I let out a contented sigh as I leaned back from the table and sipped my coffee. "As far as Christmas dinners go, that was the best one I have had in many years. I need to thank everyone for joining us, and especially the ladies for all their hard work on the lovely meal. It's been too many years since I actually felt like the host at a holiday dinner."
"Now that dinner is finished however, I think it is time to adjourn to the living room. We held off opening presents so Corbin could join us, and he only has a few hours before he needs to get back on the road for home," I said as I stood. "I don't know about anyone else, but I could go for a nice amaretto as well."
We relaxed and enjoyed a drink as everyone opened their presents. It was an odd time for me, as I was not used to seeing my girls fully dressed. I had taken them shopping a couple days ago so they would have something normal to wear when Corbin arrived, as well as letting them pick out a few presents for the rest of the house.
The only real surprise gift was when I handed out my present for all the ladies in the house. Finding a set at the last minute for Marian had taken a couple stops, but it was worth the extra effort to see her face light up with the rest as they saw the half-carat diamond earrings.
There were several objections, but they let me overrule them fairly easily with the reminder that I was worth several million and a half dozen pairs of diamond earrings was not going to break me. We chatted and enjoyed each other's company for a while, until Corbin announced it was time for him to head out because he still had a four-hour drive ahead of him.
As he loaded up the car, Sonia kissed me on the cheek and thanked me for the earrings before dragging her husband back to their house. Corbin hugged Felicia, telling her how glad he was to see her so happy. After a final exchange of pleasantries, Felicia and his parents watched as he drove off before coming back inside. As soon as the door closed, Felicia, Amanda and Elizabeth started peeling off their clothes.
"I don't know how you stand to be dressed all day long," Elizabeth said to Marian. "I would go crazy if I had to do that every day."
"I think you should all go take a shower and get your regular outfits back on for now," I told them. "It is still early and I would like to spend some more time enjoying the holiday."
Once they were upstairs, I went back into the living room and picked up the phone. "Our special guest just left, and I sent them up to shower, so they should be back down in fifteen minutes or so...No, they don't suspect a thing...Perfect, we will see you in about half an hour then."
When I hung up the phone, Jaden and Marian gave me a questioning look. "It's a surprise for the girls. Do not ask, but I am sure you will probably enjoy it as well. Let's have another drink while we wait for them."
I put some more Christmas music on before pouring another round of drinks and sitting down. When the girls came back down, I saw they were all dressed in their usual house attire. Elizabeth and kitten both curled up with me on the couch as Amanda went to snuggle up with Marian, figuring she would be spending the night with them.
When their tests came back clean, I gave the girls permission to play on their non-breeding nights. Last night, Elizabeth went right from her session with Teodoro to their bed. Tonight should have been Amanda's turn with them, but I had other plans.
The knock at the door took everyone else by surprise. "Elizabeth, Amanda, I need the two of you to go answer the door." I could see the confused looks, but they got up and went to the door. "It is a little surprise for them," I whispered in kitten's ear in response to her questioning glance.
I heard the door open, followed by stunned silence for a moment before a high-pitched squeal of excitement pierced the air. I could tell the curiosity was getting to her, so I told Felicia she could go see what the surprise was. I chuckled as she jumped up and rushed out of the room.
"Okay, spill the beans already," Marian said. "What is all the surprise that has them all excited?"
"Elizabeth and Amanda have been worried because their Master's presents had not arrived yet, and he never misses a holiday," I explained. "Julien usually makes a trip to the Swiss Alps around this time of year with all of his special pets for a two weeks ski vacation. We arranged to have him take an extra day so he could drop off their presents personally and let them visit with their sisters. That is who is at the door right now."
I stood up as Amanda and Elizabeth led Julien into the room. "Julien, glad you made it safely. From the sound of it, the surprise worked out well. I have coffee, amaretto, or wine if you prefer that," I said as I shook his hand before looking over to Elizabeth and Amanda. "Yes, you have permission to greet everyone as you clearly want to."
"Amaretto would be wonderful," he replied before Elizabeth's mouth covered his. I poured his drink with a laugh and set it on the table next to him. I figured he would be a few minutes.
I had just sat down when I was surprised to hear a child's voice. "Your tail is so fluffy, are you supposed to be a cat? I am a cat too, but Daddy-Master says I cannot have a real tail until I get older though. Do you like being a cat?"
It was interrupted by another woman I did not recognize. "Sophia, sweetie, you have to give her a chance to talk if you expect her to answer. What has Master told you about asking questions, and what did he tell you about kitten before we arrived?"
"I have to stop between questions so people can reply," she recited dutifully before getting a horrified look on her face. "I'm so sorry, Daddy-Master told me you cannot talk and I was asking you a million questions."