Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 46 - Badass Bitch

In the sitting room, the coffee table held a pile of brightly wrapped presents. I was curious to see what everyone had bought me since there really wasn't anything I wanted.

Abe was standing in the middle of the room, pouring port for the guys and more champagne for Mom, Lissa and I. Taking a sip, I had to admit the taste of champagne was growing on me. Sitting beside Dimitri on one of the sofas, I took his hand in excitement.

"So, do I get yours first, Comrade?" I asked.

"No. I want to give you mine last," he said.

"You can have mine first!" Lissa announced with excitement, picking up a small box from the table and handing it to me. I should have guessed that one was from her. Lissa loved giving presents, and part of that included elaborate wrappings. This time she'd outdone herself! The box was barely discernible under the mountain of ribbons attached to it.

Carefully sliding the ribbons off, I tore the paper to reveal a black velvet box. Almost certainly jewelry, by the looks of it. Carefully opening the lid, inside I found a simple extra long gold belcher link necklace. Hanging from the end was a golden shield with the Dragomir coat of arms engraved on it. I recognized it instantly. Looking up at Lissa with tears in my eyes, I raised my eyebrows – asking her if she was sure.

'Yes. She would have wanted it' Lissa said via the bond.

"Let me put it on for you," Lissa said out loud, pulling the necklace from its velvet enclosure and draping it around my neck. The chain was long, hanging just between my breasts.

"Lissa, it's beautiful," I whispered, still not sure if I should accept. "I am very honored."

I hoisted it up for inspection as Mom came over to look.

"Rosemarie, Lissa that is just lovely."

"Thank you, Janine. It was my mother's. Rose is the closest thing to family I have left, now. Our lives are linked in so many ways; I know Mom would have wanted her to have this."

I hugged Lissa. Sometimes there just aren't the words.

"Me next!" said Christian, tossing me a soft, wrapped parcel. Hmm. I was thinking clothing? Ripping open the paper, I found I was right. Inside were two TShirts. The first one was tight black with a deep V-neck and had 'Badass Bitch' written on it in large white lettering. The second was a fitted marle gray with "Go on – I DARE you!' in black lettering.

Ha! I loved them! I couldn't wait to wear them to training. Oh! And to Guardian Alto's classes!

Laughing, I turned to show them to Dimitri, who just rolled his eyes but looked amused.

"Thanks, Christian! They're ace!"

"You really like them?" he checked.

"Yeah! Especially the Badass Bitch one!"

"As soon as I saw it, I knew you needed to own it," he laughed.

"So who's next?" I asked, bouncing up and down in my seat.

"You can open mine, Rose," Eddie volunteered, scooping an irregular shaped parcel wrapped in brown paper and string. "Sorry, it's not wrapped so nicely. They didn't have any wrapping paper in the store," he said with a shrug.

I was genuinely curious about this one. I knew Eddie didn't have a lot of money, but he was also one of the most thoughtful people I knew. I was sure the present would be something special. Untying the string, I unfolded the paper to reveal a soft black leather stakeholder.