Kink the Halls: A Christmas Novella (10 page)

“I'm gonna get you back for that, bitch.” I growl at her while I read the label. It reads:

To: Seven

From: Levi

I thought we have agreed no gifts? I mean, yeah he agreed to it. I didn't. But I didn't want him to get me anything. Fucker. As I pull at the corner piece of wrapping paper, Levi wiggles out from under me. Moving a safe distance away, because I am sure he thinks I’m about to chuck this box at him.

Inside there is an overwhelming amount of tissue paper, I pull and I pull until there is nothing left in the box but two tickets. Plane tickets?

“We're going to Paris before the baby is born. Call it a baby-moon.” I think I’m going to cry. Wait. Seven fucking James can't fucking cry, especially in front of all these people. I choke back the lump in my throat, and I pull my scheming husband into my arms. This is probably one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. Hell, he is the only person who has ever gone out of his way for me, and I love him for it. Without a single doubt in my mind.

“Wait, Levi... there is something here for you too,” Star interrupts, and hands him the box. It is small, but the contents of it have such meaning in our relationship. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to give him as a gift. It is more than just a present, it is a commitment, a step in our relationship. While we have gone at warp speed, we are still wading through the waters of each other. We are new. We are anxious, and wary at times. He walks on eggshells, and I try to be gentle with him. Because that is what he deserves.

“I thought we said no presents, Seven?” he questions me while he works on the sleek silver bell wrapping paper. I give him a grin, and give it back to him. “I thought that’s what we said,” and holding the tickets up I laugh.

“Okay...” he opens the box.

(Levi)

I’m not sure what I’m supposed to make of this. I think Seven knew I was going to break our no present rule, but I never expected anything from her. Now, I’m sitting here staring at the most cryptic present I’ve ever been given. There is a letter with my name on the outside of the thick off white envelope, and a set of keys.

“What is all this?” I look at her, and she is damn near bouncing up and down on the couch. A big change since she was dead asleep on me a few minutes ago. I pick the keys up out of the box, and she fumbles with her cell phone. She taps the screen a couple times and clings the device to her chest.

“You ready?” she asks, and all I can do is nod. She turns the phone in my direction, and there is a picture of a house. The white picket fence type. Its blue with perfect country white shutters. A big wrap around porch, and a perfectly manicured lawn.

“Those keys, go to this house,” she takes a deep breath, and drops the phone. “I know I wasn't ready before when you wanted to make this step, but I needed to do it on my terms, Levi. This is our new home, it’s a five bedroom county home in Greenwich. We can both still commute into the city. This is our home, Levi. Our family home.”

Of all the things I’ve never expected from this woman, it was her giving up the city. Giving up her easy commute, her penthouse palace. Seven James moving to the 'burbs? Wow. I can't say anything because, for once, this woman who typically drives me up a wall has left me utterly speechless. Which is pretty damn hard.

It’s more than just a house, it’s a new chapter for us. I can still hear her asking me to leave when I brought up getting a place together. Those weeks were fucking agony. But, it all makes perfect sense now. The control freak herself could make this step, as long as she was the one initiating it.

“This is the best gift, well, besides our baby,” I grab her and pull her into my lap. She kisses my cheek, and squeezes me tight.

“Open the envelope,” she whispers in my ear.

“Not the documents for the house?” she shakes her head, and I pull out the letter.

Dear Levi,

In the short time we have been together, we have been through a world of change. We are about to embark on this biggest and most wild ride either of us have ever been on. I knew life would be different, so this is my way of telling you effective January 1
^st
, I am resigning as CEO of Alexander Mobile.

In the long run, this is better for our family.

I will be focusing on starting my own firm, and I hope you will join me in this project. Together, we can take over the world.

A new baby, a new home, a new beginning.

Your Seven

I never thought I would see the day when Seven James could walk away from Alexander Mobile. It was more than a company and business takeover for her. It was revenge. But with Daniel gone I guess she doesn't need it anymore.

I feel like I want to cry. We have come so far. She has let her walls down so much for me. I only hope that I can never let her down like I have let so many down in my lifetime. I swallow the lump in my throat, and squeeze her as tight as she is still holding me.

“I would follow you anywhere Seven, anywhere.”

