She had seen him play around with wood, metal, cogs, and miniature engines taken from toy cars, but she’d never thought he could make something so amazing. In her defense, Nick was usually very protective of his projects. He didn’t like it when someone hung around and looked over his shoulder while he worked.
“Son, this is amazing. Thank you,”
said Max.
His father’s voice made Nick tense, but when Max scratched his ear, he relaxed. All was well. He could shift now.
“What did you get?”
Avelyn pulled Max down, and they both sat in front of the fire while, behind them, bones snapped and cracked as the three wolf pups shifted.
“A compass.”
It was rather big, made of wood, and exquisitely carved and decorated. It wasn’t made to be used, but placed somewhere nice and looked upon. Max had every intention to place it somewhere in the living room, the perfect spot from where anyone visiting could see it.
“I’m sorry I didn’t make you anything,” whispered Jacob.
He’d found some of his old clothes in a drawer and put them on. Both the pants and the T-shirt were too small now, but at least he was dressed.
“Oh, baby, come here. Your gift was amazing. See?”
Avelyn pulled him in her arms and wrapped the scarf around the both of them.
“Your father and I love the scarves! We love all of your gifts. It doesn’t matter whether you bought them, or made them.”
“Yes,” Max agreed. “You know we treasure all your presents. Forever.”
“Especially that permission slip,” Avelyn chuckled wickedly. “We’re thinking of framing it.”
Nick and Luke had also found clothes which were way too small for them. They came to join their parents and brother by the fire.
“Sorry,” said Nick. “We just thought it wouldn’t be as fun to give you your presents three days after Christmas.”
“You could have given them to us this morning, before we left,” said Max.
Luke blushed. “It’s my fault. I wasn’t done painting the sky on mom’s present. I needed more time, and then a few more hours for the painting to dry.”
Max and Avelyn burst out in laughter. Of course. Leave it to Lucas to be the perfectionist. Unfortunately, the combination between perfectionism and his artistic endeavors would probably end up sabotaging him instead of helping him. But that was a discussion for another time.
For long minutes, the Blackmane family just sat in front of the fire, stared into its cheerful flames, and contemplated how happy and fulfilled they felt. Yes, Avelyn and Max had hoped to have some peace and quiet for Christmas, but if they were to be really honest with themselves, this was better. The few hours they’d had were enough.
“Did you guys like your presents?” asked Max.
“Oh, yes!” the boys jumped in excitement.
They started talking all at once, bragging about their toys, video games, Lego, books, and various art supplies.
“Aunt Josie bought me a new coloring book,” chirped Luke. “Thank you for the Sakura Gelly Rolls, mom!”
“And thanks for the astronomy book, dad,” said Jake.
While Nick and Luke were craftier and more artistically inclined, Jake was into astronomy, mathematics, and all those complicated subjects neither Max, nor Avelyn could quite wrap their mind around. When it came to making something with his own hands, little Jake was clumsy. But when it came to solving complex equations and debating various theories, he turned into a tiny genius. His parents didn’t understand him half of the time, but it was okay. He was just different. In the best way possible.
“You know,” whispered Nick, “we can go back to the Schloss. We were headed that way when you came.”
“Yes, mom,” Luke agreed. “We only wanted to bring you your Christmas presents, that’s all.”
“It’s sad to have a tree, but no presents under it,” said Jake.