rae said, waving toward her door and the rooms beyond. "Seriously, I'm surprised you made it here alive in this snowy mess."
Peyton squinted her eyes open just as Rae's finger poked her nose. Finding the telepathic connection the two shared, Peyton said, Do you really care if we stay?
Not at all, Rae answered. Just don't be getting naked. My parents are just down the hall.
Being caught of guard, Peyton laughed out loud causing Quinn to jump in confusion. The two girls were thrown into a fit of giggles muffled by their hands. With a smile, Quinn shook his head in amusement.
"You girls are strange," he said.
"Duh." The two girls said in unison. Peyton rolled over top of Rae, kissed her head in goodnight and walked to the door. Peyton switched off the lights in Rae's room. But before the door closed behind her and Quinn, Rae's voice floated to them.
"Nighty night, you two."
The next evening the Garwin's house was filled with laughter. Outside, the snow had stopped falling, leaving behind a Winter Wonderland. The only thing that interrupted the inches of snow was the break in the roads that had been cleared earlier that morning.
The black marble of the kitchen counters were covered with empty dishes, pots and pans all scraped clean of food. The sink was full of soapy water, and the sleeves of Paige's red sweater were rolled up to her elbows.
Silently, the door behind her opened up. "Need any help?"
Caught off guard, Paige jumped which resulted in dirty dish water to splash her front. She stepped backward and looked over her shoulder to see who the culprit of her mishap was. Rome smiled in apology as made his way to her then leaned against the counter.
"Sorry," he said with an amused laugh.
"You know, it'd be nice sometimes to have River's hearing." Paige took a towel and wiped at her shirt. "She never seems to get snuck up on."
"Would you like some help?" he asked, reaching for a dish in the sink.
His mother swatted his hand away and said, "No, thank you. But you can keep me company, if you'd like."
With her shirt as dry as she could get it at that moment, Paige turned back to the dishes. Rome sat in a chair at the island and leaned on the counter.
Nearly five minutes of silence passed before Rome spoke. "Are you mad at me?"
Paige turned to her son in surprise but she didn't need to ask what he was talking about. The blue eyes that he'd inherited from his father were intent on her, full of concern. She wanted to smile, secretly happy that her 17- year old son was worried whether or not his mother was anger with him. But the situation didn't call for smiles; Rome was serious.
"No, honey, I'm not mad. You did a good thing by telling her." What she said was partly true. It was a good thing to tell Bethany about the Covenant's secret after the car accident, and she knew that Bethany would be keep it but his feelings for the young blonde worried her. He had told her the secret because he loved her, but was the love a lasting thing? He was so young.
Seeming to somehow know his mother's thoughts, Rome stood from his chair. "I love her, mom," he said. "I want to be with her."
Not being able to stop, Paige said, "Are you sure? You're so young!"
Rome's eyes narrowed against his will. "You were only a year older than me when you and dad got together. Look where you are now, married, happy and still in love." He took a breath to stop his frustration. "When you know, you know. That's what dad's told me."
Paige knew she was being silly, that it was a little too late to worry for her son's heart and the secrets of the Covenant, but being a mother she felt as if she had to speak her mind. "But it's only been a few months. You're father and I knew each other for years before."
"But you didn't get along," Rome countered quickly. "And dad said Pogue fell for Blake in one night." He stood in front of her now, towering over her small frame.
Paige thought back on that night, the first time she had introduced her friends to the Sons all those years ago, and remembered just how interested Pogue had been in Blake. He wasn't the type to fall too quickly, but she saw it in his eyes that he had fallen for Blake nearly immediately. Love at first sight.
Maybe Rome was right. Time nor age hinders love if you find the right person. With a sigh, Paige wrapped her arms around her son. Rome reacted, his own arms hugging his mother back affectionately.
"So you really do love her?" Paige asked, looking up at her son. He smiled and nodded.
"I really do. I don't see myself without her, and she feels the same way." Paige stepped out of her son's arms. "I wouldn't have told her about the Covenant if I wasn't completely sure."
"You know, you're just like your father," Paige said, smiling.
"I hear that a lot, Uncle Caleb says it's scary how much I look like him," Rome laughed, returning to his seat.
Paige couldn't deny that. "That's true," she said. "But not what I meant. You look like your father, yes, but you've got his heart too."
Rome raised an eyebrow curiously. "How do you mean?"
