Chapter Eight
Rebecca
Dec 24th Sunset
“I love Christmas trees!” Rebecca laughed in pure delight as the men secured the large tree in the center of town.
“Becca, go inside, it’s cold,” Aleks said, tying off one side.
“It’s winter.”
“Becca.”
“No.”
Aleks sighed. “Please.”
“Okay, but only because I want some of Ma’s hot chocolate.” Rebecca blew him a kiss and walked back to the diner. She walked inside and saw that her friends were already setting up tables for their Christmas party. Ma sat in the middle of four Pack ’N Plays surrounded by babies and looking completely in her element.
Her friends sat at the three tables closest to the Pack ’N Plays. None of the new parents wanted to let their babies out of their sight. The men walked in, bringing in a gust of cold air with them. Rebecca watched as Connor went to the counter to grab a cup of coffee. Out of nowhere a dark-haired, olive-skinned woman sauntered up to him. She leaned in, rubbing her breasts on his arm. Connor began to frown down at the woman.
Quicker than Rebecca could track, Madison was standing next to her mate. She opened her mouth and a long, angry hiss erupted. The dark-haired woman stepped back and then edged toward the door. Madison hissed again and the woman left the diner in a hurry. The men, looking relieved, sat around their mates at the tables, getting warm.
“Brazen hussy!” Ma exclaimed, her cheeks heated in anger. No one dared remind her that she had fussed at Sebastian forusing that term a few days ago, not when a strange woman was flirting with her mated son.
“Shameless!” Rebecca murmured, meeting Ashby’s eye. Both broke out into giggles. Ashby got a funny look on his face.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m good. But, I so want to learn how to hiss, that was badass!” Rebecca opened her mouth and a faint hiss came out.
Kate burst out laughing.
“You might want to stick to your tiny growl.” Liam grinned.
“It just takes practice,” Rian said, pulling up a seat. He opened his mouth and hissed beautifully.
Rebecca tried again. “I sound like a bicycle tire that has a slow leak.”
“Maybe Lucian can teach you when he gets older.” Lachlan laughed and kissed his great-grandson on the head.
“I’ll just stick to shooting people, it’s easier,” Rebecca said.
“Have you got the lights on yet?” Sebastian asked.
“We’re working on it now, we just needed a quick break to grab some coffee and warm up some.” Connor sipped his coffee.
“All that tree needs now are presents.” Rian laughed.
“Oh! That reminds me. I got you something.” Rebecca reached under the table and handed Rian a box. His eyes lit up and he ripped into the present like a five year old. He lifted the lid and frowned.
“You got me clear plastic balls?” he asked.
“Look closer.” She grinned. She had been working non-stop on this project for days.
“There’s pictures in there!” Rian exclaimed, pulling more of the small spheres out.
“Liam told us about your family and Christmas. I figured if you had all of our pictures in these ornaments, you would never have to wait for family on Christmas again, we’d always be with you.” She dug into her pie.
