#Chapter 208 – Midwinter Midnights

Around midnight, the family starts to fade. “Actually,” Rafe murmurs at my side, looking around the room as mom and dad herd a sleepy Mark off to his bedroom, Juniper following close behind, and Roger and Cora bid their farewells to their oldest son, who is staying overnight here so that he can go to school with the rest of us in the morning. “This might…be the perfect time…” “What?” I ask, frowning up at my older brother, Jackson slumping slightly on my other side, I think already half asleep. I laugh a little as Jacks rests his weight against me, because if he thinks I’m going to be able to hold his weight then he is sincerely overestimating my strength. “Hey, Jacks,” Rafe says, giving Jackson a nudge on the shoulder as Jesse kisses his mom and gives his dad a big hug before the pair march out with their ducklings in tow. “Do you think I could…steal Ariel for a bit? Just for a few minutes?” Jackson growls a little, low in his throat, his arm slipping around my waist as he lif