Fox 28

At the window I sat gazing out into the vast landscape that surrounded Levi's childhood home and at that moment I couldn't help but think of my own parents. They had yet to try and contact me and for a minute I wondered if they ever made it back home. They were probably in town still, at their apartment.

I didn't necessarily miss either of them as much as I missed my home. The snow covered Winter Wonderland that was my home was always my favorite part of the holidays. Once I changed my whole outlook on the snowy wonderland had changed. For hours I could sit out in the forest and just feel alive.

It made my life back home make more sense. I had always felt safer in the woods, even when my adoptive mother warned me that I could be eaten by something in there I always felt better there. It was my safe haven.

Thinking about my past had me stuck in my feelings as I thought about how quickly things have moved since meeting Levi and Alistair. It seemed as if I was just going through the motions, trying to escape my own life until I met them.

Then like magic life seemed to finally start up for me. I hadn't even realized when my depression left, maybe when I first met Alistair or maybe when Levi defended the both of us. Who knows? Whenever it was I was happy for it.

They meant more to me than anything else in my life and that kind of scared me. Nothing was guaranteed especially with everything that was happening to us. What if something happened to them? What if they got sick of the drama I was clearly dragging around with me? What if they got sick of me?

"We're headed into town to meet up with Jason and Asher, you're coming right?" Alistair questioned as he walked into the room, breaking me from my destructive train of thought.

"Of course." I answered without looking away from the sun drenched landscape. "What happened to Tommy? Is he not gonna be there?"

"I think he had to run some errands but I think he'll show up eventually."

"No worries." I responded. It would be the perfect time to pick up some gifts for everyone and one for Levi's family since they were housing all of us without asking for anything. It had been a few days since we came back to the house after spending the night at the hotel and Levi was right in thinking that he would be grounded for the rest of the trip. His parents weren't happy with him but because he was on vacation they had finally let up today, allowing us to make our great escape.

Merula and Cano had been surprisingly relaxed for magical outlaws. They kept to themselves and only joined us for meals. Any other time they were up their room or out, flittering from place to place so that they weren't tracked to just one location.

Tommy, Asher, and Jason had kept in contact with us but otherwise we hadn't seen them. I wasn't the only one who had noticed that something felt off the day after we had been together. The three of us just had the feeling of going back to them. It wasn't a feeling that couldn't be ignored but it was a strange feeling to have.

We had clearly formed some sort of attraction to them that was more than physical but it didn't seem like anything serious. I'm sure Levi planned on finding out the extent of our connection while we were out today. He was the most brazen out of all of us and he had been talking about it since yesterday.

Once we were all dressed and ready Levi's father offered to drive us into town and since we couldn't use magic to get there. It wasn't that long of a ride and the scenery made it even more serene as we drove on. The car was filled with light chatter and plenty of questions thrown my way as I was the newcomer.

"So how long have you three known each other?"

"Since the beginning of the school year." I answered without thinking, it was technically true.

"And you're already a couple, trouple? Is that a thing Levi?" He questioned in concern. It was clear that he was beginning to panic a bit.

"I don't think so dad." Levi sighed for the millionth time while Alistair and I stifled our giggles.

"My question is don't you think you three are moving a little fast?"

The question sort of startled me.

I could understand his concern and under normal circumstances I would agree with him but this was different. This was another level of connection, one that transcended time. It didn't matter how long we knew each other the connection was instantaneous and steadily growing. As with any type of relationship we had to work at it but we just knew that we were meant to be together, in one way or another. I loved them enough to keep them in my lives for forever and a day.

"We understand the concern but we are very certain of our feelings for each other. We're still young and figuring everything out but we are certain that we are met to be in each other's lives." Alistair replied for the three of us and he put it perfectly.

"Whether it's as friends or more we're happy to be together dad." Levi smiled.

"Alright. I guess I can accept that." His father sighed. I could understand his concern for his son and I respected that. He simply wanted what was best for his son and that was admirable.

The rest of the trip was filled with light conversation and random chatter. We finally made our way into town where Levi's dad dropped us off before pulling back off asking us if we also needed a ride home. Levi assured him that we would find a way back and not to worry.

"So where are we meeting up with everyone?" I questioned.

"Well here seems as good a place as any." Jason voice startled me and I turned around to see Jason and Asher standing there, bright smiles on their faces. Jason opened his arms and without thought I walked into them wrapping my own arms around him as he wrapped his around me.

He released me and waited for the other two to give him hugs before we were able to start our adventure. Asher had his hands tucked in his pockets as he watched with a smirk the way his familiar was acting with us.

"You guys are cute." He laughed.

"If you want a hug all you have to do is say something." Levi teased.

"I'm not Tommy pup, I have self control." He smirked before leaning closer to Levi, who's cheeks immediately went crimson. "I wanted a much better greeting than a hug."

Oh.

"Oh...Um...Well." Levi stuttered. It was always entertaining watching Levi get flustered since in our trio he was the one always doing that to us.

