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19

Grant

S ugar lay on the couch with Velvet at his feet. His eyes were closed as he stroked his pregnant belly. It was late summer. September already. I’d gotten him pregnant the first week of March. He wasn’t due until the end of November, but he was already quite a bit bigger than most pregnant omegas at nearly seven months.

I’d had an omega doctor from Santa’s Village come by twice. He’d confirmed Sugar was carrying twin boys.

Sugar’s eyes opened as I walked up with cocoa and a bowl of chips and guacamole. For some reason, this little omega craved not sugar, not cakes and cookies and ice cream, but guac when he was pregnant. I didn’t argue it. I was here to serve.

“Grant,” he said. “Baby number two just kicked.”

I put my hand on his smooth, round stomach. Sure enough, I felt movement, then a soft punch. It had to feel so strange for him as the one carrying the babies.

“Hopefully he doesn’t make your insides black and blue,” I said.

He smiled. “I love to feel it.” He sat up, took the bowl and began eating his snack. I turned on the TV to keep him company. Then I went back to work.

Work, meaning, finishing the add-on bedroom I’d worked on all summer long. It was almost done. I already had bunkbeds ready to assemble. Our babies’ room would be complete before they were born. One half would have the changing table and double-wide crib. The other half would be waiting for when they were older. Gradually, the room would transform to however they might like it.

Velvet came out and watched me work for a while, giving her approval. She was as eager to see the babies as we were. I couldn’t believe a little less than a year ago I was living alone with my dog, working and not really thinking about the future. And now, here I was with a beloved mate I loved more than life itself and two babies on the way. I had a family and no regrets.

At night, I slept spooning Sugar. And whenever he wanted me, I made love to him slowly and thoroughly until he was open and wet and coming all over the place.

Life was divine.

November arrived with high winds and lots of snow. Sugar was so big it was uncomfortable for him. Mostly, he stayed in bed with lots of covers. I brought him everything he needed, including his iPad. I bought a new TV and hung it on the wall. I paid for the channels he wanted and with the Wi-Fi he could watch anything.

I pampered my elf. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But I worried our elf doctor might have trouble getting to us through the bad weather once it was time for Sugar to give birth.

“You both need to come to Santa’s Village,” the doctor said.

I went into the bedroom. Sugar was drawing. Velvet lay curled up at his feet. I sat on the edge of the bed.

“You look like you’re going to tell me something is wrong,” Sugar said.

“Nothing is wrong. It’s just that the weather is getting bad again and if you start to have contractions—” I shrugged. “The doctor says we need to go to Santa’s Village.”

“Sleighs can fly in inclement weather,” Sugar began.

“You can see Sno again,” I said. “Don’t you want him close by when you give birth?”

He looked down, chewing his lip. “I would like that.”

“I can arrange for my cousins to fly in tomorrow. They love me and would do any favor for me.”

“I never asked you what town you grew up in?” Sugar said.

“Ribbonville. It’s only about five miles from the village.”

“Is that where we would stay?”

“We can. But our doctor is in Santa’s Village.”

“That means I have to go home.”

“No. You don’t have to. But maybe it would be good, sweetheart.”

He rubbed his stomach. I placed my hand on top of his. He looked up at me.

“I think it’s time,” he said.

My heart lurched. “For the babies?”

“No. To go home. Just for a few weeks. Velvet comes, too.”

“Of course. I would never leave her behind.”

Though the red sleigh was warmed by magic, I still insisted on bringing blankets for Sugar.

Snow was already heavily falling, and the sky was dark to the northwest.

My cousins, Jet and Siel, stood beside the sleigh with blankets wrapped around them.

When Sugar walked up, Jet said, “Nice to meet you, Sugar.”

“Same,” Siel held out his hand. “You’re in good hands flying with us.”

“Yep,” Jet said. “We only speed a little. And then there are the loop de loops.”

I turned to Sugar. “They’re kidding.”

Sugar laughed. “I’m glad to meet you both.”

“So, you’re about to have twins?” Jet asked.

Sugar nodded.

“We’re twins. Five minutes apart. I’m the oldest.”

