Merry & Bright: A Christmas Anthology (Nocturne Falls Universe)

by Fiona Roarke

  Listening with one ear for any stealthy approach from Draeken, Stella carefully scripted her message to her husband on this, their first Earther Christmas together. She folded the note in half and secured it to the ribbon handle of the bag.

  She reached into her suitcase, patted under the yoga pants…and felt nothing. Her heart rate quickened. She lifted other pieces of clothing, feeling around inside the suitcase with an increasing sense of urgency, to no avail. The white box wasn’t here. Oh no! Had she forgotten it back in Alienn? She squinted, as if doing so would help her think better and shook her head. No. She’d seen it in her suitcase yesterday. That’s why she’d had to cover it with the blanket and shove it under the bed. Had it fallen out? She started to kneel, intent on peeking under the bed, and heard a noise from the kitchen. She froze. What was that?

  Draeken called out, “Stella? Do you want any ice cream?”

  She cleared her throat and yelled back, “No, thanks.” Where is the special box with the secret gift inside? She dropped to her knees, pulled the bed skirt up and searched the darkened space below. Nothing. It was dark, it could be there, just out of sight. Maybe she should get a flashlight. No time.

  Stella reached under the bed dubiously, feeling around for the lost box while trying not to think about the last scary movie she saw where a character had foolishly done the same thing with disastrous results.

  “Are you sure?” Draeken shouted.

  Stella startled.

  “It’s really good ice cream,” he continued.

  She stood up and put her hands on her hips, staring at the disheveled suitcase as though intensity alone would make the white box appear. Where is it?

  “I’m sure,” she said in a raised voice. She searched the immediate area with a frustrated gaze.

  She noticed a gap between the wrought-iron headboard and the wall and leaned to peer over the headboard. The scrape of chair legs across the kitchen floor stopped her. Space potatoes.

  Draeken’s voice, closer, asked, “Are we going to watch that Christmas movie?”

  “Not yet.” She grabbed the red gift bag, stuffed the flattened tissue inside and stuck it in the closet on the top shelf.

  She slid the mirrored closet door shut and approached the door to the hall, anxiously searching the room for where the box could possibly be. She saw nothing. Absolutely nothing. So frustrating. She was certain it had been right there in her suitcase. She turned in a circle. Nothing. Had she already taken it out? Had she even brought it? Yes. I think. Sighing, she looked at the mirrored closet door and wished the box would magically appear. She knew it wouldn’t, even in a supernatural town like Nocturne Falls.

  Stella pushed out another long sigh of frustration and then the unsteady emotions she’d been battling for weeks settled in for a nice long stay.

  The tide started in her chest and moved to her head before she could control it or ward it off. More specifically, tears filled her eyes. She sniffled. She hated for Draeken to see her cry. Explanations would have to be rendered.

  Stella rarely cried and she’d already done so three times in the last week alone. Fortunately, Draeken hadn’t been around to witness those other times. Now he was about to see a blatant girly response to her frustration at not being able to find the special gift she’d wanted to wrap while he was snacking so he wouldn’t find out her really big surprise before she was ready to reveal it.

  She brushed at her eyes ineffectually and reached for the doorknob, turned and pulled. She rushed through…and bounced off Draeken’s chest. His hands lifted automatically to catch her, so she wouldn’t stumble and he looked down at her.

  Stella sniffed and the welling tears spilled onto her cheeks.

  His fingers tightened on her upper arms. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  He grabbed her chin, lifting her face to his. “Why are you crying?”

  Without warning, nature gave her an excuse not to tell the truth about why she was so emotional. She turned her head, sneezed hard and sprayed the doorframe before she could get a hand up to shield it.

  “I’m not crying,” she fibbed, wiping tears from her cheeks with the back of one hand. “I think my allergy to that kitten just hit me.”

