Embry’s POV)
December 24th. I was practically bouncing off the walls as I animatedly shuffled from foot to foot beside Noah heading outside. The excitement was suffocating, but a good kind of suffocating, one I was happily welcoming. I was stunned to say the least when Noah handed me a dress as I woke up this morning and simply gobsmacked as he explained how I would be able to eat dinner with the family tomorrow for Christmas and how he wanted to bring me out to the swing this morning so I wasn’t too overwhelmed tomorrow.
“Embry baby, slow down or you’re going to hurt yourself” Noah scolded as I tried to contain my enthusiasm, the grass feeling freeing beneath my bare feet. “Good girl” he smirked, entwining his fingers with mine as I gawked around in amazement at nature. Goodness, it has been far too long.
I didn’t have it in me to suppress my squeal as the swing was a mere couple meters from us, it was a hint to Noah to let go of my hand so I could go be a child but clearly he didn’t get it. It would have been stupid to pull my hand from him knowing he might enter one of his little bitch fits and ruin my mood. Standing awkwardly, literally right beside the swing, I gestured to his hand which had mine in an imprisoning grip and over to the swing.
Impatience bubbling within me as he just continued to stare down at me with an amused smile, “Noah, I can’t exactly go on the swing with you holding my hand soooo” I trailed off. His face feigning a concerned look as mischief swirled within the lens of his eye, “and who said you could go on the swing?” My body stilled at his words, all the excitement that had built up within me crashing violently and filling me with disappointment, “w-what?”
“Well, I said we could come out to the swing, not that you could go on it, you do forget you are being punished little bug” he shook his head, the hand of mine he wasn’t holding curling up into a ball as I listed all the reasons why I shouldn’t take a swing at him.
“But” he chirped, looking sneakily over to the house like a child who was about to reveal a big secret, “I see no harm in you going on the swing if you do something for me.” Sighing, I gave him an unimpressed look as to say we both knew how much I loved the swings and the chances were I would do whatever he would ask. “You need to give me a kiss” a lazy smile on his face as I rolled my eyes at his stupidity.
Gosh, what was it I ever saw in this guy? Scoffing in disbelief I stood on my tippy toes, gently pressing my lips against his. My eyes widen as he pulls me tightly into his body, his mouth moving electrically against mine. “Well then, go ahead little bug” he winked, swatting my behind as my breaths came out staggered.
Trying to ignore the previous event, a bubble of happiness expanded in my stomach as I blissfully began swinging back and forth, liking how liberated I felt as the wind swooshed past me. And then that bubble burst as I caught Sebastian’s eye in the window of the house, Noah had looked at the house as he asked me to kiss him, he knew. Dread pooled in my stomach as I witnessed the scowl on his face. He had just seen me kiss his brother, the brother I had cried to him about no more than 24 hours ago.
I hate myself.
“Noah” I whispered, not as elated as I would have liked to be, “I need to pee.” Turning my head to look down at his lying figure, he looked very at peace as he shut his eyes, basking in the serenity of the outdoors. “Well then, I’m trusting you to be able to go into the house to pee and come straight back to me, I need to build up trust with you before tomorrow so lord help me if you try anything” he bit out, the peaceful look surprisingly enough not leaving his face as he sent waves of terror down my spine.
“I’ll be good, you can even time me” I suggest, eager for him not to be annoyed or upset with me, it was such a mood dampener when he was. A sense of relief surging through my veins as a goofy grin placed itself on his face, “you’re such a child, go pee” he peeked at me through half open eyes as I ran towards the house.
“And don’t fall” I could hear his concerned voice echo behind me as I pulled open the back door. Having a bladder was such an inconvenience. I mean why can’t I just be one of those people who only need to pee like twice a day it would ma- Sharply intaking air, my heart was caught in my throat as I felt my back slam against the wall.
“Well, well, well princess” Sebastian’s smirking face sitting right in front of mine, “Jesus, you scared the crap out of me” I scolded, my hand clutching my chest. Goosebumps rising on my skin as his fingers lightly traced my shoulder, pulling at the strap of my dress. “I bet this would be really easy to tear off of you” his breath hit my ear, as I shivered under his piercing gaze.
“You know, I saw Noah out there with his little marking of his territory, if only he knew just how close we really have been, how I had been your first” his voice was husky. I swallowed deeply at both our very close position and the panic that lit up inside of me at Noah ever knowing Sebastian had been my first.
“Don’t panic princess, I don’t have a death wish anymore and I don’t plan on him ever finding out, but I do plan on making love to you again soon” I was breathless as he trapped me between his body and the wall, his right hand resting teasingly on my hips as his nose trailed ever so slowly down my neck. A constant fear nagging at me, telling me Noah could come in any moment and catch us.
“S-Sebastian, I-” feeling flustered I kept tripping over my words. I really hated when he did that. “My, my, aren’t we both feeling risky today” quickly shoving Sebastian from me, my guilty face met James. A knowing smirk plastered on his face, “there never is a dull moment with you in the house Embry, good to have you back.”
