A Christmas Tail Read online

  “Betsy, this man needs to talk with Jordon for a few minutes,” Barry stated.

  “Fine, but it will be done right here. He’s not going anywhere without me,” she pushed Nella back, but barely.

  The cop smiled and nodded. “I understand with you just finding your son and all. I can speak with him here.” The police officer was great, kneeling down asking questions. At first Betsy didn’t think Jordon would say anything, the way he clung to her. But Barry reached down, squeezing his shoulder. “It’s okay son, he’s not going to take you away from your momma.”

  For over a half an hour, the police took statements, then they were finally able to get moving. Betsy knew Jordon was still scared. He clung to her as they made their way to the children’s store.

  “Okay Jordon, let’s get you some new clothes and then we can eat,” Betsy said, moving into the store and grabbing one of their carts with Jordon holding onto her hand. In a matter of an hour, she had jeans, dress pants, shirts, underwear, socks and a few pair of cool looking pj’s that Jordon loved. While he changed into his clothes, Davis came up to her as she waited just outside the changing room and handed her a bag.

  “Go in the other room and change, I’ll stay here with Jordon. We’ll go eat afterwards,” Davis stated, taking his coat off her shoulders. “and you are not making pants out of my coat.”

  Jordon heard and snickered and she smiled, reaching up and kissing Davis’s check. “Thank you,” she whispered and he winked at her before slapping her butt.

  “Hurry up. I don’t know about Jordon, but I need food.” Davis said and Jordon nodded.

  “I’m starving,” he said, going into one room while she went into the next room where Barry waited, and smiled at the jeans and sweater there for her.

  “Don’t get used to it,” Barry said behind her and pointed to the bench. “Hold on and let me take this out of you. You’ve had it in long enough.” He kissed the side of her neck before lifting her torn dress up and slowly taking the butt plug out.

  She moaned and he laughed. “We’ll take care of you tonight I promise, but it will have to be in the hotel since I know you won’t want to leave Jordon” He said, and she shook her head.

  “No, too soon, he might have nightmares. I want to be there for him,” she stood and he stripped the dress from her and helped her into the sweater. “You know a bra would be nice. These things are heavy.” She cupped her breasts and he snarled.

  “Never! Now get in your jeans, no underwear.” He swatted her ass going out the door, but not before the plug disappeared from the room. “Oh, and there are a pair of boots on the floor behind you. We’ll get you and Jordon coats at the other store after we eat.”

  Feeling like normal, Betsy headed outside to see Jordon on Davis’ shoulders, laughing at Orion who had a small hat on his head. “Damn, even in jeans you look hot?” Barry grumbled and wrapped his arm around her as Lacey came over and smiled.

  “Look, even Isaac let me put on some jeans. Do you know how good these feel?” she ran her hands up and down them and Isaac snorted.

  “It’s been one week, you poor baby, now let’s get going. Our nephew is starving. I can hear his tummy growling like a tiger.” Isaac said pulling Lacey out of the store as Jordon laughed, the light once more back in his eyes.

  “It will take time, but I really think he’ll be okay.” She looked up at Barry, who nodded.

  “My folks went to the furniture store to get some catalogs for us. I thought we could look at them while we eat so we don’t have to actually have to go there. I don’t think he’ll last long shopping after he eats.” Barry nodded as Jordon yawned and she nodded.

  “Yea, we’re going to have to go back to the hotel so he can take a nap,” she said when Zanger came up next to Barry and nodded at two men a floor above them watching. “Barry?” she grabbed his arm and he smiled.

  “Not to worry kitten, they’re family.” Barry laughed as the new men made their way to them.

  “I thought you were the only one?” she frowned.

  “I am, but I do have cousins. I was more or less raised with these two and they’re going to love you.” He kissed the top of her head before stepping away and hugging his cousins. “What brings you two all the way here? The last I heard, you were doing a job for your fathers?”

