Page 64 of Deck the Skulls
“I really don’t need any presents,” Rissa protested. “All of this is more than I ever expected.”
“Well that’s just sad!” Zan said playfully. “You better start expecting a whole hell of a lot more from us, baby. Because you’re getting it whether you like it or not!”
With that, he rushed into the kitchen and returned with a mug of hot chocolate for Rissa. Even with a few tears streaming down her face, she laughed at the ridiculous mug in the shape of a snowman, complete with a top hat that came off.
“There are cookies too,” Zan said. “Don’t worry, I didn’t make them. Jesse dropped them off when he brought over a complete meal for you and I.”
“I thought that was stuff for Titan,” she said.
“Nope, that was our romantic dinner!” Zan said.
Anatoly snuggled in close. “Try your hot chocolate. It’s supposed to be some of the best you can buy, and Zan and I fixed it exactly as directed.”
Rissa took off the top hat cover and sipped the hot drink cautiously. Zan loved both the look of approval and the sense of deliciousness he got through their link.
“Whatever you had to pay for it, this was worth it,” she declared.
“I put in a standing order,” Anatoly said with a big smile. “Now to the presents.”
“But Christmas isn’t until next week,” she pointed out.
“We have a few we want you to open now,” Zan explained. He pivoted in place and kneeled next to the tree, gathering several parcels in his arms before walking on his knees back to Rissa. Instead of sitting on the couch, he made himself comfortable at her feet before handing her the first gift. He could feel her excitement at receiving gifts from them.
“This one is from both of us,” he explained.
It was a thin box that looked like it should hold a plaque. Setting her hot chocolate on an end table, she accepted the gift. At first, she tried to open it delicately, but Zan used too much tape so she ended up having to shred the wrapping. Her brows knitted in puzzlement as she opened the thin box to reveal a small stack of papers inside.
“Um, is this a rental agreement?” she asked, scanning the legal document. “Do you guys want me to start paying rent here?”
Anatoly chuckled. “Flip to page three.”
She did as he instructed and started reading. Her eyes went wide, and she looked up, her gaze bouncing between the two of them. “This is for Joan’s shelter! This is a second building for Joan, and you’re only charging her a dollar a month with a ten-year lease!”
Tears started pouring from her eyes again as she clutched the documents to her chest. “I can’t believe you did this for me. You’re already letting Samatha lease the place next door for almost nothing and now this? I don’t know what to say!”
“Joan helped you,” Anatoly said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and drawing her close. “Anyone who’s helped you in your life is important to us.”
Zan really didn’t like the tears. This called for more presents!
“This one now!” he demanded, shoving another box into her hands. She carefully set the paperwork aside and accepted the box.
“I’m going to need to go shopping for more gifts for you guys,” she murmured. “I know you won’t let me go alone, but what if I make a day of it with Maddy and Mikey? She’s a good shopper, and he could be protection.”
“As long as he brings at least two more wolves with him,” Anatoly agreed.
“Maddy might talk Briar into coming and that means Memphis will be with us,” she pointed out as she gave up on keeping the wrapping paper whole and started ripping again.
“Memphis is a chimera. Rissa will be safe,” Zan said, enjoying the way she tore the paper. He was going to go back and make sure there was plenty of tape on all the gifts, so she’d have to rip them open. She was even giggling, despite the tears drying on her face.
Under the wrapping was a box with three smaller boxes inside. “Okay, that’s interesting,” she said as she opened the first box. It was a ring, but when she tried to put it on, it didn’t fit her finger.
“I think it might be a little big,” she said with a smile at Zan.
“Open the other two,” Zan urged.
She did and found two more matching rings with the third one a perfect fit for her left-hand ring finger.
“Oh!” she said, sliding it on, then holding the other two in her palm. “They’re matching rings for all of us.”