A Christmas Tail (16 page)

The boy thought for a minute and smiled, nodding. He wrapped his little arms partially around him, trying to hug him. “Thank you so much. I wish you were my real daddy.”

****

Betsy had heard everything as Orion held her tight. A few tears fell on his chest as she held on to him tight listening to Barry talk to him. Nella inside roared and wanted to hunt the bastard. Her sister’s little snarls close to her indicated she too was hearing his words.

A large hand landed on her shoulder and squeezed. “We’ve already taken care of the home where he was, the police and our men are looking for this man. Clean your tears, little sister. Your son does not need to see them, he’ll just feel guilty,” Isaac said and she knew it was true.

She stepped back and Orion offered her a tissue. “I just want to find Mandy and go back. We have so much to do, furniture, Christmas shopping, clothes for the kids,” she smiled and tilted her head to the side, looking up at Orion. “And clothes for me. Some more jeans.”

Both Davis and Orion grumbled, but it was Barry who growled coming out of the limo. “There will be no jeans, well maybe a few for emergency, but plenty of dresses and other things.” He helped Jordon out of limo and she smiled down at him as he moved to take the hand she held out.

“We’ll see. Jordon, I’d like you to meet your aunt Lacey and your uncles.” After hugs and introductions, their group moved into the massive mall. Over four floors and all decorated for Christmas. As Lacey, Jordon, and she stood there just staring at everything the men spread out watching, but she heard their laughs.

“What?” Betsy finally said looking at Barry who had a huge smile on his face.

“You’d think you’d never been in a mall...” As soon as the words were out, he was there hugging her. “I’m so sorry kitten, I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s alright, it’s the truth. Maybe one day we’ll have a normal life,” she sighed as did Lacey, knowing it would never happen. “Come on, let’s get some clothes so I don’t feel like a freak here walking around wearing this huge thing.” Betsy said, rubbing her cheek on the coat. “But the leather is awful soft, maybe I could make a pair of leather pants out of it?” she said straight-faced and Lacey chimed in.

“I think you have enough material there for two pairs, so make me one.” She said as they hit the escalator, heading toward the kids shop first.

“There will be no cutting up my coat,” Davis growled and they all laughed as she spotted an electronic game place.

“Jordon, do you like to play those games like Xbox and such?” Betsy asked and the boy’s eyes got all big and he shook he nodded. “Well, we can’t get a big system now, but maybe a hand held one? Which one would you like?”

Jordon stopped and stared up at her. “Really?”

Betsy looked up at Barry and he nodded. “I don’t see why not. It will give you something to do in the hotel while we search for your sister, and of course, I’m sure one of your fathers would play with you.” Betsy looked up and saw Orion’s eyes light up like a kid.

She laughed and nodded to him. “I think Orion knows all about the games, why don’t you go with him and pick out what you want.” Jordon ran to him placing his tiny hand in Orion’s as they headed to the game store.

“He’s beautiful, sis. Even after everything that has happened to him, his spirit is still pure and good. Let’s hope the other children fared okay,” Lacey followed her into the store.

“I want to go to the home and make sure. I know Jordon will be worried and it might ease his mind if he sees his friends.” She glanced up at Barry, who came up to her other side.

“I don’t see a problem with that as long there are no more incidents at the home before tomorrow. I think we should check the home and see if there are any of our kind in there. God knows how many other children were created and left. I’m really surprised your father didn’t kill them though.”

“He wanted to see them when they got older, to see if they had any powers. He had men watching them. Do you think they are still watching them?” she glanced from Barry to where Orion and Jordon were.

“He’s fine, and if they are they haven’t made a move. I think with your father and Drang gone, they are going to split up. They’re not going to know what to do. Eventually they’ll show their faces and we’ll find every one of them.” Isaac stated coming up followed by Dan and his parents.

“So is everyone ready for some serious shopping?” Dan’s mother asked, coming over to her and hugging her. “I hear we have lots to buy a little boy? Where is he?”

“Yes, where is our grandchild?” Barry’s mother asked as she joined their group along with her husbands.

Betsy laughed and nodded to them in the store. “Orion is buying him a hand held game so he’ll have something to do in the hotel while we’re here. We’re heading to get clothes afterwards. Afraid we both need new clothes.”

