Nolan's Evolution (53 page)

              “Speaking of memories…I do believe a significant one is coming up?” He straightened from the fridge with a carton of eggs and lifted his brows when he caught her eyes on him. “My eyes are up here Mrs. Foster!”

              She blushed. “What significant memory?” She knew exactly what he spoke of. “Well, we missed Thanksgiving in all this mess so….Christmas?”

              He rolled his eyes, setting the eggs and butter down. “Really?”

              She sighed. “My birthday then?”

              He grinned. “Next week in fact.” He tipped her chin and gave her a peck. “We are going to celebrate that for sure. You and I and then with the crew. Can’t let that pass us up.”

              She pouted.

              “You don’t like birthdays Aelan?” The silver eyes ran over her gently. “Because I can help you love birthdays, trust me.”

              She smiled at the suggestion in his voice. “I was just thinking…I’ll be twenty nine. You are thirty?”

              “Hmmm…give or take a hundred some years you silly girl.” He reached around her to take a frying pan down and trapping her.

              Raina liked this kind of trapped. “Physically though you are frozen.”

              He frowned down on her. “And if Maxim is right we will be nearly neck and neck. No need getting insecure now baby.”

              Raina bit her lip.

              Nolan swallowed.

              They both thought a moment on that statement. Eye to eye they held the others stare. It was something not all the way processed for either of them. A very scary something.

              There was an awkward moment of silence.

              “Starving immortal over here,” Thanatos growled from behind his paper to break the awkwardness.

              Nolan gave him a scowl, kissed Raina, and got to work on the breakfast.

              “Let’s forget about the birthday for a minute. Immortals celebrate Christmas don’t they?” She looked worried at what the answer may be. “Because I love Christmas!”

              Thanatos threw down his paper. “Hell yeah! I may be a heathen, but I make an exception for Christmas.”

              She made a face at the word heathen. “Ex heathen maybe,” she teased. She did look pleased that Christmas was not off the table. “I haven’t celebrated forever! Not since…well, David.” She rolled her shoulders. “Maybe we could invite my parents?” Her eyes danced at the prospect of introducing her Nolan finally. Emails were not the same.

              Nolan grinned over his shoulder as he poured oil into the pan. “That’s a great idea.”

              She stepped up behind him and hugged his waist. “I may have to protect you from my mom. She loved that picture I sent of you. I believe she called you drool worthy.” She laid her cheek against the middle of his back and sighed.

              “I think I can hold my own with the ladies,” he teased, patting her hands clasped in front of his stomach.

              “They will love you.” She squeezed him. She turned about and smiled at the green eyed one. “And my good friend Thanatos.”

              Thanatos shrugged but he was grinning.

              “I should start decorating now!” Raina suddenly looked frantic. “I need to go to the store!”

              Nolan looked to Thanatos. “There! Take her shopping…I will get done what I need to get done and we will meet back here!” His silver eyes danced as she did a little happy jig. “I hope you are that happy about our date and not so much the decorating?” He tagged her by the back of her sweat pants and pulled her back against his chest. He kissed her cheek.

              “I’m excited over both,” she laughed.

              He let her free after another quick peck. “Could you make more coffee please? These eggs will be done soon!” As he spoke, he popped four slices of bread in the toaster.

              They enjoyed a quick breakfast together and then went their separate ways. Nolan left with the promise to be back in time for their date and Raina with the promise of Christmas mayhem. They would do the tree tonight together with the group.

              Raina was already calling her friends and informing Thanatos they’d need to pick up hot cocoa and probably some wine as they hopped into his truck. She called her mom as she shopped. Surprisingly she met no argument at the suggestion of a Christmas visit. She thought at the short notice she would get some sort of fuss.

              “Oh honey we would love to!” There was a muffled shout in the back ground. “Hank, we are going to Raina’s for sure!”

              For sure? What did she mean by that? Raina’s brow furrowed and she swore she heard tears in her mom’s voice.

              “It’s been too long Raina. I can’t believe how long it’s been! We’ll have to go shopping for winter coats! Not much need for them here! It will be just a wonderful time!”

“Ok Mom, I have to run, we’re at the store!”

“You there with your man?”

Raina smiled. “No, Thana…uh, Thanatos,” she sighed knowing she would get the third degree on the name. “You know, I’ve told you about him!”

“Oh, oh yes, that’s lovely!”

Raina’s brows rose. No third degree? Ok, well mom, I love you! I will call you with for sure details! I can’t wait for you and Daddy to meet Nolan!”

              “Oh, can’t wait to meet him either! He’s a looker that boy and he seems to have it together…”

              “Yes, he does,” Raina laughed. “And he is…a looker! But don’t say that to him…he gets touchy on that subject!” She smiled. “You will just love him!”

              “You love him! Don’t you sweetheart?”

              “With all my heart mama.” Raina bit her lip.

              “I’m happy for you! You make sure you call me soon!”

              “Yes, I will…”

              “Like, really soon.”

              “Yes Mom.”

              “Maybe tonight?”

              Raina rolled her eyes. “We will see! I love you!”

              “Love you too sweetheart!”

              Raina smiled as she ended the call. She gave Thanatos a grin. “Mom is usually good with emails. I mention a visit and suddenly she wants multiple calls in one day?” She giggled.

              “Moms,” he murmured.

Raina shrugged. “You know how they are.”

