The Spirit Guardians Book 4: Liberated

Chapter 20

A gentle hand nudged Cassie in the early morning. The sun had barely risen, as evidence by the fact the room was still blanketed in a gray darkness. She let out a groan and turned her body, desperate to fall back asleep and descend back into her warm covers.

"Cassie," came a slight whisper.

Another groan sounded from her mouth before she felt tiny kisses up and down her neck that tickled her skin. Soon enough, fingers tickled her sides, and she let out tiny giggles before finally sitting up. Marc was kneeling on the bed, staring at her.

"Merry Christmas," he said, leaning forward and kissing her.

She smiled against his lips and moved her head away. "What time is it?" she asked, letting out a large yawn.

"Six thirty. Sorry, I know it's early, but the little one has called me three times already to ask when we're opening presents," Marc stated. "Cherie and Francesco should already be up."

"I should have guessed," Cassie mumbled, stretching her arms as she got out of bed. She slid her slippers on and headed down the hall, finding Elijah sitting on top of the stairs swinging his legs back and forth. He turned toward her, his eyes gleaming with joy. Cassie forgot how much she had enjoyed Christmastime at his age.

"Mommy! It's Christmas!" he shouted excitedly.

She chuckled. "I know, bud. Let's go check downstairs to see if Santa left you any presents."

He nodded his head, rushing down the steps. His tiny thuds echoed so loudly that she was sure he was would wake the rest. Cassie followed him down to where the sparkling tree sat in the corner of the living room. Francesco was napping on a couch with a newspaper splayed across his chest while Cherie moved around the kitchen.

"Merry Christmas!" Elijah shouted at a sleeping Francesco.

"Let him rest," Marc hushed. "Cherie said he hasn't been feeling well."

Elijah pouted, his grin returning as he noticed the pile of presents sitting under the tree. He dove onto his knees and reached forward, quickly scanning for the presents that had his name on it. Cassie took a seat on the couch and let out a yawn as Marc brought her a cup of hot chocolate from the kitchen. She grinned as Elijah opened a few presents full of toys; the others were clothes that he tossed aside.

He was reaching the end of his gifts when Cassie turned her head at the sound of footsteps. Irene had emerged from her room, looking like she hadn't slept much. She scooted toward the others, her eyes gazing on her son opening his presents.

"I-I didn't know if you wanted me to wake you," Cassie stated, feeling a bit guilty for not notifying Irene that her son was opening gifts.

"Oh, it's okay. Kudos to you for getting up so early," Irene grumbled, taking a seat on the carpet next to her son. She tapped on his shoulder, asking what he had gotten for Christmas. He immediately began to show her each and every item before running over to Marc to ask him to play.

"Why don't you ask Irene?" Marc suggested, an attempt to make the blonde feel like she was slightly a part of her son's life.

"I want to play with you!" he argued.

Cassie quietly sipped her cocoa, trying not to notice the disappointment on Irene's face, though she hid it well. Irene, instead, tidied up the room, throwing away wrapping paper and neatly organizing the rest of her son's toys.

"Merry Christmas," Cassie said quietly.

"Oh, merry Christmas," Irene replied. "I think I'll go make myself some breakfast."