Chapter 35 Family Christmas

Chapter 35 Family Christmas
Aellorah

It was a strange comfort, riding in the car with Max and his friends. Max drove, his hand resting on my knee, as his friends traded jokes and insults in the back seat. My phone was left behind in the dorm; I wouldn’t risk my father or brothers tracking it. When I mentioned the thought to Max, he suggested we buy me a new one, one my family couldn’t trace.

As we drove to the house, I contemplated the idea. Max and I could communicate without worry. I could reach him wherever I was and still take my regular phone to classes. My father would be none the wiser.

When we pulled into the drive, Max gripped my knee and told me not to move. He rounded the car and opened the door for me. A surprised smile spread across my face. All the way up to the door, Max kept his fingers laced between mine, a silent comfort and promise of protection.

The heat was already on in the house, warmth enveloping us as we stepped inside. With a contented sigh, I removed my coat, draping it over the back of one of the stools at the kitchen counter.
“Do you want something to drink, my love?” Max asked, wrapping his arm around my waist.

“Yes, please. Whatever you have.” He returned with two glasses of red wine. “Trying to get me drunk again?” I asked with a teasing smile.

“Just helping you relax,” he answered with a sheepish grin and a shrug. I accepted the glass and sank down onto the couch. The wine was rich and sweet; better than I expected.

“Thank you,” I murmured, resting my head against his shoulder. For a while, we all sat in silence. I sipped my wine in Max’s lap while the guys drank beer.

“So, where is this mysterious present?” I finally asked, setting my wine glass down.

“You stay right here.” A wide grin spread across Max’s face, his green eyes lighting up as he eased me onto the couch and stood. “I’ll be right back.”

My pulse quickened as Max disappeared up the stairs. He returned with a large box, setting it in my lap. It was large, but it wasn’t very heavy. I smiled at him as I lifted it, shaking it gently. Nothing inside rattled, and Max’s smile widened.

Inhaling a nervous breath, I untied the bow and lifted the lid. Parting the tissue paper, my breath caught in my throat. “Max…”

“I called the company, got your measurements and everything,” Max murmured with a smile. The gold and green gems sewn into the tule sparkled at me as I lifted the costume from the box with careful hands.

“I thought maybe you would like to have something special to practice in. Something as beautiful as you…” he whispered, the sweet words making my chest tighten. “Do you want to try it on?” I nodded, clutching the Black Swan tutu close. “Good, I have the perfect place.”

I expected him to take me up to his room, but Max led me to a door in the hallway. He flipped the locks and pulled the door open, leading me out into the garage. Well, it had once been the garage. Now, there were no cars parked inside. Instead, the far wall was lined with mirrors, a barre attached to it, and the floor had been freshly lacquered.

“Oh… Oh, my God. Max…” I breathed.

“Merry Christmas, little mouse.” It wasn’t Max who’d spoken. When I turned around, his friends were standing behind us. “We figured you’d want a studio more private than the gym at school,” Hayden explained with a smile.

“It’s from all of us,” Jax added. “To welcome you to our little family.”

“We want you to be comfortable here, with us,” Killian said. I blinked repeatedly as tears welled in my eyes. These were Max’s friends, and they had gone out of their way to do something special for me, without an ulterior motive, something my real family had never done.

“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion.

“You don’t have to say anything, Princess,” Max replied, pulling me into his arms. “We just wanted to show you what real love feels like.” That was all it took. The tears spilled down my cheeks as I clutched the tutu tighter to my chest. “It’s alright, baby…” he soothed, brushing his fingers over my hair.

“We’ll leave you alone to change,” Hayden said, turning to head inside. “You’re not alone anymore, Aellorah.”

When we were alone, Max released me, pressing a chaste kiss to my forehead. “My friends are your friends, little dancer. They’ll be here for you, protect you, as actual brothers should.” Sniffling, I wiped the tears from my cheeks, holding back another sob. Real brothers, ones that didn’t use or abuse me…

“Thank you, Max,” I whispered thickly. “I should… I should try this on.”

“Of course, baby. Let me know when you’re dressed.” He kissed my forehead and then left me alone in the converted garage.

My vision was blurry with tears as I slowly stripped off my clothes. The garage was warm, as it was connected to a heating vent from the house. Still, I shivered as I unhooked my bra and dropped it on the floor.

I pulled the tutu up, securing the thin elastic strap around the back of my neck. The black tule and feathers shone in the light as I stepped toward the mirror. Max had done well; the costume fit me like a glove. I gave a small twirl, already imagining myself dancing in the converted studio, pointe shoes and all.

“Max!” I called out his name softly, and he entered the garage. He stilled when he saw me, eyes widening slightly.

“Good lord, you look fucking amazing…” He wrapped an arm around my waist, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “Okay, I hadn’t thought about it before, but now that you’re wearing it… I really want to fuck you in this.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, my head falling back against his shoulder. “Of course, you do.” I teased him with a smile, relaxing against him. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

“You are beautiful, my love,” he replied, kissing my bare shoulder. In his arms, I was at peace again.