Christmas with the Gerard's

11

13 days till Christmas 

*Delia’s POV*  

Last night sucked. Our girly night was pretty much nonexistent. James had come to my rescue pretty much straight away and by the time Pheebs arrived for our film and wine night I was sobbing quietly in bed, Smeagol possessively laying next to me while James scrolled through my phone. Phoebe pretty much took over from me, not that I was much help anyways, she and James discussed the options of who it could be and I watched in awe of my brothers uncanny acting skills, he made sure to make Marcus a pretty solid culprit. After two hours of listening to those two babbling on like they were the next Sherlock and Holmes I announced I wanted to sleep. Phoebe left me with James, reminding me she was only across the hall should I need her. James stayed and although he wasn’t time best bother, I felt somewhat safer knowing he was here, in the end we stayed up most of the night. We talked about the night I left. Not going into the minute details, however James showed his concern at my half truths, but I knew deep down his concerns were more for himself and  the secrets I held inside me. Not necessarily me. James is, for lack of a better word, a junkie. He knows some bad people, people who can tail me and find out who is texting me. Because whoever it is, they watch my every move. That is the only reason I involved him, not because he is my brother, but because he knows the dodgiest people in town.  

The headache I woke up with was progressing into a full-blown migraine and I had no energy. My phone rang quietly on the night stand and I grabbed it and answered, without looking at the caller ID. I never f*****g learn. 

“Hello?” I rasped out. My throat dry and itchy from all the crying. 

“Morning beautiful.” The happy chirpy tone of his voice made my stomach summersault.  

“Theo!” I shouted “How are you?” I asked sitting up in bed and clearing my throat. 

“Better, sore as f**k, like I got beaten by three hoodlums... Oh wait, I did!” He said sarcastically. 

“Poor you” I cooed “When can you come home?”  

“In an hour. That’s why I’m calling. I can come home, but I can’t stay alone at my flat. Can you swing by my place and collect my things then come get me?” He asked sheepishly 

“Of course, I can” I said, my migraine pushed to the back of my head. “Send me a list of what you need packed up and I will do that. Where do you keep your spare key?”  

“With Colton, who is there now packing my stuff. You think I want my little sister going through my drawers and s**t?! It’d be the same as having mum doing it. All my secrets would be exposed.” he said laughing. 

“Hey! I can keep a secret.” I have been keeping one for fourteen years, more than one actually. 

“Yeah right, if you keep secrets as well as you kept your crush on Colton, we are all doomed!” He laughed. Fucker. 

“OH MY GOD!” I shouted “Will you stop mentioning my teenage crush on him?! I was a teenager. I’m not anymore. That ship sailed a long time ago.” I said sadly, my heart squeezing in my chest. 

“Sure, it has, that’s why you two were kissing by my bed the other day.” He laughed “I remember that very well, quite a sight to wake up to, your little sister snogging your best mate” He made gagging sounds and I was ready for this conversation to end.  

“I’ll be there in an hour to get you out.” I said coldly “Just be ready ok? I don’t like hospitals.” 

“Of course, sis.” He said calmly “Oh and Delia?” He said just as I was about to hang up. “Don’t shag him on my bed, it’d be so dis...” I hung on with a huff. Urgh, what is wrong with that boy?!  

*** 

I got to Theo’s flat in record time, the quicker I get him back the quicker I can go back to bed. I rang the bell and waited for an answer, but it never came. I pressed the bell again and again but nothing. Luckily, one of Theo’s neighbors was walking out and let me in the building. I climbed the stairs two at a time, my phone pressed to my ear calling Colton. No answer. Damn it. Where is he? I reached Theo’s door and knocked. 

“Colton? You in there?” I shouted, my knuckles rapping on the door. I waited a few minutes, pressing my ear to the door, no noise inside. I knocked louder and shouted again “Colton? It’s Delia! Open up!” I turned as I heard the door behind me open. A tall man poked his head out the door and smiled as he looked me up and down.  

