A Christmas to Remember Read online

  Already Shelly was nodding. “I want to take her with us to see our parents. Can you see our moms when they meet Anna?” She shook her head and hugged Anna. “They’re going to love her.”

  “That they will.” Bo turned to leave when her small hand slipped into his bigger one.

  “I didn’t answer your question. I want you and Shelly to be my new parents. I had a dream last night. My Momma and Daddy told me I need to find Shelly. That she and her husband would take care of me,” she said, frowning for a minute before smiling again. “Oh, and I’m to tell you there are no other people or family.”

  He leaned down and placed a kiss on her head. “Very good and thank you. I’m honored to have you as my daughter,” Bo said and turned to see Shelly’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Come here, Anna. We need to get ready for the doctor. We’ll let her look at you, then I’ll put you in the tub while she looks at me real quick.” Shelly held out her arms and the girl ran to her.

  The doc nodded to him. “I’ll make sure both of them are fine.” She patted his arm as he left, shutting the door behind him.

  In the living room, Argo, White Eagle, and Buck stood waiting. “White Eagle, you are the best tracker, find out where she came from and deal with them. Also, whatever is left of her belongings, bring them back here. Buck, the little girl says there is no one, but I want you to double check with Nikola. After the doctor is done, we’ll be taking her with us to our parents to tell them the news.” He turned to Argo and smiled.

  “You have the hard job. I want you to get the bedroom ready. We won’t have much time before the challenge, but I want this time to be special. Also, maybe we could have Suzanne come by with her little girl. They could go for a picnic or something while we perform the ceremony. Buck, you can meet us at my parents’ house when you are done. I’ll have her parents meet us there.” All three men nodded and left to do their bidding, while he paced back and forth.

  He hated to rush the Reticulon, but it had to be done before the challenge. They would make it up to her afterwards. Tonight they would have a true family night, with decorating the tree, making cookies, Christmas songs, and hanging the stockings for all of them. He’d make sure Anna was also comfortable with Argo, White Eagle, and Buck since all of them would be sharing the same house.

  The bedroom door opened and he turned to see the doctor come out with a huge smile on her face. “Everything is fine. Your wife is in perfect health and she is definitely carrying twins, maybe even three, we’ll see.” She patted his arm and sighed before meeting his gaze.

  Then anger flared in her eyes. “Find the bastards who had that little girl. She has bruises all over her little body. Her cat has healed most of her injuries, so I can just imagine what Anna went through. She’s a lion, too.”

  His cat roared to find those responsible, but right now he had to save his energy for the fight coming up. “Believe me, those who touched her will be taken care of. With the number of people on this ship, it was bound to happen and assholes are allowed to live, but not for long.”

  She nodded and turned to leave. “Oh, and I’ll be there for the challenge. Be careful. From what I’ve heard, Daniel does not fight fair.”

  “I am aware, and thank you. Any instructions for my wife?” Bo asked and she smiled over her shoulder.

  “She’ll be fine. I’ve told her to swing by tomorrow at the clinic. I’ll give her some vitamins that will help, but other than that she is fine. Relax, enjoy. It won’t be long before you have those little ones in your arms.”

  Bo watched her walk out and released the breath he’d been holding. He was a father and was going to have two more little bundles soon.

  Chapter Nine

  “Do you really think they’ll like me?” Anna asked as Shelly helped her slip on the pretty dress Buck had brought her to wear. Shelly could hear the worry in her voice.

  “How can anyone not like you? You’re smart and very pretty.” She pulled her hair to the side as she zipped the girl’s dress. “There, you are all set. Don’t forget to thank Uncle Buck for the clothes and the doll.” She stood and held out her hand.

  Anna nodded as she placed her hand in hers. “I love my new clothes and the doll,” she said, hugging it as they walked out into the living room.

  Buck, Argo, and Bo stood when they entered. “Wow, you look great,” Bo said, coming to her and placing a kiss on her cheek before leaning down and tweaking Anna’s nose. “Who’s that?”