  “We were, but got done with it when we heard you found your mates. Your father also mentioned something about some trouble so we thought we’d come check out your woman and see if we can help. Now, move over so I can hug this pretty thing.” One of the cousins said pushing Barry out of the way, and lifted her up into a giant hug.

  “I’m Brin, the oldest and the most handsome of our family! Welcome to our family, sister.” He placed her down and kissed her cheek before ducking as Barry threw a punch at him.

  “Hands off,” Barry growled, pushing her behind him as the other tried to grab onto her.

  She laughed as Orion stepped next to Barry. “Do I have to beat the crap out of you again, Glaw?” Orion said, before hugging the man. “Where the hell you been?” he slapped the man on the shoulder and she shook her head, turning to head to the dinner.

  “Men will always be boys at heart,” her sister said as she moved next to Betsy, shaking her head.

  Chapter Eleven

  Barry stared at the tiny boy in his arms. Jordon had lasted longer than any of them had expected. After picking out the furniture they liked and allowing Jordon to pick out his bedroom set, they had been able to get a few things for Betsy before Jordon fell asleep while she had been trying on some clothes.

  “So are you going to tell me how I got to keep Jordon and why they didn’t try to take him away?” Betsy asked as they made their way out of the mall to the waiting limos.

  “That’s easy. Isaac already had their birth certificates and papers before we left the States. We have everything for Mandy too. That cop knew we were telling the truth. He saw how Jordon clung to you and there is no way you can fake a mother’s anger.”

  She snorted and climbed into the limo, liking the way the jeans fit her ass. Yes, they might be buying her a few more pairs of jeans just to see her fine ass in them. Barry handed Jordon to Orion in the limo and climbed in.

  “Barry any word on Mandy yet?” Betsy asked and he nodded.

  “Yes, tomorrow after we visit the boys group home, we’re going to one of the homes where we believe Mandy is. We aren’t sure she’s there, but the chances are good.” He took a seat across from her.

  “If she’s there, do you think she’ll be safe tonight?” she tapped her claws on the limo door and he grinned, reaching over and taking her hand into his.

  “We have men watching the building now. No one will get in there. I do have some other good news,” Barry announced as Orion laughed. “Maya and Dee are waiting for us back at the hotel. They’re staying there for Christmas. It seems we’re going to have Christmas here in London as well as a wedding.” Barry announced and Betsy smiled before throwing her arms around him hugging him tight.

  “Thank you so much!” she squealed almost waking Jordon.

  “He had nothing to do with it. Dee and Maya haven’t been talking with their mates since this went down. They were furious that Dan and Lacey were hurt and have only spoken with them when it was necessary.” Orion stated.

  Betsy frowned and looked over at Orion. “Do you think Lacey and Dan are going to forgive them, hell Isaac!” she covered her mouth.

  “That one is a tough one. Isaac wants nothing to do with Akaos and I don’t blame him, but he’s going to put up with him for Lacey’s benefit. But Akaos can expect an ear full from Dan’s parents and family, that’s for sure. Even our king is having a hard time. Half of our people are furious at him for allowing what happened, but they did catch the two that had betrayed us.”

  “Sorry but sacrificing Dan and Lacey, not to mention tearing apart the family Maya had created with all the women was not right. It’s good that Isaac is now in charge here on Earth because right now
not one of the women back home would listen to Akaos or your king. Crap, the others they have to be here for Lacey’s wedding! Why are we having this all here?” she looked at Barry and he sighed.

  “The security isn’t all up yet around the houses and there have been a few incidents. We have people working on it now with the humans. We’ve been told one more week and we should be able to start living there. As for the other women, they are on their way here. We have completely taken over the hotel for the wedding so we don’t have to worry about slip-ups with the children being there. The king also has extra protection coming in. Oh, and I should tell you that all our families are there now. Both Davis’ and Orion’s family arrived today to meet you and the children.”

  Barry reached over and pulled Betsy into his lap when her face lost all color and she started to shake her head. “This is too much. With Maya and Dee coming, all the women, now your entire families. Do you think it will be too much for them? What if Mandy isn’t at the home?” Betsy buried her head into his chest, her grip on his arms tight. “I’m scared Barry, really scared. Jordon is younger, but what if Mandy doesn’t want anything to do with me?”

