Author's Note: I do not own any of the wolves or vampires that might appear in this story. They either belong to Stephenie Meyer or to the lovely Ninadoll! The O'Brien sisters and Liam are really the only thing I might lay claim to. The mysteriously sexy Scar is Nina's invention as well.
Very special thank you to Ninadoll! Thank you so much for creating this universe and letting me be a part of it! It's so much fun working with you and I consider myself lucky to not only have you as a beta but a friend! You keep me motivated and encourage me when I feel like I could give up! You are an amazing person and friend! I'm so extremely happy to be writing in your universe!
If you haven't yet, please be sure to check out her new story about the yummy Embry Call called How the Mighty Fall! It is off to an amazing start and Nina has fabulous plans for it so please check it out!
A special birthday shout out to my friend and fellow Sooner-stater, shojioxlow!
As always, thank you to everyone that reads and reviews! You are very much appreciated! Enjoy! Don't forget to check out blog at liljenrocks{dot}blogspot{dot}com or my homepage at liljenrocks{dot}web{dot}com for pictures of clothes and such from this chapter!
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CHAPTER 7: CHRISTMAS DAY
SCAR'S POV
"Hi, Scar!" Ashley squealed, throwing her arms around my legs. "You almost missed the presents!" Ashley always made me smile. I think part of it was the memories she conjured up of Megan. I honestly tried hard not to think about Megan, it hurt to think of her. But when I was with Ash, it was easy to remember her and it didn't hurt as bad.
"Scar," Seth greeted me with a cup of hot cocoa and a pat on the back. "Did you run all the way here?"
I took a sip of the hot liquid and nodded. "It was no biggie."
"It's freezing out there, Scar. Let Ava or Seth take you home," Abby said from her seat in the den. She was holding four month old Liam in her arms. Abby and Nessie were the closest thing to maternal figures I had and I subconsciously walked over to kiss her on the cheek. "Merry Christmas, Oscar," she said.
"Merry Christmas," I said with a slight grin. I didn't smile, I don't think I could remember how, it had been so long since I genuinely smiled.
Abby and Seth had invited me over for Christmas Eve, for a small dinner with them, Sue, Charlie and Leah. Then I would spend Christmas Day with Jake and Nessie and Christmas night with Dad. I had been trying to stay home with him more lately especially since I knew that after graduation, after I started college, I wasn't sure how often I would be home. I worried about how Dad was going to take that. For so long it had always been me and him, me being the one taking care of him, the child-parent roles reversed and I worried about how I would make sure he was fed and safe when I wasn't here. It was something I kept putting off for another day. I didn't want to think about it, especially on Christmas Eve.
"Hey," the voice I'd been longing to hear said from behind me.
I turned slowly, savoring her vanilla-rain scent. I knew she'd be beautiful, she always was, but tonight, she was more beautiful than I'd seen in months. Her longer hair was up in a messy bun and her long-sleeved red dress hugged every curve. The zebra print belt that settle right below her breasts had me working hard to keep from staring. "You look beautiful," I said, without really thinking and leaning in for a hug with Ava.
"You don't look too bad yourself, cowboy," she smirked. I didn't want to admit it, but I had dressed up. Not for myself or for anyone else, but for her. I wore my nicest jeans and a button up shirt that I'd borrowed from Luka. I dressed up for Ava. I couldn't help but smile too when she called me cowboy. It was an interesting nickname considering the fact that I had almost no cowboy-esque qualities but, well, it was hot and every time she did it, I had to keep Lil' Scar in check. "I hope you're hungry. Abby's been cooking all day. And I made something special just for you."
I raised one of my eyebrows and titled my head. "Oh, really? And what would that be?"
"You'll just have to follow me to the kitchen and find out," Ava giggled.
I did as she said and tried not to watch her sexy backside as I followed her into the kitchen to the smell of peanut butter cookies.
"Peanut butter cookies?" I asked, sniffing the air again for good measure.
