by Dahlia Rose
Half an hour later, they were sitting at the table, sharing wine and Jacob’s delicious seared steaks. Sera had her own meal of mashed potatoes and veggies which was a messy affair, but no one seemed to care.
A sense of remorse flooded her, what would his mother feel about her grandchild? Sera was a beautiful child and Eden felt sad, that Jacob’s mother would miss out on watching her grow. In the end, it was his mother’s choices and how she treated her family that caused such distance.
“Okay, now dinner is over.” Lyn placed her hand on the table and from under it, she pulled a small gift bag. “Eden, after we found out about you and Ko’s plan to win you back. Even with the distance between us, we wanted to be involved to give you a better welcome into our family than you had. So, this is for you.”
Eden looked at the three siblings and her eyes misted. Removing the soft tissue paper, she pulled out a black painted wooden box. Opening the lid, revealed five golden origami cranes. Taking one between her fingertips, they were not paper, but gold.
Jacob’s warm hand grasped hers.
His older sister spoke, “In our culture, it is said that anyone that finds a thousand cranes would be granted one wish from the gods,” Lyn began.
Sonja continued, her smile wide, “It is also said that outside of that one wish, you are granted eternal good luck. We gift you five golden cranes, one for luck, one for love, one for peace, one for family and the final one for long life.
“We embrace you as family and while it may not be one thousand cranes. Our wish is that you will find them all and be granted a rich full life,” Lyn finished.
Eden wiped away the tears that slipped down her cheek. The beauty of the sentiment humbled and left her in awe. “Thank you both.” She cleared her throat of the emotion that lodged there. “Sera has gained the two best aunts in the world.”
“I gave them the idea.’ Jacob’s smile was wide after he said the words.
Sonja threw her linen napkin at her brother. “Such a man trying to get brownie points for our gift.”
“Yeah,” Lyn agreed and followed her sister to throw the cloth square at him.
Sera thinking it was a game, toppled her bowl and the contents went across the high-chair surface. She waved chubby little hands that were covered in sauce and potatoes and a glop hit Jacob right in the face.
“That’s what you get,” Eden said around her laughter. “Sera is on the side of her aunts.”
“I’m out-numbered by women in my own home,” Jacob announced.
Lyn smiled. “And you just became dad, he used to say that all the time.”
The atmosphere felt warm and comfortable as they continued to talk while cleaning up the mess and then tackling the kitchen.
Eden took a very messy Sera up for a bath. When she entered the bedroom from the bathroom, Lyn was there holding a bottle.
“Jacob sent me up with this.” Lyn’s tone was wistful. “May I?”
“Of course,” Eden said gently and handed her the baby. “She likes to be rocked while she drinks. I think that’s why Jacob brought the rocking recliner for her room here.”
Auntie Lyn sat comfortably with the baby and then Eden handed her the bottle.
There was silence for a moment. Sera took the bottle and she focused on this new person feeding her for the night.
Lyn looked at Eden. “You are so lucky, don’t give it up for anything in this world.
Eden watched Lyn’s face as she rocked and fed Sera, speaking to her in Japanese and in Swedish. Walking to the door knowing her baby was safe and secure was an easy task and she dimmed the light enough on the way out, so Sera would fall asleep.
Jacob stood outside the door and enveloped her in his warm embrace. “Thank you,” he whispered huskily.
“For what?” Eden asked looking at him.
He shrugged. “For all of this, for giving Lyn this time and everything. I cherish everything about you Eden.”
“And I am grateful for a second chance to be with you.” Eden kissed him lightly.
Lyn came downstairs when Sera was down and they spent more time getting to know each other. Eden enjoyed the stories of Jacob growing up. Then when jetlag set in, the aunties went to bed.
Hand in hand, she and Jacob locked up for the night. With his video monitor in hand, they made their way up the stairs to the bedroom. Either one or both of them would get up for the three a.m. feeding.
Until then, Eden was content to be wrapped in his arms.