  “Stop doing that to yourself, kitten. You worry about things you have no control over. We’ll deal with it together, but if she is anything like her mommy, you’ll be fine because her mommy has a very big heart.” He lifted his head and looked to the door. “Shit, Akaos does not wait, does he?” Barry placed Betsy back on her seat and pushed the door open as soon as the car had stopped.

  “Can’t this wait?” Barry said, but it was too late. Isaac was out the door and headed right for his brother. The punch landed directly on Akaos’ right cheek sending Akaos back a few steps.

  “I owed you that, but do it again...” he stopped as Maya and Dee came out of the hotel. Lacey moved to Isaac’s side as did Dan.

  Looking down, Betsy stood beside him while Orion carried Jordon, who was rubbing his eyes looking around. “Mom?” he whispered looking for Betsy until he found her.

  She held out her arms and Jordon went to them without hesitation, hugging her. Betsy closed her eyes, hugging him. “I’m sorry we woke you up, but a few old friends have come to join us for Christmas.” All eyes turned to her.

  “Isaac, Dan what they did was unspeakable, but for Lacey’s sake and Maya’s and Dee’s, shouldn’t you put your anger towards Akaos and Talhrn aside? I think there has been enough damage, don’t you? Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to take my son to our room so he can take a nap.” She nodded to the women behind them.

  “Christmas is a special time, why not start over?” Betsy continued, moving into the hotel with Jordon, but not before Dee reached out and squeezed her arm as she passed.

  “I’m glad you found him, it’s hard to lose a little one.” At once Talhrn was there wrapping his arms around Dee, but she snarled and stepped away. “You have an apology to say before you touch me again.”

  Barry nodded to the man, almost feeling sorry for him, but not. They had brought this on themselves. “Come Davis, Orion we have other things...” He heard Orion’s mother squeal and rolled his eyes heading inside.

  Sure enough, Betsy and Jordon were surrounded by family. She turned to glare at them and Orion actually moaned as did Davis. Jordon had his arms wrapped so tight around Betsy’s neck, he was surprised she could breathe. Yep, it was time to interfere. “Move it before kitten’s claws come out.”

  The three of them moved in giving Betsy time to slip away from the group heading towards the elevator. Barry apologized to everyone and stepped in next to Betsy, running the key in the slot for their personal suite, leaving Davis and Orion to deal with their families.

  “I can’t deal with them all right now, Barry. It’s too much. Not to mention it scared Jordon half out of his mind having everyone around us like that,” Betsy grumbled, hefting Jordon up.

  “Here, let me take him. Come here Jordon, and I’m sorry about all the people. It’s just our families are very happy to see you.” He put the boy on his hip.

  “They’re really family, all of them?” The boy asked and he nodded. “You have four grandmothers and eleven grandfathers, not to mention a number of aunts and uncles, all of whom will be here in the hotel for the next week. You’re both going to have a very, very big Christmas.”

  “Oh my god, how am I going to buy gifts for everyone?” Betsy moaned.

  “How is Santa going to find us here at the hotel?” Jordon frowned and he smiled.

  “He’ll find you, we’ll write him a letter tonight just you and I.” Jordon nodded. “Do you think they’ll like me?”

  “Who are you talking about Jordon?” Betsy asked.

  “All those people down there.” He stated as the door opened to their room. Zanger was there with Rhodes and most of their shopping bags.

  “I think I have a something bag Jordon would like to have.” Rhodes said, holding up the game store bag. At once the boy squirmed in his arms wanting down.

  “I thought you were tired,” Barry laughed, putting him down and running to Rhodes. “By the way, Jordon, that is your uncle Rhodes. The other man is our friend Zanger.” Both men pulled Jordon onto the couch and helped him open up the boxes with the DS and games as Orion and Davis came into the room, followed by Isaac and Lacey.

