Temptations of Christmas Future

by Lexi Post

  “Speaking of that,” she looked at him shrewdly. “How did you know we could touch without electric shock after you told me you loved me?”

  “It’s hard to explain. I saw something in the mist. Two eyes laughing at me. I figured either some entity was playing with me because I enjoy sexcapades, or it was laughing at me for finally falling in love again. As it turns out, it was the second.”

  “I’m so glad.” And she was. He’d shown her so many new things and created feelings she’d never had before. “I’ve never been so happy while alive or afterwards. There’s only one tiny piece that remains open, but I’m not allowed to know that so I’m content.”

  Malcolm took her hand in his. “You mean your niece?”

  At his words, her heart skipped a beat. “Do you know what happened?”

  “I do.” He looked away for a moment. “I admit when I chose you, I wanted to prove to you that the future was not a good place.” He chuckled. “But instead you showed me there was happiness in the future. Still, I didn’t want to admit it, so I checked on the future after you transitioned.”

  Suddenly, she couldn’t seem to breathe very deeply. “And?”

  “I saw your niece and knew that even if she died I could never tell you.”

  She squeezed his hand in hers, desperate to know, her eyes already tearing up. “Did she die?”

  Malcolm smiled. “No, she didn’t. In fact, she married and when she bore her first daughter, she named her Joy.”

  Happiness like she’d never felt swept through her. “That is the most precious gift anyone has ever given me.”

  He raised her hand and kissed it. “I’m ashamed at my motivation for finding out, but I’m pleased I can make you happy.”

  She smiled at him despite how blurry he’d become as tears filled her eyes.

  “Ach, I thought I made ye happy.” He scooted over next to her and pulled her onto his lap.

  “You did. I’m just so happy, I welled up.”

  He ran his hand under her dress. “Like you did in the wee hours of the night?”

  She pulled his hand out. “Yes, though for a totally different reason.”

  He laughed. “True, but if you let my hand wander, we can try to make you well up again.”

  “You’re insatiable, at least when it comes to sex.”

  He shrugged. “What else is there?”

  “Aren’t you curious about what happened after you transitioned?”

  He stopped trying to wiggle his hand beneath her dress. “I never was. I figured once ‘The Future’ was gone from the streets that the vermin simply took over again. But what I’ve realized since working with you is something far more important.”

  Now he had her full attention. “What?”

  “I always blamed Blair’s death on my decision to walk through one of the underground alleyways that night. We could have stayed above on the main road, but I was anxious to get home. Like Cameron, I felt guilty, that I was at fault. But I was wrong.”

  She could sense him trying to find the right words. The importance of his new understanding obvious. “How so?”

  His hand sought hers as if he wanted her to understand, too. “Because of Blair’s death, I became judge, jury and executioner for the criminals I caught. I was a one-man force far more powerful than any single Watchman because I was unpredictable and gave no quarter. The weaker vermin scattered and the stronger were whittled down one by one. Glasgow became safer for everyone. When I was killed, I ended up here. That tells me that I was meant to clean up the criminal underground that had developed there.”

  She held his hand in both of hers. “So, you don’t blame yourself for her death anymore?”

  He looked her in the eye. “I blame it on fate. When I looked at Cameron’s possible futures and every one of them ended in his early death, I finally saw my own life in a similar perspective. I was meant to clean up the city. I finally looked at Blair’s possible futures and if Blair hadn’t died that night, she would have died in a similar fashion that would have sent me into the same vigilante rage.”

  “I see you’ve come to terms with your life. What about me?” Cameron’s voice as he floated down to the ground opposite them made her jump.

  Still, she was relieved. “I’m so glad you’re still with us.”

  He solidified and sat on the ground with his legs crossed, his kilt falling between his legs. “I’m not that easy to be rid of.” He turned his gaze on Malcolm. “So, what about me? You said I was fated to die sometime that year. Was every scenario one where I risked my life for a cheap rush?”

  “Yes.” Malcolm tone was lower, even more serious. “Because that was who you were. That you had five years with Holly was your bonus. You were able to know true happiness, just as I did and I do now.”

  Cameron leaned back on his hands. “Except now I must wait for my return to happiness and at this rate, that will never happen.”

  Concern wormed its way back into her heart. “Why? Won’t you and Holly be together again?”

  Cameron shoved his hair off his forehead. “Only if I can get her to accept Ethan.”

  “Oh.” She looked at Malcolm. They’d seen her reaction to her own son. It wasn’t good. Then again, what if the boy’s existence was threatened? There was nothing stronger than a mother’s instinct to protect her child. “I think the key to that is her son, but will you be allowed to send more spirits?”

  Cameron wouldn’t look at them. “I don’t know. I had thought she wasn’t supposed to know about Ethan, but now I think she was. I’m just not sure how to proceed.” He grimaced. “I haven’t discussed it yet with my superiors.”

  Disappointed, she sighed. “So, you don’t know yet if Malcolm will be able to continue on as a spirit guide?”

  Cameron smiled tiredly. “Yes, I do know that. He won’t.”

