Chapter 57 WISH
Eli's POV
I woke up to complete silence.
Thankfully, not the empty kind. This was the soft, expensive quiet that only existed inside places meant to move without being felt. The hum beneath the floor, low and steady, wrapped around me like white noise. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. My eyes traced the ceiling first: sleek panels, recessed lights glowing faintly like stars that didn’t dare shine too bright.
The jet.
Right. Julian’s jet.
Vacation is over? When?!!
I shifted, and the movement made me aware of warmth under me. Solid. Breathing. An arm firm around my waist, anchoring me before my mind could panic. Anton.
I was sitting on his lap, my back against his chest, my cheek pressed into the soft fabric of his shirt. One of his legs stretched out across the leather seat, relaxed like this was the most natural thing in the world. I froze for half a second, then realized he was asleep too; head tilted back, mouth slightly open, one hand resting at my hip like it had always belonged there.
I swallowed.
This was the first time I was really seeing the jet. Because I was asleep and got carried into it when we were going on the vacation, and also this time too.
The cabin was wide, impossibly wide. Cream leather seats curved like they were designed for lounging, not sitting. A glass table gleamed softly across from us, untouched drinks strapped into place. Along one wall, a bar that looked better stocked than most high-end lounges caught the light. Past that, a hallway led somewhere deeper; bedroom, bathroom, places I probably didn’t even want to imagine the price of.
It didn’t feel like transportation.
It felt like a floating apartment.
Julian sat across from us, legs crossed, jacket off, sleeves rolled just enough to look deliberate. He was reading something on his tablet, expression calm, sharp, unreadable. When he noticed me stirring, his eyes lifted immediately.
“You’re awake,” he said.
I nodded, suddenly aware of how small I probably looked curled up on Anton like this. “Yeah. I think… I slept through the whole takeoff.”
Anton hummed behind me, stirring. “You slept through landing too,” he added lazily, voice rough with sleep. His arm tightened for a second, then loosened as if he realized what he was doing. “Didn’t want to wake you.”
I didn’t move.
I wasn’t ready to untangle myself from Anton yet.
Anton eventually stretched and let me slide off his lap without comment. Julian poured me water himself; no attendant, no ceremony.
We just sat there for a while before Julian led us out, and into the waiting car.
And soon enough, we were Home.
I didn’t know what I expected to feel. Relief, maybe. Or disappointment. Because I really wanted to stay on the island much longer…
The house greeted us with warmth. Literal warmth; lights already on, the air perfectly balanced. I slipped my shoes off automatically, still half-dreaming, following them inside.
And then I saw it.
I stopped dead.
Right there in the living room.
A Christmas tree!!
Not small. Not subtle. Tall enough that I had to tilt my head back to see the star perched at the top. The branches were full and real, deep green, decorated with soft white lights and ornaments in gold and red. Ribbons wove through the branches like careful hands had taken their time. The glow filled the room, warm and steady, like it had always belonged there.
I forgot how to breathe for a moment.
This is massive!!
I walked toward it slowly, like it might disappear if I moved too fast. My fingers brushed one of the ornaments, a simple glass sphere, and it chimed softly. I laughed under my breath, a sound I didn’t even recognize as mine.
“You actually did it,” I whispered.
Julian stood a few steps behind me. “You asked for it.”
I turned to look at him, then back at the tree. “I didn’t think you’d take it seriously.”
Anton leaned against the wall, watching me with something soft in his eyes. “He had people working on it the moment you asked for it.”
I circled the tree, touching everything. The lights. The ribbon. The star. My chest felt too tight, like something was swelling there without permission.
“It’s perfect,” I said. “I’ve never— I mean, I’ve seen them. Everywhere. Just never… mine.”
Julian stepped closer. “Make a wish.”
I blinked. “Right now?”
“That’s how it works,” Anton said. “Apparently.”
I smiled, then hesitated. “I want two wishes but only have one in mind right now.”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “Then make one now and another later.”
I closed my eyes. Just for a second. Let the glow of the lights sink into me. “Okay. First wish…”
I opened my eyes again, grinning. “Christmas costumes.”
Anton lit up instantly. “Oh?”
“For all three of us,” I added quickly. “Santa for you,”—I pointed at Julian—“and you,”—Anton—“and maybe… something fun for me.”
Julian frowned slightly. “Fun?”
I shrugged, cheeks heating. “Like… a naughty boy...”
There's a long silence.
Julian stared at me like I’d spoken a foreign language.
Anton, on the other hand, laughed—a low, delighted sound. “Oh, I know exactly what he means.”
Julian turned to him slowly. “You do?”
“Very much so.”
I tried not to laugh. Tried and failed.
Anton was already grabbing his keys. “Come on,” he said to me, eyes sparkling. “We’re going shopping.”
Julian sighed. “I have work.”
Anton smirked. “You always do.”
Julian looked at me. “Go,” he said. “We’ll finish this when you get back.”
I nodded, heart light, and followed Anton out the door.
The drive was quiet in the best way. Music low. City lights blurring past the windows. Anton glanced at me occasionally, smiling like he’d won something without even trying.
I pressed my forehead to the glass, watching the world move, feeling… happy.
I'm actually really really happy.
And that scared me a little.
But I didn’t stop smiling.
The store lights came into view, bright and inviting, and Anton slowed the car.
“Ready?” he asked.
I laughed softly. “I think so.”
The car rolled to a stop.
And for the first time in a long while, I wasn’t thinking about anything else at all.