Don't worry I didn't forget to update! Well...I ALMOST did, with all this homework I have, but I DID remember ;) So here's the next chapter! It's the second last of Acceptance is Key. I'd really love for everyone to review as much as they can for the last two chapters. Again your support means everything!
I leaned my head back against the headrest of the passenger seat in Allie's white Honda Civic, trying not to frown too much. It wasn't that I disliked her car; it was actually very comfortable. It was where the car was taking us that I had a problem with.
"How much longer?" I moaned.
Allie laughed. "Ten minutes, Liss, goodness."
It was Saturday and after the horrific week I had at school the week before, I had just wanted to lie around comatose in my pyjamas, watching old movies and trying not to stress about winter finals, which were just around the corner.
We were driving to the mall in Seattle, a place I had yet to visit since moving here. I didn't mind shopping; I lived with Aunt Alice for practically my whole childhood. But it was snowing up a storm and I was tired.
Allie turned on the windshield wipers, trying to get the snow off the window. "So do you know what you're going to get him for Christmas?"
I sighed. Christmas was only two weeks away and all I could think about is what in the world should I get for Noah?
"I have no idea," I admitted.
Allie laughed as she turned the car into the mall's parking lot. "We'll figure out something good."
We circled the lot for a good five minutes before Allie found a decent enough parking spot. I got out of the car and immediately shivered, flipping the hood up on my bright pink coat to block the wind. God, it was like living in Alaska all over again.
Allie led me through the mall, trying to help me find some sort of a gift to get for Noah. She was lucky; she had already gotten JJ's about a month ago. I was somewhat of a procrastinator and as I sidestepped another group of people in the busy, overcrowded mall, I was starting to regret it.
"Is it always this bad before Christmas?" I asked Allie.
She laughed. "Definitely," she said. "Haven't you ever been Christmas shopping before?"
It was an honest question, no accusation in it whatsoever, yet I still felt embarrassed to answer. "Online," I said, laughing a little. "We never really went to the malls too often."
Allie nodded with understanding.
After an hour of going through a bunch of different stores, I was ready to give up hope. I wanted to get Noah something special, not just any old gift. I should have put some more thought into it before we came all this way, but to be honest, I was nervous. What if he didn't end up liking what I got him? I'd be the worst girlfriend in history.
"C'mon, let's go get a soda or something," Allie suggested, linking her arm through mine as she led me from a clothes store. "You look like you're going to combust any moment."
I slurped thoughtfully on my raspberry smoothie, glancing around the busy food court. It really was packed in this building. I had never seen so many people in one place before.
Allie was reading through some text messages on her phone, daintily eating a single slice of pepperoni pizza. She seemed oblivious to all the hustle and bustle around us.
I bit down on my straw in frustration. I needed to find something good to get Noah, not only because I was running out of time, because Allie had been kind enough to drive me all the way out here; I didn't want to waste her time.
Once I realized I had bitten right through my entire straw, I leaned over and tossed the remains of my smoothie into the garbage can next to our table.
I grabbed my phone out of my bag, scrolling through to see that I had a message from Noah.
Did u get to the mall ok? I miss u. – Noah 3
I tried not to giggle out loud before I typed back. Got here fine worry-wart. I miss u 2, but we'll be back soon – Lissa
I knew he had been worried about us driving here in the heavy snow. He had tried to convince me several times that if we're driving all the way here just for his present, that he already had everything he ever wanted. But I wasn't going to let him get away with that; Andy had told me the other day that he had stressed over my present too.
"I totally think you're overthinking this," Allie said suddenly.
I looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?"
She smiled. "Noah is going to love absolutely anything you get him," she told me. "As long as it's from you, he could care less what it is."
I sighed. "I don't want it to be too corny."
Allie laughed. "Believe it or not, they like corny."
I looked over at the stores on the outside of the food court, trying to see anything in the display windows that caught my eye. Maybe I was overthinking this just a little. My eyes trained to the last store on the right and my eyes widened.
"Did you see something?" Allie asked.
"I think I know what I'm going to get him," I said, standing up in excitement.
Allie tossed her garbage away. "Let's go then—before you change your mind."
A few hours later we walked back to Allie's car, wincing as the cold air chilled us to the core. I swung my shopping bags happily as I walked, knowing that I had made a good decision with my gifts.
