Consequences of the Heart

Chapter 34

Quinn's POV

Brenton and I pull out of the kiss when Brenton looks down and notices the book tightly in my grasp. "What is that?" He asks slowly taking the book out of my hand. "Peter and Wendy, by J.M. Barrie." Brenton reads the title out loud before looking at me. "It was a Christmas present." I say taking the book from him and placing it on the end table next to Christmas tree.

"Did Santa Clause give it to you?" Brenton asks in a joking tone of voice when I turn around to face him. "No that was not one of my gifts from Santa. If you must know Nick gave it to me." The moment those words leave my mouth I see Brenton's face change as frown lines appear. "Nick gave you a dusty old book for Christmas?" Brenton asks trying to over up the jealously in voice with amusement, but of course I saw right through it.

"It has special meaning behind it." I say tucking a strain of my hair behind my ear. "What do you mean by special meaning?" Brenton asks and I can hear that acid tone in his voice which means he is getting upset. "Once when we hanging out I mentioned how it was one of my favorite stories." I sort of lie because I know if Brenton knew the truth then all hell would break loose and I am not going to be the one who ruins Christmas.

"We can talk about this later, right now it is time for dinner." I grab Brenton's hand and lead him out of the living room and into the kitchen to see a something straight out of a magazine. A perfectly baked and juicy looking ham in the middle of the table, stuffing, bowl of mashed potatoes filled to the very top, Etta's meatballs that she makes every year from scratch, Christmas looking basket filled with buttery rolls, and that is just one half of the table. 

"Grandma this look beautiful." I walk over to Etta giving her a kiss on her cheek, "Well is anyone going to sit down or are all of you just going to stand there and drool over the food?" Etta asked with a laugh as all of us take a seat at the table, and I just happened to be seated between Brenton and Nick. "Before we all eat, I would like to give thanks." My dad looking at everyone gathered around the table.

"First off I have to give thanks to my mom who not only prepared this mouthwatering food but is also a blessing to everyone in her life, I give thanks to my brother along with my brother in law who are here to help us celebrate today, I give thanks to my kids who I couldn't be more proud of, I give thanks to all family and friends that couldn't be here today, and I give thanks to all those that we have lost along the way who are partying hard today in heaven." I smile over at my dad with tears in my eyes and runs my fingers lightly over the necklace around my neck thinking about my mom.

"Well put brother." Uncle Caspian says lightly hitting my dad on his back. "Let us eat." Etta says and no one wastes time digging into the food.

After dinner everyone slowly gathers in the living room laughing and telling stories when Etta brings out the desserts. Homemade pumpkin pie, homemade apple pie, homemade banana cream pie, the tray of fudge that I help make, plate full of Christmas cut out cookies, and Uncle Caspian brings out his mocha yule log.

"Remind me to pace myself next year." Brenton says looking up at him since his head in my lap, "Jared says that every year but never follows through with it." I laugh leaning down and placing a kiss on Brenton's lips. "I would like to thank everyone for a Christmas that I personally will never forget, but it is getting late and I should be heading home." Nick says standing up from the chair he was sitting in. 

"You are more than welcome young man and give our best to your family." Etta says with a sweet and genuine smile on her face which is a smile that Nick returns to her. "Of course." Nick grabs his leather jacket and heads for the front door. "I'll walk you out." I say lifting Brenton's head off my lap and head for the front door.

I step outside with Nick making sure to close the door behind me. "You really surprised me tonight Nick." I say as the two of us lock eyes. "Why is that?" He asks with a mischievous grin on hips lips. "I guess I was just expecting the arrogant rebel tonight." Nick steps closer to me and runs his finger along my cheek which gets a reaction from me.

"You told me that if I ruined today that I would lose you and having you in my life in any way is better than not having you in it at all." Being with Nick reminds me of walking a tightrope where the thrill of danger is exhilarating but yet one wrong step could be a disaster. 

"Mistletoe." Nick said inclining his head upward and when I look up I see mistletoe hanging above the door. "Wouldn't want to break a Christmas law." Nick smirks at me getting me to roll my eyes slightly. "Christmas law?" I ask but instead of answering me Nick just shrugs his shoulders. "Merry Christmas Nick." I whisper feeling myself leaning into him.

"Merry Christmas my little dove." Nick whispers back leaning into me as our lips meet in the middle in a tender but passionate kiss. I feel like the world is melting around Nick and I but I quickly bring myself back to reality and pull out of the kiss.

"I guess its back to Neverland." Nick light heartedly jokes and gives me a small kiss on the forehead before walking off to his car.

I stand there for a second watching Nick leave and then I am snapped out of my daze by the sound of the front door opening. "Buttercup?" I turn to see my Uncle Evan standing there with a puzzled look on his face, and he opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off before he can say anything.

"I don't want to talk about it." I say with my voice breaking a little before walking into the house determined to put Nick out of my mind and enjoy the rest of my night.