By the time Orion and Jordon came walking over, Orion had two bags in his hands and Jordon seemed to be bouncing on his toes smiling when some man slipped around behind Orion and grabbed Jordon by the back of the neck, shaking him.

At once, the tiger burst out as she started the shift. Orion spun and decked the man, grabbing Jordon while Barry held onto her, pushing her cat back with his power. “No, your baby needs you.” Barry whispered to her as Orion brought Jordon over to her. Isaac took the weasel of a man and moved to explain the situation  to the officer that had come running over.

All she wanted to do was rip the man apart, but right now Jordon was shaking like a leaf. Betsy leaned down and picked the boy up. He wasn’t heavy and she needed him in her arms.

Going over to one of the big chairs in the middle of the mall, she sat down hugging, Jordon. “It’s going to be okay, he’s gone and no one is taking you away, I promise.”

“You really mean it, don’t you?” he leaned back and stared at her. “You’re not going to give me up or take me back to the home?” he asked and she shook her head.

“No, you are my child and you are going back to the house we have all picked out as soon as we find your sister. I did think you would like to see if your friends are all right. A new person is now in charge of the home and everything is being taken care of.” Betsy stiffened as Barry and Isaac came over with a different officer.

“Betsy, this man needs to talk with Jordon for a few minutes,” Barry stated.

“Fine, but it will be done right here. He’s not going anywhere without me,” she pushed Nella back, but barely.

The cop smiled and nodded. “I understand with you just finding your son and all. I can speak with him here.” The police officer was great, kneeling down asking questions. At first Betsy didn’t think Jordon would say anything, the way he clung to her. But Barry reached down, squeezing his shoulder. “It’s okay son, he’s not going to take you away from your momma.”

For over a half an hour, the police took statements, then they were finally able to get moving. Betsy knew Jordon was still scared. He clung to her as they made their way to the children’s store.

“Okay Jordon, let’s get you some new clothes and then we can eat,” Betsy said, moving into the store and grabbing one of their carts with Jordon holding onto her hand. In a matter of an hour, she had jeans, dress pants, shirts, underwear, socks and a few pair of cool looking pj’s that Jordon loved. While he changed into his clothes, Davis came up to her as she waited just outside the changing room and handed her a bag.

“Go in the other room and change, I’ll stay here with Jordon. We’ll go eat afterwards,” Davis stated, taking his coat off her shoulders. “and you are not making pants out of my coat.”

Jordon heard and snickered and she smiled, reaching up and kissing Davis’s check. “Thank you,” she whispered and he winked at her before slapping her butt.

“Hurry up. I don’t know about Jordon, but I need food.” Davis said and Jordon nodded.

“I’m starving,” he said, going into one room while she went into the next room where Barry waited, and smiled at the jeans and sweater there for her.

“Don’t get used to it,” Barry said behind her and pointed to the bench. “Hold on and let me take this out of you. You’ve had it in long enough.” He kissed the side of her neck before lifting her torn dress up and slowly taking the butt plug out.

She moaned and he laughed. “We’ll take care of you tonight I promise, but it will have to be in the hotel since I know you won’t want to leave Jordon” He said, and she shook her head.

“No, too soon, he might have nightmares. I want to be there for him,” she stood and he stripped the dress from her and helped her into the sweater. “You know a bra would be nice. These things are heavy.” She cupped her breasts and he snarled.

“Never! Now get in your jeans, no underwear.” He swatted her ass going out the door, but not before the plug disappeared from the room. “Oh, and there are a pair of boots on the floor behind you. We’ll get you and Jordon coats at the other store after we eat.”

Feeling like normal, Betsy headed outside to see Jordon on Davis’ shoulders, laughing at Orion who had a small hat on his head. “Damn, even in jeans you look hot?” Barry grumbled and wrapped his arm around her as Lacey came over and smiled.

“Look, even Isaac let me put on some jeans. Do you know how good these feel?” she ran her hands up and down them and Isaac snorted.

“It’s been one week, you poor baby, now let’s get going. Our nephew is starving. I can hear his tummy growling like a tiger.” Isaac said pulling Lacey out of the store as Jordon laughed, the light once more back in his eyes.

