A Christmas Tail (17 page)

“The security isn’t all up yet around the houses and there have been a few incidents. We have people working on it now with the humans. We’ve been told one more week and we should be able to start living there. As for the other women, they are on their way here. We have completely taken over the hotel for the wedding so we don’t have to worry about slip-ups with the children being there. The king also has extra protection coming in. Oh, and I should tell you that all our families are there now. Both Davis’ and Orion’s family arrived today to meet you and the children.”

Barry reached over and pulled Betsy into his lap when her face lost all color and she started to shake her head. “This is too much. With Maya and Dee coming, all the women, now your entire families. Do you think it will be too much for them? What if Mandy isn’t at the home?” Betsy buried her head into his chest, her grip on his arms tight. “I’m scared Barry, really scared. Jordon is younger, but what if Mandy doesn’t want anything to do with me?”

“Stop doing that to yourself, kitten. You worry about things you have no control over. We’ll deal with it together, but if she is anything like her mommy, you’ll be fine because her mommy has a very big heart.” He lifted his head and looked to the door. “Shit, Akaos does not wait, does he?” Barry placed Betsy back on her seat and pushed the door open as soon as the car had stopped.

“Can’t this wait?” Barry said, but it was too late. Isaac was out the door and headed right for his brother. The punch landed directly on Akaos’ right cheek sending Akaos back a few steps.

“I owed you that, but do it again...” he stopped as Maya and Dee came out of the hotel. Lacey moved to Isaac’s side as did Dan.

Looking down, Betsy stood beside him while Orion carried Jordon, who was rubbing his eyes looking around. “Mom?” he whispered looking for Betsy until he found her.

She held out her arms and Jordon went to them without hesitation, hugging her. Betsy closed her eyes, hugging him. “I’m sorry we woke you up, but a few old friends have come to join us for Christmas.” All eyes turned to her.

“Isaac, Dan what they did was unspeakable, but for Lacey’s sake and Maya’s and Dee’s, shouldn’t you put your anger towards Akaos and Talhrn aside? I think there has been enough damage, don’t you? Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to take my son to our room so he can take a nap.” She nodded to the women behind them.

“Christmas is a special time, why not start over?” Betsy continued, moving into the hotel with Jordon, but not before Dee reached out and squeezed her arm as she passed.

“I’m glad you found him, it’s hard to lose a little one.” At once Talhrn was there wrapping his arms around Dee, but she snarled and stepped away. “You have an apology to say before you touch me again.”

Barry nodded to the man, almost feeling sorry for him, but not. They had brought this on themselves. “Come Davis, Orion we have other things...” He heard Orion’s mother squeal and rolled his eyes heading inside.

Sure enough, Betsy and Jordon were surrounded by family. She turned to glare at them and Orion actually moaned as did Davis. Jordon had his arms wrapped so tight around Betsy’s neck, he was surprised she could breathe. Yep, it was time to interfere. “Move it before kitten’s claws come out.”

The three of them moved in giving Betsy time to slip away from the group heading towards the elevator. Barry apologized to everyone and stepped in next to Betsy, running the key in the slot for their personal suite, leaving Davis and Orion to deal with their families.

“I can’t deal with them all right now, Barry. It’s too much. Not to mention it scared Jordon half out of his mind having everyone around us like that,” Betsy grumbled, hefting Jordon up.

“Here, let me take him. Come here Jordon, and I’m sorry about all the people. It’s just our families are very happy to see you.” He put the boy on his hip.

“They’re really family, all of them?” The boy asked and he nodded. “You have four grandmothers and eleven grandfathers, not to mention a number of aunts and uncles, all of whom will be here in the hotel for the next week. You’re both going to have a very, very big Christmas.”

“Oh my god, how am I going to buy gifts for everyone?” Betsy moaned.

“How is Santa going to find us here at the hotel?” Jordon frowned and he smiled.

“He’ll find you, we’ll write him a letter tonight just you and I.” Jordon nodded. “Do you think they’ll like me?”

“Who are you talking about Jordon?” Betsy asked.

“All those people down there.” He stated as the door opened to their room. Zanger was there with Rhodes and most of their shopping bags.

“I think I have a something bag Jordon would like to have.” Rhodes said, holding up the game store bag. At once the boy squirmed in his arms wanting down.

