บท 127: 7. O Christmas Tree
"Mummy, mummy, you have to come and see my tree!" Apollo's excited voice filled the air, bringing a smile to my face.
As I carefully placed one of the larger tree decorations with Cathy, one of Mimosa's daughters, I could feel the smooth texture of the ornament in my hands. Cathy, usually shy, had finally relaxed and now she chattered away, eager to learn about different types of trees. The room was filled with the scent of pine, as we discussed the various features that distinguished each tree.
Meanwhile, a few of the Salvatore family members had gone to the kitchen to prepare our next meal. Suddenly, Apollo tugged at my sleeve, his eyes shining with anticipation.
"Alright, I'll come and see your tree. Did you put the top star on it already?" I asked.
He nodded enthusiastically and replied, "Lepard helped me. He lifted me up so I could reach it!"
We made our way to Apollo's tree, and his face lit up with pride. I praised his efforts, and he quickly darted off to decorate more trees.
As I glanced around, I noticed Mariella and one of her sons perched high up in one of the largest trees. Damon was with them, but I felt no jealousy. My focus was on the children, and I had finally enjoyed several nights of uninterrupted sleep, free from any sensual dreams. Though that night had been wonderful, Damon had returned to Mariella, as she needed him too. I observed a few hours later Mariella pressed against the wall, with two men nursing her. I wasn't sure of the significance, as my own breasts, despite producing milk, were not as full. Perhaps it was just another perk of being an alpha female. I decided not to inquire further, as it was soon time for another meal.
After dinner, the children expressed their desire to sing Christmas songs. They loved to do that, and we had singers and many guys playing the piano, too. Our home was filled with the harmonious sounds of their eager voices, accompanied by the grand piano. It was a heartwarming scene. I carried my camera around my neck at all times, capturing precious moments, intending to give the photos to the children and my four. They would have mementos too, physical ones. This Christmas would always be cherished, regardless of how many more Christmases we celebrated.
To my surprise, Magnum and Wulfe joined in the singing, their deep voices blending harmoniously with the children's. They had formed a close bond with the kids, and we spent hours outside each day, brimming with energy. While I had limited time with Wulfe, we would often find ourselves together late at night. I would settle into my chair in the living room, next to the warm fireplace, savoring the aroma of coffee. Gazing at the embers in the dim light. I enjoyed watching the adorned trees, knowing that the decorating process was still ongoing. Wulfe would often come and sit near me, his presence comforting as we shared these quiet moments together. He tried to get to my chair, though. but I was not gonna share.
We sat together, engaging in light conversation. I shared a few stories from my human days, reminiscing about the past. One memory that stood out was when we had no Christmas tree. There were only a few trees available near our nearest shop, and they weren't particularly stunning. But we wanted a tree, so it fell upon me to buy one. I remember the moment vividly as I laid my eyes on that tree. It was tall but lacked branches, weak and asymmetrical. Other trees were so short, what was left as it was near Christmas Eve. Despite its ugliness, we adorned it with decorations, making it our own. That tree, as hideous as it was, became a cherished memory. I still remember my mom's reaction to that tree, but it was our special tree, maybe because it was so unique.
I then shared a tale about our chaos cats, who were once kittens. We had gotten them in November, and when we finally brought home our Christmas tree, they became living decorations, playfully climbing in it. I had many animal stories to tell, each one filled with fond memories. I had had many pets and each of them had their own place in my life. Each of them taught me lessons.
My life had changed since then, but so had I. I was no longer human, literally as there was not a lick of human DNA in my cells. My memory, often seen as a curse, became a blessing as I recalled the simplicity of those times. I could remember every detail, and it felt good to revisit my past and cherish the good times I had.
As a human, I was timid and reclusive, but I had my own sense of humor. I used to write silly things like an essay titled "Am I Crazy or Not?" It always made my sister laugh. As I shared these stories with Wulfe and Magnum, I noticed that there were more listeners. Numbers two, four, nine, and ten were also present, as well as my four. There were other women in the pack temporarily, but they would leave after December 15th, leaving us with all these kids for Christmas. It made me understand why humans glorified being a mom. It was a lovely experience, even if it was temporary for us. As I lay in our bed, I realized that Damon's scent was fading, but it didn't matter much. I had my memories, memories of safety, and the good old days when I was who I used to be.
