Page 23 of Christmas Embrace

“I don’t know how you came into this world or why you’d treat Zach the way you did. I don’t know what else to say. I guess…thank you for giving birth to him. I promise I will give him the love you never could. I will be there when he cries. When he laughs. When he discovers love. When he has his heart broken. When he meets his mate. I will make sure he runs with the wolves.” Tears streamed down her face. “Whether you found your way to the Goddess or are in the depths of Hell, your son, my son will always have a mother who loves him. Me. Thank you for this gift. I won’t ever forget it.”

As Sydney turned away, she straightened her back, and walked over the threshold. Strength stirred within, knowing the fight was far from over, but as the door shut behind them, a chapter was closed.

Chapter Six

Sydney’s eyes widened as she opened her front door and caught sight of the scene in her foyer. A plump bird waddled by her and she stepped around it, taking sight of its feathered friends. “Oh man. What the what?”

“Why exactly are there ducks in our house?” Kade asked.

“I thought Samantha said doves, not ducks.”

“I’m regretting hosting this wedding,” he grumbled as a worker passed by him, a stack of white linen tablecloths in his arms.

“I’m sorry, I…” Quacking echoed throughout the house and Sydney laughed. “I told her they could bring them today. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and the farmer is busy.”

“What are we supposed to do with them?”

“They were supposed to be outside in the courtyard.” Sydney turned to Kade, wearing a sympathetic smile. “I guess ducks are kind of romantic…maybe.”

“Why ducks?”

“I don’t know. Samantha wanted it to be…you know…witchy. It’s a new moon tonight. She said something about good luck. I think they symbolize…something.” Quack. Quack. “Where is the wedding coordinator? She was supposed to be taking care of everything.”

“She’d better come get these ducks before they…” Kade turned toward the kitchen, losing his words as Dominque appeared holding the baby.

Sydney’s heart caught as Zach’s face lit up in delight.

“How is my baby?” Sydney cooed in a high-pitched voice, accepting him into her arms as Dominique transferred him. “You’re such a happy boy, aren’t you?”

Kade pressed a kiss to the top of his head and rubbed his back.

“Oh, Dom. Thank you so much for watching him today,” Sydney commented, enchanted with Zachery.

“My pleasure. He’s such a good baby.” Dominique glanced back to the kitchen. “I let that wedding coordinator in. She’s been causing a ruckus ever since.”

“Yes, I see,” Kade commented.

“If you don’t mind, I need to go pick up my dress for tomorrow.”

“Of course. You really should get some rest,” Sydney told her, taking note of the bags under her eyes. She hesitated to ask if she’d been feeding or sleeping.

“Hey, before you go. You wouldn’t happen to know where the wedding coordinator went?” Kade asked, stepping aside as one of the birds waddled by his feet. “There are ducks. In the house.”

Dominique sighed. “What the fuck are ducks doing in the house?”

Sydney shot a side eye to Kade, noting a slight change in the tone of her voice, reminding her of the badass vampire Dom had once been. “Ducks are lucky. At least that is what Sam said. She’s the high priestess. I don’t know. She just wanted them.”

“What the hell do ducks have to do with witchcraft?” Dominique asked.

“Well. I don’t know exactly. Do you know, Zach? No we don’t.” Sydney smiled at Zachery. “Is Mommy a witch? Noooo, Mommy isn’t a witch.” Mommy. She turned to Kade, grinning. “Something about a new moon, new beginnings. Yuletide and whatnot.”

“Ducks.” Kade rolled his eyes.

“If ducks makes her happy, sweetie….then ducks it is. She’s the bride, and it’s her big day. Besides I think Zach is loving the duckies. Aren’t we? You want to see the duckies?”

“Jesus Christ, already. Witches? Pagans? Wolves? They’re as bad as the humans with their stupid traditions. There had better be fresh blood at this shindig or I’m a no show,” Dominique sniffed, her tongue sharper than ever.

Sydney’s mouth widened in surprise as she eyed her with curiosity. This was the first time in months Dominique had expressed her true personality. “Dom?”