Page 55 of I Dated a Holiday Hero
“Why those colours?”
She ran her hand through his hair. “I like the holidays. They make me smile. My first year here, Veradil brought me to the square every night of the holiday festivals. I saw light, love, laughter, and joy. She formally adopted me on the solstice. It’s always a special night for me. It’s the day I legally joined the family, but I had been hers since she first held me as I was hauled out of the sea.”
He blinked. “You dressed me in the colours you like?”
She nodded. “Yes. I can change them. You would look nice in black and grey as well.”
He kissed her softly. “Dress me in any colour you want. If it is paisley, I will know I fucked up.”
Hever laughed. “Thanks for building in a clue.”
They got up and headed to the shower. Hever tried to think about what she wanted for breakfast, but she kept getting distracted.
Once they were dry and dressed, they walked downstairs with the ring on her finger feeling odd but not unwelcome.
Hever walked with him to the kitchen, and she froze and grinned as she came around the corner to see Nautilus leaning into Veradil, pinning her to the counter. Hever’s mother was wearing a robe and nothing else.
“Hey, Mom. Sorry. I got a late start. You know Krix. Morning, Nautilus.”
The huge islander grinned. “Ah, my daughter. You are looking well.”
Veradil hissed and smacked him.
He chuckled and lifted her in his arms. He moved to the table, and the chair creaked as he settled. “You need sturdier chairs, sweet.”
Veradil looked to Hever. “Can you pretend you didn’t see this?”
“Nope. Krix and I are trying to figure out where to live now that he’s trying to make an honest woman of me.” She shrugged. “Or whatever I am.”
Krix nodded and headed to make coffee. “You are a woman. I checked.”
Nautilus snorted.
Veradil paused. “You will live here.”
“Mom, I am guessing that your robe beat me here by about two minutes.”
Nautilus grinned.
Her mother huffed. “Fine. Live in the guesthouse.”
“Nice.” She looked at Krix. “Five bedrooms.”
“Plenty of space. Thank you, Ambassador.”
Veradil finally clocked her ring. “Wait. You are getting married?”
“Yup. Not one of those dibs’ situations that the more active actives have. I go to work, I work, I go home. We don’t play any games that can’t be negotiated later.” She grinned, “Plus, I am three women in one. What’s not to like?”
Krix laughed. “I proposed, and she said yes. Now we have to plan a wedding. My mother will be inviting you over for dinner so that the two families can meet.”
Veradil blinked. “Married? My little girl?”
Hever walked over and took her mom’s hand. “Married. Krix will be on the hook for keeping me alive, or at least responsible for retrieving me if someone grabs me again.”
Nautilus smiled. “I can help.”
Veradil snorted. “I might need backup at Xelia’s place.”