She smiled and sauntered over to the refrigerator. "Not just any peanut butter cookies. Special cookies that I have every intention of including in my bakery, when I have one that is." I hopped on a stool in the kitchen and waited while she pulled a pink box out of the refrigerator and then walked over to me. "I'm going to call them Megan's Morsels," she said as she lifted the lid of the box. Nestled inside were peanut butter cookies with grape jelly in the middle.
"Megan's," I whispered. I took a deep breath and stared at the cookies.
"Scar," Ava said, taking my face in her hands and breaking my stare to bring our eyes to meet. "I don't want you to be sad, okay? I love you and I made these for you to remember the good stuff with Megan. Each one of these cookies," she lifted one of the cookie-sandwiches up, "is supposed to be a memory, something good about when she was here."
I nodded my head and pulled one of the sandwiches out. "Megan's favorite holiday was Christmas because she liked to help Mom decorate the Christmas tree. We'd spend hours finding the right tree, then bring it back to the house. Dad and I had to stay in the kitchen while they worked and when they were finished, Megan would come in and get us. She would smile so big and take my hand to drag me into the den." I paused for a minute, I had to, to keep my composure. "And every year, the tree got more beautiful." I totally looked away from Ava now because I could literally feel my heart ripping in two. "There's no sign of Christmas at our house anymore. It's too much of a reminder for Dad." I pulled the cookie up to my lips and took a bite.
"My Mom loved Christmas too," Ava said, sitting in the stool next to me. "That's one of the reasons I find this day so comforting. I look at it this way, I can sit and wallow and cry because I don't have them anymore or I can take this day to remember them. I still see them, in Abby and Ash. Everytime Abby makes a pecan pie or sings Silent Night, it's like a part of my Mom is still with me. That's why it's been amazing with Seth in the family. He's gonna read The Night Before Christmas again this year, and that's like having a part of Dad here." She took my hand in hers. "They can never be replaced, but we can let their memories live on. That's why I wanted you to have these cookies. They can't replace Megan's, but they can help her memory live on."
I swear on all that is holy and good, I had to keep myself from kissing her right then and there. She was possibly the brightest star in the galaxy and everything I wanted and needed in a soul mate and I wanted to fucking punch fate in the face for not giving her to me. God help me, I loved her. I knew I shouldn't, that it would just end badly and I'd probably lose my best friend, but I loved her. "Thank you, Ave," I said, pulling her into me to hug. "I'd forgotten that it was okay to think about her, without, you know, feeling guilty or sad."
Ava pulled away from me. "That's what friends are for, right?" I nodded to her. "It's just that you and I have a little more experience with loss than most friends." She hugged me again. "That's not your only gift, either, I just wanted you to have it now."
We both stood silently for a bit, not really doing anything but looking at each other. It was comforting for us to just be in each other's presence. Nothing needed to be said or done, just being together was enough. Ava leaned forward and rested her head on my shoulder and we both breathed deeply.
"I'm just telling you to think twice about it before you rush into anything, Quil," Seth said, talking into the phone and holding Liam as he opened a drawer and pulled out a burp cloth. I was too wrapped up in Ava to care what was going on with Seth and Quil, and if I concentrated, I could've heard Quil's part of the conversation, but the only thing on my mind was Ava. "Did you want my help or did you just want to tell me you think you're gonna score with my 18-year old cousin who, by the way, is still in high school?"
Ava giggled and let out a little snort. "I guess Claire must have given Quil his Christmas present."
"What was that?"
"Let's just say it's identical to what Abby gave Seth for Christmas last year," she blushed, which was totally not like Ava.
"You really don't have any?" Seth asked Quil. This time I'd heard what Quil wanted though and I had to hide my chuckle as Ava skipped out of the room. "Yeah, I get it, you've been abstinent for sixteen years and you didn't have any need for them. Now you do and you choose me for the sole purpose that I'm a doctor, right?" I covered my mouth, I'd never heard two guys have a normal conversation concerning what they were talking about…condoms. "Fine, but if Abby sees me give them to you, I won't be getting my Christmas present." The control was gone and I laughed out loud. "You hush," Seth playfully smacked me with the burp cloth.
