Page 26 of Blood Ties
In the blink of an eye Christmas was upon us.
“Our first Christmas together,” I announced to Grayson as we stood in front of our freshly cut tree. The air was filled with the scent of evergreens.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
I squinted hesitantly. “Pretty sure.”
Grayson smirked. “It seems like I’ve known you so much longer than that.”
“It’s been a crazy six months.”
“The best six months of my life,” he whispered pulling me close.
“Mine too,” and they had been. Even with all the horrible things that had happened, the last half a year had been the happiest because of Grayson.
Weeks had passed and still no word on my father. My mother and I had taken turns contacting other nests spiraling out from Seattle hoping to find some information on Damien. Through all our efforts, no one had heard from him.
Shawn had been trying his best to distract me while Grayson was busy during the work day. They appeared to be trading off shifts. The holiday season only helped their efforts. Shawn would whisk me away from the apartment dragging me to go Christmas shopping. He knew shopping was a great distraction. With it being Grayson and my first Christmas, I wanted it to be perfect, but that didn’t hinder my desire to find my father. That urge always came first, because of Grayson.
I tried not to argue with their interference techniques, even though every cell in my being screamed for me to. I desperately wanted to find a solution for Grayson. If I thought my blood would suffice forever, I might have been more eager to give up my hunt, but as time passed and Grayson’s thirst worsened, my search for my father plagued my thoughts.
We spent the afternoon decorating the tree. I was surprised when new decorations had to be purchased. I learned that in the past, Grayson had worked right up to the holiday then would head out to his folks for Christmas, so he never bothered with a tree. This year was different. After spending Thanksgiving with them, we had decided our first Christmas would be just us.
We played Christmas music as we decorated and even took a break for hot cocoa. Christmas growing up for me had been a little unorthodox. My mother would arrange for a small tree for our room and refused a plastic one. It was one tradition she held on to from her mortal life. Gifts would be done at midnight between us since she slept through the day. There was no Christmas dinner amongst vampires, but my mother would spice the blood for a more Christmassy effect. It was horrible.
Sharing details from my childhood with Grayson is why I think he wanted to do Christmas at the apartment. He was going to show me a traditional Christmas.
Once we were done, I decided I was going to take a shower. I felt just as decorated as the tree with all the glitter and feathers that were sticking to me. I begged Grayson to join, but he declined explaining he wanted to make dinner before it got too late. Disappointed, I showered on my own which wasn’t nearly as enjoyable.
When I exited the bathroom, I was startled to see Grayson sitting on the bed and more puzzled he hadn’t joined me. He appeared a little nervous.
“Grayson?” I whispered afraid to startle him as I tied my silky bathrobe.
“I know I promised you a traditional Christmas, but I want to give you one of your gifts early.”
Curiously, I asked, “Is it something I want?”
“God, I hope so,” he mumbled before tugging me down the hall.
My eyes bulged and I gasped when I entered the living room. The lights were all off replaced with the soft glow of candle light that flickered making the room look like it was pulsating. They were spread everywhere, resting on any available surface. The tree glowed with its soft white lights as well. The scent of vanilla mixed with the evergreen of the tree filled the room and the two together would forever remind me of this Christmas.Our first Christmas.There was soft instrumental Christmas music playing in the background helping set the gentle ambience.
“I wasn’t in the shower that long,” I insisted glancing around the room. “How’d you do this?”
His lips quirked up into a seductive half grin. “This was all made possible,” he gestured around the room, “thanks to you and my new vampire speed.” His fingers locked with mine, pulling me further into the room.
“Is this my gift?” I smiled loving the idea of making love in the candle light.
His steps faltered before coming to a stop dead center of the room. “Not entirely. It’s part of it.” Grayson spun around to face me. I watched as the candle light glowed against his face, highlighting his chiseled features. Still gripping my hand he fell to one knee causing my heart to skip a beat before taking off like I was running a marathon.
“Ohmygod,” I breathed.
“I wanted to wait until Christmas, but I can’t wait another moment.” I bit my lip to stop a sob from breaking through. Of course I had thought of this moment on a few occasions since I started dating Grayson.What girl didn’t?My imagination had nothing on the real thing. “Gabriella Elizabeth Carmichael, I have loved you from almost the instant you ran head first into me, while you were too busy looking for your phone.”
I giggled and sobbed at the same time. My eyes filled with tears. I let them run so they didn’t obscure my vision, but I didn’t dare wipe them. I didn’t want to miss a moment of what was unfolding before me.
“You are the most important person in the world to me and I couldn’t imagine my life without you. Yes, we have had our troubles, crazy vampires not excluded,” I chuckled again. “But I wouldn’t change a moment of it because during it all, you were with me. You already have my heart.” His eyes locked with the heart shaped diamond I wore around my neck that I hadn’t taken off since he placed it there.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a black velvet box. “Now let me give you my forever.” I felt my breathing increase and thought I was going to hyperventilate. I didn’t even know if vampires could hyperventilate. “Please would you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife so we can spend eternity together?” He opened the box. The sound of the squeaky spring drew my attention to it. I inhaled sharply. There nestled in white stood a beautiful round cut diamond. It was easily three karats. It rested on a platinum band. There was nothing else to the ring, and frankly it needed nothing more. Grayson picked exactly what I would have chosen myself, simple, but exquisite, except I might have gone smaller. Seeing it, I knew it was perfect and because he chose it. I wouldn’t change a thing.
