Chapter 51:

Terribly sorry for not delivering on my Christmas promise. Life. But I'm making up for it now, so cheers! Schedule is set.

Larten meandered down the stairs into the kitchen, a satisfied grin on his face. He even whistled to himself as he managed to make coffee. It wasn't difficult once you knew which buttons to push. (He didn't understand why coffee making had become so technologically difficult.) He continued whistling to himself as he poured a cup for Erin and one for himself. He blew on it before taking a sip. Erin was still getting dressed for Christmas Eve. He, himself, had put on his red pants, white shirt, with his red vest. He wanted to put his cloak on but it seemed a bit gauche to do so while standing in the kitchen drinking coffee.

Larten closed his eyes as he took another sip.

"Good evening, Brigid." He said calmly.

"I knew you would hear me." Brigid's voice behind him grumbled. "But I got close!"

Larten turned to look at her smugly.

"Not even, child."

"Normally, that would upset me, but you know what? It's Christmas Eve so all is forgiven." Brigid flounced her strawberry hair as she hopped onto the edge of the counter across from him. She had tossed her sleepover bags in the back hall. She was wearing black ankle boots, thick black tights, a green plaid dirndl skirt, and cream-colored turtleneck. Her hair seemed extra wavy and she had light makeup on but dark burgundy lips.

"What?"

"Nothing." He grunted. "Do you not think the color on your lips is too mature for a girl your age?"

Brigid gave him a bored look. "No."

She hopped off the counter and pushed him aside to pull out the turkey and ham that had been defrosting.

"Come on. Hop to. We need to get cooking. Can't just be standing around smiling like a cream fed vampire."

Larten choked a little on his coffee. He could see out of the corner of his eye Brigid smirking but, before the vampire could die of embarrassment, Erin entered the kitchen. Her smile made him forget where he was for a second. She too was wearing black heeled boots, black tights, a short red corduroy skirt, and an off-the-shoulder black knit sweater. She immediately walked in his direction. He stiffened. Would she kiss him or—would move right past him to grab her coffee apparently. She took a few sips before setting her mug down and placing her hands on her hips.

"Okay, what's the game plan?" She asked glancing around the kitchen.

"Turkey and ham duties go to Larten. Also, egg nog duty. I'm going to start working on cookies and you, sis, should work on mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, biscuits— "

"Got it. Let's get busy. Brigid, music."

Brigid ran into the living room to turn on the radio. Christmas music blasted through the speakers making Larten jump slightly at the volume.

"Sorry, sorry." Brigid called out while turning down the volume a bit.

An apron was suddenly thrust over his head and being tightened around his waist. Erin looked up at him before pecking him quickly on the lips. He wanted to lean down for a better kiss but she was suddenly across the kitchen throwing on her own apron.

"Larten, focus! If you ruin this turkey or ham I will kick you out of the house." Brigid poked him in the side bringing him out of his distraction. He looked down at her as she shoved the ingredients for egg nog in front of him.

"Hope you can handle this."

Larten pulled the large punch bowl towards him, staring Brigid down.

Brigid grinned cheekily before giving him a strong slap on the back. "That's the spirit!"

Erin opened a bottle of wine for him and herself only allowing Brigid a small amount in her cranberry juice as they cooked. Larten didn't know if it was partially the wine but he felt cheerful, his senses taking everything in from the snippets of Christmas songs Brigid would sing loudly to Erin almost burning the caramelized sweet potatoes. The Christmas lights on the tree, the warmth and smells of the kitchen, Brigid and Erin laughing, the vampire did not try to hide how happy he felt. He was included in this warm, bright world with no expectations. He never really thought he'd feel included within a group of people again. There was the Cirque and the vampires. True human contact had ended long ago. But here he was and in such a short time, according to vampire time, his circumstances had changed so quickly. He knew the end would start eventually. Such was life.

"Just a little more time, please." He whispered to the vampire gods.

"What was that?" Erin asked appearing next to him peering into the oven to check the meat.

"Hmm? Nothing, nothing." Larten said quickly pushing her aside as he opened the oven and lifted the turkey and ham out. Erin handed him a knife to check it.

"Ah, that smells so good." Brigid sighed.

"Looks good, but let's see how you did on the egg nog." Erin said scooping a spoonful to check. She licked her lips and after a few seconds nodded her head in approval towards him. Larten nodded his head back.

"Time to set the table." Brigid yelled.

There was the sound of fingers snapping and before either girl could blink the dining room table had been set complete with candles burning.

"Quick thinking, Larten. Erin loves that in a man!"

"Vam-" Larten began without thinking.

"Shut up and grab the turkey and ham." Brigid interrupted him.

"Brigid, don't be rude."

"I'm sorry but I can't hear you over my stomach growling and all of the Christmas cheer, you'll have to chastise me louder." Brigid yelled through the kitchen carrying in the food to set out on the table. "Come on, hurry! I'm hungry."

The last dish to be brought out was the turkey and ham. Aprons were off, plates ready, and Christmas music at a much lower volume drifted in the background. Larten went to sit in his usual spot but Brigid stopped him.

"You're the guest of honor so you sit at the head of the table."

"Really, that is not necessary." Larten began.

"Well, too bad, because you're also tasked with the honor of carving the turkey so move."

Larten glanced at Erin who jerked her head to the place they had switched to be his seat.

He straightened and walked to the head of the table, pulling at his vest. Both Erin and Brigid looked up at him expectantly and he faltered, unsure of what to do. Brigid made a small cutting motion with her hands and glanced at the turkey. Quickly, but with great elegance, Larten grabbed the knives and cut into the turkey. Erin and Brigid began clapping and laughed at Larten's surprise.

Once each of them had their plate filled with food, Brigid and Erin lifted their glasses. Larten swiftly lifted his, too, unsure though why.

"Cheers to this extra special Christmas where we have a real vampire dining with us. It's nice to have someone else to share the holiday with here at home." Brigid said. Larten couldn't stop his features from softening ever so slightly as he saw the sincerity in her eyes.

"Cheers to that!" Erin said clinking her glass against Brigid's.

Larten felt a funny feeling deep within his chest. He was moved. He thought for a moment before clinking his glass against theirs'.

"Cheers to my first Christmas." He smirked.

He chuckled as Brigid and Erin laughed, taking a small drink. He felt his hand squeezed and looked down to see Erin's hand gently holding his. He looked up at her as he brought her hand to his lips.

Brigid made a small gagging noise. Larten sent a quick glare in her direction.

"What? I got something caught in my throat." Brigid mumbled innocently behind her hand.

From there on the dinner played out like any dinner, laughing and joking, a couple of short funny stories from Larten about the Cirque, Brigid being the main talker. Eventually everyone was finished and Brigid was already focused on cookies and hot chocolate by the fire with "It's a Wonderful Life" playing before finally opening the gifts under the tree.

Erin and Brigid had popped off their boots and had their feet tucked as they watched the movie. Larten sat with his arm draped over the sofa as Erin reclined her head against his shoulder. She shifted when the movie ended.

"Did you like it?"

Larten went to scratch his scar where her hair had tickled it.

"Er, yes, I suppose." Honestly, he didn't, too frivolous, but a man who gets a second chance he could understand.

"Gifts, gifts, gifts!" Brigid yelled out having already somehow managed to set out the order in which the gifts should be opened.

Erin pulled Larten up from the couch and went to sit by the tree next to Brigid. Everything during the evening had lead up to this point and Larten immediately felt uncomfortable and insecure. Erin tugged at him to sit down. Larten sat crisscross and tense as Brigid shoved a gift into his hands.

"Guest of honor goes first." She smirked.