I took a deep breath and watched Ava walk back into the room. "You ready for presents?" she asked with the widest smile, a smile that lit her whole face up and made her even more beautiful than before. She truly was amazing, heart and soul. "Ash is going crazy in there."
"Sure," I nodded. Ava put her hand out for me and I took it into mine. We held hands a lot and it always made me happy to have her hand in mine, a tiny electric current running through us. I knew it wasn't exactly like what imprints felt, I'd seen that in the heads of the imprinted wolves. But it was something, something deep and not like anything I'd ever felt with anyone else in the world.
"Sit next to me, Scar," Ashley bounced, patting the carpet next to her.
"Ash, Scar might want to sit in a chair, sweetheart," Abby said. Seth was sitting next to her on the couch, his arm around her in a protective way, watching Sue talk to Liam. I won't lie. I was jealous watching them. They loved each other so much and weren't forbidden to each other. I couldn't have Ava and I knew I needed to get that through my thick skull, but God help me, I couldn't.
"I'm going to pass out the presents and then we'll take turns opening," Ashley hopped up from the floor and ran to the Christmas tree.
"Now wait just a second. We open presents and then we eat. You have to promise me that you'll eat after you open your presents and you won't argue, okay?" Seth looked at Ashley sternly but lovingly. I was jealous of that too, the way he was able to call Ashley and Ava sisters and I got nothing.
"I promise, Seth, I promise!" Ashley practically jumped up and down in her place and Seth crumbled.
"Okay, go ahead," Seth said to her. Ava and I sat one the loveseat together, still holding hands while Ashley distributed the gifts. Sue cooed over Liam while Charlie and Leah had been relatively quiet. Sue would smile at me occasionally and Leah looked like she was anxious to get out of there as soon as possible.
"I'm just going to go make a call real quick," Leah said, sliding from her seat and walking towards Abby and Seth's bedroom.
"She just talked to him like ten minutes ago!" Seth threw his hands in the air.
"Seth," Sue scolded.
"I know, I'm happy for her, don't get me wrong, but seriously?" Seth rolled his eyes.
Abby pulled his face to look at her and ran her thumb over his jaw. "You would be the same way with me," she whispered. I watched her place a small peck on his lips and felt my mind wander again. What would it be like to kiss Ava? Would her lips be soft? Would she want it to be romantic? Would she ever want to kiss me?
"This gift is for Grandpa Charlie!" Ashley picked up a neatly wrapped gift and handed it to an awaiting Charlie. It was actually quite interesting to watch how she interacted with everyone and considered everyone her family. "This big box is for Scar!" she squealed. "It's heavy," she dragged it behind her. "And this tiny one is from me and then the other small one is from Abby and Seth and Liam." Ashley beamed a smile at me and dropped the presents in front of me.
"Careful!" Ava yelped and then looked at me. "It could be construed as fragile, I guess," she blushed.
I wasn't sure what any of them could be. I hadn't really expected any gifts from anyone but maybe Ava. "Don't open them yet, we take turns," Ashley smiled again before going back to the tree. By the end, the two biggest piles belonged to Liam and Ashley.
Apparently, the way Christmas Eve gifts worked at the Clearwaters' was that the youngest person opened a present then the next youngest and so on, Charlie being the last one to open gifts and Liam being the first. Ashley opened one of Liam's presents from Leah, a sweater outfit with Teddy bears on it, then she opened one of her presents from Sue and Charlie, piano lessons for the year with a teacher in La Push. I tried to remember how we had opened presents before Megan died, Mom left, and the only person Dad spent Christmas with was Jack Daniel's, but I couldn't remember. "You okay?" Ava asked, squeezing my hand and bringing me out of my stupor.
"Yeah, I was just thinking about something," I answered. Ava leaned her head on my shoulder and sighed.
