Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: A Red Velvet Christmas Novel

by K E Osborn

  He purses his lips and tilts his head. “I don’t really have a say in this do I?”

  I smirk and shake my head. “Nope.”

  “Okay, set me up in the guest room then.”

  I bounce in my chair and clap my hands together excitedly. “Yay.”

  As I set up Brax’s room for him, Clara watches Charli. I wouldn’t let Mason take her back to his place after the incident, and I won’t let her go back there for as long as I can foresee just in case his mother wants retribution or something. He said his mother contacted him and said she wanted nothing to do with what Tony had planned, she was just a pawn in his game and had no control over him. She just had to hold on for the ride and be dragged under. She hoped that she could be a part of our lives, but I said I wasn’t sure I could forgive her for her actions, even if she was a pawn. I know forgiveness is the key to life, but I’m not ready to give that yet. Taking Charli and holding her at ransom is not something I hold lightly. I’m just glad that Francesca told the police that Hunter acted in self-defence and shot Tony in a scuffle. Hunter was charged with murder, let out on bail and the lawyers are almost one hundred percent confident they can get Hunter acquitted of the charges. We just have to wait for his court date. I’m not looking forward to that. Considering he is facing possible jail time, he’s in high spirits.

  Brax’s room is ready, so I call out to him.

  “Hey.” His voice from directly behind startles me as I jump turning around to see him leaning against the doorframe watching me make his bed.

  I stand up straight and place my hand on my hip and tilt my stature. “How long have you been standing there?”

  He smirks. “Long enough to get a semi-boner from staring at your arse as you bend over.”

  A loud laugh erupts from my throat and I shake my head, and he walks in and up to me. I wrap my arms around his neck and lean up kissing him gently. His tongue enters my mouth making me feel like I’m right at home, right where I belong. I’m in heaven and I just wish he was fit and healthy so I could have my wicked way with him. But that time will come. I can be patient. Pulling back, I smile as his cologne fills my senses.

  “You’re incredible, you know that?”

  I raise my eyebrow at him. “Me? No, I think you’re the one with a hole in his shoulder because of me. Now climb into bed, you need your rest,” I demand.

  He smiles as I help him pull off his shirt and take off his jeans and shoes so he’s left in his briefs.

  “Baby, can I ask a favour? Kind of a role reversal?” he asks peaking my interest.

  He climbs into bed and I sit down on the mattress next to him. “Sure, what do you need?”

  “Stay with me until I fall asleep?”

  I furrow my brows and tense my shoulders slightly looking into his eyes. His gaze is soft and I can see he wants this. “Do you think that’s such a good idea?”

  “I only have nightmares now and sleepwalk sometimes, I haven’t had a full-on terror episode for a month. Sometimes I just dream and don’t move at all.”

  My eyes open wide and a smile crosses my face. “Really? That’s great, you’re doing so well. The combination of things are helping, obviously?” I ask as I lay down on the bed in the nook of his good arm and cuddle into his side.

  “You have no idea. I feel so good. Well, I did before you know… bang and my arm blew off.”

  I giggle and move my hand to his chest and run circles on his warm flesh. “Thank you, for the bullet. For getting help. For coming with us to get Charli back, and for being so good to me. I’d be lost without you.” I lean up and kiss his lips softly. “You’re so brave for saving me, you’re a true hero, Brax.”

  He scoffs and shakes his head. “I was just doing my duty—”

  “Oh whatever, I call bullshit!”

  He chuckles and his good hand lightly trails up and down my arm sending goose bumps down my skin.

  “You’re right, I did it because I couldn’t stand the world without you in it.”

  I look up at him again and smile leaning in to kiss him softly again.

  “You’re far too forgiving,” he says and I turn my nose up and scoff.

  “Brax, there was nothing to forgive. You had an illness that was devouring you and, unfortunately, I got in the way of it. Plus, taking a bullet makes it even, okay? So no more dwelling on the past. You saved me. I’m alive because of you.”

  “I’m still sorry it happened.”

  I caress his cheek tenderly. “I know, but I need you to stop beating yourself up over it. It stops now, you got me?” I demand and he chuckles.

