Page 23 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess
“How about we make it with memorabilia pieces?” I ask. “You know, Mom bought ornaments every year one of us was born. We only used them once.”
“I like that idea,” Dario says. “Although, it makes me a bit sad.”
I pat his head. Recently, he and Felix had quite a growth spurt, but I am still taller than them. “It scares me that everything is changing,” I say. “But at the same time, it’s also beautiful.”
Dario looks at me skeptically. “You really think that?”
“Yes, without change, we wouldn’t have Annie and Celine in our lives. And look how well Marius, Finn, and Liam are doing. We have two nieces. And thanks to the work everyone is doing, a lot of people have new opportunities.”
“You’re not scared of change?” Felix asks me.
“Not really,” I admit. “It’s part of life.”
“Auri, the ever-so realist.” Felix laughs. “You are so practical. Where is the romance?”
I raise my brows at him. “Are you really trying to teach me something about romance? How many girls did you woo again with flowers?”
“None,” Felix admits.
“He doesn’t need flowers. They see his beach bod and are all over him,” Dario teases.
Felix just laughs at his words and elbows him. “If you would join me more often, they would be all over you, too.”
“No, thank you,” Dario mutters. “Your friend group is full of extroverts.”
“I get you,” Nox tells him. “I also prefer the quietness.”
“Not all of our friends are quiet, though,” I point out.
“But we balance each other out,” he says. “Half of us are chatty, the other half more quiet.” He looks at me curiously. “So, you’re really not into the romantic stuff?”
I shrug. “I just can’t see myself as a romantic person,” I admit. “Being showered with flowers and gifts just doesn’t sound appealing.”
“Mom would say that’s because you grew up surrounded by so many gruff men,” Dario says.
I grin. “She would totally say that, so let’s not tell her.”
“What makes you think we won’t rat you out?” Felix dares me.
I just snort. “I know so many secrets about you. You wouldn’t dare to.”
It seems I caught him off-guard because he looks at me like a deer caught in the headlights. “What do you know?” he asks, a hint of anxiety in his voice.
I definitely won’t give up my upper hand, so I just smile at him. “Well, you can test your luck and find out or keep my secret.”
“I think it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Dario tells him.
Nox just looks at me, amused.You have no clue what they are hiding, have you?
No idea,I say.Though, I bet it is the usual stuff they don’t necessarily want Mom and Dad to find out about.
As expected, the Christmas celebration feels warm and cozy. Mom and Dad always have dishes prepared that they used to have for Christmas, when they grew up. It seems like Mom’s grandma always went out of her way to celebrate with them. Dad never talks about his own family, only about Mom’s, but it seems Mom’s side was always very sweet and kind to him.
So, thanks to my great-grandma, we usually have fish and then a variety of French dishes.
Mom’s eyes glisten when she sees the tree we put together. Unlike her usual fun and relaxed attitude, she just looks at it for a while before hugging me. “It’s beautiful,” she whispers before she turns to my father. “Elden,” she exclaims, running towards him and throwing her arms around him. “We need to make more children. I can’t let go.”
Seems like she is still on it.