It took us a lot longer to get home than it had to get to the mall. The roads were bumpy with packed down snow and Allie had to drive extra slow because of the ice patches. By the time we pulled in my driveway, it was nearly dark out.
"Are you coming in?" I asked, opening the passenger door.
She nodded, blushing a little. "JJ just finished his patrol. I haven't seen him all day."
I smiled, despite the fact that she was talking about my brother. "I know how you feel. Even a few hours away from Noah are enough to drive me crazy."
I stomped my boots on the front step, trying to get rid of the snow from the bottoms. Mom was fanatic about keeping the floors dry with such cold weather and had a panic attack if one single drop of snow was carried onto the hardwood floors.
"We're back," I yelled. I hung up my coat on the hook, gesturing for Allie to do the same.
JJ bounded down the stairs with a smile. He ruffled my hair before he pulled a cold Allie into his warm arms, kissing her quickly. Then he eyed the bag in her hand.
"What's that?" he asked coyly.
She rolled her eyes in my direction. "Nothing for you, mister."
She had remembered just before she had left that she needed to grab one more thing for her brother's gift.
My brother pouted and then turned to me. "Anything in there for me?" he wondered.
I wiggled my handful of shopping bags teasingly. "Need to know basis, I'm afraid."
My brothers were the biggest sneaks around. When we had been younger they had always snooped out their presents a few days before Christmas without Mom and Dad knowing. As soon as I was old enough to buy my own things for people, I made sure to order JJ and Bronson's gifts online. Then, I hid them very well—like in a loose floorboard in my bedroom.
JJ sighed dramatically, before he linked his fingers with Allie's. "Let's go get you warmed up," he murmured to her.
"JJ," I said, stopping them right before they left for the living room. "Is Noah on patrol right now?"
It was so hard to keep track of who had a patrol and when, I was surprised Connor managed to even keep it straight; and he was the Alpha.
"He's in the TV room with Bronson and Kevin," he told me.
I grinned in surprise, not expecting to get to see him until much later on.
I hurried up the stairs to my bedroom and carefully stuffed my gifts in the very back corner of my closet, hiding them behind a rack of shoes. Then, I slipped on a warmer cardigan that went down to my knees and a pair of slippers. I wanted summer back.
My brother, Kevin, and Noah were very much distracted when I walked into the room, yelling at each other while they battled through a very gory video game. I smirked and tip-toed over to Noah's side of the couch. I leaned down and covered his eyes before I pressed my lips firmly to his. His hands dropped the game controller in his hands instantly.
"Game over," the TV screeched.
Kevin groaned from beside Noah. "Seriously, Noah?! We just lost because you couldn't keep your hormones under control. How does that make you feel?"
Noah gently pried my hands off his eyes, breaking the kiss, before he carefully pulled me over the back of the couch so I was sitting on his lap. His arms came around me. "Pretty damn good, actually," he admitted with a smirk.
Bronson cleared his throat loudly. "Dude, that's my sister," he reminded him.
I stretched my foot down the couch to poke Bronson in the face with my big toe. "Don't be mean, Bronnie," I pleaded. "Where's Tessa?"
My brother and his newfound imprint were pretty much inseparable these days. I was actually pretty surprised to see him in here without her. Not that I was complaining about her lack of presence or anything. She still wasn't my number one fan.
Kevin laughed. "She's out with your Mom getting things for tomorrow."
Tomorrow my mother's family was flying in for an early Christmas. They were only going to be here for a couple of nights before they left for holiday vacation on some extravagant tropical island Grandpa Carlisle owned. I was excited for them to come; worried that we weren't going to be able to see them for the holiday.
No wonder Bronson was in such a sour mood. Tessa was practically over the moon that everyone was coming down for Christmas. She missed them all very much; that was evident through her frequent phone calls to Uncle Emmett and Aunt Rose.
I was trying—and not succeeding—to let it get to me.
Noah nuzzled my neck. "You're cold," he murmured.
I shivered at his touch. "It's absolutely freezing outside," I explained. "I wouldn't be surprised if we had a huge snow storm overnight."
Bronson tossed a blanket in our direction before he pressed the "restart" button on the TV screen; just two players this time.
Noah wrapped the blanket around us, cocooning me in his warmth. I snuggled closer to him, leaning my head against his broad shoulder as I pressed a kiss to the corner of his jaw. He smiled.
"So, did you get anything good while you were shopping?" he asked cheekily.
I grumbled under my breath.
Why did boys have to be so much alike all the time?
:)
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