“Yeah,” Siel said. “And he never lets me forget it.”

I packed our bags in the back of the sleigh. It was time to hitch up.

Jet and Siel dropped their blankets and shifted faster than I could blink. I fastened their breast collar harnesses and the reins. Everything was red and gold. They looked festive and beautiful when I finished.

I got Sugar settled, then got in beside him. Velvet jumped up to sit between us. I took the reins, gave a little tug to signal the boys, and we were off.

The wind blew through my hair but due to sleigh magic it wasn’t cold. Sugar smiled up at me. By his response, I gathered it wasn’t his first time in a sleigh. Velvet barked, but stayed seated looking around at the sky, the snow and the flying deer up front.

The flight lasted less than an hour. Sugar had given the address, saying he’d contacted Sno to tell him to expect us. I immediately knew it was a Santa mansion, as did they. They exchanged looks but said nothing more. I wasn’t sure which Santa owned the mansion, but now it was confirmed. Sugar’s father who’d placed the spell on him was indeed a Santa. Santas didn’t have children—no one was sure how new Santas came into being—but then I remembered Sugar had been adopted. It made sense. Why he’d kept that bit of information from me, though, was a mystery. As bondmates, there should be no secrets between us.

This was different. The spell had been cruel. He might never stop being angry over it. In his mind, his father had cast him out, disowned him. If any Santa in existence labeled you as bad in the North Pole, it was much more than a coal in the stocking matter. It was a curse. If it was made public, you wore that curse like a scarlet letter.

Santa justice was severe.

The flight was beautiful. There were moments where the sky cleared, and it seemed like we were flying in the middle of the stars. The polar night was already in effect. It was later afternoon but all below was set in darkness.

When the lights of Santa’s Village came into view, Velvet barked. Though we’d both grown up at the pole, Sugar and I still leaned over to stare. The sight was breathtaking. In the far distance, the dimmer lights of surrounding townships glowed. None of this was visible to the human eye. Only animals and magical beings could see it.

The sleigh did a wide circle in the sky before losing altitude. There was no other sleigh traffic. If the reindeer had sensed any, our landing would be delayed. In this case, we went down smoothly on Main Street. Soon, we approached one of the great Santa mansions and slowly stopped.

I saw Sugar tense a little, but when he saw a figure come limping from the mansion porch, a big smile covered his face.

Sno was tall for an elf and had lots of wavy white hair. He wore a dark robe that billowed but couldn’t hide his thinness. He came right up to the sleigh, both hands clasping the cane, and said, “Sugar. Is that you under all those blankets? I barely recognized you.”

“Hi, Sno. It’s really me. Although a bit bigger.”

I threw off the blankets and got out to come around and help Sugar. Velvet jumped off behind me.

When I came around the back, Sno was already helping Sugar to step down. As soon as Sugar was standing, he threw his arms around his nanny.

When they were done hugging, Sno stepped back, looking at Sugar’s bulge through his coat. “Look at you! Twins.”

Sugar nodded. “Yep. Two boys growing inside me and kicking me every chance they get.”

“How wonderful!”

Sugar looked around. “Is my father here?”

“Not yet.”

“He knew I was coming, right?”

Sno didn’t answer. Instead, he took Sugar’s hand and said, “Come on inside. I baked your favorite cookies.”

“We have bags.” Sugar gestured to the sleigh.

“I’ll get them,” I said.

Sno turned to me. “Grant.” He held out his hand. “So wonderful to finally meet you.”

“I’m glad to finally meet you, too, Sno.” I took his hand, and we shook.

I folded all the blankets and put them on the floor of the sleigh. With our bags over my shoulders, I waved to my cousins. “Jet. Siel. Thanks so much.”

They nodded their big heads and flew off gracefully with barely a sound.

Sugar, Sno and Velvet waited on the porch until I caught up with them. Then Sno led the way inside the massive house.

Everything glistened and gleamed from the hardwood floors to the Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes that filled every open space and corner. We walked by a wide, curving staircase.

Sugar took my hand. “Put down our bags. We can take them to my room later.”