"I'm happy you're here with us," she said. I lay my head on hers and closed my eyes. I could stay here, with her, forever.
"Ava, it's your turn!" Ashley said, dropping one of the boxes in her lap.
"Oh, sorry," she said, opening her gift of The Joy of Cooking cookbook. She thanked Abby and Seth and then turned to me. "Your turn."
I looked at the boxes and picked up the small one from Ashley. "What could it be?" I smirked, shaking the box a little.
"You can shake it, it's not fraggle," Ashley giggled. "Seth helped me pick it out from Mr. Paul." She sat in front of me with wide-eyes, waiting for me to open the neatly wrapped package, which I knew if Paul had provided it, it must be something leather and Shipo related. "Abby wrapped it for me though."
"I'm excited," I said to her. She'd started bouncing and I knew how important this gift must've been to her. I slid my finger under the paper and tape and pulled it off in one swift move to show a green box. "Hmmm…" I pulled the lid off and moved the tissue paper to reveal and leather keychain with a sterling silver plaque engraved with wolves. "Wolves?" I asked, holding it up.
"They're my new favorite animal. I love them so much! I've seen more than just Sandy since we moved here, you know? I saw a silver one that I named Bullet and I wanna see a black one next and I'm going to name him Domino, I already decided! I've been looking and looking!" Ashley was so excited and I looked at Seth who was watching her intently, then at Sue and Leah who looked worried. "Seth helped me pick it out, I told him I wanted to get you a wolf keychain because maybe you could look at the wolves and think of me." She paused and chewed on her lip. "Do you like it?"
Like wasn't even a word I could use to describe it. It was one of the most amazing gifts I'd ever received in my life. Picked by Ashley to remind me of her, as if I could ever not remember her. And Bullet, the wolf, he was me. Ashley loved me even when I was a wolf. "Ashley, this is…" I had to take a deep breath. "I love it, Ash. It's beautiful, thank you so much." I looked Ash in the eyes and she stood up to put her arms around my neck to hug me.
"You're my big brother too, Scar," she whispered in my ear and the lump in my throat made me swallow hard again. Had I really been given the chance to be a big brother again? I'd been so bitter and so pissed for so long that I wasn't sure my heart could thaw enough to let anyone in, but it had. The pack had done that. Ashley released me and walked over to Leah. "Auntie Leah, have you ever seen a wolf?"
Leah laughed. "One or two, kid, one or two."
Ashley stayed by Leah while the gifts made their rounds, until it was my turn again and I picked up the next smallest package, this one from Abby and Seth. "Wait, wait, wait!" Abby said putting her hands up. "Ave, you need to open this one at the same time," she said. She handed Ava a small box that matched mine and we looked at each other with a smile. "Okay, go ahead."
I ripped the paper as fast as I could but Ava beat me, flipping the lid open and pulling out a shiny gold key. "What's it for?" Ava asked, turning the key and looking at it from a different angle. Mine was identical to hers and I couldn't figure out what the hell it could be for.
"That is the key to your new condo in Seattle," Seth said. "I went down a couple weeks ago and scouted out a few places and found a place that I think will suit you guys best." Seriously? A house?
"Really?" Ava squealed. I still couldn't wrap my head around what this meant, what this was. "Scar, did you hear that? We have a place to stay! We're going to stay together!"
I looked into her beautiful emerald eyes and realized it was a reality. "Together," I said, gripping her hand but she threw her arms around me.
"It's going to be so great! I can't wait!" she squeaked and then undid her arms from my neck, running over to Abby and hugging her. "Thank you! Thank you so much! You have no idea how totally awesome this is! This is like, this is the shit, Abbs!"
"Seth picked it out," Abby said with a small smile but I could hear a hint of sadness in her voice. "I just can't believe that you're all grown up and…" She stopped and Seth squeezed her hand, then brought it to his lips to kiss it.
I hadn't been sure anything could top the gift that Ash gave me, but this, this was amazing. "Thank you, Seth," I said, standing up and walking over to him with an outstretched hand.
