Special Delivery Winter - Aria Grace Page 0,34

their head by the blizzard.”

Poor guy. He’d gone to so much trouble. The room was draped with tinsel and lights lined the windows. Mistletoe hung above a doorway and when he opened the fridge to get milk, I got a peek at shelves groaning with food.

“You’ll have to come to our place and celebrate. We can’t have you spend the day by yourself.” It occurred to me that my parents and Ian might not be close. Just because they had a working relationship, didn’t mean they were besties in their free time. But Mom and Dad always picked up waifs and strays to join them during the holidays—people who had nowhere else to go.

“That’s kind of you but I don’t want to intrude. Your mom and dad have been so looking forward to having all their children with them over the holidays.”

He pushed a pile of pancakes toward me and a jug of maple syrup. “Eat up and I’ll call Viv and Rob.” He sat opposite me and stuck a fork in his pancake and then cocked his head. “You hear that?”

I leaned toward the door as a gray morning light crept underneath. “What am I listening for? It’s quiet outside.”

“Exactly. Storm’s done.”

I’d have to leave. While I was looking forward to being with my family, I also wanted to be in Ian’s presence, though I couldn’t pinpoint why exactly. “Once I finish eating, I’ll get out of your hair. My rental car’s probably buried under the snow.”

“No need to hurry. No one’s coming along our road this morning, though you should call the rental company as once the snow’s been cleared, they’ll want to collect—or maybe tow—the car.”

I was anxious to assure my folks I was okay, and when I called, Mom sent kisses through the phone and Dad piped up in the background that he was glad I was with Ian. I took note of that as it appeared they got along well and respected the alpha.

“My turn.” Mac must have grabbed the phone as his voice boomed out of the device. “You always have to make an entrance. Hope you brought my present, bro.”

“And mine,” Sarah yelled.

“Oops, might have left them in the plane’s overhead locker,” I teased.

“Liar,” he crowed

“Why’d you ask?” I went back and forth with Mac, and Sarah insisted she speak with me. From the corner of my eye, I noted Ian clearing the dishes, his shoulders sagging.

“Ian’s nice,” she blurted out.

Not so loud, sis! “I was so lucky to find his place.”

“It must be crowded with his dads there.”

“Nope.” I lowered my voice. “They didn’t make it before the airport closed.”

“He’s alone—apart from you?”

“Mmmm.”

“Mom! Dad!” She yelled and I held the phone away from my ear. Ouch! “Ian’s by himself on Christmas.”

“David?”

“Yeah, Mom.” We were playing telephone round Robin.

“Ian must come to us today. I did invite him but he was so excited his family was coming. Poor guy.”

“Okay.” A thrill of anticipation ran through me at the thought of spending the day with everyone, including Ian.

“We’re still on for Monopoly, bro,” Mac shouted into the phone. “Gran and Uncle Saul are hoping to make it when the snow plow has made the road passable, but after dinner it’ll be us three and Ian.”

Game on!

4. Ian

“You’re invited,” David said as he got off the phone. There had been so much laughter and joking when he’d spoken to his folks and siblings, I’d been envious. I was an only child. My omega father died when I was ten and it’d been me and Dad until he’d remarried. Gary was a good guy, he and my father adored one another, and he treated me as a son.

But hearing the teasing and rivalry between David and his brother and sister, had me wondering what it would be like to have a larger family with siblings. Something I’ll never experience.

“That’s sweet.” I wasn’t going to disagree and put up a pretend argument. I didn’t want to be alone. Christmas Day just got a whole lot better.

My phone buzzed. It was Viv! We’re coming with the sled in case David isn’t up to tramping through the snow.

Great. I’ll bring my food. No way can I eat all this.

David got hold of the car rental company and they said they’d come once the road was open, while I emptied the fridge. I think the poor thing heaved a sigh of relief.

When everyone arrived, David was kissed and hugged and made sure he was in one piece, and Viv flung

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