Page 75 of Santa Daddies

He leans closer, not stopping until our noses are touching. “With everything I am. You have my solemn vow.”

Chapter Ten

Christmas Morning

Jerome

It’s only been a few days since I found my boy, and yet, I struggle with thinking about what life was like before him. He fits so perfectly into every piece of my life. While we haven’t gone back to work yet, we’ve already discussed shared lunches, after work dates, and nights snuggled up in one of our places.

Though, if I have it my way, we won’t have to be apart too far into the new year. My lease will be up in the spring. If all goes well, then I intend to see if my boy is okay with gaining a live-in Daddy.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy.” His raspy voice shoots through me as I turn to my side to face him. I’ve been up for a while, but I didn’t want to wake him just yet. For a while I watched him sleep. Then I got lost in my thoughts about our future and how to make it all come together.

Now, I realize none of it is as important as the groggy, adorable man in bed with me. All the planning in the world can wait. I want to be in this moment with him. Want to soak it all up.

“Merry Christmas, cookie.”

He giggles. “Christmas cookie… You so silly, Daddy.”

I pepper his face with kisses, which of course, only makes him laugh harder. The sound fills me with a sense of contentment. This is where I’m supposed to be. This is my future.

“Ready to get some food in your belly and open some presents?”

My words send him shooting up in bed. The sheet falls away, revealing a chest covered in love bites and beard burn. There’s no stopping how hard I get at the sight.

Claimed.

Mine.

FUCK.

“How did you get me presents? We’ve… we’ve been together all the time. You didn’t have time to get anything. I mean, I didn’t get you anything, Daddy.” His lips tilt down in the cutest frown I’ve ever seen.

“Cookie,” I say softly, making sure his focus is on me before I continue. “Remember how I said I got your letter to Santa?”

He nods.

“I thought about your letter before I approached you at the party. There were hints in there about who you were. I made a few assumptions based on them. The presents were purchased before we even met.”

“What if things hadn’t worked out though? Then you’d have spent your money for nothing.”

Moving up onto my knees, I position myself in front of him. He needs to hear everything I’m saying so there’s no mistaking how I feel. No mistaking how much I’ve already come to care.

“It wouldn’t have mattered to me outside of the loss I’d feel at not getting the chance to be your Daddy. You captivated me from the first line of your letter. If all I’d ever been was a SecretSanta type of figure in your life, then that would have been fine too. Sure, I wanted—still want— more. I won’t ever force you though.”

“You’re not forcing me!” His hands lift to cup my cheeks. “You’d never force me. I know that.”

Relief moves though me, a gentle breeze of calm after the sea of chaos. It will forever be his choice if we’re together. Still, it doesn’t make the words any easier, or less nerve-racking, to say.

“I’m glad you know that already, cookie. Daddy only wants what’s best for you. As for the money aspect, you don’t need to fuss over that. Chance taught me a few things about investing eons ago. Thanks to having no one else to spend my money on, I’ve managed to grow enough to not hurt. I work because I’m not the type to sit at home doing nothing. I need activity and focus.”

“Oh,” he replies, voice barely above a whisper.

“Now let’s go back to the original question: Are you ready to get some food in your tummy and open your presents?”

He takes a deep breath in, closing his eyes for a moment before he nods. “Yes, Daddy. Let’s do it.”

After a very quick breakfast of sugary cereal—an apparent staple on Christmas morning for my boy—I settle him on the living room couch while I go grab the bag I had Chance drop off late last night. I’d gotten up to use the bathroom and decided to text my friend for the favor. He’d left the bag outside the front door for me a few hours later.