“How did you get inside of me?”
“There are few places I can’t penetrate.”
“What happened?”
“You killed the venom snake and defeated the Sudir.”
“Is he dead?”
“No, it takes a lot to kill one of his kind. Who knows, you may get another chance.”
She groaned, “Don’t do me any favors please.”
Voyager looked at the sword standing at attention in her heart. “Accept your talents, Paige.”
“My talent is a sword?”
“It’s so much more than that.”
“Hmm ok, I accept my talents. She lifted her hand to touch the sword, it swiftly dissolved running through her body. “I feel different.”
“Perfect, now stand.”
She stood focusing on Cal. Tears ran fast as she crossed to him dropping to her knees. Her face went to his chest as she prayed to hear his heartbeat.
“How could this happen?” she sobbed. “We were supposed to live or die together.”
“Then rectify it, Paige. In this place you have power. From now on it will be your training ground. You will come here to find out what you are truly capable of doing.”
She looked at Cal seeing the deadly poison spreading through his body. She created a sieve remembering the one he created for her. This time she electrified her light and quickly burned the poison she was collecting; soon his body was free.
“Live, Cal,” she cried. Not knowing what else to do, she cleared his airway and began chest compressions. She was thankful she knew CPR. The beat of his heart startled her. She jumped back watching as his chest began to rise and fall.
“Paige.”
She turned to look at Voyager.
“Merry Christmas.” He disappeared.
She laid down curling herself around Cal. Sleep slowly stole her thoughts. They slept as their bodies synchronized.
*~*~*~*
“Merry Christmas.”
Cal’s deep voice rolled over her awakening her from sleep.
“It’s Christmas? We made it?”
“We’re alive, Paige, and the venom snake is gone.”
“I killed it.”
“I’m so proud of you, Sunshine.”
She opened one eye to half-mast to find them back in their bodies lying on Cal’s sinfully soft bed. Christmas morning never seemed this great before.
“We’re alive!” she shouted and turned over placing a big kiss on his lips. “I’m not really sure how that happen. This big sword pierced through my heart and Voyager was there. You were dead and the snake was convulsing as it gave a death rattle.”
“Slow down, Paige. I want to hear about everything I missed, but first…” he gave her a sexy grin.
“Let’s open presents!” Vick’s voice filtered through as his small feet stampeded down the stairs.
“We can open presents later.” Cal lips brushed over hers.
There was a loud banging noise on their door. “Get up, little brother. If I don’t get to sleep, no one gets to SLEEP!”
Selma’s husky laugh reached them as she trailed past their door following Victor.
“He knows I don’t want to sleep.” Cal grumbled before he gave Paige a deep kiss. “More, later.”
She got up and pulled on a soft red robe. “I’m ready.”
Cal pulled on a pair of joggers and a tee. Paige licked her lips and briefly threw the bed a look before bringing herself under control. They had all the time in the world, now was about family.
They walked down the stairs to see the tree lit up in all its glory. She never realized how beautiful it truly was. The lights on the tree, the mounds of gifts underneath and the smiling faces. This was the Christmas of her dreams. She raised her hand to wipe an eye and the shine of her ring caught her attention. This was better than any dream she ever dreamed.
Vick and Mckayla crawled under the tree pulling out gifts and reading the names on them.
“This one is for you, Aunt Paige.” Vick handed her a large box, the tag read From: Selma To: Paige.
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to, open it.”
Paige opened it carefully savoring it like the finest chocolate. The beautifully wrapped box was filled with tissue paper. She ripped through the paper like a child needing to know what it hid. Inside was a beautiful ball gown. She lifted it as tears fell; here was her Cinderella gown from all her childhood dreams. It looked like it was hand sewn, made with the finest silk.
“This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. Selma, I can’t accept something this fine.”
“Paige, this dress was made for you.”
“But how, I’ve never seen work this fine or detailed before.”
“It was made for you a long time ago, long before I knew who you were.”