Chapter Nine
Six small Suiseki stones with wooden bases, seven swans were actual origami swans Jacob made himself and they were delicately beautiful. Eight maids a milking made her laugh because they were nesting dolls and she always wanted a set. Nine ladies dancing and ten lords a leaping was in an intricate music box, that depicted both.
With all the gifts, Eden knew she had to find the perfect something for Jacob.
She came on the idea to make him cookies and decorate them herself, how better to show her man that she was trying in the kitchen. Sera was with her aunts at the house while Jacob took care of some business that came up suddenly.
By the time he met her at her house that afternoon, she would have a plate of wonderfully Christmas themed, cookies. With a recipe downloaded off the internet and all the supplies needed. Eden was felt confident she could make these cookies pop.
Until the cookies seemed to be too thick and she put them in a bit longer. She watched them carefully but then her boss called, as they needed some paperwork before the end of business and Christmas closing. The cookies burned just a little but there was enough dough to make a second batch which she promptly forgot while trying to decorate the others. No one said that in making them that frosting got everywhere, as it certainly wasn’t in the recipe. The woman on the video had looked perky and happy as said the recipe was perfect for beginners.
Not to be deterred, Eden had enough leftover ingredients to make a smaller batch. I mean if I dump all the rest of the stuff in it should even out, right?” The new batter was kind of stiff but that made it easier for cutting out the little Santa Claus shapes. They looked perfect, and she decorated them with her frosting happily.
By the time Jacob showed up at her house and she opened the door. Eden was covered in flour, batter, frosting of various colors and the house smelled suspiciously of burnt cookies.
Jacob looked at her warily as he stepped inside and closed the door. “Is everything okay in here?”
Eden nodded happily. “Wait right here, I have a surprise for you.”
“Okay,” he said slowly.
She rushed into the kitchen and came back with the cookies, feeling proud that this batch was decorated semi neatly. “I made you these,” she held up the tray in triumph.
“They look lovely,” Jacob said.
“Try one,” she encouraged.
He took one from the top of the pile and sank his teeth into it. Except it took some great effort to get his teeth through and as he chewed, they were crunching.
“Why is it crunchy? The lady on the website said they’d be soft and chewy,” Eden said worriedly.
“Sometimes it’s like that,” Jacob tried to reassure her and cleared his throat. “Is that salt I taste in the icing or the cookie?”
“It said a quarter cup of salt, so I added it in there,” she replied.
“It was probably a quarter teaspoon.” He cleared his throat.
“They’re not good, are they?” Eden grabbed one and took a very difficult bite as spoke around the piece in her mouth, “Oh my god they are awful! Why are you eating this, spit it out!”
“I already swallowed,” he said. “I could use a drink of water.”
“Come on, let’s wash that hell fire taste down.” Eden sighed in disappointment. “I wanted to make you something nice. I should’ve just got you a watch.”
Jacob looked around the kitchen. “Eden, what the hell happened in here?”
She shrugged. “I assumed baking was messy.
”
“Honey, this isn’t a mess this is world war three.” Jacob looked around helplessly. “Did you put any flour in the bowl?”
“I did...” Her face crumpled, and Eden felt like the whole holiday spirit was ruined. Tears began to trail down her face covered in flour. “I’m a mess, the kitchen is a mess, this was a bad idea!”
“Oh babe.” Jacob kissed her. “You tried.”
She nodded and sniffed. “I did.”
“And failed terribly.” Jacob laughed.
“Ugh, don’t laugh at me!” Eden said but a smile hinted at her lips. “It’s really bad isn’t it?”
“Let’s put it this way, I am not cleaning this up, we’ll hire someone,” he answered though his laughter. “But I can clean you up. Let’s get you into the shower.” He took her sticky hands and led her to the bathroom, and in the shower, he wiped icing, flour and other ingredients off her face neck and body. “How did you get it in your hair?” Jacob asked incredulously.
