Page 35 of A Submissive's Gift
“Oh, was someone a naughty girl?” Ariel teased, as Barbara handed a pillow to Nancy. “You know, Santa does keep a list—right?”
“Who needs Santa when I have Jason?” Nancy growled, gingerly sitting down on the pillow and then sighing. “HOPEFUL Note: Do not give your husband an early Christmas present. At least, not if you expect him not to use it.”
All eyes turned to Jason, who was accepting plates from Craig. He grinned as he placed one before his wife, bending to kiss her cheek. “ALPHA Note: Remind your partner that it is very rude to accept a gift without showing your intense pleasure in receiving it.”
Everybody laughed as they discovered that Nancy had allowed Jason to choose a gift early, never even realizing that he would choose the unwrapped box he had seen her push under their bed days earlier—the one she had gotten from Harry.
“I’m telling you, whoever it was that invented the tawse should be drowned in that lake,” Nancy said, slathering a freshly baked biscuit with a heaping spoon of apple butter. “I’m surprised there is a Scottish woman who still has a backside.”
“Forget the tawse, tell us about the mat,” Barbara suggested. “I mean, just for our continued education, of course.”
Nancy squirmed on her pillow, the memory of the mat causing every inch of her backside to tingle again. “It was just as awful as I thought—no, it was far more awful. I can promise you, whoever invented it was directly related to the tawse guy.”
Jason laughed, his eyes speaking of his complete satisfaction with Harry’s choice of gift. “Gentlemen, despite Nancy’s protests, which miraculously changed after an additional quarter hour on her ‘thinking mat’, I have her assurance there will be time spent putting together lovely tawses and a mats packaged as a set and ready for sale by the time Haven opens.”
Elizabeth turned to him, disbelief on her face. “Um, while that might be what your ‘persuasion’ had Nancy admitting, I’m pretty sure the rest of us are safe. It’s the holidays, and I’m sure Harry needs a vacation from all the work he’s done for us so far.”
“You forget one thing, Liz,” Jason said, giving her a smile. “It’s Christmas, and miracles do happen.”
The women all gave him a look of disbelief, and then turned their eyes to Nancy. She squirmed on her seat, letting each of her friends know that there was a high probability that she was feeling a great deal of unease—more than what the residual pain of a spanking induced.
“Nancy? Do you have something to confess?” Elizabeth asked.
“Is there more coffee?” Nancy tried but wasn’t really surprised when no one offered to refill her cup. Looking around, she sighed. “Fine, how was I to know that Harry would a) call Jason to ask what he thought of the tawse, b) actually be surprised that I had yet to give it to Jason—I mean, really? c) actually describe the very box he had packaged it in and, for the grand finale, d) actually take an order from Jason formyboutique, promising to have a dozen of each of the hideous objects here by the time we open?”
“I have to admit, you’ve gotta love Harry,” Logan said, causing the men to chuckle and the women to groan.
After breakfast, couples moved between the hotel and their cabins, bringing the items they would need to the rooms they had chosen. Additional scotch tape and ribbons were hunted down as the last of the gifts were wrapped, individuals scurrying up the stairs to slip presents under the huge tree. It was a quiet day, all taking advantage of the beautiful weather for long walks, taking naps or for simply sitting on one of the swings, gently rocking.
Barbara and Craig spent most of their time in the kitchen, prepping dishes to be served the next day. During the month that she and Craig had lived on the property, she had fallen in love with every inch of the place. The kitchen, however, was her favorite spot in the hotel. She was captivated by the beauty of the sparkling crystal seen through the glass of the cabinets, loved walking into the pantry that had been stocked with so many groceries that she was still stunned each time she opened the door. Helping Craig cook gourmet meals that only the two of them shared was preparing her for the time when those same recipes would be enjoyed by Haven’s clients.
Craig pulled two pies out of the oven and then stirred the large pot of soup they had made that afternoon. Dinner was going to be grilled cheese sandwiches, using a variety of cheeses, soup and salad. It was served buffet style and was the perfect meal for the chilly evening.
“Are the pies for tomorrow?” Nancy asked.
“Not these,” Craig said. “I have more in the pantry and fridge but wanted to try out a couple of new recipes. Do you want to try the chocolate-mincemeat, or the strawberry-rhubarb?”
“Man, do you even know who you are talking to?” Jason asked with a grin. “Save your breath and cut her one of each.” Nancy slapped at his arm, but giggled as he pulled her onto his lap, nuzzling her neck. “As for me, I’m having my dessert now.”
Wine was poured and plates of pie piled high with freshly whipped cream were prepared as they returned to the dining room. Turning their chairs or settling on cushions, everyone enjoyed their dessert as they watched a DVD of their favorite holiday movie,It’s a Wonderful Life. Tears were blotted dry as the ending credits rolled across the screen.
“I really, really love Christmas,” Ariel said, contently sitting on Garrett’s lap. “I love spending it with all of you. I love you all so much.” The normally mischievous young woman wiped another tear from her cheek, her words echoing everyone’s thoughts. It was indeed a blessing to be surrounded by people who loved you unconditionally.
“I fear Santa will pass us by if you kids don’t get to bed,” Ben said, his own voice a little rough. Hearing giggles as the women were helped to their feet had him smiling. Instead of two daughters, he now had four, and he couldn’t imagine a better gift. He and Helen stood as each of the eight stopped to give them hugs and kisses, calls of good-night echoing through the rooms as they made their way up the stairs. Pouring his wife their customary Christmas Eve glass of eggnog, and adding a generous dollop of brandy, the older couple sat together watching the fire slowly die.
“Merry Christmas,” he said, as he heard the clock strike midnight. Helen kissed him, the love she had for her husband growing every year they shared.
“Merry Christmas, my love.” After another kiss, she stood, and Ben helped her to place the stockings she had brought with her as a surprise for their “kids” across the long mantel. As they tucked small gifts into each one, memories of Christmases pastran through Ben’s mind. He was prepared when Helen finished and turned to him, her eyes awash in unshed tears. Ben opened his arms and she stepped into them to press her face to his chest.
“Merry Christmas, Becca. You will always be our little angel,” he said before he bent to press his lips to his wife’s. He held her close until her tears stopped. Every year since the first they’d shared after their daughter’s death, the ritual had been the same. They walked together to their room on the ground floor, knowing that though their hearts would always ache with the loss of their daughter at far too young an age, they would one day see Rebecca again. Until then, they would remember to share their love with those still with them and maybe, just maybe, the next Christmas they shared would include a new grandbaby or two.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Christmas morning dawned bright and clear. Barbara and Craig were the first to rise, their desire to prepare a memorable breakfast making the early morning worthwhile. Sliding the tray of the cinnamon rolls that they had prepared together, just as they had that morning so long ago, they shared a smile as cups of coffee were poured.
“Good morning,” Ariel mumbled, as she stumbled into the kitchen. “I need coffee.” Barbara laughed as she slipped from her stool and prepared a cup for her sister. It only took two sips before Ariel seemed much brighter. “Do we have to wait for the others before?—”
“You most certainly do, young lady,” Garrett answered, striding into the room and giving her a pop against her rear. “You were also supposed to wait for me.”
