Author's note: So this chapter is one of those that just needs to move some stuff along, but there is some nice tidbits here. Please feel free to review and let me know what you think. I have some great plans for the next chapter, so keep your eyes out for that one.

Happy reading!

Chapter Twenty-One

"Your mom's not upset that you're not spending Christmas here?" Adrian asked as I packed the last of my things.

"She's upset, but Dad didn't want me there. You remember Thanksgiving when he actually showed up half-way through the meal and caused a scene. He said I wasn't welcome in their house as long as I was still with you, especially if you were present."

"I don't guess I helped when I called him an asshole and a lousy excuse for a father." He smoothed and hand over my hair and kissed my temple.

"He got a good punch in." I said appreciatively.

"So did I." He picked up his bag. "Ready to get going?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Adrian handed over his keys as he took my bags from me. He rested his hand on top of mine as we traveled to the airport. The whole check-in process was pretty easy since we were taking a private plane. We went through the process quickly on the tarmac and then got right onto the plane.

It was odd having the whole airplane to ourselves. Adrian pulled me to the back and lifted the armrest between us. He rested his hand on my thigh. He waved off the safety instruction. The both of us had been on planes enough to know it by heart.

When we were finally in the air, Adrian asked for a glass of scotch on the rocks. I shot him a questioning look.

"I always have a drink when I fly." He explained. "Just one, I promise."

"It better be just the one." I warned.

"It will be, honey." He leaned over and kissed my cheek. Then he pulled my legs across his lap. "Make yourself comfortable."

I smiled and curled into his side, resting my head on his shoulder. "Do you think we should start some Christmas traditions?"

"Traditions?"

"Yeah, like something special that we do maybe combining something from each of our families."

"Hm…" He combed his fingers through my hair as he thought. "I think we should wake up together on Christmas Morning, real Christmas Morning, drink a cup of something hot and exchange gifts and then just curl up together on the couch for a while. Go back to sleep if we want. After we're married but before we have kids, we should totally have wild, hot Christmas sex."

I slapped his chest and moved away. "Any excuse."

"Yes. And you will make them up as soon as we're doing it." He leaned close and kissed me. "Want to join the mile high club?"

"No, definitely not." I laughed. "I like your idea. Your other idea. It's something I was thinking about. When we were kids, our parents used to let us open one present on Christmas Eve. When we have kids, I'd like to do that."

"When?" He smirked and accepted his drink from the flight attendant.

I waited for her to walk away and ten continued the conversation. "I agreed we'd have them eventually. And I would be lying if I said I didn't ever consider being a mom. I want to be as great as mine. As great as you say yours is." I draped my legs over his again. "Do you think I'll ever get to meet her?"

"I hope so." He patted my legs. "I like the idea of letting them open a present Christmas Eve."

I leaned against the wall and watched as my fiancé sipped his drink. He was lost in thought and I wanted to ask him what it was, but I hesitated. I had noticed the change when I'd mentioned his mother. He had been in contact with her and he said she was okay, but he never said much else.

After a while, he looked over to me and smiled. "We've got a bit of a long night ahead of us, why don't you take a nap?"

I moved until I was lying with my head on his lap and my feet curled into the seat under me. As Adrian combed his fingers through my hair, he started humming softly. I knew from experience he was a horrible singer, but he wasn't bad with the humming. I tried to figure out the song from all the tunes he'd played me. As I went through the catalogue, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

Adrian gently shook my shoulder, whispering, "We're landing."

I sat up groggily and strapped on my seatbelt. I yawned and stretched.

He chuckled and attempted to flatten my hair. "Honey, I think a trip to the lavatory after we land is in order."

I laughed. "Is it the worst thing you've ever seen?"

"I've seen worse." He assured me. "Though not by much."

I put my hand on his thigh and squeezed, leaving it there for the descent and taxiing of our plane.

Adrian gathered all our bags as I retreated into the bathroom to smooth down my hair. We left the plan to find Jill and Eddie waiting for us as well as a few other guards.

Jill ran forward and threw herself at Adrian.

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her in return. "Did you miss me or something?"

"Just a little." She stepped back and turned her affection to me. "I'm so glad you're here. Don't worry, I will be with you almost as much as Adrian. So will Eddie and Leah. We won't let anyone mess with you. And if they do, they'll have the queen to answer to."

I patted her back. "Glad to hear it. Thank you."

Eddie pulled me into a bear hug as soon as Jill stepped away.

I looked up at him. "You look like you've grown a few inches. Or is it just that I haven't seen you in so long?"

"I have grown a little. I was as shocked as you. Bulked up a little too, but you can't really tell by my layers."

"You can show off later." Jill joked affectionately.

"So who's driving?" Adrian asked, draping an arm over my shoulders.

We piled into one of a fleet of SUVs and made our way to the heart of Court. Jill talked almost non-stop about her dress for the wedding.