  Chapter Four

  Draeken wasn’t buying it, but he kept that to himself. He hugged Stella close and kissed her cheek, tasting the salt of her tears, wishing he knew how to make her feel better. It would certainly be handy if he could read her mind the way he could the minds of earthlings. Unfortunately, Alphas couldn’t read the thoughts of other Alphas. That was likely a good thing, especially at this time of year. Where was the fun in that?

  Her arms squeezed around him. “I’m just tired, that’s all. We’ve been busy this trip.”

  “Yes, we have. Why don’t we skip the movie and tuck into bed early tonight? We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

  She nodded against his shoulder. Instead of letting go, her embrace tightened. “I love you, Draeken. I really do,” she said, her words muffled. She was so adorable. He was beyond grateful she was his. His wife. His long-lost love.

  He kissed her cheek again. “I love you, too,” he whispered. I wish you’d tell me what’s troubling you.

  Stella released him to take his hand and lead him out of the spare bedroom toward the larger bedroom they’d claimed as their own.

  She took his suggestion and they snuggled together until sleep claimed them. As he drifted off, he hoped Stella got some much-needed rest.

  The next morning, Draeken woke up early and slipped out of bed to make breakfast for Stella. Usually, he was barely out from beneath the covers before she was awake, upright and ready to start her day. This morning, she slept on.

  He made pancakes because it was basically the only thing he knew how to cook. They were a little lumpy and the one he’d hidden between the other two was a shade overdone, but he wanted to make a gesture. He needed Stella to know he treasured her and would do anything for her. He was so grateful to have the life he lived with her.

  He put the plate of pancakes, doused with butter and syrup, on a tray. He added cutlery, a paper napkin, a glass of milk and a cup of coffee, then carried the lot into their bedroom.

  Stella woke with a start. Her eyes narrowed, as if she didn’t remember where they were. Then the dawning realization swept over her face as she recalled they were in their Nocturne Falls vacation home instead of their place in Alienn. “You made food?” Her smile was so enchanting, he almost dropped the tray.

  Stella scooted up to sit against the headboard and he placed his morning offering on her lap. “You didn’t have to bring me breakfast in bed, but it’s lovely. Thank you, Draeken.”

  “Happy to do it.” Gravely, he said, “I just want to prepare you for the reality of this meal. These are not anywhere close to the flavorful experience of Mummy’s Diner fare.”

  “That’s okay. I was thinking more about how many pancakes I’ve eaten this trip.”

  “Whatever that number is, I’ll wager I will think it’s not nearly enough.”

  “Well, I’ve resigned myself to only eating pancakes while in Nocturne Falls.”

  “There are worse things.”

  “Yes, indeed.” She cut a section of pancake and took a bite. She didn’t spit it out or make a funny face as she chewed. She took a second bite and noticed him watching her. “What?”

  “Nothing. I just enjoy watching you eat something I made with my own two hands.”

  Her lips quirked and she took another bite. “Well, they are pretty good, Mr. Phoenix.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Really.”

  “You aren’t just saying that?”

  Stella shook her head. “Nope. They’re pretty good.”

  “Even the burnt one in the middle?”

  “That’s my favorite one. I don’t mind a little char on my pancakes.”

  “You’re a good sport, Mrs. Phoenix.”

  “Aren’t you going to have any pancake
s?”

  “Nah. I sort of sampled and tasted as I cooked.”

  “So basically you ate the truly charred ones, is that right?” She took another syrup-laden bite.

  He grinned. “Yep. Guess I don’t mind a little—or in this case, a lot of—char on my pancakes, either.”

  Stella finished most of her pancakes and said, “This is all I can eat. Want the rest? I need to hurry and get into the shower so we can go out to complete my list of chores.”

  “Okay.” Draeken lifted the tray and she slipped quickly from beneath the sheets, doing a fast walk to the bathroom.

  An hour later they were both clean, dressed warmly and walking hand-in-hand down Main Street. First stop, Delaney’s Delactables. They walked toward the door just as Delaney flipped the sign in the window from Closed to Open.

  “Excellent,” Draeken said. “We’ll be the first ones in here.”

  “Let me get what I want for the party and then you can get what you want.”

