SWNOVELS Chapter 21 - Christmas!
I wake up to the sound of knocking on my door and my mother telling me to get up and meet everyone downstairs. I sigh and roll over to lie on my back, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. When I check my phone, I see the date and smile widely. It’s Christmas!
Making my way into the bathroom, I use the toilet, brush my teeth and wash my face before turning off the light and walking out. I had taken a late shower last night when Nick and I returned from our long drive around the city. The night had ended with us talking about random things, eating food and getting drunk in the kitchen.
And because Nick had felt the need to splash beer into my face whilst I was laughing, I had to take a shower before bed last night. Yes, of course I got him back. His hair and shirt were soaked with vodka by the time I was done with him. But, we did come back down to clean up because our mother would kill us if we left a mess.
I decide to stay in my festive onesie and as I walk out of my room, an idea forms in my head. I see Nick’s bedroom door closed and start tiptoeing towards it, not wanting to be caught. Opening it as quietly as I can, I sneak in and make my way towards his bed. My brother is sleeping on his stomach, snoring loudly with the sheets down to his waist. I take the glass from his bedside table and fill it up with cold water before walking back into his room.
“Merry Christmas ya filthy animal!” I yell at the top of my lungs, successfully waking him before throwing the water onto his shirtless back.
He screams like a girl which makes me cackle evilly, running out of the room with him chasing me. He catches me by the stairs and tackles me to the ground, putting me in a headlock. I struggle with increased vigour, kicking and punching him before he pins me to the floor and lets out a stinky fart.
Shrieking, I shove him forcefully which causes him to get off me. Gasping, I try to get fresh air back into my lungs whilst glaring at him as he rolls on the floor laughing his pants off.
“What the hell did you eat last night?!” I ask, watching as his blue eyes light up in amusement.
“I can’t really remember, but whatever it was I need to do it again!” He smirks, ruffling his blonde hair so that it is away from his eyes.
I scowl at him, knowing I was going to experience this before I go back to Berlin. Before I can say anything else, our parents call us downstairs and I get up with a sigh. When Nick and I were younger we would always unwrap our presents first but as we got older, we now had a light breakfast first.
My Mum makes pancakes while I get the fruits and other toppings we usually have with them. Dad makes us some scrambled eggs with bacon and toast while Nick gets the juice and sets the table. After the food is on the table, we sit down and take some of each. I take pancakes first and pile them with chocolate drizzle and fruits.
After breakfast, we retreat to the sitting room. I sit by the tree as this year it is my duty to pass everyone their presents. I watch with a smile as my Mum stares at the jewellery Nick and I bought her with awe.
She exclaims that she loves it and thanks us before moving onto the present Dad bought for her. I pass Dad the big wrapped box which is from Nick and he smirks, shaking it jokingly to guess what it was. As he rips the wrapping paper his eyes widen when the Lego set is revealed.
“It’s the museum your mother and I went to in New York!” He states happily, excitement in his brown eyes as he stares down at the box with wonder.
I pass him my presents and he tells me how much he loves them, leaning over to press a kiss to my forehead. Mum hands him a wrapped gift and he opens it up to find what he says he has been wanting for months but it was mostly sold out. Nick opens my presents and tackles me for the second time today but this time, it was for a hug. His smile is so wide as he’s talking animatedly about the video game I bought him and how he needed a new holdall or a bag.
The last one to open their presents is me. I take the first one which is from Nick and rip away the wrapping paper to find a purse from one of the high-end brands I like. Gasping at how he managed to figure out the exact one I wanted, I pull him into a hug and thank him. Dad has bought me a perfume and a necklace, which I wear immediately, and my Mum has bought me a book by my favourite author, a gold bracelet which I fall in love with instantly and a makeup product. I thank both my parents and get up to give them a hug.
We lounge around for the rest of the day, having a late lunch. The television plays with Christmas movies and Nick and I are wrapped up in blankets having a marathon of old classics. As we are doing that, I send Christmas wishes to my friends and Kaden, smiling at their instant replies. Kaden’s text makes butterflies flutter in my tummy and I try hard not to squeal.
Kaden: Merry Christmas, angel. I miss you, can’t wait for you to come back.
Luna: I miss you too, I can’t wait to see you again!
I sigh in content and lean back against the couch, bringing the blanket closer to my neck. Even though I’m halfway through my holidays, I miss him terribly. It’s like there is a slight ache in my chest whenever I think about him…and that was most of the time.
Sometime around early evening, my Mum calls me to help her make the food. I make my way into the kitchen and meet her by the cooker as she starts to prep for tonight’s dinner. We all help her with preparing the food before Dad and Nick go out to get some wood for the fire whilst Mum and I rest.
At around half six in the evening, we make our way into the kitchen for dinner. Because my mother is from Britain and my father from Australia, we have mixed dishes for our Christmas dinner. They were college sweethearts as both decided to study in America, relocating to Germany when I was sixteen years old.
Dad and I had placed green foliage with candles, pinecones and berries in the centre as decoration pieces so the dining table is looking very festive right now. I get a bit of everything and pile it onto my plate, loving the smell of the kitchen. We spend quite some time in the kitchen, eating and drinking as we chat about random things and our plans for tomorrow.
