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Fern blushed and playfully swatted his arm. “Go! Or you won’t see what I’ve got on underneath it.”
Calum groaned, pulling himself away from her with an exasperated sigh. Fern shook her head in amusement and went back to tidying up the study. As she finished sliding the last present under the tree, the doorbell rang.
Fern heard Calum answer the door, and by the noise, it sounded like everyone had arrived at once. She stepped into the entryway and was scooped up immediately by Finley, who rocked her back and forth.
“Finny!” Fern squeaked, the sound muffled by his jacket.
“You’re all right.” Finley smirked and set her down. Fern showed him towards the study and turned to greet Emmett and Mara.
Finley had taken the news about their family magic remarkably well, but it took a lot to get him riled up. Still, Fern waited for the other shoe to drop around him, constantly peering over her shoulder at her brother.
Everyone made their way into the study, and drinks were passed around. Fern settled on the arm of Calum’s chair, taking a minute to survey the small group.
Emmett was sitting next to Finley on the small couch, both animatedly discussing something relating to football. Mara slipped into the wingback chair next to them, turning to chat through recent politics surrounding the baobhan sith with Calum.
Fern was content as she soaked in the moment, relishing the warm sensation of being in a room with loved ones who were finally whole, happy, and safe.
“Fern?” Calum’s prodding broke her thoughts.
“Oh, repeat that?”
“I was just complimenting Finley. He’s adapted to all this better than you did.” Calum winked at her in jest.
“I blame most of my emotional response on jet lag,” Fern sighed. “You had terrible timing.”
“It’s not that shocking.” Finley shrugged. “I couldn’t believe Mara was human anyway.” He winked in her direction and took a sip of his beer.
Fern prepared herself for Mara’s typical devastating response, but the baobhan sith only rolled her eyes.
Interesting.
“Well!” Emmett stood up and slapped his chest, raising his glass in the air. “I think a toast is in order.”
“Here, here!” Mara echoed him.
Fern nestled her body closer to Calum’s, waiting to piggyback on whatever Emmett said in congratulations.
“To Fern!” Emmett held his glass towards her, and Fern’s breath hitched.
“I’m sorry?” She laughed incredulously and looked to Calum, who was staring at her in adoration with his glass raised too.
“Aye, you heard me. My accent isn’t that strong.” He grinned. “To Fern! For being the missing piece in our exiled little family…and improving Calum’s mood remarkably for the first time in three-hundred years.”
Calum guffawed in outrage as they burst into laughter, everyone echoing Emmett’s sentiments before taking hefty sips.
“Well, just for that…” Calum smirked and stood up from his chair. “I think you get to open your present first, Emmett.” He plucked a neatly wrapped box from beneath the tree and handed it over. Emmett grimaced.
“I’m not sure how I should feel about this, if my present is in retaliation.”
“Just open it!” Fern smiled, her tone giddy. “It’s from all of us.”
“That does not make me feel better,.” Emmett grumbled, already ripping off wrapping paper. “Oi, for fuck’s sake…”
“It’s a Kindle!” Fern clapped her hands in glee, unable to keep herself from shouting it out.
The rest of the room broke out in raucous laughter at the look on Emmett’s face, which was equal parts intrigued and embarrassed. Emmett smiled graciously before flipping them off as he sat back down.
“Aww,” Fern leaned forward and patted Emmett’s knee, “don’t be embarrassed.” Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Women love the werewolf romance thing, trust me.”