  “Fine.” Delaney peeked out the window and saw them waiting. Draeken offered a finger wave. To her credit, Delaney didn’t frown or make any obvious signs over her chest or head to ward off evil spirits. She opened the door and welcomed them into her shop.

  “Hey, you two,” she said, sounding exuberant. “Are you shopping for Christmas? Don’t forget, we ship everywhere.”

  “So you’d ship chocolates to us in Alienn? That is awesome,” Draeken said to his wife. “How did I not know about chocolate shipping before now?”

  Stella shrugged.

  Delaney said, “And our special this month is free shipping for purchases of less than two pounds.”

  Draeken scoffed. “That’ll never happen unless I go on a diet or make five separate orders.”

  Stella elbowed him in the ribs. “I’d like to go ahead and pick up the chocolates I ordered for the party, if you don’t mind. And I’ve decided I want to select a few more, just in case.”

  Delaney eyed Draeken. Proving she had his number, she said to Stella, “Are you sure about that? I can bring both today’s selections and the order with me when I come to the party.”

  “What are you saying? That I have no self-control?” They both stared at him with what Elise, his new sister-in-law, called a judgy expression. He thought about having that much chocolate so close he’d be able to smell it. The scent winding through the old house would be divine. And how he’d start out intending to only try a single piece and then sleepwalk to the stash and eat it all. “Okay. Fine. Point taken. Bring the order the night of the party. It’s clear I can’t be trusted.”

  “Thanks, Delaney.”

  “No. Thank you, Stella, for having a party where I don’t have to find a sitter. I’m looking forward to it.”

  Draeken stepped up to the glass-covered display of all things good and chocolaty. He made his selections, frowning when Stella limited his order to four pounds. As Delaney wrapped up his order and handed him what he considered a light box of the best chocolate he’d ever consumed in a plastic bag bearing her store’s logo, he said, “Fine. At least I can say I got here before Bubba Thorne did.”

  Delaney made a noise and then cleared her throat as if to cover it up, grinning when he glanced into her face.

  “Seriously? He beat me here?”

  “Sort of.”

  “How could he? You just opened the door.”

  “Well.” Delaney drew out the word, clearly enjoying herself. “He called in an order about five minutes before I opened.”

  “You take phone orders?”

  “Yep.”

  “And you deliver?”

  “For a price.”

  “How much?”

  “Two hours of free babysitting for every pound,” she said with a practiced delivery.

  Stella’s small cough turned into a rather loud fit, and she bent over and away from him. Draeken figured she was laughing.

  “So Bubba is your new babysitter?”

  “Nope. He’s picking up his order later today. He told me that when he learned you were in town, he figured he’d better call in the order as soon as he could. Seriously, with customers like the two of you, I could retire early. If I ever decide to retire, that is.”

  The jingle of the bell over the door kept Draeken from blurting something unfortunate. He’d made that mistake before and planned to never repeat it. As a vampire, she could keep this chocolate shop open until the end of time, or at least until the end of his life. Did she somehow know he’d be a lifelong customer?

  Draeken and Stella exited the chocolate shop, leaving behind the delectable scent of chocolatey goodness.

  “What’s next?” he asked, shoving his hand into the bag and popping a truffle into his mouth.

  “Enchanted Garden.”

  “That sounds cool. What is it?”

  “It’s a flower shop.”

  “What are we getting there?”

  “I’m going to get a few fresh flowers for the party. I already ordered them, but I need to set up delivery.”

  “Flowers?”

  “Just some centerpiece decorations for the tables, and of course some mistletoe.”

  “Mistletoe. Is that a flower?”

  “Sort of. I’ll show you when we get there. I think you’ll like it.”

  “You know what I like.”

  They passed Mummy’s Diner on the way to Enchanted Garden, but Stella gave him a look that said he shouldn’t even bother asking to go inside. He simply smiled at her and ate another truffle.

  Enchanted Garden featured two big display windows on either side of a main entrance filled with all manner of pretty flowers, predominantly red and white with lots of greenery around them for the season.