  “What?” She scrambled off Malcolm’s lap, but he kept her from moving into her superior’s space. “You just said we accomplished what needed to be done, and I can attest to the fact that he only did what you wanted.”

  Cameron frowned. “What are you talking about? He didn’t change his methods. He still shocked the living, many times, as a matter of fact.”

  “But I did, too. You told us not to be subtle.”

  Cameron stared at her for a moment then broke into a laugh. “Ach, I meant for you not to be subtle. Not him.” Cameron pointed at Malcolm, still chuckling. “That’s what I get for trying to help.”

  She sighed with relief. If he admitted he said it, though he meant something different, then maybe Malcolm could stay. “If you want, we could continue to work as a team.”

  Cameron rose to his feet, shaking his head. “Not for me. My troubles are still ahead, but you two are done. You’ve both come to terms with your lives. You no longer need to be spirit guides.”

  “Done?” How could that be? She hadn’t done anything wrong?

  Malcolm rose and gave her his hand to help her up. “Aye, Joy. We’re done because we have somewhere else we need to be.”

  She looked from him to Cameron, who was nodding, and back to Malcolm. “We do? Where?”

  “Don’t ye feel it, lass? The happiness? The contentment? The love?”

  She did feel it, but it wasn’t just from him or inside her. It was everywhere. She looked to where Cameron stood, and he simply waved, half his body no longer visible as warmth and light surrounded her and Malcolm. “What is it?”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “It’s our future.”

  She smiled up at him, love filling her heart. “Oh, yes.”

  Epilogue

  Cameron watched as yet another pair of his spirit guides were hidden by white light as they transitioned beyond him. He’d accepted early on when he’d first asked to help Holly that he’d remain behind until she crossed over.

  All he wanted was for her to be happy. That would make him happy.

  Malcolm’s information about his own death had him pondering his next step. He only had one more
chance to help Holly, but he shuddered to think of the risk. Even so, he’d do whatever was required of him.

  When he’d been told he had to use Malcolm and whoever the man chose as a partner, he’d known it would be rough on Holly, yet she seemed in relatively good spirits. And he’d garnered a lot more information from his spirit guides than he thought he was supposed to. It may just be the edge he needed.

  Now, for the first time, he could go to Holly with a clear conscience. When she’d first told him Malcolm’s predictions for his death, he wasn’t sure if he should believe her because Malcolm was known for exaggerating facts to get the living to change their behavior.

  After hearing Malcolm talk about his similar guilt and reiterate what he said, Cameron was much more confident in where he stood. He walked to the standing stone Joy and Malcolm had been sitting against and slapped it in celebration. The vibration he felt had him placing his hand against it again. No wonder Malcolm had figured it all out. He’d had a direct line to the timeline.

  Taking his hand away, Cameron phased and flew upward. The entire valley would disappear into the ether, but he was sure where Joy and Malcolm now were, was far better. Setting his sights on half-past eleven in Deervale, Scotland, Christmas Eve, he sped for Holly’s house.

  As he hovered above the roof of what had once been their home, he couldn’t help thinking that it simply wasn’t anymore. It was hers, and she needed to see that as well. Floating down through the ceiling, he found only Mac in the living room. He glanced at the clock to see he was right on time.

  Was Holly still at Brody’s? Did that mean she was having a good time? Even as his chest filled with hope, his disappointment caught him off guard.

  Shit, it appeared Holly wasn’t the only one having a hard time letting go. He should be hoping that Holly didn’t get home before midnight, but instead he found himself watching the clock.

  And Mac was watching him…intently. He floated over to the gray beast and stared in to its golden eyes. “Are you taking care of Holly for me?” He scratched the cat under the chin. “I’m counting on you to keep her company. Make her feel loved. Keep her safe. All the things I did. It’s all on your shoulders, so it’s worth your while to help me show her she can move on.”

  The cat began to purr and the next thing he knew he was stroking the furry critter’s back and tail. He’d rather be stroking Holly, but that couldn’t happen.

  She was as beautiful inside as outside. How would he ever let her go? Coco had said they were soulmates. That had to mean they would remain connected somehow. “Ouch.”

  He pulled his hand away from the cat. “You bit me. Since when do you bite people?”

  The doorknob turning on the front door had him forgetting the cat. Holly walked in wearing a forest-green sweater with white snowflakes and a green corduroy flare skirt. Her hair was pulled back by a white headband with green snowflakes, and she carried a paper sack.

  Setting the bag on the floor, she dropped her keys on the table at the side door and noticed him in the mirror. “Cam!” She spun around. “You’re here already.” She looked past him. “Oh, no! Brody’s clock must be slow. I thought I still had another five minutes.”

  “It’s okay, love. Do what you need to do.”

  “I don’t need to do anything.” She walked over to where he stood near his old chair. “It’s weird. I feel like I should be able to kiss you hello.”

  He floated closer to the tree, away from her, not wanting her to keep thinking that way. “How was the party?”

  She came to stand near him. “It was nice. Sarah confided in me that she and Brody are going to try for a baby. I didn’t say a word about what was in store for them.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  She took a deep breath. “Ethan was there.”

  “And did you talk to him like the old friend he is?” Cameron’s gut tightened.

