Page 60 of My Salvation

“What timeline, baby?” Aiden asked.

“The things to do with Uncle and Auntie timeline. I distinctly remember someone promising me fishing trips.”

Brennus grinned. “What else is on that list? Because if I join Eamon and you do not have at least the very basic memories of a happy childhood, he will kick my ass.”

Meryn opened her laptop. “I want to go to an amusement park. I think Auntie will like corndogs.”

The queen looked concerned. “You want me there too?”

“Duh. I also want to try bumper cars. They looked destructive.”

“What about a water park?” Brie suggested.

Meryn half gagged. “I’m not swimming in other people’s pee.”

Brie laughed and nodded. “There is that.”

Meryn hesitated. “But, more than anything I…”

Brennus wasn’t the only one leaning forward. “What is it, darling? You can have whatever you want.”

“I want a real family Christmas. I want to stay up and drink cocoa and watch Christmas shows, and then the next morning, I want a HUGE breakfast and to open gifts and eat lots and lots of food,” Meryn said, in a rush of excitement. “And snow! And snowmen and caroling and going to an ugly sweater contest.” She smiled shyly. “I want to know what it feels like to have my own family.”

“Cord!” Brennus yelled. “We have to start a list of holiday foods.”

The queen tapped at her lips. “I have also heard of sledding. That seemed exciting.”

Cas watched all of this in wonder.

Priest squeezed her hand under the table. “I told you. From fear and terror to love. It’s what she does.”

“Thank all the gods for that.”

“Amen.”

Chapter Nine

Talk of the upcoming Christmas dominated the conversation for a while before, eventually, they had to face reality again.

Aiden looking completely exhausted, scrubbed at his face with his hands. “Kendrick, how did the meeting with the two Vanguard squads go?”

“Well. They all served before, so they knew the struggles of working with the Witches’ Council.” He paused. “I found them to be refreshingly mature.”

Aiden snorted. “They’re older than unit warriors, Kendrick. All of them have done full rotations in pillar cities.”

“Very true,” Kendrick agreed. “Speaking of Storm Keep,” his eyes swung to Meryn. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about a certain orphanage worker dying suddenly would you?”

Meryn sputtered in her coffee. Ryuu passed her a napkin. She wiped her face and looked at Kendrick. “Seriously?”

Next to her, Nigel and Neil exchanged high-fives, and Pip danced in his chair.

Kendrick frowned. “Based on that reaction, I am guessing you didn’t.”

Meryn began to grin evilly, then chuckle. “Maybe he expired all by himself,” she suggested innocently.

“Yeah, maybe he died on the shitter or something,” Nigel suggested.

“Or ate himself to death. That would be amazing,” Neil countered.

---