Chapter 427

I grimace as I slip through the dining room door to dinner, because I am well aware that I am both late and underdressed.

But I laugh as I try to quietly press the door shut behind me, because a huge cheer goes up from my gathered family at my arrival, letting me know that I was a complete fool for thinking that I could just...quietly sneak into the room and pretend that I was here the whole time.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I protest, putting my hands up, a little envelope held tight in one of them. "I'm very rude and the worst child of the year." "Oh, you're forgiven, baby," mom says, holding her arms out to me as the rest of my extended family - including Jackson and Jesse's whole pack - turn back to their conversations and their food. Grinning, I move swiftly to my mom's side and let her wrap me in a big hug. "All okay?" she asks.

"Yeah," I say, grinning down at her and her gorgeous silver gown. "Nice dress, mom! You look great!"

"Nice sweater and muddy jeans!" she returns, grinning at me, impish.

I laugh, blushing and look down at my simple clothes - because of course, the rest of my family dressed for a formal dinner, and here I am in jeans smelling of bonfire. "Should I go get changed? I didn't want to be even later -"

“No, baby," dad says, his voice rumbling, drawing my eyes to him and his broad smile. “Just relax, enjoy the night – no one cares what you're wearing." He eyes the envelope in my hands. "Is that for me?"

I narrow my eyes a bit, even as I smile and hold it out to him. "How did you know? What's in it? Why won't anyone tell me?"

"In due time," dad murmurs, taking the envelope from me and tucking it into the inner pocket of his suit coat. Then he cheerfully turns back to his conversation with my grandpa, waving me off towards the empty seat I see at Jackson's side. I beam at my dad, dropping a kiss on his cheek as I scurry off towards my mate, who I'm desperately pleased to see sitting quietly next to Juniper at the end of the table.

"Let me see!" I hear mom say behind me, and I glance over my shoulder to see her fishing into dad's coat, trying to get the mysterious envelope out. "Ella!" dad sighs, half exasperated, half loving it as he swats her hand away.

But I grin and turn my eyes back to Jackson as I draw close to my empty seat, beaming as I take in his beautiful blue suit. It was the perfect selection for him - setting off his tanned skin, his dark hair and - of course - his stunning eyes. "Hi," I say, sinking into my chair, beaming at him. Jackson immediately wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer and pressing a kiss to my cheek, wanting me near.

"Took you long enough," Juniper murmurs, dry, looking at me with a lazily raised eyebrow as she pushes her dinner around on her plate. "Jackson and I had to endure all of this without you - and you know we like to use you as a shield."

"A shield?" I ask, surprised, laughing already.

"Yes," she says on a sigh. "A tiny, perky blonde shield, drawing all the attention away from normal people like us. You have no idea what we've had to put up with without you."

Jackson nods at me sagely like this is all very true. "People asking about our day. Our opinions on things. It's...terrible."

"Oh god," I say, laughing and rolling my eyes at both of them as one of the chefs brings me a plate. I thank him and then turn my eyes back to Team Taciturn. "You two," I say, picking up my fork and waving it between them, "are the true match of the evening. Doom and Gloom, ladies and gentlemen - finding a way to turn familial love and interest into the greatest burden anyone can bear."noveldrama

"It is," Junie groans, even as she grins and turns back to her plate.

Jackson just leans close, taking a deep sniff of my hair. "Missed you. Glad you're back.”

I smile and press myself warm to his side as I start to eat, losing myself to the evening of family warmth and joy.

Midwinter eve, as is traditional, goes very late, all of us staying up to greet the holiday at midnight and to light the ceremonial fire that will burn for twenty-four hours to keep the darkness at bay. In the meantime, though - while we wait for the proper time - there is a great deal of drinking, and laughter, and games to be had.

The kids, I know, have the most fun, all of Jesse's siblings running screeching around the room chasing each other, playing, laughing. Jesse's behind it all, I know, whispering secret missions in his siblings' ears – telling Chase to try to slip salt into Rafe's whiskey, promising him a present if he can do it without getting caught. Urging Rosie to see how many times she can call Mark “Mork" before he completely flips out.