Page 2 of Christmas Embrace

“You know I don’t do that fancy shit.”

“One of these days I’ll get you turned on to Chai Tea lattes. Syd loves them.”

“No you won’t, mate, but I do appreciate your perseverance.” Luca took a seat on a kitchen bar stool and retrieved his phone, tapping at the glass. “Ah…Goddess.”

“What is it?”

“Samantha’s asking how you and Sydney are doing with the decorations. She’s actually been asking me, not you, because she’s worried the house won’t be decorated in time for the wedding but doesn’t want to bother Sydney.”

“We’ve been making a good attempt.”

“At something, maybe. Not decorating. What am I supposed to tell her?”

“Sydney doesn’t know it, but I’ve hired someone to help. It will all be done by tomorrow. Caterer called yesterday and confirmed they’ll be here. Musicians as well. We’ve got it all under control.”

“Why did she have to pick Christmas Eve?” Luca shook his head as he texted Samantha. Everything is perfect, darlin. Tree looks amazing. It’s like a winter wonderland. Love you.

“Because it’s romantic.” Kade laughed and slid a clean mug into the coffee machine. It released a hiss as the steam warmed the milk.

“You’ve become human again. I’m convinced of it,” Luca said, his tone condescending.

“You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

“Because it is.”

“We’ve been over this a million times. You forget. You were human too,” Kade countered.

“Ah, fuck, I was. But now the witch makes me soft. And Sydney, well,” he paused, “I don’t know what happened. You’d think she’d make you even harder with that stubborn attitude of hers.”

“She makes me hard all right. The way I like it.” Kade smiled and waggled his eyebrows.

“Easy, Secret Santa.” Luca crossed the room. “It’s the busiest time of year. We’ve got Kate and she’s looking forward to Santa coming and we’ve still got presents to wrap and with this wedding…”

“Are you getting cold feet?” Kade lifted the piping hot concoction to his lips and blew softly upon the froth.

“Samantha’s been, how should I say…‘saving herself’ for tomorrow night.” Luca gave an audible sigh. “It’s been a damn month already and I’m just about over the celibacy routine.”

“So this is what makes the vampire even more irritable than usual. No sex?” Kade chuckled and sipped his drink. “Good stuff. You’re missing out, man.”

“What about Sydney?” Luca changed the subject.

“What about her?” Kade’s smile fell flat.

“You know what I’m talking about. Zach. How’s she handling it?”

“Not well. Of course you know Syd. It’s not like I catch her crying all the time, but I know she does. She’s been a bit distant but somehow she keeps pushing, going to work, still planning the wedding.” Kade shook his head. “I miss him too. It’s crazy we got to the point we thought he’d stay with us, but we did. There wasn’t any guarantee we could keep him. I knew better but it’s just…he’s my son.”

“I’m sorry, man.”

“I should have never let myself get so attached. It’s been years since I’ve even thought about this being a possibility. You know how it is when you’re turned. It took me a long time to accept I wasn’t ever having children. But eventually you do accept it. Life goes on. You tell yourself that creating others in your line will satisfy that need. Someone to look after if you choose. Your daughter is an exception. She truly is a blessing from the Goddess. Look. There’s no use in ruminating over it. I’ve come to terms. We’ll try again to adopt. But Sydney. She’s new to all this. She hasn’t had a lifetime as a vampire. When she found Zach…and then the dipshit came back to claim him…she’s heartbroken.”

“I get it. Seriously, now that Kate is in our lives,” Luca gave a small laugh, “I can’t imagine my life without her. She’s my world.”

“You’re a lucky man.”

“You’ll adopt someday. You and Sydney deserve happiness.”

“I don’t think she still wants to get married,” Kade confessed.