  They stepped inside and Stella looked up. Draeken closed the door. Stella didn’t move. She pointed to a small sprig of greenery and red berries dangling from a white ribbon above the door.

  “What’s that?”

  “Mistletoe.”

  “Why is it on a string above us?”

  “Scandinavian legend and several other ancient human cultures all say that kissing under the mistletoe brings good luck.”

  “Really? That’s awesome. What is the Scandinavian legend?”

  “I don’t remember all the details, but I’m getting several sprigs so we can hang it up around the house and kiss to our hearts’ content.”

  “Great idea, but I don’t really need mistletoe to do that.”

  “Still, it’s a Christmas tradition I’d like to continue.”

  “Okay. No worries. Buy out the store, if you want.”

  “You haven’t kissed me yet and we’ve been standing here under the mistletoe for, like, five minutes.”

  Draeken dutifully took his wife in his arms and kissed her under the skinny sprig of mistletoe like there was no tomorrow. Even more than chocolate, he loved the taste of Stella’s kisses.

  Chapter Five

  Stella was delighted Draeken took to the idea of kissing under the mistletoe so well. She figured he’d like it.

  “What do you think?”

  “I’m deliriously happy.”

  “About the mistletoe?”

  “About kissing my wife.”

  A woman stepped into the showroom from a back room. “Hi! Sorry it took me so long. I had a last-minute shipment arrive.”

  “No problem.” He pointed up. “We were just taking your mistletoe for a ride.”

  The woman Stella presumed to be the florist nodded. “That piece has given out all sorts of love, affection and fertility vibes today. What can I help you with?”

  “Fertility vibes?” Draeken asked Stella under his breath. “Does that mean what I think it does?”

  Stella ignored his question and walked toward the woman and the counter behind where she stood. “Hi. I’m Stella Phoenix. I called in an order for several floral arrangements for a Christmas party. I wanted to set up a time for delivery.”

  “Phoenix. Your name seems familiar,” the woman said.
/>   “We are good friends with Astrid and Bubba Thorne.”

  “Right! Astrid mentioned you. I’m Marigold Williams. This is my shop.”

  “She told me not to bother getting flowers anywhere else, they wouldn’t be as good.”

  Marigold smiled. “Oh, she’s so sweet. She mentioned your party.”

  “Would you like to come?” Stella asked. “You are more than welcome and if you have kids, feel free to bring them along.” She gave their Nocturne Falls address and Marigold noted it on her order pad.

  “I appreciate the invite. I’ll see if my daughter and I can make it. Let me take you back and show you what I’ve got so far.”

  Stella and Draeken followed her to a work area where Marigold pointed out the vases she’d selected along with the beautiful flowers she’d put together for each one.

  They were all wonderful. The vases looked like candy canes, with a burst of floral colors leaping from the top.

  “I love them,” Stella said. “They are just what I wanted. Can they be delivered the day of the party?”

  “Sure thing. Let’s go look at the delivery book and we’ll get you scheduled.”

  They arranged for delivery a couple of hours before the start of the party and Marigold jotted it down in her book.

  “Thanks, Marigold. We hope to see you and your daughter at our party.” Stella grabbed Draeken’s hand to lead him outside, but he stopped her at the mistletoe and kissed her again before they left.

  They spent the rest of the morning checking off a list of things Stella wanted Draeken to experience.

  They watched the parade with papier-mâché-covered floats featuring a Christmas theme with a blatant hint of Halloween mixed in. What else could one expect in this town?

  Stella was pretty sure the Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus riding by on the sleigh-shaped float sported extra-long canines and pointed ears. Whether they were real or not was hard to say. Either way, the parade was extremely entertaining. Draeken talked about building his own float to drive through Alienn next year. She was certain it would have enthusiastic support, especially if the Grey brothers were able to help out with the construction and also if their aunt Dixie was able to attach some sort of salacious fund-raising event for Alienn’s old folks’ home.