  Big happy eyes looked up at him. “I’m going to call her Bella, after my Mommy that went to heaven.” She looked over at Buck. “Thank you for the gifts.”

  Buck smiled and bowed. “You are very welcome princess,” he said and she gasped. Her gaze flew up at Bo. “I’m not a princess. Your baby girl will be a princess and your boy will be the prince,” she said seriously.

  Bo frowned and knelt before her. “You are my daughter now, Anna, so that makes you a princess, but why do you believe Shelly is going to have a boy and girl?”

  “Really? I’m a princess too?” Shelly laughed, knowing Bo wasn’t going to get his answer.

  “Might as well hang it up,” she said as Bo moaned. Anna threw herself into his arms and he almost lost his balance.

  “Thank you, I’ll make you proud, I promise. I won’t be bad.” Anna squeezed tighter before leaning back and looking at Bo in the face as he stood holding her. “You won’t send me back though, will you?”

  “No, you are here to stay. The papers have been filled out, you are my daughter. Shelly is your mom. I promise you no one will hurt you again, little cat.” Anna smiled and looked at Shelly.

  “I’ve got a name like you, but you’re Little Wolf.” Everyone laughed as they introduced Argo to Anna. “Do you live here too?” Both men nodded at the same time.

  “There is one other that lives with us, White Eagle. You’ll see him later tonight, but we need to get going,” Bo said and nodded to Argo. “We’ll be back in a while, don’t forget to contact Suzanne.”

  Shelly looked up at Bo, then at Argo. “What’s going on? Why are you contacting Suzanne?” she asked as Bo and Buck ushered her out of their home.

  “Nothing is going on. Suzanne has a little girl. I thought it might be a good idea for the two of them to get to know each other. Plus, we have plans for later that this little one cannot be present for.” Bo tickled Anna before looking down at her. “Reticulon and the challenge.”

  “Reticulon?” Shelly stopped and frowned at him. “Tonight?” She looked at Anna, then at Buck, who was grinning like a fool. “You said I would get to know them first. And where are we supposed to be doing this?”

  “Oh no, Mommy Shelly is mad at you,” Anna’s eyes got real big and stared at him.

  “Not to worry, Little Cat, Mommy Shelly knows to behave or Daddy Bo’s going to spank her cute butt.”

  Anna covered her mouth and started to giggle. “Mommy Shelly is going to get spanked,” she teased, but looked at Bo with a serious look on her face for a minute. “My Daddy was like you. He always threatened to spank Mommy, but he always ended up kissing her.” Anna screwed up her face and Bo grinned.

  “You don’t like kisses?” Before Shelly could warn Anna, Bo covered Anna with kisses all over her face. She squirmed in his arms as Anna tried to get away from him, laughing.

  No one could stay mad long at anyone with Anna around. Shelly hooked her arm into Buck’s and urged them forward, while Bo followed with Anna. “So tell me about yourself, Where were you born? Are your parents still alive? Family?”

  “Wow, slow down, Shelly.” He laughed and patted her hand. “I was born in Montana and grew up with Bo. I was a year ahead of him in high school. My mother and father are alive and here. You’ll get to meet them soon enough. I have four brothers and two sisters. You already know my Mom is a vampire and my Dad is a lion.
What else did you want to know?”

  She took a side peek at Buck. His brown hair brushed his shoulders and covered the tattoo on his neck. “Do you have to feed? Are you immortal?”

  “Yes and yes, so there is no reason to worry. I’ll be here for you as long as you want and need me.”

  “I’m not immortal.” She looked back at Bo and he nodded. “All Alpha leaders are immortal. It’s one of benefits of living here. While our population will grow, we will eventually re-populate other planets so our species do not die out.” Bo leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “We are all learning new things about our new world.”

  “So we’re sort of like Noah’s Ark, but how do we know we’re immortal? I don’t feel any different.” Shelly shook her head. “Another thing I’ll need to talk with Jaycee and the others about tomorrow.”

  “I have a question for you, Little Wolf.” Buck nudged her hip with his, drawing her attention back to him.