“I had the housekeepers clean your room. Everything in there is how you left it, Sugar. Will that be sufficient for you two and the dog?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Sno” Sugar beamed. He leaned into me and whispered. “Don’t worry. I have a huge king bed.”

I piled the bags by the stairs. Sugar tugged at my arm. “Come on. Kitchen’s this way.”

Everything smelled like sugar and spice. We entered a huge, brightly lit kitchen. The table was decorated with Christmas garlands and a pinecone centerpiece. Fresh cookies were laid out on a cooling tray next to a stack of small plates.

“Sit and relax. I’ll get the cocoa,” Sno said.

Sugar and I sat side by side. He still had a tight grip on my hand. Velvet sat by me.

Sno brought the cocoa over and set it in front of us. He looked at Velvet. “I have prepared for all of you. There’s a bowl of water and a bowl of food for her. And I ordered dog treats.”

“Thank you.”

Sno showed Velvet her bowls. She politely took a few laps of water but didn’t eat. She was too distracted. She walked about the kitchen sniffing at everything.

Sno brought his own mug of cocoa to the table and sat facing us. “I’m so glad you came. Both of us are. We hope you’ll stay for a while.”

“Until the babies come for sure,” Sugar said.

“And until Christmas?”

Sugar looked at me. I shrugged, nodding. I’d battened down the cabin well. It would be fine if we stayed the month of December.

Sugar looked back at Sno. “Maybe.”

While Sno and Sugar talked, catching up on things, I took in all the surroundings. I couldn’t believe I was actually inside a Santa mansion, and not only that, but I’d also be living in Sugar’s bedroom.

After we talked and snacked for a while, Sno said, “I’ll let you both get settled upstairs.” He glanced at Sugar. “Dinner tonight is your favorite soup.”

“Chicken pot pie soup?”

“You guessed it.”

Sugar rubbed his hands together. “You’ll love it, Grant. It’s so great.”

“Sounds delicious.”

“Ready in about an hour,” Sno said.

As we were leaving the kitchen, Sno spoke again. “Oh, and your father will be home for dinner.”

Sugar froze. “Um, okay.” He took a couple of deep breaths. “Thanks for the warning.”

When we got to Sugar’s room, I expected a typical young man’s room, only nineteen when he got spelled. Instead, I walked into a penthouse suite complete with a sunken living room, TV, white leather couch and fireplace. The king-sized bed was elevated in its own area, the wood headboard carved with swirls and stars.

Along one side were huge windows, the curtains open to the polar night.

“This is incredible,” I exclaimed.

“Yeah. I told you the truth when I said I was spoiled.”

“After growing up here, it’s a wonder you’ve been satisfied with a one room cabin.”

“Two rooms now.” Sugar pointed his finger at me. “But after living here all my life, your cabin?—”

“Ours,” I corrected.

“ Our cabin is a breath of fresh air.”

I walked over to the couch and sat. Velvet jumped up with me. I found controls that elevated the bottom of the couch so that the section I sat in became an easy chair.

“I could get used to this.”

We unpacked our things. I tried out the bed, dropping my weight onto the mattress. “Oh, that’s lovely.”

“Like a cloud,” Sugar said.

I checked my phone a few times to make sure we were on time for dinner. Right at six, I said, “We should go back down.”

“Yeah.” His tone was listless.

“How are you feeling about seeing your father again?”

“I don’t know. Weird. Anxious. A little worried.”

“Worried?”

“What if he’s still angry?”

“It’s been over a year,” I pointed out.

“I guess you know he’s one of the Santas by now.”

“I figured it out months ago,” I said. “And by the number over the front door, 39, I know which Santa he is. They made us memorize all the Santas’ numbers and names in school.”

“I guess I didn’t stay in school long enough for that lesson.” He came closer. “So you know who he is?”

“Christero,” I answered.

“That’s right. I’m sure he’ll like you, Grant. Christero is a generous Santa. And most people would say he’s very kind.” He let out a long sigh. “Most people.”

I nodded. “But not you?”

“We’ll see.” He shrugged. “Okay, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”