“I thought you were tired,” Barry laughed, putting him down and running to Rhodes. “By the way, Jordon, that is your uncle Rhodes. The other man is our friend Zanger.” Both men pulled Jordon onto the couch and helped him open up the boxes with the DS and games as Orion and Davis came into the room, followed by Isaac and Lacey.

Lacey fell down on the sofa next to Betsy. “I have to say I’m thrilled to see Maya and Dee, but in my book Akaos and your king have a lot of groveling to do before I forgive them.”

“There will be no forgiving them. How would they have felt if they watched their female...” Isaac stopped what he was going to say, seeing Jordon watching them.

“Hey, I was going to play that with Jordon,” Orion said pushing his brother over and taking his place.

Betsy laughed. “I knew you were a little boy inside that big body.”

“I’ll show you how little I am later,” he winked and pulled Jordon onto his lap showing him how to play the game.

“So have we decided where the wedding is going to be?” Betsy asked and Lacey snarled.

“We should just stand in front of a judge. All this fuss is a little much, but Dan’s mother is set on this wedding. I was thinking the banquet room, it’s big enough and I thought we could do it on Christmas Day, having our Christmas gathering at the same time. Of course our family should have a private gift exchange before the big thing. I mean we shouldn’t make the children wait to open their presents on Christmas.”

Betsy titled her head to the side. “Why not do it on Christmas Eve? Have a night wedding. Think of the pictures we could take. You could have poinsettias lining the area, along with red and white candles. You could use the grand stair case coming down with doors open to the party room?”

“I like that but you both should be getting married together.” Dan’s mother stated coming in with Dan and his father.

“I don’t know about that. One, I have to find my daughter, and two. I haven’t been asked,” Betsy said holding up her hand showing her ring hand. “There is no hurry, I’m fine the way things are.” She glanced at Barry, smiling.

“Well it just so happens, Davis.” Davis walked over to where Betsy sat and knelt before her. Orion placed Jordon down on the couch and joined him . Barry moved to stand in between Davis and Orion, taking Betsy’s hand and pulling her up so she was standing in front of them before he dropped down to one knee and pulled out the ring they had made up for her.

“We had this ring made two months back, three circles with one ruby heart. You are our heart, the one that keeps us together. Will you marry us?” He slid the ring on her finger and it was a perfect fit. Tears rolled down her checks which also happened to be a little pink.

“I’ll marry you, but I don’t want to ruin Lacey’s wedding, Owe!” Betsy turned to glare at her sister who had pinched her.

“You and I will get married together on Christmas Eve.” Lacey stated and Betsy rolled her eyes. “Fine, but you have a dress, I don’t.”

“I’ve taken care of that,” Dan’s mother said, nodding to the bag Dan now held. “While you were ordering your furniture, I was shopping. Let’s go in the bedroom and you can see if I did okay?”

Betsy turned to go to the bedroom but stopped and once more her attention was her three men. “Thank you for giving me the family I never believed I would have. I love you three very much.”

****

Her emotions were all over the place as she took one more glance at Jordon who was busy playing his game with Rhodes. Betsy was on an emotional roller coaster and she knew it wasn’t about to stop anytime soon.

Lacey grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her into the bedroom. “He’s not going anywhere. You have eight full-grown warriors out there willing to kill anyone who would touch him. Now let’s see this dress Dorothy got you. Did you know she picked out my dress? The woman is amazing. I’m so glad she will be with us and we won’t lose her.” Lacey said sitting on the bed as Dorothy came in carrying the bag.

“I am glad too Lacey, that I will be staying with you. But it is weird to know I’m not going to die, well unless someone chops off my head. Oh and I just got a call from back home. The rest of the family will be up here in the next few days. They’re going to wait to travel until all the security is in place back home, and for the furniture you ordered to arrive, so it’s all set up for when you return. Why didn’t you pick anything out for your daughter?”

Both of them turned to her and she shrugged. “For one, I want to make sure I have her before I go ahead and plan anything. Second, I want to allow her to pick what she wants. It’s her room. I want her to be comfortable in it. I have the catalog so we can order her stuff. I did order her bed for her just in case, though.” So let’s see the dress.” Betsy nodded to the bag that Dorothy had in her hand when someone knocked on the door.