  Lacey fell down on the sofa next to Betsy. “I have to say I’m thrilled to see Maya and Dee, but in my book Akaos and your king have a lot of groveling to do before I forgive them.”

  “There will be no forgiving them. How would they have felt if they watched their female...” Isaac stopped what he was going to say, seeing Jordon watching them.

  “Hey, I was going to play that with Jordon,” Orion said pushing his brother over and taking his place.

  Betsy laughed. “I knew you were a little boy inside that big body.”

  “I’ll show you how little I am later,” he winked and pulled Jordon onto his lap showing him how to play the game.

  “So have we decided where the wedding is going to be?” Betsy asked and Lacey snarled.

  “We should just stand in front of a judge. All this fuss is a little much, but Dan’s mother is set on this wedding. I was thinking the banquet room, it’s big enough and I thought we could do it on Christmas Day, having our Christmas gathering at the same time. Of course our family should have a private gift exchange before the big thing. I mean we shouldn’t make the children wait to open their presents on Christmas.”

  Betsy titled her head to the side. “Why not do it on Christmas Eve? Have a night wedding. Think of the pictures we could take. You could have poinsettias lining the area, along with red and white candles. You could use the grand stair case coming down with doors open to the party room?”

  “I like that but you both should be getting married together.” Dan’s mother stated coming in with Dan and his father.

  “I don’t know about that. One, I have to find my daughter, and two. I haven’t been asked,” Betsy said holding up her hand showing her ring hand. “There is no hurry, I’m fine the way things are.” She glanced at Barry, smiling.

  “Well it just so happens, Davis.” Davis walked over to where Betsy sat and knelt before her. Orion placed Jordon down on the couch and joined him . Barry moved to stand in between Davis and Orion, taking Betsy’s hand and pulling her up so she was standing in front of them before he dropped down to one knee and pulled out the ring they had made up for her.

  “We had this ring made two months back, three circles with one ruby heart. You are our heart, the one that keeps us together. Will you marry us?” He slid the ring on her finger and it was a perfect fit. Tears rolled down her checks which also happened to be a little pink.

  “I’ll marry you, but I don’t want to ruin Lacey’s wedding, Owe!” Betsy turned to glare at her sister who had pinched her.

  “You and I will get married together on Christmas Eve.” Lacey stated and Betsy rolled her eyes. “Fine, but you have a dress, I don’t.”

  “I’ve take
n care of that,” Dan’s mother said, nodding to the bag Dan now held. “While you were ordering your furniture, I was shopping. Let’s go in the bedroom and you can see if I did okay?”

  Betsy turned to go to the bedroom but stopped and once more her attention was her three men. “Thank you for giving me the family I never believed I would have. I love you three very much.”

  ****

  Her emotions were all over the place as she took one more glance at Jordon who was busy playing his game with Rhodes. Betsy was on an emotional roller coaster and she knew it wasn’t about to stop anytime soon.

  Lacey grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her into the bedroom. “He’s not going anywhere. You have eight full-grown warriors out there willing to kill anyone who would touch him. Now let’s see this dress Dorothy got you. Did you know she picked out my dress? The woman is amazing. I’m so glad she will be with us and we won’t lose her.” Lacey said sitting on the bed as Dorothy came in carrying the bag.

  “I am glad too Lacey, that I will be staying with you. But it is weird to know I’m not going to die, well unless someone chops off my head. Oh and I just got a call from back home. The rest of the family will be up here in the next few days. They’re going to wait to travel until all the security is in place back home, and for the furniture you ordered to arrive, so it’s all set up for when you return. Why didn’t you pick anything out for your daughter?”

  Both of them turned to her and she shrugged. “For one, I want to make sure I have her before I go ahead and plan anything. Second, I want to allow her to pick what she wants. It’s her room. I want her to be comfortable in it. I have the catalog so we can order her stuff. I did order her bed for her just in case, though.” So let’s see the dress.” Betsy nodded to the bag that Dorothy had in her hand when someone knocked on the door.