Page 23 of The Cobbler and His Elves

The afternoon passed in a whirlwind of customers, shoe purchases, and repairs. Before I knew it, the sun hung low inthe sky, painting the shop in warm, golden hues. As the last customer left, Jack flipped the sign to “Closed” and Elijah began sweeping up.

“I have a surprise for you,” I said, unable to contain my excitement any longer.

They exchanged curious glances. “What kind of surprise?” Jack asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

I rolled my eyes fondly. “Not that kind of surprise, you insatiable alpha. Come outside.”

Taking each of them by the hand, I led them out onto the sidewalk. There, propped against the wall, stood a large, cloth-covered object. I’d arranged for old Mr. Callahan, the local woodworker, to deliver it earlier that afternoon while Jack and Elijah were busy with customers and the shop’s add-on. The anticipation had been killing me all day, and I’d barely managed to keep my excitement under wraps.

“Ready?” I asked, gripping the edge of the cloth.

At their nods, I pulled, revealing a beautifully carved wooden sign. An intricately painted elf, arms full of shoes, grinned cheekily beside the words “Cobblers’ Corner” in elegant gold lettering.

For a moment, Jack and Elijah stood silent, their eyes wide with surprise. Then, as one, they turned to me.

“Milo,” Elijah breathed, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s perfect.”

Jack nodded, reaching out to trace the carved elf with reverent fingers. “Cobblers’ Corner,” he said, testing the words. “I love it.”

“I thought,” I said, suddenly shy, “since we’re expanding the shop and our family, it was time for a new name. Something that represents all of us.”

They pulled me into a tight embrace, mindful of my belly. I breathed in their mingled scents—Jack’s spicy cedar and Elijah’s sweet sandalwood—feeling utterly safe and loved.

“Thank you,” Jack murmured against my hair. “For everything.”

Elijah’s hand found mine, squeezing gently. “We love you so much, Milo.”

We stood there for a long moment, basking in each other’s presence and the promise of our future together. Finally, a sharp kick from my belly broke the spell.

Jack laughed, placing his hand over the spot. “I think someone’s feeling left out.”

“Have you thought any more about names?” Elijah asked as we made our way back inside.

I nodded, locking the door behind us. “I was thinking... maybe Christopher? After my grandfather?”

Their faces softened with understanding. “It’s perfect,” Elijah said.

“Christopher… Chris,” Jack mused, a grin spreading across his face. “I like it.”

As we climbed the stairs to our apartment—soon to be expanded along with the shop—I couldn’t help but reflect on how far we’d come. Two years ago, I’d been a struggling cobbler, barely keeping my head above water. Now, I had a thriving business,a loving family, and a community that had rallied around us in ways I never could have imagined.

Jack and Elijah moved around the small kitchen, preparing a light supper as I sank gratefully into my favorite armchair. The domestic scene before me, so ordinary yet so precious, brought tears to my eyes.

“Hey now,” Jack said softly, kneeling beside me. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

I shook my head, smiling through my tears. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just... happy. Overwhelmed, maybe.”

Elijah joined us, perching on the arm of the chair. “Good overwhelmed, I hope?”

“The best kind,” I assured them, taking each of their hands in mine. “I was just thinking about my grandfather’s story. About the cobbler and the elves who came to help him in his time of need.”

Understanding dawned in their eyes. Jack pressed a kiss to my knuckles. “Are we still your elves, then?”

I nodded, my heart so full it felt fit to burst. “The best elves a cobbler could ask for. My mates. My alphas. My family.”

Elijah leaned down, capturing my lips in a tender kiss. “And you’re our omega. Our heart. Our home.”

A sense of rightness settled over me. This was where I belonged. With my mates, our soon-to-be-born pup, and a future bright with promise.