  “Or what?” he teases.

  “Or I’ll never kiss you again,” I smirk.

  He fake gasps and shakes his head. “No, that won’t do. I swear I’ll never bring it up again. Now please kiss me. Kiss me like our lives depend on it.”

  So I do. I lean up giggling and press my lips to his. My tongue dances with his happily knowing we’re together. We’re safe and no one is standing in our way. Not even ourselves this time.

  My head is foggy and I blink a few times licking my dry lips as I realise I’m waking up. Opening my eyes as my hand stretches out to a warm chest I remember I was on Brax’s bed. I look up to see Brax fast asleep and a smile crosses my face so wide to see him soundly sleeping. I must have fallen asleep in his arms, and he felt comfortable enough with me in his arms to fall asleep as well. He’s not moaning or thrashing about. I woke up on my own, not because he’s having a terror. He’s sleeping peacefully, and that fills me with so much joy I could burst. My nail runs circles around his nipple and I lean down pressing my lips to his chest. He’s breathing through his slightly parted mouth, the air softly making a whooshing sound that calms me. He stirs slightly as I cuddle back into him.

  “Mmm, did we fall asleep?” he asks through a husky and sleepy voice.

  I look up at him to see his eyes slowly opening and looking down at me. “Yeah, we did, and you didn’t wake up moaning or thrashing about. I woke up on my own, and you were sleeping so peacefully. It was really great to watch Brax.”

  He smiles and the sparkle in his eyes excites me. “See, I’m doing better.”

  I lean in quickly kissing his lips and then pull back with a smile. “We should celebrate!” I jump up from the bed and stand at the side waiting for Brax to get up.

  “And how are we going to celebrate? Does it involve us being naked?” He raises his eyebrows suggestively and smirks.

  I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Idiot! No, we can’t do that for a while, not until I know it won’t hurt you. But we should have dinner and have some wine and get excited. This is exciting, Brax!”

  He stands up from the bed, wincing as he moves and walks up to me. “I’m so glad you’re excited. I’m happy we got to finally sleep together in peace. Hopefully, we can do it a bit more often and everything stays good.” Leaning in he presses his lips to mine, and I kiss him back as rubber soles thumping on the marble floor alert me to someone coming down the hall.

  “Sorry to interrupt guys, but your dinner’s ready. I hope you had a nice nap,” Clara’s voice echoes in the distance, and I giggle against Brax’s lips as he holds me to him with his good hand. His other still in the sling.

  Pulling back, I glance at the doorway to see Clara has already left and I look to Brax and exhale. “Dinner then?”

  He nods. “It’s a date.” Grabbing my hand he leads me down the hall to the wafting smell of a luxurious dinner. Whatever Clara has cooked it smells divine, and I didn’t realise how utterly famished I was until my tummy begins to gurgle.

  Walking into the kitchen, the sight startles me as the table is set up stunningly, with candles and a bunch of flowers. The dinner is placed on the table like it’s set up for an actual date. I bite down on my bottom lip glancing at Clara as she smiles at me.

  “Clara?”

  “It’s my gift to you both. You can have a real date without having to leave the house, and worry about Charli, or going too fa
r out for Brax. Now you can just relax and have a good time together.”

  A warmth floods through me that she would think of this for us. Brax tightens his grip on my hand, and I look at him and he’s smiling. I think he thinks this is a great idea too.

  “Thank you, Clara. I’ve wanted to take Amber on a date for so long and we just haven’t had the chance. This is perfect.”

  “Yes, you’re the best.”

  “It was my pleasure. Now you two just sit down and I will handle everything. You just enjoy your meal and have a good time. After everything you’ve been through together you need a night off.”

  I grin as Brax pulls out my chair and I sit down. Walking around to his chair he takes a seat and I wonder if I’m going to have to cut his dinner up for him, then I notice it’s pasta. It doesn’t need cutting, so one handed eating should be okay. Clara walks off and I pick up my wine glass and raise it up.

  “To my missing piece. Together we’re a completed puzzle.”

