Owen

We all watched in complete fascination as Avery helped Erin light small candles on the table we had set up. Victor had explained a bit in the woods, but I still had questions. "So what do the candles represent?" I asked.

She gave a smile as Erin answered, "Mama says they are to welcome the sun back."

"That's right, sweetie. We light candles to welcome the sun back as the days get longer, then we place one in the window to welcome travelers in need," Avery said as she carried a small votive in a silver dish to the front window. "In the old days, Winter Solstice and Yule were both common celebrations. Even though Yule originally came from the Norse traditions, it integrated here when the Vikings came to Ireland in the fifteen hundreds. My Maimeó practiced a lot of the old ways and taught them to me when I was young. I think it's important for Erin to know her heritage as well."

"Avery even started writing down some of the local legends and we read them as bedtime stories," Luke added. "Speaking of, I think it's time for some little girl to get some sleep so that Father Christmas can come visit."

Erin protested as he rubbed her eyes. We all gave her hugs and kisses then she clung to Luke as they walked down the hallway to her room.

Avery stepped into the kitchen and came back with a tray of cookies and cups of cider. I noticed there were also small candies on the tray along with a decanter with a red liquid. "The last year my Maimeó walked this earth, she let me celebrate Loki's feast. I swear I think she knew her time was near. Now, if you aren't a drinker then avoid the decanter, but if you are, feel free to add some cinnamon whiskey to your cider. The candies will add a bit of cream as well. It tastes similar to an apple pie, but be careful, just like Loki, it will trick you into thinking you aren't drinking alcohol and you'll be smashed before you realize it," she giggled.

We all laughed as she passed the tray around. Luke came back taking his cup and sat next to her as he added some whiskey to both their cups. "A toast," he said, "to our lovely hostess, to family found again, and to those who are not with us but are in our hearts."

"Here, here," we all agreed, clinking our cups together gently.

"So are there any other traditions you follow over the holidays?" Sean asked.

Avery nodded, taking a sip, "On New Year's Eve we have a bonfire and throw in bay leaves or scraps of paper with our wishes for the year in it. The fire lifts it to the universe. Then the first is a day of reflection. I usually do a whole house cleaning if I'm not too, um, hung over from the night before. On those times, I'm reflecting in the toilet," she commented, making us all laugh.

"Oh, we've been there," Silas chuckled. "Do you have any idea how heavy this guy is?" He nodded to North. "I thought he was going to drown in the toilet one time when he passed out. I managed to get his head out and just threw a blanket over him on the floor."

"Oh my," she gaped.

"It was for the best, darlin'. I was so drunk I would've just thrown up in the bed," North admitted.

Sean jerked his thumb at me, "This guy is so controlled I thought I'd never get him drunk. Took forever, but damn was it worth it. Turns out, Owen is quite the karaoke singer with enough saki." My cheeks flushed crimson as they chuckled.

"Why does it feel like we're playing one of those drinking games Gabe always loved," Luke grinned. "Maybe a round of 'never have I ever' would get us caught up." The glint in his eyes was pure mischief.

Avery smirked, "Are you sure you want to go there?"

He laughed, "Your list can't be that good."

She straightened, walked to the kitchen, and returned with shot glasses. "Challenge accepted." She filled the cups with straight cinnamon whiskey and said, "Never have I ever sleepwalked in the yard naked."

"Cheater," Luke grumbled as he tossed back a shot and we all broke out laughing.

"Never have I ever slept with a stuffed animal," he countered as she stuck out her tongue and took a shot. Both Silas and Kota took one as well. She raised her eyebrows.

"I was afraid of the dark as a kid because of my dad, so my mom got me a stuffed lion to scare the bad stuff away," Kota said, his eyes a bit misty.

"Mine was a gift from Sang. When she left I slept with it to ease the hurt," Silas said quietly. Avery reached out and squeezed his hand with a sympathetic smile.

Kota said, "Never have I ever had a one-night stand." We all went wide-eyed when Avery, Sean, and North took a shot.

"Okay, those two I get, but you?" Victor gaped.

She shrugged, "I was young, in my first year at uni and Maimeó had recently passed. I met a guy - an American actually who was in town looking up an old friend. We were at the bar commiserating our woes. Well, we um. I mean he didn't just walk out and we did spend the weekend together, but it was just the one time and I never saw or heard from him again. Hell, I never even got his full name."

"Mine was on a DWB trip, a nurse. We went our separate ways the next morning," Sean explained.

"Similar to short stuff, I was drunk and depressed. Mine was gone before I woke, along with my wallet though," North grunted.

