My Forever

Chapter 18

Christmas Morning

Harper’s POV

The following morning, I made my way downstairs after a really long shower. Declan and his family were already up and preparing breakfast.

“Merry Christmas!” Fiona and Ciara said as soon as they saw me.

Giving them my best smile before I responded, “Merry Christmas.” Plopping myself down at the closest seat after grabbing a plate of food.

"Good Morning Harper” Declan’s deep voice rang in my ears.

“Good Morning.” I replied, not looking up from my breakfast.

After eating, Finn and his family showed up. He had two sets of twins of his own. One set of boys that were 7 and a set of girls that were 5. His wife was also pregnant again, but this time they were only expecting one.

By noon, the kids were ready for a nap and, to be honest, I was too. Excusing myself, I headed up to my bedroom but before I lay down there was a knock at my door.

I opened the door to see Declan standing in front of me with his hands shoved in his pockets.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Can…can I come in?”

I stepped back and allowed Declan to enter.

I sat down on my bed and looked up at him.

He slowly walked over and sat down next to me.

“Did you have a good morning?” He asked, looking over at me.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Listen I…. I feel like you were upset with me this morning.”

“No, I was just tired.” I said, giving him a small smile.

“I don’t believe you. If you don’t tell me what is bothering you, how can I make it better?”

“Declan, it’s just….I don’t know how to explain it.” How do I tell him I was jealous of him kissing Vivian?

“I didn’t kiss Vivian last night.”

“What?”

“I didn’t kiss her. I pushed her away the second she kissed me.”

"Oh.” Was all I could manage to say.

"How about I take you to the waterfall tomorrow?”

“Sure I guess.” I couldn’t stay mad at him and I really wanted to still spend time with him.

“Great! Now enjoy your nap and maybe we can watch a movie later.”

The rest of the evening was great. I spent the entire time with Declan and his sisters. I knew I was going to have a hard time sleeping, knowing I was going to spend the day with Declan tomorrow.

Declan’s POV

Being awakened at 5 am by my brother could put me in a horrible mood, but the thought of spending time with Harper put me in a better mood.

“What do you need?” I grumbled as I plopped myself down on the chair opposite of my brother.

“We have a problem with the Vampires. I need you to go deal with them.”

“When?”

“Today.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Listen, you are the only person she will talk to and it really needs to be handled. It’s the last piece of the puzzle.”

“Fine.”

“I need you to leave now and Vivian has offered to go with you.”

“I want to tell Harper I am leaving.”

“You don’t have time. But don’t worry, I will tell her.”

Before I could respond, Vivian walked into the room.

“Are you ready?” She asked.

I wasn’t, but I knew how important this was to the pack and I would have to make it up to Harper.

Harper’s POV

I woke up and took a little extra time getting ready. Skipping down the stairs, I made my way to the kitchen, only to find Ava.

“Good Morning Ava.”

“Good Morning sweat heart.”

“Has Declan come down this morning?”

“He has honey and he is so sorry, but he was called away to help Finn. If it wasn’t important, he would have been here.”

I didn’t even try to hide the disappointment on my face.

“Oh ok.”

“How about you go shopping with me and you can help me make his favorite dinner. I bet he will make today up to you.”

That was how I spent my afternoon. Honestly, I found myself really enjoying time with Ava. This was what a real Mom did with her kids and she made me feel loved in ways my mother hadn’t since my father died.

Before I knew, it was dinner time and I was seated waiting for Declan. The time seemed to tick by and he still wasn’t home.

“Maybe we should eat?” Conner said, giving me a small smile.

“Yeah that sounds good.” I smiled back.

Before dinner was over, in walked Declan and Vivian. In her hands was a doggy bag.

Declan came right to me and sat down.

“Harp, I am so sorry about today, but I will make it up to you.”

“It’s OK.” But inside it wasn’t.

Declan looked over the table.

“Ma, did you make my favorite dinner?”

“Harper and I did Dec.” She said, giving him a tight smile.

“Sorry that was my fault. I really wanted to try this new restaurant and I talked Declan into taking me.” Vivian said, placing her hand on Declan’s arm.

I gave her a small smile. “No problem. I hope you had a good time.” I said, standing.

Declan quickly stood with me brushing Vivian’s hand off him.

“I have enough room to have a second dinner.” He said, grabbing my wrist to try and keep me from walking away.

“You really don’t need to. It’s not a big deal.”

“You did all of this for me.”

“DECLAN!” Finn yelled, bursting through the door.

The entire room fell silent. Finn’s eye instantly fell on me and I realized he had stopped talking because of me.

“Looks like you are needed.” I gently pulled my wrist from Declan and walked to my room.

Declan’s POV

“What do you need, Finn?” I said, unable to hide my frustration.

“Look, I’m sorry, but this affects the entire pack.”

“I know. It’s just….. What now.”

“They agreed to the treaty.”

“That’s great.”

“Yeah, but they want either you or me to go and sign tomorrow and I have to be across the state dealing with the sirens.”