“What else needs to be done?” Lucas asks, mashing the potatoes with vampire speed.
“I’m going to set out the desserts in here, and don’t even think about it, Scarlet.”
It took her a few weeks to realize her newfound size enables her to reach just about anything off the counters. I arrange cookies on a three-tiered tray and put two pumpkin pies next to it. Then I fly back to the food, check on the turkey, stir the stuffing, stick the corn pudding in the oven, and get out the appetizers.
Finally, everything is set and ready, and I’m already exhausted. The snow melted, and it’s an oddly bright and sunny day in late November. It took a full day to enchant all the windows in this huge house, making it safe for Lucas and Eliza to be exposed to the light.
I use magic to do my hair as I go upstairs to change out of my leggings and t-shirt, putting on a dress instead.
“You look beautiful,” Lucas tells me when I come back downstairs. He takes me in his arms, pulling me in for a hug. He kisses me and then drops to his knees, pressing his ear against my stomach.
“Can you hear them?” I ask, raking my fingers through his hair.
“I can. They’re strong.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from your child,” I say with a smile.
Lucas stands up. “I have good genes.”
“You do.” I lean up and kiss him, and he slips his tongue past my lips. Picking me up, he carries me into the sitting room off the foyer. We’ve checked off quite a few locations in the house already. The doorbell rings not long after we get onto the couch, and I run my fingers through his hair once more.
He moves off of me and takes my hand, pulling me to my feet. Scarlet runs through the house, barking.
“I miss her being a puppy,” Lucas grumbles. “She wasn’t so loud before.”
“Calm down,” I tell Scarlet, knowing my words are coming out in Enochian. She stops barking and sits down, long tail thumbing against the ground, eagerly waiting for Abby, Phil, and Penny to come in.
“Hey, guys!” I say and welcome them into the house. The foyer is done up with Christmas decorations, and my big-ass Christmas tree is everything I could want and more. “How was the drive?”
“Traffic was to be expected for Thanksgiving, but not terrible,” Phil says. “It smells amazing in here.”
“Lucas helped me cook,” I say, taking their coats. “So, if anything is terrible, we can blame it on him,” I say and everyone laughs.
“Callie, this is gorgeous!” Abby tells me, looking around the foyer. It’s the first time she’s been to the house since we moved in. “I can’t believe this is the same house you showed me in those before photos.”
“All she needed was some love.”
“And over a million dollars of restorations,” Lucas mumbles, and I elbow him. “You love it too.”
“Oh, I do. The architecture of this era will always be one of my favorites.”
“You were alive when this was a new style,” Phil says, almost as if he forgot Lucas is a vampire. With the light streaming through the windows, it’s not hard to do. Scarlet, who’s not-so-patiently waiting by the stairs, lets out a high-pitched whine.
“Okay,” I tell her. “But stay calm.”
“You got another dog?” Phil asks, eyes widening. “That thing is huge.”
“That’s Scarlet,” I tell him. “She grew.”
“Your puppy? What—how—what?”
“She’s not a real dog,” Abby reminds him. “She’s still, uh, nice, right?” She’s holding Penny and looking at Scarlet suspiciously. I don’t blame her. The dog weighs more than I do.
“Yes. She won’t hurt anyone I don’t want her to. She’s a gentle giant as long as you’re not trying to hurt me.” I hang up the coats in the closet and get out the bin of toys I bought for Penny a few months ago. She’s more interested in Binx, and now Scarlet is jealous she’s not getting the kid’s attention.
“Who else is coming?” Abby asks, sitting on the floor with Penny.
“Kristy, Evander, Tabatha, Easton, and Melinda. Eliza is here somewhere, and Julian is going to try and pop in if he can.”
“Someone is here,” Lucas says, tipping his head. “They just pulled into the driveway.” He waits a beat. “It’s the hunters.”
“Be nice,” I whisper-yell. “They’ve been helping track a demon for me so you should thank them.” I get up, going through the kitchen to grab something to eat, and wait for them on the porch. Kristy, Evander, and Tabatha pull in the driveway right as Easton and Melinda are walking through the house. I’m a little worried things might be slightly awkward, but as soon as the drinks are poured and we’re seated around the table, it feels like we’re one big family.
Eliza brings two wine glasses full of blood to the table, giving one to Lucas. Easton looks at it with disgust, and I see Melinda kick him under the table. We talk, laugh, and have a really good time. The food turned out perfect, and I’m quite proud of it if I do say so myself.