(Star)

HA! Seven Fuckin' James just fucking gave up Manhattan. I don't know whether to laugh or cry because I’m pretty sure the apocalypse is coming. I want to wave my hands and scream about the end of the world. The zombies are coming! Dooms day prepper's were right! I should have a storm cellar filled with guns and tear gas. Dammit!

“Congratulations on leaving Manhattan,” I laugh as they maul each other on the couch. Good for them. It warms my heart to see Seven so damn happy for once in her life. It has been such a series of ups and downs over the years. She deserves it.

All the presents are distributed, the family is happy, and I am pretty sure Christmas is a fucking success. I didn't think I could pull it off, and for a while, I was worried everything was going to crash and burn. But it didn't. A giant damn surprise, but it didn't.

Chrome's arms tighten around my stomach, pulling me in tighter. Closer to his hard chest. My favorite place to snuggle up. River gets up, and walks into the kitchen and Paisley tails behind him. They are adorable together. I really am glad they found each other, even though they may kill each other. That blow up in the kitchen yesterday, I was worried. I guess hooking up siblings isn't the best idea, but whatever.

Something jingles through the house. It’s a bell? River and Paisley come around the corner with the tiniest little puppy in their arms. She is gray and white, and I want to eat her. River puts her down on the floor, and she runs for Chrome. What the hell?

“Go see Mommy,” he says to the dog, as it climbs up in my lap, trying to get to him. The puppy settles for me, and starts licking my face.

“Every home needs a dog,” Chrome says as he roughly rubs the puppies head. “Her name is Willow, she is a blue nose pit bull, and she is yours. Merry Christmas Star.” I can't help but smile. This is the best present anyone has ever given me. It means so much, and since we won't be adding to our family anytime soon, she is absolutely perfect!

I pet her, and pick her up to snuggle her soft fur against my face. Her energy starts to fade, and she is sleeping in no time at all.

“I even got her one of those fancy name tags, but if you want to change her name I understand,” I wouldn't even think about changing her name.

“It's perfect, Chrome.” I run my hand along the collar, pulling at the tag to take a peak. But there is no tag. I spin the collar around her neck, and spy the diamond ring connected to the collar with a small red ribbon.

As I turn in Chrome's arms, he slips away and rises into a kneeling position and my heart plummets to my stomach. I've never been a commitment type girl. I've never dreamt of a big wedding, or a poufy white dress. Right now, I can only think of being that girl, because this man makes me the happiest I could ever imagine.

“Star, I never thought I would find someone like you. I've wandered through life in the dark, grasping for some sort of normalcy. Then I found you. You are my everything. You are beautiful, and sweet. The best mother I could ever ask for when it comes to Scarlett. We don't have to get married soon, hell, it could be years. But, I can't think of anything in life that I want more than for you to wear my name.” Don't cry. Stop it. I can't cry. I don't want to cry. Oh fuck it!

The tears pour down my face as I nod my head. “Yes,” is all I can squeak out, and the entire living room comes to live with cheers and congratulations. The poor sleeping puppy freaks out and starts howling. Chaos is the best word that can describe this moment. But chaos is how I’ve always lived my life. I thrive on it. It makes me happy, and completes me. My soul wouldn't thrive without it.

It may not be for others, but it is for me. This is my family, and my life. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else in the world right now.

“Merry Christmas to all!”

Merry Christmas from the Crew

Seven, Levi, Star, Chrome, Magnolia, Scarlett,

River, Paisley, Ryker, and of course the newest addition

Willow.

I know what you all are thinking. This bitch went soft for a guy. Quit her job, moves to the 'burbs and lost her edge. And maybe in the slightest way, I have lost a piece of the Seven I was for so many years. But the piece that I left behind was the damaged, bitter, broken bitch that was toxic. There was no moving on to a happily ever after in life with that baggage.

Maternity leave is off the table, rough sex isn't going to stop; no matter how hard my husband tries to convince me otherwise. I'm not going to hang off the ceiling or any crazy shit, but a girl has needs! I'm not a Dom, I guess I really never was. I just harbored the need to be in control and used sex to reach that need. Something I never knew until Levi walked into my life was the fact that I was incredibly lonely. I am glad this all has changed.

I am excited to share the next journey of our lives together with you, and that will come sometime in 2014 with Levi and my second book: His.