Nights, I had wonderful dreams. They were funny and comforting, although I couldn't quite remember them in the morning. Days went by as they did.
It was just another day, another morning when I went to take a shower and adjusted the water to a cool temperature. Unbeknownst to me, Charles entered the room and suddenly embraced me from behind, his naked body pressing against mine.
He whispered in my ear, "Let's see if you still remember," as his hands began to explore my skin.
When his hand reached my hip, I instinctively spread my legs slightly, prompting him to pull me closer and command, "Good, little bitch. Now, bend over with your hands on the floor."
I complied, bending over and placing my palms on the floor. I gasped as his enormous cock penetrated me fully, and he began to fuck me forcefully and rapidly. I moaned and gasped as he thrust deeply inside me. He held me in position, claiming my body in a primal and possessive manner. I had no regrets or any problem with us fucking, as there was plenty of me to be shared. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the shower, which lasted for two hours. This passionate man couldn't resist ravishing me whenever I moved or attempted to wash myself.
We kissed, he whispered sweet nothings, bit me, and exerted his dominance over me as much as he could. It had been a long time since we had fucked, so we had quite a debt accumulated. Eventually, we reached yet another orgasm, as we had somewhat cleaned ourselves. There were kids and Christmas time, otherwise, we might go for a month. But we controlled ourselves, for now.
Charles chose my clothes and told me, "It's great that you've had a few nights of rest, so now you're free to have some fun."
I smiled at him, kissed him, and replied, "Yes, but first we have to go have breakfast. There are children waiting for us at the castle."
He grunted and responded, "Honey, one day, in one way or another, we will have kids of our own. Even if they exist in other dimensions, we will have them, believe me."
I nodded and said, "We'll see what the future brings. Come on, let's go eat."
Charles had chosen loose-fitting clothes for me, a tee shirt and velvet pants. He knew me well enough to entice me with his choice. As I got dressed, he simply brushed my hair, leaving it loose and reaching down to my ass in defiant curls. I only used a hairband to keep it away from my face.
Charles exclaimed, "Come on, jump into my arms. I'll carry you."
I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. He grunted as he felt my breasts and my nipples, which were jutting quite damn well, pressing against his chest.
We left the room, and it didn't take long before Mira and Tess came bounding towards us, their voices filled with excitement. "Unfair, mommy! Get down! Uncle Charles will carry us, not you. You're a grownup, you walk. We're kids. We get to be in his arms!"
Charles chuckled, rolling his eyes as he gently set me down. "Alright, fine young ladies, come on then."
He scooped them up, their tiny hands wrapping around his neck, their laughter filling the air. I wasn't quite sure what all the fuss was about, but we made our way into the kitchen for breakfast.
As we entered the kitchen, a heartwarming scene greeted me. Damon, with a smile on his face, cradled his and Mariella's firstborn from this litter, Jack, on his lap, feeding him and eliciting giggles. Mariella held one of her girls, while other Salvatores and boys were gathered around the table, each with a child of their own on their laps, being fed. My five other children sat patiently at their own table, not needing to be held. I let out a sigh, contemplating what to do.
I observed that none of the other adults had a child in their lap except for the Salvatores and boys. They were all occupied, and it dawned on me that my kids were alphas, natural leaders, and perhaps they didn't require that kind of attention. Or maybe they did, but there was no one available to cater to them. I was taking my seat next to Damon, and Charles returned to his place. Soon, Magnum and Wulfe joined us. Wulfe immediately noticed the situation and lifted Tess onto his lap, while Charles held onto Mira. Magnum took charge of Rob, and Apollo, catching my gaze, seemed to understand.
I beckoned him, saying, "Come on, let me feed you." He obediently made his way to my lap, nuzzling close and settling in. Number four, our helpful servant, brought us a hearty meal, ensuring there was a large plate for himself. He also took Jake, in his lap, to eat. Damon exchanged a knowing glance with Mariella, who looked slightly guilty as she realized the discrepancy. Few other adults took Josephine and Jessica so all the kids were lapfed.
I fed Apollo, and as I held him in my lap, I couldn't help but notice how light he felt compared to my other children. I had cradled many children in my arms before, but he seemed especially skinny. Just then, Samuel and Bran walked in, their smiles indicating their fondness for kids.
