The Academy

Seventy Two

Tink:

“So, how are you?”Peter asks Rose when she walks into the house and I am patching up his shoulder. Downside to seraph blades? Magic can’t heal the wound, not unless it comes from a stele. Those are little magic pencil thingies that only shadowhunters can use. It hurts like hell for non- shadowhunters to use, not to mention using it on normal people could kill them. “Wounds on Christmas?” Jace asks, rubbing his face and setting Matthew down with the other kids. “I was possessed, I had control every once in a while but I didn’t have the heart to tell her,” Peter exclaims. “ You really should’ve let me know,” I scold, putting more pressure than necessary on the wound. “I was in control the whole time, is it possible for a demon to go incognito?” Trevor asks, letting Delilah patch him up.

“Not anything we’ve ever heard of, it’s not in the codex and I have read every text book at the Institute twice,” Delilah answers. “Maybe I was just stronger than Peter, It makes sense,” Trevor suggests. “You know nothing about sense, this isn’t your field of expertise. Don’t talk about sense if you have no idea what that means,” I snap, going to go get another paper towel. “Sorry,” he mutters, putting his hands up.

“Don’t be, she always gets like this when it’s about Peter,” Jace says, excusing my behavior with a wave of his hand. “No, I get like that when it’s about my job,” I correct, crossing my arms. “It’s Christmas mom, loosen up,” Samantha says and then tosses a candy cane my way, which shatters on the ground. “Damn it,” I murmur and then go to find a broom. “I’m sorry mommy,” Sammie says, starting to cry. “It’s okay sweetheart, I’m just a bit stressed out,” I say through gritted teeth.

"It's Christmas, chill out," Peter says, rubbing my shoulders and throwing a present at Delilah. "Circle up guys," Peter says, sitting on the ground and pulling me into his lap. The kids circle and Peter looks up at the adults and Matthew who are still milling around. "You guys too," Peter says. Sarah, Kylie, Trevor, Jace and Matthew all join the Christmas circle. "Alright, Santa just got sexy," Peter whispers as I put his Santa hat on him. "Delilah, go ahead," Peter says aloud.

"It's a guitar!" She yells, seeing the box. "Pile it up behind you sweetheart," he laughs, handing the next one to Samantha. "I love it! What is it?" Samantha asks. "Santa thought it would be cool if you could talk to daddy when he's away. So he brought you a camera. Mommy will teach you how to send me videos," Peter shrugs. Nathan gets one too. "Kylie," he says, handing her a little box. "A bracelet?" She asks looking at. "Magic. That thing of sparkles, that's your core. Use it wisely," Peter says. She looks at a loss for words. "Jace," he say, tossing him something heavy. "Chocolate from Idris?" Jace asks, unwrapping his gift. "A little piece of heaven from Shadowhunter homeland. "Thanks," Jace laughs.

"Alright Trev," Peter says, handing him a gift. Trevor unwraps his gift slowly and when he gets down to it he looks up at Peter in awe. "Peter man, this is awesome," Trevor says. "What is it?" Sarah asks, leaning on him. "It's my dog tags that came off while we were in Afghanistan. I thought I lost them," he says. "I found them in my pack," he shrugs. "Sarah," Peter says, handing her a rolled up gift. "It's the wicked poster, thanks," she says after opening it. "And now for the most beautiful girl in the room," Peter says, handing me a gift. "Just that alone was enough but thank you," I tell him, unwrapping the gift. I start laughing out of joy and Peter smiles at me. "What is it?" Kylie asks.

"Well we were at the store we were going to check out and I saw this necklace. I said, look just like what I used to have," I say, holding up a freaking tube of glitter on a string. "That's a really sucky gift dad," Delilah laughs. "It's a decoy. I actually got her a horse. She always asks for one for Christmas," Peter shrugs. "What did you get me?" Peter asks, running his hand up and down my spine. "Ten bucks? You were shopping with me ao I really couldn't buy anything and have it a surprise. I didn't even know you were going to be home," I say, my voice raising a bit. Geez, I am really bad at this whole wife thing...