“Can we come in?” Maya peeked her head in and Betsy saw Dee behind her.

“Of course, come on in,” Betsy smiled and nudged Lacey who nodded, but was quiet along with Dorothy as both Dee and Maya came in, shutting the door.

“We didn’t get any time to tell you what happened,” Maya sat down next to Lacey as Dee moved next to Betsy. “Somehow the assholes froze us, we couldn’t move or say anything. We had no idea what had happened until it happened. After you were brought back here, all hell broke loose on the planet. Needless to say, we haven’t spoken to our men unless it was necessary for the children’s sake. I’ve never been so furious in my life and I’ve informed both the king and Akaos I will be spending most of my time with you here on earth. I’m done with their world. Sure I’ll go back and visit family, but nothing more. So I hope you have an extra house for me?” Maya said ringing her hands as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

“You’re my sister and best friend Lacey, and I missed you so much!” Maya hiccupped and Lacey snorted pulling her into a hug.

“I missed you too. I don’t know how I can forgive Akaos for what they did to Dan though. They beat the shit out of him Maya.”

“That was not Akaos.” Maya pulled back and stared into her face. “The two men that did that… Believe me they got what they deserve. They are on another planet and all their powers have been stripped from them. Akaos wouldn’t tell me anything else. It seems the
Tetraheros
do step in when warriors over use their gifts. It’s also one of the reasons we’re here. The two that betrayed the planet are no more. The ban from traveling has been lifted. They can’t do their job if they can’t travel.”

Dee nodded. “Not to mention both Akaos and Talhrn both carry our marks.” Dee sighed and rubbed her swollen stomach. “I was so furious that when we got back to our rooms I attacked him.”

Maya nodded. “I’m afraid I did the same thing. Never has my cat been out of control like that, but nothing could have stopped her.”

Betsy leaned forward. “I know why? Your cat recognizes what Lacey’s cat is. While your two men might govern their world, Lacey and Isaac are in control here. Lacey has always carried the power inside of her to be the queen, but the cat hid it well until it was time. I guess you two each have a job to do, but there is no reason you can’t do it together?” she asked, and Lacey laughed.

“You’re a smart one, little sister. Tell us what gift did you give Barry? Isaac mentioned he knew Barry was different as were all your men.” All eyes turned to her and she fidgeted.

“I’m afraid Barry has the powers to destroy, as in just by looking at the person or thing. He can also take control of me like Isaac can you,” she mumbled and rolled her eyes.

“
I know your rolling those eyes kitten,” he purred. “And I will be taking control of you tonight too.”

Lacey, Maya and Dee laughed as she fidgeted on the bed. “Okay enough of that, Dorothy let’s see the dress and Barry no peeking!” she yelled at the door knowing he could see the dress if he wanted.

“
I wouldn’t do that to you even if it kills me not to know. We all promise,”
Barry stated and she swore his big arms surrounded her and hugged her.

“I knew you were found of Red so...” Dorothy opened the bag and Betsy swore her heart went into her throat. The red dress was almost identical to her sister’s. There were no puffy anything. The dress was made out of pure silk and would cling to her body. A slit up each side to her the hip as a long slit down to her belly button also.

Even though the dress would cover her, it was the sexiest thing Betsy had ever seen. The back would drop down to her butt checks giving everyone a glance at them. “Um wow, I’m speechless. It’s absolutely beautiful.” Betsy got off the bed and ran her fingers over the dress.

“You are an amazing woman, thank you.” Betsy said and hugged Dorothy. “Thank you,”

“I’ve also got a little tux for Jordon and a red dress for Mandy. She’ll be here and will be happy to have her mom.” Dorothy said patting her before zipping the dress back up and putting it in the small closet they had.

“I wish we could go now. I don’t want to wait.” She turned and all three women nodded.

“I think you should let your men scope the place out first. You all have children here and we don’t need added trouble especially since we’re planning your weddings and Christmas.” Dorothy said, giving each of them the mother eye and she laughed.

“You’re very good at that eye thing. I might have to have you teach it to me later, but right now I want your help. I need to get something for my men for Christmas, not to mention I need to shop for everyone else. Any ideas?” She asked Dorothy who smiled from ear to ear.