Summoned

Chapter 29

A sharp clatter of plates startled Junie, and she looked up from where she was sitting on the floor of their new house.

"Levi," she groaned, clutching her head. She was trying to work, and Levi was trying to unpack the boxes that they had everywhere.

"I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to make so much noise," he said sincerely.

"It's okay," she said, much softer. "I didn't mean to snap. I was just trying to concentrate."

She stood and stretched. Levi reached for her, pulling her close. She dropped her head onto his chest, soaking in his warm comfort.

Moving was hard. It was hard to part ways with a house that had been her home for several years. She had made good memories there. It had been her first real home her entire life.

Maisy had always lived with MiMi until she got a place of her own. Junie had moved away for a few years to go to college. She was in a dorm the whole time because it was a small school, and it was never the same roommate. She had never really had any friends other than Maisy.

She and Maisy had always talked about living together, but the timing never worked out, and Junie was so relieved to finally have some space of her own after four years of horrible roommates.

"I don't like it," Junie mumbled against Levi's bare chest.

"I know," Levi said, running his hand down her back. "It's just new right now. Things will settle."

She nodded. She did want this. She wanted to build a life with Levi, and she was very excited to be steps away from Maisy, especially when her baby arrived. That didn't mean that it wasn't an adjustment though.

"Why don't we go out and get a tree?" he asked. "You've been talking about it for awhile now. I know you are finally getting caught up on your work. It might make this place feel better."

It was worth a shot.

Junie nodded.

And so they dressed in warm layers to brace for the cold, and ventured out for some fresh air. Junie drove them out into the countryside to a tree farm that she had been dying to visit for years now.

She felt a twinge of excitement as they pulled into the lot of the farm, and it was so relieving to feel something positive. She had a handsaw and they were given a sled to pull the tree on.

"Smile," Junie said as they walked among the trees. She held up her phone to snap a picture of her and Levi together with the pretty trees surrounding them.

"I like this one," Levi said, standing in front of the tallest tree on the farm.

"That's at least three feet taller than you," Junie's said, unable to control her smile. She knew he was being silly on purpose, but she loved his efforts to cheer her up.

"Feet," Levi mumbled. His brows furrowed. "Humans have weird measurements."

Junie rolled her eyes, taking his hand.

"The type of tree matters too. I don't want anything prickly. I want the branches to be nice and soft like this one," she told him, picking their joint hands up to feel the bristles of a Fraser Fir.

They walked through all of the trees until Levi stopped somewhere behind her. She turned to find him standing in front of the most perfect tree.

It was full all the way around and the perfect cone shape, and it was soft like she had requested.

"Wow," she said, looking up at him.

"Wow," he repeated.

She smiled. "I think we just found our very first Christmas tree."

Levi insisted on using the handsaw, so she let him. She had brought a blanket for him to kneel on so he didn't get muddy.

She plopped onto the sled while she waited for him to chop it down. He was pretty pre- occupied, so she let her eyes rake down his back, enjoying the view. She scooted closer.

"How's it going?" she asked innocently, letting her hand flutter against his thigh.

"Juniper," he grumbled.

"What?" she asked, unable to control her smile. She moved to touch him again, but he was quick to grab her hand.

She laughed, trying to pull away from his grip. He brought her hand up to his lips.

"Do you want me to fuck you right here?" Levi asked, releasing her.

"No," she said, still giggling. "It's too cold."

"Your hands are freezing. You should've worn gloves," he said. He started to pull off his own pair, but she stopped him.

"Finish the tree first. It'll be easier on your hands," she said, settling down.

It wasn't long before their tree fell to the ground and they maneuvered it onto the sled to be purchased and taken home.