  He smiles raising his glass to meet mine. “To my bright spark. Without you I’d be lost in the dark.”

  We clink our glasses together and take a sip, the rich texture of the crisp red wine flows down my throat relaxing my muscles as the sweet alcohol slides down.

  “So when I told Clara to set this up, I didn’t think she’d do such an excellent job,” Brax says and then opens his eyes wide like he’s just spilled a big secret he wasn’t supposed to.

  “You organised this date with Clara?” I ask as my heart begins to flutter in my chest.

  He winces and slumps his body. “Shit, I didn’t mean for that to come out. Must be the painkillers.”

  I bite my bottom lip and reach over grabbing his hand. “So the flowers?”

  “Are from me.” He smiles and interlaces our fingers.

  “Wow! Thank you. I’m kinda speechless actually. You thought of us having our first date here, and you arranged it all behind my back?”

  “Do you like it?”

  I smile and nod. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect actually. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d lost you.”

  His thumb grazes over my skin and he sighs. “Well, thank God it didn’t come to that.”

  “Mmm…so what are your plans now? You’re going to take some time to recover obviously, but once you’re back up and running will you return as my bodyguard?”

  “I think so. I loved being around you all the time. I was talking to Hunter the other day and he says that while you were on tour some agent heard you performing, and he’s in talks with them about signing you to a label—”

  “What?” My eyes open wide and my heart starts to thrash in my chest. I’m so excited I could burst.

  “But you didn’t hear it from me, it’s meant to be a secret.”

  “Holy shit! The guys are going to go mental.”

  “I know! In the meantime, though, before you make it big and start ruling the world with your rock music, I want to head home for Christmas and see my family as planned.”

  I tense up thinking about being away from him and sink into my seat feeling my excitement dissipating and washing away with the thoughts of my impending depression and mourning of my mother.

  “Will you be all right to go home? It’s only a month away, and you can’t even pull up your underwear.”

  He looks at me and his gaze hardens like he’s thinking hard. “Well, I’d be much better off if I had a travel companion to go with me.”

  His words confuse me and I furrow my brows and purse my lips wondering if that was his weird way of asking me to go home with him to his parents’ house for Christmas.

  “I’m confused.”

  He chuckles. “You don’t want to come with me?”

  Opening my eyes wide at his confession, I gasp. “No, I couldn’t possibly! I’m a mess at Christmas. My mother died, and I need to be here so Mason can see Charli, and I need to be here for Hunter too ‘cause he will be sad. No, it’s too hard.” I shake my head as my heart starts to pound thinking of all the emotion and anxiety Christmas brings for me.

  “Hey, you should think about it and not be so quick to say no.”

  I huff. “Well, I am saying no. But I will keep it in the back of my mind.”

  He rubs the back of my hand and smiles. “That’s all I’m asking.”

  We continue to talk, but change the subject as Clara cleans up and puts Charli to bed leaving Brax and me to cuddle in the lounge room. We spend the night watching a movie, with all talk over Christmas forgotten as we relax and enjoy our date night together cuddling like a couple who have been together for years.

  Brax yawns and I must admit I’m feeling the haze of tiredness washing over me as the hum of the television is whirring in the background.

  “I think I’m ready for bed.” Brax leans in kissing my temple and I stand up from the lounge pressing the off button on the remote turning off the television. The screen fades to black and the room is suddenly in darkness. Brax stands up and we walk to his room. He’s still a little groggy from all the pain killers he’s consuming and the glass of wine we had with dinner, but he’s holding his own. We shuffle to his bed and he slumps down onto the mattress. I pull the bed covers over him and he relaxes into the bed.

  “Thank you for a wonderful night.”

  “I think you should stay,” he says grabbing my hand and looking into my eyes.

  I hesitate and bite my bottom lip. Everything in me wants to, but I don’t wish to push the envelope and have him hurting his shoulder. “Is that a good idea?”

  He grins. “I slept okay this afternoon with you here. Maybe it will be okay again? My therapist seems to feel that I’ll be okay.”