A thought crossed my mind - maybe Samuel could take a look at Apollo. Although Damon would likely just taste his blood, providing valuable information, I felt the need to seek a second opinion. As a shifter doctor, I usually handled medical matters myself, but now I focused on being a mom. I knew this would require a little bravery on my part, but I was prepared for it. I would have to set an example here. Apollo didn't eat as much as the others, despite my efforts to ensure he consumed mostly meat and drank coke. He soon declared himself full, hopped down, and went off to inspect which tree needed decorating. His tummy was not as full as it could have been.
I finished eating my food and paused for a moment. Yeah, we can do it. Let's see if there's anything to this. It would be the best option here. I was starting to feel like a mom, not just a part-time fun mom. There was this need to make sure my kids were okay. I noticed May smiling at me. Maybe she saw it in my gaze. Somehow, she was most like me. I got up to put my dishes away, still pondering the proper way to handle this.
Was I overreacting? But then again, it would certainly be the best choice. Gotta make sure. However, would Damon see this as me not trusting him? But he was busy with his brood and maybe he would see this, see just me seeking attention or pushing our kids to him? Argh, I need to act, not just think. Whatever this is, I need to address it because of my concerns.
I walked up to the floor where Apollo was decorating a tree. I said to him, "How about you and I be very brave and go see Samuel? Let's ask him to give us a medical check-up."
Apollo looked at me and asked, "Why do we need to be brave?"
I replied, "Well, mommy has some medical issues, so mommy has to be brave. Why don't you show me how brave you are, and maybe I can be even braver?"
He nodded and confidently said, "I am much braver than you, mommy. You're a wuss."
I smiled. Not every day someone calls me a wuss. I took his hand, and together we walked downstairs to the medbay.
As we entered, Samuel was busy reading something on the computer.
I said to him, "Do you have time to do a medical check-up?"
Apollo chimed in, "I'm braver than mommy. Mommy's a wuss."
To my surprise, Bran emerged from the back of the medbay wearing scrubs.
Samuel explained, "I've taught him to be my nurse, so we have time to give you a check-up."
He approached Apollo, crouched down, and said, "I bet you're courageous. And yeah, your mommy may be a wuss when it comes to all things medical, but maybe you can hold her hand."
Apollo smiled and replied, "Sure, mommy's a wuss."
First, Samuel lifted Apollo onto the examination table and took his vitals.
Meanwhile, Bran took me aside and asked, "Is there something wrong with him?"
I replied, "Well, I don't know. He's been eating, at least of all the kids. He's skinny, but Damon tasted his blood and mentioned nothing. And from what I can see, he hasn't had anything out of the ordinary. We had breakfast together, but Damon and Mariella had their kids on their laps while feeding them. My kids, being more reserved, were eating alone. Charles, Wulfe, Magnum, a few Salvatores, and I took turns feeding them. I had Apollo, and he ate very little. It felt like his tummy wasn't as full as it could be. But then again, I might be overreacting, and this could just be a minor issue. Damon might see this as me being overly concerned."
Bran calmly spoke, his voice steady and reassuring, "You are a mom. You have your instincts. It's better to make sure. If Damon takes offense, it's his problem. But we are talking about the welfare of your child here."
He turned to me and said, his tone full of admiration, "You have come so far. Are you feeling brave? We could scan you while Samuel works on Apollo, then run blood tests."
I nodded, feeling a mixture of nerves and determination.
Bran guided me to the scanner, its mechanical hum filling the room. I laid down on the table, the cool surface against my back. The scanner began its full-body scan, searching for any abnormalities within me. My body, with its peculiarities that defied the laws of biology, made me anxious. But I endured the scan, finding it tolerable. Blood tests, on the other hand, made me apprehensive. If there were any IVs involved, I vowed to find a way to avoid them.
With Bran's help, I changed into a patient gown while Samuel led Apollo to the adjacent scanner. Bran wanted to witness the process firsthand.
As Samuel began his examination, he noticed my tenseness and remarked, "That bad, huh?"
I nodded in agreement and replied, "I can handle the blood tests. Apollo being here gives me strength. But please, don't even think about cannulating me or putting an IV on me, even if I need them."
Samuel nodded understandingly and reminded me, "The results will be sent to Damon's phone. It's up to him to decide what needs to be done."
I nodded, knowing Damon's merciless nature. However, I hoped that my deficiencies weren't too severe. After all, it was Christmas time, right?
