Dana Bell - The Ornament: Adrian and Sheri

Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, why dont I know the stinking words. Ya dada da, ya dada da, nobody knows the stinking words. Sheri bit her lip to keep from laughing as Emma belted out the wrong words to Christmas song. Oh please. Do you know them?

No. Thats why I dont sing it. Sheri could hear Becky rummaging through the ornament box, her voice absent as she answered Emmas question.

When do we close again? Emmas enthusiasm was beginning to get to her.

This would be Sheris first real Christmas in years, and she was planning on enjoying every minute of it with her new mate, Adrian.

Emma! Beckys voice was full of laughter. Christmas Eve is still two days away.

Your point?

Didnt you say Max was hinting at something special for then?

Yes.

So why are you so hyper now?

Hello! Max and surprises. Last time he surprised me I found myself mated to him and contemplating kitty condos. Sheri choked on a laugh. Listening to Emma and Becky talk was one of the highlights of her day. And because of the mating the surprise isnt going to be something like, That chick over there is having my love child, so it cant be bad, right?

Becky was silent.

Right? Emma sounded worried, but Sheri wasnt sure why. Max would walk over broken glass barefoot if Emma asked him to. Becks! He can not tell me that.

Oh no! No, of course not, Becky laughed nervously. No way. She scurried into the back room. Need more tinsel!

Hmm. I wonder what shes up to?

Sheri shrugged and continued to hang the lights. Under her breath she sang, Oh Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum, Wie grn sind deine Bltter! Du grnst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit. Oh Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum, Wie grn sind deine Bltter!

From behind the curtain came two laughing voices. Show-off!

Sheri threw her head back and laughed. God, it was good to finally have a home.

Adrian stared at his home, his lips twitching. Think shell see it?

Max and Simon stared at him like hed lost his fucking mind. Maybe he had.

Perhaps the cheery penguin Ferris wheel with the megawatt spotlight under it had been a tad much, but he wanted to make sure his legally blind mate would see everything she could of what hed done for her.

Huge colored lights blazed from the roof. An outdoor Christmas tree sat on the front porch, its blinking lights and spinning stand making a unique statement. Dancing dolls in cute Christmas costumes littered the front lawn, an animatronic Santa grinning down at them all. Every now and them it would Ho ho ho! in a loud, booming voice, startling the birds out of the trees.

It was perfect.

Adrian couldnt take his eyes off it. No way could Sheri miss this.

Sheri stepped off the bus, Jerrys lead firmly in her hand. It wasnt far to the front door of Adrians house, but it was better to be safe than sorry, especially when crossing a street. She stepped carefully down the curb, Jerry leading her serenely across until her feet were once again on the pavement.

As they walked Sheri thought she could hear the Ho ho ho! of an overenthusiastic Santa. Shrugging she kept going, serene in the knowledge that it couldnt possibly be coming from her house.

By the time she reached her front door that serenity was broken. She slowly lifted the dark glasses from her face but snapped them back down again as the blinding glare of the floodlight hurt her sensitive eyes. She walked around the lawn, taking in the five foot moving Santa, the seven foot tall Ferris wheel, the dancing dolls and the revolving Christmas tree.

What the fuck? Sheri pulled out her cell phone and dialed Emma. She knew Adrian had been with Emma and Beckys mates Max and Simon. She wondered what horrors had been perpetrated on the other womens lawns.

Really? A blow up snow globe?

Yup. And do you know what those things look like outside of a store? Emmas voice was glum as she drove Sheri home from Franks diner. Sheri had a meal for Adrian at her feet, but she wasnt sure if she would give it to him or not. As much as shed preached acceptance to Emma and Becky she wasnt sure if she could take her own advice.

Okay, you win. Emma pulled into Sheris driveway, her voice filled with amused horror. Holy moly. Thats a lot of lights.

Sheri sighed. I know. She opened the car door. Id say be careful, since its getting dark out, but I dont think thatll be a problem.

No, Im pretty sure space aliens could navigate by this light. Emma waited until Sheri had Jerry and Adrians dinner before waving goodbye, pulling out onto the street and heading for her own home.

Sheri turned for the front door, hoping she was ready to forgiver her mate for what hed done to their lawn. She knew him. His heart was in the right place.

But by this time his eyeballs had to be practically burned out of his head.

Ho ho ho!

Sheri took a deep breath, opened the front door and stepped into her home.

Sheri?

Hmm?

Mad at me?

Mad at him? How could she be mad at him? Hed started a fire in his fireplace, had set up fresh fruit and wine, and a blanket for them to rest on. Hed even taken her shoes off, covering her with another blanket before hed finally eaten his dinner, seeing to her comfort before his own. In the corner a Christmas tree twinkled, delicate stars of light in the green blur of its branches.

So what if he was trying to get out of the dog house? He was doing a pretty good job of it! Mm-mmm Now he was cuddled up at her back, his big strong arms wrapped around her, his wine glass dangling from his fingers as he nibbled at her ear. Good.

She smiled. Her big bad Marshall sounded relieved.

Do you want to tell me what is really going on?

I dont know what youre talking about.

She turned, staring up into his face.

He smiled. Cant I do something nice for my mate?

Adrian. The front yard is not nice.

Our kits will love it.

Were not pregnant.

Yet.

She licked her lips, her heart racing. For a man who didnt want a mate youre suddenly eager for kits.

He kissed her shoulder, those chocolate eyes of his beginning to turn gold.

Youve persuaded me of the error of my ways.

You are so full of it.

His face was serious as he lifted it from her shoulder. Am I?

What are you saying?

He smiled. Theres something for you on the tree. Its the only bit of gold there.

Can you bring it to me, please?

Her eyes drifted to the tree Adrian had put up in their living room. Hed decorated it in burgundy and silver. Finding something made of gold should be a piece of cake. Okay, but Im all toasty and comfy. It had better be worth it.

His voice drifted over to her as she made her way to the tree. I think it will be.

She would have thought hed make the ornament easy to find, all things considered. She was delighted to find that he hadnt, challenging her to look for it by hiding it in the branches near the top, towards the back. She pulled the gold ornament down and brought it to him. She could feel hinges on one side, and what could be a latch on the other. Delicate gold filigree was a delight to her fingers.

She settled back down into the blankets, wrapping his arms around her again.

Okay, I have to say it. Whats up Doc?

I should spank you for that.

She wiggled her ass against him. Oh, baby.

He laughed and plucked the ornament out of her hands. He turned it so she could see the engraving. Did you see this?

She brought his hand close so that she could read the words. Adrian and Sheridan

2009. Should I open it?

Actually, I think thats my job. He opened the latch, showing her a ring. A princess cut diamond was flanked on either side by pear shaped rubies. Marry me, princess.