"Asher don't scare them." Jason chided.

"I'm just telling them the truth. I'm sure they can feel the connection forming inside them as well. It's only going to get stronger." He explained with a shrug before throwing an arm around Jason's shoulder and turning him towards the shops that were closest to us.

We walked behind them into the nearest shop. It was a cute little boutique that had a bit of everything but was mostly clothing. We browsed there a little bit, Jason buying a handful of things that he thought were cute before we moved on to the next shop.

Our little group wandered in and out of several shops, each one of us grabbed up something or the other to buy. With the way Jason was clutching the bags to his chest I assumed that some of those bags contained gifts for us.

"Jason, no one is going to look in those bags. You can relax a little." Alistair giggled.

"No. None of you can be trusted." He snapped.

"How about me babe? Can I have a peek?" Tommy's voice sounded from behind us.

"No! Get away from me! This is not going to be like last year!" Jason shouted as he sprinted away from Tommy who chased him down the sidewalk. It was entertaining watching them run around as all the other people on the streets watched them in sheer confusion. It was a nice change of pace from the chaos that had become our lives lately.

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"So Christmas Eve around here we have a few traditions. First of all we watch the Nightmare Before Christmas, which was Levi's favorite Christmas movie when he was younger." Betty explained.

"Really Levi?" I teased.

"It had Christmas in the title." He laughed.

"Then we are allowed to open one gift each while we sip hot cocoa." She smiled.

"That sounds amazing." I grinned, happy that I was sharing my first Christmas with an actual family.

"Great! So let's start this movie. Cano and Merula you two can take the love seat since you two like to cuddle." She winked at them and while Cano blushed and turned his head away from her Merula winked saucily at her. "Boys you can take the couch in the center and we'll take the other love seat on this side."

"I call middle!" Alistair shouted as he launched himself at the couch. We laughed and then sat down after him, getting comfortable, grabbing the blanket that laid across the back to drape over us. Betty put the movie in and turned the lights out as everyone sat back to watch the movie.

My eyes were focused on the screen but my mind was elsewhere. After our outing I had managed to find a gift for everyone that I wanted to get a gift for. But it wasn't enough in my opinion. My boys deserved more than that. If it wasn't for them then I would never have been as happy as I am right now.

They found me and took a chance on me and although we're fighting against magical beings that were much older than us and had more experience then us I had never been more happy. I found my real parents and I was now apart of something so much greater than I had thought possible. They've defended me against every possible thing that has come up to discourage me.

My mind was made up days ago but it was cemented in my mind with all the little things that they had done for me. The sly smiles, the cute winks, the light kisses and even the hot and heavy kisses.  Everything compounded together to remind me of how they felt for me and I realized how I felt about them.

I was falling deeply and fully in love with them.

I just hope that they felt the same for me, one day. It was clear that we had a lot of physical attraction for one another but we hadn't really talked about our feelings in depth. Then everything just sort of happened back to back after finding my parents and now we're here at this point.

"I just love that movie." Levi sighed as he stood up and stretched his entire body, bending backwards causing his shirt to ride up and give me a much desired peek at his abs.

"Well time for the gifts!" Betty shouted as she twirled away to the tree where all the wrapped up gifts laid. Watching her was amusing as she transformed into a little kid in a candy store, sorting through the gifts and separating hers from everyone else's. Once she was done she sat on the floor, legs crossed, and looking up at us expectantly. "Hurry up..."

"I don't know if you can tell but mom loves Christmas." Levi chuckled.

"I separated everyone's gifts!" She cheered as we all got closer. Looking around her I was actually shocked to see as many gifts as I did there. There were six small piles of gifts and Levi's mother sat in front of one but petted the floor next to her as she stared past me at someone. I was expecting Levi's father to go sit next to her but mom giggled and bounced over to where Betty was sitting and sat down beside her.

"Really? Gifts for me too?" She questioned surprised.

"Well of course. I like you guys and Christmas just so happens to be my favorite holiday ever. So I figured why not!"

"T-Thank you." Mom's voice was quiet and a little fragile. She looked up at Dad who instantly swooped down and sat beside her, wrapping one of his arms around her pulling her into his side. Levi moved around the gifts so that Cano's were in front of him as Merula who was trying to keep it together.

It was understandable. She had been on the run for quite some time with only Cano as her really source of trust. She had no one else to confide in or befriend in the magical world besides the one or two people that still had her trust. Betty just seemed so genuinely happy to give her gifts and just interact with her.

"So clearly I'm going first." Betty announced after everyone was seated near their respective piles. Everyone laughed at her excited behavior. She picked up each present and lightly shook each one before settling on a beautifully wrapped one. With curiosity dancing in her eyes she quickly shredded the paper surrounding the white box. Without hesitation she opened it up and simply stared at was in the box.

"What is it mom?" Levi questioned.

"It's a pair of earrings." She replied in awe as she turned the box around to face us. "They look real but they almost look unreal."

