“Yes, Dad,” Barbara agreed, untying the end of the ribbon to leave the key free of its decoration. “You’d better hop on beforethese guys forget that Santa brought it for you and start fighting over who gets the first ride.”
Ben turned to his wife and extended his hand. Helen laughed, but let him help her onto the ATV, finding the seat very comfortable. Ben climbed on and pulled her hands around his waist. “Hang on, Helen, we’re going to see how fast this baby can go.”
Helen shook her head, knowing that despite his words, Ben would make sure he kept her safe. The ATV started with a healthy roar, their family breaking into laughter as he released the brake and “tore out” of the drive—going a very safe ten miles per hour.
After presents had been unloaded into bedrooms, and pajamas exchanged for jeans and sweaters, Barbara and Craig returned to the kitchen. “Thanks again,” she said, as she reverently unrolled the set of professional chef knives that Craig had gifted her. Her lessons had taught her that owning such a set was an honor when they were presented by a chef. Despite the fact that her roll was pink instead of the normal black, she was proud of her growth as Craig’s sous chef.
“You’re welcome,” Craig said, tying the ribbons of her matching pink apron around her waist. The light kiss he’d intended turned into one far deeper before they had to pull back in order to breathe. “Babygirl, you are both a blessing and a distraction in the kitchen.”
Barbara giggled and watched as he opened his own set of knives in preparation of putting the final touches to Christmas dinner. Barbara selected a knife and used it to begin chopping the vegetables that would be tossed into the salad. They worked in harmony, laughing as they replayed the reactions of their family and friends that morning.
The family gathered around the tables that the men had pushed together, and the women set it with beautiful crystaland china, the pine boughs they’d collected with candles nestled among the branches creating a truly elegant centerpiece for the first meal in Haven’s dining room. Everything was just as incredible as Thanksgiving’s meal had been. They listened to Ben extol all the wonderful features of his new toy. He was touched by the gift, as it would make the journey between the cabin and Haven much easier than walking the mile or so between the two. He promised to have duplicate keys made for all of them, as his and Helen’s visits would be nothing compared to those the younger people would be making. The women rolled their eyes and giggled as the men had a discussion about who should get the next ride. It was a meal they would all remember and cherish.
“Okay, this time, I swear I’m serious,” Nancy said as she pushed away from the table. “There is no way I can take another single bite.”
“That’s fine,” Jason said, as he draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him for a kiss. “I’m sure some small scrap of dessert will still be available when you are ready.” He laughed when her eyes narrowed, knowing she was deciding if she could risk the possibility that not a single slice of one of the pies or the huge chocolate cake would be left. “Trust me, babe, everyone is way too full right now.”
They settled into chairs to watchHoliday Inn, all thinking the movie could be about Haven, at least for the next week. When it was over, Craig and Barbara were helped by Elizabeth and Logan to bring in trays of dessert and a pot of fresh coffee. As Jason watched his wife take a slice of pie, as well as one of chocolate cake, he shook his head in amusement.
“No wonder Bunny said yes,” Nancy said, licking the rich chocolate icing off her fork. “What girl could ever resist a man who bakes!”
The magical day ended when the last credits ofA Christmas Storyrolled, everyone laughing, remembering the scene when Ralphie came down the stairs dressed in the ridiculous pink bunny costume his aunt had given him. All eyes had turned to their own Bunny, who was sitting in Craig’s lap, her cheeks glistening with tears from laughing so hard.
As she and Craig were putting the last dish away that the others had washed, he bent down to whisper in her ear. “I think my Bunny’s purple onesie is much cuter.” At her smile, he ran his hand across her rear and continued, “Especially when that drop seat is lowered.”
Five very happy couples slipped back into their rooms to make their own Christmas night memories ones they’d wish to play again and again.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The week between Christmas and New Year’s was incredibly busy for everyone at Haven. They took the first few days of the week to simply enjoy the holidays before getting down to the business of making sure every detail would be perfect by the time their first guests arrived.
Ariel and Nancy were in the boutique, unpacking the final boxes and stocking the shelves. “Aw, these are sweet,” Ariel said, as she held up a set of lingerie that was both innocent and sexy. White, sheer fabric made up the bodice of the gown, and thin, pink ribbons woven with white ones formed a bow that fell from the bodice to the hem. Matching white panties with pink ribbons completed the set.
“I fell in love with them,” Nancy admitted with a smile. “Betty assured me that they would work for any Little girl, without making her embarrassed if her daddy came in to buy them for her. Can you put them on the mannequin for me?”
Ariel did so, dressing the other two mannequins in far more risqué lingerie.
“I really like Angel,” Nancy said, as she shifted one of the mannequins slightly, the display very appealing in the deep baywindow. “It’s one thing to support her, but I am so happy that Barbara has someone to truly share that part of her life with.”
“The transformation in her has been incredible,” Ariel agreed, pausing in her unpacking to think about her sister. “It just goes to show that love is a powerful weapon. Craig’s love has finally set her free of David at last, and she is the happiest I have ever seen her.”
“Yes and I’m betting that having another age-play family love her as well will make her even happier,” Nancy said, and then giggled. “I can just imagine the trouble those two can get into when they are together. I bet they are a handful when in full Little mode.”
Ariel giggled as well, turning to make sure they were still alone. “I can’t wait to hear about the aftereffects of that mischief. I mean, seriously, how hot could that be?” The women smiled, both imagining all sorts of delicious scenes as they turned to unpack another box.
Edible oils, perfumed soaps and massage lotions were arranged on a table, and a wide variety of Harry’s offerings placed inside the glass case. Both women shivered as Nancy opened the box that had arrived via express mail. True to Jason’s words, Harry had sent a dozen of his tawses with accompanying mats. Ariel ran her hand across the bumps and ridges of the mat as Nancy made a place for it in the display cabinet.
“I hate to admit it, but somehow this is sinfully erotic,” Ariel said, passing the mat to Nancy.
“It’s barbaric is what it is,” Nancy countered, her words belied as she, too, stroked a hand across the mat before placing the tawse diagonally across one corner. “I promise, if Logan really gives a set to Garrett, you’ll find your tune changing.” She gave Ariel a look that told the younger woman that though it might be barbaric, it made for an experience not to be forgotten.
Nancy made sure her custom-ordered bags were stacked neatly behind the counter, piles of light violet and dark purple tissue ready to wrap each item, silver stickers on a roll ready for that special, final touch to the wrappings.
“These are going to be almost too beautiful to open,” Ariel stated, as she watched Nancy partially wrap a bra and panty set, leaving the tissue open to frame the ruby red fabric as she propped the box onto a stand. Imagining herself in the sexy lingerie, Ariel giggled. “Almost, but if Garrett should happen to wander in, you can wrap those up for me. I promise, I’ll have absolutely no problem opening that box.”
While Ariel and Nancy finished preparing the boutique, Helen was seated on a stool in the kitchen, watching the perfectly orchestrated movements of her eldest daughter and her fiancé. Cases of champagne were loaded into the commercial refrigerator, bottles of wine wiped with a cloth before being slid onto racks in the two large wine coolers. As the delivery man accepted the signed receipt, she shook her head as Craig and Barbara checked off each item from a list on the clipboard Barbara was holding. Dressed ducks were waiting to become the main dish of New Year’s Eve, crates of fresh vegetables and pints of huge strawberries were placed into another commercial-sized refrigerator. It was amazing how much food the two worked to place where they would be stored until turned into delicious meals.
“I can’t believe all this is going to be consumed in one weekend,” Helen said, sipping from her cup of coffee as Barbara carried yet another sack of flour into the pantry.