“It will take time, but I really think he’ll be okay.” She looked up at Barry, who nodded.

“My folks went to the furniture store to get some catalogs for us. I thought we could look at them while we eat so we don’t have to actually have to go there. I don’t think he’ll last long shopping after he eats.” Barry nodded as Jordon yawned and she nodded.

“Yea, we’re going to have to go back to the hotel so he can take a nap,” she said when Zanger came up next to Barry and nodded at two men a floor above them watching. “Barry?” she grabbed his arm and he smiled.

“Not to worry kitten, they’re family.” Barry laughed as the new men made their way to them.

“I thought you were the only one?” she frowned.

“I am, but I do have cousins. I was more or less raised with these two and they’re going to love you.” He kissed the top of her head before stepping away and hugging his cousins. “What brings you two all the way here? The last I heard, you were doing a job for your fathers?”

“We were, but got done with it when we heard you found your mates. Your father also mentioned something about some trouble so we thought we’d come check out your woman and see if we can help. Now, move over so I can hug this pretty thing.” One of the cousins said pushing Barry out of the way, and lifted her up into a giant hug.

“I’m Brin, the oldest and the most handsome of our family! Welcome to our family, sister.” He placed her down and kissed her cheek before ducking as Barry threw a punch at him.

“Hands off,” Barry growled, pushing her behind him as the other tried to grab onto her.

She laughed as Orion stepped next to Barry. “Do I have to beat the crap out of you again, Glaw?” Orion said, before hugging the man. “Where the hell you been?” he slapped the man on the shoulder and she shook her head, turning to head to the dinner.

“Men will always be boys at heart,” her sister said as she moved next to Betsy, shaking her head.

Chapter Eleven

Barry stared at the tiny boy in his arms. Jordon had lasted longer than any of them had expected. After picking out the furniture they liked and allowing Jordon to pick out his bedroom set, they had been able to get a few things for Betsy before Jordon fell asleep while she had been trying on some clothes.

“So are you going to tell me how I got to keep Jordon and why they didn’t try to take him away?” Betsy asked as they made their way out of the mall to the waiting limos.

“That’s easy. Isaac already had their birth certificates and papers before we left the States. We have everything for Mandy too. That cop knew we were telling the truth. He saw how Jordon clung to you and there is no way you can fake a mother’s anger.”

She snorted and climbed into the limo, liking the way the jeans fit her ass. Yes, they might be buying her a few more pairs of jeans just to see her fine ass in them. Barry handed Jordon to Orion in the limo and climbed in.

“Barry any word on Mandy yet?” Betsy asked and he nodded.

“Yes, tomorrow after we visit the boys group home, we’re going to one of the homes where we believe Mandy is. We aren’t sure she’s there, but the chances are good.” He took a seat across from her.

“If she’s there, do you think she’ll be safe tonight?” she tapped her claws on the limo door and he grinned, reaching over and taking her hand into his.

“We have men watching the building now. No one will get in there. I do have some other good news,” Barry announced as Orion laughed. “Maya and Dee are waiting for us back at the hotel. They’re staying there for Christmas. It seems we’re going to have Christmas here in London as well as a wedding.” Barry announced and Betsy smiled before throwing her arms around him hugging him tight.

“Thank you so much!” she squealed almost waking Jordon.

“He had nothing to do with it. Dee and Maya haven’t been talking with their mates since this went down. They were furious that Dan and Lacey were hurt and have only spoken with them when it was necessary.” Orion stated.

Betsy frowned and looked over at Orion. “Do you think Lacey and Dan are going to forgive them, hell Isaac!” she covered her mouth.

“That one is a tough one. Isaac wants nothing to do with Akaos and I don’t blame him, but he’s going to put up with him for Lacey’s benefit. But Akaos can expect an ear full from Dan’s parents and family, that’s for sure. Even our king is having a hard time. Half of our people are furious at him for allowing what happened, but they did catch the two that had betrayed us.”

“Sorry but sacrificing Dan and Lacey, not to mention tearing apart the family Maya had created with all the women was not right. It’s good that Isaac is now in charge here on Earth because right now not one of the women back home would listen to Akaos or your king. Crap, the others they have to be here for Lacey’s wedding! Why are we having this all here?” she looked at Barry and he sighed.