Page 78 of Emerald Waves
They’d decorated, as in wrapped it in Christmas paper, the huge base they’d built out of the crate, that is. “For creativity you get an A+.”
“You don’t like it?” Two sets of sad eyes met mine.
“Caro, I love it. I meant for the use of the crate. The tree is amazing, and the base is very creative. Odem, will you stay and help us decorate it?” There wasn’t much I could do aside from putting the hooks on the ornaments and pointing to where they go. Not that I was a decorator, but I’d be of zero help. My feet were swollen and standing for long periods of time sucked.
“Really?” His head bounced from me to Caro then back again. Youthful exuberance filled his eyes, and I was glad I’d extended the offer.
“Really. I’ll be of no help with the lights or anything up high. I’ll hang the stockings and spread out some of the other décor.” Setting the mood was important, not to mention fun. I found a station playing only Christmas songs, then stacked the fireplace with logs. Before I had a chance to light a match to the kindling, a fireball appeared and started it for me.
A quick glance over my shoulder at my smiling brother-in-law gave away my fiery helper, not that I didn’t already guess who itwas. “You’re welcome,” he winked. I had to admit that out of all the brothers, Odem was the easiest to get along with and quickly becoming a favorite. Cade will adore Uncle Odem and his silly antics just as the twins do.
“Having mates sure has made being around you and Ionus a lot more fun,” Odem poked at Caro, who quickly put him in a headlock. “Uncle! Uncle!”
“You were wise to tap out, little brother. Yes, life has changed much this last year for our family.”
“Hopefully I find my mate soon.” Odem got a faraway look in his eyes as he fiddled with the lights. “I’m tired of being alone. I want a house full of babies. It’s too quiet there.”
Caro clapped his shoulders and looked him in the eye. “Yours will come soon, brother. I can feel it. There’s a change in the wind and a reason why the Goddess waited so long to bring them to us.”
I had the same thought, only mine had a caveat—a belief it was to strengthen the brothers for the impending war. They were stronger as five and even stronger once mated. Though until I found proof of that, I’d keep that theory to myself.
“It’s gonna take a week to decorate this thing,” Odem whined. “What’s for dinner, I’m starving.”
Caro shook his head and acquiesced, setting his end of the lights down. “Come and help me figure that out.”
After dinner we got right back to it. Well, Caro and Odem more so than me. My belly was full, the music was soothing, and the room was toasty warm. I laid down on the couch for a second, or so I thought.
“Time to get my family to bed.” Caro scooped me up.
“Wait, I want to see the tree.”
“It’s not done yet, but you’ve been snoring for the past couple of hours so it’s time to get you to bed.” The bigger I get, the faster I’m worn out.
“Okay,” I yawned. “Bedtime.” I was in no place to argue, nor did I think for a second that my legs would’ve carried me upstairs on their own.
“Goodnight, my love,” Caro pressed his lips to mine.
“Goodnight.”
I woke up the next morning to the most perfectly decorated tree ever.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Caro
Excitement coursed through me, so much so that I whistled the Frosty the Snowman song all the way down the hall to the bedroom where my very pregnant mate lay snoring with blankets tugged up to his chin and a pillow wedged between his knees. Goddess he looked so peaceful snuggled there, unaware of the treat I was about to wake him to.
Carefully I set the tray with our breakfast on the bench at the foot of the bed and crawled up on the bed to wake him with kisses and little nuzzles as I rubbed our noses together. He just sighed and tugged at the blanket like he wanted to pull it up over his head and block me out completely. Any other morning and I’d let him have that since he was literally pouring all his energy into growing our little egg, but not today. Today I had so many surprises for him that I’d been awake for hours, arranging everything just right and perhaps going a bit overboard with thebows. There may have been a path of them leading him to the biggest gifts, but first I needed to wake him and get him fed.
“Wakey, Wakey, Emerson, it’s Christmas,” I murmured, planting a kiss right on the tip of his nose.
This time he muttered something about Santa needing to learn how to sleep in and actually tried to roll away from me.
Well, that wouldn’t do.
Maybe our little Cade could help wake his Daddy by doing a bouncy egg roll along his bladder until he had no choice but to get out of bed. Slipping my hand beneath the covers, I sought skin as I walked my fingertips up his sheet covered hip, trying to figure out how many layers he’d managed to get wrapped around him and how the hell I was supposed to pry him out.
He loved these sheets too, or I’d have flicked out a claw and slashed a hand-sized hole in the side so I could caress his belly and wake my sleepy mate and son.