  “Shoot,” she said and watched him shake his head.

  “Actually, it’s for both of you. Would you allow me to feed from you?” She shrugged and looked at Bo.

  “It’s up to you. I have no problem with it.” They stepped into the main hub of the underground city. People were rushing around, Christmas music played in the speakers around them, and the scent of cinnamon and apples filled the air.

  “Mm, hot apple cider.” She licked her lips and started to walk towards the little stand where the elder brewed the liquid gold. Every Christmas Shelly would find this stand on Earth and have at least three cups.

  A strong arm wrapped around her waist and held her back. “Where are you going, Little Wolf?” Bo whispered in her ear. “We have to meet our parents, remember.”

  She actually whimpered. “Please, Bo, one cup. There’s no liquor in it and it wouldn’t be Christmas without it.” Shelly looked up at him and he grinned.

  “Well, then we all must have a cup. It will now be our tradition. We can drink it on our way.” He kissed the side of her neck.

  Buck came up next to them, holding Anna’s hand. “Tell us about this tradition,” Buck asked as they made their way to the stand.

  “When I was about seven, my Mom took me the mall near our house to shop for Christmas. I noticed my Grandmother there, selling the cider.” Shelly stepped into the line and smiled up at Bo, then turned to Anna.

  “The older generation uses half of this money to help to preserve our history, and the other half is to help those that have lost all and are alone.” They reached the counter and Shelly laughed, seeing so many she thought they had lost.

  MaryAnn Smothers came around the counter and hugged her tight. “It’s been ages, child, since I’ve seen you. How are you doing?” She stepped back and looked at Bo. Her eyebrows lifted. “Wow, did you luck out!”

  “Hey now, and what am I?” her husband said, coming over and hugging her from behind winking at her.

  “You, my dear, are my heart, but I can still enjoy the view. Now, introduce us to your man and his friend. And who is this pretty little girl?” She knelt down and smiled at Anna.

  “Mrs. Smothers, this is Anna. My mate, Bo, and I adopted her today. We were on our way to introduce her to the family when I smelled the cider and had to have a cup. I was telling them all about the stand and its history. Beside Bo is Buck, he’s…” She frowned and looked at Bo. “What is Buck to me?”

  Bo laughed and hugged her. “Buck, Argo, and White Eagle will be called your husbands, while I’m your mate.”

  “Excellent choice for our times, the Reticulon. Our Alphas are lucky. There are already three of them to keep our Queen safe,” Mr. Smothers agreed.

  For the next few minutes Bo and Buck talked with Mr. Smothers, while Shelly and Anna got their cups of warm cider. She took a sip and moaned. “We need this all year around,” she mumbled, watching Anna take a small sip.

  Her eyes got big and she licked her lips, looking up at her. “This is good. Can I have another one?” Anna asked and Shelly laughed.

  “We’ll see if we can talk Bo into getting us another one on our way home. After all we need make sure White Eagle and Argo get one too. We can’t leave them out of our new tradition.” Shelly held out Bo’s cup, while Mrs. Smothers gave Buck one.

  Taking Anna’s hand, they watched as Bo and Buck took a drink. “Wow, that is good.” Bo pulled out his wallet, but Mrs. Smothers shook her head.

  “No, we don’t use money here in the center. Maybe when you get time you could meet with Mr. Smothers and we can set up a center for the elderly. One that every race could enjoy here,” she said and Shelly loved the idea.

  “I would be happy to chat with your husband. I’ll talk with your Alpha about it tomorrow. We’ll find a place for you, I promise.” He leaned over and placed a kiss on the woman’s cheek. “Thank you. We will see you in a few since it seems my females want another drink later.” He winked at Anna and she giggled, but stopped all of a sudden.

  Fear flashed in her eyes at the same time a small cry came out. Shelly stepped in front of her and turned to see a man behind them talking with others laughing. She turned back to Anna, who was now hiding behind Buck.

  “Anna, what’s wrong?” Buck asked as Bo pushed her behind him. In the distance he noticed White Eagle coming from the other direction. “Let’s go, folks.” Bo turned and ushered them toward their destination.