Meanwhile, Damon was with Mariella and a few of their children, decorating a towering Christmas tree, when his phone buzzed with a distinct tone. Test results? Damon furrowed his brow, retrieved his phone, and swiped it open. His surprise was clear as he saw that blood tests had been conducted on both Mimi and Apollo.
He muttered to Mariella, "Darling, I need to go to the medbay. Mimi and Apollo have undergone blood tests, and I want to know why."
Mariella, concerned, furrowed her brows as well and replied, "Alright, let's go. Numbers seven and eight can help with the decorations. But didn't you taste Apollo's blood? Was there anything amiss?"
Damon nodded, recalling his earlier observation. "Low on vitamins and such, but nothing significant. However, these results... I need to see all of them. Not all of them are on my phone. But my guess is there might be an imbalance of caffeine. At least, that's the direction I would investigate if these were Mimi's results. She tends to drop certain types of fatty acids and amino acids when she hasn't had enough caffeine. But Apollo drinks Coke. But os that not enough? Curious."
Mariella paused for a moment and pondered, "Perhaps it's his telepathy, even if it's dormant. He might need more caffeine, or maybe there are more powers waiting to emerge. But let's go and see, did Mimi's values reveal anything?"
Damon replied, "Nothing has come in yet, just the scan results. I haven't looked at them, but there was a referral made to Mimi."
They made their way to the medbay to find out what was going on. When they arrived, Samuel had already prepared a sea of tubes and had taken Mimi deeper into the medbay for safety. He was trying to provide her with a sense of security.
Bran was assisting Apollo out of the scanner, and Apollo kept boasting about how brave he was, asking if he should hold his mom's hand.
Damon approached and said, "No need, my boy. Now, go to Mariella. She'll perform a few more magical checks to see what's keeping you so small."
Apollo insisted, "I'm not small. I'm a big boy and brave too!"
Bran chimed in, "Yeah, I haven't seen such bravery in a long time, but come on," as he picked up Apollo.
A flicker of concern crossed Bran's face as he realized how light Apollo was compared to the other kids. Damon took Apollo from Bran, feeling his slight build. Apollo weighed less than the other children, and there didn't seem to be anything wrong with his teeth. If it was a lack of caffeine, they should try giving him some coffee.
Damon carried Apollo over to Mariella, who sat him on her lap and said, "You're a light little boy. Let me check a few magical things."
Damon nodded and walked further into the medbay, overhearing Samuel speaking in a soothing, hushed voice. It seemed that Mimi was having some issues with her blood tests again.
As Damon walked into the room, I could hear the faint sound of Samuel starting to draw tubes of blood. My panic began to subside, although it didn't completely disappear. Despite that, I managed to keep myself composed. Damon approached, taking the referral paper from Samuel and tearing it apart. He then made his way to the computer, and within moments, the printer hummed to life, spewing out a fresh set of papers.
It was clear that Damon was just as much of a control freak as I was. He retrieved a few more tubes and leaned against the wall, crossing his hands over his muscular chest, observing as Samuel conducted the tests. Before long, Mariella joined us, carrying Apollo in her arms. Damon grasped him, cradling him as they extracted countless tubes of blood from me. Mariella diligently placed the tubes into the machines, while Damon held Apollo close, allowing him to witness the process as well.
I attempted to remain as relaxed as possible, and finally, all the tubes were collected and placed into the machine. Samuel and Damon permitted me to leave, and I eagerly walked away, not wanting to linger any longer than necessary. As I entered the living room, I found Apollo boasting to the other kids about how brave he was and how many tests he had undergone. Soon enough, the other children began requesting the Salvatores to test them as well. It would certainly keep them busy, and I hoped my test results wouldn't reveal anything too concerning, allowing us to continue enjoying our perfect time together.
However, this situation felt surprisingly natural. Despite my medical issues, which Colin had explained were due to my basal metabolism being 30-35 times faster than that of humans, causing my body to be under constant stress, it had become a part of my everyday life. And having kids in the midst of it all gave me a glimpse of what it would be like to raise them ourselves, every step of the way. It no longer seemed unattainable, but rather a new kind of challenge that I was willing to embrace. Of course, it would require the support of our entire pack if we were to embark on this journey.
I settled into my chair, taking in the twinkling lights and the joyful sounds of children singing and laughing. The air was filled with the scent of Christmas decorations. It truly was a magical Christmas.
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