His goofy grin broke out and he took my hand shaking it firmly. "Now, there are certain rules, but we'll talk about those later. And, Scar, I'm counting on you to keep an eye on Ava and Claire."
"I will, Seth, I will," I nodded. I would make sure that no one looked at Ava the wrong way, I loved her so much, I would protect her to the ends of the earth, I would happily sacrifice myself for her. Seth released my hand and I turned to hug Abby. "Thank you so much, Abby."
She patted my back. "You deserve it, Scar, and I know you'll take good care of the girls." I nodded again.
"Well now my gift is going to suck compared to that!" Ava giggled.
I looked at her with a smirk. "Somehow, I doubt that, Ave."
"It doesn't matter cuz you have to wait!" Ashley scolded us and crossed her arms across her chest with a pout. "I wanted you to like my gift best."
"He loves your gift, Ash," Leah said, hugging her, too affectionate for any other time I'd seen Leah Clearwater. Maybe this new boyfriend was softening her up. Ashley kept her pout and turned her head into Leah's neck.
"Hey, Ash, I love your gift. You know why?" I put my hand out waiting for her to take it but she seemed very reluctant until she took a deep breath and then put her hand in mine.
"Why?"
"You know you said that wolves are your favorite animal?" I asked and she nodded. "Well, they're mine too. And guess what the first key on my favorite keychain ever is going to be?" I picked up the gold condo key and slid it on the keychain. "See, now I'm all set." Ashley's smile returned to her face and she giggled as she went back to her pile of gifts.
We waited again for the gifts to make their rounds, this time, only the kids having any left. The grown-ups were finished, and Seth was rocking a very sleepy Liam, waiting for us to finish before Abby put him to bed. My last gift was from Ava and it was in a larger box. I tore into, opening the box quickly, pulling out a black motorcycle helmet. Okay, now, why the hell would I need a motorcycle helmet? This was interesting. But how can I say something without seeming ungrateful?
"Thanks?" I said, the word coming out more like a question than a statement really.
Ava laughed out loud. "Well don't sound so excited!"
"I'm just, I'm trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do with this?" I said, opening my mouth to say something else before Liam let out a cry, stopping me. Everyone made some remark to the sleepiness of the little baby and Abby left to put him in bed. Ashley finished her gifts and we ate dinner. It was funny how much I enjoyed just being with everyone to eat. I was still totally perplexed by the motorcycle helmet, but my mind could relax and listen to stories about Seth as a kid or Christmases the O'Briens had years ago. This was what I had always envisioned Christmas was supposed to be like: food, family, gifts, and most importantly, love.
After Seth read The Night Before Christmas and Abby put Ashley to bed, Ava decided to drive me home. I could've just run but Ava and Abby refused to let it go, regardless of the fact that I could probably run faster than Ava's little Volkswagen could take us. There was something else that bothered me about Ava taking me home. She had been pestering me for the last month to meet Dad. Now I loved my father very much, but I knew the timing had to be right for him to meet Ava. I'd have to clean up his liquor bottles and make sure he was at least a little sober before introducing him to the love of my life. We talked on the drive to my house, mainly about plans for the condo and school.
The scent of the alcohol hit my nose before Ava pulled into the driveway and any thought that I had about Ava going in tonight was gone. That wasn't going to be possible because I was almost positive that Dad was passed out on the couch. "So…" she said, raising her eyebrows and stretching her neck.
"Not tonight, Ave," I replied with a sigh. "I do have something for you though for Christmas." I pulled the small box from my pocket.
"You didn't have to," and even in the darkness of the car, I could see the pinking of her cheek bones. She was beautiful, I couldn't really see her, but she was.
"Yes, but you got me this amazing helmet, which, by the way, I still have no idea what I'm going to do with, and I couldn't just let you give me a gift without reciprocating now, could I?" I asked.
"I guess not," she answered. An awkward silence filled the air until I decided to make my move.
"Okay, close your eyes," I said, slipping her present from the small box.