"You're more sensitive than you let people know. You're father wears his heart on his sleeve, he's just really good at hiding it. You know, he cried when I told him I was pregnant," Paige said with a smile. "And when he held you and your sister for the first time." Reid's voice had her head jerking toward the sound as he called for her. She glanced at Rome saying, "Don't tell him I told you that," before setting a plate in the dishwasher.
Rome laughed and pressed a finger to his lips just as Reid walked into the kitchen. "Need company?" he asked.
With a smile on her lips, Paige shook her head. "A little too late, Mr. Garwin. Your son beat you to it." She placed a kiss on his lips when he stood in front of her.
"And that's my cue to leave," Rome laughed.
An hour later, the Simms', Parry, and Danvers' families spread themselves around the Garwin living room.
"Presents!" Rae squealed excitedly. She sat on the couch with Cameron, her hand interlocked with Cameron's and looked up at him as if he were the only guy in the world. Rome felt the protective brother part of him start to kick in but he pushed it back easily. If there was one guy who would try his everything to keep his sister's heart safe it would be Cameron Danvers.
"Alright, who wants to play Santa?" River asked, holding up a red and white Santa hat.
"I was it last year," Tyler said. "I volunteer Caleb. All those in favor, raise your hand."
With loud laughs, everyone but Caleb raised their hands. Caleb grabbed the hat, shoved it on his head and walked toward the Christmas tree. Unlike, Tyler and Rylee's tree, the Garwin's was draped in colorful lights and ornaments. Dozens of presents were piled underneath it. Caleb grabbed one and held it up.
"First present of the night goes to Miss Peyton Parry!"
Peyton leapt up, did a little dance and snatched the present from Caleb. Caleb picked up another present and handed it to Cameron.
After all the presents were opened and the mess of wrapping paper cleaned, Peyton led her friends into her room where Tristan collapsed onto the couch that rested against the far wall. In good spirits, Rome and Cameron stumbled into the room, pushing and shoving each other, their obnoxious laughter causing Peyton to join in. Rae brought up the rear and jumped onto the full, welcoming bed.
"Do boys ever outgrow wrestling?" Rae asked, head on the large pile of red pillows. Peyton pursed her lips and gave a thoughtful look.
"Nope," she replied. Cameron gave one last shove before joining Rae on the bed and gathering her in his arms. The gesture made Peyton long for Quinn, who had left for Boston earlier that afternoon to spend the holiday with his family. She and her boyfriend had yet to trade presents and to be honest, she was glad. Quinn was one of the hardest people Peyton has ever bought for. But looking at the two love birds an idea came to mind.
Rae, I know what I'm getting Quinn for Christmas, Peyton said, using the telepathic connection she shared with her best friend.
Without looking away from Cameron, Rae asked, what?
Peyton grinned and fell onto the couch with Rome and Tristan who were debating on what Christmas movie to watch, The Grinch or The Santa Claus. She made sure she held Rae's gaze when she answered.
His present will be me.
Rae's eyes widened slightly but she smiled and sent a wink in her best friend's direction. You little slut.
Takes one to know one, Peyton countered back playfully.
"Ha!" Rae said, laughing out loud. Cameron looked at his girlfriend in confusion then followed her gaze to Peyton. He huffed.
"I hate when you two use your telepathy," he said.
Tristan, who had chosen The Grinch to watch, popped the movie in and went back to the couch. He put his arm around Peyton, musing her dark hair. "I agree," Tristan said. "You guys can say anything about anyone and know one would ever know but you two."
Rome snorted in laughter. "That's kind of the point of telepathy, Baby boy."
Tristan leaned back into the plush cushion. "Whatever, Garwin." Peyton rested her legs on Tristan's lap and grabbed her phone. As she settled down comfortably to watch the movie she felt her phone vibrate in her sweater pocket. Grabbing it, she saw she had a text from Quinn.
I miss you, it read.
Peyton's grin was large as she typed in the words, I miss you more. When you get back, let's trade presents. You're gonna LOVE yours. ; )
In a few days Quinn would be coming back to Ipswich. Excitement and nerves filled Peyton just at the thought of being with her boyfriend in such an intimate way. Though she wasn't a virgin, she had only been with one guy, and that guy was her age. Quinn was out of college and probably way more experienced. Peyton bit her lip, feeling anxious. What if she did something wrong? A thousand worries and second thought raced through her mind as her phone vibrated again, signaling Quinn had replied.
All I want for Christmas is you. I love you.
All worries were wiped from her thoughts at Quinn's message. He loved her and everything would be perfect. Peyton closed her eyes, a smile on her lips and drifted into unconsciousness.