"I think we can go tomorrow, if you want. If we can. I'll ask Lissa." She continued on until Eddie cut her off.

"Aren't you going to ask if they're up for it, Jill?"

She looked down, embarrassed. "Oh, yeah. Sorry, I just assumed. I know there's a lot going on."

"I can't wait to see it in person." I said.

"And you know I have to go wherever she goes. One of those lame fiancé things." He nuzzled my neck, making me giggle.

"Stop." I pushed him away.

We walked into the palace. I was more nervous being inside. Outside, I felt the ability to escape was a lot easier. I gripped Adrian's hand and he squeezed back reassuringly.

There was crying behind the door we stopped in front of. Dimitri gave us an apologetic look in greeting, well as apologetic as one so stoic in his duties could be, and then stepped into the room. Rose came out a few moments later.

"Chris is teething." She explained. "Lissa is trying to calm him down. She's really happy you're here and will be right with you as soon as Christian can convince her to let him handle it for a little while because she has things to do." She smiled. "Looking a little tense there, Sydney. Don't worry, I'll kick anyone's ass if they so much as look at you wrong." She winked and turned to poke her head back inside. The crying had died down.

"You're free to come in." She opened the door and ushered us inside.

Andrea toddled over and held up her arms to Jill with a smile. Jill gladly picked up the little girl and pointed to Adrian. "You remember him? Adrian." She looked up. "I swear I almost had her saying it the other day. She can say Mama and Dada. And Jill."

"Jill." She said happily, resting her head on her aunt's shoulder.

"Yep. Can you say hi to Sydney?" She rubbed the girl's back.

She smiled shyly and waved.

Lissa met us as we walked across the massive room. She rubbed her daughter's back and held out her hands.

She shook her head and wrapped her arms around her aunt's neck.

"Well, I guess you see enough of me. Come, have a seat." She turned. "Christian took the baby. I'm sure Rose explained about his teething. Poor guy. He's really sweet when he's not in pain."

"I'm sure." Adrian laughed and pulled me into a seat beside him. "So how are things otherwise?" He tickled Andrea's cheek and she smiled at him.

"Going well." Lissa said. "The entirety of Court has been buzzing with the final preparation for the Christmas celebration. A lot of people are upset that I've invited dhampirs in a guest capacity, but I assured them that there is no problem mixing our races, obviously." She gave her sister a pointed look. "As soon as they catch a whiff of Sydney in the room, though, I'm sure all hell will break loose. I need as many off duty guardians in attendance as I can get to keep the peace." She smiled. "How are the wedding plans?" She asked me.

"We have a lot of the major things. Now we need a cake and other food. Possibly a band." I laughed, "I guess that's still a lot of big things."

Adrian squeezed my hand. "It's all overwhelming, but we're doing one thing at a time."

"Yes. And it's going to be fine."

She nodded. "Good. Very good. If you ever need anything, let us know. Jill showed me the venue. It's nice."

"I'm excited to see it in person. Didn't you say we'd try to go, Adrian?" I asked, rubbing his hand.

"Yes, definitely. I want to see it again with you. It's gorgeous."

We made small talk for a short time. I noticed Andrea watching me. When I looked at her and smiled, she pressed her face into Jill's shoulder and refused to be coaxed out of her shyness, even by her favorite aunt.

A woman knocked on the door and stepped into the room. "Your majesty, there is an urgent call for you. Something about the food. I didn't get all of it. He's screaming in French."

She sighed and stood. "Duty calls. Tell Henri to calm down, I'll be right with him." She took Andrea and kissed her temple. "Aunt Rose is going to bring you to Daddy." She passed her to her trusted guardian. "And I will bid farewell to the rest of you so I can decipher what has pissed this guy off. I probably won't see you until tomorrow at the party."

We shook off Jill and Eddie at Adrian's apartment door. Eddie seemed to want to pull her off alone for a while anyway, but I made the excuse that I was tired and just wanted to try to adjust at least a little while.

Adrian pulled me down on the couch. I curled into his side and wrapped my arms around him, taking comfort in being locked in his apartment for the moment.

He kissed the top of my head. "I think Andrea liked you."

"She's cute."

"I wish we could have met the baby. They kept him behind closed doors the last time I was here." He absently combed his fingers through my hair and watched the late-night movie he'd found.

"I want to try to stay awake so I can sleep all day, but I'm having trouble." I admitted just before I yawned.

"You can sleep if you want. My dad wants to see me. I won't subject you to that."

"Well, thank you. You attempt to bait my dad every chance you get."

"Because I know how to handle myself. And it's kind of fun to watch him squirm. With my dad, he'll make you wish you made different decisions. And I don't want that for you. I can handle him, too. I'll do it for both of us."

"No, I want to go with you."

"Okay. Take a nap, then. We're having supper together."

I put my head on his lap and he pulled a blanket over me. I was too nervous to fully relax, but I did doze off after a while.