Thanatos sighed and then cocked his head. “Actually…I wouldn’t know.” He pretended to study an ornament with care.

              Raina punched him lightly on the shoulder. “I’m sorry. You can borrow mine. She wouldn’t mind mothering you I am sure.”

              They finished up their shopping and loaded all the new things up in the back of his truck. Then it was a quick trip to the tree lot for a live tree. They got one that was probably too big but Raina insisted this would be a big Christmas. They’d purchased extra lights and ornaments to go with Raina’s stash at home.

              Once they got home, Thanatos strong armed the tree by himself and Raina climbed into the attic for the tree stand. She’d let him set it up and then they’d bring down the Christmas boxes. She wanted to get the primary décor out and leave the remaining cherry on top, the tree, for tonight!

              When it got close to lunch Thanatos literally took the strand of lights she held out of her hands. “Go get pretty. Nolan will be coming. His feelings will be hurt if he’s second to Christmas decorations,” he laughed.

              She pouted momentarily but time with Nolan would always win out.

              Thanatos watched her hurry up the stair and quickly called his friend. “She’s getting ready now! You on your way?”

              “Two minutes from the house,” Nolan assured him.

              “You were able to get everything ready?”

              “All set!”

              “Mr Romance,” Thanatos chuckled. “I’ll get everything ready for her Christmas thing tonight. So you can take your time with her.”

              Nolan chuckled over the phone. “Thank you my friend!”

              “Anytime. Now get your butt here. I’m covered in tinsel and snowflakes!”

              Nolan ended the call on a laugh and accelerated his Charger’s speed.

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              Nolan cleared his throat nervously. “Just a little ways to go.”

Raina giggled. “Nolan I’ve been here before. Remember?”

He blushed handsomely. “Sorry…just want this all to go well.”

She peaked up at him, noting his nerves. She admired the stiff line of his jaw and the frowny face that now was in place. He really was anxious. She bit her lip, and blew out her own nervous breath. The air frosted the breath immediately.

It would have been a perfect setting if not for the cold. Raina shivered squeezing Nolan's fingers as they made their way down the icy path. She smiled when he sensed her discomfort due to the chill and wrapped his arm around her. Contentedly she sighed and step closer into his warmth.

He adjusted the package of his other arm and her eyes went curiously to it.

"Can I have some sort of hint as to what we’re doing?"

His silvers danced. "Isn't it obvious? We’re having a date."

She elbowed him. "A date should transpire in a nice warm restaurant with candles and music or Movie Theater that's not at sub temperature conditions."

He chuckled as he helped her down a particularly slippery slope. His feet were sure and his arms strong. "I'll have to remember that for next time. But in the meantime try to enjoy yourself."

She shivered again. "It's just so darn cold."

He stopped, turned her into him, and kissed her gently. His hand ran up and down her arms and though he was not touching her skin she could still feel the magic that was Nolan. He laughed deep in his throat when she sighed. "Warmer now?" he murmured.

Raina nodded dumbly and they were moving again. She was glad for his strength and sure feet. She wouldn’t have been able to walk a straight line after that.

"I know this is sort of unconventional but it is a real date," he said softly. "I couldn't think of a better place in fact" He looked at her curiously. "It's our place. What could be more perfect?"

She smiled. "Anywhere I am is perfect as long as you're with me." She saw his cheeks flush.

“Then we agree.”

She lifted her eyes up into the tall pine trees about them. It was so still and quiet without the thousands of birds and chattering animals. The picture here was so different than it had been during their little escapades. Snow dusted their branches and the deep green color stood out boldly from its whiteness.

"Is this where you came to clear your head last night?"

He nodded with a little surprise that she had guessed. "I told you I needed air. There’s nothing like the air out here!"

She nodded. “I frustrated you so bad you had to come without me?” She peaked up at him. “I’m sorry.”

He cleared his throat and shook his head. "No, don’t be. It’s just that you shocked me. You made me rethink everything and here was the best place to get my thoughts back in order." His arm tightened around her as they rounded the trail. “And for me to plan this…” He nodded his head toward the river.

Raina drew the arctic air into her lungs on a gasp. "Nolan! It's beautiful."

The edges of the river had just begun to freeze. The water still flowed freely. It was only December and by January you probably would be able walk across but right now it was a thing of beauty ice edgings and flowing water.

"Is it is pretty as you remember?"

Raina squeezed him. "It's prettier."

He tipped her face back and trailed his fingers down her jaw. A sparkle entered the silver eyes. "I don't suppose you want to go wading?"

She laughed and shook her head. "Not even for you!" She shivered just at the thought.

He tugged her hand. "Come here." He began leading her to their spot.

It was then that Raina notice the setup.

He had laid out blankets on top of the rocks. There were whole big piles. The snow had been cleared from the rocks. So while the blankets may be cold now they certainly would be dry. There were pillows as well scattered across the expanse.

She smiled at him. "When did you do this?"

He was studying her closely. He so wanted her to like what she saw. "This morning before you woke up and then when you thought I was running errands. I went back to my place and then came here to set up. I've been a very busy boy." He set his covered bundle up on the blankets and then reached for her lifting her easily up.

She gasped in surprised when she found that the blankets were warm. Her eyes flew to him. "How?"

He grinned. "Battery-operated."

"You have been busy." Her eyes again drifted to the bundle.