Avery

North, Silas, and Kota followed me into the house. I giggled as I looked around seeing signs of Luke and Erin everywhere. "Sorry about the mess, but it looks like they've been having fun," I said as I picked up a few stuffies and put them on the couch. The Yule tree glowed softly in the corner of the room already decorated. "North, are you okay with taking Luke's room down here? There's a second spare room down here, it shares a Jack and Jill bathroom. The smaller spare room is upstairs along with a separate bathroom."

"We can crash wherever you tell us, Avery," North said. "Silas and I can stay down here since we room back in Charleston anyway."

Silas laughed, "Yeah, I'm already used to his grouchy morning face." I covered my face to try and hide my laughter but failed miserably.

North huffed, "Yeah, make fun of the giant," then grabbed me and tickled my sides until I was screaming for mercy as Silas joined in too.

"Mercy!" I squealed as they laughed and finally put me down. I was panting, "Okay you two troublemakers, your rooms are down this hall. First door is North's. Fresh towels are in the pantry along with extra blankets.

North hugged me, "Thanks for taking care of Luke and Erin, Avery. I haven't seen him this happy in years."

I leaned into his chest and smiled, "I think he takes care of us just as much, but you're welcome. Now get some rest you two." North gave me a peck on my head, then Silas gave me a quick hug and said his good nights. I turned to see Kota looking uncomfortable. "Come on, I'll show you to the other room," I told him as he grabbed his bag and followed me up. I opened the door to the first room, "Sorry it's so small. It hasn't been used much since I was a kid."

He walked in and set his bag on the bed then looked around at my drawings and photos. "Was this yours?"

I nodded, "This was my bedroom when I was young, then as I got older I turned it into my study of sorts."

His eyes scanned a drawing of the moors, "You've got real talent, Avery. These are very intricate. I swear I can feel the wind moving in this."

I felt my pride swell. I hadn't drawn much since my grandmother passed and never showed anyone really. "Thank you. I don't have much time to draw these days."

He smirked, "I can imagine. I've seen your lessons - you must spend hours on them."

"Sometimes, but others it just makes sense and flows easily," I smiled. "So the bathroom is just across the hall. Careful about the lock, sometimes it doesn't click. I've never bothered to fix it since I'm here alone. Luke always stays downstairs when he comes over so Erin isn't going up and down stairs. She may have scared us half to death once when she decided to make a sled out of blankets and pillows, then surf the stairs."

Kota let out a laugh, "Oh damn, that sounds just like Luke when we were kids. He and Nate built what they called a rocket bike once. I swear they both spent days trying to get bugs and debris out of their hair. They had gone down the hill so fast, they busted through the fence and into the woods behind my house."

"I think I may need to hear more Luke stories soon," I giggled.

"Oh, I've got plenty about both of them. I've known them since elementary school. They were my family, well, until..." his words dropped off.

I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it softly. "I may not know everything, but I know how much you all mean to each other. It's plain as day. I'm glad you came, Kota. You shouldn't let go of family."

His eyes were watery as he looked at me, "Thank you, Avery." I let go of his hand and left him in the room to get settled in.

I'd just gotten changed into my pajamas when my phone vibrated. I grinned as I looked at the screen.

Victor: All settled in bed, love?

Avery: Just turning off the lights. Kinda disappointed to be sleeping alone tonight *sigh*

Victor: 😉 From what I hear you won't have that problem tomorrow night.

I giggled as I answered, Avery: Are you sure you don't mind babysitting?

Victor: Not at all. You and Luke deserve some alone time too. Besides, Erin can play beauty parlor for our guests. I'll take pictures.

Avery: 😀 I want copies!

Victor: Of course. Now, get some rest. I love you.

Avery: I love you too. Good night.

Victor: Good night, love.

I snuggled down into the covers and smiled to myself, glad to be home for a little while with them.