She giggled. "I can't see one way or another, Scar."
"I know," I slipped my fingers around her neck and slid on the necklace I'd bought her. She wouldn't know it, but it was the closest thing to an imprint bracelet I could get. No one else would look at it and know what it was but I did. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, without any words or signs from fate that I wanted Ava as my soul mate. The necklace hung just above her breasts, with a howling wolf hanging from the pendant attached to a black string. "Okay."
Ava's fingers ran up to the pendant and she traced it carefully before turning on the overhead light. "Scar…" Her eyes started to water. Other than the fact that the wolf in me wanted everyone to know she was mine, I did have another reason for giving it to her.
"I wanted to give this to you to remind you that I'll protect you, just like I protect the tribe, I will always, always protect you," I said. The moment the words were out of my mouth, her arms were around my neck again.
"This is by far the best present ever," she whispered.
"Better than the condo?" I chuckled.
"Better than the condo," she said back, placing a small kiss on my cheek and pulling away to wipe her tears away. We both just sat there for a few minutes, silence all around. "Thank you, Scar."
I turned to her and smirked. "You're welcome."
"I promise you'll figure out more about your gift tomorrow. Now, go get some rest and I'm going home to not call Claire and to pretend to be asleep while Abby and Seth play Santa," Ava giggled and gave me one last hug before I got out of the Bug and headed into the house to find Dad already in bed and I walked to my room to find my own slumber, dreaming of a life where I wasn't a wolf and I was allowed to love Ava. Or better yet, a life where she would love me at all.
AVA'S POV
After dropping Scar off at his house, I really, really wanted to call Claire and gush over the necklace that he'd given me, but I knew she was otherwise occupied. I guess my family would have to do for now. It shouldn't have surprised me when I pulled up to see Seth in the driveway, waiting for Sadie to do her business. I had to give it to him. Seth knew how to give gifts, like really good gifts. I mean, the dude gave me and Scar a condominium, and, hell, if Ash had asked, he probably would've given her a freakin' pony and stables! The funny part was that, sometimes, when people gave extravagant gifts, it was their way of buying someone's love. That wasn't Seth's deal though, he did it because he loved us, genuinely, and as much as the jealousy ate at my insides, that I couldn't have my wolf, I was glad to have someone like Seth in my life.
"Nice, Seth," I nodded after getting out of my car and shoving my keys in my purse. Sadie was whining, I'm sure pissed that she couldn't find any place that hadn't been marked by the "stray" wolves in the area.
"Someone's gotta do it. I just wished it didn't take so long for her to go," Seth furrowed her brow while Sadie came over and sat in front of Seth, putting her paw out to shake. He took it, shook, and scratched her ears. We walked down the sidewalk to the front door. "Did you get Scar home?"
He opened the door and let me in, shutting the door behind me. "Yeah, he gave me this really cool necklace," I said, pulling it out for Seth to see.
"That's a Quileute wolf," he said. "That's very cool, Ave. Very cool." He seemed genuine but he pursed his lips a little as Abby walked into the room.
"Two down, one to go," she breathed a sigh of relief looking at me then back to Seth. "What did Quil want?"
I threw my hand over my mouth. I knew what Quil wanted and I knew that if he got it from Seth, Abby would be thoroughly pissed. "Just needed to pick up something for Claire," Seth said with a yawn. Damn! That wasn't entirely a lie.
"So, on that note, I think I'm going to bed. Don't want to interrupt Santa's helpers," I chuckled, saying my good nights to Seth and Abby and then heading to my bedroom. The plans for tomorrow were fairly simple. We'd spend the morning at Aunt Tess and Uncle Rob's before heading over to the Blacks' that night for a pack Christmas gathering.
I wasn't used to going to bed so early but Scar was asleep and Claire was, well, otherwise occupied. So I lay in my bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering what the condo looked like or what our rooms would be like, if we would share a bathroom and I might accidentally see him naked. Damn me! Apparently those thoughts were enough to put me to sleep though. I woke up to the sound of Ashley poking at me and then giggling when I swatted at her hand.
