Page 17

Wade

A month ago, I’d been working hard, trying to get my baby and I to someplace safe before her arrival. That was the only thing on my mind. Christmas? It hadn’t even crossed my radar. It was a holiday for those who could afford such frivolities, and that certainly hadn’t been me.

Even two weeks ago, I hadn’t expected to have anything resembling a nice Christmas—or really, any Christmas at all. Now, sitting in a post card-worthy resort, with my beautiful daughter in arms and my mate peacefully sleeping, it was difficult to remember how different things were even a few short weeks ago.

I’d been walking endlessly, just hoping to find shelter, a roof over my head. And here I was, having the best Christmas ever, and it had only just started.

Juniper woke up before the sun, hungry and needing a change. Now, she was nestled in my arms in front of the fireplace, sound asleep. I looked at her sweet little face. It was still so surreal that I was a father. My entire being was wrapped in love, warmth, and acceptance.

Originally, I’d considered going back to bed once she ate, but I didn’t want to wake Kurt. He hadn’t had a single day to sleep in since we arrived, and he deserved the rest. Especially after being such an amazing partner when I was going through childbirth. Having him by my side gave me the strength I needed. He said I always had it all along, but he was wrong. I needed him.

A light rap, rap, rap at the door stirred me from my thoughts. I stood carefully, covering Juniper with a blanket to keep the breeze from catching her as I opened the door. Elias and Theo stood there, holding a huge box between the two of them.

“We brought food,” Elias said as they stepped inside, allowing me to close the door.

Elias began explaining the contents of the box, and each item sounded more delicious than the next. They had outdone themselves with homemade cinnamon rolls, an egg casserole, and, of course, cookies.

“Merry Christmas!” Theo and Elias brought the food over to the counter and set it down.

“You didn’t have to do this,” I said. “Thank you, really, but it’s so much.”

Elias waved me off as Theo put an arm around his mate’s shoulders. “We needed an excuse to come see the baby.”

“Did you want to hold her?”

Elias practically lunged forward, his arms outstretched.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” The moment she was in his arms, he cradled her close.

“Oh, she’s so beautiful,” he murmured. “Aren’t you, sweet girl?”

“She really is.” Theo smiled down at her.

“Thank you for breakfast.” I’d planned to cook omelets and tube biscuits. This was so much better.

“It’s part one of your gift,” Theo said with a grin.

“Part one?” It was by far more than enough.

“Yes, part one. We’re here to babysit.”

“I don’t need a babysitter—”

“But you do.” Kurt’s voice came from behind me. He placed a gentle hand on my back. “I called them last night. We won’t be gone long, but you need to let your wolf out, and I know you wouldn’t be happy going without me.”

Elias was already swaying side to side, soothing Juniper in his arms. She was going to be fine with him. “When did she last eat?”

“She just fell asleep, so not too long ago.”

“Perfect,” Theo said. “Why don’t you two go now? We’ll have breakfast set up when you get back—you’ll feel better for the shift.”

I wanted to argue, but they were right. My wolf needed the release. I trusted them completely; our sweet baby girl would be fine in their care. It wasn’t like we were going on vacation. We were going to be gone less than an hour, and there was no doubt in my mind that they would protect her like she was their own.

After thanking them, Kurt and I stepped out onto the porch, undressing quickly to shift. I knew Juniper was safe inside, but the instinct to stay close kept us from venturing far. We circled the cabin a few times, scenting the air for danger and, when we found none, we played.

I chased Kurt. He chased me. We rolled in the snow like pups. Our wolves reveled in the time together. I knew we’d have plenty more days like this, but there would be only one first shift together, and I wanted to cherish it. My mind wasn’t feeling the same and kept wandering back to the baby. It was time to go back inside.

I thought we’d been outside at least half an hour. I was wrong. We’d been out barely ten minutes. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough to satisfy my wolf and scratch the itch to play as our beasts.

When we stepped back into the cabin, the transformation inside was magical. The table was set, cocoa was fresh, Christmas music played softly in the air—and somehow, there were presents under the tree. They hadn’t been there before.

“Does anyone call you Santa?” I teased Theo.

“Some call me a lot of things,” he said with a wink, whatever that meant.

Elias handed Juniper back to Kurt and then wrapped his arm around Theo. “Merry Christmas, you two. We hope to see you back again—and again and again. Maybe make this your Christmas tradition, or summer is nice too…fall is beautiful as well.”

“I’m sure we’ll be back so often, you’ll be sick of us,” Kurt said.

I wasn’t sure how life in the pack would be, but I liked the idea of coming back. Maybe for Christmas in July, or another winter holiday.

They left, and Kurt and I sat down to the most delightful Christmas breakfast. The cinnamon rolls were shaped like little Christmas bells, and the egg casserole was delicious. As for the cocoa, well, there was never such a thing as too much cocoa.

“That was really sweet of them,” I said between bites.

“It was,” Kurt agreed. “I don’t know how they make money at this place.”

“It’s not about the money with them,” I said, thinking aloud.

“Agreed. Marco shared what our rate was, and even if both of us were paying full price, it wouldn’t keep this place running. It’s got to be more of a hobby for them.” Kurt leaned back, Juniper stirring sweetly in his arms.

“Yeah, I can see that. They sure have fun with it. We do need to come back again.” In a weird way, they were family too, even if I didn’t understand them.

“Oh, definitely.”

I finished eating and had started to get up and clear the table, when the presents under the tree caught my eye again. “Did you put those there?”

“No. I mean, I wanted to, but I didn’t have time.”

“Huh, me neither…but look.” They were definitely new.

He turned to the tree. “Should we open them?”

“Maybe later,” Kurt said. “Right now, I just want to sit on the couch, snuggle with my mate and baby, watch the fire, and listen to Christmas music. How does that sound?”

“Any time with you sounds like heaven.”

After a quick cleanup, I joined him and our daughter on the couch, the fire blazing before us, “Sleigh Ride” over the music system.

“Merry Christmas, my love.” I leaned in to his side. “Merry Christmas, my sweet girl.”

“Merry Christmas, omega mine. Thank you for making this the best Christmas ever.”

It truly was.