I wanted to tell you, but I also wanted to know if I could come get Nana’s ring. The one she set aside for me. My mother’s parents were very much alive, despite their very advanced age, but my grandmother had decided a year ago to leave a ring she wanted me to have with my mother while she and Papa traveled the world. Just in case. Perhaps she had known something I didn’t.
Of course.
I’ll pop over and pick it up in a few hours. I need to get some things ready before my sweet consort wakes.
Oh, Liam. I’m so happy for you. I’ll tell your father and brothers.
Uh, maybe not the brothers yet! I nearly shouted the thought. The devil only knew what those assholes would get up to while I was trying to have some alone time with Amaia.
Yes...well. Maybe you’re right. She knew her sons well enough to understand why I was worried. All right, dear. I’ll see you later, and please think about dinner. I’d so love to meet my new daughter-in-law. She brought my son back to me, after all.
When you lived as long as we did, you learned not to dwell on the past. So, I pushed away my guilt for avoiding my family for so long and made a vow to make sure we were as close as we used to be.
I wished her a happy Christmas and strode purposely into the large grandiose living room in my mansion—which looked more like a castle. Few things in my life had brought me joy before Amaia, but for some reason, this house was one of them. I’d loved it from the moment I laid eyes on it. When I thought about it now, I couldn’t help wondering if my subconscious saw my children running through these rooms and filling up the nursery.
I hoped Amaia liked our home, but I’d sell it and buy her whatever she wanted if she didn’t. It wasn’t like I couldn’t afford the expense. The Bancrofts were very smart with money, and in over five hundred years, I’d built a healthy nest egg many times over.
As I looked around, though, this didn’t seem the right space for an intimate family moment. It was more for when all of the relatives were here, and we needed much more space. Before I left the room, I waved a hand, and decorations appeared all over, including a grand twenty-foot Christmas tree in the front window.
I left decorations behind me wherever I went, making sure the house was bright and cheerful for my lady. Finally, I reached a spacious but cozy room near the back stairs that led up to the former servants' quarters and just beyond, the family bedrooms. It was close to the kitchen as well, which meant it would be easy to share treats whenever we were there together.
Magic wasn’t the way I would have gone about this if I’d had more time, but I was grateful for it more than ever at that moment. Sweeping my eyes around the room, I pictured our family in future Christmases, and when I waved my hand again, the space filled with comfortable furniture that looked stylish but could take a beating from years of children roughhousing. However, the walls remained bare, waiting to be covered in family photos.
The Christmas tree was big and full, twinkling with hundreds of lights. All that was missing were piles of gifts for my beautiful Amaia. I looked forward to watching her smiles and excitement with each one, so it was hard to stop myself from stuffing the room from top to bottom with presents. I couldn’t wait for her to open them all, but I was particularly excited about the ones in pink and black wrapping paper. And the one I needed to retrieve from my mother.
With that done, I quietly ascended the stairs and walked to the master suite. Amaia was still sleeping peacefully, so I silently changed into jeans and a red sweater.
And how was your day, brother? Jareth’s sly voice slid into my head.
None of your business. Go away.
You didn’t think we missed the show at the party, did you?
One can only hope.
Jareth laughed. You used up all your luck finding your consort, I guess. Because everybody saw you mauling that poor girl and teleporting away.
Look, I have shit to do. You can be your obnoxious, brotherly self another time.
Why? What’s wrong with now? Were you busy? Am I interrupting? I was hoping you’d explain the malt—
Jareth, I interrupted. I just want you to remember this moment when you find your consort. With that, I closed my mind to keep out those pesky, nosy people.
I teleported to my parents' house and picked up the ring, giving my mother and father both hugs while they congratulated me. My mother produced a little box from the pocket of her apron, and I grinned like a loon as I took it from her and popped the lid. The ring was a twist of white and rose gold with tiny diamonds going up the center of the pinkish metal. A gorgeous pearl sat at the top. It was unique because every time the ring moved, the stone seemed to change color. I liked it best when the pearl appeared to be a soft violet. Anxious to return, I put the ring away and stowed the box in my pocket.