We move into the sitting room after to relax and have some dessert Mum and I had prepared. I had made a delicious current bread with a paste of ground almonds in the middle of each slice. It was a Dutch favourite and Mum had taught me how to make it last winter. Nick had insisted on apple beignets, even though they are traditionally served at New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam, so we had that on the coffee table too along with Christmas cookies. We watch ‘Home Alone,’ as we munch on the desserts, it was one movie that I never get tired of.
As Nick and I head back to the kitchen to tidy up, he catches up to me with my phone in hand. I gasp loudly when I see that he has unlocked it somehow, snatching it off him. He smirks devilishly, leaning against the counter as I hurriedly change the password.
“What’s the matter, Lu? Got something to hide?” He drawls, eyes shining with mirth.
“Nope.” I mumble, quickly turning to start on washing the dishes.
“Hmm, then I assume you don’t mind telling me about this boyfriend of yours?” He asks, catching the dish that slipped from my grasp out of shock.
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug, cursing myself mentally for stuttering.
“Alright, well I guess I’ll just go and share my theory with Mum and Dad.” He states before making his way towards the door of the kitchen.
I turn off the tap quickly and catch his wrist, making him halt. He turns to me with a wicked smirk, a mischievous glint in his bright blue eyes. He crosses his arms and I groan at the stubborn tilt of his chin, knowing he won’t let this go.
“Does this Kaden guy treat you well?” He asks in a gruff tone, eyes hardening as he stares down at me.
I nod, tucking away a strand piece of hair. “He’s really nice and caring, I like him.”
“Fling or long-term?”
I roll my eyes, turning on the tap to continue washing the dishes. “Long-term, you’re the one who doesn’t want to settle down.”
“Hey, it’s not my fault the ladies want me and besides, where’s the fun in settling down?” Nick exclaims, throwing up his hands.
I smile at his antics, shaking my head. “Pig.”
“Back to the topic, so -”
He’s interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. I turn my head to see who it is, freezing when I see Kaden’s picture on my screen. Nick realises and immediately lunges for my phone, running to the other side of the counter. I shout his name in despair, chasing him around the kitchen.
He puts the call on loudspeaker and greets Kaden, an arrogant grin on his lips. I groan lowly, using his shoulder as leverage to jump when he holds the phone at a height I can’t reach.
“Who are you?” I hear Kaden ask, my heart skipping a beat when I hear his husky voice.
“Luna’s brother, Nicholas.” He replies, pushing me away with his hand flat on my face. “So, Kaden, who are you to my baby sister and why do you keep calling her every day?”
My jaw drops when he starts acting clueless, as if I didn’t just tell him that Kaden is my boyfriend. He grabs me by my elbow and shoves me onto a stool, fixing me with a glare that basically means to shut my mouth and stay put.
“I’m her ma – friend. We met in Berlin and became friends.” I hear Kaden almost slip.
“Yeah…” Nick drags the word out, his tone dripping in heavy disbelief. “And I’m the president of the United States, it’s actually the reason why I live there.”
“Uh…what?” I hear Kaden mutter in confusion, making me swat my brother’s arm.
“Well, I assumed you were her boyfriend but I guess not.” He shrugs before turning to me with a wicked glint in his baby blues. “So, Luna, are you going on that date – hey!”
I jump and snatch my phone from his hand when he lowered it, too caught up in taunting Kaden to realise his mistake. His disappointed groan is the last thing I hear as I run out of the kitchen and up into my bedroom, locking the door behind me to prevent any further interruptions from my annoying brother.
I take a seat on my bed, murmuring out a breathless greeting. Kaden doesn’t respond but I can hear his harsh breathing, making me frown in confusion and worry. I ask him if he’s alright but receive no reply yet again.
“You’re going on a date?” He eventually growls, the anger in his tone making me wince.
“No! Kaden, it’s not what you think!” I try and reassure him, running a hand over my face tiredly.
“Your brother just said -”
“Nick was lying. I told him about you just before you called.” I explain hurriedly, the silence following afterwards turning me into a nervous wreck.
“Good.” He growls, much softer now that he’s relaxed. “You’re mine Luna, nobody else’s.”
“I’m yours.” I breathe, wishing he was here.
“I want to see you, hold on.” He states and then he’s video calling me.
I accept it, a smile immediately blooming on my lips when I see him. His hair is wet, dark strands hanging onto his forehead. But what has me blushing is when I see that he has no shirt on.
“Merry Christmas, baby.” He grins knowingly, winking at me.
“Merry Christmas to you too.” I laugh lightly, fiddling with the necklace I wore. “Did you have a good day?”
I watch as he nods, lying down on the bed. “Rico and I are at Axel’s right now. We’re going to play some board games in a few so, I thought I’d call you before I -.”
“I miss you, Kaden.” I blurt out, blushing when he stops and stares at me.
He smiles softly, the screen freezing for a second before it’s back to normal again. “I miss you too, Luna. Everyday.”
“Is it bad that I want the rest of the days to fly by?” I bite my bottom lip, feeling horrible for not wanting to spend more time with my family.
“No, in fact I hope they do because it means you’ll be by my side again.” He smirks boyishly, making me giggle at his words.
“You’re being very cute today.” I reply, watching his smirk drop.
“Luna,” He whines, sitting up. “I’m an Alpha, I’m anything but cute!”
“Nope! You’re my cute Alpha.” I grin as he mockingly huffs in frustration.
Pretty soon the moon and stars come out to play, as if a sign telling me to go to sleep, but I rebel like always and continue talking with my mate into the early hours of the morning.