“Theo isn’t in. But he keeps a spare key hidden under that fire extinguisher, for when he loses his or he locks himself out.” He said with a kind smile and I nodded. “I’m Carl, his neighbor.” He moved the door open a bit and stretched out his hand, oh my word, the man looked like a sculpture, chiseled muscles everywhere. His smile broadened as he watched me eye him up and down. My cheeks reddened and I stretched my hand “I’m Delia, his little sister.” His enormous hand enveloped mine in warmth and I felt a tingle run down my spine. Wow he is gorgeous, he leaned on the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest, his topless chest I might add. I cleared my throat and said a meek bye and headed into Theo’s flat. The décor was just as I expected, manly and two toned. Navy and white. Typical man, I walked through his lounge and noticed the empty cartons of juice and old take away, surely, he can’t be this messy. I walked through to the kitchen and shook my head at the dirty dishes everywhere, God, Theo is a pig! 

I spun on my heels to head into his room to gather his things, because it’s clear Colton is not here. I didn’t get far, as my body turned, I collided with a hard, hot, wet wall. Wait?! Walls, aren’t warm and they certainly don’t grunt. I looked up to find piercing blue eyes looking down at me, I swallowed hard.  

“D? How did you get in?” Colton asked. Semi-naked Colton, wet, dripping wet semi-naked Colton. I exhaled slowly while my eyes betrayed me by eating up every inch of his toned pecs and abs. Can one be jealous of water droplets? Because I sure was, all I could think of was those droplets slowly dripping down his chest and abs and dying at the edge of his towel. I swallowed hard. Absentmindedly licking my lips, my teeth digging into my bottom lip.  

“f**k D! Don’t do that!” Colton rasped. My mind shattered at the sound of his voice and I shook my head and walked backwards. I looked at his face and he had this look of pure lust in his eyes. He walked towards me and I instinctively moved backwards again. “How did you get in D?” He asked again. 

“The extra k... key, under the, the...” I exhaled again and looked at his approaching figure “The fire thingy outside.” my back hit the wall and I grunted surprised. Colton kept advancing on me, his black inky hair wet and glued to his forehead, his blue eyes, those pools of temptation eyeing me up and down and his plump lips in a permanent smirk. “The handsome guy opposite told me where the keys were.” I blurted out and he stopped walking. 

“Handsome huh?” He asked me, the smirk on his face getting bigger and bolder. I nodded my head. “Handsomer than me?” He asked, his tone teasing.  

“Than I.” I squeaked and he stopped walking. He laughed and his entire body tensed and I watched as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down in his throat. Oh my god, I wanna lick it. Wait, what?!  

“You are seriously driving me crazy, D. Correcting my grammar. Is that really what you want to focus on?” He asked me seriously, even though his eyes glinted with mischief. I nodded. I better focus on his grammar otherwise... Theo’s teasing words rang heavy in my mind. Not on his bed. Definitely not on his kitchen counter either.... My thoughts were cut short when Colton’s chest invaded my field of vision, His finger pushed my chin up and I stared straight at his eyes, oh big mistake Cordelia Grace Gerard. Big mistake, those eyes, magnetic and hypnotizing.  

“Handsomer than I?” He asked again, and I swallowed drily again.  

“Yup” I finally said, popping the P. He chuckled and my legs shook. The closer he got to me the weaker my legs got. He must have read my mind, because he pushed himself impossibly close to me, his finger still holding my chin up, his lips hovered to close to mine, if I pout, I’ll kiss him. My chest rose and fell faster each time, his eyes trailed down towards my cleavage. Damn you stupid low cut sheer shirt... Why didn’t I put on a turtle neck this morning. I’ll tell you why, because of the Greek God in front of you now, my inner voice shouted at me! Oh, shut up! I thought back. Oh, my days, I am now having a shouting match with myself, can this man make me any crazier? 