"You have to get up! Santa came! He really came and he brought you and me and Liam surprises!" she jumped on the bed next while I groaned.
"Go get Abby and Seth up," I threw a pillow as Sadie jumped up on the bed.
"I did already! They locked their door but I knocked and then Abby let me in," she stopped jumping on the bed and lay on her stomach to look at me and put her hands under her chin. "Why do you think they lock their door?" Wow! No idea how to answer that. I thought maybe she'd just forget the question but she kept staring at me with deep green eyes.
"Sometimes grown ups like to play a game and part of the game is locking the door. The winner is the person that unlocks the door first," I was totally making this shit up.
Ashley looked at me seriously. "Are you talking about sex?"
My eyes widened and I could practically feel my heart speed up. "Where did you hear that?"
"At school, this fifth grader said that she caught her big brother doing sex in their basement," she was so serious and yet looked like such a little gossip diva that I had to rein in the urge to laugh. "She said they were kissing a lot and she said that's what sex is. Plus, I already kinda knew that because Abby and Seth used to kiss all the time and then Liam was born and I heard on TV that babies come from sex. So sex is kissing, right?"
Merry Christmas to me! "Sure, that's exactly what it is," I lied. How do you explain the actual elements of sex to a seven-year old? And would it really hurt for her to think that sex was kissing? I made an executive decision in that moment and decided just to go with it.
"Will you and Scar ever have sex?" she batted her eyelashes at me.
"Have you ever seen me kiss Scar?" I asked and she shook her head. "Then no sex for us. You know, you might not want to go around talking about sex though. It's kinda a private thing." Ashley sighed then took my hand and we walked down the stairs where Seth was hiding his face, the wolf-hearing no doubt giving him an all-access pass to the sex conversation I'd just had with Ashley. "You two owe me big time," I glared playfully at them.
Santa Claus had indeed come and it was a joyous morning at the O'Brien-Clearwater home, complete with a few more gifts and a delicious cup of coffee while I watched Ashley ride her new bicycle around the living room and Liam bounce in his bouncy chair. Seth and Abby were cuddled up on the sofa again, while Sadie chewed on a new toy she'd gotten from Santa. And my Christmas gift was complete with an "A" keychain from Santa. All-in-all I'd say it was a good Christmas.
After I had dressed and was ready to go to Aunt Tess's, I picked up my phone to text message Scar to find a text waiting for me. Merry Christmas to my best friend in the whole world! Love, Scar. It made me smile but it cut me to the core too. I was his best friend and that was all I was ever going to be and the soon I realized that, the sooner things wouldn't hurt quite so bad. I didn't tell anyone this but sometimes, when Claire and Quil and Scar and I would go places, I would intentionally avoid places where I knew there would be a lot of girls. I was scared to death that he would imprint and I'd lose him forever. But right now, I need to just worry about getting through today.
Merry Christmas to you too! Can't wait to see you at N & J's! Love ya! Ave
I shut my phone and contemplated calling Claire but as a recovering sex-haver I knew that it wasn't a good idea to get the dirty details. I'd have to wait until tonight. And I did, I waited forever, it seemed like. Until we finally, after all the family fun, went to the Blacks' for Christmas night with the rest of the pack. It really was a fun celebration, food and drinks for the adults. Ashley played with the little kids and I laughed at how much all the little boys looked like a miniature version of the pack. I couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Scar said taking a seat next to me.
I pointed to Remy as he chased Hawke around the couch. "They look like a mini-wolf pack!" I giggled. I looked over at Scar and smiled at him. If we had babies, would they be part of the mini-wolf pack? Shit, what was wrong with me? I shook my head and put my head down.
"You okay?" he asked and I nodded. This was becoming dangerous. As much as I loved Scar and I wanted to be his friend, I couldn't stop myself from envisioning a life with him, a life where we were together, with a family and a future. A life I knew we'd never have. "Claire just got here."