  “Shouldn’t we do…” Shelly’s words stopped as she turned and watched White Eagle step up to the man. All the others parted, as he got into the man’s personal space.

  “Little Wolf, why don’t you tell us what other traditions you would like to start?” Bo asked drawing her attention back to them as they turned down the tunnel to his folks’ house.

  Sipping her cider, Anna was curled up against Bucks chest. Bo held onto Buck’s cider. “Well, we always waited till everyone was present to decorate the tree.” She laughed and looked at Anna. “You should have seen your Uncle Dane one year. We all go searching for the perfect tree in the woods. Well, Dane thought he was old enough to cut down the tree.”

  “Wait, I want to hear this!” Jaycee came running down the other tunnel with her men right behind her, carrying their babies.

  “Don’t you dare start with the stories. You know I have plenty of my own,” Dane threatened, coming up to her and kissing the top of her head. “And who is this pretty one?” Dane asked, nodding to Anna.

  She reached over and was going to lift up Anna, but Bo grabbed her first. “This is our daughter, Anna. Anna, these big goons are your uncles. That is Dane.” He introduced her brothers and Remi, each of them giving Anna a big hug and kisses, making her giggle.

  Jaycee nudged her and leaned over. “She’s beautiful, but what’s going on with them?” Jaycee nodded to Buck and White Eagle, who were talking together.

  “We’ll tell you as soon as we get to Mom’s. Seems we have quite a few announcements to make, but they are all good. Well, for one,” she snarled and Bo turned to her with a questioning look, but she shook her head. “Come on. I’m sure both moms are pacing back and forth waiting for us.”

  Chapter Ten

  Opening the door to his mother’s house, Bo waited as the females and Anna moved into the house before entering. White Eagle was with them now, along with Argo. Those who had hurt Anna were now gone.

  Once more the ship or entity had taken care of the men who abused Anna before White Eagle could take care of them.

  “I heard about the challenge. I’d like to be there for my sister,” Dane said, stopping in front of Bo.

  He looked at his men and each of them nodded. “Thank you. I don’t know what will happen, but your support is always welcomed.”

  Dane looked over his head at his men, but he didn’t say a word as he nodded to him and went inside followed by Remi and Mark.


  “They’re worried about their sister,” Argo said as he reached up and squeezed his shoulder.

  “I know, but it might not look like that at the challenge.” Bo moved into the house and heard Anna’s squeals of laughter before he saw her.

  Bo stepped into the family room to see his father hugging and squeezing Anna, making her giggle. “She is precious, son. Treasure her,” his father said, looking up at him as Anna squirmed out of his arms and ran to Shelly.

  She ruffled her hair and turned, holding out her hand. He took it and scanned the room. Her parents and siblings, along with his, all crowded in the room. “We have a few announcements. First, as you can see, we’ve adopted this Little Cat, but it won’t be long before she is greeted with her new brothers or sisters. Shelly is carrying twins.”

  At once everyone was on their feet, hugging, kissing, and slapping him on the shoulder, congratulating them. “What is your other news?” His father nodded behind him and he sighed.

  “I’ve taken what you’ve said and the others. Argo, White Eagle, and Buck have agreed to Reticulon.” The room quieted down as all eyes turned to Shelly.

  “You would give my sister to others?” Dane growled, but Remi slapped his hand on his shoulder, halting him.

  “There is a reason for this?” Remi asked.

  “It hasn’t been easy for your sister, Dane. No matter, there is prejudice in every society and I’m not proud of it. With challenges and we’re on the verge of war, I’d feel better if I knew your sister was well protected. Each man I’ve chosen I trust with my life.” He waited and Remi nodded.

  “It’s the right choice, Dane. There are three of us who protect Jaycee in this new world with the unknown. He needs this and so does your sister.” Remi stepped back as Dane turned to Shelly.

  “Shelly belly, what do you think?” Dane asked and Shelly rolled her eyes, going to her brother and hugging him.