“You sure D?” He asked, and with his knee he pushed my legs open and settled himself between them. I nodded again and tried to move my face away from his touch, but his other hand shot up to the back of neck and held me in place. His nose trailed mine and he placed a soft kiss on the tip of my nose, I smiled, and he moved his head to my neck, he trailed his tongue over my sensitive skin and I moaned. He seemed to like that, he pushed his body into mine and I felt the hardness on my tummy. I moaned again as his teeth grazed my skin.  

“Col...” I whispered. “Col... please?” I moaned quietly.  

“What do you want D?” He whispered in my ear and licked my lobe. I shivered and he moved his lips over my cheek, kissing me softly, his mouth followed the structure of my face, his tongue occasionally licking my jaw line, and his teeth nipping my skin. I wanted nothing more than to press my legs together and ease the pressure in my core. He sensed my trouble and moved his tight up. His leg came into contact with my core and I hissed. Bliss. I gently grinded myself on his leg and he moaned. Suddenly his hands dropped my face and neck and grabbed the back of my thighs, lifting me off the floor and pinning me to the wall, I wrapped my legs around his waist and his lips captured mine in a frantic kiss! His tongue invaded my mouth and explored every corner of it. I moaned into his kiss and rubbed myself on his hard member. His body pushed once more into mine and we both shuddered at the contact. He broke the kiss and smiled “And now? Is he still handsomer?” He smirked  

“Who?” I smiled and his lips captured mine again in a softer kiss. His hands left my legs and started drifting upwards exploring my body, he reached my neck and his expert fingers teased my skin as he moved toward my cleavage and pulled one, then two then three buttons open. His lips dipped from mine and I tipped my head back, giving him access to my neck and chest. He kissed and licked my collar bone, his tongue making a circular pattern as he reached the globes of my breasts. My hands cupped his head and my fingers ran through his wet hair, gripping it hard as he gently nipped my breast. He lifted his head and smiled. I licked my lips again and ground my center on his hardness and he hissed. His hand squeezed between us and undid the button on my jeans his finger trailing the edge of my knickers, his hand turning and twisting, pulling my zip down to accommodate his whole hand sliding into my jeans. I moaned at the sudden contact, even if it was over my lace knickers, his fingers felt amazing. His finger pulled at my knickers, moving the fabric aside, his lips finding mine again and his long middle finger rubbed my wetness, I moaned unabashedly into his mouth and he bit my lip gently, his finger poised at my entrance, I pulled his hair a little rougher and his finger twitched, his entire digit slowly pushing into my folds. I moaned louder as he thrusted his finger faster “c*m D” he whispered as his lips licked mine and I am not even ashamed to say that I obeyed like a good girl and came all over his hand. I was a panting mess as he swooped again on my mouth kissing me relentlessly. He started pulling my jeans over my hips when the door to the flat pounded and Phoebe’s worried voice filled the flat. 

“Delia??” She shouted “Are you here? Theo called me cos he couldn’t get hold of you or Colton. You are late to pick him up, so I came to check everything is ok!” She said as she moved through the flat, her voice getting closer, Colton’s fingers moved quickly out of my knickers and his body moved back so quick I nearly fell on my ass. Once my legs were stable enough, he pushed me into the wall again and kissed me softly and gently, his forehead leaned on mine and he looked me in the eyes. “To be continued” He said as he licked his middle finger “f**k! You taste so sweet” he said harshly before running out the kitchen. Phoebe entered not two seconds later. “Was that Colt... Delia!!” She shouted as her eyes fell on my disheveled self... “Oh my... I’m a cockblocker!” She bursts out laughing and I smiled at her. My s****l frustration slowly easing. Colton appeared behind a howling Phoebe and cleared his throat. 

“Theo’s bag is by the door. I will clean this place out for him.” He said looking at me with a weird expression on his face. “You ok there, Pheebs?” He asked concerned, Phoebe had reached that stage, when you laugh so much, there’s no sound anymore, tears coated her eyes and cheeks and her face was red and she was doubled over, leaning on the fridge for support. She inhaled like her life depended on, it probably did at this point and clapped her hands loudly.  