I bounded up from my seat and ran to her at the door. She and Quil were arm-in-arm and he kissed her on the cheek before his smile took over his whole face. Yep, someone definitely got laid last night. Claire's eyes met mine and she momentarily let go of Quil to hug me. "How are you?" I whispered.
"I'm okay. I don't know if I can sit down though," she whispered back, and I heard about three wolves crack up laughing as she blushed.
I hugged her again. "If it makes you feel any better, they'd probably see it in the pack mind anyway," I said.
"Yeah, I hate that," she stomped her feet.
I had to agree with her, though I really had no idea what that would be like. Scar and I never did anything that might be offensive if anyone ever saw it. Now, if I were the wolf, the poor guys would be flooded with the images of all my fantasies, and let's just say a lot of them were not so PG-rated.
"Now that Quil finally decided to grace us with his presence, let's eat," Jake announced loudly and was met with a round of applause. As usual, the moms helped the little kids get their food, while fixing their own plates. Then the other non-wolves went next, the wolves being last because, well, everyone knows if they went first, there'd be no food left for anyone else to eat.
After dinner, I knew it was about time for Jake to give Scar his Christmas present, a gift that would definitely help my gift make much more sense to him. I was getting antsy too, I couldn't help it. Everyone was having a good time and I put up the front that I was too but I was ready for Scar to see his gift. I was ready to see his reaction to it. I'd known about it for months, since Jake had come up with the idea, and very unlike me, I kept my mouth quiet and didn't say a word.
I'd been so lost in my thoughts I didn't even hear Nessie, as she patted Scar's back. "Can we steal you for a moment?" And I knew it was time. "You can come too, Ava," she smiled and revealed her beautiful white teeth.
"Okay," I said while Scar helped me up. He kept his hand in mine and I wanted so badly to snuggle up to him. Heaven knows he'd keep me warm. We followed Jake and Nessie to their garage where Scar's surprise was waiting.
"Do you know what it is?" he asked, his hot breath all wet and warm and making me think naughty thoughts as it tickled my neck. And I felt my body nod to him. "Why haven't you spilled the beans?"
"I-I promised N-ness," I stuttered. I tried to get my body under control but it wasn't working. What sucked worst of all was praying that he couldn't catch the scent, if you know what I mean.
Jake stopped us at the garage door. "Okay, Mr. Scar, as you have probably guessed, Nessie and I wanted to give you something special for Christmas this year." He wrapped his arm protectively around his wife.
"We think of all you boys as our family, but you seem to work so hard," Ness smiled.
"And we know you're going off to college in the Fall and we want to make sure that you're well-equipped for it. So I had the guys get together and fix a little something up for you," Jake pulled open the door to reveal Scar's gift: a black and blue Shipo motorbike.
Scar didn't say anything at first and he had a confused look on his face. "Wait. That's…okay, wait, the bike…That's mine?" He started to move towards it but he stopped. "I don't understand. This is too much, Jake. You've already given me the college trust fund, I can't…"
Ness eased her way out of Jake's arm and came over to Scar, wrapping him up in a hug. "I'm so proud of you, Scar. And I love you, sweetie, and you deserve so much more than a bike, but this is something we can give you, something tangible."
Scar's eyes were filled with tears and I could see Jake urging him forward. "Thank you," he looked at me. "I feel like I've had more to be thankful for in the last few days than in my entire life." Scar touched the seat of the bike. "It's awesome, Jake," he threw his arm around him in a manly hug before he turned to me. "That's what the helmet's for?"
"Yep," I answered simply and then, in a matter of a second, felt myself being lifted until Scar's hands were on my hips and I was over his head, putting my hands on his shoulders.
"Thank you, Ava!" And then, for the first time since I'd known Scar, he did something I'd never seen before. He smiled, a real genuine smile. And my insides warmed at the thought that I had had even the slightest bit to do with that. I could spend forever in his arms, and I would hold that smile in my heart for as long as I lived.