Vixen & The Viper - Baby It's On The Cold Outside [a specterverse xmas novella]

Epilogue : Traditions

Mishka Ivanov

December 24th, 11pm
Northside, Darkport City, USA.
Apt 12a, 417 Winterford Avenue.

Colored lights twinkle and blink while snow falls outside the window of the cosy uptown apartment.. The soft sounds of jazzy Christmas music jingles through the sound system and the air is warm with the scent of cinnamon cookies and sugar.. Surrounded by craft supplies, paper stars and rouge snacks, I sit on the plush rug in the seasonally decorated living room to thread popcorn onto a string..

For each piece I thread, I pop another in my mouth.. The buttery flavour and crunchy texture satisfying my cravings..

For now..

-CLICK-

The sound of a key twisting in the deadlock sets off the mismatched barks of the Russian Shepherd, Feliks, and the French Bulldog, Odette.. The odd couple have become thick as thieves and the best of friends.. They do just about everything together these days..
The dogs race across to the door to greet their favourite person.. Venom stoops to pet each hound on the head before he kicks off his boots and wanders over to inspect the tree.. Twinkling lights dance across his handsome features as he peers down at me.. "You start without me?"

"I was so excited, I just couldn't wait any longer.." I hold up the popcorn garland in my defence and bat my lashes to feign innocence.. "But I saved you the best part.."

"Lucky me.." He chuckles, offering me his support as he tenderly helps to pull me up to my feet..

His steely grey gaze roams over me with caution while I cradle the weight of my swollen belly in one hand.. "Ooff.. Your son won't stop kicking me like crazy.. Here- feel.."

I grab his oversized paw to settle it over the bump and before long, the tiny life inside me thrashes like a shark in a tank.. I watch in a lovestruck daze as Venom's expression softens to amazement and his eyes glaze with a mistified wonder.. "Moya lyubov', ty boginya.." (My Love, you are a goddess.)

"I'm pretty sure you just called me a goddess.." I hum with gloating happiness.. "I suppose you're right.. I am making a miracle after all.."

"Ah, your Russiky iz much improved, Snezhinka.." Venom smirks to himself as he leans down to pick up the popcorn garland, saving me the struggle of leaning down to collect it myself..

"I've been practising.." I grin, watching as he winds the popcorn carefully around the tree, paying attention to detail in that odd obsessive way he does that I just find so adorable.. "I was thinking it would be good for the baby, you know- to speak both languages- I think it's important for him to learn about his heritage and it's traditions.."

"Da.. You are right, Mishka.." Venom smiles over his shoulder at me me.. "Thiz iz vury important.." He turns to take a prowling step closer.. He winds an ensnaring arm around my waist to draw me in as close as my protruding tummy allows.. "Speaking ov' tradition.. The tree iz done- so you kiss me now.."

"I told you already, Babe, that's mistletoe-" With a breathless giggle I am lovestruck by a kiss so sweet it sends me into a sugar rush..

Tinsel and twinkles have nothing on the shiny glow that blooms in my heart..

I know that Christmas is rich in all kinds of rituals and traditions..
But this one only belongs to us, and it's absolutely perfect..

~~THE END~~

A note from the author:

I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into the future with me! I tried something a little different this time and included translations for all Russian spoken dialogue and thoughts, let me know if you all prefer this and would like for me to continue using this format moving forward.

Dedicated to my nephew, S. One day you'll be a man and the world will tell you that you're supposed to be so many different things.
But I say, all you ever have to be is yourself.

A huge thank you to my loyal readers and to all you newbies joining me for the first time.. Your support is what motivates me to keep investing my efforts, pushing me to publish and giving me the encouragement I need to continue when things get tough.. Without you all I wouldn't have a reason to write..

Please my pretties, do let me know what you think in the comments and don't forget to vote. I am always so curious to hear your thoughts and opinions and without your feedbacks I really am just a lost little lamb..

Much love, sweets. xx