Holiday Shopping with Hue
“What about that one?” Hue pointed at a linen shirt with large billowy sleeves.
“My dad would totally never dress like a pirate. He lives in the Human realm with companies like Gap and Brooks Brothers,” I informed him.
“I’ve seen Humans in this realm dressed like this.”
“Yes – actors, history peeps, restaurant workers, and costumed weekenders. My dad isn’t any of those things.”
Hue huffed a big sigh. “Well I think they look nice,” he mumbled under his breath. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Hue clicked on another Amazon listing. Up popped a pair of knee high riding boots. “What about these?” Hue asked.
“Really?” My tone was far flatter than I had planned it to be. He offered me a shrug. “Are these things YOU want or things you think my father would like?”
He thought about it for a moment. “I think they are good presents for any man, but yes, I do like them.”
I smiled. “Ok, well then we are getting somewhere. I was thinking of ordering a cheesecake for my dad this Christmas.”
“You mean for Yule,” he corrected.
“No, I mean Christmas.”
“But you’re a Dragon, Dragons celebrate Yule.” There was a sudden flare of panic shooting through him. He looked at me like he was afraid I would run away and never come back. I grabbed his hand and gave it a loving squeeze.
“I grew up in the Human realm, attended church, and celebrated Christmas. This doesn’t mean I won’t celebrate Yule. What if we celebrate both?” I reached for anything that would calm him down.
“You’re right, we should observe both since both are a part of you.” He paused for a moment to consider his words carefully. “Sometimes I get these irrational fears about you like you will one day decide you don’t want to be a Dragon or an Elf anymore and will just turn your back on all of it.”
It made sense. I cupped his cheek with my hand. “Hue, you and I share something greater than our heritage. I can’t just walk away. Yes, this year will be complicated with the whole Ian’s family thing but I’m certainly not giving up on us. Part of why I have agreed to Ian’s family request is because of the proximity of my own family. That, and I want to see Cariss choke on his turkey over dinner.”
He eyed me carefully. “Don’t start another war please.”
“I won’t.” I reached around him and clicked on a dark chocolate peppermint cheesecake. “That’s what I am ordering for my Dad.” Hue turned to look at it. His eyes widened and turned round.
“Can we order six?” he asked softly.
“Why? Dad only needs one. He is already complaining about getting soft around the middle in his old age.”
Hue snorted. “Old age indeed. I have boots older than your Dad. No, I want to send one to my parents and four to the nest for Yule. They look decadent.”
“What if we ordered four different flavors for the nest? That way people could try different things.” He nodded his approval. Half an hour later one cake was on its way to New England, one to Australia, and four (Dark Chocolate Peppermint, Raspberry, Pumpkin, and Pomegranate) were headed for New York where they would then be shipped to the North Pole.
“Let’s order cookies for your mom next.” I laughed and closed the laptop.
“No, I hand make those.”
“Really?!? Are they good? I mean I love and adore Lady Jura, but she can’t cook.” He winced as a memory flitted past.
Trying not to laugh I nodded. “My Human mother is an AMAZING cook. Since she was the one who taught me, you and everyone else will enjoy them and live to see another day.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank the goddess of the hearth.”
