The Cost of Freedom Is High

Christmas Surprise

Christmas Eve -

Just as I finished frosting the umpteenth batch of cookies, the oven beeped, alerting that there were still more to complete. Grabbing the oven mitts I pulled out the last 3 cookie trays, then turned off the oven.

There were quite a few people actually here right now. The full bands of MIW, AA, ETF, FIR, PTV, OMAM, ATL, and BVB were here, along with Kuza, Max Green, Angelo, Michael and DJ, and Denis.

To my surprise it actually hasn't been a bad month, which stretches back to the day Chris Khaos and Jeremy brought me back here. There hasn't been any sex which made me happy, and at the same time very curious and cautious.

The last month seemed more relaxed than ever, but there was still the whole working on the rooms, basement, and that damn twister game that still got me a little on edge. I had come up with literally no ideas as to what the hell the twister board could be used for. Besides from playing the game, but that's not something they'd hide from me.

Checking the clock I realized it was only 10 pm. We'd been watching Christmas movies practically all day.

"Well aren't you busy." Derek stated, coming down the hall with CC on his tail.

"I was busy, now I'm just finishing up." I told them.

"So do you know about Santa or do we have to break the news?" CC asked me.

"Real funny." I replied, and decided just to throw the cookies on another platter and give up the idea of frosting them.

"I know, I'm hilarious." CC whispered, grabbing a cookie.

"We're watching Home Alone, care to rejoin us?" Derek wondered.

"No, I'm exhausted. I'm just going to go to bed." I told him.

"Now is that Christmas spirit?" CC asked me.

"My Christmas spirit went into baking cookies for 3 ½ hours. My time's up." I answered.

"Fair enough. Go ahead and head on up to our room. Feel free to get dressed and everything else." Derek told me.

"Thanks, night." I said, taking off my apron and heading out of the kitchen.

"Night." CC replied, pulling me in for a quick hug.

I made my way upstairs, entering FIR's room, and plopped down onto Derek's bed which was sandwiched in between Jacky and Ronnie's bed.

I noticed the nighttime set of lingerie laying there on the pillow, however I was far too tired to get up and put them on.

Crawling up the bed, I put my head on Derek's pillow, slipped under the blankets, and passed out.

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Derek's POV -

"If you guys have everything under control, I think Jacky and I will head on upstairs to make sure she's settled down." I told Chris and Michael.

"Yeah that should be fine. As for tomorrow, just try to keep her asleep until we come and get her, or if she wakes up just try to distract her." Chris told me.

"Sounds good, and good luck with setting up tonight." I said.

"Thanks." He chuckled.

Jacky and I walked up the stairs and entered our room.

We both let out a laugh when we saw Bella, sprawled out over my bed. At the moment there was no room for me. Looks like I'd be moving her.

"What do you think, is it worth risking her waking her up to put her pjs on?" I asked Jacky.

"I wouldn't think so, I say just wait until tomorrow morning and put her in what Andy picked out for her." Jacky replied.

I nodded in agreement, and went over to my bed. As gentle as possible I slipped my arms underneath her, and rolled her over to the other side of the bed.

"Stay." I muttered, hoping she wouldn't go and roll over again.

Jacky went to go get ready for bed, and I just put on my pajamas and slid into the bed next to Bella.

She curled up in what appeared to almost be a little ball, and after that the only noise I heard from her was the very shallow and light breathing she was doing.

She appeared angel like and very peaceful.

It was always so much easier that way.

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11:45 am

I've been up now for about 3 hours and all I've done is just sat next to Bella as she slept and waited for the signal to go and either wake her up or come and help downstairs.

Finally the door opened up and I was met with Cameron.

"Hey, come on out and I'll show you what's going on." He whispered, not wanting to wake Bella.

I silently made my way out of bed and into the hall with Cameron.

Once I saw what he had in his arms I think my heart melted from the sheer cuteness.

In his arms was a small, and fragile puppy, that might have been the cutest dog I've ever seen.

"That wasn't planned, right?" I questioned him.

"No, when Oli and the others were coming back here they found him on the street and decided to take him in. We've been trying to decide what to do so we finally came to the conclusion that we can let Bella keep him as long as rules are followed." Cameron explained.

"I think that's a great idea. What's the next step though?" I wondered.

"Go bring him in and set him on her. That'll get her to wake up, and then she'll come downstairs." Cameron told me.

"Will do." I replied, taking the little puppy into my own arms.

He was way too damn cute.

I went back into the room, gently set him down on her chest, and as fast as possible ran out and shut the door behind me.

Bella was about to get a huge surprise.

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Bella's POV -

I felt something wet licking my face, and I was grossed out.

This was not what I wanted to feel when waking up, or any time for that matter.

"Stop it." I groaned.

The licking stopped, but I then hear the most pathetic and heart crushing whine.

What the hell?

Opening my eyes, my jaw hit the ground.

On my chest was the cutest freaking puppy I'd ever seen.

"No way." I chuckled in complete surprise and joy.

"Come to mama." I squeaked, picking the puppy up and bringing it in for a close cuddle to my chest.

For once in months I felt pure happiness, and I wasn't worried about anything.

I was going to keep this little angel no matter what.

He would be my new buddy.