  “I tried. It’s a little hard because I’ve been avoiding him and I know how he feels about me, but…”

  “But what, hen. You can tell me.” He barely kept from reaching for her to pull her close, which would only frustrate him more, since he couldn’t. Luckily, the cat jumped down and started rubbing against his legs, distracting him.

  “I finally accepted his invitation to Christmas dinner tomorrow. It will be at his parents’ home here in town, so that should keep it at a nice friendship level.”

  “I’m proud of you. I know it’s not easy, but I think the more time you spend with people you really care about, the easier it will be.” He stepped away from Mac, who started to paw at his bare knee.

  “Wait a minute.” She ran back to the bag and pulled out a box. “Look what I got in the gift exchange. It’s a music box and you’ll never believe what it plays.”

  He smiled, thrilled to see her feeling happy about something.

  “Listen.” She opened the box and he listened, but he didn’t recognize it.

  “What is it?”

  She closed the lid and looked at him. “Don’t you remember that Christmas Eve we spent back in New Hampshire and the radio kept playing this over and over?”

  He really didn’t remember that. As he tried to think of being in New Hampshire, he couldn’t bring to mind anything from there. Only Holly. He had to get to work fast on her next Christmas or he might lose all their memories before he had her future solidified.

  Only by having her set on her future could he be assured he would keep her forever. How ironic that he had to give her away to keep her. “For some reason I thought it was a different song.”

  “Oh, you were always getting God Rest Ye Marry Gentlemen mixed up with Deck the Halls. That must be why you didn’t remember.” She put the music box back in the bag. “This year, they had the usual games, lots to eat and drink, and someone brought their cousin from America, so I was able to chat about home a bit.”

  That she was so animated about the party pleased him. “Do you think your mom and John will come over this year for another visit?”

  “I hope so. I’m going to ask them. I’m already planning to see them and the Tinders in January.” She paused. “It’s so nice to talk to you about everyday things. I really wish we could see each other more often.”

  “I know you do, love.” More than you know. “You’ll just have to make a couple of very close friends so you can do that with them. I’m going to come back next year, but it may be a very short visit and possibly my last one.”

  Her face went white at his statement. “Your last one? Why?”

  He shook his head. “My presence in your life isn’t helping you anymore. Now, it’s hurting you.” His own heart ached at the thought of not letting her see him, but at least he could check on her when he wanted.

  “Cam, you’re not hurting me at all, and we know you don’t need to feel guilty anymore.”

  He gave her a soft smile. “I do know that now, thanks to you. That’s very important for me as that will help me move on. You need to, too. Malcolm was right. If we want forever together, we need to say goodbye. But not this year, okay?”

  She nodded, though he could see the sheen of tears in her eyes.

  “I want you to focus on just a few people and maybe even look at a big change in your life in the future. Can you do that for me?”

  “I can.” She stepped closer to him, but looked at the tiny bell ornament on the tree that marked their wedding day. “What should I do about Ethan?”

  He lifted his arms to embrace her and stopped, scratching behind his head instead. “Be the good friend to him you’ve always been. That’s all I ask.”

  Her smile was more confident now. “I can do that.”

  “Good.” He glanced at the clock. “I have to leave now.”

  “I understand. But don’t forget to phase through me. That feeling lasts a whole day and it’s Christmas day in just two minutes.”

  “I couldn’t forget that.” He smiled, showing her with his eyes the love he still had for her. “Merry Christmas, hen.”
<
br />   “Merry Christmas, Cam.”

  When she closed her eyes, he phased through her, feeling her very essence tangle with his own before he continued out the front of the building, her scent and sweetness residing inside him.

  It was a very selfish feeling and one he’d need to make do without soon, but it was necessary. He just hoped he could help her as much as he needed to when he was only granted fifteen minutes of living time each time he saw her.

  Rising upward, he flew over to Ethan’s parents’ home where Ethan always stayed Christmas Eve night. He found Ethan asleep in the parlor, Christmas carols playing. He’d been reading by the light of the tree, a book open on his lap.

  Cameron floated over to his old friend, a sharp pain hitting his heart at how much he missed him. “I’m counting on you, my friend. Don’t let me down.”

  Ethan’s breathing remained normal as expected. Cameron bent over to see which book his friend had chosen for Christmas Eve. “A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.”

  He laughed. “If only it were really that simple.”

  Leaving the homey atmosphere, he sped outside and into the ether, anxious now to strike the next deal with his bosses and finally give Holly her second chance at love.

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  Read on for a sneak peek of One of a Kind Christmas (A Christmas Carol: Book 4)

  Chapter One

  Why was he awake?

  Ethan Stewart listened, keeping his eyes closed, his body and mind alert. Something had woken him from his dream of walking by Loudoun Castle with Holly Douglas.

  Despite the fact that all was silent except for the usual screech of the tawny owl outside, he still didn’t doubt his senses. Years of ancient Scottish martial arts study had tuned him in to his own sixth sense.

  Slowly, he opened his eyes. His room remained dark. The heavy damask curtains on his floor-to-ceiling windows were closed except for a sliver of moonlight that sliced across the floor.