“Yeah” She managed to squeak out “Are you captain blue balls?” she said between snickers, bursting again at the sour expression on Colton’s face! s**t, I better get her out of here.  

“Pheebs, let’s go before you get murdered.” I whispered as I grabbed her arm and moved past Colton. “Thank you for Theo’s things. And cleaning up” I said as we moved through the lounge.  

“And the o****m!” Phoebe shouted over her shoulder as I opened the front door and came face to face with Theo’s handsome neighbor Carl. He quirked his eyebrows at me and walked back into his flat. I pushed Phoebe out the door and slammed it shut, glaring at her as her laughter slowly stopped.  

“Really Pheebs?” I said as I started to walk away.  

“Where’s Theo’s bag?” She asked and I grunted in frustration as his door opened again and Colton slung the bag out and closed the door. f**k, f**k, f**k!! Phoebe started laughing again and I grabbed the bag, slung it over my shoulder and walked away, leaving a gasping Phoebe behind. 

** 

“I said I was sorry. Why won’t you talk to me Delia?” Phoebe said for the millionth time. She eventually stopped laughing long enough to catch up to me and join me on my trip to pick Theo up. We were currently driving up to the hospital and I was giving my best friend the cold shoulder. That’s right, I’m petty too.  

“I just... God Pheebs that was mortifying!” I whined “Not only did I let him basically finger blast me to an o****m, but then you walked in and embarrassed me so much my great grandchildren will feel it!” I exclaimed and Phoebe chuckled  

“I’m sorry ok, I just, look Theo, he called, said he couldn’t get hold of either of you, because as much as it disgusted him to say and I quote ‘He is probably balls deep into her on my bed by now’ and when I walked him and heard you moaning, I knew he was right. I didn’t think yous was going at it in the f*****g kitchen!” She said and I shuddered. Can’t believe Theo would say that. 

“It just sort of happened OK?! “ I said with a sigh.  

“Did you two have a thing when you were a teen? You never really told me much about your past. “ Phoebe said sadly and I inwardly chastise myself for hurting my friend. Time to open up.  

“God no!” I said dryly “I mean, the whole damn town knew I had a tiny crush on him all my life, but nothing major ever happened. ‘ I sighed  

“How tiny exactly are we talking here? We talking fatal attraction type crush or like doodling Mrs. Delia whatever his last name is on your note book? She asked and I smiled. My best friend knows me too well.  

“Half way between the two. I never like boiled any of his pets but I did write Mrs. Cordelia Stone a few times to see how it looked on paper! “I laugh and Phoebe joins me.  

“And what happened that wasn’t major?” she asks abruptly and I take a deep breath. 

“The night I ran, he pecked my lips and said something along the lines of “why are you his sister?! “or something similar to that. He was so drunk; I don’t think he even knew what he was doing.” I justify.  

“Of course, he did. Theo talks a lot about you two. He said Colton had a massive thing for you but didn’t want to admit it, because who gets the hots for a person they’ve seen as a little sister all their life? “ she asks and I laugh  

“Did he bollocks?!” I laugh harshly “Colton wouldn’t have noticed me in my teens if I had neon lights on top of my head saying ‘f**k me’” I shook my head and shifted the gears, turning left towards the hospital. The roads were busy, people rushing everywhere on foot, their hands full of shopping bags. “Besides” I add with a dry chuckle “He had a massive crush on Mal, I always hated her for it.” I sag in my seat and huff.  

“Clearly, you and Theo need to finish your talk about that night. “ she mutters and I watch her. She’s hiding something.  

“Spit it out Pheebs.” I tell her sternly and she giggles.  

“I can’t Delia. I promised Theo I wouldn’t share any of what he told me with you.” She said sullenly  

“Oh! I see how it is, man gives you a bit of D and it’s bye best friend!” I glance at her and she’s gob smacked “What happened to sisters before misters?!” I pretend cry and she slaps my arm gently. 

“It’s not like that. Besides, man hasn’t given me the D... Yet!” She giggles.  