The feathers looked strikingly familiar as I stared at them. In an instant it hit me. Looking up at Merula and Cano I wasn't shocked to find the slight smile on both of their lips. It was one of their feathers from when they shifted into the bird. Betty looked up and tried to catch our eyes to find out who gave it to her.

"They're from you guys?" She questioned. "I didn't think you got any of us gifts."

"Well they were so pretty that I couldn't resist." Mom gushed.

'What's with the feathers?' I questioned.

'They're charmed. We didn't want anything happening to Levi's family. They don't have to be worn all the time but just having them in the house will allow the magic to protect them from other supernatural creatures.' Dad explained.

"That's really thoughtful." Betty sniffled before showing them off to her husband who smiled down at his happy wife.

'Yeah that was really thoughtful. Thank you so much.' Levi thanked them.

"No problem." Merula cooed and that was meant for the both of them.

"Well then I guess it's my turn to open up a gift." Levi's dad announced as he reached for a larger box. We all chuckled knowing that he was going to choose that one simply based on it's size alone. Without any care he ripped the paper from around it before shouting in excitement.

"I remember you talking about it on the way to the mall today and I thought it would be a good gift." I blushed.

"You don't know what you've started." Betty chuckled as her husband kicked the wrapping paper away and practically ran off to the kitchen. "Don't start messing up stuff!" She called after him.

One by one we opened our gifts, mom almost cried when she saw the gift that Levi's parents got them. There were two black woven bracelets with a singular gold band wrapped around them; one said 'His' and the other says 'Hers'.

"I love it so much!" Mom squealed before she turned to Dad. "Put it on now Cano."

"Right away love..." He chuckled before slipping it onto his wrist. She squealed as she tightened hers around her wrist.

Alistair opened the gifts that I got him. I convinced Asher to use his magic to transport him and I to another store that carried what I was looking for. Sitting before him were two plush foxes; one orange and one black.

"Oh my gosh! They're so soft!" He shouted.

"Calm down Aly." Levi laughed as took the black one in his arms and gave it a squeeze with wide eyes.

"Shush and open your gift." I laughed.

He snatched up the box that I pointed to and unwrapped it. Lying before him was the black, Batman Letterman jacket with gold accents that I had picked up for him. His reaction to it was similar to his father's as he jumped up in excitement and immediately tried it on. As he modeled it for us I picked up one of the boxes from my pile that just called to me.

"That's from your father and I." My mom announced over Levi's joy.

It was a smaller box and I wondered exactly what it could be. I shook the box a little but couldn't figure it out simply from that. After I tore the paper I carefully opened the box and was a little misty eyed at what was resting inside. Levi and Alistair noticed the change in my attitude and leaned over to see what was there.

Younger versions of my parents smiling down at a tiny bundled up baby, who I assumed was me, stared back at me in the form of a beautifully framed picture. They were so happy in the picture as they looked down at me with all the love in the world. My bright gold eyes were barely opened as I looked up at the two of them.

'My eyes were gold when I was little?' I questioned my dad over the link we shared.

'Of course. We had to charm you to make sure you stayed normal. It clearly didn't work out too well.'

"I love it." I smiled as I looked up at the two of my parents. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome darling." My mom smiled back at me.

I'm sure Betty didn't quite understand the depth of the gift that I had been given but she didn't question it as she sat there and smiled at us. After a while we heard of series of crashes coming from the kitchen. She huffed and excused herself to go round up her husband.

"Everyone is free to spend the rest of their evening as they please. We'll see everyone in the morning." She waved before leaving the room. Mom and Dad got up and excused themselves from the room as well. I doubted that once they made it to their room here that they would stay in the house.

"Come on. I have another gift for you guys." I whispered so that no one else could hear. We gathered the gifts we opened and went upstairs to Levi's room. My palms were sweating and my nerves were shot as we climbed them stairs up to Levi's room. Once inside I asked Alistair if it was possible for him to put a sort of soundproofing on the room. He nodded his head, chanted a few words and then nodded his head.

"Did you have something you wanted to talk about?" Levi questioned as the both of them stood before me.

"Well, yeah. Sort of." I sighed. "But first...um...I'm going to get ready for bed. We should all get ready for bed and then we can talk once we're all comfortable."

They both shrugged their shoulders and with that we all set about getting ready for the night. I snatched up a regular shirt and shorts and ran to the bathroom. I took time in showering knowing exactly what it was that would be happening tonight. I was nervous but completely excited at the same time.

My palms were sweating and my nerves were shot as I waited for each of them to finish showering and getting ready for the night. Once we were all back inside I asked Alistair if it was possible for him to put a sort of soundproofing on the room. He nodded his head, chanted a few words and then nodded his head that it was done.

"W-What's wrong Tae?" Alistair questioned nervously. I couldn't look them in the eyes otherwise I wouldn't be able to get out what I wanted to say. Looking down at the ground I took a deep breath and began to speak. Hopefully this turned out like I wanted.

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What's about to happen?? Can you guess?? I'm excited! Keep an eye out for the next chapter...

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