Page 134 of Santa Daddies

No, no no. I need to do something, anything, to get my husband’s attention.

I clicked a few more things on the computer but could not figure out what to do. I heard voices outside and panicked.

Daddy and I met because I was on the naughty list. Maybe…..

Before I knew what was happening I was using my magic to put myself on the naughty list once again. It wasn’t what I’d planned, hadn’t even crossed my mind until that moment, but what else could I do? I jumped out of Dash’s seat and went into the small connected bathroom just as the door opened and Dash and one of the security elves came inside.

“What? Where is she?”

“I’m here! Sorry! Nature called so I locked the door before I used your bathroom,” I called out as I strolled out of the bathroom, trying my best to keep my cover while seeming like I’d just relieved myself.

Dash eyed me skeptically. He was one of the oldest elves on staff and it felt like I was about to be found out. I needed to get out of there.

“Well, I should get back to the house,” I hummed. “Mrs. Claus will wonder what is taking me so long. Lots of messes to clean up and cookies to bake and presents to wrap.”

I squeezed past the two elves and hurried down the hall. I was almost home free when I heard Santa’s voice coming in my direction.Double freaking fudgesticks. There was nowhere to go except back from the direction I came and that was the opposite way I needed to go. My disguise was good enough to trick Dash, but would it be good enough to get past my own Santa Daddy?

Keeping my head down, I continued on my escape route. My heart pounded in my chest as I made it past Yule who was thankfully too busy talking to Bernadette to notice my presence. Where as the warmth had welcomed me into the building, the cold air as I exited was like a slap to the face, but I’d already been there way too long and I really had no idea what was going to happen with the list or how long it would take it to happen.

Maybe the list would self-correct and all of my hard work would be for naught.

That may not be the worst thing,a little voice in the back of my head told me. And yeah, maybe it wouldn’t be. Getting off the naughty list the first time was… uncomfortable. What would it be like the second time around?

I wasn’t going to go back inside and fix it so there was nothing I could do but wait.

My solution was bound to fix one of my problems and get me the attention I so desperately craved, but it wouldn’t get my Santa Daddy any long-term solution or break.

Oh well. I sighed. I’d done my best.

Chapter Five

Yule

“Was that Trixie?” I interrupted Bernadette as she was rattling off all of the things that needed my “immediate attention”.

“Huh? Where?” She looked up from her tablet and glanced around.

“Never mind. What’s next?” I shook my head. If Trixie came to the offices, she was probably dropping off cookies she and Crystal made or bringing something in for her beau, Buddy. It wasn’t like she was bound to our home during the day, but seeing her just made me think of Crystal and how difficult the last few days had been.

“Santa, are you even listening to me?” Bernadette sighed.

“Sorry Bernie, it’s been a?—”

Bernadette’s phone rang, interrupting me mid-sentence. It was fine. I didn’t need to make excuses. Everyone was tired and stressed this time of year. Once the big day was kicked off, we would all be able to breathe a little easier and the stressful days and sleepless nights would all have been worth it.

“We’re in the building, Dashell. We will stop in before heading to Santa’s office.”

Deck my balls.

If Dash was calling Bernadette that meant thefruitcakinglist was starting off my day on a sour note. Again.

Bernadette hung up her phone and half smiled at me. “We need to make a pit-stop.”

Even though I’d already known what she was going to say, I growled under my breath.

“February first we are revamping the list. Put it on the calendar. I want all of my list-watchers and the technical team on this. We are not doing another year like this.”

“No one is going to like that, Santa. You know how elves are about tradition,” Bernadette reminded me carefully.