“I think this why my mother took away my easy bake oven,” Eden said with a sigh. “...it caught on fire.”
That caused another round of laughter to escape him.
Eden held on to him as tears of mirth made her eyes burn. “Oh, I’m sorry Jacob. I’ll buy you a real gift.” She smiled up at him.
“Or you can give me one now.” Jacob kissed her with hunger.
She felt the throb of his cock between his legs. A new game was in play and Eden was ready for his touch.
Jacob reached around and his fingers grazed over the sensitive flesh of the thick velvet lips of her pussy, before he lifted her and pressed her against the wall of the slower.
Eden felt her sex clench in desire as he touched her, and their lips mated hungrily. He slipped into her slowly and her gasp combined with his groan from lips so close, they could share one breath.
“Having you like this, I can’t say we’re going to take it slow.” Jacob thrust upwards.
“Who asked for slow...” She whimpered.
“That’s my girl.” His words ended on a groan as he thrust into her again and sent her senses into overdrive. With every plunge and retreat, Eden slid against the tile and she was helpless except to feel the sensations that rocketed through her.
“Eden,” he said her name reverently before kissing her long and deep while his pace increased.
“Oh yes, yes,” the last words were drawn out as her climax built.
“So damn close,” he muttered through gritted teeth.
“I’m going to come,” she whimpered, and fisted her hand into his hair. How he was holding them both up she would never figure out. But all that mattered was this frenzied race to the pleasurable finish. The sensations drove Eden headfirst into her release that rocketed through her.
Jacob’s release made his body taunt as his muscles bunched and moved beneath her fingers. It took a few minutes before he let her legs slip to the floor and kissed her tenderly. “Move in with me,” Jacob said huskily. “Let’s make this family permanent.”
Eden sighed happily. “Yes... we were always moving towards this place in our lives weren’t we?”
His hands framed her face. “No doubt and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you so damn much, Eden. It’s always been you.”
“I love you too,” she whispered and felt the words down to her core. “No more wasting time on the past, we look towards the future, us and Sera.”
Eden knew the kiss they shared sealed the promises just made.
Christmas Day was a few days away and what better way to start their new life than to be together under the same roof for their daughter’s first holiday, with many more to come.
* * * *
Is this Christmas Eve—Eve? Jacob wondered as they prepared for the festive day. It was all was going well. Eden would move in completely at the beginning of the New Year. Her parents would be coming for Christmas Eve and the family dinner would be then. After they spent Christmas morning at home, they would then visit the grandparent’s house where more gifts would be opened.
Jacob was floored at how easily Lee and Steve embraced his sisters. They readily changed the dinner plans to his house for the larger dining room. Lee had already been over a few times with groceries and what all she would need to make dinner. Jacob would be her sous chef because no matter how good of a cook he was, nothing would compare to her skills.
Lyn and Sonja were also invited over to the Kingsley house for afternoon gift opening.
“Gives Lee another reason to go buy more gifts,” Steve said good naturedly. “I’m glad to see that you’ve taken to fatherhood and your family is just an extension of that.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jacob said knowing how tense the first meeting was when Eden’s father thought he was an asshole for not trying to find them sooner.
“No thanks necessary,” Steve said as he took a sip of his beer and stared at him. “It was good not to have to shoot someone for my daughter’s honor.”
Jacob never knew if he was kidding or not but chose not to delve into it any further, lest he found out something he didn’t want to know.
After that conversation, the Christmas spirit took over his house. From the constant holiday tunes to various pictures with them wearing everything from antlers to Santa hats. Memories were being made and Christmas Eve Dinner would be a culmination of that.
Until the other wrinkle came in like a whirlwind.
It started with Eden getting a call and then rushing into the kitchen while he and Lee were making sticky buns for Christmas morning.
“Hey, can one more be added to dinner?” Eden asked hesitantly when she came into the kitchen with a handful of tinsel and a shiny silver star garland looped around her neck.
Her mother glanced over at her. “Shouldn’t be a problem, who’s coming?”