****

I yawned and stretched as the soft morning light streamed in the windows. The smell of fresh bacon and coffee filled my senses as I threw on a robe and headed to the bathroom. I pushed open the door, then instantly shrieked and covered my eyes. "Oh my gods, I'm so sorry," I stammered as I tried to back out the door, but ended up bumping into the wall.

"I'm covered now. Sorry about that. I thought I'd gotten it latched fully," Kota blushed as I peeked just a bit.

"No, that's my fault," I mumbled, "I should have knocked. I just forgot."

"I'm finished, so I'll just get dressed in my room," he said as he held the towel tight with one hand and grabbed his clothes with the other. He started to walk past me, but the doorway was rather narrow and he ended up brushing against me, our eyes meeting. I sucked in a sharp breath as his eyes darkened and he muttered an apology, then quickly left.

I found myself confused by my reactions to him. I mean, sure he was gorgeous, but I have not one but two boyfriends. Not to mention, he's my damn advisor. I groaned softly and shut the door, pushing my shoulder against it to make the latch click. The air was still thick with steam and the musky smell of his body soap. Shaking my head, I quickly cleaned up and put my hair up in a messy bun before heading downstairs.

"Well good morning, shorty," North teased, "Thought you'd never wake up." He handed me a cup of coffee, then set a plate in front of me loaded with bacon, eggs, and fried potatoes.

"You're feeding me so I'll let the short thing slide this time, giant," I retorted. He chuckled and handed a plate to Kota as they started chatting. I was content to listen as they bantered. "Might want to make more bacon," I told North as Erin came bounding into the kitchen.

"Bacon!" she cried and snatched a piece off my plate as I laughed. I held out a second piece for her. "Thank you, Mama," she said with a full mouth and a grin.

Luke came in and placed a kiss on my cheek as he stole a piece of bacon as well. "Good morning, beautiful."

North snorted, "Yeah, I see what you mean," then turned and added more bacon to the skillet.

Victor soon came in with Owen and Sean. He sat next to me, placing a kiss on my cheek as well. "Did you get enough rest?"

"I fell asleep almost the moment I closed my phone," I grinned. "I haven't been up long. Apparently, you all are the early risers."

"I'm still adjusting time zones," Sean said. "This time two days ago, I was in Northern Africa. I swear sometimes I think I'm going to meet myself in the airport." He flashed me a sly smile and a wink as he took a drink of coffee.

"Yeah, we had an overnight flight, so I'm still out of sorts," Silas added.

"So are you going to see the Doyles on Christmas Eve or Day?" I asked Luke.

"We are going over Christmas afternoon. Helen's family will be in with the twins, so they are hosting a late dinner. That way we get to have Christmas morning here with everyone as well," he grinned.

"You just want to have double dinner and dessert," North said as he handed me more bacon.

"Will you all be staying until the New Year, or do you need to return before then?" I asked.

"I need to be at an estate hearing on the twenty-seventh, but would love to come back after if it isn't overstaying my welcome," Owen said.

"Of course not. What about the rest of you?" I grinned. "We could take a trip to the Cliffs, Mellifont Abbey, or even Kildare Castle if you've never been."

"Watch it, gentlemen, she's quite the tour guide," Victor teased. "She rescued me on the moors the first time we met, then the next time, she dragged me all over town."

"Oh hush," I chided him, "You got lost just driving to the pub." He huffed in mock offense as I grinned.

"Well, we're staying," Silas said.

"I'm free until late January, then it's off to another remote location," Sean smirked. "Kota, what about you?"

He looked up and shrugged, "Um, I have to be on campus a few days before term starts for meetings, otherwise, I guess I can stay."

"Perfect," I said, rubbing my hands together as plans filled my mind.

"Um, should we be worried, guys? I think she's plotting," North frowned. I whispered in Erin's ear as she looked up at her uncle and giggled. "Oh no, now they're both plotting. We need an escape plan...fast." The room erupted in laughter.