“He hasn’t? You guys haven’t? Why?” I ask incredulous and she shrugs 

“It just hasn’t happened for us yet. Don’t take me wrong, your brother is a hard man to resist, with his gorgeous blueish eyes and chiseled jaw.” She sighs dreamily and I roll my eyes “We just always find ourselves having these deep talks about everything and anything.”  

I get it, I really do, I long for someone to just have meaningful talks over a drink and snacks. We pull up to the hospital and I park the car, we get out and walk towards the reception. Theo is sitting on a chair, his face in that horrid yellowy green bruising phase. His left arm has been put into a sling to help support his shoulder, his right arm is protectively wrapped around his middle. He must be in so much pain, Phoebe calls for him and he looks up at us, he stands slowly and bends to grab a small green plastic bag with his belongings inside, the grimace of pain on his face doesn’t escape me, but it sure does Phoebe as she wraps her arms around him and places a gentle kiss on his lips. I smile, these two are so sweet.  

“Took you long enough” Theo grumbles at me, he looks at Phoebe and smiles “Bed?” He asks with a smirk.  

“Nope, kitchen...” She says with a smile on her lips. Theo looks at me and gags.  

“I’m gonna have to hire a cleaner to disinfect my flat. Or maybe I’ll just buy a new kitchen” he remarks with a disgusted tone. 

“f**k you both, you wanna bus it home? No? Then shut up!” I yell making the receptionist shush at me, embarrassed, I walk out the ward and towards the car, Phoebe and Theo behind me laughing. In the car, the teasing doesn’t let up and I find myself fantasying about driving straight into a tree.  

*** 

“Oh, my baby!” Mum coos holding Theo’s face in her hands gently “We will get to the bottom of this Theo. Don’t you worry.” She reassures him. Nan walks in from the back of the house a small smile on her lips as she hugs him.  

“I’ve made up your old room upstairs. We are running out of rooms for you all.” she grumbles  

“What do you mean nan?” I ask curiously  

“Well, you’re in your old room and your friend has taken the twins room, Theo is going into the boys room sharing with Gabe and well, unless your mum fancies sleeping with me, that’s it. No more space for anyone else. “She says and I sigh.  

“I’ll go to a hotel Mrs. Gerard.” Phoebe says sadly and my nan laughs at her 

“Oh, child don’t be silly, you can share with Cordelia. Or Gabe can share with her and you and Theo can finally get to it!” She waggles her eyebrows at Phoebe and I burst out laughing. All eyes land on me and I laugh harder. Karma is awesome. I excuse myself and grab Phoebe’s hand pulling her along with me.  

“Let’s move your stuff into my room Pheebs. We can finally have that girly night!”  

“Or” we turn at the sound of Mallory’s voice “We could go out again? It’s Friday, we all need to destress and Colton’s band is playing tonight at Monroes.” She sing-songs.  

“Count me out Mal, I want to spend the evening with Theo.” Phoebe says and I turn to her. 

“Traitor!” I glare at her and she laughs.  

“Maybe you two can finish what you started in Theo’s kitchen earlier!” She winks at me and makes a dash for the stairs, I make to follow her but Mal grabs my wrist, I look at her and she smiles. 

“Cordelia, please come with me.” I had expected Mallory to be sorting a smirk, but her expression looked sad. “Do you know how hard it is to be a single mother of two teenage boys? Or how hard it is to listen to said teenage boys talk about their dad’s new wife and their little sister? I know you at least know how hard it is to be single this late in life.” She huffed out and my shoulders sagged, with all our disfunction I never once spared a thought for Mallory and what she could be feeling. I nod my head and she smiles. “Thanks, little sis.” We walk up the stairs together and find Phoebe lugging two big suitcases into my room. She chuckles and we all run inside, while Phoebe unpacks again and tidies everything, I grab a small gym bag and pack my makeup, my black faux leather ankle boots, black wet look leggings, a black spaghetti strap top, a grey see through sheer long sleeve shirt and my leather jacket. I shove it all into the bag and say good bye to Phoebe.