"Ouch," Sean said. "He wins that one." We all chuckled as Sean grinned, "Okay, let's see if we can get someone smashed...Never have I ever been married."

Vic and Luke glared as they took their shots. Then Vic said, "Never have I ever burnt down the kitchen." Luke, Sean, Avery, and I took shots as we all laughed.

We played several more rounds before Avery held up her hands, "I surrender. If I drink anymore, I'll puke." Sean handed us all bottles of water as we cleaned up. Avery was curled into Victor's chest as he played with her hair. She looked so relaxed, it made my heart happy. I'd spent so long wanting to find them all again, but terrified to do it. Then this little light comes into our lives in such a crazy way and pulls us all together - well almost all of us.

"So did you ever give any more thought to my offer about Gabe's showing?" I finally asked.

"Yeah, I think you're right. I need to tell him the truth, and I need to apologize for some other things. I'll understand if he doesn't want to see me. Heck, I'll even understand if he decks me, but at least I'll have said my peace," Victor said. "Do you think you could join us?" he asked Avery.

Before she could answer, Kota said, "I'll make sure of it." She gave him a confused look, but she just grinned. "Avery, I'm your advisor. That means I can approve absences. This is a family thing, so I can clear it."

"Wait, you won't get in trouble for that, will you?" she frowned. "I don't want this, us to cause you problems."

A huge grin spread across his face, "Did you just say there was an us, little girl."

Her eyes darkened at his words and her lips parted slightly. He came over to kneel before her as Victor held her in his lap. "Answer him, baby," Victor told her.

Kota began to run his hands up her legs, then placed soft kisses on her skin as her chest began rising rapidly. "Y...yes, I said 'us'."

"Good girl," he purred as his hand slid up her sweater. She trembled as his lips met hers while Victor began kissing her neck, leaving marks. Victor pulled her sweater off and then undid the clasp of her bra, exposing her to all of us. Gods she was beautiful. Her body arched when Kota bit down on her nipple and I found myself needing to readjust.

We were all spellbound as she made soft noises in response to his attention. When he slid down her jeans she whined, finally realizing we were all watching. "Shh, baby, no one will do anything you aren't ready for," Victor said, nipping at her ear. "Let them see how beautiful you are, Avery. Do you see how much we all want you, how much we worship you?" Kota hummed then slid two fingers inside of her as she moaned and arched. Victor placed a hand over her mouth, "Quiet now baby, we don't want to wake up Erin." Avery nodded and began panting as Kota's movements sped up. "Cum for us," Victor growled. Her body spasmed as he held her mouth, muffling the cries she made. Her juices covered both Kota's hand and face as she came violently. He continued to lap at her as she shook, then pulled away with a wicked smile.

"You taste divine, little girl. I'm so proud of you," he told her, then leaned up, kissing her roughly. "May I stay with you tonight? I just want to hold you close," he asked her.

She looked at Luke and Victor who only smiled and nodded, understanding her hesitation. This was so new to her. We'd had a couple of years of experience with the need for communication and permission even if it had been long ago. "Yes, please," she said softly. Victor turned her around to kiss him, then placed her in Luke's lap, their lips meeting instantly. When she started to move he held her firmly.

"I think there are some other people who would like a goodnight kiss if you don't mind, love," he told her. She turned to meet our gazes and nodded. Silas stepped forward, lifting her naked body as she gasped.

"So damn beautiful," he whispered before kissing her soundly. He groaned as they parted, then passed her to North.

"Ours?" he asked cautiously.

"Yours," she grinned, then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. His shoulders relaxed as he kissed her in return.

Sean cleared his throat playfully as they parted and took her in his arms. "I absolutely love your outfit on the floor, dear. This is a far better look on you," he teased then crushed their lips together. She squeaked when he squeezed her butt firmly.

"Cheeky devil," she scolded him as he smirked.

When she reached my arms, she sighed and pressed her forehead to mine. "Owen."

"My love," I whispered and watched her eyes widen. "You are my second chance, my hope," I told her then pressed our lips together. Her legs wrapped around my waist as I pressed her to me, my erection poking out the top of my trousers and she moaned, grinding her hips. Her eyes were hooded when the kiss ended and I grinned, "Soon, love, soon."

Kota chuckled, "Are you ready for bed?" Avery nodded her head and curled into his arms as he carried her upstairs.

I had no idea how we were going to make this all work, but damn I wanted to try.

Author's Notes:  I wish my Christmas Eve had been that eventful...

Please vote, comment, follow, and share!