Eden looked at Jacob. “Lisa, is that okay?”
Jacob smiled. “I don’t see why not, unless she is still holding a grudge against me?”
“Of course not, she’s just lonely for the holidays and she hasn’t seen Sera since she was about a month old.” Eden clapped her hands in excitement. “Oh yay, a houseful of love for the holidays!” She rushed out of the room in a flurry of tinsel.
“Is she always like this at the Christmas?” Jacob asked Lee.
“Oh, she can be much, much worse. We were worried her house would look like it threw up Christmas,” Eden’s mother said lightly. “Now it’s yours, good luck with the cleanup. She loves putting them up and hates taking them down.”
“I don’t mind boxing it all up, as long as she never makes cookies for me again.” Jacob rubbed his stomach. “I still think it’s in there.”
Lee looked over at him in horror. “Why on earth would you eat it? I love my daughter to death, but she shouldn’t be allowed to cook or bake. She caught an easy bake oven on fire at 8 years old and it has never gotten better.”
“I heard, don’t know how anyone could do that but she told me about it,” Jacob said amused.
Lee shook her head. “We don’t either, but she almost burned her whole room down.”
Jacob chuckled in amusement and then fifteen minutes later, he got a call. It was Jordan asking to come visit for Christmas and how could he tell his good friend no? Jordan also didn’t have a family to go home to and like Eden’s mother said, no one should spend the holidays alone.
“Lee, add one more for dinner,” Jacob said. “My friend Jordan is coming.
“We may need a bigger ham, no...pheasants! Everyone can get a little bird on their plate with little red booties!” Lee announced. “I’ll call Steve to turn around and head back to the supermarket.”
“He’s going to kill me, this is the third reroute,” Jacob commented.
“He’ll be fine, he loves this kind of stuff, and it keeps him out of my hair,” she replied.
Then he had to break the news to Eden who was in the living room with his sisters. “Jordan is coming,” he stated bluntly. Just pull the band aid
off.
“But Lisa is coming,” Eden said slowly.
Jacob nodded. “Yes, I know.”
“They didn’t break up well,” she pointed out.
“I also know this...” Jacob sighed. “I couldn’t say no, she’s your best friend and he’s mine.”
“They’ll just have to get along,” Eden said firmly. “No one is allowed to have angst for dinner.”
Sonja rubbed her hands together. “Wow, Christmas just became interesting.”
“It is not a soap opera, Sonja,” Lyn said amused.
“Love, betrayal, break up drama, it’s better than any TV show.” Sonja grinned.
Jacob groaned. “I should take up day drinking.”
“Mimosas!” Sonja jumped up. “I’ll go see if Mama Lee wants one.”
“Don’t get my mother...tipsy.” Eden shook her head, as Sonja was already gone.
To be fair, Eden and Jacob decided that neither would be staying at the house. Lisa would stay at Eden’s house which was empty, and Jordan would be cool with a suite at a hotel. That was solved it but both were taking flights as standby so neither one knew about the other’s visit until they landed in Phoenix.
“Gah, if I knew I would’ve got the pilot to turn the plane around,” Lisa bemoaned when they picked her up from the airport.
“Lisa?” That was all Jordan said then they dropped him off at the hotel where a car rental was waiting for him. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
“What the hell happened between those two?” Eden asked flabbergasted while she and Jacob drove home.
“Beats me.” Jacob glanced at her quickly but kept his eyes on the road. “I would think you’d know as guys don’t talk about break ups like that.”
“And women do?” Eden snorted. “That’s a stereotype, it took about four months before I told Lisa why I moved, and she is a vault when it comes to her emotions. Lisa will never let anyone see her be weak, especially if she has a broken heart.”
“How about we grab Sera and go to Hawaii for Christmas,” Jacob suggested.
“Oh, you definitely want Dad to kill you!” Eden laughed.
“After the final gift, I think me and your dad will be tight,” he said smugly.