  I’m hesitant, but my heart is aching to sleep next to him again and the gleam in his eyes is telling me he wants this as badly as I do. So, I pull the covers back and climb into the bed next to him. I lean over the top of him and plant my lips to his to show my appreciation for tonight and all the trouble he went to, to show me how much he cares. So now I’m going to show him how much I care.

  The low rasp of Brax’s voice is bringing me out of my deep sleep. There’s no movement, but the noise is definitely waking me up. I blink a few times listening to Brax mumble incoherently as I open my eyes and look up at him. He’s still asleep and talking it would seem. I grin slightly as he murmurs something about a cupcake, and I can’t help but giggle as I lean up and look down at him resting peacefully but mumbling away. It’s nice to see him not thrashing about and hurting himself. Suddenly, his eyes open wide and he sits bolt upright looking right at me.

  “Brax?” He’s looking right at me, but he has that vacant and glassy look in his eyes. He’s still asleep.

  “I love you, Amber.”

  I gasp at his words as he closes his eyes and falls back to the bed, his chest rising and falling showing that he’s still fast asleep. My breath catches as I think of the four words he’s just spoken to me without even knowing he’s said them. I bite my bottom lip to try and stop the smile forming, but it is of little effect as my lips turn upward with the biggest smile I’ve ever managed.

  Brax loves me.

  Even if he’s only ever said it in his subconscious, it’s still lovely to hear it. I lay back down cuddling into his side trying not to wake him. It’s early. Charli isn’t even awake yet, and it looks like today is going to be a great day! I decide that I’ll go back to sleep and dream of all the ways Brax can tell me he loves me.

  “How did you sleep?” His deep voice shocks me as he strokes my hair softly. I didn’t realise he was awake as well. I’ve only been awake again for about five minutes.

  “I’m pretty good. Do you remember anything from last night?” I ask and his body tenses beneath me as his breathing becomes harsh and frequent.

  “No. What did I do? Did I hurt you?” His voice breaks like he’s in pain.

  I look up to him and place my hand on his chest to calm him. “No, nothing like that, babe. You sat up and were talking, rambling
really about nothing and then…went back to sleep. It was quite funny actually.” I decide not to tell him about the whole ‘I love you’ thing. I’m not sure how he’d feel about admitting his feelings in his dreams.

  “What was I talking about?”

  “Nothing really, cupcakes was the only word I could understand.”

  He laughs and shakes his head. “Well, at least it wasn’t war stuff. Sorry if I kept you awake.”

  I scoff. “Hardly, it was entertaining actually.”

  He chuckles and caresses my cheek. I look into his eyes and feel like I want to tell him like I want to say I love you back to him. But I’m just not sure if it’s the right time. So I lean in and kiss him instead.

  Brax and I have spent the last two weeks together just being with each other and Charli. We’re becoming quite the little family and I love every minute of it. Charli adores him, and it’s good to see she isn’t scarred at all from the events that took place. Hopefully, she just didn’t understand what was happening. She is very young. It probably had no effect on her at all. Brax has had the nurse checking up on him at home, and it’s the same one that was giving Hunter the stink eye. He was here when she visited once, and I noticed they were talking when she was leaving last time. Not sure what’s going on there, but I need to set some time aside to talk to my twin brother. But right now, I’m getting ready for a visit from Mason. He’s coming over to see Charli, and I want to check on him. He’s been really down, as you would be. His father died, and even though they weren’t close, what happened would be having an effect on him.

  The doorbell dings and Charli giggles as Brax sits on the floor with her in his lap playing with some dolls. He really has taken such a shining to her, you would think she was his own. I stand up from the lounge and walk down the hall to the front door. My heart is racing fast at the thought of seeing Mase. I wonder what state he’ll be in today. Pulling back the heavy door, the wood creaking with the bitterness of the cold early Winter air, the sight before me will haunt me for the rest of my life. Mason is hunched, black rims dip from below his eyes protruding from his cheeks. He’s pale and gaunt like he’s not been eating–at all. His shoulders are slumped, and when he looks up at me, his beard on his face looks like it’s been growing since the day Charli was taken.