My lungs were squeezing painfully in my chest, my mouth dry as I prayed he wouldn’t tell Noah about anything he had just seen. Worst of all, I still needed to pee. “I-I should go, sorry” I all but ran out of the hallway, making my way to the bathroom and hoping that I could make it back to Noah without bumping into anymore of this family.
One thing I’ve learnt in this house is that no matter how hard I pray, it never seems to save me.
December 25th
“Embry baby wake up” the nagging voice said as I swatted it away from me. Why can’t I just sleep, just let me sleep. “Embry, come onnn” the voice whined, pulling the blanket off of me. “It’s Christmas and I already let you sleep until ten,” opening my eyes just enough to send a glare Noah’s way, I pulled the pillow over my head.
“Too early” I groaned, desperate to find the comfort that Noah robbed from me. “You need to shower and get dressed so we can do presents and then have dinner” his thumb stroked my cheek, letting out a tired sigh, I sat up disorientated. “Fine” I grumbled, making my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth and shower. Ignoring his laughter which reverberated around the room in my sleepy state, I slumped against the door, still tired. I hated waking up early.
After some time and excessive yawning I found myself dressed and waiting by the door for Noah, no longer as cranky as I had been. “Happy Christmas beautiful, I want you to be good okay” he sent a warning look my way before planting a kiss on my forehead. “You make it sound like I’m some undisciplined child with no manners about to enter the mall” I frown as he raises his eyebrows, “well” he tilts his head as if to say you are.
“You’re such a bully” I sulk, following him down into the sitting room, “awh I’m just teasing my dear wife” he laughs, holding me by the hips as we come to a stop in the vibrantly decorated room. My heart speeding up as I looked at the others residing in the room, Evelyn, James and Sebastian.
I was nervous Evelyn would be disappointed in me for getting so far in escaping and failing miserably, and also the part where she might hate me for killing somebody. Something I’ve been working on blocking from my memory, if only the nightmares would stop. “Embry dear, I missed you so much” she beamed, jumping up to pull me into a hug. I could feel myself melt into her motherly embrace, “I missed you too” I whispered. I guess she wasn’t too disappointed or mad at me.
“Time for presents!” She clapped, stepping away from me as Noah guided me onto the couch. I did my best to avoid eye contact with Sebastian, knowing it would bring nothing but trouble but that didn’t stop the burning feel of his stare on my skin. I was on the end of the couch with Noah beside me, on the opposite couch was James and Sebastian, Evelyn standing in front of the brightly lit Christmas tree organising all the gifts into piles.
A ball of nerves sat heavy in my stomach as I gnawed on the inside of my cheek. The tension heavy in the room as Noah’s arm wrapped around my body, his hand caressing my side with Sebastian’s glare focused on his brother. By James smirk back and forth between his two sons it was clear he was enjoying the show and Evelyn, well she was just happy to be here. Me, not so much.
“Okay okay, Noah and Embry open your presents first” she squealed, taking a seat beside her husband. I could feel my cheeks heat at the sudden attention. I hadn’t really been expecting any presents, it just wasn’t something that had crossed my mind and I couldn’t imagine any of these people going out and shopping for presents like dignified people. They were far too off for that.
“I have my gifts for you upstairs” Noah leaned over to whisper, signaling for me to open my gifts as I had been too absorbed in my thoughts to realise he had opened his. Gulping, I took the three presents that laid in front of me and began peeling off the wrapping paper to the flat box, my lips lifting into a smile as it opened to reveal Monopoly. Sebastian. “Thank you” I smiled in his direction, placing it to the side.
I could hear Noah scoff beside me and mutter about how much of a stupid present it was. I was just glad he was unaware it was Sebastian’s little promise to break into the room and play a game with me soon. Taking the second present, I gently tore open the wrapping paper, a cookbook. “I thought it would be nice to have some company when I get bored and decide to do some baking” Evelyn’s chirpy voice rang out.
“Of course, thank you” I sent a grateful smile her way, moving onto the last present. This one concealed in a box rather than by wrapping paper. Slipping off the lid I could feel my heart sink in my stomach at the set of lingerie. Turning to Noah, I forced out a thank you, my body freezing as I met his furious eyes.
I guess this wasn’t from him then. Well frick. “Sebastian you little fucking prick how da-” Noah had jumped up ready to stab his brother before James stood up. The smile on his face sent me spiraling into a violent panic. “Now, now Noah, that little gift is from me” the box shook in my hands as I stared wide-eyed at the scene in front of me.
Noah’s body relaxed as if his father buying his wife lingerie was any better. “Considering you two didn’t properly get to have a honeymoon, I assumed you would be going on one soon” he explained, his attention turning full to me.
A nauseous feeling bubbling within me at the unknown look in his eyes, “I also think it would be interesting to see which one of you she will wear it for.” Everything seemed to be going in slow motion as James’ eyes stayed trained on me and by the desperate look in Sebastian’s eyes as he turned towards me I already knew what was about to happen, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.
“My moneys on Sebastian, seeing how he was the one who took her virginity”